The Fortis gym & fitness range from Kogan – Reviewed

When it comes to Fitness – EFTM turns to our Guru – Dayne from Fit n Flexed

For a lot of people, the idea of getting out of the house for anything fitness related is either scary, or the last thing on their minds.  That’s why some “at home” fitness equipment can be very beneficial depending on who you are, or the goals you have in mind.  In an ever expanding empire of online products, Kogan now has home fitness gear and we’re checking some of it out.

As a guy who’s used to heading to gyms, it was always going to be tough to find something with some benefit in the household.

However, as you’ll read, there were plenty of positives!

FORTIS MULTI FUNCTION UPPER BODY WORKOUT

A handy piece of equipment created to work the lattimus dorsi – or the “wings” of your back – the muscles that give your upper body its width.

This is a body weight exercise and is difficult to execute unless you’ve some experience lifting – after all, you’re pulling up your entire body weight here!

WHO IT’S FOR AND NOT FOR

Those who have been training for long enough to be able to lift their bodyweight effectively. Not for a newbie to the world of fitness.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The issues you may have is a door that supports this. If you’re in an apartment, you might have a problem with finding one that fits. Also, as the weeks go on, I find the product does get a little flimsy.

It’s no replacement for a gym, but if you’re short on time and can’t get to the gym to work your back, this will be a godsend!

Grab one online at Kogan – $29

FORTIS RESISTANCE BAND SET

These are very underrated pieces of equipment that can really help you get pumped up.

You can use it to work your shoulders, biceps, back, and if you have a bench at home (a bench specialised for fitness) then you can work your triceps.

You also squat with it at home too.

WHO IT’S FOR AND NOT FOR

Whilst it can be used inside a gym for the one looking for serious strength and muscle growth gains, it should not be a solely relied upon.

The example is, a young man who performs an all out set of dumbbell shoulder presses in the gym and follows it up with resistance band side raises.

This is what is known as a superset (one set right after another) which science suggests may have many muscle growth benefits.

However, for those undergoing rehab on an injury, or those purely looking to break a sweat and perform high repetitions at home, these are great.

Check them out at Kogan – $29

FORTIS 24kg ADJUSTABLE SMARTBELL

Now we’re talking!

Give two of these to any hardcore gym rat and they’ll be impressed. With a fitness bench at home too, he or she will be able to perform a lot of his work at home.

I just mentioned supersetting above after some dumbbell shoulder presses – well you can use these smartbells in collaboration with the resistance bands for an all mighty burn!

Free weights give one the power to work just about any muscle group, and with the max of 24kg, there’s a lot to like about them.

WHO IT’S FOR AND NOT FOR

Perfect for the mum or dad with kids who doesn’t want to leave home for the gym.

With a fitness bench and 2 of these, they might have some attention deprived kids, some cooking duties, but one thing they won’t have is excuses!

Even for a young man who takes his fitness/muscle growth seriously, these dumbbells depending on the space and set up at his home/apartment can be great.

At $119 these are a great deal – at Kogan

FORTIS DOOR GYM SET

Probably the one I’d get least excited about, as the resistance bands essentially do the same thing.

You can work your shoulders and biceps, but after that you’re pretty limited.

WHO IT’S FOR AND NOT FOR

Not for somebody who wants maximal intensity, or strength and muscle gains out of their workouts.

However, someone returning from an injury who needs rehabilitation would get a lot of benefit from this, but again, they can get a similar thing from the resistance bands.

The only benefit here is that the cable settings can be altered so that you can execute movements from the top, middle, or down near the floor, whereas with the resistance bands the alternate options aren’t possible.

You’ll find it at Kogan for $49

A FINAL WORD

I get most excited over the smartbells and resistance bands.

Both of them used together can really get you off to a flying start, and save the time and hassle of getting to a gym.

Combined with a fitness bench, the time poor individual can certainly get some killer workouts out in the comfort of their own home.

Even those with kids!