NordStick Review (Nordic Curl Strap)

While searching online for a home version of a Nordic curl bench, I ran into the NordStick strap.

A genius Nordic curl bench alternative that takes up a tiny amount of space and is very cheap.

This strap lets you do Nordic curls by simply inserting a strap under your door or rack.

Let’s get right into this review!

Unboxing

The NordStick comes in a brown envelope wrapped in a plastic bag.

The Nordic curl strap comes rolled up on itself, showing you it doesn’t take up too much space.

After taking it out of the bag, the NordStick strap has a simple design.

One end has a pair of foam pads for your feet.

In the middle you have an adjustable strap.

On the other end there’s a door anchor.

Features

Comfortable foam pads – 1″ thick pads are gentle on your feet

Adjustable strap – the strap has a buckle that allows you to adjust its length up to 10″

Door anchor – 1.5″ door anchor goes on the opposite side of your door to secure your strap.

How To Use

Adjust the strap to the size of your foot then loosen it up a bit more to make up for the thickness of your door or weight rack.

Slide the strap under a door or weight rack with the rubber anchor on one side and the foam pads on the other side.

Shut the door securely so that it doesn’t open once you apply load to the strap.

Here’s the set up using my PRx weight rack.

When doing Nordic curls, you’ll need a knee pad.

I’m using a cheap gardening pad and it works perfect.

You can also use an ab mat.

Now that you’re all set up, all you have to do is get your feet under the foam pads.

For Nordic curls your toes are touching the floor and the foam pads are around your Achilles tendon.

Slowly lower yourself until your upper body is close to the floor.

Then using your hamstrings pull yourself to the starting position.

You can also use the NordStick to anchor your feet for sit ups.

This time your toes face up and the foam pads are touching the top of your feet.

Nordstick Banded Pro

Nordstick revealed it’s newest product, the Nordstick Banded Pro, and it adds more functionality to the original Nordstick.

I like how they listen to their customers and keep improving it over time.

So this new version comes with an added loop, resistance bands, and ankle straps.

This is a good addition because now I can use it for more than just Nordic curls…

Adding the bands now gives me the option to work my lower body in different ways.

The new version unlocks legs extensions, hip extensions, reverse squats, hip flexions, hamstrings curls, hip abductions, and some upper body exercises.

NordStick Pro

NordStick has now come out with a new and improved version called the NordStick Pro.

The Pro version has an upgraded metal cam buckle that’s easier to adjust than the previous version.

The strap also seems longer and stronger so anyone should be able to use this.

The Dream NordStick for ATG

The Dream NordStick is their top of the line product.

This version was designed specifically for the Knees Over Toes Guy and his ATG (Athletic Truth Group) programs.

Main difference between The Dream NordStick and the NordStick Pro is the foam they use.

The Dream NordStick uses the highest quality foam you can find on fitness products.

It has a metal cam buckle just like the Pro version making it super easy to adjust the length of the strap.

This is NordStick’s premium product so it’s more expensive than the other two versions.

And here are all three NordStick versions right next to each other.

From left to right: NordStick, NordStick Pro, and The Dream NordStick for ATG.

NordStick Commercial

NordStick recently released a commercial version that’s two NordSticks in one, a home version and a gym version.

One is a double strap NordStick that slides under a door.

On one end it has a padded tube door stopper and the other has two foam pads to support my heels.

This double strap design provides improved stability to each foot rather than having one strap in the center.

Now I’ll show you how to use the same foam pads to turn this into a weight rack Nordic curl bar.

At the end of each strap there’s a spring loaded clip that connects to the foam pads.

I remove both sides of the strap before connecting the clamp to the foam pads.

Now I attach the clamp to the center of the foam pads.

I just insert a pin through the center holes and the clamp is not connected to the foam pads.

And here’s what it looks like when I want to use it on my rig.

The clamp fits any upright that’s less than 4″.

The clamp is secured in place by two bolts with rubberized textured tips.

The inside of the clamp is lined with rubber so my rig is sandwiched between two rubber parts for protection and maximum grip.

And of course I wanted to test out its grip to make sure the clamp would hold up.

So I stood on it and it help up strong.

This metal clamp gives the NordStick great stability…

So I can still knock out my Nordics but this also gives me the ability to hit my legs even more by adding another exercise…

Yup, now I can throw in Bulgarian Split Squats (love to hate these).

Now I’m able to hit my hamstrings, glutes, and quads with one piece of equipment.

Exercises with the NordStick

Nordic Curls – of course! The NordStick lets your do Nordic curls by anchoring your feet to a door or weight rack.

Razor curls – similar to Nordic curls but your upper torso is parallel to the floor.

Sit ups – set up with your toes pointing up and start cranking out some sit ups.

Sissy squats – anchor the strap on the side of your door and place the foam pads behind your knees.

Nordic Curl Progression

Once you have your NordStick, you’ll see how tough and humbling Nordic curls are.

But don’t get discouraged because here’s how I got my first Nordic.

I progressed slowly using a Nordic spotter strap.

With this strap I’m able to adjust the level of assistance as I do my Nordics.

For beginners, make the Nordic curl progression strap shorter for more help.

As you get stronger start releasing the strap (making it longer) so your hamstrings are doing more of the work.

NordClamp: The NordStick’s Gym Sidekick

Now you can take your NordStick to the gym and connect it to any weight rack.

This is possible with the NordClamp.

It’s a clamp that fits any version of the NordStick.

Secure the NordStick to it and wrap it around a post.

You can read more about it in my in-depth NordClamp review.

Compare NordStick to a Nordic Curl Bench

Freak Athlete Hyper Pro

The Freak Athlete Hyper Pro is an adjustable Nordic curl bench and a whole lot more.

An advantage this one has to other flat Nordic benches is that it has 9 levels of regression so I can start at 45 degrees and lower it down as I get stronger.

This beast also has 9 other functions making it an extremely versatile piece of home gym equipment.

The NordBench

The NordBench is another adjustable Nordic curl bench with multiple functions.

It’s compact so it stores easily and has a footplate that doubles as a slant board which is clever!

Rogue Floor Glute Bench

When you compare the NordStick to a Nordic curl bench, there a huge differences.

A bench will take up more space and will also be more expensive.

The one shown above is the Rogue Floor Glute Bench.

It takes up 62″ in length and 24″ in width and costs $600.

Freak Athlete Nordic Mini Bench

Freak Athlete released a smaller version of a Nordic curl bench called the Nordic Mini.

And yes it does take up less space and costs $250 which is a big price from Rogue’s.

But when you compare it to a NordStick, the size and price is no match.

The NordStick is 13″ long and costs less than $50.

Pros

Inexpensive – when compared to products like a Nordic curl bench, the NordStick helps you keep money in your pocket

Portable – roll up the strap and the NordStick takes up very little space

Easy set up – slide under a door or rack and you’re ready to exercise

Versatile – use for Nordic curls, razor curls, sit ups, and sissy squat

Adjustable – adjustable strap makes it easy to use by everyone

No bench needed – unlike Nordic straps, you don’t need a bench. All you need is a door.

Cons

Knee padding – you’ll have to find your own knee pads to make Nordic curls comfortable. A cheap gardening pad will get the job done.

Beware of NordStick Amazon Knock Offs

Ever since the NordStick launched, I’ve seen a TON of Amazon knock offs come out.

They may look similar but they don’t function the same way and the quality of their materials is cheap.

Look at the top one where I show the size of the ankle pads on the NordStick compared to the Amazon knock off on the left.

The NordStick’s padding is thicker and wider for better comfort.

Here’s another knock off using a cheap foam door stopper.

That won’t last very long when it’s constantly being pulled on to sustain body weight.

Compare that to the NordStick’s thick rubber door stopper that is unbreakable.

A third knock off uses better foam but it comes off the strap easily.

That can get annoying and hopefully doesn’t make you face plant if it slips out while doing Nordics.

But the worst NordStick Amazon knock off I’ve seen by far is this one.

This one came with so many pieces and moving parts that I didn’t even know where to start.

They made it way too complicated and the materials they used feel very cheap.

Where To Buy The NordStick & Discount

You can buy the NordStick directly from their official website.

Click the red button button reveal a 10% discount code to use for any product on the NordStick website.

Final Review

The NordStick strap is a great alternative to a Nordic curl bench.

It anchors your feet down which is really all you need to accomplish the exercise.

Rated at over 300 lbs, this Nordic curl strap can take a beating.

It’s portable, can be rolled up to take up little space, and it’s cheap!

Check Out The NordStick Here