Kabuki Strength Duffalo Bar

DUFFALO BAR FOR THE SQUAT 

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.

FITS LIKE A GLOVE

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.

BRACE BETTER. IMPROVE IAP

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.

REDUCE SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT

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.

DUFFALO BAR FOR THE BENCH

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.