Why I Switched from Rogue to Surplus Strength: The Best Safety Spotter Arms for Garage Gyms

I switched from Rogue Monster spotter arms to the Surplus Strength Stealth Spotter Arms for one main reason: space.

After running traditional spotter arms from Rogue Fitness Monster Safety Spotter Arms 2.0, I switched to the Stealth Spotter Arms from Surplus Strength and trained on them for six months in my garage gym.

I don’t review equipment for clicks.
I train on it, live with it, and if it doesn’t fit long-term, I move on.

Early mornings.
Training alone.
Limited space.
Kids’ bikes five feet away.

This video isn’t a first impression. It’s why these earned permanent rack status in my Iron & Lime gym.

Barbells & Balance Blog Article:
https://www.ironandlimefitness.com/ba...

What this video covers:
Why I moved on from Rogue spotter arms
The real advantage of a smaller rack footprint (4 holes versus 7-8)
How stealth spotters affect day-to-day training flow
Real missed reps: squats, bench, and RDLs
Long-term build quality after 6+ months
Storage and space efficiency in a garage gym
Speed pins vs mag pins and my customer service experience
Honest price comparison and who these are actually for

I paid for this equipment myself. No free gear. No sponsors. No hype. Just real use and real tradeoffs.

Key takeaway:

Strong equipment matters.
But equipment that fits real life matters more.

If you train alone, value space, and want safety gear you won’t skip using, this is worth a serious look.

Mentioned in the video

(I earn nothing from these links. I bought this gear with my own money. Links are included only to make it easier for you to find the products.)
Surplus Strength Stealth Spotter Arms
https://surplusstrength.com/products/...

Rogue Monster Safety Spotter Arms 2.0
https://www.roguefitness.com/monster-...

Fringe Sport Mag Pins
https://www.fringesport.com/collectio...

Timestamps

0:00 Intro
1:10 Why These Fit the Iron & Lime Philosophy
2:43 Design Overview
4:44 Specifications
7:34 Build Quality
8:33 Missed Reps & Confidence
10:38 Non-Negotiable: Use a Pin
11:39 Day-to-Day Flow
12:38 Storage
14:04 Speed Pins, Mag Pins & Customer Service
15:58 Price Compared to Rogue
17:44 Who These Are For
18:29 Final Verdict

About Iron & Lime Fitness

Real garage gym in Georgia.
Real equipment reviews.
Real training.

I’ve been lifting for over 20 years and only review gear I’ve personally purchased and used long-term. No sponsors telling me what to say. Just honest feedback for home gym owners, busy parents, and lifters who care about quality.

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