Bells of Steel Safety Straps Review: A Perfect Fit for the Rogue FM-6
By Drew | Iron and Lime Fitness
Last Updated: November 2025
If you train at home, you know the sound. That thud when you drop a heavy deadlift in the early hours, the echo that rattles through the house while the rest of your family’s asleep.
That was my problem. I train from 4:30 to 6:30 every morning, and throwing 350 pounds down on deadlifts was waking up the house. So I started looking for a solution, something safe, quiet, and built to last.
That search led me to the Bells of Steel Hydra Safety Straps and the Manticore Safety Strap Connectors. I’d seen them mentioned in a few home gym forums but had never used any Bells of Steel gear myself. This was my first time putting their quality to the test.
Why I Chose Bells of Steel
The first thing that caught my eye was compatibility. Bells of Steel’s Manticore line uses the same specs as Rogue’s Monster series, 3x3 uprights, 1-inch holes, 2-inch spacing. That’s a huge deal if you own a Rogue FM-6, like I do, because it means their gear fits perfectly without modification.
I also looked at Sorinex and a few other alternatives, but their depth and crossmember design don’t match Rogue’s pattern. That immediately ruled them out for accessory interchangeability.
And let’s be honest, if I can add a piece of gear that works seamlessly with my existing Rogue setup and saves a few bucks, I’m going to.
First Impressions & Unboxing
The packaging was tight and solid, exactly what I want to see when I’m buying heavy-duty steel gear. Shipping was fast, arriving in about three or four days.
Inside, everything looked great. The hardware was standard, the bolts were heavy, and the straps themselves had that solid commercial-gym feel. I’ve lifted in plenty of Army and college gyms over the years, and this setup feels like it belongs in one of them.
Each strap is rated for 1,000 lbs, which is plenty for my training. My current top deadlift sits at 420, and at this stage, I’m more focused on longevity and health than chasing bigger numbers. My wife already limits me to four plates per side, fair trade for keeping the house quiet.
Build Quality
Right out of the box, the Bells of Steel Safety Straps feel durable and well-constructed. The UHMW plastic lining (which prevents rack damage) covers all contact surfaces. That’s something even some high-end brands skip.
The powder coat looked sharp, though mine had a couple small scratches, nothing major, but worth noting. These things are meant to be used, not babied, so it didn’t bother me.
One thing I did notice compared to Rogue’s straps: the ends of the connector brackets aren’t rounded. That means they don’t slide in quite as smoothly as Rogue’s, Fringe Sport’s, or Surplus Strength’s. It’s a small thing, but if you move your safeties a lot, it’s worth being aware of.
Other than that, the fit and finish were excellent. They matched my FM-6’s keyhole design perfectly, locking in securely without any wiggle or gap.
Real-World Fit: Rogue FM-6 Integration
The big test was whether these would actually fit and function cleanly with the Rogue Monster FM-6 Twin Functional Trainer, and they did. Perfectly.
Once installed, I tested plate clearance at settings 5 and 4. There’s less than a quarter inch of gap, which is ideal. The bar rests close to the ground, making deadlifts and RDLs feel natural and smooth.
The biggest win? Noise reduction. These straps completely eliminated the slam and echo I used to get from metal-on-metal safeties. It’s a massive difference, especially when you’re training before sunrise and the rest of the house is asleep.
Minor Drawbacks
A few small things could make the Bells of Steel setup even better:
A rounded guide tip on the connector would make adjustment smoother.
A push-through pin system (like Surplus Strength uses) could keep the straps even more secure under load.
And selfishly, they should absolutely make a green version for those of us with lime-green racks.
But none of those are deal breakers. The function and performance are still excellent.
Final Verdict
After a full unboxing, setup, and test session, I’d rate the Bells of Steel Safety Straps an 8.5 to 9 out of 10.
They’re strong, simple, and thoughtfully designed. They fit the Rogue FM-6 perfectly, keep noise down, and make training safer without eating up space.
If you’re running a 3x3 Monster-style rack and want a reliable, quiet safety system, this is a smart buy — especially if you train early like I do.
These straps will easily last decades. They’ll be used by me, and someday by my sons, right here in the Iron and Lime gym.
Strength for Life. Fitness for All.
🛒 Shop the Straps:
Bells of Steel Manticore Safety Straps
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Bells of Steel Manticore Safety Strap Connectors
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🎥 Watch the full video unboxing and impressions on our YouTube channel
Bells of Steel Manticore Safety Strap
More Articles here:
Rogue FM-6 Twin Functional Trainer Review
American Barbell Dumbbell Set and Rack Review
“Best Budget Gear for Building a Garage Gym”
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