Gorilla Bow Original Portable Home Gym Resistance Bands and Bar System for Travel, Fitness, Weightlifting and Exercise Kit, Full Body Workout Equipment Set

I saw the Gorilla Bow and was intrigued by it. I currently own a Bowflex Xtreme 2, roughly two thousand dollars, retail and also have a set of Bowflex Selecttech dumbbells that I bought from Amazon about 10 years ago, the review should be way back in my review history. This Gorilla Bow to me represents a crossover in training. I'm a naturally big guy, currently 6'2" 230 but as a college football player (20 years ago), I was listed at 6'3" 280 and have been as high as 330. I started working out when I was 13, 25-30 years ago. The resistance bands would normally not be considered. The Bowflex Xtreme even was questionable (tension rods). I grew up on free weights and lots of them. That's why I called the Gorilla Bow a "crossover" in training. I wouldn't say I regretted buying the Bowflex but it's massive and it's nearly impossible to move. I have a nephew who is starting to get into training, he has a spare room, if I could find something that would fulfill my needs and requirements in weight resistance, I would like to give him the Bowflex. My family would much appreciate it too since it would open a big space of usable room up.Requirements: The set of bands that come with the Gorilla Bow are not enough for me. So, me knowing me, went ahead and ordered the "heavy set" of bands before even ordering the Bow. I'm fairly particular about my workout equipment and thought it would be unfair to try the Gorilla Bow, knowing it wouldn't have enough resistance.Size: One of the more frustrating parts of buying items on Amazon is the questions and answers section. I looked right over the description and instead read answers describing the Bow as 3-4 feet, that's not right, it's in the description. The Bow is 56" long or closer to 5' than 4 or 3 feet. That wasn't a problem but it could be for some. The design of the bar is very good. The claws on the ends are well-cut and the knots on the bands fit firmly in them. Something else I've not seen mentioned is the thickness of the Bow. I prefer a thicker bar, in this case, Bow. It improves your grip strength without you even realizing it. This Bow is 5" in circumference. In comparison, a standard Olympic curl bar I have is 3.5" in circumference. The excellent Bowflex dumbbells are also 5" in circumference just like this Bow is. The Bow is very sturdy, below I'll list a few of the weights (in bands) that I've tried and there's no reason to think this Bow is going to have problems with pressure/tension from the bands.The bands: The only time I ever used any kind of "bands" was when I was in physical therapy for a shoulder surgery years ago and they gave me some bands to stretch with. For many years, I just wouldn't consider bands as a proper form of resistance. The lighter bands that come with the Gorilla Bow offer up to 120 pounds of resistance. The set I bought "heavy" has two 50 pound bands and two 60 pound bands (220 with all 4). That's what talked me into trying this Bow. After my last year of college football, I went through the NFL combine and did 32 reps with 225 on the bench. I was younger (20 years ago) but I wouldn't say I was stronger than I am now. As I've gotten older, I've moved more into powerlifting and high intensity (heavy weight, low rep) training. It fits my natural build (Samoan/Italian) . Here's another thing I've seen answered in multiple ways in the questions: How many of the bands can you use at one time? I easily use the two 50 pound bands and two 60 pound bands. So, that's four, some of the answers say "2". I'm even interested in the ability to use 5. The Bow says it's tested for up to 300 pounds of resistance and I have tried it with 220 with no problems.Comparing to free weights: I'm sort of lucky here since I still have the Bowflex Xtreme and have access to a gym with free weights (too far to go everyday). My favorite exercise is the shrug. I like it because it hits the trapezius and the trapezius, like the calves, can be over-trained with successful results. I used three different methods to test the shrugs.Bowflex dumbbells, 52.5 pounds in each hand, I made it to 78 reps before the traps shut down. Then, the next night, I used Bowflex Xtreme with 110 pounds (both hands, single bar, tension rods) and did 85 reps before the traps shut down. I then tried the Gorilla Bow with 110 pounds of resistance bands and made it to 75 reps before the traps shut down. To me, that's very acceptable. If anything, it's working the traps harder than the free weights and Bowflex.I wasn't done: The bench press, with the Gorilla Bow, you're going to do standing up. This does slightly change the movement but you can also use this to your advantage. With free weights on a standard gym bench, I was able to bench 210 for 24 reps without any problems. With the Bowflex Xtreme set to 210, I was able to do 34 reps without any problems. With the Gorilla Bow with 210, I was able to do 27 reps without any problems. Again, these are the exact numbers I wanted to see. The curls with the Gorilla Bow are as natural of a curl as you will do. If I sound impressed, I am but...The lighter bands (thinner) do worry me. I can't change my natural lifting or pressing motions and those movements are fairly explosive. I have mostly used the heavier, thicker bands and feel fine using those. I'm going more into the value and durability now. I don't think a hundred dollars is too much for this bar. I just bought my teenage son a new baseball bat that cost over three hundred dollars. And the equipment I'm currently using was much more expensive. The Bow shows very good durability, as mentioned (I think) the claw is cutout evenly and the bands hold in place, plus it's a good thickness. That impresses me as a engineer because they have developed a thick, durable bar that's lightweight. If you've used standard free weights, you know that a bar this size weighs at least 45 pounds. This Gorilla Bow weighs under 10 pounds and can be carried around with one hand. Someone spent some time designing it.The band set that comes with it is going to be enough for most people. It's plenty enough for my wife, she too was a collegiate athlete and the band set is still enough. It's enough for our teenage son. But if you have a big person with a past in powerlifting and nearly 30 years of gym experience, you're going to want to get the heavy set of bands too. I'm convinced that it will be enough for me and I still am going to look into the 90 pound band. The only lifts I would normally use a heavier weight, when working out for reps, are the squats. Genetics blessed me there with legs that resemble oak trees (see my review history as I try to find pants that fit my thighs and calves). The very first time I attempted a squat it was with 315 pounds and I was 14. I did 15 reps back then. I maxed out around 800 pounds in college so it's not that realistic for me to believe I'm going to ever have enough weight to really push my squats but 210, 250, 290, at high reps would be good for keeping my legs lean. That is the only "problem" lift I see with the Gorilla Bow. Some will mention deadlifts but if you're a serious deadlifter, you need to be in a gym where it's safer with heavy weights. I also think the same about squats. If you just have to do those 440 pound reps, it's a gym you're looking for with a good Smith Machine. That's not to say the squats are bad with the Gorilla Bow. My wife was doing them with the included band set and said it was challenging.Now, I'm going to wrap up by complaining a little! There are some good instructional videos available for free (youtube) that show how to do different exercises. But I ran into a problem that I felt like should be explained. In the package (long box), you receive the Bow, the starter band set (in a nice carrying pouch) and three cards that direct you to the internet. There's no "quick start" guide. I haven't found a video about "how to attach the bands properly". This is where having an engineer review your product causes a problem. The problem I ran into: I opened everything, started attaching the bands with no problems. Started to use it and realized I attached one end of one band going up and under the claw and the other end going down and over the claw. It's true, you can open the video to the exercises and see which way the bands are connected but if it was me, I would include another card with a diagram showing how to properly attach the bands. I see this as a problem I would have since I've never used bands like these or a Bow like this one. Compare it to sending a person a dumbbell bar with free weights and not telling them to attach the dumbbell spinners that hold the weights on. That's a minor complaint but I think it's worth mentioning. I can't really complain about the band set not having enough resistance since it will be enough for the majority of people.I am giving it a 5 star but will say that's more of a 4.5. I just believe since Amazon doesn't allow half stars to round up. The only thing that would change or lower this score or stop it from becoming a true 5 star is if I start having problems with the bands. I am going right now to register it, they have an online registration for your 2 year warranty and if I get 2 years out of it, I'll be extremely happy. I'm also taking the Bowflex Extreme to my nephew. I do believe this Gorilla Bow will replace it for me and free up space in the process. I apologize for the length of this review but I do believe in being as thorough as possible and listing any and everything I disliked and liked about exercise products. My review history has lots of sports equipment reviews, weight reviews, nutritional supplement reviews and I consider this product very good to excellent. If anything goes wrong, I'll update the review and just as a warning, do the bench press standing up. I almost tried it laying down then realized that meant the band would be under my back and if something went wrong the Bow would bonk me on the head. Standing up bench press with the Gorilla Bow lets you lower and raise where the band is on your back which allows different angles, not unlike incline, decline. Most of the devices I've seen like this don't have a bench press option, this one excels at it. Very happy with this Gorilla Bow and nice logo too, they should make some shirts.

Background:I have been into bodybuilding for many years and have always gone to a traditional gym to get my workout in, utilizing free weights and various machines for variety. It has always been my trademark to be in shape and built.In March 2020, because of the pandemic, I purchased a used Bowflex to put in my basement once the gyms closed in March. I used it steadily from March to mid-June when the gyms re-opened. I did like it and it sufficed for the short term, but I missed using real weights and actually being at a gym. I went back to the gym from mid-June to mid-November but decided to push the pause button as pandemic cases were skyrocketing again. Why did I get a Gorilla Bow if I already had a Bowflex? Good question. I felt that I wasn’t getting a good variety of exercises in my home routine and the Gorilla seemed to offer some leg exercises and others that I couldn’t easily replicate on the Bowflex.* Keep in mind that the context of this review is me not having access to a real gym at this time. This was never intended to replace the gym.Overview:The unit is sturdy, there is no doubt about that. It is made of aircraft aluminum and is a one-piece unit. I looked at half-price knockoffs on Amazon but they were all made in China, which was obvious reading the translated description. When I am dealing with bands under tension, I am not trusting a knockoff. Believe me, I considered it due to the price but this is a “you get what you pay for” type of thing. I ended up getting the original Gorilla Bow heavy kit, which included the bow and 8 total bands, for $192 after finding a $36 off coupon. Yeah, it is a lot of money but fitness is worth that much to me. I was going to order directly from Gorilla but I heard that it takes eons to be delivered. I wanted Prime shipping and the knowledge that I could return this thing easily if I didn’t like it.What drew me to this?Quite honestly, it was the leg aspect of it. My goal is to add strength to my legs because I had been working them hard at the gym and noticing the payoff on the tennis court. I guess you could say that tennis was a motivating factor. Also, I saw it as a supplement to what I already had in my cheap home gym because I know that my body gets used to exercises very quickly so I need to change things up quite often. Look, I am a firm believer that there is no substitute for going to a real gym and using real weights and machinery for the type of workout I need. I will always believe that and I will go back when things are safe. I just want to maintain what I have. Everyone’s definition of a workout is different.When using this for the first time, make sure to watch a few videos on use. This kit comes with nothing and you have to actually buy a workout guide from Gorilla to really know what you are doing if you have no workout experience. I thought that was weird. I was able to improvise and figure out some movements just by playing around and having prior knowledge of what I wanted to work. I am going to break down the Gorilla Bow experience by body part, just so you have an idea of the pros and cons.Chest:Quite honestly, this is what I don’t like about the unit and I have to take care of chest using the Bowflex. The bands that it comes with are too long to get enough initial resistance on this short movement so it doesn't feel rewarding for someone who is used to pressing with a barbell or dumbbells. They DO make short, high resistance band kits designed just for bench presses, but this is an additional expense. If you are just using it for a cardio resistance workout for the chest, it is, well, OK, but if you are looking to gain size and strength, you will need the 360lb short band set, which I did not buy. I am not sure if I will buy the kit since I have my Bowflex.In my opinion, you HAVE to get the short band kit to get anywhere with your chest if you are even average strength. Not a knock on the Gorilla Bow, just an observation on what it can’t do for me. I was a guy who was doing twice my bodyweight for reps in peak form.Back:I do really enjoy doing back exercises on this Bow. Seated rows are a joy and I can really feel the resistance throughout the whole movement. Standing one-arm rows are great as well, offering a different angle. If you have something overhead, you can even do lat pulldowns, although for me I still use the Bowflex for that exercise. You can even use this as a hunting bow, pulling back with each arm individually, obviously maintaining control of the band through the movement and not letting go. These are awesome. Bent over rows work well and I think the variety of exercises I get for the back will really help, but I am still supplementing a bit with the Bowflex for lat pulldowns.Arms:Arms are ok for the basic movements but I have to supplement with the Bowflex and dumbbells to get enough variety. Bicep curls are great and tricep presses behind the neck work well but I have to turn to the Bowflex for other movements using the pulleys and individual handles. Maybe I am not creative enough but some movements, like hammer curls, are just not possible with the Gorilla. You can do reverse curls for forearms but I am still figuring out other movements. If you are looking for a complete arm workout, you will definitely have to mix in some other things, like dumbbells. I will say that the constant tension of the biceps and triceps is great and you will get a really nice pump. It just can't do enough alone if you are a serious bodybuilder who needs variety to hit all angles.Shoulders:Honestly, I have to use both the Bowflex and Gorilla for shoulders. I find that the Gorilla is great for military presses, upright rows, front raises, and shrugs. You can really blast the shoulders on military presses and I like that aspect since the contstant tension is awesome. This is one of my staple exercises and I get a lot out of it. I still have to use the Bowflex for deltoids doing side raises on the lower pulleys.Legs:Here is where it really shines for me, but it is mainly due to the limitations of my Bowflex. I can get a decent leg workout on the Bowflex but it doesn’t compare with how much I can burn my legs with the Gorilla. Squats are a bit awkward at first, especially getting into position, but you get used to it fast. It is very different than squatting with a bar where you handle the same amount of weight through the entire motion. Obviously, the resistance is variable with a band and gets harder through the travel. I don’t like that aspect but I make up for it by doing more reps going to failure. I will say this: if you are a heavy squatter, this isn't for you. It is far too awkward getting into position, which is getting the bow behind your neck. I felt really unstable at high weights just in preparing to do the exercise. My absolute favorite exercise is lunges because I think it builds great explosive power on the court and the Gorilla does wonderful work on all muscles involved in this movement. Calf raises are nice and not something I was easily able to do on Bowflex. You just have to be careful on calf raises because the bands can roll out from under your feet and snap you.The deadlift is an exercise that needs short bands to be effective like I mentioned with the chest. There just isn’t enough initial resistance to make the exercise fulfilling. I may have to add short bands down the road because deadlifts are a good exercise for anyone. Maybe a Christmas gift?Closing remarks:Being an experienced bodybuilder, my main concern is the whole concept of resistance training versus real weight. You don’t get consistent resistance through the whole motion, which I knew would be the case going in. You notice it on some exercises more than others but I will always contend that there is no replacement for using real weights. I knew this going in and I never had the intent of creating a permanent home gym. I just have a cobbled up, cheap, makeshift gym that I am using so I don’t lose what I worked so hard at the gym to attain. I am continuing to learn more things about it and adding exercises as I figure them out.Could this device replace a gym membership?Not for me. I am happy to pay a membership to use real weight and expensive equipment that I don’t have to maintain. I bought this out of necessity and it is a great workout in a pinch, which is what every day presents in these times. Post-pandemic, it will be nice to have this as an option on days where I just can’t make it to the gym, especially on a cold winter day when leaving the house is a no-go. When it is safe to go back to the gym, I will be there. Until then, the Bowflex and Gorilla bow will be my friends, likely until Spring 2021. After that, I will just use it off and on when needed, probably adding an extra leg day every week to continue keeping the getaway sticks ready for action.