My go to is flip-downs and they double as a station for my dip attachment that lay across the safeties, they're quick and easy to adjust. I never tried strap safeties, but they look promising too...rod and pipe/sabers are the worst and the biggest pain to setup in my opinion.
So far we are 100% on PIPE/ROD safeties being the worst! I have both straps and flip downs so I pretty much cheated. lol. I like the dip station idea. cheers
I think you missed the best safety system out there: suspension straps! They are universal, easy to adjust, and cheap compared to these options. Spud Inc and Bells of Steel make some.
Excellent point! I've used suspension straps and just not something I see everyone including myself using. Appreciate the feedback and your 100% right I should have mentioned them. cheers!
Do u guys know if titan or rep flip down safeties fit rogue racks? Need a 43" remobable crossmember/safety to attach between rhino uprights to do weighted dips with rhino and also maybe use it for box squats with rhino??
I just found ur channel today and i really enjoy ur content. Straight and to the point. I also appreciate ur wisdom when it comes to home gym builds. Keep up the good work!
One thing to point out is that a strap that is more ''round'' or is more loose works as a basket, and it make the strap stronger compared to a more ''strait design''. The greater the angle, the weaker the strap will be, and passed 30 degree, you lose a lot of that mechanical advantage of the ''basket''. So technically, Rogue straps would be ''less efficient'' than the REP one. It is why suspension straps are actually ''better'' than any of these designs as the angle is so low and loose that the straps are at their strongest point. However, it's sure very practical to have them in an horizontal manner and even if the round one or the basket one are mechanically better, the one like Rogue are probably enough for us, mere mortal monkeys. For my part, I would go with the REP one as I got used to the one I've made myself with truck recovery straps that is working in a ''basket manner''. And yes I did test it with a lot of weight many times before I used it. And let's say it, Rogue one are VERY expensive compared to REP... And the strap is probably made in China too. ;)
You know that's a great point! I am crane certified and operate boom trucks and everything you said is spot on. Love the feedback and additional info for anyone looking to buy some! I get accused of pushing REP too much and try to stay unbiased hence offering some different options! cheers
@@MacStrengthCo Well, you are one of the few unbiased reviewers out there and it's nice to see it. I would have bought a lot from them if they came in Canada earlier, and I would have bought their straps too. The only option I had at the time was yeah Rogue, and let's say that it was 25-30% more with the importation and shipping and such... OUCH. Before that, we had almost NO option for 3x3 Racks. And seriously, I don't really care at some point for some things if it's made in US-CAN or China... I appreciate artisan stuff like Irwin fitness and such, but I'm not in the market for their prices and this makes sense for Commercial Gym, School or people that have a lot expandable incomes (no jealousy here). Oak Club also have crazy nice stuff... And REP have a very nice bracket now where they offer an intelligent choice, with good design at a good price. So you pushing their product makes sense.I'm eyeing that new trap bar, but well the winter is coming and I have to prepare the house for the next season... My wife would not be happy if I get something like this hahah...
@@jonathantremblay3469 Well said brother!! No argument from me and with the Canadian dollar going down it makes even more sense to buy up north. I remember trying to get stuff shipped to Vancouver and it was brutal paying the duties etc! People in the states have no idea how good we have it. cheers:)
I got both flip downs and straps and I'm glad that I have both. I agree with you regarding getting a strap safety with less slack, like those provided by Rogue.
@@MacStrengthCo I'm not sure I've ever used the flip downs as actual safeties, but I use them for enough other stuff that I'm very glad to have them. I have a utility bench/seat, like the Sorinex in your review, that I mount to them for a variety of uses. I also use a couple of weight storage pins mounted to one for dips, and that actually works great. I use Rogue's Monster weight storage pins, which are pretty quick to install/remove. I suspect I'll find additional uses as I continue to lift at home. I tried to rig them up for some seal rows with the utility seat and an extra bench pad, but that didn't really work well. That set up would probably work better if I had some sort of cambered bar. For actual safety uses, I prefer the straps, but that may depend upon the person and the exercise.
@@billchurch4460 would u say the weight storage horns eliminate the need for a dip bar attachment. Rep has what they call utility horns that slide into the flip down safety. If they work as well, I don't see any need to get a dip attachment.
@@jerseyjim9092 The only reason I would hesitate to say absolutely is because I've never used any of the dedicated, rack attached dip stations. Those could potentially have some advantages of which I'm not aware. Having said that, the flip down safety set up that I've been using for dips works perfectly fine, imo. The first time I set it up I was actually surprised how well it worked. You can vary the height and the width and it's very stable. I would speculate that it's likely much more stable than a dip station that attaches to a single upright. The handles/horns won't be angled, obviously, and the weight storage pins are pretty large in diameter. I guess that could be good or bad depending upon the person. I noticed that the Rep horns you mentioned appear to attach with a linchpin. That may work perfectly fine, but the Rogue pins I've been using attach with a nut or one of their knurled knobs, so they are very securely fastened to the safety eliminating any play in the handle. If you already have flip down safeties, or are planning to get some, I would at least give it a try before buying a dip station.
Straps all the way...I went with Irwin Fitness Supply and really happy with it. Im in Canada so I like to encourage Canadian owned business. As for pin pipes...seriously I dont even know why they even make these...they are loud...heavy...ugly...and destructive for your bar.
Hi. Curious if you have and/or tried the REP Strap Safeties 2.0? They claim " Updated, shorter strap lengths reduce the slack between the uprights." maybe you could do a comparison if you get some. Curious about length and if they changed the way the shackles swing out....I hear the swing direction on the first version was a little annoying
Mine are on a quick pin to remove so it's super easy. I saw Brandon do a review on the new safety straps and they are just as long but the looks of his comparison. I've gotten used to them now so it's a mute point i guess.
Do you have any suggestions about SPOTTER ARMS? I have a REP PR4000 and at 6'7 some work I have to do outside the rack. Do know of any aftermarket that may be an improvement? Thanks
I have Titan arms and they are massive and weigh a ton and only bought them because REP was out of stock. I would recommend REP's spotter arms and I think your in luck the REP 4000s ones might be in stock now.
@@MacStrengthCo Cancelled the flip downs. With Ares, straps are better as they are easier moving off the front column when using front pulleys. Small gym, so I did not like the idea of having to store the flip downs when using Ares front pulleys.
@@MacStrengthCo I just cannot get my brain wrapped around how to set up the safety straps. Maybe a content opportunity for you and a lesson opportunity for me. 🙂
Thank you so much, please suggest what should be the ideal depth of a power rack between 30 inches or 41 inches.. I would need to attach high and low pulley as well in that for home gym.. Your pick between these 2 sizes, if you could be at my place..
@@MacStrengthCo Thanks a lot, you really clear all my doubts and I know what I want now.. Thanks a ton, love from India 🇮🇳 I'll go with 30 inches now..
And one more thing, your best pick between 24 inches and 30 inches..(All time best pick for most of the guys) I promise this is the last I am asking..😊 Thanks in advance! And is it worth, to attach the high and lower pulley with your power rack..
I have both pin/pipe and straps (both from Rep on my PR4000). I use straps for everything besides bench. For me, I was unable to set up the straps at the right height even using the west side spacing. The size of j-cup style attachment on the strap safeties and the size of my j-cups themselves did not allow me the hole space to get the safeties in the correct spot. So I was forced to get the pin/pipe as well. I since added a pivot from Titan that goes over the pin/pipe safeties that you can insert a barbell into and do landmine type movements. So I have gotten use out of them for that stuff as well...but IMO nothing beats the straps for squats and such...as you said, you are able to set them perfectly to where you actually can touch them but not take the load off your back. So in the event of failure you can just gently sit it down without too much commotion.
You know what I'm pretty much same as your set up. I use my spotter arms for bench and straps for squats etc so not far off. You even I have a hard time getting the straps set up properly with so many other attachments on the rack posts it's a pain to find a spot. I now what your saying for sure.
@@klausgrisly308 has nothing to do with the slack. It's the fact there is physically not enough space below the j-cup to set the strap and it be effective as a safety in my bench set-up. Someone with longer arms or different j-cups may have better luck tho!
Rogues are much more expensive but are also use a much easier connection system rather than the j cup system rep uses. And as you indicated, the straps don't have near as much slack. Still hard to swallow the $245 plus shipping for the Rogues.
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Been looking into straps! Thanks for this video
Just don't buy Titan! j/k..:) cheers bro!
Has anyone thought of using covered chains so that they have similar functions to strap safeties, but cheaper?
That's a great idea!
@@MacStrengthCo It could also be sheathed metal cable.
My go to is flip-downs and they double as a station for my dip attachment that lay across the safeties, they're quick and easy to adjust. I never tried strap safeties, but they look promising too...rod and pipe/sabers are the worst and the biggest pain to setup in my opinion.
So far we are 100% on PIPE/ROD safeties being the worst! I have both straps and flip downs so I pretty much cheated. lol. I like the dip station idea. cheers
I think you missed the best safety system out there: suspension straps! They are universal, easy to adjust, and cheap compared to these options. Spud Inc and Bells of Steel make some.
Excellent point! I've used suspension straps and just not something I see everyone including myself using. Appreciate the feedback and your 100% right I should have mentioned them. cheers!
Do u guys know if titan or rep flip down safeties fit rogue racks? Need a 43" remobable crossmember/safety to attach between rhino uprights to do weighted dips with rhino and also maybe use it for box squats with rhino??
different sizes unfortunately
I just found ur channel today and i really enjoy ur content. Straight and to the point. I also appreciate ur wisdom when it comes to home gym builds. Keep up the good work!
thanks.
One thing to point out is that a strap that is more ''round'' or is more loose works as a basket, and it make the strap stronger compared to a more ''strait design''. The greater the angle, the weaker the strap will be, and passed 30 degree, you lose a lot of that mechanical advantage of the ''basket''. So technically, Rogue straps would be ''less efficient'' than the REP one. It is why suspension straps are actually ''better'' than any of these designs as the angle is so low and loose that the straps are at their strongest point.
However, it's sure very practical to have them in an horizontal manner and even if the round one or the basket one are mechanically better, the one like Rogue are probably enough for us, mere mortal monkeys.
For my part, I would go with the REP one as I got used to the one I've made myself with truck recovery straps that is working in a ''basket manner''. And yes I did test it with a lot of weight many times before I used it. And let's say it, Rogue one are VERY expensive compared to REP... And the strap is probably made in China too. ;)
You know that's a great point! I am crane certified and operate boom trucks and everything you said is spot on. Love the feedback and additional info for anyone looking to buy some! I get accused of pushing REP too much and try to stay unbiased hence offering some different options! cheers
@@MacStrengthCo Well, you are one of the few unbiased reviewers out there and it's nice to see it. I would have bought a lot from them if they came in Canada earlier, and I would have bought their straps too. The only option I had at the time was yeah Rogue, and let's say that it was 25-30% more with the importation and shipping and such... OUCH. Before that, we had almost NO option for 3x3 Racks. And seriously, I don't really care at some point for some things if it's made in US-CAN or China... I appreciate artisan stuff like Irwin fitness and such, but I'm not in the market for their prices and this makes sense for Commercial Gym, School or people that have a lot expandable incomes (no jealousy here). Oak Club also have crazy nice stuff... And REP have a very nice bracket now where they offer an intelligent choice, with good design at a good price. So you pushing their product makes sense.I'm eyeing that new trap bar, but well the winter is coming and I have to prepare the house for the next season... My wife would not be happy if I get something like this hahah...
@@jonathantremblay3469 Well said brother!! No argument from me and with the Canadian dollar going down it makes even more sense to buy up north. I remember trying to get stuff shipped to Vancouver and it was brutal paying the duties etc! People in the states have no idea how good we have it. cheers:)
I got both flip downs and straps and I'm glad that I have both. I agree with you regarding getting a strap safety with less slack, like those provided by Rogue.
Thanks Bill. Appreciate that and it's funny how many of us have both styles. cheers
@@MacStrengthCo I'm not sure I've ever used the flip downs as actual safeties, but I use them for enough other stuff that I'm very glad to have them. I have a utility bench/seat, like the Sorinex in your review, that I mount to them for a variety of uses. I also use a couple of weight storage pins mounted to one for dips, and that actually works great. I use Rogue's Monster weight storage pins, which are pretty quick to install/remove. I suspect I'll find additional uses as I continue to lift at home. I tried to rig them up for some seal rows with the utility seat and an extra bench pad, but that didn't really work well. That set up would probably work better if I had some sort of cambered bar. For actual safety uses, I prefer the straps, but that may depend upon the person and the exercise.
@@billchurch4460 I’ve toyed with a rack utility bench. I like what your doing there.
@@billchurch4460 would u say the weight storage horns eliminate the need for a dip bar attachment. Rep has what they call utility horns that slide into the flip down safety. If they work as well, I don't see any need to get a dip attachment.
@@jerseyjim9092 The only reason I would hesitate to say absolutely is because I've never used any of the dedicated, rack attached dip stations. Those could potentially have some advantages of which I'm not aware. Having said that, the flip down safety set up that I've been using for dips works perfectly fine, imo. The first time I set it up I was actually surprised how well it worked. You can vary the height and the width and it's very stable. I would speculate that it's likely much more stable than a dip station that attaches to a single upright. The handles/horns won't be angled, obviously, and the weight storage pins are pretty large in diameter. I guess that could be good or bad depending upon the person. I noticed that the Rep horns you mentioned appear to attach with a linchpin. That may work perfectly fine, but the Rogue pins I've been using attach with a nut or one of their knurled knobs, so they are very securely fastened to the safety eliminating any play in the handle. If you already have flip down safeties, or are planning to get some, I would at least give it a try before buying a dip station.
Where did you get your pull pins for the straps? I have the pr 5000 and being able to quick disconnect would be awesome
I just pulled the bolts out and bought some 5/8" push pins off Amazon I think. They work awesome.
Straps all the way...I went with Irwin Fitness Supply and really happy with it. Im in Canada so I like to encourage Canadian owned business. As for pin pipes...seriously I dont even know why they even make these...they are loud...heavy...ugly...and destructive for your bar.
Ya notice I don't even own pin pipes!! IRWIN FITNESS is awesome and I agree straps for the win all day!
Have Rep flip downs. I like them a lot, but I often wonder if I would like straps as much or more.
Well you can always have both like I do! ha ha.. Excessive gym gear is my game. cheers:)
Anyone know if the Rogue straps will work for the PR5000? TIA!
The 30 and 24s should work but I've yet to see anyone use them on a REP rack.
Where did you get those quick release pins though? I need some 11/16 ones for my rack lol
Is it possible to use safety spotter arms or the like when using a cambered bar (such as Kabuki bar) for bench pressing?
I have the flip downs, really like them. I’ve considered get the straps, I’ve never used them though.
I have both and find myself using the straps safeties 90% of the time but flip downs have a few added benefits also.
Hi. Curious if you have and/or tried the REP Strap Safeties 2.0? They claim " Updated, shorter strap lengths reduce the slack between the uprights." maybe you could do a comparison if you get some. Curious about length and if they changed the way the shackles swing out....I hear the swing direction on the first version was a little annoying
Mine are on a quick pin to remove so it's super easy. I saw Brandon do a review on the new safety straps and they are just as long but the looks of his comparison. I've gotten used to them now so it's a mute point i guess.
@@MacStrengthCo thx I’ll see if I can find his post. What size pin were you able to use?
@@samrmills 5/8” I think..
Do you have any suggestions about SPOTTER ARMS? I have a REP PR4000 and at 6'7 some work I have to do outside the rack. Do know of any aftermarket that may be an improvement? Thanks
Both Titan and Rep make great spotter arms that will fit your rack. Titans version is the X3.
I have Titan arms and they are massive and weigh a ton and only bought them because REP was out of stock. I would recommend REP's spotter arms and I think your in luck the REP 4000s ones might be in stock now.
@@bigk2080 Rogue SAML-24 arms will also fit Titan’s X3 rack (I have/use both) as well as the PR4000 rack from Rep.
I have straps on my Rogue rack that is for sale. Getting both straps and flip down safeties for the PR 5000.
I like how you roll Mark!!! cheers buddy
@@MacStrengthCo Cancelled the flip downs. With Ares, straps are better as they are easier moving off the front column when using front pulleys. Small gym, so I did not like the idea of having to store the flip downs when using Ares front pulleys.
I found the straps cumbersome so bought some flip down safety’s.
I have both. Flip downs are great!
@@MacStrengthCo I just cannot get my brain wrapped around how to set up the safety straps. Maybe a content opportunity for you and a lesson opportunity for me. 🙂
Very helpful breakdown, thanks!
Glad it was useful! Cheers
Flip down or bar safeties, your 1 and best pick?
Flip down for sure.
Thank you so much, please suggest what should be the ideal depth of a power rack between 30 inches or 41 inches..
I would need to attach high and low pulley as well in that for home gym..
Your pick between these 2 sizes, if you could be at my place..
@@pmittal19 The best is 30" for most people. I see many people switch to 30" from 41 because it's too large.
@@MacStrengthCo Thanks a lot, you really clear all my doubts and I know what I want now.. Thanks a ton, love from India 🇮🇳
I'll go with 30 inches now..
And one more thing, your best pick between 24 inches and 30 inches..(All time best pick for most of the guys)
I promise this is the last I am asking..😊
Thanks in advance!
And is it worth, to attach the high and lower pulley with your power rack..
I have both pin/pipe and straps (both from Rep on my PR4000). I use straps for everything besides bench. For me, I was unable to set up the straps at the right height even using the west side spacing. The size of j-cup style attachment on the strap safeties and the size of my j-cups themselves did not allow me the hole space to get the safeties in the correct spot. So I was forced to get the pin/pipe as well. I since added a pivot from Titan that goes over the pin/pipe safeties that you can insert a barbell into and do landmine type movements. So I have gotten use out of them for that stuff as well...but IMO nothing beats the straps for squats and such...as you said, you are able to set them perfectly to where you actually can touch them but not take the load off your back. So in the event of failure you can just gently sit it down without too much commotion.
You know what I'm pretty much same as your set up. I use my spotter arms for bench and straps for squats etc so not far off. You even I have a hard time getting the straps set up properly with so many other attachments on the rack posts it's a pain to find a spot. I now what your saying for sure.
Straps are supposed to be used at an angle. That’s why there is so much slack
@@klausgrisly308 has nothing to do with the slack. It's the fact there is physically not enough space below the j-cup to set the strap and it be effective as a safety in my bench set-up. Someone with longer arms or different j-cups may have better luck tho!
Rogues are much more expensive but are also use a much easier connection system rather than the j cup system rep uses. And as you indicated, the straps don't have near as much slack. Still hard to swallow the $245 plus shipping for the Rogues.
Agreed. I installed a quick pin to make dropping the straps much faster.