F me, I don't think I mentioned that lol.

Haha, feck

Great bar!

Ouch, glad to hear you're still getting after it!

Maybe have to pick one up ;)

many thanks!

Keep kicking ass.

Happy holidays!

Hope you're healed up!

Nice!

From what I've seen they've been getting better with the newer products, but it's still just a clone attempt (which kind of grinds my gears). I've been unsatisfied with most every purchase I've made from them so I'd rather just pay more and not deal with the headaches.

Right on!

Just another name edit, nothing to see here lol

@@BasementBrandon for a second I thought this might be the biggest Mandela Effect yet.

Agreed, I usually suggest this one as the 2nd bar as well!

@Jay C What’s the first you typically recommend?

Angelo Manzi a good quality barbell 1st

Jay C what's your favorite brand when it comes to quality barbells? I'm binge watching reviews to see what I should end up buying.

Angelo Manzi that’s really going to depend on your lifting goals and price range. Rogue has great barbells for oly, powerlifting,general use. But there’s a lot of companies that do as well. America barbell, elitefts ( they don’t make theirs) fringe sport , Texas power bars. And a lot more. It’s really up to you and your needs.

awesome to hear!

Brian Benjamin sorry I didn’t ask beforehand. Spur of the moment editing choice 😂

Yeah kind of a pain in the ass!

lol

nice deal!

Sure thing

Glad you enjoyed it

Def can take a little bit, but that's a good thing IMO!

Probably. I try to make innuendo jokes as well but I usually come up short.

Nope, giving myself time to catch up.

Yes. I would like this question answered too.. and why?

Lol that's not surprising in the least. As far as which bar to choose, I think it's hard for me to say as I don't put them in the same category. With the Kabuki bar being able to give you so many more options I would likely pick that one if cost was not an issue, but as is it would end up costing me 2x as much as the EliteFTS bar considering I probably would not use it for all the things it does :)

@@BasementBrandon thank you. Love your channel!

@@JuliaGarcia-di8vx - Not Brandon, obviously, but I'd buy the EliteFTS SSB..... or as they call it SS Yoke. While Kabuki makes some intriguing shit... I just can't rationalize paying upwards of $600. Chris Duffin seems like a good dude. People for the most part usually are. But I can't rationalize the prices he charges for his bars. It's not like he's making some complex piece of machinery..... it's a barbell.... or an SSB..... or a B(D)uffalo Bar. I mean why does it cost more for him to bend, weld, and cut into steel for knurling than another guy/company? I feel the same way about Eleiko. What makes their steel, knurling pattern that they machine into the bar, bends, etc. more pricey/valuable than any other company's process? Either Duffin has a lot of loans to pay off on the equipment he uses to make his barbells or something else is afoot, haha. But he's still in business so someone's clearly buying his stuff..... and more power to him.... and his customers. I'd rather pay half the price, and pocket the other half and save it for something else I'll blow it on for my garage/gym. Like maybe put it towards Iron Master's dumbbells. Or put it toward your pool to buy a functional trainer/cable crossover machine. Or a competition bench. The list is endless. As for Brandon saying the padding quality/durability being an issue on other bars he's experienced in the past...... I have to wonder if his experience was in a commercial gym setting. My bet - it was. You have to put that into perspective though. While he believe's Rogue's or Titan's SSB padding won't hold up over time in his experience could that be because the use of said bar was SOOOOO much higher in a commercial gym vs. it being used solely by him in his own home/basement/garage gym? I would think so. My point being, don't just limit yourself to the two most expensive SSBs out there in EliteFTS and Kabuki Strength. When you're the ONLY person using the bar...... the padding life will be considerably longer. Especially if you only train legs once or twice a week - likely only using the SSB on one of those workouts. Sure you might use it for days you train back as well with SSB good mornings - which is what I am interested in and one of a couple reasons I'm looking into purchasing an SSB myself, but the overall point is....... is padding durability reeeeeeaaaaallly going to be a major issue if you and you alone are the only person using the bar? Do you really need the best possible padding quality in the world? Probably not. Inferior padding quality might be good enough if you, again, are the only one using it. Titan just released their updated SSB which looks INSANELY better than their old bar which was universally hated by almost everyone that's made a review video on it. It's their SSB V2 bar. Padding is MUCH thicker. The padding is all one piece. The angle the handles are at look almost identical to the ELiteFTS bar shown here. AND like the Elite FTS bar the handles can be swapped out/screw in and out. At $178 maybe Titan's V2 should be in consideration for you as well. Sure the finish is chrome which likely means it will flake off like crazy..... but at half the price of EliteFTS and Rogue..... is flaking chrome live-withable? Yes I made that word up. The main problem with Titan though of course is their known slow shipping time compared to other companies like Rogue and customer service in general (watch Alan Thrall's recent videos on Titan products.... needless to say.... he doesn't like Titan, haha). Another problem with Titan is...... a lot of their stuff is seemingly always listed as "sold out." The SSB V2 on their site - is no different. But if you can catch it when it IS in stock, again, it's only $178. It looks almost identical to the EliteFTS SS Yoke with the only main difference being the bar's finish. TLDR; with all that said..... I'd probably go with Rogue. Mainly because in my dealings with them the process is so damn flawless. They have Amazon Prime-like shipping speed (but that could be because I live in Central/North Central Illinois and am only about 6-6.5 hours away from their HQ). Problem with Rogue though is they NEVER have sales on anything worthwhile - unless you're really into fashion and shoes, haha. Only things throughout the course of the year I see them have deals in are clothing and shoes. Their one true sale of the year is their Black Friday sale which is more properly referred to as their Black WEEK sale the week of Thanksgiving. I've hawked their website the last 2 years on Thanksgiving week and I have NEVER seen them put their SSB up for sale.... NEVER. That said, EliteFTS has sales all the time and while not currently their $425 price tag for this bar was on sale either last week or the week before for like $325, $100 discount. That's a significant sale. Even when Rogue has their Black Friday week sales their discounts aren't remotely close to that good, haha. I just picked up the RML-490 rack from Rogue this last Thanksgiving 2 months ago for $900. Retail it's..... $983. So the black friday "deal" was a whopping 8.4%. "Whoop dee doo, Basil." But if you buy other things on Rogue's site and get your cart up to 5 items shipping will only be $5..... which is why people always say Rogue is the place to go when buying weight plates - wait til black Friday. Because between their Hundo pricing (a dumb way to say "the more weight you buy in weight plates the bigger discount you'll get per lb.... but that's a mouthful.... I still don't get where they came up with "Hundo" though, haha) and the 5 ships for $5 deals you can get some significant savings on heavier items..... like weight plates. I'd go with Rogue..... but Titan's new bar is worth investigating for sure. But of course you can't go wrong with EliteFTS' SS Yoke either. It's only moderately more expensive than Rogue's bar when not on sale, and if you float around on youtube for reviews/comments on EliteFTS SS Yoke bar the consensus is it's one of the best out there. As for Kabuki though...... too asinine-ly priced IMO. Again.... it's just steel. Sure, their bar is a "transformer" bar..... but like Brandon commented.... are you really going to use all the different angles you can put the weights at? Also, why does machining those brackets cost that much money? haha. Assuming they're like any company they mass produce them and the only "work" is them printing off another batch by hitting a few buttons on their CNC machine which has the design likely programmed into it. Machining their "transformer brackets" for lack of a better term, is about as labor intensive as making copies on a copy machine.... no joke. I know. I do machining work. Don't be had. So much for TLDR, haha.

@@doseofreality100 Wow, Thanks I really appreciate the time spent explaining all of that, I really do have a better understanding of it all now. Excellent points and review:)👍👍

OPB has very good knurling IMO, however getting a black zinc finish on it dulls it some. I do prefer Kabuki's power bar knurling however.

Not really doing anything explosive enough to warrant them really

I've seen some people just use rubber bands as well.

It really depends, since you can change the angle while squatting you can make it easier as you go, or grab on to a rack and do hatfields and overload. As is, I find it quite difficult for it's intended purpose.

I don't put it in the same category due to how much more versatile it is. I think it's a solid bar that lets you do a lot, but it rarely goes on sale, so the list price of like $600 is a bit harder to swallow vs about $250 less for this particular bar.

SSB. I think there's more you can do with it and for a good one it's cheaper.

If you're approaching the bar from behind, the SS Yoke should be visible on the shoulder pad

If it's in good shape it shouldn't be an issue!

as long as the pad pressure doesn't aggravate it!

about 11.25"

IIRC correctly it's very similar, but am not in the gym to measure.

Use a pool noodle, a bowie knife, duct tape, and a can of pringles to enhance your experience. Edit: the Pringles are just for a tasty, mid-workout snack

Pool noodle is probably the best and cheapest option, nice thinking.

Have never maxed out with it thankfully lol. I use it as an assistance exercise and to get in more volume!

Thanks Josh.

you da real mvp

I haven't seen this one break down enough to really warrant that (at least in a home gym).

Nice tip!

The cheapest I've seen the EliteFTS SSB Yoke bar was $300.00 in the Summer of 2019 (plus a $20.00 coupon bringing it down to $280.00)

agreed!

Lean Life Coach I think the kabuki bar is solid and is more versatile, that being said there’s a very large price difference of around $300

Brandon Campbell Diamond Yeah, the price difference is a bit of a deal breaker.

I believe that's one of the ones they suggest

ayyy!

I'm not sure, I replaced this bar with a Transformer.

The V2 from Titan? The V1 is super wide. My handles on the Elite are about 11 inches.

@@BasementBrandon I was referring to the V1. The V2 still has 12.75" bar spacing and and 8" pad spacing. Is the V2 comparable to the EliteFTS? Obviously there is a huge price difference and you get what you pay for, but are they similar in the spacing of the handles and pads? I'd really like to get a SSB, but can't get myself to spend nearly $500 for the bar and collars from EliteFTS...

Trystan Matthews very comparable

They have sales throughout the year. I'd suggest looking at the Titan SSB V2 as it's a direct clone and only $200

@@BasementBrandon will do. Thanks.

The pads on my Titan (Version 2) SSB are great! A fantastic bar for the price. I use it twice a week with my competition bumpers.

It would be pretty slick. I just don't like the fact that Titan's business model is to take an existing product and just outsource it to China.

appreciate the response.

I haven't heard as many people complaining about the black. I now have a REP SSB and it doesn't have these issues.

@@BasementBrandon I watched your new video after I posted. I think I will be looking at the Rep instead. Thank you!

Thanks boss

Lift Heavy a weight tree is a weight tree

Lift Heavy I have a review of the Titan weight tree. It sucks lol.

Brandon Campbell Diamond lmao

Pretty sure you can email him if you want it ahead of release.

J P Awesome, thanks!

yeah just shoot me an email if you want a draft of it.

As long as they're olympic (2" hub)

Yeah that has to suck

Don’t know off the top of my head.

@@BasementBrandon its ok. Thanks. I angled it 15deg juat now. Lol. Homemade

If you want a SSB, I'd actually suggest the Titan now. It's about half the price of eliteFTS and pretty close to quality. If you want a bar that does a lot more, go Kabuki.

@@BasementBrandon awesome ill check it out. Been watching your videos for along time now. My gym build def shows that

@@kevinstreisant2402 appreciate it!

No big deal IMO alghough the paint might chip/scuff with use anyways. What are they trading you for?

@@BasementBrandon a rogue nameplate crossmember that I no longer needed. I ended up doing the trade and am digging the SSB. I can see why folks love SSB’s

Yeah much more appealing at that price!

If you want to buy me one I'll be happy to :)

Why? I'll do it for him. It's overpriced. Like everything else they sell. The steel they use to make their barbells is no more special than Rogue's steel..... or EliteFTS' steel..... or any other company's steel for that matter. Their CNC machines to make/machine/mill their parts are no different from any other company's. As a guy who does machining work I can not rationalize why one company charges double for their barbells despite the fact they're made the same way using the same machinery and same materials as all of their competitors. I'm not shitting on Duffin as a person, but his prices are asinine. And I'm not just going to shit on him/Kabuki..... Eleiko is just as bad/dumb. But if you have $600-700 burning a hole in your pocket you desperately want to get rid of..... sure. Go ahead and buy it. I'm sure it's a good bar. Is it better than anything Rogue, EliteFTS, or even Titan, Rep Fitness, American Barbell, Texas Strength Systems, etc. make? Maybe. But 2-4 times better as the price would indicate? Fuck. No. haha. Kabuki is the "Apple" of barbells/specialty bars, haha. Overpriced. IMO at MOST the Transformer bar shouldn't be more than $500. But in reality..... does the "Transformer" bar really need to exist? Can you easily get by with a barbell and SSB? Yes. Yes you can. IMO the "Transformer" bar is like buy $300 Jordans instead of a run of the mill $80 pair of Nikes. It's a "status" symbol and that alone. You're buying a name, not a product. Another analogy, Kabuki is the Lexus to every other brand being a good, solid, Toyota. EliteFTS might be a Toyota Avalon, while other companies like Rep Fitness or Titan might be more like a Toyota Corolla or Camry, haha. All the same chassis, just a different hood ornament - and you pay dearly for that hood ornament.

@@doseofreality100 - soooo... we won't ever see you tooling around in an AMG anytime soon... or consuming an $80.00 steak? Duffin's products are made in 'Murica in small quantities. Perhaps he also wants to 'position' the company accordingly? Be sure to checkout his book - The Eagle and the Dragon - www.goodreads.com/book/show/46363875-the-eagle-and-the-dragon

I just picked-up a Kabuki Transformer v3 the other night - FINALLY! As I recall, Kabuki had discounts during BF 2018, but not in 2019. Found one within reasonable driving distance.

Astropin did you watch until the end? I talk about this a few times.

@@BasementBrandon I did...and was just having a tough time wrapping my head around "possibly better padding" being worth $150+

It's not possibly, it is better padding, the Titan uses the same type of material that is on the top layer of the EliteFTS bar. The price differential is def a tough call however. Until recently there wouldn't be a second thought in my mind. The hard part now is trusting a company that just steals designs and outsources to China vs paying more for the original and having it made in the US.

@@BasementBrandon Okay...I can agree with your last point for sure.

Yes bc that will change the angle the camber is facing (at least on EliteFTS bars).

@@BasementBrandon ahh Shit I figured so after watching your video, I have been squatting with the elite fts ssb bar facing the other way for about 2 weeks due to a broken hand 😐 thanks for the quick reply about to do my first real set of squats with it tomorrow

ah good call, haven't had any rust issues with mine yet

Thanks Ronnie

Call em. I did. Got shipping down to 60 from 118. Plus the bar at 350. Just saying.

@@tropicthunderbolt I emailed them with my address and they came back with nothing cheaper. That's OK I see bells of steel just came out with a new SSB just like this one except rotating sleeves.

@@TheArmoryliftforlife no. I talked to someone..call em. That's what I did.

I feel for my brothers in the north, you get hosed on importing which is dumb IMO

@@BasementBrandon At least we got Bells of Steel which is improving and expanding there product line all the time, may not be rogue or elitefts quality but it's affordable for the average home gym.

It has the 3 pad design that I think is inferior.

@@BasementBrandon No it doesn't kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bdunhJCirsuYlo0.html

Looks like they extended the back pad from the earlier version, but it's still the 3 pad design. If you're in the UK it would probably make more sense due to shipping, but in the end I think the solid pad is still the way to go.

Lol

Not this guy ;)

Damn

He is starting to look like Bradley Martyn

@@RNCHFND- as long as he doesn´t act like Bradley Martyn:)

Just need some slides.

@@BasementBrandon - check out his gym Zoo Culture if you haven´t. EliteFTS equipment all over the place!

Hmmm haven't seen one too beat up, but def in a commercial space and consistent use it will go eventually!

People need to stop formulating their opinions on "quality" judged by equipment they use in a commercial gym where dozens if not hundreds of people use the bar, whereas if you buy it - you're the only person using it. More use equals more wear. I thought this would be common sense.... but maybe not. I've used Hammer Strength equipment at a Gold's Gym one time and it was in sad shape. Therefore all Hammer Strength equipment is of inferior quality.... that would be silly to say, no? Or is it more sane to realize I and about several hundred other people, if not thousands over the years, have used and abused that piece of equipment. Common sense, fellas. Get some. I say "fellas" because I alluded this opinion toward Brandon himself in another reply to someone else's post in regards to what he deems "good" and "bad" quality padding. If you're the ONLY person who's going to be using the bar YOU are buying for YOUR home/garage/basement gym I'm sure even actual inferior padding will last a good long while. Again, it will be just you using the bar over its lifetime. It's like a classroom having 1 pen for everyone to use and share. It'll run out of ink and be useless in one day. Give everyone their own pen though and it could last each person months on end. Did the "quality" of the pens magically improve? Or did the usage of each pen significantly reduce? Logic, people. Logic.

Madd Maxx That is not even remotely close to the same thing. The biggest thing about the SSB is the camber of the weights, this allows for a different center of gravity and bar path. Additionally, the camber combined with the handles creates an almost rotational force on you upper body, working your back and core more than a straight bar. Furthermore, the SSB will sit on you back even if you aren’t holding it

It's a different (and not as efficient) piece of equipment in my mind, but again most of this is dictated by the end-user.

solid response.

@@BasementBrandon I understand the Top Squat is not the same thing as the SS yoke bar, but it is an alternative, if you cant use a regular straight barbell to squat.

EliteFTS doesn't have the best shipping prices, that's why I suggest waiting until they do one of their sales where the bar is discounted and shipping is free. Save a lot that way!

and other places I can't show you.

@@BasementBrandon Your innuendos and double entendres are legit how I get through the garbage days of the week

hey now