Going back a couple of steps, I think bench is about as safe as it will ever get, at least not without creating issues with seeing clearly what the lifter is doing. Bench weights are the lightest of all events and the spotters are there to make sure nothing goes wrong. Not a perfect world but then, shit, we are Vikings and Spartans and we take danger in our stride. Right?
On the other hand, I have always thought that having straps, adjustable to a person's height (like the squat rack itself, or bench press rack) in the squat is a safety feature that should be incorporated. This is more so for those who hit high 200's + in the squat. I don't care how big the spotters are, if you have someone squatting 350 that is a hell of a lot of weight to catch and balance.
If we had straps in the squat set to an adjustable height/depth then if someone bails then the straps are a sure fire guarantee that the lifter won't get nailed behind the neck or on the back by the bar, a la olympic lifting.
As far as why there are more raw lifters now, for me its not the competing or the price of gear (suits that is. Cough.) Its the frikken drama you have to go through every time you walk into the gym. I just did a 3 hour workout. Ben just posted a 5 hour session. Now toss in 45min to put on your squat suit and have that bitch pinching and constricting you for 3-5 hours every time you train. Feeeeeerrrrk. No thank you.
I am happy with me, and just me, competing against the bar. Equipped lifting is a different sport with different training and techniques to make it happen. Not for me.
