Kabuki Transformer Bar

I have very limited experience with other SSBs, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing, but I've loved this bar over the past few years. I picked mine up used, so the value proposition might be different depending on what you pay, but this OG Kabuki version has been a great addition to my gym. The best part is being able to quickly remove the sleeves, which makes it much easier to store and move around in a small space. I've also appreciated the adjustability and the range of squat mechanics you can dial in within seconds. The long handles haven't bothered me or my short queen wife, though that seems to be a common complaint from others. In short: this is definitely worth taking a shot on if you can pick it up used. If you're buying new, you might want to try one first before making the commitment.

I guess this bar is a bit controversial? I bought the Rogue version, which I do wish was a bit cheaper, especially given some of the finish details on it - powder coated handles on a $900 bar (after fees) hurts a bit. The pop pins on the angle bracket are cheap plastic. The sleeve pins are tractor supply. The angle bracket is very high quality with their duracoat or whatever, laser cut stainless, well machined sleeves but no end caps. At 5 or 600 bucks this would almost be a no brainer. I spent another couple hundred with JD Gym Equipped to get stainless handles with matching sleeve adjustment pins and pop pins. His sleeve pins (weight stack pins) and pop pins are particularly affordable and really bring the level of finish up on this bar to where should be in the first place. Functionally it's great. I use the low bar setting for good morning, ssb for...ssb, and front squat/high bar for a narrow stance squat. You can flip the sleeves around to store more compactly. It's heavy for some people but in line with other squat bars. Hard to recommend to most people just due to the price and those nitpicks.

Okay. So this bar is interesting. When I first tried this bar several years ago I HATED IT. The awkward adjustments of the first few versions and especially the ridiculously long handles. This Rogue version is really good for me. I use settings 1-4 and stay away from the low bar and hinge setting just because I find them a bit awkward. I no longer low bar squat. I did have a Marrs bar which was fantastic but got rid of it to get this bar as it seems like it will actually add some more specificity for my style of squatting. The short handles are really good and the quality is awesome.

Im a huge fan of the transformer bar and it’s my most used speciality bar I’ve loaded over 500lbs+ on it and it feels great I’m a huge fan of the goblet, SSB, and high bar settings. Those are my most used settings on this bar Here’s my thoughts on each setting (note: I use a squat saddle with mine) Basically (with the squat saddle) Hinge setting - only useful for light weight good mornings (useless for me) Low bar setting - only alright for good mornings. Basically a worse Marrs bar High bar setting - I like this one for squats and good mornings. Allegedly similar but not as good as the prime SSB for this; however, I’ve never tried the prime SSB SSB setting - I think it’s a great SSB setting. I can squat hands free with it. I like it more than the Titan SSB and more than the rogue SSB Front squat setting - only SSB with this setting. It’s hard and I don’t enjoy them, but I could see someone liking them Goblet setting - only SSB with this. I’m a big fan of this setting and it’s very quad intensive. It’s a great setting for accessory work or a secondary or tertiary squat

I read the lack luster reviews before getting this bar and gambled by still choosing to get this bar. I was hoping for the best, but expecting the worse. Honestly, this bar hasn't disappointed me. I do agree it's not perfect, it's pricey, scratches too easily, though it's still a highly versatile piece of gym equipment. I like the goblet, front squat, SSB, and camber feel. Not a fan of the hinge mode. Using those pins and the fact that the sleeves get scratched every time it's used is annoying. I've tried the easy and difficult mode, and it felt just that. The padding is great - no complaints. I find the bar to be a useful adjunct to the workouts. The problem is, now I want to get the Duffalo bar - gym math. If you have the disposable income and want to mix up the workouts, get this novelty bar.

We have a rogue built transformer bar and honestly I think it's over rated, I find myself using one of the other 3 we have most of the time, I do love using this bar as a PT tool for clients but it's doesn't feel amazing in any of the settings, jack of all trades is a master of none type deal

It's the only SSB style bar we have in our gym so it gets used quite a lot. Main drawback is for many the long handles. I got it right when It came out in 2020 and was likely one of the first in Europe that got one. Personally, I don't have an issue with the handles itself. My main gripe are the positioning of the pop pins to change the angles of the sleeves. Them pointing inward will narrows the space you have to drop the bar into your j-cups. I do like the Hinge setting a lot for really heavy good mornings. but also the Front squat setting is good. If I would need to get a new one I would go for the Rogue version, just because they made a few design changes that eliminate gripes I have with it.

Unlike other reviewers I had had a good experience with my Transformer Bar and almost all of its settings. The goblet setting is my least used but after reading comments here I’m seeing that I need to give it a try more often.

I have the version made by Rogue which has the engraved setting markers rather than the stickers. Easier to store than the Elite FTS SSB because you can "reverse" the sleeves and rotate the handles so it sits flatter against the wall. I have mine sitting in a PRX specialty barbell holder against the wall and it does the trick. I really like the variety of movements you can do with this bar. For those of us who have trouble with the "front rack" position, it allows us to simulate front squats pretty well. Not sure why some people seem somewhat sour about this bar. It is quite expensive, though!

I found myself using this bar a lot when I first got it, but I went back to using my EliteFTS SSB because it's perfectly balanced, and I felt comfortable taking my hands off if I wanted to use the handles on my rack. Great bar, but I think SSB is better. So if you had to choose, go with SSB, and it's better priced.