Manta Ray Squat Pad

[J-Massive]

Anyone ever use a Manta Ray? I read it's a good piece of equipment but I also read that it feels a bit awkward to use. What are your opinions?

I am going heavier on squats but I'm feeling a bit of a "pain in the neck" from the compression. I'm very cautious of my form and know that the bar should rest on the traps but I am feeling a bit of soreness on the spine. It went away in a day but I didn't like the idea of putting my spine throught that every week. I thought maybe this would help and allow me to go as heavy as I want without having to worry. What do you think?

For those not familiar, Manta Ray is a sculpted rubber pad you put on a bar for doing squats. It's supposed to alleviate problems associated with doing squats. Here's a link of the product description:

http://www.adfit.com/mantaray/using.html

http://www.adfit.com/mantaray/index.asp

[Robert]

Just use the gym pad.

Peace

[Fang]

my gym has the manta and it's alright I guess. but there's no point in running out and buying it. save your money and just use a towel or the regular pad. I still don't use any pads because the pain of the bar on my neck pisses me off and fuels my rage. But then again, I am like three inches shorter ever since I started going heavy...

[J-Massive]

Lol, thanks. I'll just get a regular pad.

[quadancer]

I can't believe some of these idiots:just posting to be heard I guess. I bought the manta ray, because, like many of us, I get EXTREME pain, USELESS pain, AGGRAVATING pain, DISTRACTING pain in the traps (some guys get it in the neck or spine) when squatting, even with a regular bar pad. Other guys have no nerve endings there and therefore can use the naked bar, so let them.
Thanx to the manta, I can squat again, and go heavy without pain. The only pain I want to feel when squatting is in my legs! It does take a few sessions to get used to it; it requires you to keep your back in the line that it should be in and you may wish to use a wider grip, making your traps stand up more to fill the pads up even more.
My neck is 18", so I had to trim the inside front collars a bit to make it fit better. Now instead of DREADING leg day, I look forward eagerly to it!
Some of the nerveless grunts will tell you "just be a man...uh, do it tha regulah way..." kick him in the balls and see how tough a "man" he is. BTW, my squats went way up in weight thanx to the pad...uh, wasn't that the idea to begin with? To work the legs? Go figure.

[mastap]

lol you sound like a sales rep or something

[MuscleGainer]

I have a Manta Ray. It's harder to squat with it and I can't go as low to the ground with it than with the pad. It's less painful than the pad if you adjust it right but for some reason I'm getting these red marks that look like pressure diggings into my skin on my traps where that Manta Ray was resting ever since I started using it.

[John Hicks]

I can't believe some of these idiots:just posting to be heard I guess. I bought the manta ray, because, like many of us, I get EXTREME pain, USELESS pain, AGGRAVATING pain, DISTRACTING pain in the traps (some guys get it in the neck or spine) when squatting, even with a regular bar pad. Other guys have no nerve endings there and therefore can use the naked bar, so let them.

I agree with quadancer. I had a real problem keeping the bar on my back even with towels, pads or whatever it would move around while I was squatting. I got the Manta Ray and my squatting problem was solved. I say get it and use it, if you end up not liking it sell it to someone else.

[smokeater]

I just use a pad that you can buy for $15 just about anywhere and it works fine.

[icery]

in addition to the manta ray id also recommend the sting ray, its great for front squats

[quadancer]

I just use a pad that you can buy for $15 just about anywhere and it works fine.

Like I said: some folks don't have a lot of nerve endings in the shoulder area, so can even go without a pad at all; others like me are REAL touchy there and it detracts from the lift. And we're all built a little different, so each one will react to different stimuli in different ways...for instance, my biceps have NEVER felt any pain...no DOMS, no injury pain, nothing but lactic acid burn in a long set maybe. But I can fry my triceps in a minute.
I think that's why musclegainer can't get ass to grass with the manta: different physiology. Me, I'm 51, and don't go but a little past 90 degrees with or without it.

[Revan]

For those not familiar, Manta Ray is a sculpted rubber pad you put on a bar for doing squats. It's supposed to alleviate problems associated with doing squats. Here's a link of the product description:

It isn't rubber but hard plastic, it also changes the placement of the bar on your back, pushing it higher and shifting the load forward, which alters the movement (I like that). I've squatted over 350 with it and didn't have any discomfort. I work out in my basement so it allows me to have another leg exercise without another machine (manta ray squats or low bar squats; narrow, wide and box.)

Revan

[smokeater]

Like I said: some folks don't have a lot of nerve endings in the shoulder area, so can even go without a pad at all; others like me are REAL touchy there and it detracts from the lift. And we're all built a little different, so each one will react to different stimuli in different ways...for instance, my biceps have NEVER felt any pain...no DOMS, no injury pain, nothing but lactic acid burn in a long set maybe. But I can fry my triceps in a minute.
I think that's why musclegainer can't get ass to grass with the manta: different physiology. Me, I'm 51, and don't go but a little past 90 degrees with or without it.

This is the first time I've ever seen somebody say that a barbell pad wasn't good enough. No disrespect, but your scenario is rare.

[W8isGR8]

I don't like the pads because I have to worry about the damn bar rolling around. I use the manta ray and the sting ray and I love them. Luckily my gym has them both so I didn't have to buy them, but I would if I had to. Best invention ever.

[PolPow53]

my gym has the manta and it's alright I guess. but there's no point in running out and buying it. save your money and just use a towel or the regular pad. I still don't use any pads because the pain of the bar on my neck pisses me off and fuels my rage. But then again, I am like three inches shorter ever since I started going heavy...

are you serious about the height loss?

or are you exagerrating?

[eyeofthetiger]

are you serious about the height loss?

or are you exagerrating?

no, hes kidding. There shouldnt be any pain on someones neck when they squat. I dont know why people need a manta ray.

I can understand the string ray (for front squats) , its so hard to position the bar for some people. Back squats are alot easier.

Dont waste your money on a manta ray though

[canine3480]

I agree with quadancer. I had a real problem keeping the bar on my back even with towels, pads or whatever it would move around while I was squatting. I got the Manta Ray and my squatting problem was solved. I say get it and use it, if you end up not liking it sell it to someone else.

yeah, definitely. it has done wonders for me. i don't squat every week, but i am able to squat heavier with the manta ray than without it. i've noticed that my legs respond better to lower volume, higher intensity.

[husu]

I got a manta ray about a month ago. Before that I didn't use any padding. I have well developed traps and placed the bar on my shoulders, not my neck, and no padding meant greater control. And I never had any back or neck pain. With the manta ray, the weight I use for my squats went up about 20% in one month, and reps went up too. I feel more confident with it as I know the bar won't slip of something, and I guess that's why I can lift heavier now. I recommend it.

[Up The Twig]

I have never used the Manta Ray since I can not do a conventional squat (My range of movement in my shoulders is such that I physically can not get my hands on the bar if I but it behind my neck), but I did buy the "sister" product for front quats, the Sting ray. It is awesome, and I can do a lot more weight than I could when trying to balance the bar on my shoulders.

[Zensuji]

I have never used the Manta Ray since I can not do a conventional squat (My range of movement in my shoulders is such that I physically can not get my hands on the bar if I but it behind my neck), but I did buy the "sister" product for front quats, the Sting ray. It is awesome, and I can do a lot more weight than I could when trying to balance the bar on my shoulders.

yea the sting ray is a really good product, love mine

[84chevy]

i love the manta started using after my lift budy snaped the tip of his vertibray off while squating so no the pain is not good can end up with u in a neck brace for a good while.

[jfindon]

Hate them. Don't need them.

[boxertim]

i have one and used it often...now i don't use it anymore.

here is the thread i made about it....


http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=111165281

[crupiea]

Are you squatting with the bar where it is in those pictures? That would explain neck pain.

Squeeze your shoulders together and put the damn thing lower where it belongs and you wont have a problem.

Try this,

Take a much narrower grip next time. Just outside of your shoulders. Push out your chest.

This will brings your shoulder blades closer together and give you a nice meaty place to put the bar. No neck pain.

Now re rack the bar and keeping that shoulder blade together feeling, put your hand out to the rings.

Put your chest up and keep your shoulder together. Now the bar will slide lower down your back and still sit on a very comfortable meaty place.

If its on your neck or spine, you aint doing it right.

[Silenthillz]

I always hated squatting until I purchased the manta ray. I never like the feeling of the bar on my back even with the pad.....maybe it's because the way my back bone sticks out on top a little more than others or maybe I have more sensitive nerve endings I really don't know but I can't stand the feeling. I just put a towel under it and no pain and perfect form is much easier for me to do.....not to mention I'm already squatting much more weight literally over night. I love it and can't say a single bad thing about it. Call me a pussy for using one the guys at the gym do but I could care less. I say try it out and if you don't like it send it back......just try putting a small towel under it because it makes it work even better and it's more comfortable after all it is made out of some kind of hard plastic. Manta Ray......clever design.

...and no I am also not a sales rep for this product I wish I was because I just got laid off and need a job.....seems like it would be a pretty cool gig.lol

[deseee]

woah... 2001 thread... theres a blast from the past

[duke971]

I like mine for all the above-mentioned reasons. Also, I can scrunch my shoulder blades together, cock the MR back a bit and get the bar in pretty much (close enough anyway) the normal, lower position for squatting.

[Curbside_Quiche]

I like the manta ray. The best part is that the bar is more stable on your back. That means you don't have to exert as much force with your arms to keep the bar in place which is great when your shoulders are stretching.

[jfindon]

I like the manta ray. The best part is that the bar is more stable on your back. That means you don't have to exert as much force with your arms to keep the bar in place which is great when your shoulders are stretching.

Exert force? I'd think hundreds of pounds on the bar would be enough to keep pressure on. I rest my hands on the bar, I don't exert any force at all with my arms.

Not to mention it usually puts the bar at a place that isn't best for your back. I just don't understand why some people like these things unless they have a physical issue, which not many do.

[HardKore79]

I can't believe some of these idiots:just posting to be heard I guess. I bought the manta ray, because, like many of us, I get EXTREME pain, USELESS pain, AGGRAVATING pain, DISTRACTING pain in the traps (some guys get it in the neck or spine) when squatting, even with a regular bar pad. Other guys have no nerve endings there and therefore can use the naked bar, so let them.
Thanx to the manta, I can squat again, and go heavy without pain. The only pain I want to feel when squatting is in my legs! It does take a few sessions to get used to it; it requires you to keep your back in the line that it should be in and you may wish to use a wider grip, making your traps stand up more to fill the pads up even more.
My neck is 18", so I had to trim the inside front collars a bit to make it fit better. Now instead of DREADING leg day, I look forward eagerly to it!
Some of the nerveless grunts will tell you "just be a man...uh, do it tha regulah way..." kick him in the balls and see how tough a "man" he is. BTW, my squats went way up in weight thanx to the pad...uh, wasn't that the idea to begin with? To work the legs? Go figure.

Repped!
If it works for some, it doesn't mean that it's going to work for everyone. Myself, I lift without a pad, but I'm not going to put down guys that do. At least, they are squating and that's a plus in my book.