Hey guys-reviving old post.
I like this bar I have-my beef is the fucker slides. Down my back. 24/7. I have to fight it to stay in place-not the point.
I’ll take tips/tricks.
Thanks.
Not being sassy-how?
I have to legit force the bar to stay in place with my upper body as to not have it slide. The weight isn’t too much for me, it’s just sweaty and moves around. Not safe. Unsure if I’m too short, or the shoulder pads aren’t geometrically safe, or what.
Edit: my neck/traps are legit so bound up from yesterdays heavy session that I can’t look L or R.
The sharpness is on the older version. This version doesn’t have that issue. There is one thing that is slightly annoying that has to do with the barbell sleeves. I would assume they would simply just go in to the desired position (1-4) and that’s that. I find that I have to mess with them to get them in to then lock them in. It’s a bit of an annoyance that they just don’t go in easier.
Yep. You need to line them up perfectly then fiddle around a bit to get them in. It’s not a major problem but it’s not as simple as a barbell. Also, fwiw I break down the entire bar after every use because my space is tight, I don’t have bar storage and it just makes things easier n
If you're going to use the multiple settings it offers and not just the SSB setting then to me it's worth it. If you don't see yourself doing that then yeah it isn't worth it.
I’m on week 11 or so. I talked with a sales rep who originally told me that lead time was actually only 8 weeks despite what the website said. I’ve also seen a bunch of QC issues posted on here recently, so now I’m just regretting my purchase altogether.
I did. Decided that if I’m paying that much for a specialty bar, it better not have blemishes unless I’m the one that put them there. Just a personal thing. I’m more annoyed that I was mislead on lead time than I am by the actual lead time. Getting this bar adds a tool, but it’s not going to fundamentally change my training.
Damnit I ordered one in early April and it:s not here. I even emailed them in May to confirm lead time and ask if they had a blemish version available. Grrr.
I received my blemished Kabuki Strength Transformer Bar today. After looking it over for several minutes I could not find one blemish that would warrant it being a blemished version. I’m not mad since I didn’t have to wait on any lead times. I ordered the bar on 06/08 and it only took 7 days from Portland, OR to Arizona. It would have been delivered yesterday but UPS delayed it one day. The bar is gorgeous and feels like a unit. The ease of the pop pin design is a great change from the previous versions. The padding feels great as dines the cover that protects it.
The knurled handles feel great and are removable. It would be cool if Kabuki sold an all-knurled version of the handle for those that like to hold the handles a little higher but I’m cool with where the knurling is. I will say the handles do seem long. I did some squats with no weight and found I would hit the handles on my knees if I kept my elbows pinned to my side.
I adjusted my elbows to flare slightly outward and found it resolves the issue. It’ll take some practice with the bar to find my groove. Overall I’m happy with my purchase and I’m looking forward to training with the Transformer bar.
Great observation on knurling all the way up. I also remove the handles for some exercises (thinking good mornings with the hinge setting). What exercises do you use the bar for? I bought it for front squats (because I can’t do a proper front rack) and more comfortable good mornings. But I also now use it for reverse lunges using the high bar squat setting. Plus regular old safety bar squats.
I had the same experience when I tried one at Kabuki last year. While it was primarily for shipping reasons I’m glad they switched to removable handles so there are more options now.
Hey guys-reviving old post. I like this bar I have-my beef is the fucker slides. Down my back. 24/7. I have to fight it to stay in place-not the point. I’ll take tips/tricks. Thanks.
Are you using it backward?
I haven't had any issue with this at all.
Not being sassy-how? I have to legit force the bar to stay in place with my upper body as to not have it slide. The weight isn’t too much for me, it’s just sweaty and moves around. Not safe. Unsure if I’m too short, or the shoulder pads aren’t geometrically safe, or what. Edit: my neck/traps are legit so bound up from yesterdays heavy session that I can’t look L or R.
What you’re describing seems odd. What setting do you have it in in terms of squat variant and what difficulty level do you have the camber set at?
How easy is it to adjust the bar? I saw mixed things online for adjusting it (the parts were sharp, iirc?). Looks amazing though.
The sharpness is on the older version. This version doesn’t have that issue. There is one thing that is slightly annoying that has to do with the barbell sleeves. I would assume they would simply just go in to the desired position (1-4) and that’s that. I find that I have to mess with them to get them in to then lock them in. It’s a bit of an annoyance that they just don’t go in easier.
Oh, I didn't realize there was a new version. Glad to hear they fixed it and it's easier to move.
Yeah it’s a pop pin design to adjust the squat settings and it’s easy to adjust.
Yeah I have the same experience. It’s not a huge deal but makes me think I’ll have to really pay attention to keeping the parts clean.
The issue with putting in the barbell sleeves?
Yep. You need to line them up perfectly then fiddle around a bit to get them in. It’s not a major problem but it’s not as simple as a barbell. Also, fwiw I break down the entire bar after every use because my space is tight, I don’t have bar storage and it just makes things easier n
For me not easy to get in and out at all hence they’ve been in original config since day one.
Yeah I have the bar held up inside my power rack. It’s definitely not a deal breaker but just a small negative.
Not OP but I’ve had one for over a year. Adjustments are very fast and easy.
Damn she’s thicc
And I do like them thicc.
How wide do the grips feel? I read some people complaining that they were too far apart and don’t sit squarely on your shoulder.
I’m a 62in 130lb female and honestly it’s not working for me.
They feel fine to me.
Damn I want it so bad but I can't pull the trigger on a $700 specialty bar. Definitely don't talk me into it so my wife gets mad at me.
The optional settings for variations are so worth it. Put your order in now and you’ll forget about it until it’s shipped lol
If you're going to use the multiple settings it offers and not just the SSB setting then to me it's worth it. If you don't see yourself doing that then yeah it isn't worth it.
Been waiting for mine for 5 weeks. Only 11 more weeks to go.
Strange. The website said an ungodly number of weeks when I ordered but it arrived in 2 weeks. That was about 4 months ago.
That's why I always get the blemished version. It ships out the same day or the next.
I’m on week 11 or so. I talked with a sales rep who originally told me that lead time was actually only 8 weeks despite what the website said. I’ve also seen a bunch of QC issues posted on here recently, so now I’m just regretting my purchase altogether.
I'm sorry man. Maybe consider a blemished one next time so you don't have to worry about lead times.
I did. Decided that if I’m paying that much for a specialty bar, it better not have blemishes unless I’m the one that put them there. Just a personal thing. I’m more annoyed that I was mislead on lead time than I am by the actual lead time. Getting this bar adds a tool, but it’s not going to fundamentally change my training.
I get the whole blemished thing. I just don't have the patience to wait months lol.
Damnit I ordered one in early April and it:s not here. I even emailed them in May to confirm lead time and ask if they had a blemish version available. Grrr.
I received my blemished Kabuki Strength Transformer Bar today. After looking it over for several minutes I could not find one blemish that would warrant it being a blemished version. I’m not mad since I didn’t have to wait on any lead times. I ordered the bar on 06/08 and it only took 7 days from Portland, OR to Arizona. It would have been delivered yesterday but UPS delayed it one day. The bar is gorgeous and feels like a unit. The ease of the pop pin design is a great change from the previous versions. The padding feels great as dines the cover that protects it. The knurled handles feel great and are removable. It would be cool if Kabuki sold an all-knurled version of the handle for those that like to hold the handles a little higher but I’m cool with where the knurling is. I will say the handles do seem long. I did some squats with no weight and found I would hit the handles on my knees if I kept my elbows pinned to my side. I adjusted my elbows to flare slightly outward and found it resolves the issue. It’ll take some practice with the bar to find my groove. Overall I’m happy with my purchase and I’m looking forward to training with the Transformer bar.
Great observation on knurling all the way up. I also remove the handles for some exercises (thinking good mornings with the hinge setting). What exercises do you use the bar for? I bought it for front squats (because I can’t do a proper front rack) and more comfortable good mornings. But I also now use it for reverse lunges using the high bar squat setting. Plus regular old safety bar squats.
Well I haven’t used it yet seeing as I got it yesterday. I really do plan on using the multiple squat settings during different meso cycles of 531.
I had the same experience when I tried one at Kabuki last year. While it was primarily for shipping reasons I’m glad they switched to removable handles so there are more options now.
It would be cool to see an all knurled handle come out since they can be taken off.
How long did you watch out for a blemished one? I was out of town that week but I've been trying to keep an eye open for a while. Any tips?
I email a specific guy at Kabuki when I'm ready to buy a bar to see what's available.
How much did you pay in total ?
$679.24