Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper GHD Review

The Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper GHD machine is a beast!

It’s a 6-in-1 posterior chain blaster and it’s Freak Athlete’s most innovative product up to date.

It’s a Nordic bench, hyperextension machine, GHD, reverse hyper, hip thrust machine, and sit up bench, in one space saving design.

Let’s check it out!

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UPDATE

The Nordic Hyper GHD is now the Freak Athlete Hyper Pro.

With the ability to replace 9 machines, this space saving machine just got better!

Watch my review below…

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Unboxing

The Nordic Hyper GHD came tightly sealed in one box.

Everything was neatly wrapped in plastic and some styrofoam blocks to keep it from shifting during shipping.

The main frame comes already assembled (the one in the middle with all the red knobs).

All I had to do was attach the other parts to it which took about 40 minutes.

Specs

• Dimensions: 56″ L x 26″ W x 23″ H

• Weight: 105 lbs

• Height compatibility: Supports user from 5 feet to 7 feet tall

• Nordic bench incline: 10 levels, 0 to 45 degrees for Nordic curl regressions

• Nordic bench decline: 3 levels, -3 to -15 degrees for Nordic curl progressions

Features

Nordic Curl Bench

I’ve reviewed Freak Athlete’s Nordic Mini before and it’s made strictly for just Nordic hamstring curls.

This one is similar to the Nordic mini with a weight horn on the back of the footplate, leg rollers, and nice foam pad for the knees…

Nordic Curl Regressions

But the Nordic Hyper GHD machine has 10 levels of incline so I can do Nordic curl regressions, which I couldn’t do on the Nordic mini.

If you’re just starting out on your Nordic curl journey, the regressions on the Nordic Hyper GHD are awesome.

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UPDATE

The adjustment knobs have now been updated to different colors.

Originally (left pic) they were all red, but the updated colors (right pic) make it easier to identify and to learn how to use the Nordic Hyper faster.

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It starts off at 45 degrees which reduces the amount of weight my hamstrings have to handle but I still go through a full range of motion.

As I get stronger at that exercise I can lower down the bench by 5 degrees to keep challenging myself.

The angles are engraved into the metal post so it’s easy for me to keep track of my progress.

Here I brought it down to 30 degrees and you can see I’m getting closer to the horizontal so the load on my hamstrings increases.

Once I get from 15 degrees and lower, I have to use a different mechanism to angle the bench down.

There’s a grey piece right below the leg roller that angles down to support the weight of the bench.

It’s held in place by a magnet so once I pull it, it’s free to swivel in any direction and set it down on the angle I want.

Here I set to 15 degrees and I can keep moving down as I get stronger.

That’s the beauty of this machine.

I can progress in small increments in a safe way that my hamstrings can tolerate.

And the end goal is to get a full unassisted Nordic curl with the Nordic bench completely flat.

Watch the short video below where I show different Nordic curl regressions.

This is similar to what the Tib Bar Guy did with his Nordic back extension machine.

Nordic Curl Progressions

One sick feature that was added to the Nordic Hyper GHD is having the ability to do decline Nordic curls.

It has 5 levels of decline so after mastering flat Nordics, I can keep challenging myself.

I haven’t dared to try these yet as regular Nordics are still a challenge.

Hyperextension Machine

Similar to Mr Infinity’s Nord-Ex, this machine also doubles as a lower back hyperextension machine.

I like to do these with dumbbells because the set up is easier but I can also do them with a barbell or resistance bands.

There are several loop welded to the front of the Nordic hyper if I wanted to use resistance bands.

I don’t really use the band loops much cause I prefer to use weights but it’s there as an option.

From this same 45 degree position I can also do Trap 3 raises to hit the lower portion of my trapezius.

I first learned about this exercise from the Knees Over Toes Guy and it’s a lot harder than it looks.

Below I’m showing a sample of a lower back workout with several exercises.

As you see in the video above, I’m using weighted 45 degree hyperextensions.

I’ve seen people throw the bar on their shoulders but this set is too complicated when you have to get your feet situated.

Instead, I like to use a zercher squat pad and place the barbell on my elbow crease so I’m able to pick up the weight from the floor.

Here I’m doing a 90 degree lower back extension.

So I have the option to use this as a 45 degree and 90 degree lower back hyperextension machine.

But Freak Athlete added an extra feature to their machine that makes it stand out from the rest…

GHD (Glute Ham Developer)

They added a GHD machine (Glute Ham Developer).

GHD machines are big, which is why I’ve previously avoided them and went with a rack mounted GHD version instead.

But the way this was engineered to fold down to save space in my garage gym is impressive.

The set up for the GHD is the same as the 90 degrees low back extensions and I’ll show you how this is adjustable.

The length of the GHD pad has 12 adjustment settings so anyone in my family can use this regardless of height which I love.

I hadn’t show you before but there’s a chrome bar in the center of the Nordic Hyper.

This is a step to make it easier to climb to the top when using it as a GHD bench.

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UPDATE

The chrome bar has now been updated to a folding and knurled bar.

On the left I’m showing you the folded position and on the right it’s the open position.

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Once I anchor my feet down I can go to town and do my GHDs

And this same GHD machine can be used for reverse hypers…

Reverse Hyper Extension Machine

Prior to this machine, I had only tried a DIY reverse hyper.

So it’s nice to have an actual dedicated machine.

Keep it mind that this is not a pendulum based reverse hyper so it won’t feel the same as one of those.

For the reverse hyperextensions set up, I like to bring down the leg support portion down a bit.

This gives me more leg clearance at the bottom.

The footplate has openings on each side that work as handles so I can hang on to it while doing reverse hypers.

Both sides are curved so it’s comfortable on my hands.

Here’s what my hands look like when on the handles.

You’ll see there’s an extra handle on top of the footplate and that’s for the decline sit up bench set up which I’ll show you later.

Here’s what it looks like when I’m doing a reverse hyper.

The resistance from this comes from my own bodyweight.

I do have the option to use resistance bands but I don’t attach them on the band loops the machine has.

Instead, I attach a resistance band below and over the step poles.

I feel I get me more resistance at the beginning of the movement from this attachment point.

Then I connect the each end of the resistance band to my OmniStrap ankle cuffs.

Here’s what the set up looks like right before I start the exercise.

The band is under some tension from the beginning.

And here’s what it looks like at the top of the reverse hyper.

Here’s what it looks like in real time.

Someone commented on my YouTube about what I thought if they added a lever arm to make it like a true weighted reverse hyper…

But there isn’t enough room for that since there is a center post that gets in the way.

I feel bodyweight reverse hypers are still beneficial and can strengthen my lower back even without weights.

Hip Thrust Bench

Freak Athlete has now updated the Nordic Hyper GHD with a solid leg roller than can be used for hip thrusts and other exercises.

For the hip thrust bench set up, I’ll be using the top roller pads used to hold down my legs during Nordics and back extensions.

I just pull the pin below the pads and it comes out so I can attach it to the front of the Nordic Hyper.

Here’s the leg pad once I took it off.

As you can tell from the holes, it’s adjustable in height (7 settings) which is great so I can get good depth when doing hip thrusts.

Now I’ll show you how to set that up.

Above you can see the final set up but let’s back it up some so you can see how it gets there.

This is the front of the machine and the first thing I have to do is pull out the pin with the grey knob.

Once that’s out, I can set this post vertically to insert the leg roller pad into it.

Now that the post is vertical, I insert the pin back in to lock it in place and tighten the red knob so it’s more stable.

Last thing I do is insert the pad until I hear a click so I know it’s locked in place.

You’ll notice two short, chrome weight horns on the base and they’re there to weigh down the Nordic Hyper when doing hip thrusts.

It’s made for Olympic sized weight plates with a 2″ center hole and works with both bumper plates and iron weight plates.

Weighing the machine down is helpful when doing heavy hip thrusts so the machine doesn’t shift while doing the exercise.

When doing bodyweight hip thrusts or using light weight like when using dumbbells, it’s not necessary to add the weight plates.

I do it when I’m going heavy and loading a barbell with several plates.

Bulgarian Split Squat Stand

From this same set up I can do other exercises.

Bulgarian split squats, Copenhagen planks, and couch stretches are some that come to mind.

Decline Sit Up Bench

With the decline nordic option and the addition of the GHD pad, I can use this as a sit up bench.

This gives me the option to do decline crunches, leg lifts, Russian twists, and sit-ups to work on my core strength.

Here’s where the top handle on the footplate comes in handy.

When setting up for decline sit ups I can hang on to handle while I get my feet secured.

From there I can do decline sit ups at several angles.

Watch the short video below for a sample core workout I like to do on the Nordic Hyper.

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UPDATE

Freak Athlete has updated the hip pads making them adjustable from side to side.

I can push them out for lower back extensions to create a gap for my jewels and I can close the gap when doing sit ups.

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Freak Athlete Leg Developer Attachment

Freak Athlete recently released their Leg Developer attachment that turns the Nordic Hyper GHD into an 8-in-1 machine.

Attaching the leg developer to the Nordic Hyper GHD is easy and takes about 20 seconds so the set up is straight forward.

With the Leg Developer I’m able to do leg extensions and lying leg curls just like with a dedicated machine.

They designed the weight horn to be 45 degrees so my legs are always in constant tension.

I feel the same constant tension when doing leg curls.

Read my in-depth Freak Athlete Leg Developer review.

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Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper GHD vs Other Machines

The main benefit of the 6-in-1 Nordic Hyper GHD machine is the space I save versus having 6 dedicated machines.

But what’s even better is the amount of money I save by not buying all those machines separately.

I did some research to find the cheapest machines that have decent quality and here’s what I found…

Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper GHD vs Shogun Sport Nord Ex

I’ve had people ask about other products in the market that compare to the Nordic Hyper GHD.

One of them being the Shogun Sports Nord Ex so I made a video comparing them side to side.

Another similar products is the Tib Bar Guy’s Nordic Back Extension which is similar to the Nord Ex but has full range of motion Nordics.

RELATED: NordBench Review

Buying 6 Dedicated Machines Separately

I’ve researched 6 individual machines to give you a comparison of what it would cost to buy each one separately.

• Lower back hyperextension: Titan Fitness has a hyperextension machine for $250

• Nordic curl bench: Tib Bar Guy sells the Nordic weight bench for $250

• GHD reverse hyper combo machine: Titan Fitness sells one for $703

• Hip thrust bench: The AbMat pivot pad sells for $135

• Sit up bench: Finer Form decline sit up bench sells for $127

That’s a total of $1465 if I were to buy each machine individually (not including shipping for every single one).

Compare that to the price tag of the Nordic Hyperextension (keep reading for discount code)

That’s a HUGE difference, not to mention all the space I save having one machine that does it all.

Storage

I think one of the best things about the Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper GHD is that it stores vertically and doesn’t take up much space.

All I do is flip it up on its wheels and weight horn.

Here’s a closer look at how I’m able to stand it up to save space.

Whenever I need to move it around, I just tilt it to one side and I can roll it around effortlessly.

If I wear to have a separate Nordic bench, hyperextension machine, GHD machine, and reverse hyper, hip thrust bench, and sit up bench, I’d eat up my whole garage gym.

But with this genius 6-in-1 design, I only a small fraction of space.

Nordic Hyperextension Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6-in-1: It’s a Nordic bench, lower back hyperextension, GHD / reverse hyper extension, hip thrust bench, and sit up bench

• Versatile: I can do many exercises with one piece of equipment

• Build: The build quality and materials use is solid.

• Space saving: This thing folds up incredibly well to reduce its footprint

• Stable: No wobbling when I use it

• Cost: If I were to buy 6 machines separately, I’d be paying over $1400, but the Nordic Hyper GHD is nowhere near that

Cons

• Knobs: One thing that’s a bit annoying initially is that there’s lots of loosening and tightening of knobs to change positions but once you learn how to use the machine it becomes easier.

• Band loops: I don’t use the band loops since I don’t like the whole resistance bands set up but it’s an option for people who like bands.

If you’re looking for a pendulum based reverse hyper then this is not for you since it doesn’t have that option.

Other than that I have no complaints, the Nordic Hyper GHD is built well and Freak Athlete continues to improve on it.

Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper GHD Discount

The Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper GHD retails for $649 which is a great deal for a 6-in-1 machine.

But I’m gonna hook you up so you can get that price down a bit more…

I have an exclusive coupon code for a $50 discount!

Click the red button below to reveal a discount code so you don’t pay full price.

Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper GHD Review

With 10 incline Nordic curl regressions I can take my time getting Nordic curls.

And for those that are advanced, the decline Nordic feature is one hell of a challenge.

I love that they included all that so anyone from beginners to pros can still use this machine.

Having the GHD and reverse hyper is an excellent addition that no other machine has.

And I can never do enough lower back hyperextensions to keep my low back strong.

On top of all that, they added the hip thrust and sit up bench .

Freak Athlete nailed it with this one!

Click Here To Check Out the Nordic Hyper GHD