The Hatfield Bar, also known as the Hatfield Barbell or Safety Squat Bar, is a specialized piece of sports equipment.
It is designed for barbell exercises, primarily squats. It was developed by Dr. Frederick Hatfield. The official name is "Safety Squat Bar."
What It Looks Like
Due to its curved U-shaped design, this bar has several advantages over standard Olympic or bodybuilding bars. This makes it suitable for training both beginners and experienced athletes.
In addition to its shape, it is equipped with handles for holding and often with pads.
Advantages of the Hatfield Bar:
- Reduced strain on shoulders and back: The curved shape of the bar shifts the center of gravity of the barbell closer to the athlete's body, distributing the load more evenly and reducing pressure on the shoulder and lumbar joints. This is especially important for people with shoulder injuries or those just starting to learn squats.
- Ability to work with heavier weights: Due to the more comfortable hand position and reduced joint strain, athletes can squat with heavier weights than with a standard bar.
- Improvement in exercise technique: The ergonomic shape of the Hatfield Bar allows the athlete to focus on proper exercise technique, reducing the risk of injury.
- Safety: The curved shape of the bar makes it more stable and reduces the risk of the barbell slipping.
- The pad cushions the pressure on the back.
Where It Can Be Used
The Hatfield Bar is suitable not only for squats but also for other barbell exercises:
- Primarily all types of squats
- Lunges
- Rows to the waist
- Good mornings
- Standing presses
These are the main exercises where this type of barbell is used.
Where to Find and Buy
Purchasing such sports equipment can be slightly more challenging than regular barbells. But it is available.
In addition to dimensions, pay attention to the following parameters:
- Maximum load: This is a very important factor where it's better to be cautious. It's wise to buy with a margin from the maximum load stated by the manufacturer.
- Sleeve diameter: This is the mounting diameter for your plates or discs. Note that they come in different sizes, the most common being 25mm, 30mm, and 50mm.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hatfield Bar
Why do you need it?
For comfortable and safe squatting primarily.
Is it only for professionals?
No, even if you are a beginner athlete, such as a bodybuilder, you can start training with this equipment.
What can you do besides squats?
Good mornings, lunges. You can also experiment with other exercises where the barbell rests on the back.
Conclusions
An exotic type of barbell that will help you love barbell squats. It's truly more comfortable to train with. Try it, and perhaps it's the equipment you were missing.
Author - Denis Strongshop
