Specs | Testimonials | Plating | Team/Biz Sales
The Duffalo Performance Squat and Bench bar is the ultimate bar for squatting and bench pressing, correctly, safely, and for performance. Today, there are thousands of Duffalo Bars located in gyms and S&C facilities all around the world - making it one of, if not THE, most popular specialty bars on the planet. Dozens of professional teams in the MLB, NFL, and NBA have Duffalo Bars in their strength training facilities. We honestly believe that outside of competition, every lifter would benefit from using the Duffalo Bar over a standard barbell. This is a bold claim to make, we know, but we hope you'll continue reading on...
Our proprietary bends allow for improved scapular retraction and reduces stress on the easily-irritated biceps tendon in the shoulder, while eliminating the counter-productive center peak on similar bars. Reducing this direct strain on the bicep tendon and allowing increased back rigidity + proper joint centration via scapular retraction is incredibly important for strength and injury prevention. Additionally, our bar can improve your ability to generate core stability due to the reduced mobility demands of the shoulders allowing you to avoid excessive spinal extension and maintain neutrality in a back squat rack position . Many athletes and lifters report immediate improvements in their ability to brace and maintain spine neutrality.
The proprietary multi-radius bend of the Duffalo Bar means it can sit on your back in an extremely comfortable and stable manner. Think about it…the back is not flat, it has contours and is round. If you haven’t had the chance to try it, let us know and we’ll find someone close to you to let you take the bar for a spin! But seriously, we’re certain that this is the most comfortable barbell on the planet to have on your back.
You may also notice that the sleeves on the Duffalo Bar are slightly angled up rather than parallel. Why is this? We found that by adding a minor variation to the sleeve angle we could reproduce a similar center of gravity to a straight bar. What does that mean for you? Using the Duffalo Bar will feel very similar, if not identical to a straight bar when you are squatting. You can get all the benefits of a straight bar without any of the downsides, while also taking advantage of the Duffalo Bar's unique benefits.
Many are surprised that the bar can be used not only for high and low bar positions, but in the front rack position for front squats. Interestingly enough, in the front rack you’ll find the bar sits more comfortably and doesn’t cause as much strain and pressure on the collarbones compared to a straight bar. For more information on the squatting with the Duffalo Bar, watch this ~9 minute discussion video of Chris Duffin and Jesse Burdick of PowerWOD.
Here at Kabuki Strength, bracing is one of the core pillars behind our movement methodology. The ability to create IAP and utilize the body’s stability mechanisms to create a rigid torso through which force can be transferred is an essential characteristic of all strength-based and athletic movements. The Duffalo Bar allows for easier scapular retraction, lat engagement, and consequently a better position from which to brace and stabilize.
Let's be honest, the squat requires a fairly mobile shoulder capsule, and some of us have shoulder/bicep issues that prevent, or make it painful to be in that position. The extreme, externally-rotated position required by a straight-bar back squat frequently causes chronic or acute shoulder impingement and bicep issues for a large number of lifters, especially the heavyweights! Save your shoulders, use the Duffalo Bar.
Our proprietary bends optimize the wrist angle when held in the pressing position. This positioning cues proper joint centration in the shoulder, while also improving both lat and scapular engagement. Despite the increased ROM of the press, users report significantly reduced or completely eliminated shoulder pain while gaining an increased training effect from the additional range of motion. These improvements groove correct pressing patterns, automatically ensuring the proper engrams are programmed.
Athletes and lifters all over the world have programmed and implemented the Duffalo Bar into their training in countless ways. Some choose to substitute the Duffalo for their competition bench until a few weeks out of competition, others choose to use it as an accessory movement on top of their regular pressing. For more information on the bench pressing with the Duffalo Bar, watch this ~8 minute discussion video of Chris Duffin and Jesse Burdick of PowerWOD.
Here's what some of the top athletes and lifers in the world have to say about the Duffalo Bar:
"I wanted to share with you guys the X-factor during my training routing. The [Kabuki Strength] Duffalo Bar. Yes, Duffalo....not buffalo."
- Yasmani Grandal, MLB Baseball Player for LA Dodgers
"This bar is AMAZING!!! Wrist and shoulder feel great, weight is right in the pocket (over center of gravity) which reduces lower back strain and puts everything on my muscles I'm training as intended!"- Stan RHINO Efferding,Worlds Strongest Bodybuilder
"My primary goal purchasing the Duffalo bar was to get a piece of equipment for our team of 40 lifters to use to lessen stress on the elbow during the squat for lifters that have struggled over and over with elbow pain and wanted another option closer to a low bar squat. I was initially hesitant. Our last buffalo bar was poorly made, bendy, whippy, and no one on the team used it for the two plus years we've had it. Since we've gotten the duffalo bar our lifters are using it throughout the week to lessen strain on the elbows or take a break from low/high bar squats. It's made incredibly well, incredibly heavy duty, and delivering in every way we were told it would and more. It's benefitting our team from beginners to the most seasoned all-time top lifters in their respective weight classes and now we need another bar soon because everyone seems to want to use it on team squat days."- JP Price, 1000lb RAW Squatter
All of this adds up to removing pain, injury risks, and allows you to focus on the lift itself. Over time you will see increased performance and increased longevity of your lifting or athletic career. If you train the squat in your athletic development, this bar is an absolute must! Even if you compete in barbell sports which require a straight bar, you should be using this bar up till the final weeks of training for a meet to preserve your shoulders.
"The Duffalo bar is THE primary bar we use in training with out team and I highly encourage its use year round up till the final 3-4 weeks prior to a meet."
- Donnie Thompson, Champion Powerlifter + Movement Guru
GARAGE GYM REVIEWS - DUFFALO BAR
The Duffalo Bar is the best specialty bar available. There's no question in my mind (I even put it ahead of my previous favorite EliteFTS SS Yoke Bar.) GARAGE GYM BUILDER - DUFFALO BAR
GARAGE GYM BUILDER - DUFFALO BAR
The Duffalo Bar will promote longevity. Using it will allow you to squat more comfortably and with better body positioning. It will also enhance your bench press and overhead pressing, providing a fuller, more natural range of motion.
BODYBUILDING.COM - IN-DEPTH USER REVIEW
This bar lives up to the hype. All short comings have either been addressed or are minor. The more I worked with the bar, the more I noticed immediately improvements in both lessening of pain & benefits to my bench press. I cannot name another bar that will do both or can really work as a dedicated squat & bench bar. (Please note that this review is from 4 years ago for the original iteration of the Duffalo Bar)
Here's what some of the strongest and most well-known bench pressers in the world have to say about the Duffalo Bar.
"This bar is AWESOME! It is so comfortable on the the shoulders I love it! I use it for for my heavy work and my speed work I love the bar so much."- Ryan BENCHMONSTER Kennelly, World Champion Bench Presser
"The Duffalo Bar allows me to push the envelope without trashing my shoulders. It has been key to my training to return to the platform after shoulder surgery."- Rob Luyando, World Champion Bench Presser"I very rarely fall in love with new equipment but I'm in love with this bar! I might just have an affair with it. It has numerous uses and has immediately made an impact on my performance."- Leroy Walker, Champion Raw Bench Presser
"I simply won't use any other bar than the Duffalo bar to train with for myself or my athletes given the choice. In combination with the ShouldeRok it has been a 'Game Changer' in this Olympic training cycle."
- Reese Hoffa, 3x Olypmian in the Shot Put
Duffalo Bars are made on state-of-the-art machines and hand-assembled by passionate Kabuki Strength team members right here at Kabuki Strength Lab in Portland, Oregon. Each bar includes a custom, stamped end cap with our famous squat face logo as well as the name, weight, and origin of the bar. Bars are shipped securely in a sturdy, custom box and come with a card hand-signed by the Kabuki Strength employee who assembled your bar.
All Duffalo Bars are plated for corrosion resistance purposes. Below you will find more information about our 3 different platting options.
This is a premium finish. Nickel Plating is used in engineering applications where high wear, corrosion resistance, and hardness are needed. Nickel plating is both more cosmetically appealing than stainless steel as well as significantly more corrosion resistant in like products than stainless steel! Nickel plating is more durable than chrome and will retain it's warm, mirror smooth polish for years until worn through. In our application we believe Nickel plating to be both superior to Stainless steel in Cosmetic Finish, Corrosion Resistance, Surface Hardness, as well as maintaining the desired strength and material characteristics of our bar. Nickel is our favorite plating option, and in our opinion also the best looking.
The same corrosion resistant coating as the Shoulderok. Shiny and bright on arrival with a bluish-silver hue that fades to a gunmetal grey color over time. As the bar is used this coating will develop dull, gunmetal grey patina. The default, least expensive and a very durable option.
Black oxide or blackening is a conversion coating for ferrous materials, stainless steel, copper and copper based alloys, zinc, powdered metals, and silver solder. It is used to add mild corrosion resistance, for appearance and to minimize light reflection. We particularly like the gunmetal black finish it gives to the Duffalo Bar. It just looks badass in our opinion!