Backbull review

[Jetigen]

Backbull is a piece of gym equipment for doing inverted rows.

Dan Cardin thoroughly explains the use of his product in this video.




As I age I need to be mindful of possible injuries while doing weights. My goal is to minimize this possibility. For this reason I plan to do mainly bodyweight exercises in my later years. I decided to go ahead and buy Backbull as I don’t know if it’ll be around for long. It’s investment. I was also swayed by the fact that Lou Ferrigno bought a couple of Backbulls. BTW, he has pretty hardcore home gym and trains regularly.

I think my review is the first detailed review of Backbull on the internet. I tried to cover all aspects of this product. If I missed something, let me know. I'll try to answer your questions. I am splitting the review into 3 posts as I am uploading many pictures.

Here we go:


Delivery took a week. Paid about $ 95. Got a free T-shirt with the order.




Packaging was very basic. As you can see from the picture, the buble wrap was only put at the bottom. Unit came with a couple of teeny tiny scratches. Basically unnoticeable.




I am impressed with the overall quality of the Backbull. It’s very , I mean, very solid. I think the main frame is made of gauge 7 steel tubing. Thick handles are angled at around 11 degrees. Measured the angle with a digital protractor. I found handles to be comfortable. Hooks are heavy-duty.









Here is the link to Backbull website. It can also be purchased on amazon.
http://thebackbull.com/

[Jetigen]

Here is the Backbull hanging on the Olympic bar in my squat rack.




As you can see Backbull weighs 5.14 lbs.




Dimensions:

Overall height is 9” ( 6” frame plus 3” hook)




Length is 11”, measured from the center of the handles.




Handles are 5.5” long and about 1.5” thick.

[Jetigen]

I’ll comment on Backbulls effectiveness after a few months of using it.

Here are few close-ups and comparison pictures of Backbull with my old set-up for inverted rows and generic handle for cable machine.

[817boy]

here is a video about it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUSVMyt8S1w

[Jetigen]

Thanks. I embedded it in my first post.

[Detrus]

How does it compare to rings?

[Jetigen]

How does it compare to rings?

I've never tried inverted rows on rings. I just do ring dips. I am guessing rings would be more natural for inverted rows. In the video above, Dan mentions that after trial-and-errors he found the best grip for inverted rows for improving back thickness. I am guessing it plays a role. Also, it's more convenient than rings in terms of ease of setting up. Just put on a barbell, do rows, take it off. In my case the Backbull is perfect for using in the squat rack. I'll post more pictures some other day.

[ProtienandIron]

Thats a great review Jetigen.

Its a well built toy and a great exercise, but I couldn't justify spending the money on it in my gym as I am already able to do the exercise very easily with very minimal setup. My rings are always set up in my rack at dip hieght, and I also use them for supine rows just by raising my feet on a pulling block. I also do them off my power rack safety bars when I want to change to a straight bar.

That said, any toy that is small, built well, and focuses on a good compound movement, gets my vote.

[Skidmarx]

looks nice

[oldred]

"Cheerleader position". That cracks me up. Probably a common term but I've led a sheltered life.

Thanks for the review. That's an interesting piece of equipment.

[matrix563]

not sure how this compares, but it was alot cheaper






i know its alot farther apart than the backbull but i have a way to fix that, just use another carabiner at the top to keep the straps close to each other. or something like that .

[Jetigen]

Did several sets of inverted rows with the backbull today. It felt different from my previous set-up. I think it hits back better and let's you concentrate better on driving yourself up. This is my first impression of it in action.

Its a well built toy and a great exercise, but I couldn't justify spending the money on it in my gym as I am already able to do the exercise very easily with very minimal setup. My rings are always set up in my rack at dip hieght, and I also use them for supine rows just by raising my feet on a pulling block. I also do them off my power rack safety bars when I want to change to a straight bar.

I realize it's not for everybody and there are cheaper alternatives. I purchased the backbull because it's a right gear for me. I look at the backbull as investment in my well-being for years to come. After getting it, I am a bit surprised by how substantial the backbull is. So, no regrets here.

i know its alot farther apart than the backbull but i have a way to fix that, just use another carabiner at the top to keep the straps close to each other. or something like that .

First I bought Stamina pull-up handles. My problem was them sliding outward sideways when doing inverted rows. As you can see from the picture, I ended up using u-bolts to hold the handles fixed. Good I have a spare barbell.

[tombro]

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...id=114&pid=916


or you could spend less money on these and do 324976409734560935276 other exercises as well

[GarageIron]

I guess I have to take the road less travelled here and actually like this product.

It's a fast hook-on neutral grip pull device that as a guy with f'ed up shoulders appreciates.

If there can be bars dedicated to curls, certainly a device that may actually assist real strength like this could be of some value.

Yeah, I could set up the rings. Or I could just use that thing for a few sets and toss it in the corner. Its kind if specific to your goals and limitations.

The same folks that criticize this will be the same guys with $300 monkey bar rigs on their racks. Why don't they do ring pull ups from the ceiling?

[SDSammy]

The same folks that criticize this will be the same guys with $300 monkey bar rigs on their racks. Why don't they do ring pull ups from the ceiling?

Why do them from the ceiling, when we can do them on our monkey bar rig?! Lol

Like most others, I do inverted rows with my homemade suspension trainer. However, I've also done them on my monkey bar. :-D

While I would never buy the backbull (especially for $95), I'm glad that Jetigen seems happy with his purchase and shared his opinion with us.

With that said, that video just screams late night cheesy infomercial. I was waiting for the “But wait, there's more. Order within the next ten minutes..." line at the end.

[swimmer32]

With that said, that video just screams late night cheesy infomercial. I was waiting for the “But wait, there's more. Order within the next ten minutes..." line at the end.

This. But it does look like a solid piece of equipment. I use rings for inverted rows and can't see changing, but this looks like a decent option for some people.

[oldred]

I love cheese and ordered one of these Friday morning after reading the review and watching the video. Might be a little pricey but ehh, I'm a gear whore.

[Jetigen]

It's a fast hook-on neutral grip pull device that as a guy with f'ed up shoulders appreciates.

Here is another reason I decided to buy it now: According to Backbull’s “About” webpage, they were supposed to come out with SHOULDER BACKBULL and accessories in mid-summer 2011. Well, 2013 is almost here and they are still selling only one product. Which makes me think that the Backbull did not sell as they expected. I won’t be surprised if the business folds down anytime now.

While I would never buy the backbull (especially for $95), I'm glad that Jetigen seems happy with his purchase and shared his opinion with us.
With that said, that video just screams late night cheesy infomercial. I was waiting for the “But wait, there's more. Order within the next ten minutes..." line at the end.

It’s $80 plus $15 shipping.

The only thing I didn’t like in the video is that Dan was putting down people who didn’t know what lifting straps were; and guys who were into making cakes and doing flower arrangement. While it sounds funny, I thought it was mean of him and totally unnecessary. Other than that he never said “Buy” or had a bunch of paid satisfied people in the video. It was just about how-to with a mix of storytelling in a dimly lit gym.

I love cheese and ordered one of these Friday morning after reading the review and watching the video.

Congrads. Looking forward to hearing your honest opinion about the Backbull.

[Jetigen]

In the video Dan says the logo should be ALWAYS turned out when the backbull is being used. Mine came with a piece of paper saying the backbull is completely reversible.

Here it is:

[sammy1959]

Thanks for the review, I am going to give it a try, it nice to have a new exercise to keep things fresh.

[Jetigen]

Just in case the Backbull owners lose the instructions it came with, I scanned mine and uploaded them below as images and a downloadable pdf file.

Download: The Backbull Instructions

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[Jetigen]

Found this video of the Backbull being used in a home gym:

[matrix563]

looks like a garage based on those doors, or a basement with garage doors built into a hill. i still dont' see how this is preferable to what i showed especially since you prefer more instability in your workout than what this does .

[Jetigen]

looks like a garage based on those doors, or a basement with garage doors built into a hill.

I just guessed it's a basement gym. Edited.

i still dont' see how this is preferable to what i showed especially since you prefer more instability in your workout than what this does .

Keyword for me is bodyweight. I also do a lot of unsupported single leg squats, speed push-ups, etc. Instability is a big plus.

[mensagitatmolem]

Thanks for taking the time to do the write up and post it. Here's to the Backbull enhancing and/or making your life a bit easier, as well as getting some enjoyment out of it. Can't ask much more out of many things in life, than that.

[Gzs7]

I knew I had seen this somewhere before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdFe6fY6C4Q

[Jetigen]

Thanks for taking the time to do the write up and post it. Here's to the Backbull enhancing and/or making your life a bit easier, as well as getting some enjoyment out of it. Can't ask much more out of many things in life, than that.

That's exactly what I am doing right now. Every time I drive pass the cemetery, I think about people who lived many years ago and realize it's our turn to live now; and then go just like them out there. Passers-by are we. I left the life of hatred, insults, sarcasm and snubbishness behind me many years ago.

I knew I had seen this somewhere before:

Good to know that competition level bodybuilders use the Backbull as well. Thanks.
The Backbull part starts at the end at 3:16 min.

[amgben]

looks like an angle that gymnastic rings or suspension straps can easily replicate.

[one.lifter]

Got one, love it, added a "conversion kit".

[one.lifter]

Sure you can use rings, straps, single handles to replicate this, but I have found that the harder it is to set up an exercise the less likely I'm going to do it. With the backbull you just hang it, do the exercise and then throw it in a corner of your gym...done!