Home training systems seem to be a dime a dozen right now. Thanks to the
internet, it doesn’t require much effort to find
valuable reviews from real people
willing to praise and
condemn the most popular home workout programs.
Two of the most sought-after home training products are the X3 bar
and the Gorilla Bow. Each offers various features and benefits.
Which is right for you? It depends on your goals and budget.
This review will provide insight into relevant considerations. One option leads
the industry in terms of safety, versatility, and scientific results.
Only one serves as the primary
strength-building system for professional athletes
.
And only one has been shown to drastically increase muscle and strength in as
little as 12 weeks.
Which band training system takes the gains? Read on to find out.
Gorilla Bow Benefits #
The Gorilla Bow, which starts at just under $200, is a sound band system for
those with a tight budget looking to supplement an already well-rounded home
training system.
The Bow itself is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, and some users are
pleasantly impressed with its sturdy build. While the standard model doesn’t
fold up for air travel, it is light enough to carry to the park or the beach to
enjoy an outdoor training session.
Gorilla Bow claims to replicate the weights it replaces with strong bands.
However, you need multiple bands of varying lengths to produce heavy force,
which can be a hassle. Plus, the bow’s wide-angle can cause the band to lose
tension in the weak and medium ranges of specific movements.
If you need a lightweight, portable band system, Gorilla Bow can help you break
a sweat.
When it comes to building muscle and strength, you may want to look elsewhere.
Gorilla Bow Drawbacks #
Reviews are mostly positive for the Gorilla Bow and tout its ability to provide
a fun training session with minimal equipment. Still, it has substantial
drawbacks.
You can combine four of the short bands (sold separately) for a 360lb chest
press, but those bands can’t be used for the squat. The X3 Bar package, on the
other hand, is 3x heavier, and you can use the bands for all exercises.
The Gorilla Bow claims to replicate 300+ lbs of resistance; however, you can
only produce such force with the chest press.
Despite its durable build, it’s not beneficial for advanced lifters looking to
squat and deadlift more than 300 lbs.
Additionally, some users have complained of
injuries from the bands
where the heavy bands are wrapped directly around the body. Both skin and joint
pain have been reported. X3 uses thicker bands for the heaviest exercises, as
well as a ground plate to provide extra stability and protection for heavy
movements like deadlifts.
Finally, other users have complained that the movements allowed by Gorilla bow
are not all-encompassing. Some say the Bow is useless on leg day, while others
enjoy the lightweight leg movement options.
X3 facilitates maximal muscle growth through a safely loaded heavyweight
stimulus. While light leg days may feel good, research suggests that heavyweight
leg training is most effective in building muscle.
Some find a horizontal bench motion enjoyable, while others complain that this
impinges upon the skin.
The heavier Gorilla Bow bands are sold separately, and while the bands do attach
securely, they only work for specific exercises.
Additionally, X3 offers all customers free access to its 12-week training
program without restrictions, whereas Gorilla Bow sells its training program for
a monthly fee. All in, the system runs about $350, maxes out around 300 lbs, and
works for many push and horizontal pull variants—but vertical pulls, squats, and
deadlifts are limited by less powerful band options and the lack of a ground
plate.
Does the Gorilla Bow build muscle? #
Long-term studies have yet to be conducted on its efficacy, but users are not
disappointed with their results, outside of minor injuries and training
limitations. One might conclude that users are pleased with their purchases,
“considering the low price.”
X3 Delivers On Bold Claims #
The X3 system promises to safely deliver 600 or more pounds of load in an
ergonomic format to properly fatigue muscles, protect joints, and build lean
muscle in a short amount of time. For those that feel this sounds too good to be
true, there’s plenty of scientific research to back these claims.
Developed by biomedical engineer Dr. John Jaquish, this training system operates
around the principle of continuous
variable resistance
.
According to Dr. Jaquish,
the problem with free weights
is
twofold: they overload the joints at certain positions and fail to tax the
muscles hard enough in other positions, leading to wasted time and high injury
risk
Such injuries are evidenced by thousands of dedicated weight lifters who
complain about having blown out their shoulders, knees, and hips by middle age
just by lifting weights. Lifting weights should make bodies stronger, not broken
down.
Dr. Jaquish saw this problem and invented the X3 system to:
- Load the muscle optimally at every stage of the movement
- Protect and strengthen joints despite extremely heavy loads
- Tax the muscle hard enough to stimulate muscle growth
- Optimize hormonal response
The inventor of OsteoStrong, a device proven to strengthen bones in
osteoarthritic women, Dr. Jaquish created X3 to be portable, durable,
challenging, and cost-effective for individuals to use at home.
Unlike its competitors, X3 includes a proven, science-backed
training program
and a steel base plate to protect smaller
joints and tendons in the feet, ankles, and knees from heavy bands. The X3 base
plate allows users to complete heavy compound movements like deadlifts to
stimulate the nervous system and build maximum muscle in the appropriate places.
What about the amount of time it takes to train? #
By optimizing the loading principle with continuous variable resistance, only
one set is required to effectively tax the target muscle group.
By working smarter and more strategically, the X3 bar provides
targeted exhaustion to muscles
in
much less time than one would need to spend at the gym trying to accomplish the
same goal. The entire recommended circuit should take approximately 10-15
minutes per day to complete. This is meant to stimulate muscle growth rather
than annihilate muscle fibers and joint capsules.
If you still want to spend more time training, you can—but your gains won’t
necessarily be greater. X3 bar puts the Ph.D. into anabolic practice and
maximizes strength, gains, and productivity for users.
X3 vs. Gorilla Bow: Head to Head #
When it comes to efficacy, X3 shines due to the continuous variable resistance
and high forces it provides throughout each movement.
Gorilla Bow
users have stated
that they found their workouts lacking because Gorilla Bow fails to deliver
sufficient load at the beginning and end ranges of specific exercises.
X3 also provides at least double the potential resistance that Gorilla Bow can
replicate. And with more versatility in movements, buyers will receive a much
better product in X3.
X3 has years of tens of thousands of satisfied users to back up its bold claims
of building pounds of muscle within a short timeframe.
Its continuous variable resistance, muscle-focused loading ergonomic design, and
tremendous weight stimulus allow X3 to produce extremely effective results in
users of all ages and physical capabilities.
Gorilla Bow offers more versatility in terms of exercises performed, but X3
provides a greater overall training stimulus and a free comprehensive workout
program, which supersedes the need for a wide variety of exercises.
Both training systems are durable and lightweight, but X3 is portable for home
storage or air travel and folds nicely into a
companion case
.
And while users like the feel of both products, only X3 showcases dozens of
professional athletes
who trust X3 as a key part of their
training methodologies.
X3 aside, resistance band systems that emphasize heavy loading without adequate
safety features do so at the expense of injury to bones and ligaments, as heavy
bands used without a barbell and ground plate interface can apply harmful
twisting forces to the small, delicate bones in one’s wrist and ankle joints.
Heavy resistance bands are incredibly useful for training, but delicate bones in
the ankles and wrists need to be protected, and only X3 takes this into account.
Is X3 Worth the Investment? #
While the X3 is more expensive than the Gorilla Bow, its quality and results
have made it a household name. And since it completely replaces an entire home
gym, it’s certainly worth the additional expense.
The price of X3 is relatively low, given its comparability to a regular monthly
gym membership or even a handful of sessions with a personal trainer. And if you
can’t afford to pay in full, financing is available through Affirm.
Gorilla Bow has a two-year warranty, which is decent for a product of its price
range. X3, on the other hand, offers a 5-year warranty on the bar and ground
plate and a scientific foundation to back up
tens of thousands of positive user reviews
on the system.
Recap and Final Thoughts #
According to a
recent interview with Ben Greenfield
,
the X3 training system represents “a more effective training protocol… that
challenges muscle where you are most capable and takes stress off joints where
you are least capable.”
As reviewers have pointed out, Gorilla Bow has less load capacity, which may not
challenge some users. It does not offer a protective ground plate and charges a
monthly fee for its video training program.
X3 can deliver higher forces, with constant tension on the muscle in ranges and
exercise configurations that are optimal for growth and joint stability.
Therefore, using a tailored band training system like X3 will provide the right
load to the right muscles, protect joints, and strengthen bones for decades to
come.
One final benefit offered by the legacy of the X3 system over the Gorilla Bow is
the engaged
online user support group
.
Tens of thousands of happy X3 converts provide encouragement, testimonials, and
education for new users, adding accountability, solidarity, and community that
one might get from the gym.
Gorilla Bow can’t offer anything comparable, perhaps because its users are less
committed; the X3 provides for an entire lifestyle, whereas Gorilla Bow is often
just a home gym supplement.
If you’re going to invest in an at-home band system, go with X3
.