Residence health club gear is historically giant and hulking. Usually, one piece of apparatus — say, a squat rack — requires a whole lot of house that not lots of people have. Fortunately, the best compact exercise equipment exists and may (to an extent) mimic the calls for of free weights to maneuver your health ahead with out requiring the house of a full-on storage health club.
The Gorilla Bow is one such piece of apparatus that guarantees to ship an intense exercise to all muscle teams with no barbell and heavy weights. We wished to see simply how efficient this distinctive piece of exercise gear is, so our professional product reviewers put it to the take a look at utilizing our equipment testing methodology. Tester and health author Ben Emminger has owned the Authentic Gorilla Bow for years, and you may hear his sincere ideas about it on this Gorilla Bow overview.
Authentic Gorilla Bow
For a singular resistance band exercise that’s nearer to a barbell coaching session, think about the Authentic Gorilla Bow. Resembling an historic longbow, this banded setup can present whole-body periods as you press and pull your manner by the accessible resistance as much as 300 kilos.
Most important Takeaways
- The Gorilla Bow is a compact, moveable resistance band exercise system.
- Because of the bow ingredient, utilizing it feels very similar to coaching with a barbell.
- There’s a studying curve with this product, nevertheless it’s a worthwhile effort for many who need a whole lot of resistance in a small bundle.
Gorilla Bow Specs
| Worth | Begins at $200 |
| Product Dimensions | 58.27” L x 10” W x 3.94” H |
| Ranges of Resistance | 110 lbs to 520 lbs |
| Equipment | Journey bag, organizational instances |
| Exercise Kind | Power coaching |
With costs beginning at about $200, a Gorilla Bow is definitely a cost-efficient residence exercise funding. Whereas $200 could appear costly on the floor, the Gorilla Bow might really substitute a health club membership or full residence health club for people who’re coaching for common health — and prepared to get inventive with progressive overload and train choice.
The best barbells are nice (in case you have the house, we just about all the time encourage including one — or two! — to your health toolbox), however if you would like one piece of apparatus to do actually the whole lot, a barbell alone gained’t reduce it. However from biceps curls and bench presses to lunges and calf raises, you are able to do most something with a Gorilla Bow.
The preliminary studying curve — which includes determining methods to connect the resistance bands to the bow — is likely to be a bit irritating, per our tester and professional health author Ben Emminger. However with Emminger’s suggestions at your aspect, you’ll doubtless get the grasp of it very quickly and begin pushing out reps of shoulder presses and tricep extensions quickly sufficient.
The principle good thing about the Gorilla Bow moveable residence health club is, effectively, that it’s moveable. The Authentic model measures about 4.8 ft lengthy, nevertheless it’s slender and weighs simply 5 kilos. Even for those who aren’t trying to journey with it, it shops extremely effectively — you gained’t even realize it’s in your coat closet.
Execs
Moveable, compact energy health gear
Means that you can do most compound workouts, like squats and deadlifts
Might assist you construct muscle mass
Offers as much as 520 lbs of resistance
Cons
May be difficult to safe resistance bands to bow
Higher-body workouts, just like the overhead press, might be tough
Bow doesn't break down for added portability (for Authentic Bow choice; different fashions do)
Who Ought to Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the Gorilla Bow
The Gorilla Bow is a singular piece of apparatus, and as such, it meets a selected want. Right here’s who may get good use out of the Gorilla Bow and who ought to most likely move.
Advisable for:
- Individuals who wish to do energy coaching however don’t have a whole lot of house
- Individuals who have a decent price range for energy coaching gear
- Individuals who journey usually and wish constant entry to energy coaching
Not Advisable for:
- Folks in search of a cardio exercise from the best cardio machines (this isn't that)
- Individuals who have the house and price range for conventional resistance coaching gear
- Bodybuilders, weightlifters, powerlifters, or anybody coaching for a selected sport
Our Expertise Coaching With the Gorilla Bow
BarBend’s professional health author and skilled product tester Ben Emminger says the Gorilla Bow is a bonafide various to free weight coaching. Relying in your health stage and targets, it may very well be the perfect addition to your private home health club house.
Important Resistance
Many individuals are shocked after they learn the way a lot resistance a set of resistance bands can really create. The Authentic Gorilla Bow offers as much as 520 kilos of resistance by way of bands —greater than sufficient for most individuals.
Our professional product tester, Ben Emminger, says he likes the truth that the Gorilla Bow amplifies the potential of resistance band coaching by stringing the bands throughout an aluminum bow body, permitting you to imitate your favourite barbell exercises. Moreover, because of the band bundles, he says there’s loads of potential for high-intensity coaching that’s much like plate-loaded regimens.
“I do advocate beginning gentle, although, and getting a really feel on your setups,” Emminger cautions. “Once you brace the bands throughout your again, you do must have a straight aircraft of movement. In any other case, the bands can tend to experience up towards your skull for a fast snap behind the neck.”
Portability
Emminger says he likes that the Gorilla Bow comes with a handy carrying case for the entire bands, which may vary from 10 to 100 kilos.
“Nonetheless, the portability is compromised all the way down to a 3.5 out of 5 rating, for my part, resulting from the truth that the aluminum bow body doesn't break down for simpler storage,” he says. “Fortunately, although, the light-weight, skinny design shops simply in a closet or beneath your couch, so the portability solely comes into play if you wish to journey with this modern resistance band equipment.”
When you do wish to journey with it, know that there are two journey choices that do break down: the Journey and Journey Lite choices. The aircraft-grade aluminum bows on these fashions cut up into a number of items to scale back the size. You positively can’t do this with the best weight plates, which is one in all your solely different choices for getting over 500 kilos of resistance just like the Gorilla Bow provides.
Train Selection
Performing quite a lot of workouts with the Gorilla Bow isn't any drawback. From upright rows to chest presses, there’s not a lot you'll be able to’t do with a Gorilla Bow, a minimum of so far as conventional weight coaching goes.
“I’ve owned the Authentic Gorilla Bow for a couple of years now, and actually recognize how comparable the expertise is to a standard barbell exercise,” says Ben. “I rating the expertise at 4 out of 5, as a result of you'll be able to rapidly mimic your bench press, deadlift, and even squat movement relying on the place you brace the bands.”
One word: It could be robust to do HIIT workouts since you’ll doubtless want to vary the band setup for every train, which might get cumbersome for those who’re making an attempt to maneuver rapidly.
What to Take into account Earlier than Shopping for the Gorilla Bow
After testing dozens of items of compact residence train gear, in addition to a full roster of the best resistance bands, we’ve positively come throughout some issues to remember concerning the Gorilla Bow.
- Versatility: The Gorilla Bow works very similar to a barbell upon getting bands in place, so it may be used for a ton of workouts; nonetheless, we don’t assume it’s a substitute for knowledgeable lifters.
- Portability: You'll be able to select from Authentic Gorilla Bow, Gorilla Bow Journey, Gorilla Bow Lite, and Gorilla Bow Journey Lite. The 2 journey variations break down into smaller items, which is one thing to contemplate for those who plan to journey with the bow.
- Resistance Stage: With a max load of greater than 500 kilos, the Gorilla Bow is probably going adequate for many exercisers, however word that extra resistance comes at an extra value.
- Muscle Constructing: You'll be able to definitely construct muscle with resistance bands, particularly for those who’re a more moderen exerciser; that stated, we encourage you to additionally think about the best adjustable dumbbells if muscle development is your objective however you want compact gear.
Gorilla Bow Vs. Rivals
The Gorilla Bow isn’t the one compact train gear on the market. There are different choices that will fit your wants higher, relying on the way you prefer to work out, whether or not or not you propose to journey together with your gear, and the way a lot resistance you want. We’ve put it up in opposition to the Vitruvian Coach+ and TRX Home2 System right here.
| Gorilla Bow | Vitruvian Coach+ | TRX Home2 System | |
| Worth | Begins at $200 | Beginning at $2,990 | $229.95 |
| Product Dimensions | 58.27” L x 10” W x 3.94” H | As much as 440 lbs | N/A |
| Ranges of Resistance | 110 lbs to 520 lbs | 46.06” L x 20.47” W x 4.53” H | Will depend on your physique weight, angle of system, and workouts carried out |
| Equipment | Journey bag, organizational instances | Professional handles, ankle straps, lengthy bar, brief bar, pump handles, tech mat, bench, belt, security cables, rope | Door anchor, suspension anchor, mesh bag |
| Exercise Kind | Power coaching | Power coaching (cables) | Body weight resistance coaching |
Learn our full TRX Strap System review.
The Vitruvian Coach+ is a superb choice for a compact home-based (it’s not tremendous moveable) energy coaching machine that mimics the texture of a cable machine. The TRX Home2 System is a greater choice for many who require final portability and lightweightness. Then once more, it gained’t generate the sheer quantity of exterior resistance that the opposite two choices — particularly the Gorilla Bow — provide.
Ordering and Assembling the Gorilla Bow
Ordering the Gorilla Bow is so simple as ordering every other health product on-line: Go to gorillabow.com (or your most popular retailer), choose the product(s) you need, add to cart, and take a look at.
As for meeting, there’s not a lot to be performed aside from connect the manufacturers to the bow, which our professional health author and skilled product tester Ben Emminger says might be difficult at first, particularly with the thicker resistance bands. The bow itself — for the Authentic Gorilla Bow — doesn’t break down, so it comes absolutely assembled.
Emminger charges the adjustment course of a 3.75 out of 5 as a result of it's considerably of an acquired ability. Most of the best home gyms have a studying curve. Right here’s what Emminger suggests for this one: “You want to notch one finish of the band, brace the bow between your body, after which pull the ultimate bulbed finish into place,” he explains. “After a couple of tries, you will get the rhythm down rapidly, however admittedly, it's extra sophisticated than different resistance band bundles that merely make use of a carabiner linked to a door or wall anchor.”
Locations to Purchase the Gorilla Bow
You should purchase the Gorilla Bow by the producer instantly, or on Amazon. It could even be accessible at your native Dick’s Sporting Items or Goal. Additionally it is typically accessible on-line at each Dick’s and Goal.
Model Status and Buyer Evaluations
Gorilla Health appears to be a good firm with loads of joyful prospects. On the Gorilla Bow web site, critiques are overwhelmingly constructive. The identical is true on Amazon, the place the product has a median 4.4-star ranking with greater than 1,700 critiques. When you need assistance with something associated to your Gorilla Bow, you’ll should contact the corporate by their contact type for buyer assist. You can too e-mail [email protected].
Warranties
Every Gorilla Bow comes with a 2-year guarantee. The resistance bands and different equipment include a guaranty of six months. These warranties apply to merchandise bought from Gorilla Health or by a licensed retailer and will not be transferable. They cowl the producer’s defects solely. We’ve additionally seen the corporate provide 30-, 60-, or 90-day money-back ensures, nevertheless it’s unclear on the time of writing if that's accessible.
Last Ideas on Gorilla Bow
The Gorilla Bow is a worthy choice for health lovers who like weight coaching at residence, however don’t have the house or price range for a full residence health club setup. It’s constituted of high-quality supplies and, based on our professional tester, serves as a wonderful various to barbell coaching for many who don’t have entry to a barbell, weight plates, and a squat rack.
Gorilla Bow FAQs
Is the Gorilla Bow really good?
It depends upon what you’re in search of. When you’re asking whether or not the Gorilla Bow is well-made, sure. The bow is light-weight but sturdy, and the bands are sturdy. Our tester has been utilizing it for years and the standard has confirmed itself. When you have particular health targets, like weight reduction otherwise you wish to build muscle, there is likely to be simpler means to your finish. Nonetheless, the Gorilla Bow is nice for common health and offers a difficult exercise if used appropriately.
Are you able to construct muscle with the Gorilla Bow?
You might be able to construct muscle with the Gorilla Bow, relying in your coaching historical past. When you’re somebody with a whole lot of weight coaching historical past and may already raise very heavy weights, you won't see continued enchancment with this product. Novices and intermediate lifters completely can, so long as they proceed to problem their muscle tissues.
Are you able to squat with the Gorilla Bow?
Sure, you'll be able to squat with the Gorilla Bow very similar to you'll with a barbell. The bow rests in your again whereas your ft anchor the bands to the bottom.
What's the Gorilla Bow used for?
The Gorilla Bow is used for resistance coaching, significantly for compound workouts like squats, lunges, shoulder presses, chest presses, and upright rows.