The Arena Platform is an all-in-one gym that uses constant cable resistance.
At about the size of a suitcase, it doesn’t take up much space so it works great for those with small spaces.
And with up to 200 lbs of resistance it can challenge just about anyone.
Let’s check it out!
Unboxing
Table of Contents
The Arena fitness platform comes in a crate-like package supported with wood all around.
With it being an electronic piece of equipment I can see why they would want to make sure it’s protected so the outside packaging is excellent.
Once I took the packaging off, this is how the platform comes.
It has plenty of padding on all sides so it doesn’t shift around during shipping.
The Arena Platform
And here’s the beast out of the box.
The entire platform is metal and lined with a textured coat that seems to help with grip.
It reminds me of the texture used on pick up truck bed liners.
From the side you can see there’s a handle to carry the platform.
It weighs 55 lbs so it’s a good thing they added the handles to move it around.
There’s also an option to get wheels on one side of the platform which I’ll be getting soon to move it around easily.
And right in the center there’s a carabiner with a rubber stopper connected to a cable that’s inside the platform.
The cable glides between two rollers which is similar to how my Ancore Trainer is set up.
One thing I’d like to see Arena do, is add another set of rollers perpendicular to those so the cable can roll in all directions smoothly.
To turn the platform on, I go to the right corner where there’s a cable outlet and an on/off switch.
I don’t have to keep the platform plugged in while working out, that’s just there to charge the battery which lasts around 30 hours.
The Arena platform is controlled through a phone app and you pair it through the QR code seen above.
When I flip the switch, the Arena letters turn white.
These letters also change colors based on battery life.
I can monitor the battery’s life more precisely through the Arena phone app.
All the accessories came in a gym bag (I’ll show you all of them later).
I like that Arena includes accessories for the upper and lower body so I can get a full body workout.
The accessories included are a squat belt, straight bar, single handle, triceps rope, and two ankle straps.
It also comes with an adjustable phone stand.
Personally I don’t use it, but I like that they included this option for people who follow their workouts and programs.
This makes it convenient so everything is front of you while working out.
Specs
- Weight range: 10 – 200 lbs of motorized, constant magnetic resistance
- Weight: 55 lbs
- Workouts: Access to daily workouts, programs, and freestyle exercises
- Dimensions: 36″ L x 23.5″ W x 9.5″ H
- Battery life: 30 hours
- Warranty: 2 years
How Does The Arena Platform Gym Work?
The Arena Platform uses an electromagnetic motor that generates constant resistance that I control through their phone app.
With the Arena app I can make weight adjustments, access workouts and programs, track performance, and watch a library of exercises.
Inside The Arena App
Welcome Workout
When I first opened up the Arena app, I had to manually sync my phone to the platform.
After that, it syncs automatically.
At the top of the app, there’s a “Welcome workout” that guides you through a 20 minute session.
The Daily Lift
The Daily Lift is a series of daily workouts that change weekly and target different muscle groups each day.
Workouts are made up of three strength training workouts, three HIIT workouts, and one recovery workout.
10 Minute Workouts
This one is a series of 10 minute workouts focused on a specific muscle group or theme.
I follow this one when I’m short on time and need to squeeze in a workout.
Programs
These programs are 4 to 12 weeks long and designed around a specific theme.
Freestyle
Freestyle is what I use often since I mostly follow external workout programs.
From this screen I can manually increase or decrease the weight in 5 lbs increments.
One of my favorites features of the app is being able to increase the eccentric resistance like I can do on my Voltra cable machine.
I feel I get a better workout when the negative portion of each exercise is greater and I can slow down the movement.
To increase the eccentric resistance, I press “Mode” below the “Weight” heading.
Virtual Rack
The app has a feature called “Virtual Rack” and I’m glad they added it.
It allows me to set a starting resistance point (height) for different exercises.
For example, for a standing shoulder press I set the virtual rack around my elbow because I don’t need resistance below that point.
Arena Platform Accessories
Straight Bar
I’m very impressed with the quality of the straight bar.
The knurling on it is aggressive which I like and once I clip it on to the Arena platform cable, the center spins smoothly while I exercise.
I use it for barbell exercises like bicep curls, deadlifts, seated cable rows, etc.
When doing seated cable rows, I can only do them from the short side of the platform.
This is because of the orientation of the rollers around the cable.
If I were to do them on the long side of the platform, the cable will be rubbing against the edges of the center opening.
Whenever I do this exercise, I throw a sandbag on the other side for counterbalance so the platform doesn’t come off its legs.
Squat Belt
The squat belt is sized specifically to my waist so I had to select a size before buying the platform.
Sizes range from extra small to extra large.
Arena has a chart on their website that helped me pick my site so that made it easy.
The squatting belt looks like a nylon weight lifting belt.
It has a couple of D-rings stitched to each side where I attach the cable.
I’m not sure why there’s two of them since I can only use one at a time.
I use the squatting belt for belt squats, calf raises, deficit reverse lunges, and step ups.
At first I didn’t think I would like doing the deficit lunges but now I look forward to the challenge.
With the extra range of motion at the bottom I can really feel these in my glutes.
I can also turn around, grab a pair of dumbbells, and use the platform for Bulgarian split squats.
And this is how I set up for calf raises with my feet hanging off the edge of the platform.
Single Handle
The single handle is just like the handles used on cable machines.
It has a textured rubber grip and a tough strap with a D-ring at the end.
I use it for unilateral arm exercises like lateral raises, one arm rows, overhead presses, and bicep curls.
Ankle Straps
Even though I can only workout one leg at a time, I like that Arena includes two ankle straps.
This way when I’m done working out one leg, all I have to do is unclip the cable from one strap and attach it to the other.
Here’s what the ankle strap looks like when I got it hooked up to the cable.
I use the ankle straps for standing hamstring leg curls, hip flexor leg raises, and hip abductions.
This is just like using a reverse squat strap which I never knew existed until I started doing the Knees Over Toes Guy program.
Hip mobility and strength is something I’ve always neglected so I’ve started doing more hip exercises to maintain mobility in my lower body.
Tricep Rope
The triceps rope is your standard rope with two stoppers at each end.
I use it for overhead tricep extensions, neutral grip bicep curls, and front shoulder raises.
Here’s how I set up when doing overhead tricep extensions.
Using My Own Attachments
The Arena platform comes with everything I need to get a full body workout but I have other accessories I like to use as well.
I like doing RDL’s and good mornings with my squat harness because the weight feels like if I had a safety squat bar on my shoulders.
With the weight distribution in front of my body I can feel it more in my hamstrings and lower back.
Everyone once in a while I get elbow pain so I like using my TGrip Maxx bar for neutral grip bicep curls and that reduces the discomfort.
And I prefer bicep cable exercises because the tension is constant compared to free weights.
And I can attach my Angles 90 grips to the straight bar if I wanna get more range of motion when doing seated rows.
This way when I pull the bar back, I can move my elbows further back without the bar hitting my body.
And of course, I can use the platform independently of the cable.
I can pick up a pair of my adjustable dumbbells and do step ups, reverse step ups, Jefferson curls, etc.
Arena Platform Alternatives
The Beyond Power Voltra cable machine has a travel platform that functions very similar to the Arena Platform except for one thing…
It is not elevated so any deficit exercises or seated rows can’t be performed on that platform.
But, it can also be mounted to any weight rack so it works just like a functional trainer which is different than the arena platform.
It’s a very advanced machine with a touch screen, magnetic resistance, and different training modes so it’s worth checking out.
Titan Squat Max MD
The Squat Max MD from Titan Fitness is a plate loaded platform that’s mainly for belt squats, split squats, and deadlifts.
Just like the Arena, this gives me true vertical resistance but unlike the Arena platform, this is mainly for lower body exercises.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Space saving: Doesn’t take up a lot of room so this is perfect for people with limited spaces or personal trainers who travel
- Resistance types: I can control the concentric and eccentric resistance straight from my phone through the app
- Versatile: I use it for a bunch of exercises
- Accessories: I like that Arena includes accessories for both the upper and lower body
- Go Arena app: From the app I can follow programs, daily workouts, or just do my own thing with the Freestyle option
- Portable: When it’s too cold to train from my garage gym in the winter, I bring the platform in my house so I can workout anywhere.
Cons
- High to Low Exercises: Can’t do any high to low exercises (lat pulldowns, tricep pushdowns) like with a regular cable machine
- Cost: It’s not a cheap product but you’re investing in an all-in-one, compact home gym with all accessories and lots of resistance
Arena Platform Discount Code
The Arena Platform is an advanced piece of equipment and for that reason it has a premium price.
But I’ve negotiated an exclusive discount if you’ve got your eyes set on this machine.
Click here and use coupon code SHREDDED for a $100 discount.
Arena Platform Gym Review
After using the Arena Platform for a while, I can see this being very useful for people who don’t have a lot of space.
It’s compact, has up to 200 lbs of magnetic resistance, and I can exercise with or without using the Arena app.
With it being ground based, there’s a few limitations but I’m still able to knock out whole body workouts.
And I love that they included accessories so I can do isolation exercises and compound movements.
Click Here to Check Out The Arena Platform
Arena Platform
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