Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware of the incredible sports performance benefits of the Nordic hamstring curl.
This single exercise creates crazy amounts of lower body explosive power and has built more world class athletes than I can count.
Whether you’re a knees over toes/ATG follower or simply an athlete looking to develop next level knee flexion superpowers, you’re going to want to get your hands on a Nordic bench.
Best Nordic Benches – At A Glance
- Best Overall – TheTibBarGuy Nordic Back Extension Machine
- Most Portable – Freak Athlete Essentials Nordic Mini
- Best For Regressions – TheTibBarGuy Nordic Weight Bench
- Best For Commercial Gyms – Shogun X MR1NF1NITY NORD-EX
- Best Full Sized Bench – Rogue Floor Glute Bench
- Best Attachment – TheTibBarGuy EZ-Nord
Best Overall |
Most Portable |
Best For Regressions |
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- Full length Nordic bench that doubles as a back extension
- Allows for full range of Nordic regressions
- Super portable
- Very fair price
- Much smaller than full sized Nordic bench
- Super affordable
- Perfect for athletes working through Nordic regressions
- Budget friendly
Historically, Nordic benches have been extremely expensive but in recent months, several exciting and super affordable options have made their way onto the market.
*NOTE THE BELOW VIDEO DOESN’T DISCUSS A COUPLE OF THE NEWER PRODUCTS – READ FULL ARTICLE FOR LATEST INFORMATION!
In this article I’m going to run you through the only 6 Nordic benches worth even thinking about in 2023.
Let’s begin!
TBG’s latest masterpiece is a full length Nordic bench which adjusts angles for regression work. It also doubles as a back extension machine, making it one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you’ll ever need!
Best Overall Nordic Bench
This is one of the craziest products I’ve ever seen…
This is a full length Nordic bench + back extension hybrid.
My favorite part about this Nordic bench is that it adjusts from completely flat on the floor to a 45° angle, meaning you can perform Nordic regressions based on exactly what level you’re at.
So not only is it great for advanced athletes who can do full Nordics, but it’s also ideal for beginners.
It also transforms into a ‘half Nordic bench’ which is ideal for smaller home gyms or athlete’s wanting to do Nordics on the go.
It also folds flat and can be stored upright.
The best part might be the price tag – it’ll set you back only around $650ish, which is about the cost of a standard Rogue Nordic bench but using our discount code A1ATHLETE you can get $150 off the NBE!
Recommended Use
This Nordic bench is ideal for athletes of all levels, especially if you’re also interested in doing back extensions. This is the ultimate piece of equipment for athletes doing ATG.
Pros
- Full length Nordic bench that doubles as a back extension machine!
- Can do Nordic regressions while maintaining full ROM (ideal for beginners).
- Can use “half bench” for improved portability and stores upright for convenience.
- Heavy duty construction quality.
Cons
- These are currently pre-order only and stocks are limited.
USE DISCOUNT CODE “A1ATHLETE” FOR $150 OFF!
The Freak Athlete Essentials Nordic Mini bench allows you to do Nordic curls at home for almost a third of the price of using a full sized Nordic bench!
Most Portable Nordic Bench
If you’re looking for a simple Nordic bench that won’t break the bank, and is perfect for your home gym, look no further…
The clever design of the Nordic Mini bench allows you to get your Nordics in with a much smaller footprint than using a regular Nordic bench.
This not only massively increases portability but more importantly reduces the price tag!
Even if you can’t yet do full Nordics, you can easily stick a box, some weight plates, or a medicine ball in front of the bench to act as a chest support.
You can also just use your hands to catch yourself during the eccentric.
I’ve also been told the forthcoming version of this Nordic bench will have a pole attachment at the rear which will allow you to do band assisted Nordics, making regressions even easier!
The Nordic Mini supports users up to 300lbs in weight and 7 feet tall. Depending on your weight/height, you may need to add weight plates on the back to act as a counterbalance.
This bench weighs just 45lbs and has wheels on the ends, so it’s easily the most portable Nordic bench on the market, which makes it great for working out at home or taking it to the gym.
This Nordic bench is amazing, I have an earlier model and it’s still really good.
Marco Ayala, FAE Website
I’m able to get my feet locked in so I can get the perfect rep. I would highly recommend this Nordic bench to anyone.
Great price, great quality, and compact!!
As far as price goes, the next cheapest Nordic bench, believe it or not, is the Rogue floor glute bench which is $600!
The FAE Nordic Mini currently sells for just $250 and you can get a further 10% off using my discount code below, making this by far the most affordable option on the market!
Check out our full Nordic Mini review here!
Recommended Use
This Nordic bench is ideal for anyone who can already do eccentric Nordics but doesn’t want to spend $600+ on a standard Nordic bench.
Pros
- Excellently designed padding, ankle support, and foot plate.
- Super affordable – With my 10% customer discount code, this is currently one of the cheapest Nordic benches on the market!
- Super portable!
Cons
- Depending on your height/weight, you may need to throw a weight plate on the back of the bench to act as a counterbalance.
USE DISCOUNT CODE “A1ATHLETE” FOR 10% OFF!
The TBG Nordic weight bench is a first-of-its-kind adjustable bench that allows users to easily perform Nordic regressions to an angle they’re capable of reaching.
Best Nordic Bench For Regressions
This Nordic bench is pure genius.
The vast majority of athletes who want to develop their Nordic hamstring curl can’t actually perform a full Nordic, and are working their way through regressions.
Before this bench came along, you’d have to limit your range of motion using pads stacked on one another, which was super inconvenient and clunky.
The Tib Bar Guy’s Nordic weight bench is the perfect solution for any athlete still working through their Nordic regressions.
It’s not only perfect for regressions, but also works exactly like a traditional Nordic bench so it can be used by both beginners and advanced athletes.
On top of that, it works as a fully functional weight bench on which you can do any number of upper body movements like incline bench or shoulder press!
But the best part is the price.
Most Nordic benches go for $600+ but the TBG Nordic weight bench (at the time of writing) costs only $240!
And you can get a further 10% off using my code below!
This one’s an absolute no brainer.
Recommended Use
This is the ideal Nordic bench for anyone who can’t yet do full Nordics and is working their way through regressions.
Be sure to check out my full Nordic Weight Bench review!
Pros
- Most convenient way for athletes not yet strong enough to do full Nordics to work through their regressions.
- Extremely affordable – This is the cheapest Nordic bench on the market at just ~$239!
- Also works great for regular upper body exercises and is particularly good for trap 3 raises!
Cons
- Construction quality could be improved slightly.
USE DISCOUNT CODE “A1ATHLETE” FOR 10% OFF!
Shogun in collaboration with MR1NF1N1TY have also created a Nordic bench + back extension machine combo with their NordEx. The quality of this product is unbelievably high, making it a great option for commercial gyms and those who want only the best equipment.
Best Commercial Grade Nordic Bench
This has to be one of the most impressive products on the current market…
It’s a fully functional Nordic bench combined with back extension machine, except it’s far more heavy duty compared to the TBG bench.
If you’re fitting out a gym with ANY posterior chain equipment, this piece of kit is exactly where I’d start.
While the materials used and the finish are significantly nicer than TBG’s Nordic bench, it’s not a whole lot more expensive with our exclusive 15% discount.
The quality is absolutely ridiculous, perfect for even the highest of commercial gym standards, yet it’s far cheaper than what you’d expect to pay.
Recommended Use
If you’re someone who likes only the best equipment OR if you’re looking for a piece of equipment for your gym that’ll last forever, this is THE best option.
Pros
- Easily switch from Nordic bench to back extension machine
- Highest quality materials imaginable, this thing will last a lifetime
- Very affordable with our discount!
Cons
- This is the most expensive product on this list, so even though it might not be for everyone, it’s still fantastic value for the right use case
USE DISCOUNT CODE A1ATHLETE15 TO GET 15% OFF!
When it comes to Nordic benches, Rogue are the best in the business. Their Nordic bench is as solid as it gets and they’re significantly more affordable than the competition.
Best Full Sized Nordic Bench
If you’re a serious athlete looking for a fully fledged Nordic bench, but don’t need the back extension capability, the Rogue Floor Glute is a great option.
Backed By Ben Patrick
This is the bench Ben Patrick used to go from complete beginner to having one of the most impressive full range Nordics of anyone in the world!
If it’s good enough for Ben, it’s good enough for me!
If you’re an athlete who can already do full eccentric Nordics, this is by far the best bench for you.
Easiest & Most Convenient Option
This is because you don’t need to add boxes/plates to act as chest support (as you do with FAE Nordic Mini bench).
You also don’t need to add weight plates to act as a counterbalance. You can simply jump on and get your Nordics in immediately.
Extremely Competitively Priced
Nordic benches like these are not cheap, but the Rogue Nordic bench is significantly cheaper than all of the competition which are virtually identical in design.
The Rogue bench costs $600 whereas most of the alternatives cost between $650-$900 with several brands asking for north of $1,000!
Since I think you’d be crazy to even consider any other options, I haven’t bothered to talk at length about the alternatives in this article.
Seriously, the Rogue bench is as good as it gets!
Recommended Use
This Nordic bench is the best choice for advanced athletes already capable of doing full Nordics.
Pros
- Ideal for athletes who are already proficient with Nordics.
- Works well for beginners doing eccentric Nordics too.
Cons
- Somewhat expensive compared to newer products.
Best Nordic Bench Attachment
The EZ-Nord is a super smart attachment that secures to any standard weight bench, transforming it into a fully functional Nordic bench.
The EZ-Nord attaches using two straps and can be attached/detached in just seconds.
The attachment itself has super thick and comfortable ankle padding which makes this significantly more comfortable than using a Nordic strap or something like a NordStick.
At just $99, this is one of the most affordable options when it comes to Nordics.
One small drawback I’ll mention is that there’s no foot plate for you to press your toes into while performing the Nordics.
I find you’re able to get better muscle recruitment when you can really dig your feet into something solid, like you can on a proper Nordic bench.
Recommended Use
This attachment is a fantastic option for anyone who owns a regular bench (or has a gym membership) and wants an extremely cost effective way to perform Nordics. It’s best for athletes who can already do eccentric Nordics and is ideal for anyone wanting to get their Nordics in while on the go.
Pros
- Quick and easy to use – It takes just seconds to strap this thing to (almost) any weight bench.
- Super portable – You can easily chuck this attachment in your gym bag for leg day!
- Super affordable – At just $99, this is an extremely cheap way to get your Nordics in!
Cons
- No foot plate – Not a big deal, but shifts the emphasis off your hamstrings and onto your calves ever so slightly.
USE DISCOUNT CODE “A1ATHLETE” FOR 10% OFF!
Final Verdict?
My top recommendation is most definitely the Nordic Back Extension Machine from TBG. It’s one of the most epic pieces of equipment that’s absolutely perfect for anyone doing ATG.
Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or advanced athlete, the NBE has everything you need.
If you’re fairly new to Nordic curls, and don’t want to spend so much cash, by far the best option is going to be the TBG Nordic weight bench, as it allows you to practice Nordic regressions super easily.
If you’re already able to do eccentric Nordics, the Freak Athlete Essentials Nordic Mini bench is going to be a fantastic, super affordable option.
My estimation is that for 99% of athletes, either of the above 3 options will be ideal.
If you’re looking to deck out a commercial gym with a Nordic bench, your best and most durable option will be Shogun’s NORD-EX.
Even if you just like having the best equipment for you home gym, this option isn’t much more expensive than TBG’s hybrid bench!
But if you’re really looking to save some cash, consider going with the EZ-Nord attachment.
My Nordic Bench Testing & Review Process
I always make it my mission to be as comprehensive as possible with these product reviews so I can be as helpful as possible to my readers.
This involves doing in-hand product testing as much of this equipment as possible.
Currently we’ve tested the FAE Nordic Mini as well as the TBG Nordic Weight bench.
These two are the most affordable options for doing Nordic curls at home, but every product on this list is pretty budget friendly compared to the oldschool Nordic benches.
We’re also waiting on a NBE machine and will also be testing Shogun’s NordEx machine very shortly too!
Our testing process is fairly straightforward for Nordic benches and simply involves giving it a whirl as you would any other machine.
We test each product for at least a week before writing our reviews and we keep them updated as we continue using the products.
Negotiating The Best Customer Discounts For Jump Stronger Readers
Part of my mission to be as helpful as possible is to help you guys get the biggest discounts possible.
Over the last few months I’ve been able to negotiate 10% discounts with a couple of these Nordic bench manufacturers.
As always, remember to use the discount code “A1ATHLETE” at checkout when buying any of these benches to ensure you get the best possible deal!
Continually Updating With New Products & Information
As I gain more experience using each of these Nordic benches, I’ll be updating this article so that you know exactly how my feelings towards each product evolve over time.
I’m also constantly on the hunt for new Nordic benches that can offer value to the marketplace for inclusion in this article.
If you’re a Nordic bench manufacturer and want your product reviewed and included in this article, please get in touch.
Feel free to read more about my product testing standards and review process.
Nordic Bench Alternatives
There are a few other options when it comes to Nordic curls that you might also want to consider.
Nordic Strap
The Nordic strap is one of the cheaper options when it comes to Nordic curls.
The strap works similarly to the EZ-Nord attachment and can allow you to do Nordics on any weight bench.
Personally I’m not a huge fan of Nordic straps because they’re a pain in the ass to set up.
Strapping yourself to the bench is fiddly and takes a while.
In between sets it’s a good idea to get up and walk around/shake your legs out a bit as part of active recovery and to prevent cramping.
When using a Nordic strap you’re unable to do this in between sets, unless you’re happy unstrapping and strapping up again each set, which is quite time consuming.
If you don’t mind that, the Shogun X Mr. 1NF1N1TY Nordic strap is the best in the business and you can get 10% off using the discount code “A1ATHLETE”.
If you felt like shopping around a little, check out my full breakdown of the best Nordic straps in 2023.
Nordic Bar
Another alternative worth thinking about is the Nordic bar which attaches to any upright pole or power cage in your gym. It’s also used to transform a standard weight bench into a Nordic bench.
This might be a really good option particularly for any home gym owners with a power rack.
HGG Performance make the Nordic bar so if you want to check it out, you can also get 10% off using the discount code “A1ATHLETE”.
Other Nordic Benches
In the interest of fully covering the topic of Nordic benches, I thought I’d mention a few of the other Nordic benches on the market.
As mentioned earlier, these are essentially just more expensive versions of the Rogue Nordic bench.
They have absolutely no proprietary features, other than the inflated price tag.
Titan Nordic Bench
Titan used to have a Nordic bench which was very similar to the Rogue one, but it’s since been discontinued.
Instead they’ve replaced it with the Titan Floor GHD machine.
Unfortunately this machine can’t really be used for Nordics since the hips pads are above the ankle pads, restricting the ROM.
Atlantis Nordic Bench
This is another ‘popular’ Nordic bench which again is massively overpriced when positioned next to the Rogue bench.
This bench unbelievably retails for over $1,300, more than twice the price of the Rogue bench!
Sorinex Nordic Bench
Sorinex also have a Nordic bench, ironically called the “P3 Poor Man” GHD.
At $700, I don’t think too many poor men will be purchasing this Nordic bench!
Power Lift Nordic Bench
Another option is the Power Lift Nordic bench, which again is not really any different to the above benches…
I suppose having the post for resistance band attachment is a nice feature, but at over $1,600, I’d rather have 3 Rogue benches instead…
I’ve mentioned 8 Nordic benches in this article. To make it really simple, the first 4 you should buy and the last 4 you should definitely not buy!
All the best, and may your hamstrings be strong!
