Squat MAX MD vs Rogue flipdown safeties

This is a comparison between the Squat Max MD and Rogue flipdown safeties including pros, cons, and alternatives. The Original was published in which accessory equipment to get for your rogue rack. Follow the links for details

Overview and review of the Rogue Flip down safeties

The Flip down safety comes in at $385 and is a great addition to your existing rack to widen the possible exercises you can do. This article was originally published in "which accessory equipment to get for your rogue rack".

Overview of the Flipdown safeties

The rogue flip down safeties are the rolls Royce of the safety pins you can get from Rogue. They are easy to adjust in height and provide a better platform for your rack pulls and pin pulls than safety pins or belts. They can be combined with the utility seat and LT1 50 cal short arms to create many different applications. The full set includes:

Made in Columbus, Ohio
Sold in Pairs
3 x 3" 11-Gauge Steel
Holes 2” on center
Protective UHMW plastic to protect the bar
Easy slide-in and lock-down installation
Includes (2) Monster Hitchpins
Can also be used as a pulling platform
Color: Black
Length 43”
Width 3”

If you want to secure yourself in a rack with style this is the way to go.

Pros of the flipdown safeties

The flip-down safeties will take many beatings before they break. While the safety pins will warp slightly after a full drop of a weight, the flip-down safeties will stand tall. For pin squats and rack pulls they will also provide a better and more stable platform than pins and belts.

Cons of the flipdown safeties

The flip down safeties are more expensive and weigh more than the safety belts and pins. This can be of disadvantage when you have to buy multiple units or have many beginners working out at your gym.

Alternatives to the flipdown safeties

Alternatives to the flip-down safeties are

Most rogue racks ship with safety pins as a standard. Pay attention to the detailed descriptions and if you are in doubt ask their customer support before the purchase.

Safety belts are another variation on pins. Their advantage is that they will not warp when you drop a weight from a high height in them. I personally find them hard to adjust for pin squats and rack pulls and prefer the pins or flip down safeties.

Summary of the Flipdown safeties

The flip-down safeties are a great investment, especially if you do not have to but multiple racks and can use the budget for yourself only.

Overview and review Squat Max MD

The Squat Max MD comes in at $950 and is a great addition to your existing rack to widen the possible exercises you can do. This article was originally published in "which accessory equipment to get for your rogue rack".

What else to consider from Rogue

Overview of the Squat Max MD

The squat max MD is a Hip belt squat setup which can be attached to your rack. The main benefits of hip belt squats are rehab and simulation of certain exercises. If you have athletes with shoulder injuries which keep them from barbell squatting this is an alternative. It also helps with decompressing the lower back when athletes are challenged with lower back problems.

The specs of the squat max MD are:

Made in the USA
Black
160LB
Length 44.75”
Width 29”
Platform height 18” - 24”
Rogue multi belt
Narrow stance plate

Compared to other pulley systems this is free weight and therefore has a more direct transition of the weight to the athlete.

Pros of the Squat Max MD

The Squat Max MD has a lower cost than most other comparable machines with pulleys or a platform. It is also a safer setup than Boxes combined with a dip belt. I personally also see a good application for Strongman athletes as the Squat max closer simulates Strongman events than a pulley solution. The narrow stance plate is a nice addition to vary your training.

Cons of the Squat Max MD

An elevated platform means trip hazards and higher injury risk. You have to get on and off the platform and in case of a malfunction you fall off the platform. Compared to the Rhino Belt machine I can also imagine that the Squat max MD is more prone to break if you bang it around too much.

Alternatives to the Squat Max MD

Alternatives to the squat Max MD are

Rhino belt squat
Boxes and a hip belt

In my opinion, the Rhino belt squat is currently the best option in the market for any kind of hip belt work. It is secure, allows for many setups and is easy to get in and out off. The only downside is that the weight will not be central below the lifter which for some training scenarios might be preferred. Still, I think that is rather the exception than the rule. The downside of the Rhino is the price tag. If you are mucky and already own an RM6 rack you can go for the Drop-In option which is roughly $500 more than the Squat max. If you need to get the standalone version we are taking twice the price of the Squat max.

If you already have boxes, a hip belt, and plates you can build your own hip belt squat. Stack the boxes to the desired height. Attach the plates to yourself with a hip belt. Work away. While most gyms have the necessary equipment this setup has two major disadvantages. It is almost impossible to do this reasonable by yourself so you need a coach to help you in and out of the setup. The setup is as makeshift as they come. The good news is that you have to invest exactly zero additional dollars if you already have the equipment. The bad news is that you are creating a health and safety hazard that probably won’t hold in a court case, but check with your insurance and lawyers.

Summary for the Squat Max MD

The squat max MD is a low budget option for a safe hip belt squat. Especially when you already have a Rogue rack.