EliteFTS Multi-Grip Swiss Bar Review

[emp1acur]

I received my new EliteFTS Multi-Grip Swiss Bar last week and I had mentioned in my original thread (here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...ight=swiss+bar) about Swiss Bars that I'd post a review, so here goes.

I had read this other review (here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...ight=swiss+bar) prior to making my decision to go with the Elite FTS Swiss Bar over the others available.

I agree with what was stated in that review. Collars that ship with it are indeed fairly useless, and don't grip the bar enough to be taken seriously. I asked Elite FTS about it when I was ordering, and they stated that specialty bars always seem to be this way. They suggested using something like a wrist strap inside regular spring collars, which seems strange for something brand new. However, I've been doing basically that, except I'm using the old pair of socks that I put over my barbell when doing standing calf raises in my power rack. That is working fine. Since I knew this up front before ordering, I'm OK with it. May someday upgrade to the lock jaws as another posted mentioned in my original thread, but we'll see.

I like that there are 3 grip locations, and the bar fits easily into my Powertec power rack.

There really isn't alot to say about it. Works great for me, and I'm happy I purchased it. I'm using it for bench press and overhead press, and have also tried it with BOR and Tricep Extensions. For me it is a workaround for a wrist injury such that I am able to do those exercises I listed, since the only way I am able to do them now is with a neutral grip, so this bar has re-opened doors that had been closed for awhile.

As a recap, it weights about 35 pounds. I'll admit I haven't actually weighed it, but this is what is advertised and it feels about right. The grips are a little bigger than my standard barbell, but my barbell came with a 300 lb set, and I think it is slightly smaller than a more standard/good bar that one would buy. Therefore, I suspect the bar width of the Swiss Bar grips is probably closer to what a normal barbell would be. The grips certainly feel fine.

Overall I'm happy with it. Took about 8 days to arrive in Canada from the time I ordered it. It isn't cheap to get to Canada when you factor in all costs. Anyone from Canada should know in advance that shipping is about $85, and brokerage fee is about $56. I live an hour from the US border, so if I was doing it again, I'd have it shipped to the UPS depot just across the border for $39.95, pay the $5 storage fee (up to a week), and zip across the border to pick it up, which would save $40 plus $56, but cost $5 and some gas, so probably around a $75 saving in my case. The brokerage fee was the surprise for me. No duty since it is US made.

A little pricey, but if it is something you want/need it certainly does the trick so I'm enjoying it after 3 workouts with it.

[boxertim]

i got nailed with a huge brokerage fee when i ordered 3 shirts from elite....cost me more than the shirts.


i'm glad you got the bar on canadian soil....


since i really am worried about your wrist...let me offer $100 for that crappy elite bar.

[darkfact]

Lockjaws work awesome on the swiss bar, and every other bar I've tried them on. Thanks for writing a review, glad you like the bar so far!

[emp1acur]

i got nailed with a huge brokerage fee when i ordered 3 shirts from elite....cost me more than the shirts.


i'm glad you got the bar on canadian soil....


since i really am worried about your wrist...let me offer $100 for that crappy elite bar.

I appreciate your generous offer and your concern

I think I'll stick with it though for now but I certainly know who to contact if I want part of my shipping/brokerage fee back!

Lockjaws work awesome on the swiss bar, and every other bar I've tried them on. Thanks for writing a review, glad you like the bar so far!

My birthday is in the spring, so maybe I'll point my wife to the Rogue Canada website for some lock jaws - I see they are 49.89 a pair so that isn't bad and the Canadian presence avoids brokerage fees.

[Lachdanan]

I appreciate your generous offer and your concern

I think I'll stick with it though for now but I certainly know who to contact if I want part of my shipping/brokerage fee back!



My birthday is in the spring, so maybe I'll point my wife to the Rogue Canada website for some lock jaws - I see they are 49.89 a pair so that isn't bad and the Canadian presence avoids brokerage fees.

Who do you contact to get your brokerage fee back? I also got ripped off by UPS brokerage when I got some stuff from EliteFTS.

I also got Rogue HG collars you are talking about from Rogue Canada, no shipping but takes time because they ship from the States. But their support is 100%. One of mine broken when I was using it, emailed them, they sent me a new pair.

[emp1acur]

Who do you contact to get your brokerage fee back? I also got ripped off by UPS brokerage when I got some stuff from EliteFTS.

I also got Rogue HG collars you are talking about from Rogue Canada, no shipping but takes time because they ship from the States. But their support is 100%. One of mine broken when I was using it, emailed them, they sent me a new pair.

I'm not aware that you are able to get a brokerage fee back. If you know/hear otherwise let me know.

Thanks for the info on the collars.

[boxertim]

i think the brokerage fees are gone....just a case of buyer beware.


I cross the border at a place called Tolstoi....there is a little gas station about 10 minutes over the border. They will accept your parcel and charge afee of $5. I will pick it up and bring it back myself. If the item is made in the USA there won't be duty. I bet i'd be in store for a cavity search though. Crossing the border for 10 minutes is a recipe for a flashlight up the colon.

[Lachdanan]

I'm not aware that you are able to get a brokerage fee back. If you know/hear otherwise let me know.

Thanks for the info on the collars.

No worries. I asked that because you said "I certainly know who to contact if I want part of my shipping/brokerage fee back!" (:

i think the brokerage fees are gone....just a case of buyer beware.


I cross the border at a place called Tolstoi....there is a little gas station about 10 minutes over the border. They will accept your parcel and charge afee of $5. I will pick it up and bring it back myself. If the item is made in the USA there won't be duty. I bet i'd be in store for a cavity search though. Crossing the border for 10 minutes is a recipe for a flashlight up the colon.

lol man wtf? Seems pretty shady, but if you are close why not.