Product Review: Freak Athlete Essentials - Nordic Mini

Product Details: Nordic Mini™

Bullet-Proof Your Knees

• Knee padding: 3″ thickness, 18″ x 24″

• Height capacity: Supports users up to 7′ tall

• Weight capacity: Supports users up to 300 lbs

• Weight: 45 lbs with built-in wheels so it can be moved easily

• Adjustable ankle lock: Feet rollers can be moved up and down to secure feet down

• Weight sleeve: Allows you to add Olympic size weight plates for counter balance

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• 18” x 24” surface, which supports users up to 6’ 10’  and boasts a 350-lb weight capacity
• Portable with built-in transport wheels
• Designed to enable exercises typically completed on a full-sized GHD machine

  https://freakathleteessentials.com/products/nordic-mini

 Product Review:

This year I really became interested in training my hamstrings and the subject of Nordic Benches came up. Most people consider the Nordic bench the poor man’s GHD when realistically it is a fabulous tool to train and focus on both eccentric and concentric hamstring work. I recently had the opportunity to try out the Freak Athlete Nordic Mini Nordic Curl Board, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed.

Firstly, the design is sleek and stylish, making it an attractive addition to any home gym. The board itself is sturdy and well-constructed, ensuring that it will last for a long time. The adjustable footplate and pad allow for a comfortable and customized fit, which is essential for preventing injuries.

One of the standout features of the Nordic Mini is how versatile it is. I was able to use it for a variety of exercises, including hamstring curls, glute bridges, and core work.   The board's compact size also makes it ideal for those with limited space in their home gym. Despite its small size, it provided me with an intense and challenging workout that targeted my lower body muscles effectively.

As a dedicated fitness fanatic, I am always searching for what I consider top-quality equipment and exercises that produce results. I feel I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to exercise, so I focus on consistency and exercises that have worked over the years. The Nordic Curl or Glute Ham Raise, is a bodyweight hamstring movement that concentrates on knee flexion. When made a regular part of a training regimen, these GHR exercises can help increase squat and deadlift strength as well as a runner’s power and speed off the blocks. The movement itself doesn't put any high compressive forces on the spine, and its effects may reduce the chance of suffering serious ACL injuries down the road.

A Nordic curl is an advanced bodyweight exercise that targets the hamstrings and glutes. Here are the steps to perform a Nordic curl:

1. Kneel on a soft surface (such as a mat or pad) with your feet securely anchored under a heavy object, such as a weight bench or barbell. You can also ask a workout partner to hold your feet down.

2. Cross your arms in front of your chest or place your hands behind your head.

3. Slowly lower your upper body towards the ground while keeping your back straight and core engaged. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your knees.

4. As you lower your body towards the ground, focus on engaging your hamstrings to control the movement. Avoid using your lower back or allowing your hips to drop towards the ground.

5. Once you reach the end of your range of motion, use your hamstrings and glutes to push your body back up to the starting position.

6. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

It's important to note that the Nordic curl is an advanced exercise that requires a lot of strength and control. If you're new to this exercise, start with a modified version, such as using a resistance band to assist the movement or performing partial reps. Additionally, make sure to warm up properly and use proper form to prevent injury.

There are several benefits of doing Nordic curls, including:

1. Stronger hamstrings: The Nordic curl is a highly effective exercise for strengthening the hamstrings, which are essential for activities such as running, jumping, and sprinting. Strong hamstrings can help improve athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury.

2. Improved knee stability: The hamstrings play a crucial role in stabilizing the knee joint, and strengthening these muscles can help improve knee stability and reduce the risk of knee injuries.

3. Better posture and core stability: The Nordic curl also engages the core muscles, which can help improve posture and overall core stability.

4. Increased muscle activation: Research has shown that the Nordic curl results in greater muscle activation in the hamstrings than other popular hamstring exercises, such as the leg curl.

   

5. Minimal equipment required: Unlike many other exercises that require specialized equipment or a gym membership, the Nordic curl can be performed with just a resistance band or a partner to hold your feet down.

As you can see the Nordic curl is an effective exercise for targeting the hamstrings, improving knee stability and posture, and increasing muscle activation. However, it's important to start with a modified version of the exercise and use proper form to avoid injury.

The Freak Athlete Nordic Mini is exactly what I've been looking for. As the owner of a private fitness studio, I don't have a lot of extra floor space for new equipment. I've wanted a Nordic curl bench for some time now, but the footprint of most benches I found was too big. The Nordic Mini solved that problem! It's small, easily portable, and solid enough to handle everything my athletes and training partners can throw at it.

Another feature I appreciated was the detailed instruction manual that came with the board. The manual provided clear and concise instructions on how to use the board properly, which is crucial for avoiding injuries and getting the most out of your workout.

There are no shortcuts in designing or building this piece of equipment. Even the welds look good! The fact that they included a booklet with detailed instructions on assembly and packaged everything to reflect the corresponding part id Is most helpful! All of the nuts, bolts, & washers were in individually labeled bags and put into a small box. So no losing random parts in packaging or shipping.

Overall, I highly recommend the Freak Athlete Nordic Mini Nordic Curl Board to anyone looking to enhance their lower body workout routine.  Nordic benches are expensive and take up a lot of room. This hits the middle ground perfectly. Easy to follow instructions to assemble and feels solid. Tucks away nicely in the home gym when not in use, so saves a lot of space.

I know I’m going to be banging out reps on this until walking is a challenge.  Appreciate the attention to detail. It's an excellent investment for those who want to target their hamstrings, glutes, and core muscles effectively while taking up minimal space in their home gym. I do wish it could be stored upright, but the weight horn is necessary so I'm good with it. 

 https://freakathleteessentials.com/products/nordic-mini