Manta Ray

This really is an amazing piece of equipment. It holds the bar so effectively that the hands just keep it in place rather than supporting weight. So it feels very secure. And it distributes the weight forward so that there is no so much weight pressing down on the upper back/lower neck area (which I tend to strain if I''m not careful).

Unfortunately, it didn''t fit my physique exactly. And you need and exact fit for it to be comfortable. In my case there was a small ridge that pressed down very uncomfortably and sharply on my collar bone. Same with two other guys at my gym. It''s so uncomfortable, it''s unusable.

The product is so effective that I would gladly pay three times the asking price for a custom fit. The manufacturer might also look at cutting out the collar bone area since this seemed to be where the extreme discomfort was.

UPDATE. . . November 30, 2007

My last review pointed out a problem with the Manta Ray. But I have been using it for the last few months with great results. The only thing needed to make it perfect is a gym towel. Just fold a hand towel over a couple of times and place it around the neck. Then slide under the bar and up onto the Manta Ray. It completely eliminates the sharp spots.

I''ve gone from squatting 135 pounds on my last post to 315 pounds for the last couple of weeks. I went over to another gym to work out with a friend. No Manta Ray at the new gym. The bar sitting on my traps was excruciating. I stopped on my third set after two reps because it hurt so bad. The Manta Ray is as indispensable as straps are for back work. It allows you to work with significantly more weight for more reps.

Tell your gym to get this piece of equipment!!! It''s definitely worth the money if you have to spring for it yourself.

This thing is great for doing squats. The shape conforms to the neck/shoulder/trap area nicely and actually distributes the weight across your back more evenly; much moreso than those round pads or the bar alone. Very comfortable on your back so you can focus on pushing the weight. Another thing I really like about it is that once you center the pad on the bar (it pops right on and off) you know for sure your body is centered under the weight, so you''re not teetering. The plastic is flexible and soft enough so that it''s comfortable and it''s super easy to clean.

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My son and I tried the Manta Ray for the first time today after purchasing from Amazon. I''ve been doing squats for over 20 years but he is a high school freshman who hasn''t yet developed sufficient trapezius muscle to protect his upper back from the effects of the weight bar. I''ve tried to make it more comfortable with commercially available wrap-around bar pads designed for squats but the results have been disappointing. I was skeptical of the Manta Ray''s claims and hesitant because of the higher price versus the alternative bar pads. Nevertheless, I decided to give the Manta Ray a try.

This simple device takes away all (and I mean all) of the discomfort caused by contact of the weight bar with that portion of the back that it rests upon.

Here is how it works. The Manta Ray has a slot into which the weight bar fits rather snugly. The Manta Ray is thereafter held securely in place on the weight bar. Upon returning the weight bar to the squat rack, the Manta Ray remains attached to the bar ready for the user''s next set of squats. The Manta Ray performs very much like a saddle in that it effectively redistributes the weight across the entire trapezius muscle rather than the very limited area upon which the bar concentrates the weight.

There is enough "play" in the Manta Ray so that, upon positioning one''s self under the bar in preparation for the exercise, it swivels and conforms to the shape of the user''s back. As another reviewer suggested, I recommend draping a small towel across the area of the back/neck not covered by a shirt to prevent any irritation from contact with the device.

At the conclusion of the routine, reach over the bar and grasp that portion of the Manta''s wings designed to fit around the user''s neck that point toward the floor. Pull upward and rotate backwards and the device will easily disconnect from the weight bar.

The alternative to the Manta Ray is one of the less expensive pads that wrap around the weight bar and is typically held in place with Velcro. However, those pads do not redistribute weight. They merely cushion some of the discomfort caused by the bar. The weight remains concentrated in that small area where the bar meets the back. Additionally, the pads lose their cushioning effect over time, can tear, and require routine replacement. The Manta Ray, by contrast, is heavy duty, extremely durable and will probably outlast the user.

You''ll be amazed at how much more comfortable squats are using the Manta Ray and the added comfort will make lifting additional weight far less daunting. It is worth every penny in my opinion and a far wiser purchase than the alternative bar pad. By the way, the device itself has a shape reminiscent of a manta ray, hence the name.

Say hello to Manta Ray and goodbye to weight bar discomfort forever. Squats will instantly become as enjoyable as any other weight training exercise.

Read Best Reviews of Manta Ray Here

So I hadn''t been squatting regularly for a while (ok, since college many moons ago) when I got the manta. It does make the bar sit more comfortably on your shoulders, but also raises the center of gravity a bit and makes it a little more unstable. After a few weeks of squatting regularly, my back muscles adapted and toughened up. At that point, it became just as comfortable to squeeze my shoulder blades together to create a shelf of muscle on which to rest the bar. This technique also seems to "weld" you to the bar and gives you better control over it. As a result, I haven''t been using the manta for a while.

Anything that gets you squatting is good thing as it is an unbeatable exercise for overall body strength. The manta is definitely superior to the foam pads that I''ve tried. However, if I had to do it over again, I''d save the money and just gut it out for the first few weeks until my back firmed up.

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Of course one can adapt to just about anything, and for those of you who prefer high bar squats, I think this is a great device. It''s a bit more secure than the foam pad, and is worlds better than sitting a bare bar directly on top of your spine. There are pros and cons to everything, as there are with this device.

As I mentioned, I do like the simplicity of being able to quickly secure the Manta Ray onto any Olympic bar. It''s relatively light, and easy to carry in your gym bag too, which is always a good thing. The design of this also allows the weight of the bar to be distributed over your traps, and not directly on the spine, which even with the foam pad is not recommended.

After years of powerlifting and using a "low bar" squat technique, I''ve struggled with shoulder issues, and with age also invites arthritis to join the party; especially in my wrists. Thus, working out with heavier weight can stress my elbows, shoulders and wrists much more than they used to. At least, I feel it a heck of a lot more. Therefore, I was excited to try this in the hopes of eliminating, or at least reducing some of the extra stress holding a bar lower down my back introduces.

The two techniques of high and low bar placement for squats are very different, and knowing this, I expected a learning curve. Everything is affected from the way I stand to the way my body mechanics respond to where the bar is placed. I didn''t assume I could just slap on the Manta Ray and carry on with my regular squat routine without going through a few changes in both weight and technique.

Well, the Manta Ray definitely takes the stress off the elbows, shoulders, and is not uncomfortable at all resting on my traps. The problem I have with it is the amount of teetering that goes on when I have weight on my back. This is most likely attributed to developed trap muscles, not allowing both sides of the device to secure itself soundly to my body. For me, this is something I simply cannot use when the weight starts increasing, as I''m working to stabilize the load. In addition, the high bar position forces your body to become more upright, which in my opinion, makes it that much harder to balance the weight, taking a little from the glutes and hamstrings and putting more stress on the quads and knees. As I know these versions are different, I utilize front squats to work more quads (See the excellent Sting Ray from the same company).

For lighter weight, this is fine. I''m not worried about having to stabilize much, and any rolling or teetering does not concern me. Therefore I can honestly say I have mixed feelings about this product, and only use it when I feel I absolutely have to, and still need to squat. However, this does not mean it''s an inferior device at all or that it won''t work for you. For those of you used to high bar squats, or to people that don''t obsess over having huge traps, the price alone makes it worth looking into. It''s also good for anyone with pain in their joints or muscles that would otherwise inhibit being able to do squats with an Olympic bar.

I also have the Sting Ray, and love it for front squats. It''s not perfect either, but it''s an inexpensive way to get into front squatting without putting either your wrists or shoulders through hell to enjoy the benefit of doing them.

I know ranking a review in the middle doesn''t help someone on the fence, but I don''t believe in bashing a product just because it really doesn''t work out for me. I can honestly say there''s more upside to the Manta Ray than negative, and should work fine for most conventional squatters, and even aging powerlifters needing to spell their joints every once in a while. It also implements a nice change up for people doing only low bar squats, forcing the core to pay attention to a new twist. Just be mindful of the limitations and ask yourself which squatting style you''re planning on doing first.

Good luck, and I hope my review was helpful.

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