The 6 Best Safety Squat Bars Reviewed

There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission on anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Safety squat bars can make back squats an option for individuals with shoulder issues and more comfortable for others. Discover the best models.

Best safety squat bars top picks

1. Titan Fitness Safety Squat Bar
2. Bells Of Steel SS3 Safety Squat Bar
3. EliteFTS SS Yoke Bar
4. Kabuki Strength Transformer Bar (Premium Option)
5. Vulcan Strength Safety Squat Bar (Budget Option)
6. Rogue SB-1 Safety Squat Bar
7. SSB Attachment: Sorinex Top Squat

Keep in mind that different people have different training goals, personal situations, budgets, and personal preferences.

Because of this, it is not possible to create one perfect ranking for every individual. Sometimes safety squat bars, also known as ssb, lower on the list will be better for you personally.

How we selected our top picks

Our fitness experts spent a lot of time looking at and comparing all the different important factors of the best safety squat bars. Some of the things that were taken into consideration when making our selection include:

• Distance between handles, padding comfort, weight capacity, etc.
• User reviews
• Anecdotal reviews from fitness experts
• Price
• Brand trustability

If a pick seems interesting click it to see the online prices.

6 Best safety squat bars reviewed in depth

The list of the ssb top picks can offer an overview of all the top picks out there. You can also look at each of the best safety squat bars reviewed in detail to make sure you are picking the right model for you.

1. Titan Fitness Safety Squat Bar

Our top pick for the best safety squat bar is the Titan Fitness Safety Squat Bar. For most people, this will be the best balance between quality and price.

First of all, the distance between the handles is relatively average at 12.75″ (32.4 cm). This is an important detail since it influences the angle of your arms which is one of the main things safety squat bars are made for.

Really wide or really narrow individuals may want to go for specific models for optimal comfort but even for these people, the SSB from Titan Fitness should be more than enough.

The same goes for the distance of 8″ (20.3 cm) between the pads. Most people will enjoy the feeling more than enough for their squat sessions but there could be a few exceptions.

With a weight capacity of 1500 pounds (680 kg) even more experienced lifters will have a secure feeling when choosing the Titan Fitness Safety Squat Bar for their workouts.

An addition that is nice to have but not as crucial is the removable handles. This makes the bar more usable for other exercises.

That being said, most people will likely only use their SSB for squats so this is not as relevant as the other features.

One small thing to note is that there are a few customer reviews where people mention their SSB came with some scratches.

This is not something you want but these mentions seem to be the exceptions. Additionally, even with some scratches your safety squat bar will still be a helpful piece of fitness equipment.

2. Bells Of Steel SS3 Safety Squat Bar

This Bells Of Steel SS3 Safety Squat Bar is a close second. You can consider this option if you like the three different handles that are included, don’t like the Titan Fitness brand, and/or happen to stumble upon any good deals.

You do want to keep in mind that some squat racks are too big for the 47” (119.4 cm) rackable length of this SSB. Since this is so important you definitely want to measure this detail when in doubt.

Additionally, something Bells Of Steel could do better is mention the exact details of the handle and padding spacing.

Most customers are really happy with their bar so you can conclude these are about average. That being said, since these are some of the key details it would be nice to know exactly what you can expect.

Something that positively stands out in the Bells Of Steel SS3 Safety Squat Bar is that it comes with three types of removable handles. These include regular SSB handles, a longer pair, and handles you can describe as chains.

The different handles allow you to implement different arm angles and simply change the feel of holding the SSB in place. This can add some variety and/or could be great if different individuals plan to use the bar.

Another thing that is nice to have is the limited lifetime warranty. From the many happy customers you can conclude that you won’t need this but it does show Bells Of Steel stands behind the quality of its products.

In short, this is another great safety squat bar at a reasonable price. Especially if you love the different handles, have a squat rack of the right size, and don’t like the previous option, you can consider this model.

3. EliteFTS SS Yoke Bar

The EliteFTS SS Yoke Bar is one of the most well-known safety squat bars. One of the things EliteFTS prides itself on with this product is the quality and comfort of the padding. One customer even mentions the padding is firm after more than 5 years of use.

Pad durability and comfort are important areas of safety squat bars for everyone but some people will value these things more than others. You have to keep in mind that this comes at a slightly higher price than the previous options.

That being said, this SSB is more than its padding. EliteFTS did drop tests with their bar and decided upon a weight capacity of 800 pounds (662 kg).

This may not sound impressive when looking at this detail in other options but they mention they also tested competitors and concluded that these were not as strong.

Additionally, you may like that the EliteFTS SS Yoke Bar is made in the U.S.A.

The total length of 92″ (234 cm) is just a bit above average but this should not influence your training too much.

In fact, it could be a benefit since it leads to a distance of 49.5″ (125.7 cm) between the cambers which makes this safety squat bar suited for most racks.

Something that again could be better is the details about the handle and padding spacing. The lack of mentions of these details implies that the EliteFTS SS Yoke Bar is good in these areas but most people would enjoy knowing this before their investment.

Individuals who value durable and comfortable padding in their safety squat bar and/or like the EliteFTS brand can consider this model. Other people can save some money by getting the previous quality models.

4. Kabuki Strength Transformer Bar

This next option is a great safety squat bar with some unique features but due to its price tag, it is definitely more of a premium option.

Most lifters will find one of the previous options more worth it but if you want a little extra and don’t mind paying a bit more for it, you can definitely consider the Kabuki Strength Transformer Bar.

Two of the main things that stand out are the six different camber angle settings and the four different sleeve drop distances. These make certain exercises and variations easier or harder to do and influence the balance of these movements.

Again, most people don’t necessarily need these features in their safety squat bar workouts. However, they can add some variety to your workouts and allow you to customize to what feels best for your weight distribution and bone lengths.

Something that is less influential on your workouts but still stands out is the choice of handle texture.

The Kabuki Strength Transformer Bar has steel handles with knurling. Whether you like this mostly depends on personal preference. These handles are 12″ (30.5 cm) apart.

That this safety squat bar is made in the U.S.A. is not entirely unique but there are people who value this.

The weight capacity of 1500 pounds (680 kg) is what you can expect from a more premium model. Individuals with a big budget who value the unique benefits can choose this safety squat bar.

5. Vulcan Strength Safety Squat Bar

The Vulcan Strength Safety Squat Bar is not the best SSB when it comes to features, mostly weight capacity, but it has a very budget-friendly price compared to the other options.

Something that makes it somewhat more of a “risky” pick is the low number of customer reviews. These can sometimes uncover the defects of fitness equipment options that look good on paper.

That being said, Vulcan Strength is a somewhat well-known fitness equipment brand. If their safety squat bar is as good as their other products it should be fine.

As mentioned, the mentioned weight capacity of 750 pounds (340 kg) is something that heavy lifters want to keep in mind. It can also imply a less sturdy product.

If you don’t mind these potential downsides the Vulcan Strength Safety Squat Bar can be a budget-friendly yet solid option. The handles are 11.25″ (28.6 cm) apart which is somewhat narrower but good enough for most people.

A total length of 91″ (231 cm) is somewhat above average but not that relevant for your workouts. The same goes for the sleeve lengths of 16″ (40.6 cm).

The 3-year warranty on the barbell and sleeves is an indication Vulcan Strength stands behind the quality of this part of its product. Only 30 days of warranty on the nylon covers is somewhat worrisome.

6. Rogue SB-1 Safety Squat Bar

This next option is another solid pick but there are just a few mentions about the padding being uncomfortable and not that durable.

On its own, the Rogue SB-1 Safety Squat Bar can be a good pick but many people will find models that offer more value at a lower or similar price.

Additionally, Rogue does not mention the specific amount of distance between the handles and padding. These are likely about right knowing the Rogue brand but it would be nice to see specifics before buying anyway.

Something that can be a hit or miss depending on your personal preferences is the handle design. This SSB has two solid steel handles.

The weight capacity of 1000 pounds (453 kg) and above-average safety squat bar weight of 70 pounds (31.8 kg) when unloaded imply that this is another sturdy option. A more average detail is the total length of 89″ (226 cm).

Most people will prefer one of the previous safety squat bars.

However, if you like the Rogue Fitness brand and what they are doing with their products made in the U.S.A., you can consider investing in their Rogue SB-1 Safety Squat Bar.

SSB attachment: Sorinex Top Squat

This last bonus option is a safety squat bar attachment. Basically a steel construction you can use to turn your regular barbell into something that resembles an SSB more and the benefits that come with that.

The main reasons why you would consider this instead of an actual safety squat bar are the slightly lower price, easier transport, and easier storage.

That being said, something important to note is that the Sorinex Top Squat is still relatively pricey. If you are serious about safety squat bars you likely want to save up for an actual model.

Additionally, this attachment is not as secure as an SSB or at least does not feel/look that way. Gravity should keep the barbell in place but you will likely have to be just a bit more mindful about your technique.

Next, the padding is one of the things that stands out in actual safety squat bars. This was added for a reason.

The lack of padding on the steel handles in the Sorinex Top Squat is a lot less comfortable for your shoulders which are potentially already painful.

In short, most people want to get one of the previous options but you could consider the Sorinex Top Squat for its specific benefits and budget-friendly price if you already have a barbell.

How to choose a safety squat bar

You may still be unsure about what safety squat bar would be the best choice for you. In that case, you can think about what you are looking for in a few important factors and check each of the bars for them.

Distance between handles and length

One of the main things that make safety squat bars so useful for certain people is that you can hold the bar in place with a relatively “normal” shoulder position.

Regular back squats can be too uncomfortable or not possible for certain people in this area.

While most safety squat bars are already a lot more comfortable than barbells when it comes to this, the distance between the handles and the length of them still make a difference.

The different SSB options are somewhat similar in this area and typically around 12″ (30.48 cm) apart. However, really tall, wide, small, and narrow individuals may want to choose a model above or below this area for comfort.

The length of the handles is also somewhat similar but here there are some differences. Some safety squat bars come with multiple handle options. This allows you to easily find the most comfortable option.

Padding

Something else that stands out in the safety squat bar is the padding included. This can vary in areas like thickness, durability, spacing, comfort, etc.

Some of these things are a matter of personal preferences and body sizes but there are still enough preferences that apply to every person. Nobody wants to have to replace their SSB padding after a few months of use.

Camber

The safety squat bar is one of the specialty barbells that are not straight. On the outside of each end, the bar changes direction.

At first sight, this may not seem that important but it heavily influences your balance and the path you follow. In turn, this also influences things like the ratio you work your muscles and what exercises you can use the bar for.

That being said, most safety squat bars, especially the ones that made it to the list of the best picks, are very similar in this area in a good way.

One (positive) exception is the Kabuki Strength Transformer Bar. This safety squat bar allows you to change the angle of the camber in relation to the handles and how far the sleeves with weight plates are from the bar.

Weight capacity

To be able to use your safety squat bar it has to be able to hold the weight you use. For most individuals the best safety squat bars will be more than enough in this area. However, heavy lifters may need to double-check.

And even if you won’t come close to the specified weight capacity, you may feel more secure lifting with a really sturdy model.

Handle texture and adjustability

The previous SSB features are typically more important but handle texture and adjustability are still relevant. Different models can vary in texture between knurled steel handles and plastic

Price

Price is not the most important feature with such an important piece of fitness equipment that you will likely use a lot.

That being said, sometimes you can get more training benefits for a lower price or simply have budget constraints.

Our top pick

If you are still not sure what safety squat bar would be the best for you, you can choose our best overall pick. The Titan Fitness Safety Squat Bar will be a great choice for most people.

FAQ