8 Best Safety Squat Bars (For Strength Training Progression)

8 Best Safety Squat Bars Reviewed 

3. Popsport Fitness Safety Squat Olympic Bar

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly safety squat bar that offers bang for your buck, this one from Popsport Fitness will be just what you need. Although a lesser-known brand, it has many of the same features you’ll find on the premium-priced safety squat bars. These include being compatible with Olympic weight plates, as well as a decorative chrome finish.  

With a camber angle of 30 degrees, the Popsport Fitness Safety Squat Bar provides a comfortable and balanced lift. Although the bar's maximum weight capacity is lower than some of the other bars on this list, at 700lbs, it is still more than adequate. The bar arrives in three pieces that need to be assembled with the bolts provided. Once assembled, the pads do an excellent job of hiding the screws so that the bar looks the same as the one-piece options.  

Speaking of the padding, the foam is covered with a PVC fabric and provides adequate comfort. Similar to the Rogue SB-1, the distance between the pads is slightly wider than usual. This makes them better suited for lifters with broad shoulders. The handles feature a textured rubber grip, winning our award for best safety squat bar with ergonomic grip as well.  

4. RitFit Safety Squat Bar 

Like the Popsport Fitness bar, this RitFit Safety Squat Bar is perfect if you’re on a tight budget! Another lesser-known brand, the RitFit bar offers a few standard features. Additionally, it wins our pick for the most comfortable neck pad. 

With a maximum weight capacity of 700 lbs, the RitFit Safety Squat bar features a 30mm bar shaft. The 2-inch sleeves are compatible with your Olympic size weight plates, and the bar itself weighs slightly less than average at 43.5 lbs.  

The padding is made of high-quality solid foam and offers excellent comfort. The handles are covered with a rubber grip that can be removed if needed. The grips feature a slightly grainy texture to provide better traction and stability. Like some of the other safety squat bars on our list, shorter/ more petite lifters may find the yoke distance a little too wide for comfortable shoulder and hand placement.  

Taking a look at the material and finish of the bar, the RitFit Safety Squat Bar is made of alloy steel with a powder coat finish. Additionally, the bar features a standard knurl on the shaft for excellent grip. 

5. TDS Safety Squat Bar 

For serious powerlifters, the TDS Safety Squat Bar is the best option for heavy squats. With a max weight limit of 1000lbs, the TDS bar is extremely well made and offers excellent quality. With its pricing more comparable to the likes of the Rogue SB-1, the TDS bar is certainly not a budget-tier option. However, compared with other safety squat bars, there is far less flexing of the bar - even at heavier weights. Additionally, the inclusion of spinning sleeves is a welcome feature.  

The TDS Safety Squat Bar offers a comfortable and balanced lift with an adequate yoke size for all lifters. Unlike some of the other bars available, the yoke size seems more narrow than average, making it suitable for petite lifters too. Looking at the padding, the neck and shoulder pads are made of high-density foam with vinyl covers. Additionally, the padding itself is firm but still comfortable. As the handles are welded to the shaft, they are not removable. However, TDS has included flanged rubber grips over the handles for a good grip. 

Like the other safety squat bars mentioned so far, the TDS features a 49mm sleeve diameter, making it compatible with Olympic weight plates. It’s also chrome-plated, which not only makes it more visually appealing but also helps to prevent corrosion.  

6. Ader Safety Squat Olympic Bar 

Next up, we have the Ader Safety Squat Olympic Bar. Although in the higher-tier price bracket, Ader offers two options in terms of weight capacity: either 1000lbs or 1500lbs. Aside from the Titan Fitness safety squat bar, this is the only other bar that features such a high weight limit. 

Made of alloy steel and coated with chrome, the Ader Safety Squat Olympic Bar offers excellent protection against rust. Unlike some of the other bars that arrive in pieces and need to be assembled, the Ader is one solid bar. The padding is made of firm but comfortable foam and is covered with vinyl for easy cleaning. The 5-inch long handles also feature padded grips for even more comfort. The Ader Safety Squat Olympic Bar has a distance of 8.5-inches between the shoulder pads, making it suitable for petite lifters too. 

Moving onto the sleeves, they are compatible with your Olympic weight plates, but they rotate as well. Additionally, the chrome plating on the sleeves means they are more likely to hold up over time against chipping.  

7. Synergee Olympic Safety Squat Bar 

Offering a slightly more unique look, the Synergee Olympic Safety Squat Bar is a popular brand that brings something different to the table. The very first thing you'll notice about this safety squat bar is that its padding is made of one piece rather than 3 separate pieces. This means you don’t have to worry about pads shifting and moving during your set, allowing you to focus on your workout instead. The foam pads, along with the fabric covers, are also completely removable. 

Another unique feature of the Synergee Olympic Safety Squat Bar is the diamond knurling handlebars. Rather than adding rubber or foam grips, Synergee has opted for a bare metal finish that provides an excellent grip. In terms of finish, the Synergee Olympic Safety Squat Bar is available in either chrome or black phosphate. 

Other than that, the Synergee Olympic Safety Squat Bar offers many of the same features as the rest of the bars we’ve reviewed. This includes a 1000lb maximum weight capacity and 50mm sleeves (compatible with Olympic weight plates). Depending on your height/build, you may find the yoke spacing to be slightly too wide if you’re a petite/ smaller lifter.  

8. Gronk Fitness Safety Squat Bar 

Finally, we have the Gronk Fitness Safety Squat Bar. As a brand, Gronk Fitness has been around since the early ‘90s. As a well-established brand, their safety squat bar comes highly rated. Unlike all the other safety squat bars on our list, this one offers a stainless steel finish. With excellent corrosion resistance, the Gronk Fitness Safety Squat Bar features a maximum weight capacity of 1000lbs.  

Taking a look at geometry, the Gronk Fitness Safety Squat Bar features a camber angle of 30 degrees that provides a comfortable and balanced lift. Although the handles are positioned slightly wider apart, the padding is very thick and offers decent support - even for petite lifters.  

The foam pads are covered with an easy-to-clean black canvas fabric. The only gripe we had was with the back pad. It didn’t stay in place and was prone to moving during the lift. Other than that, the pads perform as expected. Similar to some of the other safety squat bars featured, the handles are covered with textured rubber for added grip and stability.  

Overall, the Gronk Fitness Safety Squat Bar is an excellent choice. It's also a lightweight bar compared to the other safety squat bars. This makes it ideal for beginners or smaller lifters.  

How To Choose The Best Safety Squat Bars (Buying Guide) 

Before you rush out and buy a safety squat bar, there are a few things you should think about. We've put together a list of the most important considerations that will assist you in selecting the best safety squat bar for your needs. 

Design & Construction 

Just like with a straight barbell, safety squat bars come in two sleeve sizes: standard or Olympic. If you’ve already got a set of Olympic size weight plates, it would be wise to opt for an Olympic size safety squat bar. This ensures they are compatible with each other and you don’t have to purchase an entirely new set of weight plates just for your safety squat bar. The same applies if you are using standard-size weight plates. 

Weight Capacity 

Entry-level or budget-friendly safety squat bars will generally have a weight capacity of around 700lbs. On the other hand, premium safety squat bars feature a weight capacity of between 1000-1500lbs. Considering that competitive powerlifting records are between 1000-1300 lbs, I’d say that a 700lb maximum weight capacity will be more than adequate for the average casual lifter.  

Sleeve Drop 

The sleeve drop is the distance between the main shaft and the sleeves. It contributes to the overall stability, as well as the challenge of a safety squat bar. If the sleeves are set too far below the shaft, the balance can become unmanageable. If the sleeves are set too close to the shaft, you probably won’t feel the desired impact. In general, you can expect a sleeve drop of around 5-6 inches on a decent quality safety squat bar.  

Camber Angle  

Just like the sleeve drop, the angle of the camber plays an essential role in the balance of a safety squat bar. If the angle is too far forward or backward, you'll have an unbalanced bar. The optimal camber depth is between 5 and 6 inches, while the ideal camber angle is between 22 and 30 degrees. What you don't want is a camber that is parallel to the handles, as it places too much tension on the neck and spine. 

Handle Design 

The handles on a safety squat bar are important because they allow you to hold on without having your shoulders externally rotated behind the bar (like you do with a straight barbell). The design of the handles can range from long, short, straight, bent, etc. Some are welded on, while others are bolted on, allowing you to swap out handle designs. Having shorter handles will usually mean you’ll need to bend your elbows more, so consider this when choosing a design. 

Yoke Design 

Another aspect that contributes to the overall balance of a safety squat bar is the yoke design. The yoke is the part that rests on your shoulders. For most people, a spacing of between 7.5 - 9.5 inches between the padding and 12 - 14 inches between the handles will offer a comfortable yoke. However, two bars with the same yoke measurements but different padding types and thicknesses will offer a different experience in comfort.  

Bar Finish  

Just like with regular straight barbells, safety squat bars come in a variety of finishes that offer different levels of protection against rust. Common finishes include powder coat or clear coat. These wear faster than other finishes do, like chrome or zinc, and don’t protect against rust as much either. Stainless steel and Cerakote offer excellent rust resistance and are highly durable finishes. 

Padding 

The padding used on the yoke contributes to the overall comfort of the safety squat bar. Padding that is too thick will force your neck forward and alter the geometry of the lift. Too thin, and the bar won’t feel comfortable. Generally, a padding thickness of between 1.5 - 1.7 inches is ideal. The type of padding used can also vary, affecting comfort greatly. We’ve found that rebond combined with high-density foam results in a firm but comfortable padding.  

Price & Warranty 

Since safety squat bars are often the most expensive among specialty bars, the price will often be a top consideration. Thankfully, there is a range of options available these days to suit your budget. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the more premium-priced bars will often come with a longer warranty too. So when determining how much you want to spend on a safety squat bar, be sure to look for a good balance of price and quality. 

Safety Squat Bar Benefits Vs. Regular Barbell (Is It Worth It?) 

The purpose of a safety squat bar is to allow for better orientation of the pelvis and bracing mechanics. It's excellent for eliminating shoulder mobility issues that would usually be a problem when using a regular straight barbell. Using a safety squat bar as a beginner allows you to perfect your form faster than when using a regular bar. Additionally, safety squat bars are popular among experienced powerlifters since they enable you to lift heavy without straining your shoulders as much as a regular squat bar would.  

Aside from general shoulder mobility issues, a safety squat bar is also ideal for people wanting to train around existing injuries. This is because the main purpose of the safety squat bar is to alleviate the amount of strain placed on the upper body. A safety squat bar can rest upon your shoulders without being held, while a regular straight barbell would need to be held in place during the movement.  

With that said, a safety squat bar is definitely worth having. Aside from the above-mentioned benefits, it’s an excellent accessory to have in your gym for lower body exercises, such as squat variations, good mornings, and lunges. 

Frequently Asked Safety Squat Bar Questions 

Is a safety squat bar better for your back? 

Yes, it is. The safety squat bar puts less strain on the lower back than a straight barbell does, according to a study conducted on professional powerlifters. With the safety squat bar, your posture is more upright, rather than forward-leaning, which makes it easier to perform if you have existing back problems.  

What is the right way to use a safety squat bar? 

When using a safety squat bar, the padding should rest comfortably on your upper back with the handles in front of you. Avoid pulling the handles down. Instead, ensure that they stay horizontal throughout the lift. Some safety squat bars can be used backward. However, be sure that the model you’re using is designed for this. 

Can you squat more with a safety bar? 

Yes and no. When doing a front squat, you can normally load up the safety squat bar significantly heavier than a straight bar. When doing a low bar squat, however, you’ll be able to load a straight bar with more weight. With a safety squat bar, you should be able to lift 85-90% of your 1RM using a straight bar.  

How much weight is a safety squat bar on average? 

This figure varies between brands, ranging from 43lb to 70 lbs. The lightest safety squat bar on our list is the RitFit Safety Squat Bar at 43.5 lbs. While the heaviest bar featured is the Rogue SB-1 Safety Squat Bar at 70 lbs. 

Conclusion

That wraps up our comprehensive guide to the best safety squat bars. Now that you know how to choose the best safety squat bar, what the benefits are, and which option is best according to your needs - you’ll be able to purchase the best safety squat bar to assist your strength training progression and accelerate your weightlifting goals in no time!