What is a SSB?
A Safety Squat Bar (SSB) is a padded barbell with front handles, allowing athletes to avoid placing their arms behind the bar for support. Our American-made SSB weighs 65 lbs and features an angled pad that rests securely on the shoulders, back, and neck without needing to be held. This design is ideal for athletes with limited mobility or injuries, and it’s perfect for exercises like Hatfield or handle-supported squats where holding the bar isn’t necessary.
1. Hands Free Squats

Safety Squat Bars allow athletes to not hold their arms behind them but still have the bar on their back, allowing them to move more weight. As you see pictured above the arms are out and not holding onto the handles of the barbell. This is great for athletes who have an upper body injury or just lack balance.
2. Hatfield Squats

Hatfield squats are supported squats that use handles to assist with balance, allowing athletes to engage their back and upper body to help lift the weight. This added support enables athletes to lift heavier loads than they would with a traditional back squat, due to the increased stability and assistance from the upper body. Shown above the athlete is using band pegs and our SSB Bar.
3. Good Mornings

Good mornings are a great exercise for building lower back, hamstring, core and glute strength. They can be uncomfortable to perform with a barbell as they place a lot of pressure on the neck/upper back, the padded SSB, makes them much more user friendly
4. Walking Lunges

Lunges are a great exercise but require more balance than a back squat for example. With our SSB you do not have to worry about holding onto the bar and can use your hands for balance.
5. Step Ups

Step Ups are a great exercise but can be hard to load heavily with a standard barbell. By using the SSB athletes can use their hands for support. Usually athletes will hold onto the upright or have their hands ready to grab onto or push off the upright when performing these. By using our Step Up Plate Attachment on the GOAT Attachment athletes can hit step ups at various angles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our American-made Safety Squat Bar (SSB) is a versatile and essential tool for athletes of all levels, offering enhanced comfort, support, and safety during various exercises. Whether performing Hatfield squats, good mornings, lunges, or step-ups, the padded design and front handles reduce strain on the shoulders and upper body while allowing for greater balance and stability. This makes the SSB a perfect tool for athletes dealing with injuries or mobility limitations. With its hands free design and functionality, our SSB is a great addition to any program.