I bought one 3 years ago, and I've to say I'm happy with it. For me its the perfect tool when I'm travelling. Its a Gym to go. It doesnt need a lot of space and it is easy to transport. There is not a gym everywhere around, so use this one to stay at least in shape. Follow the instructions and you'll be fine. It seems a bit expensive, but it is the same decission to pay for a memebership are invest in other equipment. Btw, sorry for my bad english, I'm German.
The big idea of the Isokinator is to find the max restistance where you are able to do a single rep of the given exercise by keeping the gold balls at their maximum outer limits. Then when you do your 3 sets of 10 reps you hold the balls at the position just above the drilled holes. This way you exercise at 70% resistance of your one rep max. Thanks for the video.
Truth be told it is a bit more complex than a single rep maximum, but the weight you can hold for 10 seconds in the position. The main objective is constant and consistent TUT while as much ROM as possible, 10 reps with 2 seconds cadence is a sweet spot. But there are many ways to skin a cat, as with everything.
Going back to working out. I am waaaaayout of shape. Took my IK out of its bag and put a few workouts into it. It really makes ypur muscle work... I alos have a few bullworkers and have a resistance bar on order. But i think the IK is the best isometric trainer for the space it takes...
I have just this week gone nack to mine. I used solely this 3 times per week when first go it and put on 14lb of muscle in about the first 8 months. That was aftsr about 15 years of conventional weight training. I then used x3 for a time which had moee of an effect of altering my body shape than growth. I seem to respond better to either straight up iso on devices like the isochain or low rep slow sets to maximize time under tension. This seems to provide a bridgs in between. The best tip with this device is you need to be okay training to failure. When you put the weight up after being able to do 3 sets of 10, you can probablh do Bout set of 10 ans two ssts of 8. You dont stop at eight though you keep tryjng to hold the balls in place for the remaining numbsr of reps until you gst to 10 - 100% effort. Very uncomfortable but your xtrength will rocket. I then note down the weight setting and i write a big number for proper reps and a small number next to it for the forced reps. Every workout you will do more than prior guaranteed 👌
To repeat what I've said in the other video; I do use this and find it to be a handy tool that can be done anywhere. I feel I get some good results with it, though I have some critiques to give; I wish there was a noise system that lets you know that the balls are reaching far enough and when they are going off the mark to let you know how many reps you can do with the weight you've set it on. I feel like maybe instead of the words being printed on it, they can be engraved on in case the print wears off and you can still see the numbers. For the Green Giant and Black Beast, I feel like the two sliders should be connected together instead of being separate to make it more convenient. Also, more options for leg exercises would be great.
The Isokinator is far way better than the bullworker FACT Comparing the Isokinator to the Iso bow is like comparing a second hand rust bucket to a Ferrari Bullworker recently released the 60th anniversary limited edition which bought, but the 60th anniversary edition doesn't even come close to the quality and build of the Isokinator. If you ever have the good fortune to use any Isokinator your world will change for ever. The quality is absolutely insane. I have 3 Isokinators The Spaceman, The Green Giant and The Black Beast
I have a pretty nicely equipped home gym, use the x3 as well and have received the Isokinator a few days ago with the thought to use it when on business travel. After a few short days of using it movements take some time to get used to. The two balls really help building muscle-mid connection which is critical for challenging the targeted muscles. First impression: targeting upper back and chest really works with this little thing, biceps-triceps not so much, at least not yet. For leg exercises I still have to get used to the movements. Yet there is an "upper body fights lower body" exercise which I find really effective, the one to do when your daily schedule is very busy and you have 10-15 minutes to challenge as many muscles as possible and give them some serious burn. Adding selected isokinetc exercises with the Isokinator to my upper body work outs with weights could be useful as well, will definitely try it.
Cost is relative. If you enjoy using the equipment the cost over years is minimal. I have the Bullworker products and also the Isokinator Big Green Monster. Variations with different equipment keeps from being bored.
@Curtisstewart bonjour,je posséde aussi le green giant. Et j'ai un doute sur le réglage de la resistance. Vous réglez les 4 curseurs en même temps ou seulement 2 jusqu'a 180 et utiliser les 2 autres une fois arriver à180? Merci j'espére que la traduction sera bonne 😂
@@Nad1922 Selon le fabricant, les curseurs doivent être réglés de la même manière. Donc, si les curseurs avant sont à 50, les curseurs arrière doivent être à 50. Ce qui serait 25. C’est déroutant, mais assez allemand.
Looks like you caught the isometric bug. I think it goes great with Total Gym exercises. My first isometric exerciser was a Minute a Day exerciser in the early 60s.
Hello and greetings from Greece!Congrats for your videos!!!One question do you think it is enough to train only with isokinator and maby cardio without any weight exercises?
@@hybridresistance thanks a lot!!! I am trying to lose weight ,I have lost around 25 kg with diet and cardio,and trying many ways of resistance training such as bands,chest expanders isokinator and bull worker.trying to find which is the best while I am traveling
Very cool, Mike! How comfortable are the straps? I use the IsoBow for these movements. The IsoBow is very comfortable to hold. The difference, as you note, is the Isokinator has a little spring loaded give to it (like the IsoChain). So how would you compare the comfort between the two?
I think they are totally comfortable. I'd say it's just different because on one your obviously pulling straps versus a handle. For whatever it's worth I definitely gravitate towards this, but that could be because of the functionality of the feedback. I notice when I switch to the iso-bow the grip distance feels further, so for the chest movements, I like the isokinator for the closer handles.
@@hybridresistance I've had some comfort issues with exercise m6a starting around 90kg. It's a shame that it's not a modular system with adjustable handles, that would have been ideal
@@teoasinari1229there is a long strap you can bug to clip on, and you can fold the extra strap in half too, which gives you four different grip lengths, which is quite good
Thanks brother. I don't know if it's a tip, but what I've been doing consistently with this machine since this review is at the end of my upper body workout days I do the "M1A, M2D, M5D," at the end for 3 sets 10 reps and M5A,M6C,M6B on occasion. So basically find the exercises that really hit you the most and repeat those. I have been progressing on the intensity as well.
Is the only difference with Iso-Bow is the feedback through measurement? Or is the tension/shape/resistance is any different? I love the Iso-Bow and I've been using it daily for 3 years, I would love to try the Isokinator before spending almost 500$ on it.....
@@hybridresistance thank you for the reply! Also is there any exercise that you were able to do with the max weight of 100kg using your device? It seems to me that the Black version is useless, I don't see which exercise could be done at +100kg
@@hybridresistance thank you! last question, is there any exercise on that grey version that you were able to max out? I'm on the fence between the Special version vs the Black Beast.
sorta look like a dragon fly lol,but i do believe it work because of the iso hold is resistance just different, probably good to add into yr t.g and band workout for a switch up on the muscle,but resistance is resistance in many ways,im still researching this type of training,but great video on some of this different but affective training✌️
It's hard to track progress on increases without some manner to quantify amount of effort. Hence towels etc are certainly inferior. Also now the Isochain and Max.
I did review the isomax and iso chain if you missed those. That's basically what sent me down this rabbit hole. Honestly though, I'm finding I'm not using it as much as I though I would.
@@hybridresistanceIt+ is definitely a bit of an overall different paradigm in training. I have been getting more and more into it generally. I have most of the equipment you have reviewed. But not this one, price point is a bit high. But I might try saving my coins for a while.
The classic “grey” alien had me freaked out for years about getting abducted. Reading “communion”, watching “fire in the sky” , and unsolved mysteries didn’t help though.
I see that there are two straps on each side. Do they serve different purposes? Also, have you tried any exercises using the included extra strap with carabiner? Thanks for this review!
Yes, the manual says the small ones are for the hands and the bigger ones are for the lower body. But there are some exercises (and just personal preference) where you break this. I actually had a lot of footage of this thing, but just decided to make this a shorter review. The extra strap is used for some upper and lower body exercises. There's one crazy one that feels great using the bigger strap at the feet and smaller for hands, almost for a total body exercise.
@@hybridresistanceThat’s the combat trainer upper and lower body exercise…I use this exercise to finish the workout. Using the Black Beast..worth every penny.
I would like to purchase the black model, but these little machines cost more than a home gym like a total gym. I know they’re probably quality made, but the price point is honestly ridiculous considering what you get.
I hear you and recognized that the price would be huge factor. The only thing I'd add is that when you find out what the actual cost is to some products, paying that much for something that is hand assembled, with those materials, and built to last at least 20 years, their margins I'm sure are not as great. I may make a video on this, but I've learned of things that are greater in price, whose cost to manufacture is $30. This is essentially what the amazon market is flooded with. Certainly though, you can reap isometric benefits with extremely tools as well.
Would it be overpriced if it were the size of a refrigerator and worked the same muscles? Cell phones are small, but cost a lot. We pay the price because of what they do a lot for us. I'm more interested in what something does for me rather how much "stuff" you get for your money
@@dwightjones3305 no then the price would be more in line with what you get. Phones are expensive due to the electronics. I’m not saying the Isokinator has no value, it’s just overpriced for what it is. When you look at a large piece of equipment you can easier justify the price. For $100 less I’d much prefer the Isochain. You do you though.
@@hybridresistance I have had my isokinator classic for 9 yrs and used regular. It is still just as good as the day i bought it other than the webbing straps starting to wear a "little" but still working great. I just bought the black beast also and the new wider webbing is even better. I have no doubt that i will be passing these down to my grandkids.
I am looking to pull the trigger on an Isokinator. Do you feel the model you reviewed has sufficient resistance? I'm a life-long trainer but have some limitations due to artificial hip and shoulder joints.
@@tsg2513 I honestly wanted the black one, once I first started messing with it, but I really think this is one is the sweet spot. Based on what I hear, the black one is a literal beast on some exercises. This one I feel has a nice flexible range (at least for me personally) where I can still dial it down for smaller muscles and up for the larger ones without maxing it out.
Look closely at all of the exercises you do with this device. Pay attention to how you hold the device relative to the position of your body and how it likes to operate. And then truthfully ask yourself whether any of the exercises are bio-mechanically correct.
I agree with what I think you’re saying that the exercises listed wouldn’t fully stress the desired working body parts. I somewhat alluded to that and this in my previous video as well. But with that being said, as far as just a progressive isometric resistance device you can do some novel things. Whether it’s worth the high price tag per what you can do with it I think really boils down to with what the individual wants /personal preferences.
I bought one 3 years ago, and I've to say I'm happy with it. For me its the perfect tool when I'm travelling. Its a Gym to go. It doesnt need a lot of space and it is easy to transport. There is not a gym everywhere around, so use this one to stay at least in shape. Follow the instructions and you'll be fine. It seems a bit expensive, but it is the same decission to pay for a memebership are invest in other equipment. Btw, sorry for my bad english, I'm German.
The big idea of the Isokinator is to find the max restistance where you are able to do a single rep of the given exercise by keeping the gold balls at their maximum outer limits. Then when you do your 3 sets of 10 reps you hold the balls at the position just above the drilled holes. This way you exercise at 70% resistance of your one rep max. Thanks for the video.
Great tips, thank you!
Fantastic tip
Truth be told it is a bit more complex than a single rep maximum, but the weight you can hold for 10 seconds in the position.
The main objective is constant and consistent TUT while as much ROM as possible, 10 reps with 2 seconds cadence is a sweet spot.
But there are many ways to skin a cat, as with everything.
Don't apologize for reviewing products - the information is welcomed and appreciated by many.
Appreciate you brother. Thanks for the support.
Going back to working out. I am waaaaayout of shape. Took my IK out of its bag and put a few workouts into it. It really makes ypur muscle work... I alos have a few bullworkers and have a resistance bar on order. But i think the IK is the best isometric trainer for the space it takes...
I have just this week gone nack to mine. I used solely this 3 times per week when first go it and put on 14lb of muscle in about the first 8 months. That was aftsr about 15 years of conventional weight training. I then used x3 for a time which had moee of an effect of altering my body shape than growth. I seem to respond better to either straight up iso on devices like the isochain or low rep slow sets to maximize time under tension. This seems to provide a bridgs in between.
The best tip with this device is you need to be okay training to failure. When you put the weight up after being able to do 3 sets of 10, you can probablh do Bout set of 10 ans two ssts of 8. You dont stop at eight though you keep tryjng to hold the balls in place for the remaining numbsr of reps until you gst to 10 - 100% effort. Very uncomfortable but your xtrength will rocket. I then note down the weight setting and i write a big number for proper reps and a small number next to it for the forced reps. Every workout you will do more than prior guaranteed 👌
Thanks, I just got the IK, love it. Will try to your recommendation, great tip!
To repeat what I've said in the other video;
I do use this and find it to be a handy tool that can be done anywhere. I feel I get some good results with it, though I have some critiques to give;
I wish there was a noise system that lets you know that the balls are reaching far enough and when they are going off the mark to let you know how many reps you can do with the weight you've set it on.
I feel like maybe instead of the words being printed on it, they can be engraved on in case the print wears off and you can still see the numbers.
For the Green Giant and Black Beast, I feel like the two sliders should be connected together instead of being separate to make it more convenient.
Also, more options for leg exercises would be great.
The Isokinator is far way better than the bullworker FACT
Comparing the Isokinator to the Iso bow is like comparing a second hand rust bucket to a Ferrari
Bullworker recently released the 60th anniversary limited edition which bought, but the 60th anniversary edition doesn't even come close to the quality and build of the Isokinator.
If you ever have the good fortune to use any Isokinator your world will change for ever.
The quality is absolutely insane.
I have 3 Isokinators The Spaceman, The Green Giant and The Black Beast
I love these small devices, another good review.
Thanks Lou!
I have a pretty nicely equipped home gym, use the x3 as well and have received the Isokinator a few days ago with the thought to use it when on business travel. After a few short days of using it movements take some time to get used to. The two balls really help building muscle-mid connection which is critical for challenging the targeted muscles. First impression: targeting upper back and chest really works with this little thing, biceps-triceps not so much, at least not yet. For leg exercises I still have to get used to the movements. Yet there is an "upper body fights lower body" exercise which I find really effective, the one to do when your daily schedule is very busy and you have 10-15 minutes to challenge as many muscles as possible and give them some serious burn. Adding selected isokinetc exercises with the Isokinator to my upper body work outs with weights could be useful as well, will definitely try it.
Cost is relative. If you enjoy using the equipment the cost over years is minimal.
I have the Bullworker products and also the Isokinator Big Green Monster. Variations with different equipment keeps from being bored.
All this is VERY TRUE!
@Curtisstewart bonjour,je posséde aussi le green giant.
Et j'ai un doute sur le réglage de la resistance.
Vous réglez les 4 curseurs en même temps ou seulement 2 jusqu'a 180 et utiliser les 2 autres une fois arriver à180?
Merci j'espére que la traduction sera bonne 😂
@@Nad1922 Selon le fabricant, les curseurs doivent être réglés de la même manière. Donc, si les curseurs avant sont à 50, les curseurs arrière doivent être à 50. Ce qui serait 25. C’est déroutant, mais assez allemand.
@@curtisstewart3179 Ok super 🙂👍 merci beaucoup pour votre réponse et en Français en plus vraiment sympa👍
I have used this for many years. I gained muscles like with Dumbbells.
Would love to know more about how you use it.
Looks like you caught the isometric bug. I think it goes great with Total Gym exercises.
My first isometric exerciser was a Minute a Day exerciser in the early 60s.
100%. Love the feeling and pump I get when I’m doing isometrics. Also, I just feel stronger going back to regular exercises.
Hello and greetings from Greece!Congrats for your videos!!!One question do you think it is enough to train only with isokinator and maby cardio without any weight exercises?
Hello. I personally would not recommend just using this device for your resistance training.
@@hybridresistance thanks a lot!!! I am trying to lose weight ,I have lost around 25 kg with diet and cardio,and trying many ways of resistance training such as bands,chest expanders isokinator and bull worker.trying to find which is the best while I am traveling
Very cool, Mike! How comfortable are the straps? I use the IsoBow for these movements. The IsoBow is very comfortable to hold. The difference, as you note, is the Isokinator has a little spring loaded give to it (like the IsoChain). So how would you compare the comfort between the two?
I think they are totally comfortable. I'd say it's just different because on one your obviously pulling straps versus a handle. For whatever it's worth I definitely gravitate towards this, but that could be because of the functionality of the feedback. I notice when I switch to the iso-bow the grip distance feels further, so for the chest movements, I like the isokinator for the closer handles.
@@hybridresistance FWIW I twist my IsoBow several times (in the middle) to shorten the distance between the handles for chest moves...
@@hybridresistance I've had some comfort issues with exercise m6a starting around 90kg. It's a shame that it's not a modular system with adjustable handles, that would have been ideal
@@teoasinari1229there is a long strap you can bug to clip on, and you can fold the extra strap in half too, which gives you four different grip lengths, which is quite good
Can you upload a video about full body workout with isokinator
Welcome to the isometrics world. I have to say this device looks interesting
Share your review in the comments of the twister device. That looked awesome.
@@hybridresistance it is a great product I think it deserves more attention. I will post it
Good video, is there any tip that you would like to share after using it a bit more?
Thanks
Thanks brother. I don't know if it's a tip, but what I've been doing consistently with this machine since this review is at the end of my upper body workout days I do the "M1A, M2D, M5D," at the end for 3 sets 10 reps and M5A,M6C,M6B on occasion. So basically find the exercises that really hit you the most and repeat those. I have been progressing on the intensity as well.
Is the only difference with Iso-Bow is the feedback through measurement? Or is the tension/shape/resistance is any different?
I love the Iso-Bow and I've been using it daily for 3 years, I would love to try the Isokinator before spending almost 500$ on it.....
The tension is for sure different. There's a little give to the weight adjustment you set. But yes, for $500, you have to really like these things.
@@hybridresistance thank you for the reply! Also is there any exercise that you were able to do with the max weight of 100kg using your device? It seems to me that the Black version is useless, I don't see which exercise could be done at +100kg
@@hybridresistance thank you! last question, is there any exercise on that grey version that you were able to max out? I'm on the fence between the Special version vs the Black Beast.
sorta look like a dragon fly lol,but i do believe it work because of the iso hold is resistance just different, probably good to add into yr t.g and band workout for a switch up on the muscle,but resistance is resistance in many ways,im still researching this type of training,but great video on some of this different but affective training✌️
Dragonfly makes more sense. Don’t know why I jumped to alien! Thanks again Elad, you’re the man.
I have the iso now which I like.
Not sure the price of this would be worth it.
Thanks for the review.
No problem, thanks for watching.
4:00 What's the board you are using for Isometrics?
That would be my "Mac Board". Got one left if you're interested slidingbenchtrainer.com/product/mac-board-homemade-high-quality-board/
@@hybridresistance Okay, interesting, looks good. So how much?
It's hard to track progress on increases without some manner to quantify amount of effort. Hence towels etc are certainly inferior.
Also now the Isochain and Max.
I did review the isomax and iso chain if you missed those. That's basically what sent me down this rabbit hole. Honestly though, I'm finding I'm not using it as much as I though I would.
@@hybridresistanceIt+ is definitely a bit of an overall different paradigm in training. I have been getting more and more into it generally. I have most of the equipment you have reviewed. But not this one, price point is a bit high. But I might try saving my coins for a while.
Face Hugger?!… lol.
The Xenomorph gave me nightmares as a kid though.
The classic “grey” alien had me freaked out for years about getting abducted. Reading “communion”, watching “fire in the sky” , and unsolved mysteries didn’t help though.
I see that there are two straps on each side. Do they serve different purposes? Also, have you tried any exercises using the included extra strap with carabiner?
Thanks for this review!
Yes, the manual says the small ones are for the hands and the bigger ones are for the lower body. But there are some exercises (and just personal preference) where you break this. I actually had a lot of footage of this thing, but just decided to make this a shorter review. The extra strap is used for some upper and lower body exercises. There's one crazy one that feels great using the bigger strap at the feet and smaller for hands, almost for a total body exercise.
@@hybridresistanceThat’s the combat trainer upper and lower body exercise…I use this exercise to finish the workout. Using the Black Beast..worth every penny.
If you think you can replace te isokinator with a towel or a simple strap, you don't understand something.
I would like to purchase the black model, but these little machines cost more than a home gym like a total gym. I know they’re probably quality made, but the price point is honestly ridiculous considering what you get.
I hear you and recognized that the price would be huge factor. The only thing I'd add is that when you find out what the actual cost is to some products, paying that much for something that is hand assembled, with those materials, and built to last at least 20 years, their margins I'm sure are not as great. I may make a video on this, but I've learned of things that are greater in price, whose cost to manufacture is $30. This is essentially what the amazon market is flooded with. Certainly though, you can reap isometric benefits with extremely tools as well.
Would it be overpriced if it were the size of a refrigerator and worked the same muscles? Cell phones are small, but cost a lot. We pay the price because of what they do a lot for us. I'm more interested in what something does for me rather how much "stuff" you get for your money
@@dwightjones3305 no then the price would be more in line with what you get. Phones are expensive due to the electronics. I’m not saying the Isokinator has no value, it’s just overpriced for what it is. When you look at a large piece of equipment you can easier justify the price. For $100 less I’d much prefer the Isochain. You do you though.
@@hybridresistance I have had my isokinator classic for 9 yrs and used regular. It is still just as good as the day i bought it other than the webbing straps starting to wear a "little" but still working great. I just bought the black beast also and the new wider webbing is even better. I have no doubt that i will be passing these down to my grandkids.
Which model is this one you are using?
It's the "special". Beggars can't be choosers, but wish I had that "black beast". Probably would be too much for me though.
I am looking to pull the trigger on an Isokinator. Do you feel the model you reviewed has sufficient resistance? I'm a life-long trainer but have some limitations due to artificial hip and shoulder joints.
@@tsg2513 I honestly wanted the black one, once I first started messing with it, but I really think this is one is the sweet spot. Based on what I hear, the black one is a literal beast on some exercises. This one I feel has a nice flexible range (at least for me personally) where I can still dial it down for smaller muscles and up for the larger ones without maxing it out.
Look closely at all of the exercises you do with this device. Pay attention to how you hold the device relative to the position of your body and how it likes to operate. And then truthfully ask yourself whether any of the exercises are bio-mechanically correct.
I agree with what I think you’re saying that the exercises listed wouldn’t fully stress the desired working body parts. I somewhat alluded to that and this in my previous video as well. But with that being said, as far as just a progressive isometric resistance device you can do some novel things. Whether it’s worth the high price tag per what you can do with it I think really boils down to with what the individual wants /personal preferences.
It's just way too expensive...I rather stick to my much cheaper Iso Bow..does about the same thing.
Definitely can see and appreciate that. I wish the iso-bow had a way to adjust the length setting.