Safety Squat Bar/ Kabuki Transformer and other Bar thread

[Rockslide]

Finally at a place in my life where I have the space for a home gym . So far I’m pretty happy with what I have done and the access to the time which for me is by far my most limited resource greatly outweighs the limited specialty machines or initial investment cost.

So now I’m working on bars. I’m training more bodybuilding focused. I also enjoy hunting when I have time and over the next few years will be planning a high altitude backpack hunt where I’m carrying a 60-70 pound pack 10+ miles a day in the mountains so functional strength will be an important secondary goal for me in my 40s in a couple of years .

I suffered a kind of terrible wrist injury several years ago (not lifting) that required reconstruction of my scapholunate ligament of my wrist with a synthetic ligament. Because of this I’m limited to about 50% extension of my wrist. I’m doing my best with it but it does suck. No regular push-up (knuckle only). No bench dips. I loved barbell bench… can’t go heavy now because I can’t roll my wrist back. (Dumbbells are fine at any weight) . Even squats are difficult because I can’t roll the bar subtly with my wrist and get it in the perfect spot . I can kind of work around it on squats by getting it off the rack then going real wide or grabbing the plates and just being really careful not to smash my hand when reracking but it’s only a matter of time until I do lol.

So now I’m looking at some alternatives .

I currently have a cheaper Olympic bar which I mainly got for land mines while deciding what type of nice bar I want. It has no center knurling which I also hate (falls off my chest when doing front squats when sweaty)

I’ve been looking at safety squat bars and would like to know opinions. Never seen them at gyms I was a member at but seems like they might work well for me. The kabuki one is intriguing but very pricey and also wondering about that.

I’m absolutely going to get a Swiss/multibar. It will work well for me at a minimum for triceps, barbell hammer curls, bench variations .

Who trains with these. I would love to hear opinions on them, products to look at , other things I should look into etc

 

[littlrook]

The kabuki is a really nice "Bar" You can adjust the height and the angle that it sits at, I prefer it over a regular SSB. The handles also come out and down vs just out. There is also the mars bar that fits like a backpack. Never used it though

 

[Hyde]

I train with all the specialty bars.

Get an EilteFTS Yokebar (SSB) and a multigrip/Swissbar from them. Sign up for emails or keep your eyes on the website - they put them on sale often throughout the year. They also have thinner profile multigrips now with different angles available for handles, lots to choose from. Rogue also makes great multigrip bars to consider.

Kabuki is no longer owned by Chris Duffin; it got bought out by a big investment company that wanted to make it all cheaper. If you can get one of the second generation Transformer Bars with the quick adjust, they’re really great. But they are essentially just going to let you squat and Frontsquat with different leverages and keeping the shoulders out of it. If you get one, I’d get it as a luxury item later - it isn’t as helpful as a true SSB.

The EFS Yokebar is the single best multibar for most because in addition to bypassing shoulder/grip issues for Squat, Good Mornings, Single-leg worn and Frontsquat, it also is harder leverage - it will make you stronger, in a bullstrong way that is less specialized than a straight bar. I use this FAR more than the Transformer bar, or a Giant Camber bar. The only bar I squat even more with is the Duffalo, as it takes some stress off my shoulders and elbow but still very specific to powerlifting.

But make no mistake, the SSB is the bar you really want. And most brands suck (even nice brands like Rogue, or all the cheapo brands). Cerberus and Titan both made perfect clones of the EliteFTS Yokebar, but they have risen in cost so much I would recommend getting the original that is time-tested to last. We had one going in the commercial gym that is going strong after over a decade. And it has seen 800+lb lifts and getting used all the time by little old ladies to elite lifters.

 

[Hyde]

Also, you want your wrist straight as possible on barbell bench - just like db pressing. I realize the thickness of a barbell may be greater than your dbs or there’s probably some detail I’m missing, but generally if you can db press you can barbell press the same way. Unless the wrist creates some shoulder angle mobility issue of course.

Not that you shouldn’t get a Swiss/multigrip bar still, because you should.

 

[littlrook]

I can agree with everything Hyde said. Just preference on the kabuki. The Elite is well made and is known for its balance while loaded

 

[Hyde]

I can agree with everything Hyde said. Just preference on the kabuki. The Elite is well made and is known for its balance while loaded

The Kabuki Transformer is absolutely the nicer bar! If you put it in Low Bar, that will probably allow the biggest/heaviest squat PR possible of any possible bar, even better than a squat bar for most.

If all he wants is ease of use, that’s worth it. I have just found the SSB to be more useful for developing overall strength, and it is definitely cheaper & way less parts to fail.

As an aside, we found if you need to replace the pad on the Kabuki Transformer ever, the EFS Yokebar pad will fit (since they don’t make the old transformer parts now). And Elite sells the replacement pad solo as well.

 

[littlrook]

The gym I was at last had the kabuki line up. The open trap bar was pretty nice also since it had the built in jacks and interchangeable handles. Where I am currently has the SSB/duffalo etc. I was sad to see what Kabuki turned into, def not the same people behind it.

-Sorry for the hijack-

 

[Rockslide]

The Kabuki Transformer is absolutely the nicer bar!

So are you recommending the EFS Yokebar based on better steel quality, less moving parts to break and half the cost or is there anything that it specifically does better as far as training.

Taking the cost out of it I do like the fact that the transformer can adjust so many positions. Who knows though since I’ve never used one I might not actually do any of the more extreme settings on it .

Also, you want your wrist straight as possible on barbell bench - just like db pressing. I realize the thickness of a barbell may be greater than your dbs or there’s probably some detail I’m missing, but generally if you can db press you can barbell press the same way. Unless the wrist creates some shoulder angle mobility issue of course.

Not that you shouldn’t get a Swiss/multigrip bar still, because you should.

I actually don’t extend my wrist a lot but for wherever reason it does hurt. My surgeon who is considered an upper tier wrist guy specifically told me not to barbell bench. My left wrist can extend back to 90 and my right only bends to about 35. Again it’s a major issue on several lifts such as bench dips and squat ( just don’t have quite enough shoulder external rotation to overcome it)

I’ve been cutting so I haven’t been working on lifting as heavy in the last 6 months, I also haven’t splurged to pay to get my dumbbells (iron master) up to 120 yet but my dumbbell / barbell discrepancy was stupid last fall before I got my home gym going. 110s x5 deep reps vs limited by pain and not really comfortable going heavier than 185 on barbell.

I haven’t used a multibar much but I did enjoy the limited times I used one at an old gym. It’s kind of cheating as far as working on PR/ego numbers but I think it will be a good fit for me as far as actually training

I’m very intimidated by the number of choices though. Angle grip , straight grips, camber , no camber. A lot of nice reviews but they seem to all have mixed opinions on these options . I have no problem spending the money but don’t want to get stuck with something I don’t like either.

I saw one company (Belle Mere Fitness) that does custom multibars and lets you customize the grip options which I thought was nice but it’s a small company built to order so not many reviews

 

[Hyde]

So are you recommending the EFS Yokebar based on better steel quality, less moving parts to break and half the cost or is there anything that it specifically does better as far as training.

Taking the cost out of it I do like the fact that the transformer can adjust so many positions. Who knows though since I’ve never used one I might not actually do any of the more extreme settings on it .



I actually don’t extend my wrist a lot but for wherever reason it does hurt. My surgeon who is considered an upper tier wrist guy specifically told me not to barbell bench. My left wrist can extend back to 90 and my right only bends to about 35. Again it’s a major issue on several lifts such as bench dips and squat ( just don’t have quite enough shoulder external rotation to overcome it)

I’ve been cutting so I haven’t been working on lifting as heavy in the last 6 months, I also haven’t splurged to pay to get my dumbbells (iron master) up to 120 yet but my dumbbell / barbell discrepancy was stupid last fall before I got my home gym going. 110s x5 deep reps vs limited by pain and not really comfortable going heavier than 185 on barbell.

I haven’t used a multibar much but I did enjoy the limited times I used one at an old gym. It’s kind of cheating as far as working on PR/ego numbers but I think it will be a good fit for me as far as actually training

I’m very intimidated by the number of choices though. Angle grip , straight grips, camber , no camber. A lot of nice reviews but they seem to all have mixed opinions on these options . I have no problem spending the money but don’t want to get stuck with something I don’t like either.

I saw one company (Belle Mere Fitness) that does custom multibars and lets you customize the grip options which I thought was nice but it’s a small company built to order so not many reviews

The Yokebar has less (no) moving parts to fail or adjust, significantly cheaper, will last longer, does the job of letting you squat/lunge/good morning without needing hands on a straight bar, AND its extra hi bar position that will build better quads, upper back strength, and reinforce better squat technique - it is harder to use the same weight. This is the bar most strongmen squat with exclusively, or guys doing deadlift-focused training, because it builds the body better for loading & pulling with less shoulder fatigue cost. But it’s also a huge help for many raw AND multiply squatters, because it builds more quads for raw lifters & it punishes you if you lean over too much (which is even more crucial not to do in geared/suited lifting)..

The Transformer Bar is the best option if you just want to squat without hands on straightbar and money is no option, and it will be stored inside or a low-rust environment.

I would not get a camber on your first multigrip bar. I like the flat ones with straight cut handles and a V for the middle pair myself.

 

[Rockslide]

I’ve been thinking more about what you said about straight bench form and the bar hurting but dumbbells not.

My current hypothesis is that I probably slightly supinate when doing dumbbells. So on a bar my hands are perfectly 3 to 9 and 9 to 3 through the whole lift. I’m hypothesizing that I probably subtly supinate my hands to 8:30 to 2:30 and 9:30 to 3:30 on my dumbbell presses and it’s somehow taking some load out of the wrist or adjusting the vector .

 

[Hyde]

I’ve been thinking more about what you said about straight bench form and the bar hurting but dumbbells not.

My current hypothesis is that I probably slightly supinate when doing dumbbells. So on a bar my hands are perfectly 3 to 9 and 9 to 3 through the whole lift. I’m hypothesizing that I probably subtly supinate my hands to 8:30 to 2:30 and 9:30 to 3:30 on my dumbbell presses and it’s somehow taking some load out of the wrist or adjusting the vector .

That was my suspicion, because 35* is basically ideal for wrist flexion for comp bench - I have to correct guys all the time for bending their wrists too far back (which leaks a ton of power transfer, aside from being riskier to drop).

An angled multigrip bar will probably let you bench way more comfortably, with greater load overall than DBs.

 

[Rockslide]

@Hyde have you used the rogue MG4-CN. It’s expensive but the handles being modular which would allow for 3-4 different grip angles from over a dozen handle positions might be nice for me

 

[Hyde]

@Hyde have you used the rogue MG4-CN. It’s expensive but the handles being modular which would allow for 3-4 different grip angles from over a dozen handle positions might be nice for me

Yes we have one at the barbell club.

It’s a very nice piece, high quality, pretty good balance and feel, nice grip. We have the short 9” loadable sleeve, but you will never run out of room unless you’re using bumpers because it’s essentially a harder bar with the camber. I don’t think I’ve loaded more than 335 on it personally.

Sometimes I flip it over and use it like a 2-board press, but it is very difficult to unrack this way - I need a liftoff by ~275 even this way.

The thing to realize with these modular grip bars is, you will experiment a couple times then never change the handle positions again once you find what you like. Too much hassle with tools and the difference doesn’t matter that much.

Also, this is a harder bar than a traditional multigrip, because it has a deep camber instead of being flat. It’s a good training tool, and I guarantee you will find an angle that works for your wrists, but you won’t be able to bench as much as a regular angled Swissbar if you touch your chest. Which, you could just not touch, of course.

My swissbar is a regular Rogue flat one, and it’s very high quality as well. It was a gift, brand new, and it hasn’t rusted at all in my garage and generally kicks ass. So Rogue is worth the money I’d say on multigrip bars in general.

 

[Rockslide]

I may pull the trigger on it in the next month or two. From what I can tell I don’t think the make the non cambered version anymore of the same bar with the modular handles. I agree that once I find what I like I will probably never change it but I can see myself being picky finding the configuration I like. Very good to know on the 9” sleeves. I have all bumpers right now but I’m probably going to get some more plates because I have plate loaded lever arm machine (power-tec) on the opposite side of my garage and I’m tired to hauling plates back and forth across the garage. I’ve found a couple of companies that sell thin bumpers so I may look into those.

On the MG4-CN are you using the sleeves locked or unlocked. Looks like rotating sleeves is a nice feature that most multibars don’t have (along with 50mm sleeves rather than 48mm)

 

[Rockslide]

On another note, I’m starting to figure the squats out better with the Olympic bar. Again the main issue is I can’t grab the bar at the knurl rings because I just don’t have the mobility in my right wrist to position it appropriately . Essentially it’s just a little too high for high bar squats.

Anyways today I got it un-racked and walked out and was able to inch my hands out to basically the sleeves , from there I could roll and settle the bar into the correct position . Did my set then walked it back in, careful slid my hands inside the J cups, and racked it without smashing my fingers. Definitely going to get a SSB at some point but making the best of it for now and not ready to push the weight yet

 

[Hyde]

I may pull the trigger on it in the next month or two. From what I can tell I don’t think the make the non cambered version anymore of the same bar with the modular handles. I agree that once I find what I like I will probably never change it but I can see myself being lucky finding the configuration I like. Very good to know on the 9” sleeves. I have all bumpers right now but I’m probably going to get some more plates because I have plate loaded lever arm machine (power-tec) on the opposite side of my garage and I’m tired to hauling plates back and forth across the garage. I’ve found a couple of companies that sell thin bumpers so I may look into those.

On the MG4-CN are you using the sleeves locked or unlocked. Looks like rotating sleeves is a nice feature that most multibars don’t have (along with 50mm sleeves rather than 48mm)

I believe it’s locked, but like you mentioned all multigrip bars normally are and this is honestly not something I notice at all. It doesn’t make a difference in benchpress, not under 400lbs certainly. Probably more of a big guy problem, or a very weak one I suppose.

On another note, I’m starting to figure the squats out better with the Olympic bar. Again the main issue is I can’t grab the bar at the knurl rings because I just don’t have the mobility in my right wrist to position it appropriately . Essentially it’s just a little too high for high bar squats.

Anyways today I got it un-racked and walked out and was able to inch my hands out to basically the sleeves , from there I could roll and settle the bar into the correct position . Did my set then walked it back in, careful slid my hands inside the J cups, and racked it without smashing my fingers. Definitely going to get a SSB at some point but making the best of it for now and not ready to push the weight yet

If you can do that, you might be a decent candidate for a Buffalo bar at some point. The Kabuki Duffalo is probably the nicest option, and the Rogue camber/bow bar is good if you want the absolute largest one if you are a particularly large-framed man, but honestly my $200 Titan Yukon bar is a tank & does the job well when in the garage. It’s long enough that I can just get my fingers on it outside of my j-cups, and zero flex at 585lbs this January. At the barbell club, I often use the Duffalo for squat training since I can’t bend my left elbow much and it is much kinder than a straight bar on shoulders & elbows since it is easier to grab.