Freak Athlete Apex Review 2025 | A Comprehensive Lower-Body Training Machine
The Freak Athlete APEX is an innovative fitness machine that consolidates multiple lower-body training apparatuses into a single, space-efficient design. While I have not had the opportunity to test the APEX firsthand, I have conducted an in-depth review based on available information from the official website and various fitness communities. I also did speak with Freak Athlete today and their plan is to have the APEX ready for sale sometime later this year. The good news is you can pre-order the APEX today.
Overview of the Freak Athlete APEX
The APEX is engineered to replace four essential machines:
- Glute-Ham Developer (GHD)
- Back Extension Machine
- Nordic Curl Bench
- Reverse Hyperextension Machine
This consolidation aims to provide a comprehensive solution for athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking to enhance their posterior chain strength without occupying excessive space in their training area.
Functionality Breakdown
Glute-Ham Developer (GHD)
The Glute-Ham Developer (GHD) is a machine designed to strengthen the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and core. It allows for glute-ham raises, where the user starts in a kneeling position, lowers their torso forward while keeping the hamstrings engaged, and then uses hamstring strength to lift back up. GHDs are also used for GHD sit-ups, which involve extending the torso back past horizontal and engaging the core to sit back up.
The GHD setup on the APEX facilitates exercises like glute ham raises, targeting the hamstrings, and GHD sit-ups for abdominal development. The machine includes a step-up feature to accommodate the 45-inch pad height, thick knee/hip pads with a central gap for comfort, and extra-large leg rollers designed for durability.
✅ Benefits: Improves posterior chain strength, enhances hamstring durability, and develops explosive power for athletic movements.
Back Extension Machine
A Back Extension Machine is used to perform back extensions (also known as hyperextensions), which target the lower back (erector spinae), glutes, and hamstrings. The user lies face down on the machine at a 45-degree or horizontal angle, secures their legs, and bends at the waist to lower their torso forward before extending back to the starting position.
The APEX offers a 45-degree back extension setup, a common feature in commercial gyms. It provides 12 length adjustments to accommodate users from 4 feet 6 inches to 7 feet tall. Adjustable band pegs on each front leg allow for the addition of accommodating resistance, enhancing the versatility of back extension exercises.
✅ Benefits: Strengthens the lower back, improves posture, reduces the risk of back injuries, and enhances core stability.
Nordic Curl Bench
The Nordic Curl Bench is used for Nordic hamstring curls, a bodyweight exercise that isolates and strengthens the hamstrings. The user kneels on the pad, secures their ankles, and slowly lowers their body forward while keeping their core tight, using their hamstrings to control the descent. The movement is often assisted with resistance bands or pushing off the floor.
This feature supports Nordic hamstring curls with 10 levels of incline, up to 45 degrees. The adjustable incline allows users to start with a 45-degree regression and gradually progress to a flat Nordic curl, catering to various strength levels.
✅ Benefits: Builds eccentric hamstring strength, reduces the risk of hamstring strains, and improves sprinting power.
Reverse Hyperextension Machine
The Reverse Hyperextension Machine is used to perform reverse hyperextensions, where the user lies face down on a platform with their legs hanging off the edge and lifts their legs upward in a controlled motion. This exercise primarily targets the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back while decompressing the spine.
The APEX incorporates a weighted pendulum for reverse hyperextensions, addressing a limitation noted in the earlier Hyper Pro model. The pendulum is designed with a split at the bottom to prevent contact with the support column, ensuring a full range of motion. The machine includes a commercial-grade hyper belt that attaches securely to the pendulum and ergonomic handles near the footplate for user stability during exercises.
✅ Benefits: Strengthens the posterior chain, rehabilitates and prevents lower back injuries, and improves hip mobility and spinal health.
Key Features and Specifications
The APEX boasts several notable features:
- Dimensions: 70 inches in length, 39 inches in width, and a total height of 54.5 inches at the top of the footplate, with the pad height at 45 inches.
- Weight: 272 pounds.
- User Height Accommodation: Designed to support individuals ranging from 4 feet 6 inches to 7 feet tall.
- Materials: Constructed with commercial-grade components to ensure durability and stability.
Built Like a Tank: Commercial-Grade Durability and Stability
The Freak Athlete APEX is built with commercial-grade materials, ensuring durability and stability for serious strength training. At 272 pound, this is not a lightweight, portable piece of equipment. Unlike foldable or compact home gym setups, the APEX is designed to be a permanent fixture in a training space.
Its dimensions—70 inches in length, 39 inches in width, and a total height of 54.5 inches—make it a sizable machine, similar to what you’d find in a commercial gym setting. The 45-inch pad height for exercises like GHD sit-ups and Nordic curls reinforces its focus on structured, high-performance training rather than convenience.
Because of its substantial weight, moving the APEX around would not be easy, and it’s best suited for a dedicated gym space rather than a setup that requires frequent adjustments or relocations. If you’re considering this for a home gym, make sure you have a stable, designated area to keep it in place since repositioning it will require significant effort.
The heavy-duty steel construction and reinforced padding further confirm its commercial-grade quality, ensuring it can handle intense, repeated use without wear and tear. This durability justifies its price tag for those looking for long-term, professional-level training equipment in their home or private gym.
Community Feedback and Considerations
Within fitness communities, the APEX has garnered attention for its multifunctionality. Discussions highlight its potential to replace multiple pieces of equipment, offering a space-saving solution for home gyms. However, some users express concerns about the machine’s price point and the practicality of adjusting the setup for different exercises during a workout session. One common critique is that multi-functional units can be cumbersome to adjust mid-workout, which may be a factor to consider for those who prioritize quick transitions between exercises.
Price Point and Market Position
The APEX is currently available for pre-order at $2,995. This pricing positions it as a premium option, likely targeting commercial facilities or home gym owners seeking high-end, versatile equipment. The investment may be justified for those who require the combined functionalities and have the budget to accommodate such an expense.
A Budget-Friendly Alternative: The Hyper Pro
For those who like the concept of the APEX but are looking for a more affordable and space-efficient option, Freak Athlete offers the Hyper Pro. This machine provides many of the same core exercises, including Nordic curls, reverse hyperextensions, and back extensions, but at a lower price point and with a more compact design.
The Hyper Pro is ideal for individuals who want to train their posterior chain effectively but don’t have the budget or space for the APEX. While it doesn’t include every function that the APEX offers, it still delivers a high-quality training experience with a smaller footprint.
If you’re deciding between the two, it comes down to versatility, budget, and available space. The APEX is a commercial-grade, all-in-one unit, while the Hyper Pro is a cost-effective, space-saving alternative that still allows you to train key muscle groups.
Conclusion
The Freak Athlete APEX presents a compelling solution for comprehensive lower-body training, integrating multiple machines into a single, robust unit. Its thoughtful design features, such as adjustable components and commercial-grade materials, cater to a wide range of users and training needs. However, potential buyers should consider the financial investment and assess whether the machine’s capabilities align with their training objectives and budget constraints.
As with any significant equipment purchase, evaluating personal fitness goals, available space, and financial considerations is essential before committing to the APEX.
For those interested in learning more, the official launch video provides a great visual introduction to the machine.
