The Tib Bar Guy is at it again with the new Nordic Pro nordic curl bench.
This bench is specifically for Nordic curl regressions while going through a full range of motion.
It’s compact and uses a unique set of regression arms to change bench angles so I can adjust the intensity of the exercise.
And it stands up vertically for storage so it takes up very little space.
Let’s check it out!
Unboxing
Table of Contents
The bench came package in bubble wrap and everything was well padded so no damages to report.
Here’s everything out of the box and as you can tell there’s not many pieces to assemble.
Once everything was said and done, it took me about 20 minutes to put it all together.
And here’s what the Nordic pro bench looks like fully assembled.
I like that it’s simple but accomplishes Nordic curl regressions while maintaining full range of motion through the exercise.
Specs
- Weight: 84 lbs
- Dimensions: 62″ L x 27″ W x 17″ H
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs
- Material: Heavy duty steel, black powder coat finish
- Foot plate: 19.5″ wide with diamond plate texture
- Knee pad: 25″ L x 25″ W, 2.5″ thick
- Knobs: Twist pull knobs
- User height: Recommended for people between 4’6″ and 6’8″ tall.
Nordic Curl Regression/Progression Arms
The Nordic Pro bench uses adjustable arms to make Nordics easier for beginners.
In a way, the regressions are similar to the Tib Bar Guy’s Nordic back extension machine but there’s no lower back extension option.
This one is strictly an isolation machine for Nordic hamstring curls.
With the Tib Bar Guy focusing a lot on Knees Over Toes Guy equipment, this is a great tool for those working towards their first full Nordic.
Here’s a close up of the 8 regressions that can be done on the Nordic Pro.
It starts at 25 degrees and goes down all the way to zero.
The higher the angle, the less bodyweight my hamstrings have to resist.
The arms use a wheel and pop pin system similar to that of the Isolator to change angles.
On the opposite side of the wheel there’s a twist and pull knob.
To change angles loosen the knob, pull it to release the pin and move the arm to the desired angle, then tighten the knob.
The bottom of the arms have a rubber sleeve that keeps it from moving while doing Nordic curls.
As far as stability goes, it feels secure.
Here’s what the bench looks like when I set it at the highest regression (25 degrees).
It doesn’t regress up to 45 degrees like the Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper but this is a safe yet challenging starting point for beginners.
When I get to the bottom of the Nordic curl you can see my hamstrings are fully stretched.
I like these full regressions more than the partial ones on the Nord Ex because it strengthens my hamstrings through full range of motion.
I moved the arms to the 3rd setting (10 degrees) so you can see what that looks like.
Now the arms are less vertical which means my hamstrings have to work harder against gravity to lift my bodyweight.
And here’s what that looks like when I’m doing curls at 10 degrees of regression.
And this is completely flat where I’m doing full bodyweight.
The beauty about this Nordic bench is that anyone can slowly progress to a full Nordic at their own pace with less risk of injury.
Knee Pad
The knee pad is spacious and feels very comfortable on my knees.
I set the Nordic Pro in front of my weight bench just to give you a better idea of how wide the knee pad is.
Here’s the top of the knee pad and you can see how thick it is.
It’s 2.5″ thick and the upholstery is on tightly.
The side of the pad has the bench’s name.
Leg Support Pads
The support rollers are about as wide as the footplate and made out of heavy duty foam.
These rollers are about an inch in thickness so they’re comfortable on my Achilles’ tendon.
I can adjust the height of the pads with a pull pin.
There’s a total of 6 settings to choose from.
And here’s how it sits on the back of my legs while I’m using the bench.
Footplate
I like that the footplate is big so anyone regardless of shoe size can use it.
It’s 19.5″ and the front is diamond plated.
The back of the footplate has rubber feet at each corner and a folding handle in the middle.
Why is there a handle in the middle? That’s when I lift the bench so I can roll it around my garage gym.
Each rubber foot is about an inch in thickness and help to stabilize the bench when I store it vertically.
I folded the handle down so you can see what that looks like.
This fold down feature keeps the handle out of the way when the Nordic Pro is upright.
The bench does come with a screw on weight horn and clamp but I don’t think I’ll need it.
This is used to add weight plates for counter balance.
It goes above the handle on the back of the footplate.
I can see this being useful for people who are on the heavier side or who do explosive concentric Nordic curls.
You’d have to unscrew it from the footplate every time you wanna store the bench vertically so I don’t even attach it.
Storage
I’m liking how a lot of fitness companies are now taking space utilization into account when building their products.
Vertical storage is always great for home gym organization and to reduce the amount of footprint taken up.
The Nordic Pro bench takes up very little space when it’s upright and it’s well balanced.
Here’s a close up of the rubber feet holding up the bench.
Wheels
The other end of the regression arms have raised wheels.
When I lift the bench from the handle on the opposite end the wheels touch the floor making it easy to move around.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Full range of motion: I can do Nordic curl regressions at full range of motion so my hamstrings get full stimulation
- Nordic curl progressions/regressions: 8 Nordic curl regression settings make it easy for beginners to start with less resistance
- Storage: Bench stores vertically so it takes up less space in my home gym
- Commercial grade: Built with commercial grade materials so it will last
- Stable: Rubber feet and twist knobs keep the legs very stable so there’s no wobbling during Nordics
Cons
- Highest regression: 25 degree regression may still be a tough regression for beginners but it’s a good starting point
Tib Bar Guy Nordic Pro Bench Alternatives
Freak Athlete Hyper Pro
The Freak Athlete Hyper Pro is one of the most popular multi-purpose Nordic benches.
Freak Athlete’s bench has optional attachments (GHD attachment and leg developer) that make it a 9-in-1 machine.
With all its additional attachments, this machine comes out to about $1300.
Shogun Sports Nord Ex
The Shogun Nord Ex is a 2-in-1 machine.
It’s a Nordic curl bench with several regressions and it’s also a lower back extension machine.
Nordic curl regressions on this bench are partial which are not my favorite.
Aside from that, the quality of the Nord Ex is excellent and for that reason, it retails for $1000.
Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension Machine V2
The Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension machine V2 is an adjustable Nordic curl bench, lower back extension machine, and hip thrust / split squat bench.
I can also use it for bodyweight reverse hypers.
At $449, this one is slightly priced over the NodBench but it takes up more space.
NordStick NordBench
The NordBench is a super compact 5-in-1 mini Nordic curl bench.
One really cool feature I like about the NordBench is that it has the world’s first folding footplate that turns into a slant board.
When folded to its smallest size, the dimensions are 33″ L x 22″ W x 9″ H so it’s one of the smallest benches around.
I can use it for Nordic curl regressions, lower back extensions, hip thrusts, split squats, and slant board exercises.
Tib Bar Guy Discount Code
The Nordic Pro bench retails for $399 but there’s currently a holiday promo with a $174 discount.
I’m not sure how long that promo will last but that’ll bring the price down to $225.
Click here to check out the current price (in case that promo expires, use coupon code SHREDDED for a discount)
Tib Bar Guy Nordic Pro Bench Review
I like what the Tib Bar Guy did with the Nordic Pro bench.
It has 8 regressions so that anyone starting out with Nordic curls can slowly progress to a full Nordic.
Even with it’s compact size, I’m still able to do full range of motion Nordics and store it vertically so it’s not taking up a lot of room.
And it’s comfortable on my knees and legs while maintaining stability.
For the build quality and ability level, this is a great Nordic curl bench.
Check Out The Nordic Pro Bench Here
Tib Bar Guy Nordic Pro Bench
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