A power rack safety system has one job that matters above everything else: catching the bar when a rep does not go to plan. Pin and Pipe Safeties and Safety Straps solve that problem in different ways, while Spotter Arms add a third option for lifts performed outside the rack.
The right setup depends on how the rack is used, where the lift takes place and what kind of contact is preferred when the bar reaches the safeties. Compatibility matters just as much. Anyone choosing between different power rack accessories should therefore start with the rack itself.
Pin and Pipe Safeties: a rigid and straightforward setup
Pin and Pipe Safeties use a solid pin and surrounding pipe to create a rigid catch point between the front and rear uprights of a power rack. One safety runs along each side of the rack, giving the bar a fixed surface to land on if a squat, bench press or another rack-based lift is missed.
Their main advantage is simplicity. Once both sides are installed in matching rack holes, the catch height is immediately clear and repeatable. There is no flexible section and no low point to account for: the bar meets the safety at the height at which the pin and pipe have been installed.
That makes Power Rack Safety Pins easy to set up consistently between sessions. The trade-off is a firmer contact surface, as the bar lands directly on a rigid safety.
For the 60 mm rack system, the Original MRR 60 Pin & Pipe Safeties provide the matching format. The Riot MRR 75 system uses its own versions, including the Riot MRR 75 Pin & Pipe Safeties 725 and Riot MRR 75 Pin & Pipe Safeties 1075.
Safety Straps: Webbing Safeties for a more forgiving catch
Safety Straps replace the rigid pipe with a strong webbing section running between the front and rear rack uprights. At Strength Shop, this type of power rack safety strap is listed as Webbing Safeties.
Instead of hitting a rigid metal surface, the bar is caught by webbing that flexes slightly under load. This creates a less abrupt contact point and reduces hard metal-on-metal impact against the bar.
The flexible construction also changes the effective catch height. A strap naturally has a low point between its mounting positions rather than forming a perfectly rigid horizontal line. This can be useful when the preferred safety position falls awkwardly between two rack-hole heights.
For the Original MRR system, the corresponding option is the Original MRR 60 Webbing Safeties. The 75 mm system uses the Riot MRR 75 Webbing Safeties 725.
Spotter Arms: safety outside the power rack
Spotter Arms serve a different role. Instead of spanning the inside of the rack from front to rear, they mount to the uprights and extend forwards. This creates a catching surface for exercises performed on the outside of the rack.
The Original MRR 60 Spotter Arms and Riot MRR 75 Spotter Arms are designed for their respective rack systems.
Spotter Arms are therefore not simply another version of Safety Straps or Power Rack Safety Pins. They solve a different setup problem: providing a catch point outside the rack.
Safety Straps vs. Pin and Pipe Safeties: which setup suits which use?
For training inside a full power rack, the choice comes down to the preferred type of catch.
Pin and Pipe Safeties suit lifters who want a rigid, clearly defined and easily repeatable safety height. Safety Straps are the alternative when a softer catch and less direct contact between the bar and a rigid metal surface are priorities. Spotter Arms become relevant when the lift is performed outside the rack.
Whichever system is used, the safeties need to sit high enough to catch a failed lift but low enough that they do not interfere with a correctly performed repetition.
For squats, that normally means positioning the safety just below the lowest point reached during a normal rep. For bench pressing, the setting should allow the intended bar path while still preventing a failed bar from descending beyond the planned safe position. Testing the setup with an empty bar before loading is the simplest way to confirm the height.
Rack compatibility comes first
Power rack attachments are not universal simply because they look similar. The rack dimensions, mounting system and intended attachment format have to match.
Original MRR 60 racks use components designed for the 60 mm platform, while Riot MRR 75 racks use the corresponding 75 mm components. Further Riot MRR accessories and components are grouped separately for the same reason.
Anyone building or changing a rack setup can also compare the systems on the Modular Rack Range overview. For a broader look at rack formats, the Racks and Rigs category covers the wider selection.
Safety should be considered when choosing the rack itself, not only after the frame is already installed. The guide to squat racks for a home gym covers the main factors to consider when selecting the rack around the intended training space and exercises.
FAQ
What are Spotter Arms used for?
Spotter Arms create a catching surface in front of a rack. They are used when exercises are performed outside the main rack area but a properly positioned safety system is still required.
How do Spotter Arms work?
They attach to the rack uprights and extend forwards to support the bar if a lift is missed. Their position should be set according to the exercise and the range of motion, while always using the matching attachment for the rack.
Do I need Safety Spotter Arms?
Not necessarily. When training inside a full power rack, correctly positioned Pin and Pipe Safeties or Safety Straps can provide the required catch system. Spotter Arms are particularly useful when lifting outside the rack or when an open setup is preferred.