Any of you guys use a safety squat bar?

They are definitely worth the money if you absolutely have to use one.

I do not have to use one, but honestly, as a guy who has at times had issues with shoulder/chest positioning, especially in the squat, I'd love to have one too. The next bar I buy will be a safety squat bar because I think that anyone who lifts long enough, consistently enough, heavy enough, will eventually reach a point where the use of a SSB would be really wise if not absolutely essential to continuing to train back squats.

Also, you could just buy a set of those straps from Spud Inc, or anybody else who makes them, and add them to a standard barbell whenever you want. It would definitely save space. As a home gym guy, I'm a "Buy Once, Cry Once" type, and I love Rogue stuff so I always seem to go with them(although all my bars are Texas power bars), but one of the big reasons I spend extra for the high quality and high brand name recognition stuff is my belief(possibly unfounded, as I have not actually put it to the test) that if I didn't like something I bought, or I didn't feel I used it enough, I could sell it on the secondhand market for good money, no problem. If I had to sell any of my current gear, I'm sure I would get quite a good return on what I originally bought it for. It's all used by 1 dude, that's it. So if you buy a SSB and don't like it, even if it's not some high dollar/well known branded bar, you can re-sell it for most of what you bought it for because it'll probably be very close to "brand new" in condition.

That's where I'm at, my garage was great until it wasn't. It just got too damn cold, and I have a spare bedroom so I just moved my stuff in there for now. I want to do a insulation job in the garage and install either a 240V outlet for a heater or run a T-piece off my LP line so I can use a gas heater in there. I have to do something because I can't work out in that cold. I can swing the heat no problem, just open the garage door and blast fans.

But I've also decided that I want to build a shop and eventually I'll move all the gym gear out there as well as build a sauna and install a hot tub. I'll have all the space I need for all the equipment I could ever want and it should be quite a nice place to train and relax. I'm sure I'll manage to crowd it up though, that's how home gyms go, they start out simple and small, but just like anything, you expand into the space and before you know it you're thinking about expanding. I'm kinda lucky in that the fiance is 100% in support, but I think she doesn't realize that whatever goes into the shop/home gym, is going to take away from other things. If she realizes it's a "this or that" situation she may have different feelings.

That's what I use now. They have sales all the time, I think I got mine under $200. I bought a Titan safety squat bar, but haven't used it in a while. I didn't use it a ton. If you were near SC I'd give it to you.

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What about a belt squat?

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Looks like it would limit how much you could squat.

You're also missing out on a lot of benefits of the squat by not having the weight loaded on your upper back.

I think it would work well as an accessory exercise, but not as a replacement for the barbell back squat.

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Looks like it would limit how much you could squat.

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You can get double horns so that you really load up the weight.

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You're also missing out on a lot of benefits of the squat by not having the weight loaded on your upper back.

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I know. But the trade off is also missing out of a lot of the risk.

I plan on investing in a reverse hyper machine for my lower back, but squatting would be the only way to really load up my legs.

Heavy squats have got my back a few times.

I realize its 100% my poor positioning that caused it.

I would like to be able to really load up my legs without the anxiety of my back if I get slightly off position.

yep, i have the titan v2. all overhead athletes I train use it exclusively for squating

if you are a low bar guy, get the marrs bar. if you are traditional....elite fts, titan or couple others work and of course the transformer bar works well too

I use a SSB but just ordered the fringe belt squat attachment. It's actually supposed to be delivered today. Looking forward to trying it out.