Home gym equipment is traditionally large and bulky. Often, one piece of equipment — say, a squat rack — requires a lot of space that not a lot of people have. Thankfully, the best compact exercise equipment exists and can (to an extent) mimic the demands of free weights to move your fitness forward without requiring the space of a full-on garage gym.
The Gorilla Bow is one such piece of equipment that promises to deliver an intense workout to all muscle groups without a barbell and heavy weights. We wanted to see just how effective this unique piece of workout equipment is, so our expert product reviewers put it to the test using our equipment testing methodology. Tester and fitness writer Ben Emminger has owned the Original Gorilla Bow for years, and you can hear his honest thoughts about it in this Gorilla Bow review.
Original Gorilla Bow
For a unique resistance band workout that is closer to a barbell training session, consider the Original Gorilla Bow. Resembling an ancient longbow, this banded setup can provide whole-body sessions as you press and pull your way through the available resistance up to 300 pounds.
Main Takeaways
- The Gorilla Bow is a compact, portable resistance band workout system.
- Thanks to the bow element, using it feels much like training with a barbell.
- There’s a learning curve with this product, but it’s a worthwhile effort for those who want a lot of resistance in a small package.
Gorilla Bow Specs
| Price | Starts at $200 |
| Product Dimensions | 58.27” L x 10” W x 3.94” H |
| Levels of Resistance | 110 lbs to 520 lbs |
| Accessories | Travel bag, organizational cases |
| Workout Type | Strength training |
With prices starting at about $200, a Gorilla Bow is certainly a cost-efficient home workout investment. While $200 may seem expensive on the surface, the Gorilla Bow could truly replace a gym membership or full home gym for individuals who are training for general fitness — and willing to get creative with progressive overload and exercise selection.
The best barbells are great (if you have the space, we pretty much always encourage adding one — or two! — to your fitness toolbox), but if you want one piece of equipment to do literally everything, a barbell alone won’t cut it. But from biceps curls and bench presses to lunges and calf raises, you can do most anything with a Gorilla Bow.
The initial learning curve — which involves figuring out how to attach the resistance bands to the bow — might be a bit frustrating, per our tester and expert fitness writer Ben Emminger. But with Emminger’s tips at your side, you’ll likely get the hang of it in no time and start pushing out reps of shoulder presses and tricep extensions soon enough.
The main benefit of the Gorilla Bow portable home gym is, well, that it’s portable. The Original version measures about 4.8 feet long, but it’s slender and weighs just 5 pounds. Even if you aren’t looking to travel with it, it stores incredibly well — you won’t even know it’s in your coat closet.
Pros
Portable, compact strength fitness equipment
Allows you to do most compound exercises, like squats and deadlifts
May help you build muscle mass
Provides up to 520 lbs of resistance
Cons
Can be challenging to secure resistance bands to bow
Upper-body exercises, like the overhead press, can be difficult
Bow does not break down for added portability (for Original Bow option; other models do)
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the Gorilla Bow
The Gorilla Bow is a unique piece of equipment, and as such, it meets a specific need. Here’s who might get good use out of the Gorilla Bow and who should probably pass.
Recommended for:
- People who want to do strength training but don’t have a lot of space
- People who have a tight budget for strength training equipment
- People who travel often and want consistent access to strength training
Not Recommended for:
- People looking for a cardio workout from the best cardio machines (this is not that)
- People who have the space and budget for traditional resistance training equipment
- Bodybuilders, weightlifters, powerlifters, or anyone training for a specific sport
Our Experience Training With the Gorilla Bow
BarBend’s expert fitness writer and experienced product tester Ben Emminger says the Gorilla Bow is a bonafide alternative to free weight training. Depending on your fitness level and goals, it could be the ideal addition to your home gym space.
Significant Resistance
Many people are surprised when they learn how much resistance a set of resistance bands can actually create. The Original Gorilla Bow provides up to 520 pounds of resistance via bands —more than enough for most people.
Our expert product tester, Ben Emminger, says he likes the fact that the Gorilla Bow amplifies the capability of resistance band training by stringing the bands across an aluminum bow frame, allowing you to mimic your favorite barbell exercises. Additionally, thanks to the band bundles, he says there’s plenty of potential for high-intensity training that’s similar to plate-loaded regimens.
“I do recommend starting light, though, and getting a feel for your setups,” Emminger cautions. “When you brace the bands across your back, you do need to have a straight plane of motion. Otherwise, the bands can have a tendency to ride up toward your cranium for a quick snap at the back of the neck.”
Portability
Emminger says he likes that the Gorilla Bow comes with a convenient carrying case for all of the bands, which can range from 10 to 100 pounds.
“However, the portability is compromised down to a 3.5 out of 5 score, in my opinion, due to the fact that the aluminum bow frame does not break down for easier storage,” he says. “Thankfully, though, the lightweight, thin design stores easily in a closet or underneath your sofa, so the portability only comes into play if you want to travel with this innovative resistance band kit.”
If you do want to travel with it, know that there are two travel options that do break down: the Travel and Travel Lite options. The aircraft-grade aluminum bows on these models split into multiple pieces to reduce the length. You definitely can’t do that with the best weight plates, which is one of your only other options for getting over 500 pounds of resistance like the Gorilla Bow offers.
Exercise Variety
Performing a variety of exercises with the Gorilla Bow is no problem. From upright rows to chest presses, there’s not much you can’t do with a Gorilla Bow, at least as far as traditional weight training goes.
“I’ve owned the Original Gorilla Bow for a few years now, and really appreciate how similar the experience is to a common barbell workout,” says Ben. “I score the experience at 4 out of 5, because you can quickly mimic your bench press, deadlift, and even squat motion depending on where you brace the bands.”
One note: It may be tough to do HIIT workouts because you’ll likely need to change the band setup for each exercise, which could get cumbersome if you’re trying to move quickly.
What to Consider Before Buying the Gorilla Bow
After testing dozens of pieces of compact home exercise equipment, as well as a full roster of the best resistance bands, we’ve definitely come across some things to keep in mind about the Gorilla Bow.
- Versatility: The Gorilla Bow works much like a barbell once you have bands in place, so it can be used for a ton of exercises; however, we don’t think it’s a replacement for experienced lifters.
- Portability: You can choose from Original Gorilla Bow, Gorilla Bow Travel, Gorilla Bow Lite, and Gorilla Bow Travel Lite. The two travel versions break down into smaller pieces, which is something to consider if you plan to travel with the bow.
- Resistance Level: With a max load of more than 500 pounds, the Gorilla Bow is likely sufficient for most exercisers, but note that more resistance comes at an additional cost.
- Muscle Building: You can certainly build muscle with resistance bands, especially if you’re a newer exerciser; that said, we encourage you to also consider the best adjustable dumbbells if muscle growth is your goal but you need compact equipment.
Gorilla Bow Vs. Competitors
The Gorilla Bow isn’t the only compact exercise equipment out there. There are other options that may suit your needs better, depending on how you like to work out, whether or not you plan to travel with your equipment, and how much resistance you need. We’ve put it up against the Vitruvian Trainer+ and TRX Home2 System here.
| Gorilla Bow | Vitruvian Trainer+ | TRX Home2 System | |
| Price | Starts at $200 | Starting at $2,990 | $229.95 |
| Product Dimensions | 58.27” L x 10” W x 3.94” H | Up to 440 lbs | N/A |
| Levels of Resistance | 110 lbs to 520 lbs | 46.06” L x 20.47” W x 4.53” H | Depends on your body weight, angle of system, and exercises performed |
| Accessories | Travel bag, organizational cases | Pro handles, ankle straps, long bar, short bar, pump handles, tech mat, bench, belt, safety cables, rope | Door anchor, suspension anchor, mesh bag |
| Workout Type | Strength training | Strength training (cables) | Bodyweight resistance training |
Read our full TRX Strap System review.
The Vitruvian Trainer+ is an excellent option for a compact home-based (it’s not super portable) strength training machine that mimics the feel of a cable machine. The TRX Home2 System is a better option for those who require ultimate portability and lightweightness. Then again, it won’t generate the sheer amount of external resistance that the other two options — especially the Gorilla Bow — offer.
Ordering and Assembling the Gorilla Bow
Ordering the Gorilla Bow is as simple as ordering any other fitness product online: Go to gorillabow.com (or your preferred retailer), select the product(s) you want, add to cart, and check out.
As for assembly, there’s not much to be done other than attach the brands to the bow, which our expert fitness writer and experienced product tester Ben Emminger says can be challenging at first, especially with the thicker resistance bands. The bow itself — for the Original Gorilla Bow — doesn’t break down, so it comes fully assembled.
Emminger rates the adjustment process a 3.75 out of 5 because it is somewhat of an acquired skill. Many of the best home gyms have a learning curve. Here’s what Emminger suggests for this one: “You need to notch one end of the band, brace the bow between your frame, and then pull the final bulbed end into position,” he explains. “After a few tries, you can get the rhythm down quickly, but admittedly, it is more complicated than other resistance band bundles that simply employ a carabiner connected to a door or wall anchor.”
Places to Buy the Gorilla Bow
You can buy the Gorilla Bow through the manufacturer directly, or on Amazon. It may also be available at your local Dick’s Sporting Goods or Target. It is also sometimes available online at both Dick’s and Target.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews
Gorilla Fitness seems to be a reputable company with plenty of happy customers. On the Gorilla Bow website, reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The same is true on Amazon, where the product has an average 4.4-star rating with more than 1,700 reviews. If you need help with anything related to your Gorilla Bow, you’ll have to contact the company through their contact form for customer support. You can also email [email protected].
Warranties
Each Gorilla Bow comes with a 2-year warranty. The resistance bands and other accessories come with a warranty of six months. These warranties apply to products purchased from Gorilla Fitness or through an authorized retailer and are not transferable. They cover the manufacturer’s defects only. We’ve also seen the company offer 30-, 60-, or 90-day money-back guarantees, but it’s unclear at the time of writing if that is available.
Final Thoughts on Gorilla Bow
The Gorilla Bow is a worthy option for fitness enthusiasts who like weight training at home, but don’t have the space or budget for a full home gym setup. It’s made from high-quality materials and, according to our expert tester, serves as an excellent alternative to barbell training for those who don’t have access to a barbell, weight plates, and a squat rack.
Gorilla Bow FAQs
Is the Gorilla Bow actually good?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re asking whether the Gorilla Bow is well-made, yes. The bow is lightweight yet durable, and the bands are sturdy. Our tester has been using it for years and the quality has proven itself. If you have specific fitness goals, like weight loss or you want to build muscle, there might be more effective means to your end. Still, the Gorilla Bow is great for general fitness and provides a challenging workout if used appropriately.
Can you build muscle with the Gorilla Bow?
You may be able to build muscle with the Gorilla Bow, depending on your training history. If you’re someone with a lot of weight training history and can already lift very heavy weights, you might not see continued improvement with this product. Beginners and intermediate lifters absolutely can, as long as they continue to challenge their muscles.
Can you squat with the Gorilla Bow?
Yes, you can squat with the Gorilla Bow much like you would with a barbell. The bow rests on your back while your feet anchor the bands to the ground.
What is the Gorilla Bow used for?
The Gorilla Bow is used for resistance training, particularly for compound exercises like squats, lunges, shoulder presses, chest presses, and upright rows.