NordStick NordBench Pro Review

The NordStick NordBench Pro is the successor to the versatile NordBench.

This version comes with more stability, better overall build, and new features that give me more versatility (and other Nordic benches don’t have).

From what I see, a lot of small details were added to this one that the NordBench doesn’t have.

And they make this version more functional and versatile.

Let’s check it out!

Unboxing

Everything came in one box with every single piece protected in some way.

Styrofoam surround everything from top to bottom and all the pieces came wrapped in plastic.

It comes pre-assembled so all I have to put together is 5 parts.

I got the Hybrid Bar bundle too that brings a set of resistance bars with a bar.

The band system works with the folding footplate that converts into a platform (kinda like the Harambe system).

Assembly

Since there’s only 5 parts to the whole setup, assembly was easy.

Here are some parts I think you should pay attention to so you don’t miss them…

The base is shipped with the front feet facing backwards but it’s not a mistake.

This was done on purpose to save space so it decreases the shipping cost.

Unscrew it and flip it around so that the legs are facing away from you.

Also make sure the bolt that connects the footplate to the rear leg is tightened as much as possible.

This is what gives the top half of the machine most of its stability and eliminates wobbling.

Specs

• Compact size: 44” H x 22” W x 15” D

• Full size: 59” H x 22” W x 15” D

• Supported height: 4’10” – 6’8″

• Bench weight: 81 lbs

• Weight capacity: 500 lbs

• Dip handle distance: 21″

• Dip handle height: 36″

• Footplate dimensions: 19″ L x 14″ W x 4″ H

• Extendable beam: 7 gauge steel

• Base beam and footplate: 9 gauge steel

• Handle bar: 11 gauge steel

• Rollers, U-base, and pad support: 14 gauge steel

• Storage: Vertical (standing or hanging) and flat

What Is The NordStick NordBench Pro?

The NordBench Pro is the successor and premium version of the NordBench.

With its 9-in-1 functionality and upgraded build quality, it has better stability, more features, and more ways to train than the NordBench.

NordBench vs The NordBench Pro: What’s Different?

Since I have both the original and the NordBench Pro, it makes sense to show you the difference between both.

So I put together a short video where I highlight their differences and what I think of them…

And if you’re more into tables, here’s a simple one where I show you the exercises/setups I can do with the NordBench and NordBench Pro.

Exercises	NordBench	NordBench Pro
Nordic curls	✅	✅
Back extensions	✅	✅
GHD sit ups	✅	✅
Split squats	✅	✅
Hip thrusts	✅	✅
Slant board	✅	✅
Band system compatible	✅	✅
Dips	❌	✅
Glute ham raises	❌	✅
Deadlift platform	❌	✅
Hybrid bar compatible	❌	✅
Price	$399	$499

In the table below I’ll share some of the different features between the two…

Features	NordBench	NordBench Pro
Foam	2″ standard foam	3″ premium contoured foam
Footplate	3 positions	4 positions
Storage	Vertical	Vertical
Build	11 & 14 gauge steel	Commercial 7, 9, & 11 gauge steel
Frame	Compact T-base	Commercial U-base

Top Benefits Of The NordStick NordBench Pro

Compact

Although the Pro is a bit longer than the NordBench, the Pro is still compact enough at its shortest length that it takes up less space than a weight bench.

In the pic above I set it right next to the Rep Nighthawk bench and it’s about 5 inches shorter.

Stable

The extendable base along with forward facing U-shaped legs, cover a lot of surface area making the NordBench Pro’s foundation very stable.

I really like that the legs face forward (not just sideways) reducing the chances of the rear coming off the floor when the front is weight bearing.

A combination of top and side pins stabilize the top telescoping arm to reduce wobble and exercises feel safer.

And a small detail like adding screws to the rubber feet keep those on so the bench doesn’t slide when using it on surfaces like tile or hardwood.

Vertical Storage

Space is always a limiting factor is my garage gym so equipment with vertical storage capabilities is always welcome.

Anytime I see a product I like, I’m looking to see whether it stores vertically or I can hang on my walls so it doesn’t eat up my workout area.

This is possible using a combination of the adjustable footplate and the wheels.

In the pic above, I set the footplate to the second position so it’s tilted back to work like a tripod.

Super smart design because all other Nordic benches have a fixed footplate that only does one thing.

Later on I’ll show you the 4 different ways I can adjust this footplate to make it more functional.

And yes, I can also hang it up on my wall and get it off the floor completely.

The angle on the rear leg fits perfectly on my wall mounts (the mounts are 16″ apart on center).

RELATED: Home Gym Storage & Organization Ideas

Versatile

With the NordBench Pro I replace 9 machines which is a big deal if you’re limited on space and financially.

Best Features Of The NordStick NordBench Pro

Dip Station

This feature is something I’ve wanted to see for a long time from Nordic benches for a while.

Most have handles that don’t have much use except to push myself up when I’m done doing back extensions.

But this adds the classic dip so I can use the bench to build my chest and triceps.

I like this a lot because most of these benches just focus on the lower body and core.

And it’s rated for 500 lbs so even the big guys can use it.

The handles are 1.5″ in diameter and at their widest point, they’re 24.5″ apart on center.

Dip Station Set Up

The dip station feature is not part of the original NordBench so I’ve had to learn this new set up with the NordBench Pro.

But NordStick made it real easy so I’ll walk you through it.

First, pull the front legs all the way out to the last hole.

This gives the bench more surface area and makes it more stable so the back of the bench doesn’t come off the floor when I’m doing dips.

Next, look at the stainless steel adjustment ladder selector.

You’ll see the last groove has the word DIP written in red right below it.

And you guessed it…

That’s where the long support arm fits to put the bench at the right angle for dips.

Next, make sure the red headed bolt on the side is loosened.

I’ve seen Bulletproof Fitness use counter torque knobs like this one on their Isolator and they’re an excellent way to add more stabilization.

In this case, it decreases side to side wobble making the NordBench Pro’s telescoping arm very stable.

Unscrew and pull the top knob, then pull the telescoping arm out until you see the word DIP etched into the metal (right below the 8th hole)

Once you hear the top knob snap into place, tighten both knobs to stabilize the arm.

And now it’s time to dip!

I prefer to shorten up the frame and lower the height of the extending arm but for someone that’s heavier, it may be better to lengthen the base.

There’s a slight up and down bounce but nothing that throws me off when doing the exercise.

The main thing is that there’s no side to side wiggle.

Multi-Purpose Foam

The H-shaped foam is different than the NordBench’s in that every curve and gap has a purpose.

It’s also 3″ thick so they’ve added an extra inch so it feels very comfortable.

Here’s the NordBench’s pad just so you have some reference.

They’re two separate pads, 2″ thick with a gap in between.

I’ll break down every piece of the new H-pad so you can see the thought process behind NordStick’s design.

Crotch Gap

First off, I’m sorry for the crotch close up but I gotta show it so guys can see the jewels have space.

This also feels very comfortable when doing QL raises because my hip falls right into the gap.

Here’s what back extensions look like.

I wouldn’t be using a dumbbell if the pad was crushing my jewels so thanks for the gap, NordStick.

Ultra Thick

NordStick went crazy on the pro’s pad thickness and bumped it up an extra inch (3″ height).

It’s made of premium foam and out of all the Nordic benches I’ve tested, this is the thickest one so it’s very comfortable on my knees.

With regressions (starting at 45 degrees) there’s not much pressure on my knees but as the angle gets lower, the pressure increases.

So this thicker pad matters the most the closer I get to a flat Nordic curl.

Contoured Edges

If you look at the ends of the pad closest to the footplate, you’ll notice they’re curved.

That curve was designed for glute ham raises (GHR’s).

GHR’s are typically done on a space hogging machine called a Glute Ham Developer.

Above you can see the dome shaped pad on the GHD machine allows for the knees to sit below the top of the pad.

This creates a mechanical advantage so GHR’s are an easier, scaled back version of flat Nordic curls.

Here’s an up close look at how they look when I do GHR’s on the NordStick NordBench Pro.

You can see the movement is similar to using a glute ham developer but I don’t need a huge machine for it.

Super smart design by the NordStick.

Bottom Gap

The bottom gap is bigger and it gives me easier access to the top and side pin.

This is more convenient that the placement of the pin on the NordBench that’s underneath the pads.

Center Bridge

And the last update on the pad is the center bridge that connects both pads together.

According to the NordStick this was added on to make it more comfortable when doing GHD sit ups.

I personally didn’t have any issues with the previous design but it’s good to know they listen to customer feedback.

The video above shows how I do GHD sit ups on the NordBench Pro.

Adjustable Footplate

With the NordBench, the NordStick brought innovation to the footplate.

They added a pop pin that makes it adjustable (3 positions) which is something no other Nordic bench does.

I was able to use that version like a footplate, a leg to stand the bench vertically, and a slant board.

With the NordBench Pro, they added one more position (4 total) so now I can do more exercises.

They’ve found ways to squeeze every piece of this bench as much as possible.

Versatility is a home gym owner’s dream because it saves space and money so kudos to the brains behind this.

Position 1

The first position is the default footplate.

It adds stability to Nordic curls, back extensions, GHD sit ups, GHR’s, and QL raises.

Position 2

Above, I have the footplate set to position 2.

I can use this position for vertical storage and banded exercises that I’ll show you under the Hybrid Bar section of this review.

Position 3

In position 3, I can use the footplate as a 4″ platform so this lets me use it with resistance bands, deficit exercises, and even rehab exercises like reverse step ups from the knees over toes program.

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Right in the center of the footplate they added a plastic guard that protects bands from rubbing against the edges of the footplate.

Each guard is just a little over 3″ wide so even the thickest resistance bands can be used.

Right under the footplate they added two folding legs that make this possible.

I swing the legs forward and the lock in place.

To unlock them, I push a metal button right beside the legs and I can fold them back down.

Here I’m using the platform for deficit reverse lunges and it is very stable.

When I put all my weight on one side, the other side doesn’t move at all.

I can also use this for resistance band exercises like deadlifts, bicep curls, shoulder presses, squats, and more…

Position 4

And the 4th position is the slant board.

I mainly use this for goblet squats with dumbbells but it can also be used with bands and for calf raises.

I like the material NordStick is using for grip.

It’s more like rubber instead of the traditional sandpaper tape most slant boards have.

Here’s a close up of the rubber grip.

One very subtle thing I noticed, is that the rubber grip is recessed.

This small detail keeps the grip flush to the footplate so it makes it harder for my feet to rub against the edges.

That way the grip doesn’t peel off easily like other grip tapes do.

Clever design!

And here I am doing Goblet squats.

I can either do them with my feet complete on the footplate or the front of my foot touching the floor.

Notice how the leg roller behind me is tilted out of the way so it doesn’t limit my range of motion.

That’s what I’ll get into right now…

Adjustable Leg Roller

The roller on the NordBench Pro has been changed to be one piece instead of two separate rollers seen on the NordBench.

I like this better because I use this side of the bench for split squats and hip thrusts, so having no gap makes it more comfortable.

It’s still very thick so it feels very comfortable on sensitive areas like my Achilles tendon.

Here’s how I set up when doing split squats and hip thrusts.

I set the bench to 45 degrees so the roller is locked and tilting forward.

Then I flip the footplate down in the slant board position so it’s out of my way.

The roller is adjustable and detachable.

With the pop I can adjust the roller in 3 heights or I can remove it all together.

If I pull the pin on the side, I can tilt the roller to the side and get it out of the way.

That’s what I do when doing Goblet squats so my butt doesn’t hit the roller on the way down.

Here’s how I do hip thrusts on it.

The roller is comfortable on my back and the slant board is out of the way so I can get full range of motion.

Extendable Frame

Base

In its compact size the NordBench’s frame is 44″ long so it’s smaller than a weight bench.

Great for storage but a smaller foundation has less stability.

And this is where the extendable base comes into play.

I can pull out the front legs so that the total length of the base is 59″ long.

That extra 15″ and the combination of U-shaped legs cover more surface area to give the bench solid stability.

To lock the base in place, I insert a pin in the hole that sits between the adjustment ladder.

I like the position of this pin better than the original NordBench’s because it’s easier to match the telescoping arm’s hole from the top.

The original NordBench has the hole on the side so I have to get down to floor level so see where I have to insert the pin.

Beam

The upper beam takes on a lot of weight so they made this out of 7 gauge steel.

It has 12 height adjustments so it can support heights from 4’10” up to 6’8″.

Adjusting it is not as smooth as the base beam but this is by design because this requires more stability.

Optional Add-Ons

Hybrid Bar

The Hybrid Bar can be used in combination with resistance bands and the footplate to add upper and lower body exercises.

Hooks at the end of the bar are wide enough for all band widths and thicknesses and swivel so it’s easy on my wrists.

And here’s what a deadlift looks like.

This is similar to the concept behind the Harambe System that combines a platform, a bar, and resistance bands.

From this same setup I can do shoulder presses, bicep curls, front squats, etc.

It won’t replace weights but I think it’s a good option for people who like resistance band training.

I’m showing you a few more Hybrid bar exercises to give you ideas but you can get as creative as you want.

Here I set up the bench at 45 degree and left the footplate on the first position for preacher curls.

Here I set the bench to flat and the footplate to position 2 for seated rows.

I’ve used this same set up when doing seated rows with my cable machine and it works well too.

If you do try it with a cable machine, you may need to weigh the bench down so it doesn’t shift forward (depends on how much you’re pulling).

Loading Bar

I weigh my bench down with the loading bar.

It has two hooks that connect to the hind leg of the bench and it’s made to work with Olympic sized weight plates.

Here’s what it looks like when it’s hooked to the bench.

This is also an option for people who weigh over 250 lbs and want added stability when using the bench.

As it is, the bench is already very stable so you won’t need much weight on the loading bar.

And you can throw just about anything that weighs on it.

I’ve used sandbags, my kids, kettlebells…

And even dumbbells.

Anything that weighs can work.

Landmine Attachment

Resistance Band System

NordStick NordBench Pro: Pros & Cons

Pros

• Assembly: There’s a total of 5 parts to assemble making it easy to put together

• Stable: Long base, U-shaped legs, and multiple knobs eliminate wobble

• Footplate: Adjustable so it can be used as a slant board and a platform (no other Nordic curl bench does this)

• Handles: Front handles now support weight so they can be used for dips (no other Nordic curl bench does this)

• Versatile: It’s a 9-in-1 machine that uses every part possible so you have plenty of options to work both upper and lower body

• Compact: In it’s smallest configuration, it takes less space than a weight bench and I can store it vertically

Cons

• Upper telescoping mechanism: Not as smooth as the lower one but it is made this way on purpose to maintain stability

NordStick NordBench Pro Alternatives

NordBench

The original NordBench is a 5-in-1 Nordic bench and it’s compact enough so that it doesn’t eat up a lot of my floor space.

It’s budget friendly and I can do over 10 exercises on it.

This is the originator of the adjustable footplate.

Freak Athlete Hyper Pro

The Freak Athlete Hyper Pro is one of the best Nordic combo benches around because of its great engineering and incredible versatility.

It is the only Nordic bench that has rear and front elevation which adds another dimension and the possibility for more exercises.

When it’s flat, the Hyper Pro is longer and sits higher since it has rear elevation.

The Hyper Pro has the ability to add attachments like a leg developer, GHD pad, and belt squat.

Every attachment you add to the Hyper Pro will require additional floor space, so if space is an issue that’s something to keep in mind.

Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension

The Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension machine is a 4-in-1 Nordic curl bench.

I can do back extensions, Nordic curls, hip thrusts and splits, and bodyweight reverse hypers.

When it’s flat, the Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension machine is longer.

The quality of the materials on this one is not as good as the NordBench Pro.

Shogun NordEx

The Shogun NordEx is one of the most premium and heaviest Nordic combo benches around.

They use heavy duty materials and that’s why it’s one of the most expensive benches of this kind.

Here’s a side to side comparison of the Shogun NordEx right next to the NordBench Pro.

Size wise, they are very close in length.

The drawback with the NordEx is that it’s just for lower back extensions and Nordic curls so it doesn’t offer much versatility for the price point.

NordStick NordBench Pro Price & Discount Code

The NordBench pro is currently price at $599.99

I think that’s a fair price for all the versatility it offers and how little space it eats up in my garage.

But I always hook up my readers when I can so here’s how to save an extra 10%…

Just click the red button below to reveal my exclusive discount code.

My Experience Using The NordStick NordBench Pro

I’ve been able to test both the NordBench and NordBench Pro extensively so I’m very familiar with both products.

There’s definitely a lot of details that make the Pro version better than its predecessor and adds more versatility to home gyms.

Built-in GHR, thicker pad, U-shaped legs and longer base, dip station, footplate platform, and side knobs to reduce wobble are some that come to mind.

My favorite part of the Pro is the dip station because it’s a feature no other Nordic bench has for the upper body.

Is The NordStick NordBench Pro Worth It?

If you value space saving machines that offer lots of versatility, the NordStick NordBench pro is well worth it.

The dip station and adjustable footplate introduce upper body exercises that other Nordic benches aren’t capable of doing.

So it’s a lower body, core, and upper body machine.

Tons of value for the price point!