Introduction
Flywheel training is an intriguing concept that hasn’t yet fully caught on in the home gym community. Although many are interested, high costs and a lack of experience with flywheel systems have hindered widespread adoption. Many simply have not gotten their hands on them yet.
Exxentric, established in 2011 and widely regarded as a pioneer in flywheel training, is a prominent name in this niche. They’ve continued to innovate off of their flywheel systems, and I’d call them the “leader in the space.”
I had the opportunity to evaluate the kBox in my home gym over an extended period, which allowed me to thoroughly assess its performance.
Additionally, I have experience with the Quest Station Flywheel from Kratos. Both systems are exceptional in their own right, yet they offer distinct features that may appeal differently depending on your needs.
Overall, I’m a big fan of the kBox for its versatility, compact design, strong performance, and ease of use once you get the hang of it. It’s built incredibly well, with a smooth and reliable flywheel system. Aside from the higher cost and the question of whether it’s worth the investment, it’s a genuinely impressive tool that could benefit many home gym owners.
Flywheel 101
Flywheel training differs from traditional weight training in that you work against rotational inertia rather than gravity. Essentially, the harder you push or pull, the greater the resistance.
This method engages both concentric and eccentric phases. The concentric phase involves exerting force to set the flywheel in motion, while the eccentric phase requires you to control the flywheel as it spins. This dual engagement not only boosts muscle activation but also enhances strength development.
While I believe this type of training could benefit more people, its high cost and a general lack of experience have limited its broader appeal. Most would likely use this as an add-on to their current training (as I do), which also makes the price high to swallow.
Portability
One of its strengths is its portability. It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to store or move around as needed. I find this particularly useful during the colder months when I want to bring my workouts indoors. Sometimes its brutally cold in the garage and this is much easier to bring than barbells, dumbbells, and multiple pairs of kettlebells. I never took it on vacation, but it could be loaded up into the back of a car pretty easliy.
For storage, unlike more stationary equipment, the kBox can be tucked away in a closet or easily transported to different training spaces. This makes it an excellent choice for those with limited home gym space or anyone who needs to keep their workout area flexible.
However, while portability is a strength, the need to set it up each time you use it might reduce the likelihood of spontaneous workouts. For this reason, I found myself using the Kratos option quite a bit more often which was already set up.
Versatility & Performance
One of the standout aspects of the kBox is its versatility within that small footprint, particularly for lower body movements. The flywheel design allows for a wide range of exercises, but it truly shines when focusing on squats, lunges, and deadlifts.
I also enjoy using it for rows and curls. It’s a totally different feeling than using traditional weights.
You absolutely feel a burn, and it definitely gets your heart rate going. As a traditional home gym owner, whose primary exercise routine uses weights, my favorite use case for it is with “finishers” or “burn-outs.”
While many “all-in-one” machines only do a few things well, I want to mention that all of the movements I mentioned above really are great.
In regards to performance, I also want to mention:
- Changing the height of the flywheel is easy and just takes a few times to get the hang of it.
- You do have the ability to use other attachments, but lightweight ones are the ones I prefer to work the best.
- While it may look like the platform is small, I have never found myself wishing that it was a larger one.
Kratos vs. kBox
When comparing the kBox to the Kratos Flywheel, a few important differences stand out.
The kBox offers premium materials and a high-quality build, while the Kratos Flywheel, although not as polished, still feels solid and durable.
Since it is always set up and ready to go, I found myself reaching for the Kratos far more often than the kBox, which required me taking off the shelf and setting up before each session.
The kBox does have a huge edge in portability, allowing for easy movement indoors during colder months, but the Kratos Flywheel’s more stationary design made it a reliable, no-hassle option for quick workouts. Depending on how you plan to use it, this portability may be a huge advantage or disadvantage.
While the kBox excels in lower-body movements, its versatility feels limited for upper-body exercises, whereas the Kratos Flywheel offers a more well-rounded experience across a variety of exercises. To add horizontal movements with Exxentic, you’d need to also add the kPulley System which adds quite a bit of cost.
Speaking of the cost, that is another important factor, with the kBox carrying a higher price point, while the Kratos Flywheel provides a better overall value. Ultimately, while the kBox is a great option if portability is a top priority, the convenience and always-ready nature of the Kratos Flywheel made it my go-to for daily workouts.
Cost Considerations
While the kBox is one of the more expensive flywheel options available, its high quality justifies the price when compared to its competitors. Keep in mind, they are likely the largest innovator in the space too.
The cost for the most basic model is nearly $2,400 though.
Its superior design, robust construction, and versatility—enhanced by various attachments—set it apart from other systems on the market. For dedicated flywheel enthusiasts, the investment is worthwhile, as the performance and reliability of the kBox provide exceptional value.
However, for the average home gym owner, these benefits may still be weighed against the higher cost.
Upgrades to the KBOX 5?
As I mentioned above, this overview is on the kBox. This review took quite awhile for me to finish and since that time, the kBox 5 was released. The KBox 5 has a wider platform for additional stability and includes additional flywheel disc sizes from extra small to extra large. In addition, there are different models active, lite and pro.
Conclusion
The kBox from Exxentric is a high-quality flywheel trainer that delivers exceptional eccentric overload and accommodating resistance, particularly for lower body movements. Its premium build quality and portability make it a compelling option for those who need a mobile training solution or want the flexibility to move your workouts around.
However, despite its strengths, the kBox’s need for setup and higher price point may limit its appeal for the average home gym owner. I found myself consistently reaching for the Kratos Flywheel instead, simply because it was always set up and ready to go.
That said, others may prefer the portablilty.
If you’re serious about flywheel training, need the portability the kBox offers and want to support one of the innovators within the space, it could be a worthwhile investment—especially with the improvements seen in the kBox 5.
