We Put This Multi-Grip, Heavy-Duty Bench Press Bar to the Test
THE BENCH PRESS is one of the most popular moves in the weight room—but as fundamental as they can be for all kinds of trainees and training plans, the exercise isn't exactly one size fits all. The most common implement used for bench pressing, the barbell, presents some mobility issues for folks with tight shoulders. One option is to swap in dumbbells—but another is to work in a specialty bar with multiple grip options, like the Kabuki Strength Kadillac bar.
“There's 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 just never felt quite comfortable enough for the purpose that it's supposed to meet, which is allowing for optimal variability, from person to person,” says David Otey, C.S.C.S., trainer and Men’s Health Advisory Board Member.
Otey tried out 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 impacts your joints (spoiler: it may help them!), its ease of use, and more.
Kabuki Strength Kadillac Bar Fast Facts
●$495
●Same measurements as a standard barbell (7.2 feet long, 45 pounds)
●3 grip options
What We Loved About the Kadillac Bar
The Kadillac Bar Is Curved for Better Range of Motion
On the plus side, Otey appreciates that the bar is curved, or cambered, for a more natural range of motion.
“This gives you better depth when it comes to that pressing pattern and a little more variability, to increase strength and range of motions, specifically through the chest, shoulders, and back, if you're working on your pushing or pulling motions,” he says. “Joint health is what's going to allow us for more areas of improvement over time because muscle damage is going to give us acute issues or short-term problems when it comes to our training; joints issues will give us chronic or lifelong issues when it comes to our training."
The Kadillac Bar Offers Three Grip Options for Personalization
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 pressing pattern, or for more experienced lifters to switch up their range of motion and muscle stimulus.
The Kadillac Bar Can Handle a Ton of Weight
Otey appreciates that the bar's sleeves (the ends of the bar where plates are loaded) are long, which means it can handle a ton of weight. The max capacity is over 1,000 pounds for the bar—so even if you're one of the strongest bench pressers in the world, you'll be able to load it out without worrying about running out of space.
What We Want to See the Kadillac Bar Change
The Kadillac Bar's Grip Options Are Limited
Otey likes to have different grip options, but does note that it can be limiting for people who don't perfectly match those exact mobility needs. If you don't feel comfortable with those grips, you're out of luck.
The Kadillac Bar Sleeves Are Narrow
The long sleeves on the bar are narrow, which presents some safety issues when you’re trying to unrack the weight which made Otey wary.
The Kadillac Bar Is Expensive for Limited Uses
The Kadillac bar is nearly $500, which isn't too far outside the range of a good barbell—but its shape makes it much more limited for the general user. If you're on a budget or you're a lifting newbie, this isn't the bar for you.
Who Should Use the Kabuki Kadillac Bar—and Who Shouldn't
Ultimately, Otey likes the bar as a complementary piece in an experienced lifters gym package (or for a gym with advanced clientele). Beginners, however, shouldn't try to use the Kadillac bar right away. While it has great features for people who might feel more comfortable with a range of motion you won't be able to work within using a barbell, you'll need to be more acclimated with the principles of lifting before you're able to put it to use.
Watch the video above for a deep dive into these areas for improvement to see if this piece of specialized gear is right for you—and if the Kabuki Kadillac Bar receives the MH Strong stamp of approval.
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