Raise The Workout Bar: Axle Barbell
The only gym equipment you need-is in a bar.
Shopping for home gym equipment is like running through the Titanic as it is going down, trying to find what to salvage before it fully goes under. Sure you can grab that or the other thing, or that thing over there- all hoping the “pick” you made is the right one. With so many home-gym “must grabs” out there, how does one decide what piece of gym equipment gets the job done? That is where The Axle Workout comes into the picture- and rivals any other piece of gym equipment you may have your sights set on.
The Axle Barbell is an all in one tool that lets everyone of any level experience the benefits of lifting. String together a couple BMX bike wheels, a cable cross bar and some 2” ends and you have what is, effectively, an ultralight Olympic Barbell that anyone can lift. Our crew wanted to get our hands on this and so we grabbed the bar, wheels, and accessories for the ultimate lift-test.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Right out the gate this thing is legit cool- The Axle Barbell comes un-assembled, but can be assembled in no time at all. The initial setup took all but 2 minutes to click the bar together, and attach the wheels. A slight air inflation of the tires and the workout begun. The AXLE bar measures 55 inches long and weighs an ultra-light 11.2 pounds. It has an all around sleek design and could see how it is perfect for a wide variety of workouts and routines.
After the initial setup and run through of the AXLE system workout suggestions, the all-in-one home gym bar was ready to roll- no pun intended.
The Axle Barbell (6 lbs)
Two (2) Olympic Wheels (5lbs)
Two (2) Bar Clamps
Two (2) 5lb Weights
Axle Strength Band
Two (2) Axle Foot Anchors
Axle Tote Bag
From traditional lifts like bench press, straight bar lifting, and deadlift, to a core roller and Crossfit bar – this piece of equipment is designed to do it all.
Our Initial crew Impression: Let’s get this thing rollin’…and lifting!
TESTING IT OUT
Grabbing the bar and heading to the home gym was the next stop on the review train. The anodized aluminum and ACS plastic construction really provides a durable yet lightweight bar- which also allows it to collapse for easy storage and work with any Olympic plate or strength band.
THE STARTUP
The wheel bundle comes with not only the barbell wheel, but the locking clips, added dumbbell weights, foot straps, and a carry bag. Simple clicks and snaps and in no time the barbell was ready for use. A simple pump of air in the tires adds to the ability to easily move the barbell on the ground for a variety of exercises. The handle grip, clamps and easy of construction was perfect for those who did want to go portable with the barbell and not feel like it was a puzzle to reconstruct.
THE EXERCISES
We are huge fans of various workouts, and especially love trying some of the Best Dumbbell Back Exercises we can get our hands on. Axle comes with one really cool feature is the app you can download for guided workouts. If you are not inclined to do so, there are still a variety of ways to use the barbell. Some of the best exercises was adding the barbells and doing above head lifts, down to the ground, roll out, roll back and repeat. Aside from this there are several deadlifts, above the head lifts, rolling exercises and even some for one arm isolation or both arms. No matter the space you are working out in, the AXLE Barbell gave plenty of regiments for upper and mid-body exercise.
THE FEEL
Can you say burn? Well that is what ya feel when you use the AXLE Bar for a full workout. For 15 minutes of lifting, then rolling, and back, you can really feel the burning of the core muscle groups. Legs? Yeah- no problem. With simple leg rollout exercises, all muscle groups from calves to hammies, and glutes felt the burn. The best part is there is no major length of time to start feeling the impact of the bar. It doesn’t take 45 minutes to get the muscles going. Rather short or long sets are possible- it is just a matter of how long you can go.
STANDOUT FEATURES
If a bar that features a rolling wheel design, ability to add tension, and the pile on free weight options are not enough- then we think you might be trippin’. But, if you have to know what some of the standout features are- sure, here they are:
The bar is easy to assemble and can fit inside a portable carry bag for the gym-goer on the go
The ability to add or remove weights to the bar bring a whole world of possibilities to the amount of lifting (or not) you want to do
The app workouts are really helpful if you need guidance, ideas, or just the motivation
No need to use an app- for sure, who cares because you can do whatever you want with the AXLE bar
The design is trusted by some pretty well known athletes- so you’d be in good company grabbing a bar
BONUS FEATURES
As a bonus feature, AXLE Barbell offers a large range of resources and information to help bring your fitness goals into focus. With trainings, challenges, accessories, and beyond, there is no limit to what you can accomplish with AXLE.
Overall duuude Factor: The One-Two Punch Your Workout Needed!
Price: $254 for the AXLE Bundle
BRAND INFO
The AXLE mission is simple: Bring affordable strength training to people everywhere. With plenty of athletes, gym buffs, and newbies to the game giving the barbell a try- it is no question AXLE is accomplishing just that.
“Working with NBA players and elite athletes in NYC, Andrew Page realized that the 7-foot, 45lb Olympic Bar struggled as a functional tool for most people. String together a couple BMX bike wheels, a cable cross bar and some 2” ends and you have what is, effectively, an ultralight Olympic Barbell that anyone can lift.
Such was the first version of what we now call The Axle. It’s a tool that lets every one of any level experience the benefits of lifting.”
Check out AXLE and their resources and online shop to get started.
