Takeover Strength SquatSaddle & StrapBar Review

The Takeover Strength SquatSaddle & StrapBar converts most straight bars into safety squat bars.

I can hook this up to a Smith machine, a smart gym, functional trainer, or resistance band bars.

The forward handles make it ergonomic for people who want to keep squatting but have shoulder pain when reaching back to hang on to a bar.

It eliminates the need to buy a dedicated safety squat bar so I can use what I already own instead.

Let’s check it out!

Unboxing

I got the bundle so each piece came in its own box.

The first box I opened had the squat saddle and I could tell right away this was a quality product because this is not made from cheap foam.

It’s made of high quality, molded foam which is commonly seen with AbMat products.

Second box had the strap bar, straps, and a harness.

I’m not very smart, but looking at both products I could tell the strap bar would fit into the squat saddle’s grooves just like a puzzle.

So as far as figuring out how the products work, it’s self explanatory.

Here’s what the straps look like.

There’s six of them with 9 holes on each one.

These connect the strap bar to any straight bar and are somewhat elastic so they can be anchored down tightly.

Specs

• Compatibility: Fits most straight bars

• Weight capacity: 300 lbs

• Dimensions: 24″ x 24″ x 6″

• Finish: Black molded foam pad and black powder coated steel frame

• Materials: Polyurethane pad, welded steel frame, and thermoplastic end caps

• Weight: 10 lbs

What Is The Takeover Strength SquatSaddle & StrapBar?

The SquatSaddle & StrapBar is a combination of two products that transform any straight bar into somewhat of a safety squat bar.

This is mainly for people with upper extremity injuries (like me) who want to squat without any pain coming from their upper limbs.

Having the front handles eliminates all the stress from my shoulders so I can continue working out my legs without discomfort.

I can attach this to a barbell, Smith machine, functional trainer bar, and resistance band system bar.

Squat Saddle

The squat saddle is interesting cause the bottom is shaped to conform over my shoulders and upper back.

And the top has grooves to attach equipment like the strap bar, harness, and other bars so it looks very well designed.

Above, I’m showing you the back side of the squat harness and you can see there’s two vertical grooves and a horizontal groove…

The two vertical grooves are where the strap bar handles and harness straps go.

And the horizontal groove is for the top of the strap bar and any other type of straight bar I wanna use.

Strap Bar

The strap bar is made out of steel and has a nice glossy coat to it.

Looking at the handles you might think they’re too long but that’s because you’re looking at it without the squat saddle.

I don’t think knurling is necessary on the handles but some type of rubbery grip material would be good to have.

I’m thinking about buying tennis racket grip tape to wrap around the ends just so my hands don’t slip when I get sweaty.

There’s two things I wanna show you at the top of the strap bar.

First one is the groove on both ends.

This is where I set my barbell or any other straight bar.

You can see there’s pegs sticking out from the sides of this piece and that’s what I’m gonna show you next.

There’s three pegs in the front and three behind the groove.

This is where I lock the rubber straps down to lock in my bar.

And here’s what that looks like when the bar is locked down.

The straps are made out of tough rubber than has some stretch to it so I’m able to wrap it around the bar tightly and tie it down from both sides.

When I first tested this out, I didn’t think they were gonna hold up but all three bands working together actually keep the bar in place.

Harness

The harness reminds me of the squat harness I already have.

It’s meant to connect to belt squat machines like the Squat Max-MD, belt squat rack attachments, cable towers, functional trainers, and even sleds.

I see this as a way to add more versatility to their ecosystem but this is not something I’d use much.

RELATED: Kabuki Transformer Bar

Top Benefits Of The SquatSaddle & StrapBar

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bar)

Instead of having to buy a dedicated safety squat bar, I can use any straight bar I already own.

Doesn’t matter if it’s an Olympic barbell, smart gym bar, functional trainer bar, Smith machine, or resistance band kit bar.

This takes up less space than a regular sized safety squat bar and creates less clutter in my garage gym.

READ NEXT: Home Gym Storage Ideas

Ergonomic

My left shoulder usually hurts when I reach back while doing barbell squats so having the handles in front of me eliminates that problem.

Sucks getting old (I’m 46) but with this setup I can continue to train my legs without my shoulder flaring up.

Best Features Of The Takeover Strength SquatSaddle & StrapBar?

Front Handles

Here are the handles connected to the squat saddle.

They’re long which gives me plenty of room to grab them from but positioned in a way that they don’t interfere with my legs when squatting.

When comparing these to safety squat bar handles, these are longer.

Also, I have to keep my hands on them at all times or the bar will fall back since there’s no counter-balance with a straight bar.

Saddle

Here’s what the underside of the squat saddle looks like.

It’s smooth, very comfortable, and since AbMat made it, I know it’s not gonna fall apart.

The backside of the squat saddle has Kabuki engraved into it but that’s only because I got an early version of the product.

They’re trying to go through what they have left in stock so the new versions will not have that.

Lock Straps

With the lock straps having 9 holes, I can pretty much wrap them around any bar.

These work surprisingly well and they’re easy to tighten.

First I anchor them down to the back pegs.

Then pull the straps forward tightly and anchor them down to the front pegs.

ALSO CHECKOUT: Marrs Bar

SquatSaddle & StrapBar vs Safety Squat Bar

Do I feel like Takeover’s product can replace a safety squat bar? No.

Number one, any straight I use with the squat saddle strap bar won’t have a camber so there’s no counter-balance.

So I have to keep my hands on the handles at all times.

And number two, If you’re someone who squats a lot of weight (400+ lbs), a safety squat bar is better for you.

The SquatSaddle & Strapbar is more for people who have shoulder issues and want to continue squatting without throwing on a ton on weight on a bar.

An advantage I see in this product, is that I can use it with bars on a Smith machine, a smart gym, functional trainer, or Harambe system bar (for bands).

LEARN MORE: Bells of Steel SS4 Safety Squat Bar Review

SquatSaddle & StrapBar Pros & Cons

Pros

• Ergonomic: Easy on the shoulder joints so I can continue to squat without the discomfort caused by a straight barbell

• Bar adaptable: I can use it on a barbell, Smith machine, functional trainer bar, resistance band kit bar

• Comfortable padding: Made with the same foam used in AbMat products which is super comfortable

• Weight distribution: Distributes the weight across my neck and shoulders

• Lightweight: Weighs less than 10 lbs

• Space saving: I can add the squatsaddle and strapbar to my existing bars without bringing another bar in my garage gym

Cons

• Weight capacity: 300 lbs max capacity so if you’re someone who squats more than that, a safety squat bar is a better option

• Balance: Unlike a traditional safety squat bar, this requires that I hold on to the handles at all times for balance

SquatSaddle & StrapBar Price

The price for the SquatSaddle & StrapBar bundle is $299.

So it’s not too far from the price of traditional safety squat bars.

It’s for people who don’t need another bar, hundreds of pounds on their back, but want to continue squatting without flaring up their shoulder pain.

Takeover Strength Discount Code

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably interested in this product so I’m gonna hook you up with a 5% discount.

This will bring down the price from $299 to $284 plus this ships free within the U.S.

Click the red button below to reveal my exclusive Takeover Strength discount code…

Takeover Strength SquatSaddle & StrapBar Alternatives

Spud Inc Safety Squat Bar Strap

Spud Inc is known for their straps so it comes as no surprise that they’d make straps to use as handles to mimic a safety squat strap.

Unlike a safety squat bar though, this will not balance on its own when you’re hands off.

Either way, this is an economical way to place “handles” in front of your body so you can squat without shoulder pain.

Top Squat Handles

The Top Squat handles were designed by Dave Draper.

It’s a simple device that slips on to a barbell and secures down with velcro straps.

The outstretched arms give you handles to hang on to while squatting.

Barbarian Power Gym Squat Bar Attachment

I found the Barbarian Power Gym squat bar attachment on Amazon and there’s only one review.

Then handles are clamped on to the bar and according to the one review, the attachment works well but the pads are low quality.

My Experience Using The Takeover Strength SquatSaddle & StrapBar

So far I’ve only used the SquatSaddle & StrapBar with a straight bar.

And I like it…it’s easy to connect to the bar and comfortable.

To me it feels like doing high bar squats so it forces to keep my torso upright.

It does require more concentration and stability from my part since I can’t take my hands off of it like with a SSB.

I can really see this being very good for people with a Smith machine where I don’t need to worry about stabilizing the bar.

Is The Takeover Strength SquatSaddle & Strapbar Worth It?

If you don’t have space for another bar in your gym, don’t squat heavy weight, and have shoulder pain when reaching back, then yes it’s worth it.

This will allow you to continue squatting without flaring up any shoulder issues.

And besides using it with a barbell, it can be attached to any other straight bar you may have.

But if squatting 400 lbs+ comes easy to you, you’re better off with a safety squat bar.