The Squat Baby™ is a steel framed squatting device that securely holds a standard barbell in 3 positions. It was designed to allow you to squat through both the high and low bar positions without any shoulder, elbow or wrist pain. It sits comfortably on the shoulders with handles out in front of you for a confident squat.

For some, no. For others, yes.

Look, we just want you squatting. Period.

In fact, we want every human being on earth squatting because the movement is just that important. If you’re squatting conventionally without any issues, keep on. But the reality is, many experienced strength coaches realize that there is a population of lifters that are unable to get the barbell into a proper rack position. Some could, but are unwilling. Others are willing, but simply can’t. So we came up with a way to get more people squatting in a high bar and low bar position.

Not at all. First, we have no issue with most safety squat bars. We’ve used them, they have their applications, and if yours is working for you- great. But SSB’s often feel vague and somewhat disconnected from the lifter because excessive padding creates unnecessary distance between the lifter and the load. We observe lifters raise the handles in an attempt to get the barbell further down their backs, (closer to their hips) in an attempt to optimize leverage. The Squat Baby solves this problem day one, and the load on the back feels close, connected, and confident. The way it should be.

The handles-out-front position allows for a nice, deep squat. Some safety squat bars frustrate lifters because the forearms make contact with the thighs on the way down—preventing proper depth. We’ve spoken with competitive lifters that shared this same concern. The Squat Baby solves this issue with the forward handle position, and we’re pleased to consistently receive such positive feedback about this position.

No, it’s comfortable and actually feels pretty good. The plate helps disperse the load over a larger area than a barbell, and the main plate helps facilitate the chest-up position that is so critical to a proper squat. It also gives the lifter something to drive hard up against when coming up out of the hole. Go ahead and sit back with wide knees, then drive up hard against the plate with your mid-back. You’ll like what happens.

Yep. We intentionally use as little padding as possible to enhance proprioception and reduce vagueness. We want you connected to the load. Some of us have squatted on early prototypes without any padding and it works just fine. The SB comes with 2” of padding at the clavicle and recedes to the back plate. Adding extra padding, if needed, is easy and not terribly expensive. 

The OG Squat Baby had 2 bar positions. We moved to 3 to give lifters more options to control moment forces on different muscle groups. Squat high bar to emphasize quads, low bar to target the posterior muscles, and ultra low bar for other exercises (donkey calf raises) and as a training tool for coaches.

Our lifters do Bulgarian split squats, lunges, calf raises—donkey and standing, shrugs, and good mornings. We’re sure many other movements will be discovered as more lifters train with the Squat Baby. 

No, but we understand your viewpoint. Some of my lifters lovingly call it the Ugly Baby. It’s not much to look at, but we don't care, and we doubt you do either. We are into function and efficiency. It’s not a pretty tool, it’s ugly. But you’ll like the way your squats look.

Longtime strength coach Danny Fahey invented the Squat Baby. Thoughts turned into drawings, and drawings turned into mock ups. Finally a prototype was built, and the initial response was so positive the decision was made to make production models. 

No. Included in your purchase is a tough cloth barrier to guard the barbell against nicks scratches from the set bolts. Even in the absence of the barrier, the worst we’ve seen on our bars is one or two barely perceptible tiny scratches. But, yes, use the barrier. 

The Squat Baby is proudly made in Creedmoor, NC by Olympian Fabrication from 100% American steel.