Are Flywheel Trainers Worth the Cost? Comparing Flywheel Value to Traditional Gym Equipment

[@scooobyj8714]

I really would love to get my hands on a fly wheel system. I think the constant load and time under tension effect is next level. I just can’t justify the $$$ right now. Free weights are the king in my home gym (the rust used ones haha)

[@TheKurtlocker]

Can’t fault you there!

[@Leonidas-eu9bb]

Don't buy kynett if you are about serious strength training. It's not designed for high forces.

[@TheKurtlocker]

I’ve had my frustrations but I’m not really following your logic here. Can you please walk me through it?

[@Leonidas-eu9bb]

@@TheKurtlocker I mean it's OK for single arm training. But everything over 100kg/225lbs is too much. It has only a 3/4"wide thin nylon band that streches under greater loads wich is not good. We want a direct energy transfer. So no squats and no o pulls with this. A firm stable box model is the only solution.

[@TheKurtlocker]

@Leonidas-eu9bb is agree that it does have its flaws, but what do you mean by 225lb? There is also a newer strap that is stiffer that I’m actually testing now

[@jimhollars509]

I have the Exxentric Kbox active and use it every workout. It really shines in warm ups and supplementing as an accessory lift machine. It is the most utilitarian (many uses) piece I own. Also low friction in terms of just get on it and go

[@TheKurtlocker]

I’m hoping to have a kBox to compare side by side with that I have soon

[@sobutterysmooth]

I invested into the Handygym first. It was about $800, but the training I got with it humbled me. Now I have the Exxentric systems, and I really love it (it really is the real deal). About $3500, but I honestly don’t regret it. It’s a small foot space, really versatile, and it provides a much different resistance profile than just training with weights and resistance bands or isometric trainers. It has provided me carryover for my lifts. Is it necessary? No, but it is extremely effective.

[@TheKurtlocker]

I’ve used the Exxentric system in physical therapy and would LOVE to have some in my gym collection.

[@DerickCross34]

For the algorithm 🫡 great vid. I’m a little fly wheel curious now

[@TheKurtlocker]

We need to get a flywheel booth at home gym con

[@airgordo4]

I get what you’re saying, for what they can “replace” or “mimic” the price isn’t horrible in comparison.. but, they are still astronomically overpriced for the actual components you receive. I have to assume the margins on flywheel units are the largest in all of the fitness industry. There just isn’t enough to the actual components to justify the price no matter how functional or beneficial.

[@TheKurtlocker]

Completely understand that point of view but I just can’t agree given the context of the product.

[@619_ER]

Wonder if I can turn an older Concept2 machines into one? Been seeing lots of well used rowers for sale on the super low on offer up and Craigslist. Be a fun project.

[@TheKurtlocker]

The potential for DIYs are out there

[@DesignBuildLift]

Very informative!

[@TheKurtlocker]

Thank you. I really was trying to be more concise but missed the mark a little bit.

[@DesignBuildLift]

@@TheKurtlocker you did great!

[@GarageGymRadio]

Hopefully they do catch on though and the price does come down.

[@TheKurtlocker]

I would love to see prices come down but I don’t see that happening until people can get a feel for flywheel training as a modality thereby increasing its popularity

[@BasementBrandon]

Before I even watch I'm saying way over priced.

[@TheKurtlocker]

Curious on your thoughts post-watching my talking head

[@squatrx]

SAME

[@randybowman]

I found what is essentially a kbox or whatever on AliExpress for about 300$. I'm gonna wait for black Friday and see if I can get it sub 300$, but at that price I feel like it's worth it. Above 500$ I don't feel like it's worth it.

[@TheKurtlocker]

@randybowman I see the same one. It’s $140 with $150 shipping. I’m tempted to buy it and test it alongside the others I’m testing

[@randybowman]

@@TheKurtlocker I'd love it if you did. I searched specifically for anyone reviewing any of the ali express options and couldn't find anything. If they are even close in quality then it would open up the flywheel training for people like me who can't afford to spend a ton on name brand ones for something that won't take up the bulk of my training.

[@gainmachines]

Single column trainers provide a very different type of resistance. You yourself have both a stack AND a flywheel system, so what are we missing when choosing one over the other?

[@TheKurtlocker]

I actually find myself using the single stack less and less and preferring the flywheel.

[@bobbypilon3144]

Is the resistance variable more like a band or consistant really like a cable machine? Great review by the way.

[@TheKurtlocker]

Consistent based on the inertia introduced by the lifter. The strength curve remains more the same with flywheel

[@TheGhu123]

I did not like the belt squat on Kbox so swap it out for rhino. However I miss the flywheel for curls and shoulder rehab work. I might pick up the kynett during this Black Friday.

[@TheKurtlocker]

I really am trying to get a Kynett box so I can have the vertical loading to get the whole Kynett effect. Also keep an eye out on Kratos for some portable style stuff

[@TheGhu123]

@@TheKurtlocker How does the kratos feel vs kynett? Kynett fit is ~700 for black Friday which is tempting.

[@TheKurtlocker]

@TheGhu123 I like the Kratos a little better but Kynett is solid, especially with the force extender.

[@randybowman]

On the kbox you could probably do any barbell type exercise right? Like overhead press etc? Probably would be hard to bench, but other than that right?

[@TheKurtlocker]

Performing a bench on flywheel units is difficult to do but I’ll find a way to

[@randybowman]

@@TheKurtlocker but pretty much most other barbell exercises should be pretty straight forward right? Squats, overhead press etc ?

[@TheKurtlocker]

Stay tuned this winter. I’ll be doing a lot of content on flywheel stuff

[@BrimhallBarbellClub]

Cool idea; wish the price would come down.

[@TheKurtlocker]

I wish it would as well but I just think they carry a value. I mean if we are paying $2k for a battery operated single cable resistance machine…is this actually overpriced?

[@weightsnwaves]

How has the nylon webbing held up? Any concerns for the long term durability?

[@TheKurtlocker]

On which unit?

[@weightsnwaves]

@@TheKurtlocker Kynett

[@TheKurtlocker]

Still good. The Kynett strap doesn’t have any wear to it even after pulling repeatedly not quite directly lining up

[@loadiam]

How well could the Kynett Fit integrate with the Surplus Strength UPS High & Low, as a replacement the weight pin and plate loading?

[@TheKurtlocker]

I’ve actually tested this with success

[@loadiam]

@@TheKurtlocker If you ever wanted to make some content for your channel I would be interested to see your level of success. I am based in Europe and they ship out of (or through) the Netherlands avoiding added taxes so I have been considering it. I love my UPS and use it in almost every workout, but I have a limited space so I am always looking for ways to improve my home gym and add more options which fit in the space.

[@TheKurtlocker]

It’ll be included in my review

[@duvertjeremy4690]

Seems really interesting as portable/rack attached devices but how to manage and track progressive overload on this type of device ? And what about durability ?

[@TheKurtlocker]

With the Kratos I’m not worried about durability. The Kynett is newer to my space but so far it’s solid enough

[@GymCrafter]

How much does a basketball hoop upright thing add to the price? 😂 Great video. I wish I could try one, maybe there will be a chance at HGC next year!

[@TheKurtlocker]

I hope so as well!

[@chrisdonnell2575]

Kurt appreciate your channel and advice. I want a bit more variety in my programs so was considering getting the Crandall lever arms. I'd like hammer strength type exercises for variety for chest and shoulders mostly but might row with it as well. Curious how the flywheels are for chest or shoulders? Which exercises do you do with them the most? Do you ever use them after say a bench chest workout to totally exhaust muscles? Most of us have never used them have no idea how they feel so the harder you pull the harder eccentric feels? The point is to resist that on way down? Is it 1 to 1 ie if I push 125lbs with one arm does it feel like 125lbs on way down or can it be set to more as we're stronger on that portion. I think I might be interested if I could get heavier eccentric lifts like I think Voltra can do.

[@TheKurtlocker]

I really want to get a flywheel booth at Home Gym Con this year to let people experience this amazing modality. I absolutely use it for upper body work including incline chest press, triceps extension, rows, biceps curl, straight arm pulldown, overhead press, delt raises etc. yes, the harder you pull, the faster the inertia wheel spins. When the webbing reaches its maximum length the inertia wheel continues spinning as fast as you pulled it and it then starts to retract the webbing into the machine and you use the eccentric part of the lift to stop the inertia of the flywheel and then begin the process again.

[@squatrx]

Is the InerceX Box (on Amazon) a knock-off copy of these?

[@TheKurtlocker]

Upon first glance it looks like another option for a platform style vertically loaded flywheel trainer. No idea if they are violating anyone’s patents etc

[@carps_gym]

Big Kurt

[@carps_gym]

@@619_ER I’m not sure I know what that is….????

[@carps_gym]

@@619_ER we’ll see. Nothing crazy at this point just rains. But my route ain’t gonna run it self so somebody’s gotta work.

[@benbarnett1076]

Not a big fan of the "consider all the things it replaces" mindset when thinking of cost. If that's the case, then a basic barbell and set of plates should cost $10,000+ considering all you can do with just those pieces. It doesn't cost anywhere near that, because "what it replaces" is not a good basis for determining price. I get the R&D/patent argument, but at the end of the day if you're trying to sell me $100 of components for $2000, I'm going to laugh in your face and say no. Not everything is a viable business. If you need to charge an arm and a leg for very basic equipment, it might just not be something that really ever gets adopted enough to bring the price down.

[@TheKurtlocker]

I would wonder if folks would see the benefit if they could experience the equipment. I understand your argument though but still disagree with your dismissal of the evaluation. Thanks for watching

[@LosFerrer]

… what about progressive overload? It is quite not comparable to weight stacks…

[@TheKurtlocker]

I’d argue that it is. You can step up the resistance with heavier disks and can measure velocity on some units. You’re still overloading, just measuring it in a different way

[@andie_pl]

these flywheels always remind me of equipment that's made more for rehabbing injuries and PT

[@TheKurtlocker]

That’s how I was originally introduced to it but there is a lot you can do for other training as well. Especially athleticism as well as hypertrophy

[@philbolden8279]

absolutley, not correct. i train with professional athletes and we use versapully's in almost every workout we do. Mark Verstagen founder of core performance used fly wheel trainers in most workout as well. fly wheel trainers put a different load on the muscles as opposed to a stack pulley. great for rotational movmenets too.