The Transformer Bar

Hello, Will you be making more transformer bars? I signed up for updates but would like to know if it will be back in production all together....we ordered the Duffalo Bar as well.

Yes, the Transformer Bar is planned to be back in production at some point. We are working through some manufacturing and production issues prior to releasing it for sale.

How long are the handles?

The handles come out 22 inches from the bar center

I just ordered a transformer bar and what to know the recommend storage method?

It can be stored in a rack, or bar holder. Due to the black oxide finish being only mildly corrosion resistant it is recommended to be stored in a climate controlled dry area.

Are the handles threaded on, or welded to the bar? I do a lot of Hatfield squats and always remove the handles of the SSB bar while doing them.

They are welded.

What is the distance between the two handles? Any idea when these will be available again. Thanks

The distance between the two handles is 12 inches.  There is a 1-2 week lead time.

What is the distance collar to collar please?

The distance between the inside of each bracket is 51 inches

How much weight can be loaded on your Transformer bar

We've load tested it with over 1,200lbs.  Also, there's this;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arAar0dMzxU

ordering for a non-profit; high school. What is best way to purchase - transformer bar

Reach out to our High School Sales Consultant, Rusty Zysett.  His email is; rusty_zysett@kabukistrength.com

Have you made a guide for using the Transformer Bar? Based on the the questions submitted there seem to be suggested settings for simulating different squat movements. I would love to see a list of these settings and the corresponding movements.

We have not made a guide for the newest version of the Transformer Bar, since the settings are clearly marked on the bar itself.  The athlete selects the setting they would like to use with the pin and bracket, then selects the position for the sleeve - black (1) is easier and red (4) is harder.  After that, the athlete just gets under the bar and performs the squat.  (Unless it is on the hinge setting, which is for Good Mornings).  All information needed to use the bar is located on the product page.

Please is it possible to ship a transformer bar to the uk?

Absolutely.  Add the items you want to your online cart.  Then, during the check-out process, you will enter your shipping address.  At that time, all shipping options for that location will auto-populate.  You may select the best option for you, based on rate and shipping time.

Wondering what the total weight of the sleeves is on v4?

The weight of the sleeves is 4.7lb each.

Do you have any military discount?

I'm loving this bar, but I'm having problems with the bar wanting to move down my back doing 10-rep sets of Good Mornings on the Hinge setting. Are there any tips/tricks/cues to help stop this? Bar placement, where to keep the handles, some force I should be applying to the bar throughout the movement, etc?

Once you have the Transformer Bar on the hinge setting and you are positioned under the bar to perform the good morning movement, make sure you set your lats and brace your core, just like you would in a regular squat.  Setting those lats should keep your arms still during the movement.  As you hinge at the waist, you will feel the pressure of the bar/weight against the back of your head/neck, but the bar should not be physically moving up or down your back.  If your lats are set, you are braced and your arms aren't moving during the exercise, the bar should not be able to travel up or down your back.

How can I be put on the Blemish list for the transformer Bar?

In order to be added to the email alert list for a product, go to our 'Cosmetic Blemish' section, click on the product you are interested in and add your email to the Wait List sign up.  Here is a link for the Transformer Bar; https://store.kabukistrength.net/collections/cosmetic-blemish/products/transformer-bar-blemish

Is the logo on the padding embossed or stitched on? I've seen it both ways, but prefer the emboss much more.

The current version of the Transformer Bar pad cover has the logo stitched on the back side.

Trying something different. Have you ever used with it with the handles facing the rear and pad on the front to mimmick a front squat? And if so what setting would you recommend? I have the older version that doesn't have the retractable pin.

We definitely recommend people just adjust the bracket further forward to simulate a front squat.

Hi do you ship to Australia? And if so what's a rough estimate of shipping? Thank you.

Does Kabuki Strength have or offer a Military/First Responder discount?

Hi I have a transformer bar and have two questions. First, I’m finding that if I hold it naturally on the handles, that during the squat that it positions my elbows in a way that they hit my quads as I approach the hole; to the point that it doesn’t allow me to reach depth and throws me off balance. Link attached: https://youtube.com/shorts/_RcsoQ3WvPY?feature=share Do you have any advice or guidance on this? Second, obviously different SSB bars have a variance in feel and postponing. However, in your opinion, which setting best represents a ‘standard’ SS bar. Say a Rogue SSB for example? Clearly, it would be the SSB setting, but which number (1,2,3,4)? Thank you…

If the handles of the Transformer Bar are hitting your legs in the base of the squat, adjust the way you are holding the bar so that you are pushing the handles away from your torso.  

Regarding the closest setting to mimic a 'standard' SSB - that varies by SSB manufacturer, but generally using the SSB setting with the 2 or 3 sleeve setting would be best - depending on how aggressive the camber is on the SSB you’re trying to mimic

When using the back squat or front settings. Have you tested differences of 1 RM or 3 RM versus a straight bar? If so what were the findings?

We don’t have hard numbers for X % = Y % 1RM for the transformer bar settings.   This is going to be individual, related to individual biomechanics and what positions certain individuals are stronger in than others.  However, overall we can state that the back squat settings are similar to a straight bar for most people.  Front squat can vary a fair amount, though.

How much does the original transformer bar weigh unloaded?

The original V1, V2 & V3 was a 45lb bar.  The new zinc V4 bar with the pull pin is a 55lb bar.

Will this fit on a Rogue SM-2 Squat rack?

The Transformer Bar will fit on any rack that can fit a standard-sized Olympic Barbell, but most comfortably on a rack up to 52 inches wide.

I am really interested in purchasing this bar but I am afraid it might corrode rapidly since the coating is only zinc. I train in a garage gym and I wanted to know if this bar is ideal for that environment because I do not want to purchase something for 600 plus and it rusts quickly. Is there some sort of guarantee that this bar is highly resistant to corrosion?

Zinc plating should do very well in a garage gym.  Just make sure to store it in a rack and to towel off any moisture on the bar before storage.

With the extended lead time would my card be charged when the bar ships or when I place the order? Just curious thanks

For an order to be placed in our system, it must be paid for in full.

What are Kabuki's thoughts on adding custom orders down the line? My rack is 59 inches wide and I understand that the distance between the brackets is 54 inches. I have this issue with the kadillac bar as well.

Can this bar be stored with a vertical bar holder with all of the weight resting on one side?

Absolutely!  That is how we store all of our bars at The Lab.

Where can I find a replacement pad for the transformer bar 1.0?

Reach out to our Customer Service department at; info@kabukistrength.com and they can create a draft order for Transformer Bar pads for you.  Make sure to include your shipping address and telephone number.

I have version3 transformer bar. Is there any spring-pin attachment that can attach on my v.3 and work as v.4. If there is not, I feel like I should not buy v3 and regret.

There is no way to convert the V3 Transformer Bar to the spring pin attachment of the V4.  It is a completely different apparatus.

What is the distance between the center of the bar and center of the sleeve, when on the “harder” or #4 setting? Thanks in advance

The drop from the top of the center bar to the center of the sleeve when it is in position 4 is about 8 inches.

Can the Version 4 Transformer bar be stored in Vertical Storage Rack? What's recommended? Since, I don't have much space in my garage, and currently have a 9 bar Vertical Storage Rack.

The Transformer Bar can absolutely be stored in a vertical rack and that is actually how we store ours at The Lab.

Will there be an upgrade available for the black oxide sleeves...? Standard order, vs premium order...? Wouldn't want to pay for it twice as with Ironmaster.

We don't have any plans to change the black oxide sleeves on the Transformer Bar.  Wanting to keep the interface between the sleeve and bar as tight as possible, we have to use a finish that has minimal (or no) buildup is imperative for keeping the tolerance stack-up consistent.

Are there any military discounts?

Am I able to pick up my purchase if I live in Oregon?

Depending on the item, you can pick up your purchase from The Lab.  When you place your order, make a note in the 'Order Notes' section that you'd like to pick up your item(s) in person.  Then, we will reach out to you via email when your purchase(s) are ready for pick up and set an appointment for you to come to The Lab to do so.  Once the item is in your hand, we will refund the shipping charges back to your original form of payment.  If you have already placed your order, reach out to Customer Service at info@kabukistrength.com and let them know you'd like to pick up your purchase.  They will add the appropriate notes to the preexisting order for you.

Can you perform Hatfield squats with the transformer bar?

You can definitely perform Hatfield Squats with the Transformer Bar.  It's a popular exercise with this bar.  It would be setting 1.5/2 - D on the previous version of the Transformer Bar, or the High Bar setting on the new version.  Start at those settings and adjust to what feels the most balanced.

Do you ship to UK ?

Do you need special collars for this bar or do standard spring collars work?

Standard Olympic sized collars work for the Transformer Bar.

Will the 4.0 version fit onto a barbell gun rack that's directly against a wall?

Not unless it is a rack that has a lot of depth.  Due to the design of the bracket, this bar is best suited for a vertical floor rack.

Any chance you're gonna offer the newest transformer bar in all black oxide (entire bar)? All my Kabuki bars are black oxide, so I wanna keep the all black theme. Custom maybe?

Unfortunately, the new version only comes in zinc.  Reach out to customer service if you are interested in purchasing one of the previous versions and we will see what we can do.  Email us at; info@kabukistrength.com

If you order different finishes (Nickel or Black Oxide) on the new Transformer bar, does the entire bar come in that finish including the adjustable portion?

This version of the Transformer Bar only comes in zinc with black oxide sleeves.

On IG, I see a new piece which shows which type of squat you’re doing based on location of the pin. Duffin also mentions an upgraded pad. Will orders placed now have access to both? Thank you for great products. I have the trap bar and kadillac bar and love them.

Yes and YES!  Place your order when ready.  :-)  ~Charlie

can I shorten the delivery time?

The lead times listed on the product page is the most up to date information we have regarding our manufacturing schedule, number of outstanding orders and the amount of orders being placed.  It is updated every Monday, if needed, after our manufacturing meeting.  There is no way to shorten the manufacturing time.  When you are checking out, you do have an opportunity to select the shipping option that best fits your needs.  However, shipping time does not affect production lead time.

Does this bar help reduce stress on the elbow joint? My son broke his olecranon process which was surgically repaired and we are looking for a bar he can use to squat with that reduces load on the elbow.

Experientially, yes, the Duffalo Bar does allow for a more comfortable back rack position where the load rests primarily on the back musculature and less on the elbows, but every situation will be individual.

Is there an ideal setting for goodmornings on the transformer bar?

The nice thing about the Transformer Bar is that it is adjustable for whatever feels most comfortable for your body.  Most people like 2D or 2.5C for Good Mornings. The further the weight goes away from the body, the more challenging the load is going to be, so you can play with it that way.

What is the best way to properly care for the Transformer bar to avoid rust? I live on the east coast of central florida and I have seen several people comment on surface rust issues due to humidity and the coating of this bar.

The best way to care for your bar is to do your very best to make sure it doesn't get wet and if it does, dry the bar immediately.  You can also apply a light coat of mineral or 3in1 oil with a cloth to entire bar and sleeves (not the pad) a few times a year after use.  That will help keep corrosion at bay.

Can i buy just the transformer bar pad?

For the Transformer Bar pads, just reach out to customer service @ info@kabukistrength.com and we can facilitate the replacement for you.  Don't forget to include your name and shipping address.  Thank you.

I just received my Transformer bar and I absolutely love it!! I have been squatting with the Duffalo bar for 2 years now so can you please tell me what the closest setting would be the duplicate the Duffalo bar? Thanks

Fantastic!  We are glad to hear you are a Transformer Bar fan!  The setting to use will either going to be the front squat or back squat setting, depending on how you were using the Duffalo Bar.  The front squat setting on the Transformer Bar is 2.5C and the back squat setting is 1D.

Hi Guys I purchased one of your transformer bars and I love it . Just a quick question is it suppose to have end caps?

The Transformer Bar does not come with end caps.

Is it possible to use the Transformer completely hands-free, i.e. will it balance well and sit firmly on the shoulders without having to grab the front grips during exercise movement? That feature does not seem evident from the pics and videos of this bar in use, but it is a key feature that I value highly in i.e. the Rogue Safety Squat Bar and others.

You absolutely can use the Transformer Bar hands free.  We've had many athletes use it that way for different reasons.

The distance of 12 inches between handles is too large for me. Can you make the distance shorter for some bars - around 10.5 inches? Maybe make a short, medium and large version?

Unfortunately, we are unable to custom manufacture barbells.  I apologize for the inconvenience.  However, we have a number of athletes that are all different sizes successfully and comfortably use the Transformer Bar.  One of our coaches is 5'1 at maybe 110lbs and she uses it often.

Do you guys ship to APO?

Yes, we do!  Please reach out to Customer Service directly at; info@kabukistrength.com with your name and APO/FPO/DPO address.  We have do do 'creative shipping' with the Transformer Bar to make it meet the USPS package limitations.

Is the Transformer Bar made of hollow metal like most standard SSB?

The Transformer Bar handles are hollow, but the bar itself is not hollow.

Is there any financing available?

Thank you for reaching out to us.  Unfortunately, we are unable to offer financing at this time.  We will definitely let our customers know if the option will be available again the future and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.    

How wide is the inner part of the padding? I am a woman and I have a very narrow shoulder width. I'm concerned that the metal part of the handles (beneath the padding) will be outside my shoulders.

The space between the Transformer Bar pads is about 9 inches and the space between the handles without padding is about 11 inches.  We have a client here at KSL that is 98lbs with narrow shoulders and she uses the bar often without any trouble.

What is the difference between the Transformer v2 and v3?

There were only a couple of aesthetic changes between v2 and v3, nothing that changed the performance of the bar itself.  The angle and length of the handles would be the only thing most people notice.

Hello, I'm looking for a PO quote for one of your transformer bars for my police department gym. Thanks, Sgt Tim

Tim, thank you for reaching out to us.  Charlie Ritchie is the head of Tactical Sales for Military/Police/Fire/First Responders at Kabuki Strength.  You can always contact her @ charlie@kabukistrength.com, but we will let her know to reach out to you.

Can this bar replicate low bar squats?

Absolutely!  On setting 1D, to be exact.

Would this breakdown small enough to put in the trunk of my car

It depends on the width (and depth) of your car's trunk. The sleeves can be rotated inwards which reduces the length of the bar to 56". The bar will easily fit in the back passanger seat area of most 4-door cars.

How much weight can the bar hold in pounds?

We've load tested it with over 1,200lbs.  Also, there's this;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arAar0dMzxU  

What’s the diameter of the sleeve on the transformer bar?

The sleeve is machined to a standard 2" (50mm) olympic diameter. 

I was wondering if I choose the financing with Klarna would I be able to pay he balance off early or am I locked in to 6 months of payments? Thank you for your time.

You can pay the balance off early just like you would on a credit card.

Hi! After shoulder injury & surgery from a car accident, I won't be able to low bar squat for a while. Normally I carry the bar super low on my back and I'm a pretty bent over squatter. Things like SSB force me to an upright position, and if I pull on the handles to shift the weight backwards, it's basically like a mid-back exercise, doesn't really resemble a normal low bar squat. Question is, is there a setting on the Transformer Bar that should be able to make me mimic the mentioned, bent over low bar squat form? Thank you very much in advance! Have multiple products from you already, and love all ofthem.

Because the Transformer bar is adaptable to 48 different positions, you may be able to play around with the setting until you find something that replicates the movement pattern you are describing. A traditional SSB or cambered bar is fixed, and like you said using the handles to push/pull into a different position isn't very effective. Stay strong and we hope your rehab goes well so you can be back to 100% asap! 

How much weight can the the bar actually hold?

The bar has been tested and is regularly used by some elite lifters with over 1000lbs of load.  No one had lifted it yet, but it has been tested with 1,200lbs of load.  The weight brackets have also been tested in their most extreme position (at a 90 degree angle with sleeves at maximum distance from center) with over 2000lbs. The Transformer Bar is an American-made, purpose-built, high quality bar and is able to handle serious weights. Happy squatting!

Can this bar mimick the lowbar squat? I can’t low bar with a straight bar, but I can lowbar with my cheap “bow bar”. I’d like to buy a “nicer “ version of my bow bar (your Dufallo bar), but this transformer bar replicates your dufallo bar, is this correct? For low,bar squats with no elbow pin would you recommend the dufallo, or transformer?

Yes, the 1D position on the Transformer Bar is similar to a regular low bar back squat. As to which bar we recommend, it really depends on your goals and needs. The Duffalo Bar is a great training bar for the squat as well as the bench press, however you can't beat the versatility of the Transformer Bar. Keep in mind that you can also do front squats with a Duffalo Bar! You honestly can't go wrong with either one.

Hi there, i live in Malaysia and the shipment costs are nearly as much as the bar itself. So i can only afford one bar. Which would you recommend ? The Transformer or Duffalo Bar? I am currently a novice (squatting only 100kg and weigh 80kg) and don't seem to have any back or shoulder injuries. Thanks! Colin

Hello,

I would recommend the Duffalo bar as it can be used for a greater variety of lifts. You can use it for all squatting and pressing variations and while the transformer bar affords you a lot of adjustability in how you're loading the squat, it is also only usable for the squat.

What is the preferable setting for good mornings on the transformer bar?

That really depends on your personal prefrance/limb-torso length. Starting with the Back Squat setting then progress to the Saftey Squat Bar setting would be a good place to start. 

I have been able to purchase some gym equipment that was in a fire. One of the pieces is a Transformer bar. It cleaned up well but the padding is a bit scorched and smells pretty bad. Are these pads sold separately, and if so how much. Thank you.

Hey! Sorry that happened to you! We'd be glad to work something out to get you a new pad cover. Email "info@kabukiwarrior.com" and they will hook you up - I'll tell them to expect you! 

Like other safety squat bars, can this stay on your shoulders even without holding onto the handles? For instance for single leg work while holding onto a bar in front for stability. Thank you.

The ability of the bar to balance on your shoulders without hands on the handles depends on the setting used. Certain settings require the lifter to hold onto the handles, particularly those where the weight's CoG is shifted posteriorly.