Shoulder finally took a recent hit: Bar recommendations for squatting

[cwcmac]

Looks like I may have a shoulder issue that may require some rehab. Would like to keep squatting. Have the EliteFTS SSB and Mech Belt squat.

Debating if this is enough or if I should consider something that is closer to a low bar squat (Kabuki Transformer or Marrs Bar).

I've been pretty lucky to avoid injuries to this point but am looking for some thoughts on best approach to keep low bar (or equivalent) while working through shoulder issues.

Money isn't really a concern, but being a cheap ass, I like to make sure that I'm getting good value

[Duplicitous]

I've had shoulder impingement issues for quite a few years and the EliteFTS SSB alone has worked well for me, so I think you have more than enough with that and the belt squat. I suppose it depends on your specific shoulder issue though.

[ncsuLuke]

Sucks to hear about your shoulder. Just throwing this out there, I used the barbell medicine pain and rehab team to fix a hip issue I was having and it was the best experience I have ever had with that sort of thing. In the form you submit I included all the details of my injury along with my workout routine, then I had a 1 hour skype call with one of the PTs where I got to ask as many questions as I wanted. He went over what was wrong, how to fix it, and then modified my program to include all the rehab exercises. Well worth the money and had me back to lifting like normal way faster than I thought.

[TunaGill]

Looks like I may have a shoulder issue that may require some rehab. Would like to keep squatting. Have the EliteFTS SSB and Mech Belt squat.

Debating if this is enough or if I should consider something that is closer to a low bar squat (Kabuki Transformer or Marrs Bar).

I've been pretty lucky to avoid injuries to this point but am looking for some thoughts on best approach to keep low bar (or equivalent) while working through shoulder issues.

Money isn't really a concern, but being a cheap ass, I like to make sure that I'm getting good value

For shoulder issues, I always recommend a qualified ART (Active Release Technique) practitioner. They can be magic.

Also, look up Donnie Thompson's shoulder mobility video. It's like 8 minutes long. It works.

Lastly, SSB squat and Marrs bar squat feel very different (at least to me).

I squat low bar and vastly prefer the Marrs bar.

Of course, I'm also a Duffalo bar whore (I will love this bar forever), but not sure if that would work for you until you get your shoulder issue better dealt with.

[cwcmac]

For shoulder issues, I always recommend a qualified ART (Active Release Technique) practitioner. They can be magic.

Also, look up Donnie Thompson's shoulder mobility video. It's like 8 minutes long. It works.

Lastly, SSB squat and Marrs bar squat feel very different (at least to me).

I squat low bar and vastly prefer the Marrs bar.

Of course, I'm also a Duffalo bar whore (I will love this bar forever), but not sure if that would work for you until you get your shoulder issue better dealt with.

That's why I was thinking of one of the others(in addition to what I have) for more a low bar substitute for now.

[cwcmac]

Thanks all, will certainly check into the recommendations listed

[Mech6]

Looks like I may have a shoulder issue that may require some rehab. Would like to keep squatting. Have the EliteFTS SSB and Mech Belt squat.

Debating if this is enough or if I should consider something that is closer to a low bar squat (Kabuki Transformer or Marrs Bar).

I've been pretty lucky to avoid injuries to this point but am looking for some thoughts on best approach to keep low bar (or equivalent) while working through shoulder issues.

Money isn't really a concern, but being a cheap ass, I like to make sure that I'm getting good value

I've dealt with a bad/frozen shoulder for years, my progression would be this, see what you can tolerate:
wider grip on power bar, even wider grip on squat bar, buffalo bar, cambered (14") bar (low grip), marrs bar. All of those are low bar or close to it. SSB is not close to a low bar, as you've said.
I realize options 1 and 2 may be impossible without a proper monolift or stands as rack uprights would be in the way.

[zoom008]

Never seen any reviews on this ssb but I came across it when I was looking to purchase a ssb.

https://fortisequipment.com/product/...ety-squat-bar/

[Mech6]

Never seen any reviews on this ssb but I came across it when I was looking to purchase a ssb.

https://fortisequipment.com/product/...ety-squat-bar/

Looks like an elitefts spider bar but with a shorter camber. You could probably mimic with the transformer bar.

[sowilson]

SSB and belt squats are the main two. A few other pieces my son found valuable when he was recovering from labrum surgery were; sled pulls (no shoulder loading), boards (as in board press), football bar for pressing and rows (or swiss bar).

[Cleveland33]

can you hold a bar if you place your hands out further? You can get an actual squat bar if you need the room outside the uprights.

[TolerantLactose]

Can you tolerate doing Zercher squats?

[MGM711]

I deal with on and off bad shoulder and elbow pain that won't allow me to hold onto a straight bar squatting when bad. I've invested heavily on specialty bars and I would say in general, I very rarely squat with a straight bar anymore. The bars I use on a regular basis are IronMind Buffalo Bar, Marrs Bar, Transformer Bar, and SS Yoke. The Buffalo Bar is the nearest thing I use to a straight bar nowadays, and I will use that in the rotation, but I tend to use more of a yolk style for squats now. I'm very much a fan of the Marrs Bar...there'd be no chance I could get the bar down in a low bar position anymore, and the Marrs Bar gives me that training feel. I can dial up some similar positions on the Transformer Bar as well, plus all the SSB and front squat variants. For me, I'm glad I've invested in all these specialty bars, keeps training fresh and pain free, it's the biggest thing I can recommend to people who are looking to train for longevity.

[radrd]

I'm also on the broken shoulder train and can't straight bar squat. Belt squat is my current go-to and using a SSB worked fine, though I really want to low bar squat and I've got a Marrs Bar on the way. They keep telling me it will ship "at the end of the week" but that's been the story for the last couple weeks so who knows.