Marrs Bar -- New Type (?) of Safety Squat Bar (SSB)

[Mech6]

I think I might've bashed the Marrs bar in another thread (can't recall), but if I did, I'm prepared to eat crow. Marrs had a stand at the Arnold and Cleveland33 and I tried it. I thought it was awesome honestly. The biggest improvement is that the front squat can be done totally hands free. I used to be able to do a clean grip on a front squat...not anymore because of mobility. With the Marrs bar, I was able to do multiple front squats with no hands and the thing just rock solid not moving anywhere. Back squats - same thing...although that's not nearly as ground-breaking since I can do no hand SSB squats with my EliteFTS. It did sit way further off the back than the EliteFTS obviously.

But you can get the front squat harness for much cheaper. $180 at elitefts. Even on amazon at various times.

[GamecockLifter]

I think I might've bashed the Marrs bar in another thread (can't recall), but if I did, I'm prepared to eat crow. Marrs had a stand at the Arnold and Cleveland33 and I tried it. I thought it was awesome honestly. The biggest improvement is that the front squat can be done totally hands free. I used to be able to do a clean grip on a front squat...not anymore because of mobility. With the Marrs bar, I was able to do multiple front squats with no hands and the thing just rock solid not moving anywhere. Back squats - same thing...although that's not nearly as ground-breaking since I can do no hand SSB squats with my EliteFTS. It did sit way further off the back than the EliteFTS obviously.

Thanks for sharing. Cool you got to try it!

[ParxPoker]

Did back squatting with the Marrs Bar feel superior to squatting with a barbell or regular safety squat bar? The Marrs Bar doesnt seem too practical for a garage gym owner, just for a little variation.

[twoforme2]

$210 to ship to the left coast. I was $589 interested, am not $800 interested.

[Cleveland33]

yea if I ever get around to getting an ssb it will be this one

That said, I am not getting one any time soon - getting it in and out of my rack with my tight space is just too much of a PITA.

[melDorado]

Looks cool tbh

[smokinHawk]

But you can get the front squat harness for much cheaper. $180 at elitefts. Even on amazon at various times.

Front squat harness sucks. I got one to try it out and sold it promptly as I didn't like it.

I tried the marrs bar out at the Arnold (only with two 45s on it) bbut it felt real good in the back squat and front squat position. I was impressed. Not sure how it would feel with a lot of weight on it as safety squat bars feel different with a lot of right on it.
If you have the honey then it's worth it or if its something you need to work on with for squats then yes.
If your a frugal person who isn't advanced then no is not worth it.

[Bench905]

I tried the marrs bar out at the Arnold (only with two 45s on it) bbut it felt real good in the back squat and front squat position. I was impressed. Not sure how it would feel with a lot of weight on it as safety squat bars feel different with a lot of right on it.

Exactly how I felt. Really really liked the bar and would like to own one personally. Whether or not it's a good value is entirely up to the purchaser.

[Mitcho7]

Front squat harness sucks. I got one to try it out and sold it promptly as I didn't like it.

Completely agree on the front squat harness, it puts the weight way further out in front (at least for the one i tried) and changed the movement way too much for me.

Unless they can bring the cost down for this bar, I cant see many individuals buying it at $800 shipped...

[glossyMac17]

Completely agree on the front squat harness, it puts the weight way further out in front (at least for the one i tried) and changed the movement way too much for me.

I recently sold my front squat harness for the same reasons. It was the compact version from Get Strength that, while smaller and less bulky, just felt awkward.

Just checked the website and sadly (or fortunately for the purse strings) there is no international shipping option for the Marrs Bar.

[Cleveland33]

Exactly how I felt. Really really liked the bar and would like to own one personally. Whether or not it's a good value is entirely up to the purchaser.

I still think you should have asked for a discount when we were there - they loved it when I told them how much you hate Titan

[radrd]

The more I look at this, the more I want one, but I'm going to have to wait until the price (hopefully) comes down. $799 shipped is a non-starter. Could probably convince myself to spend $600 or so shipped.

[TunaGill]

The more I look at this, the more I want one, but I'm going to have to wait until the price (hopefully) comes down. $799 shipped is a non-starter. Could probably convince myself to spend $600 or so shipped.

Same. It was a possibility for me at $589, as long as that included shipping and handling.

$800 or so is too much.

Unless, of course, tons and tons of rave reviews come back saying how awesome it is, how everyone needs one, etc. Then I might be persuaded. Might.

[jamesovercome]

People buy Duffalo and Transformer bars for the same amount, can't really say this bar isn't worth more/less than those. They're all equally overpriced.

[TunaGill]

People buy Duffalo and Transformer bars for the same amount, can't really say this bar isn't worth more/less than those. They're all equally overpriced.

Duffalo bar is the best bar I own or have ever owned. Allowed me to bench again. I've hit my best squat numbers with it.

If Kabuki/Duffin somehow came out with a stainless steel version for $1,000, I'd probably get it. I love the bar that much.

[MGM711]

People buy Duffalo and Transformer bars for the same amount, can't really say this bar isn't worth more/less than those. They're all equally overpriced.

This is true, but at least with the Duffalo and Transformer, you at least have multiple application usage working in your favor, justifying (not sure that's a good word for it) the expense.

[MGM711]

For those who recently tried this bar at the Arnold and who would consider buying this bar, would you consider buying this bar as a SSB alternative or would you consider buying the bar because of the low bar design which would just provide training variation...just curious.

[Cleveland33]

For those who recently tried this bar at the Arnold and who would consider buying this bar, would you consider buying this bar as a SSB alternative or would you consider buying the bar because of the low bar design which would just provide training variation...just curious.

I don't have an SSB, IF I end up buying one it will be this one.

There is versatility. But I squat high bar already so a low bar SSB would be beneficial to me.

[Bench905]

For those who recently tried this bar at the Arnold and who would consider buying this bar, would you consider buying this bar as a SSB alternative or would you consider buying the bar because of the low bar design which would just provide training variation...just curious.

I think your application and mine are very different. I pretty much do bodybuilding workouts. I squat almost exclusively with a SSB - I'm not trying to improve my lifts for competition - it's for hypertrophy. For me, this would replace a SSB and would allow me to do much more front squats that I've been doing (which is easy since I've been doing close to zero front squats).

When i did back squats with this bar, I was like...ok this is cool, it sits further down my back...but it wasn't exactly revolutionary.
When the guy told me to front squat and the thing stuck to the front of me like glue with no hands, I was thinking that this might be a bar I want to own.

Here's a video from their IG showing a guy doing a front squat with it on: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bum2xpTA8YM/

I think for most people, it could replace an SSB. The one thing I'm not sure on is good mornings. I know powerlifters like SSB good mornings. I'm really not sure how the Marrs would translate.

[smokinHawk]

For those who recently tried this bar at the Arnold and who would consider buying this bar, would you consider buying this bar as a SSB alternative or would you consider buying the bar because of the low bar design which would just provide training variation...just curious.

If you want a bar to front squat but have trouble doing so on a normal bar, or if you want to low bar squat and have trouble holding the bar this is your bar.
If feels good to squat with

[Garage Rat]

Interesting,looks to be a SSB with a lower leverage like a low bar back squat or a hybrid zercher/front squat.
I'd like to see what else can be done with it and would have to determine if it would be worth the price.
I have three different type of SSBars (one given to me)and they are basically the same with minor differences.
These all have many different things you can do other than squat with them.
I couldn't see you being able to do many of those things with this bar.

[MGM711]

I think your application and mine are very different. I pretty much do bodybuilding workouts. I squat almost exclusively with a SSB - I'm not trying to improve my lifts for competition - it's for hypertrophy. For me, this would replace a SSB and would allow me to do much more front squats that I've been doing (which is easy since I've been doing close to zero front squats).

When i did back squats with this bar, I was like...ok this is cool, it sits further down my back...but it wasn't exactly revolutionary.
When the guy told me to front squat and the thing stuck to the front of me like glue with no hands, I was thinking that this might be a bar I want to own.

Here's a video from their IG showing a guy doing a front squat with it on: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bum2xpTA8YM/

I think for most people, it could replace an SSB. The one thing I'm not sure on is good mornings. I know powerlifters like SSB good mornings. I'm really not sure how the Marrs would translate.

Initially, I was thinking that this bar really wasn't in the SSB comparison, but I'm starting to change my tune. It definitely has some upsides to it and uniqueness to make it stand out from the rest. The price is still outrageously high, but I can see this being a good purchase now to some individuals.

[MGM711]

If you want a bar to front squat but have trouble doing so on a normal bar, or if you want to low bar squat and have trouble holding the bar this is your bar.
If feels good to squat with

I only know one guy who's used this bar, and while he thought it was an interesting bar, the one thing he said was that it sat well and felt really good. He does a lot of non-traditional type of training and he used it for some strongman conditioning stuff and he really liked how it felt, and it sounds like that's one of the positives coming out from this bar is that it just feels good using it.

[zoom008]

Has anyone on here purchased this bar? Was thinking about buying one but living in Canada with the exchange and shipping it's expensive

[leftax]

Has anyone on here purchased this bar? Was thinking about buying one but living in Canada with the exchange and shipping it's expensive

Mine arrives on Friday. I'm 56 and a veteran of 4 shoulder, 2 neck and 1 knee surgeries. I have the Kabuki Transformer and it's "meh." I have a lot of hopes pinned on this thing.

[glossyMac17]

Mine arrives on Friday. I'm 56 and a veteran of 4 shoulder, 2 neck and 1 knee surgeries. I have the Kabuki Transformer and it's "meh." I have a lot of hopes pinned on this thing.

Looking forward to your review.

With the Transformer Bar, what do you find "meh" about it? I recently sold my Duffalo and in hindsight should of got it instead. After a shoulder injury I now only squat with a SSB, and being able to make adjustments and vary the load seems like a nice option to have. The Marrs Bar is comparable in price, but with the lack of reviews and expensive shipping, I have been leaning more towards the Transformer Bar.

[leftax]

Looking forward to your review.

With the Transformer Bar, what do you find "meh" about it? I recently sold my Duffalo and in hindsight should of got it instead. After a shoulder injury I now only squat with a SSB, and being able to make adjustments and vary the load seems like a nice option to have. The Marrs Bar is comparable in price, but with the lack of reviews and expensive shipping, I have been leaning more towards the Transformer Bar.

So, perhaps "meh" is a little bit too strong on the negative. The bar is actually pretty much exactly as described. It's just that with all the parts that go together, it feels a little jggly and bangy. Also, the fact that the plates don't sit flush (because of the way it is held together) bothers my OCD. It *barely* fits on a rack, because it is *just* wide enough, and I always bang the plates against the posts walking out. The padding and handles definitely are on the "meh" side. I have owned the Elite FTS Yoke Bar, and while the Transformer is more versatile, it is not nearly as comfortable. Lastly, I used to like doing "safety squats" with my EFTS Yoke Bar, where I put my hands on horizontally mounted pegs in the power rack to add a bit of balance as I squat deep and upright (yes, I'm an old wuss; sue me, kids). I have *never* found a setup with the Transformer that lets me feel fully confident going "hands free."

That being said, the bar has never failed me, and does indeed perform as advertised. I just can't get fully comfortable with it; maybe it's mental?

[glossyMac17]

So, perhaps "meh" is a little bit too strong on the negative. The bar is actually pretty much exactly as described. It's just that with all the parts that go together, it feels a little jggly and bangy. Also, the fact that the plates don't sit flush (because of the way it is held together) bothers my OCD. It *barely* fits on a rack, because it is *just* wide enough, and I always bang the plates against the posts walking out. The padding and handles definitely are on the "meh" side. I have owned the Elite FTS Yoke Bar, and while the Transformer is more versatile, it is not nearly as comfortable. Lastly, I used to like doing "safety squats" with my EFTS Yoke Bar, where I put my hands on horizontally mounted pegs in the power rack to add a bit of balance as I squat deep and upright (yes, I'm an old wuss; sue me, kids). I have *never* found a setup with the Transformer that lets me feel fully confident going "hands free."

That being said, the bar has never failed me, and does indeed perform as advertised. I just can't get fully comfortable with it; maybe it's mental?

Thank you for your insight. It'll be interesting to see how the Marrs Bar stacks up with all the previous SSBs you've used.

[Duplicitous]

I'm intrigued, but not enough that I would drop the kind of coin they're asking on one. I'll probably add it to my "someday, if I find one used" list.

[bobbydigitaloa]

We have one at our gym and it’s certainly not an SSB; very different. I see it being a great option to save your shoulders during offseason if you’re a low bar guy.

I haven’t really loaded it with a ton of weight but I might give 650ish a go here soon.