While testing the NordBench, I ran into a hack that solves a problem I’ve always had with my home gym setup.
I’ve never been able to find do seated cable rows without sliding.
I usually throw a sandbag or dumbbell at the bottom of my upright and use that to push off.
Enter the NordBench…
NordBench Hack Using Footplate
The NordStick NordBench has something that other Nordic benches already have but until now, only had one function.
And that is a folding footplate that can be used as a slant board, a leg for vertical storage, and now with this hack, I can use the NordBench’s folding footplate as a low row footplate.
To set it up, I take off the leg rollers so they don’t get in the way.
I keep the NordBench in the flat position and extend the knee pads back to give me more room.
The NordBench comes with a loading bar so I stack that with weights and this keeps the cable machine from pulling the bench while I workout.
And the last thing I do is fold the footplate to the second position so that it’s angled.
This feels just like a seated cable rows machine at a commercial gym.
As far as the cable system goes, it doesn’t matter what you use.
I’ve used home gym cable pulley systems (Bullet Pulley) and a digital cable machine (Beyond Power Voltra) and both work great.
This is just another benefit the NordBench offers.
I love that it’s compact and simple to use while still giving me a ton of versatility for the price.
NordBench vs Freak Athlete Hyper Pro
For less than $400, the NordBench is half the price of the GOAT of Nordic combo benches, the Freak Athlete Hyper Pro.
And to be fair, the Hyper Pro has additional attachments that the NordBench doesn’t, so it does provide a ton of value.
But it all depends on your needs and overlap of equipment you already own.
For the price, versatility, and space I save, the NordBench adds a ton of value to home gyms.