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.
| Brand | Gorilla Fitness |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum Natural Rubber |
| Color | Green |
| Sport | Weightlifting, Body Building |
| Included Components | Handle |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Travel |
| Special Feature | Adjustable,Lightweight,Portable |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Style | Original Bow, Green, Heavy Bundle |
| Number of Resistance Levels | 4 |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 58 x 10 x 4 inches |
| Package Weight | 4.31 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 56 x 8 x 2 inches |
| Brand Name | Gorilla Fitness |
| Manufacturer | Gorilla Fitness |
| Part Number | GBPARENTCAN |
