NordStick NordBench Review

The NordStick NordBench is one of the most affordable multi-purpose Nordic benches available.

On top of that, it’s compact so it doesn’t take up a lot of space and folds down to about the size of a suitcase!

Versatile, affordable, and space saving are a winning combination for any home gym owner.

Let’s check it out!

Unboxing

Every part came wrapped in plastic or inside a box.

Here are all the parts out of the box.

For assembly I followed the video below.

How to Assemble The NordBench

The NordBench comes with an instructions manual full of diagrams but I didn’t use.

I followed the step-by-step set up video and it took me about 25 minutes to get it all done.

Hint: Use a ratchet wrench for faster assembly.

And here it is all assembled.

I love how compact it is in the shortened position so I can put it up on my wall (I’ll show you that later).

NordBench Specs

• Dimensions (Folded): 33” L x 22” W x 9” H

• Dimensions (Unfolded): 47” L x 22” W x 13” H

• Weight capacity: 500 lbs

• Bench weight: 67 lbs

• User height range: Works for people from 4 feet to 6 feet 8 inches tall

• Foam: 3″ thick, premium foam

• Storage: Stores vertically, can be mounted on a wall, or kept under a bed/couch

• Warranty: Lifetime

What Is The NordStick NordBench?

The NordStick NordBench is the most compact, multi-purpose Nordic curl bench and lower back extension machine combo.

Aside from Nordic curls and back extensions, I can also use it for Goblet squats, calf raises, hip thrusts, Bulgarian split squats, GHD sit ups, and more.

Top Benefits Of The NordStick NordBench

5 Machines In 1

The NordBench bundles 5 machines in 1 space saving piece of equipment.

This solves the most common problem with home gyms, the lack of extra space.

With the NordBench I have a Nordic curl bench, lower back extension machine, slant board, hip thrust pad, split squat stand, and other exercises.

Space Saving

One thing I really like about the NordBench is how it telescopes down to save space.

At its smallest size the frame is 28 1/4″ long…

But then when I use it, I can extend the frame to 42″ in length to make it more stable and hit multiple angles.

In the shortened position, the frame is locked with a pin that sits right below the 15 degrees mark.

To make the frame longer I just pull the pin and slide the base out.

Once I slide it all the way out, I lock it in place by inserting the pin under the 15 degrees at the other end.

To make it easier for me to find the locking hole, I drew a line on the stainless part.

This way I just move the edge of black part to the line and insert the pin through the hole.

When I’m done working out, I fold it down to the shortest position and throw it up on my wall.

I’m all about home gym organization and this gets the bench off my floor and out of the way.

The NordStick sells a metal wall mount specifically made for the NordBench.

I don’t own one because I already have pegs all over my wall but it looks solid.

I use as much wall space as I can in my garage gym, but if that’s not your thing you can always stand the NordBench vertically.

You can just roll it to a corner and it’ll save you some floor space.

Comfortable

The knee pads / hip pads are thick!

They’re the same thickness as the knee pads on the Shogun Nord Ex (3″) and thicker than the Freak Athletes Hyper Pro (2″).

I like that the front of the pads is rounded so it’s comfortable on the front of my hips when I do lower back extensions.

If I choose to do hip thrusts or split squats from this end, it also feels comfortable on my back and feet.

Right in between the pads, the 3″ gap makes it comfortable for guys so nothing’s being crushed when doing Nordics or back extensions.

The leg rollers are also thick at 5″ in diameter so there’s plenty of padding in them to make any exercise comfortable.

I can adjust these up and down (3 heights) using a pop pin.

Right below the rollers there’s a pin that I can pull out to to tilt the leg rollers forward.

By tilting the rollers forward, I have more room when doing Goblet squats on the slant board.

This way my butt doesn’t touch the rollers when I squat down.

Very smart design!

One Size Fits Most

The NordBench can be used by anyone between 4 feet and 6 feet 8 inches tall.

Above I have it set at the shortest setting…

And here I have it at the longest setting (12 different lengths).

I can adjust the height of the knee / hip pads with a pop pin.

Best Features Of The NordStick NordBench

Flip Down Slant Board

In the short video above, I show you exactly how to folding footplate adds more functionality to the NordBench.

One of my most favorite features about this bench is the folding footplate.

This repurposes something that had one purpose and turns it into a slant board to add more versatility to the machine.

While the majority of Nordic benches I’ve tested focus on hamstrings, low back, and core, with the slant board now I can do quads and calves, too.

It’s lined with grip tape so there’s no slipping off the slant board.

The footplate can be locked into three positions (shown in the arrows above) with a T-handle spring loaded pull pin.

I’ll work my way backwards so I can show you the slant board first.

This position sets the slant board at a 20 degree incline and I use this for Goblet squats, calf raises, and calf stretches.

The slant board’s dimensions are 19″ x 14″.

Now I’ll move the footplate up to the next hole.

Vertical Storage

The second footplate position is what allows me to store the NordBench vertically.

From the side you can see the top of the footplate lines up with the wheels.

This gives me the option to keep it in an upright position and reduces the floor space it takes up when I’m not using it.

Seated Cable Row Bench

This middle footplate position also works for seated cable rows.

I’ve been looking for a way to recreate this footplate setup for years and this works really well.

In order to do this, I had to weigh down the NordBench using its loading bar.

The loading bar is a 5″ Olympic sized weight horn that connects to the bench and lets me weigh it down.

I like to throw on thin weight plates so that I can get more weight on it (I use Weight It Out plates or XMaster chrome weight plates).

Here’s what it looks like from this end.

I’ll show you how I set up on the footplate side…

On the footplate size, I remove the leg rollers so they’re out of the way and tilt the footplate to middle hole.

Then I set my Voltra cable machine low and attach the Back Jack handle.

This works with any cable machine set up or cable pulley system.

And from here I can do seated rows that feel just like a commercial machine!

Footplate

And the last position is the footplate position where it’s completely vertical.

This gives my feet a point of contact to increase stability when doing Nordic curls, back extensions, or GHD sit ups.

Nordic Curl Bench Regressions

I’m gonna take you under the hood and show you how even beginners can start doing Nordic curls using regressions.

I flipped up the top part of the NordBench to expose the frame so I can give you a closer look at the different angles.

The NordBench can be adjust to 8 angles for Nordic curl regressions (8, 15, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and flat).

It uses two support legs to get the bench into all these angles (except for the flat position).

The longer leg on the bottom is for the big angles (25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 degrees).

And the smaller leg is for the small angles (8 and 15 degrees).

Here’s the long leg at 45 degrees.

It fits right into the slot on the base and is kept in place by metal teeth.

Here’s what that looks like from the side.

I can use this set up for Nordic curl regressions or lower back extensions.

To lower the angle and make the exercises harder (less vertical), I move the long leg further down.

Here’s a side view of the bench at 25 degrees of incline.

Once I’m ready to go below 25 degrees I can start using the short leg.

Above I have it set at 15 degrees of incline.

And here’s the side view.

The closer I get to flat, the harder the Nordic curls get.

Adjustable Lower Back Extension Machine

Besides adjusting the bench to different angles, I also adjust the height of the pads.

Here’s a close up look at the length settings for the pads (12 settings).

This is what the pads look like at the lowest setting.

I adjust the height of the pads with a pop pin that’s hidden right below the pads.

The knob is really close to the bottom of the pads so it’s not the most comfortable to adjust but once I loosen it up it gets easier.

Ideally I’d like to see the knob either be smaller or moved down some I have more hand room when adjusting the pads.

And here’s what it looks like when I have the pads at the highest setting.

This is for the really tall people out there.

Thick Padding

Like I mentioned previously, 3 inches in padding make this bench extremely comfortable on my knees.

Aside from them being thick, it also rebounds well so it’s not the cheap kind of foam that dents.

The leg rollers are 5″ in diameter so there’s plenty of cushion for any exercise.

This feels great on my Achilles’ tendons when doing Nordic curls or back extensions.

I don’t have any complaints when I use the leg rollers for splits squats and hip thrusts either.

NordBench Resistance Band System

The NordBench band system adds more exercise variety to the NordBench with eye hooks where I can clip on resistance bands.

I don’t own the band system but there are several spots on the bench where I see eye hooks can be anchored.

There’s 3 spots on the center post of the frame (one on top and one on each side).

Two on the inside of the hind legs…

Two on the inside of the front legs…

And one on each side of the footplate.

I’m curious to try this out and see how it feels cause this adds both upper body and more lower body exercises to an already versatile machine.

Exercises On The NordBench

Nordic Curls

The Nordic curl is what the NordStick is known for so this is the first exercise I’ll show.

I can do Nordic curl progressions in 5 degree increments at full range of motion.

Here I took off all the regressions and I’m showing a flat Nordic curls.

Back Extensions

For lower back extensions I can do them at 45 degrees or lower, with or without weights.

This bench has a 500 lbs weight capacity so I’m not afraid to pick up one of my adjustable dumbbells and go for it.

Seated Cable Rows

I love the seated cable row set up because it solves the footplate problem I’ve always had with my set up.

Right here I’m showing it while using the Bullet Pulley cable system so you can see it works with any cable machine.

Heel Elevated Squats (Goblet Squats)

Goblet squats are one of my favorite ways to isolate the quads so having the footplate flip down as a slant board is bad ass.

Calf Raises / Stretches

And I also use it for calf raises.

I just have to make sure I hang on to something close by so I don’t lose my balance.

Hip Thrusts

Here’s how I like to set up for hip thrusts.

I set the bench at a 45 degree incline and flip down the footplate.

This shifts the leg rollers back and gets the footplate out of the way

Then I set my upper back on the rollers and do my hip thrusts.

I can also do these on the opposite end using the contoured end of the pads with the bench angled at about 15 degrees.

Bulgarian Split Squats

I use the same set up for Bulgarian split squats.

I’ll show you how I do them on the opposite side too.

Both options work but I prefer using the leg rollers side.

Preacher Curls

And of course you can get as creative as you want with the bench.

Here I set up the bench at a 45 degree incline and the highest pad setting to use it as a preacher pad.

Reverse Hypers

The top of the NordBench is not high enough to do straight leg reverse hypers but they are doable with modifications.

I hang on to the rollers with my hands and on the way down bend my knees.

GHD Sit Ups

GHD sit ups feel great cause I feel I get a bigger stretch than when I do them on the Hyper Pro.

With my legs anchored low and my hips sitting higher than my ankles, my abs get a pre-stretch giving me a nasty contraction on the way up.

QL Raises

And lastly I can get on my side and do QL raises.

With the gap in between the pads, my hips don’t feel any pressure when the weight is pulling me down.

NordBench Landmine Attachment

I don’t have the landmine attachment either but I think it’s a great idea to continue adding versatility around the NordBench.

Most people already own barbells and weight plates so this small attachment wouldn’t be too much to add on for the value you get from it.

NordStick NordBench Price & Discount Code

The NordBench sells for $399.99 but I’m gonna hook you up with a discount code that’ll bring it down some.

Click the red button below to reveal the most up to date NordBench discount code…

NordBench Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact: I can store this on my wall, under a bed, stands up vertically, or in a closet

• Versatility: With the bench itself I can do a lot of exercises, adding the landmine attachment and resistance bands makes it a full body machine

• Comfortable: Premium foam (3″ thick) on the pads and leg rollers (5″ diameter) make it super comfortable

• Price: Compared to other Nordic benches, this is one of the most affordable ones that maintains high quality and versatility

• Footplate: I love that the footplate doubles as a slant board which is something other Nordic benches like this one don’t do

• One size fits most: This works for people from 4′ tall all the way to 6’8″ and has a weight capacity of 500 lbs so most people can use it

Cons

• Base lock: Lining up the pin that locks the base would be streamlined if it had line markers (I used a sharpie to make it easier for me).

• Handles: When rolling the Nordbench, the handles touch the floor depending on the angle I hold it. Smaller, upward curved handles could solve that.

• Hip pad knob: Knob is right below the hip pad so to adjust it, I have to get my hands into a tight space. Smaller knob would work better.

Note: NordStick makes improvements based on customer feedback so as these are updated, I will come back to this section to make updates.

NordStick NordBench 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.

My Experience Using The NordStick NordBench

I’ve had the opportunity to test 3 other Nordic curl / low back extension combo benches and this one comes with a few options others don’t have.

First, the footplate doubles as a slant board which I think is genius since now I can target my quads and calves.

Second, the options to add a landmine attachment and resistance band give this bench more of a whole body approach.

And third, this telescopes down to make it compact enough that I can hang it on my wall without taking up any floor space.

The NordBench feels secure, stable, and comfortable.

I haven’t had a chance to try out the landmine attachment or resistance band system but I will as soon as I can.

Conclusion: Is The NordStick NordBench Worth It?

If you’re on the hunt for a Nordic curl bench that does a whole lot more than Nordic curls, the NordStick Nordbench is one to seriously consider.

It’s priced right, compact in size but huge in exercise options so you get a lot of value for your money.