Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension vs Shogun NordEx

Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension vs Shogun NordEx, which one should you pick? It depends…

What equipment do you already own that would overlap what these two machines have to offer?

One of them costs $600, the other $1200, so how much are you looking to invest?

I’m gonna give you all the details so you can make an informed decision…

Reviews

Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension V2 Review

To read my in-depth written review with lots of pics go to this link –> Tib Bar Guy Nordic Bench Review

Shogun NordEx Review

Read my detailed Shogun NordEx review and see how this overbuilt Nordic bench works.

It’s made out of heavy duty steel and premium molded foam so they didn’t skimp on quality.

The NordEx is also adjustable but the regressions are partial (I’ll explain later).

Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension vs Shogun NordEx: Similarities

First I’ll show you the similarities between the Tib Bar Guy Nordic bench and the Shogun NordEx, then I’ll give you their differences.

Nordic Curls

Both are adjustable Nordic curl benches but they do regressions/progressions differently (I’ll show you later).

For now I’ll show you the similarities, the flat nordic curl.

Lower Back Extensions

Both machines have adjustable 45 degrees lower back extension settings.

I can adjust the angles and also the length of the pads so that people of different heights can use it comfortably.

Here I’m doing a weighted lower back extensions on the Tib Bar Guy Nordic back extension.

It’s stable and has a weight capacity of 500 lbs which is more than enough for most people.

Here’s a 45 degrees lower back extension on the Shogun NordEx.

It feels just as good as when I do them with Tib Bar Guy’s but the weight capacity on this one has to be much higher because of it’s 11 gauge steel frame.

The mechanism of adjustment is different for both benches and I’ll explain when I show you the differences between the two.

ALSO READ: Freak Athlete vs Tib Bar Guy

Split Squats / Hip Thrusts

I can set up the NordEx for splits squats and hip thrusts by setting the incline to the highest setting (45 degrees).

This gets the footplate out of the way so my body doesn’t come in contact with it while exercising.

Here’s how I do hip thrusts on it.

I get middle back support and with the rollers being round, they feel more comfortable then doing these off the side of a weight bench.

Here’s the setup for splits squat and hip thrusts on the Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension machine.

I remove the top leg roller from the footplate side and move it to the front.

Here’s what that looks like…

I can adjust the height of the leg roller to six different heights.

And here’s how I do hip thrusts.

GHD Sit Ups & Reverse Hypers

GHD sit ups on both benches are nearly identical.

I like to set the incline angle to about 30 degrees so it’s not so steep.

The GHD sit ups on the Nordic Back Extension are not the exact set up as when using a dedicated GHD machine but the result is the same.

I’m able to lock my legs down and get a big stretch on my abs and curl my way up.

I can get a lot of height on the front end of the Nordic back extension so I’m able to keep my legs straight at the bottom.

With the knee pad removed, I’m able to hang on to the frame so my upper body is stabilized.

RELATED: Freak Athlete Hyper Pro vs Nordbench

Here’s what full extension looks like..

These feel really good and I can add a resistance band to my legs to make them harder at the top.

Of course, bands are not the same as reverse hyper machine but this is a good alternative to a stand alone reverse hyper machine.

With the Shogun NordEx, I have to bend my knees to do reverse hypers.

Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension vs Shogun NordEx: What’s Different?

Footprint

The Shogun NordEx is one of the most compact Nordic benches around at just 41″ long.

Compared to the Nordic Back Extension which is 60″ long, you don’t need much room for the NordEx so it’s a good option if you’re short on space.

Adjustable Nordic Bench (Partial vs Full ROM)

With the Shogun NordEx I’m able to do inclined Nordic curls to make Nordic curls easier until I’m able to do flat Nordic curls.

This bench has 3 incline angles: 45, 30, and 15 degrees.

Here’s what that looks like at an incline of 45 degrees and it gets harder the closer to the floor I get.

Notice that Nordic curls on the NordEx are partial since my knees aren’t able to straighten out all the way.

This is different than when I use the Nordic Back Extension where my knees and hips are on the same pad so I’m able to do a Nordic curl through a full range of motion.

I personally like doing these through a full range of motion because I can keep tension on my hamstrings when they’re outstretched, which is the hardest part of the exercise.

Padding & Frame

The frame and padding used on the NordEx is the highest quality out of all the Nordic curl benches I’ve tested.

It has a frame made out of thick, 11 gauge steel, and this is why it weighs 126 lbs even though it’s compact.

For padding, Shogun went with a premium molded foam that’s so good it doesn’t require any upholstery.

The sliding tubes are 13 gauge stainless steel and have numbers etched into them.

The leg rollers on the NordEx are made of the same premium foam as the knee and hip pads.

They’re not as thick or long as Tib Bar Guy’s but still feel good.

With that being said, the padding on the Nordic Back Extension also feels good and is covered with high quality upholstery.

EXPLORE MORE: Best Nordic Benches

Tib Bar Guy vs Shogun NordEx: Storage

Both benches have the ability to store vertically so they don’t take up much space when not in use.

The Nordic Back Extension machine is a bit more stable than the NordEx because it has 3 points of contact on the floor.

Both wheels and the weight horn on the footplate form a triangle that keeps the bench stable.

While the NordEx stands up on its footplate and the wheels are floating.

So it tends to rock if pushed accidentally.

Still works but you have to be more careful when you’re around it so it doesn’t fall if it gets bumped.

Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension vs Shogun NordEx: Pros & Cons

Tib Bar Guy

Pros

• Versatility: I can do a lot of exercises with all the different set ups

• Comfortable: Premium foam on the knee pads and leg rollers make it super comfortable

• One size fits most: This works for people from 5′ tall all the way to 6’8″ and has a weight capacity of 550 lbs so most people can use it

• User friendly: Easy to change configurations

• Price: About half the price of the Shogun NordEx

Cons

• Narrow footplate: I can’t place my feet wide which reduces the amount of glute involvement I can create (less hip abduction & external rotation)

NordEx

Pros

• Build: Metal used on the NordEx is top of the line making it heavy, sturdy, and durable

• Size: Compact design doesn’t take up a lot of floor space

• Storage: Stores vertically to reduce footprint when not in use

• Foam: Premium, molded foam is comfortable and made to last

• Adjustable: Length and angles can be adjusted to fit people of different sizes

Cons

• Cost: It’s one of the most expensive Nordic benches around

• Partial Nordic curls: I prefer to do inclined Nordic curls at full range of motion than partials

Prices & Discount Codes

Tib Bar Guy Price & Discount Code

The price of the Tib Bar Guy Nordic Back Extension V2 is currently $599 which is a very good price for a bench this versatile.

But I’m gonna hook you up with a 10% discount code so you can knock off $60 more.

Click the red button below to reveal your discount…

Shogun NordEx Price & Discount Code

The Shogun NordEx sells for $1200 which is more than double the price of the Nordic Back Extensiopn.

As far as quality goes, the NordEx is made with some of the best materials compared to other Nordic curl benches.

But it is also not as versatile as others.

Click the red button below to reveal a 10% discount code.

Other Alternatives

Freak Athlete Hyper Pro

The Freak Athlete Nordic Bench is a 9-in-1 nordic bench combo.

One feature this one has over other Nordic benches is the ability to elevate the rear part which opens up more exercises.

Freak Athlete also has a leg developer attachment to add lower body isolation exercises.

With that being said, it is $800 for the base product and can go over $1000 when all attachments are included.

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 vs Shogun: Which One Should You Buy?

I’ve given you all the similarities and differences between both Nordic benches…

Now it’s up to you to determine which one fits your training style, workout space, and how much you want to invest.

Whichever one you go with, both benches offer a lot of versatility in a space saving design.

You get a lot of bang for your buck compared to buying all the machines they replace separately.