THE BENCH PRESS is one of the most popular movements in the weight room, but as fundamental as it can be for all types of trainees and training plans, the exercise not exactly one size fits all. The most common implement used for the bench press, the barbell, presents some mobility issues for people with tight shoulders. One option is to swap dumbbells, but another is to work on a special bar with multiple grip options, like the Kadillac Force Kabuki Bar.
“There is no bigger point of contention, when it comes to specialty bars, than the multi-grip bar. For a long time, the multi-grip bar has never felt comfortable enough for the purpose it’s supposed to serve, which is to allow optimal variability, from person to person,” he says. David Otey, CSCScoach and men’s health Member of the Advisory Council.
Otey tested the $495 specialty bar to help us better understand its strengths and weaknesses, working with the implement for bench presses, overhead presses, and even bent-over rows. Otey evaluates the bar in several key categories, including adaptability, how it affects your joints (spoiler: it might help!), ease of use, and more.
Kabuki Strength Kadillac Bar Basic Facts
●$495
● Same measurements as a standard bar (7.2 feet long, 45 pounds)
●3 grip options
What we loved about Kadillac Bar
Kadillac bar is curved for a better range of motion
On the plus side, Otey appreciates the bar being curved or cambered for a more natural range of motion.
“This gives you more depth when it comes to that pressure pattern and a little more variability, to build strength and range of motion, specifically through your chest, shoulders and back, if you’re working on their pushing or pulling movements.” he says. “Joint health is what will allow us to improve more areas over time because muscle damage will give us acute problems or short-term problems when it comes to our training; Joint problems will give us chronic or lifelong problems when it comes to our training.”
Kadillac bar offers three grip options for customization
The bar has three different handles on each side (at 10, 12.5 and 15 degree angles) to allow users with different arm lengths to find their most natural pressure pattern, or for more experienced lifters to change their range movement and muscle stimulation.
The Kadillac bar can handle a ton of weight
Otey appreciates that the rod sleeves (the ends of the rod where the plates are loaded) are long, which means it can hold a ton of weight. The maximum capacity is over 1,000 pounds for the bar, so even if you are one of the strongest bench press in the world, you’ll be able to charge it without worrying about running out of space.
What we want the Kadillac bar to change
Kadillac bar grip options are limited
Otey likes having different grip options, but notes that it can be limiting for people who aren’t a perfect fit for those exact mobility needs. If you’re not comfortable with those grips, you’re out of luck.
Kadillac handlebar covers are narrow
The long sleeves on the bar are narrow, which presents some safety issues when trying to take off the weight that made Otey wary.
Kadillac bar is expensive for limited uses
The Kadillac bar is almost $500, which isn’t too far out of the range for a good bar, but its shape makes it much more limited for the general user. If you’re on a budget or new to weightlifting, this isn’t the bar for you.
Who Should Use the Kabuki Kadillac Bar and Who Shouldn’t?
Ultimately, Otey likes the bar as an add-on piece in a gym package for experienced lifters (or for a gym with advanced clients). However, beginners should not attempt to use the Kadillac bar right away. While it has great features for people who may be more comfortable with a range of motion that you won’t be able to work through using a barbell, you’ll need to be more acclimated to the principles of lifting before you can put it to use.
Watch the video above for a deep dive into these areas of improvement to see if this piece of specialized equipment is right for you, and if the Kadillac Kabuki Bar receives the mh Strong seal of approval.
Perri is a writer born and based in New York City; he has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbia University and is also a graduate of the plant-based Natural Gourmet Institute culinary school, which is now the Natural Gourmet Center at the Institute Of Culinary Education. His work has been featured in the New York Post, Men’s Journal, Rolling Stone, Oprah Daily, Insider.com, Architectural Digest, Southern Living and more. You’ve probably seen the Dave Matthews Band in your hometown and you’ll never turn down a Bloody Mary. Learn more at VeganWhenSober.com.
