Bodyblade Review: Useful In Certain Conditions

The Bodyblade is a body workout system that helps in producing fast muscle contractions that strengthen, develop power, stabilize, and tone the body. At least, that’s what it claims. But does it actually work? Let’s find out more in this Bodyblade review. 

Bodyblade Review

The Bodyblade itself is a straight, flat piece of plastic that is between 3-5 foot long and weighs about 1.75 lbs. To use, you hold in the middle and then move your hand to bend and flex the blade. The harder you push and pull on the blade, the greater the arc or flex in the blade, which then requires greater force output from you to neutralize the speed and control the movement of the blade.

The flex intensity is completed controlled by you and you could possible contract different muscles 270 times per minute! There’s a variety of upper-body exercises and core exercises you can do using the blade. Apparently, even some superstars like LeBron James have actually used it. 

While that’s all well and good, the Bodyblade is a very specific tool for some specific audiences or use cases. I would not recommend it as an overall fitness tool if you’re just really looking to get toned or overall stronger.

It doesn’t replace a good set of dumbbells, a bench, kettlebell or similar fitness tools. It doesn’t replace good bodyweight exercises. If you’re looking to get stronger or bigger, then you need to lift and this will not replace that.

However, it is worthwhile to use if you meet certain conditions. One such condition is rehab on an injury. For example, I first encountered the Bodyblade when rehabbing a shoulder injury. In that setting, when trying to build strength in my rotator cuff muscles, it does a great job as you can scale the difficulty up or down, instantly and as needed.

A similar use case is prehab, or targeting the strengthening of certain muscles that typically cause problems. For many folks, their core is weak and this could be used to strengthen those muscles. For me, keeping up on my shoulder stability and strength is important and the Bodyblade helps with that.

Lastly, particular users who maybe have a general weakness or lack of muscular control will find it useful. For example, many seniors lose strength and muscular control over time. This would be great for them. People who have certain medical conditions – such as MS – would find the Bodyblade beneficial. I think a stroke victim who has general weakness would be able to use it successfully.


Bodyblade Models

body blade review

Bruce Hymanson, a physical therapist, introduced this Bodyblade system. They come in three different models that you can use in different ways to work out your body.

The three systems have varying lengths and weight and come in a kit that has a DVD for instructions, a wall chart for your exercises, and for your hand grip and hand protection, there is a large rubber handle. 

1. Bodyblade Classic Kit

Bodyblade Classic Kit, Black

The Bodyblade classic version is suitable if you are performing in sports training and working out at home since it has extra weight and strength. It has a smooth and varying resistance exercise and adjusts as well to the user’s fitness level.

It weighs 1.5 lbs and 4 feet in length and it’s ideal for all adults and those aging actively. It has a weight resistance of 1 to 22 pounds.

Bodyblade Classic Kit, Black
  • The original and authentic Bodyblade created by physical therapist Bruce Hymanson.
  • Smooth and variable resistive workout. Automatically adjusts to the fitness level of the user. Challenges every major muscle group.
  • Lightweight and portable - travels anywhere. Weight: 1.75 lbs, Length: 4 feet.
  • A great all-around functional training and conditioning tool; 10 minutes a day for a complete strength workout. Enough resistance for performance...
  • Includes: Bodyblade Classic, exercise wall chart, and a complete online exercise library including upper body, lower body, core, and total body...

2. Bodyblade Pro

Bodyblade Pro Kit

This version is originally designed with a total length of 60 inches and it’s the heaviest with a total weight of 2.6lbs to assist in creating workouts that are challenging. It will cost you more which is a bit dear as it has more blade weight and length that enhances more exercise as compared to the Bodyblade Classic Kit version.

This authentic Bodyblade Pro offers advanced performance of 10 minutes per day. It is suitable for all adults and it includes 1 to 34 pounds resistance. It adjusts automatically to the user’s level of fitness.

Bodyblade Pro Kit
  • The original and authentic Bodyblade created by physical therapist Bruce Hymanson.
  • Smooth and variable resistive workout. Automatically adjusts to the fitness level of the user. Challenges every major muscle group.
  • Lightweight and portable - travels anywhere. Weight: 2.9 lbs Length: 5 feet.
  • An advanced performance training and conditioning tool; 10 minutes a day for a complete strength workout. Additional resistance for power training yet...
  • Includes: Bodyblade Pro, exercise wall chart, and a complete online exercise library including upper body, lower body, core, and total body workouts.

3. CXT Bodyblade

Bodyblade CXT, Yellow

This is ideal for a group exercise in classes and seniors as it is short in length and light in weight. It’s ideal for seniors, rehab, functional training, and beginners, and group exercise. Also recommended for shorter adults and children.

The price is much friendlier hence quite affordable. It automatically modifies according to the user’s fitness level and has a weight resistance of 1 to 8 lbs. It’s light in weight 1.25 with a length of 40 inches.

Bodyblade CXT, Yellow
  • The original and authentic Bodyblade created by physical therapist Bruce Hymanson
  • Smooth and variable resistive workout. Automatically adjusts to the fitness level of the user. Challenges every major muscle group
  • Lightweight and portable - travels anywhere. Weight: 1.25 lbs Length: 40 inches
  • The CxT is great for beginners, seniors, group exercise classes, functional training, and rehab; 10 minutes a day for a complete workout
  • Includes: Bodyblade CxT (40 in. x 1.75 in., 1-8 lbs resistance), Super 6 / Power 10 DVD and Exercise Wall Chart

How To Use The Bodyblade

The Bodyblade is designed to help work out different muscle groups like the back, the shoulders, the arms, and the core. You can control the muscles you need to focus on through adjusting blades direction. 

The movement is opposed in the process by flexing the bar that helps in training the muscle acceleration and deceleration simultaneously boosting flexibility and posture. There are no plates for weight required when using Bodyblade hence making it such an incredible, affordable, safe, and lightweight tool for using at home gyms. 

You can work out different groups of muscles by changing your position and posture. When you hold the Bodyblade, it is wobbly and the ends of the blade vibrate and flutter, and the more you shake it, the more it flutters. 

The more you shake the more it becomes resistant. This resistance results in fast contractions of your muscles up to 270 times per minute. These contractions help in tightening and toning up the shoulders and arms and even stop the sagging of skin under the arms. 

The back and core muscles tense in the process and support the blade movement hence benefiting these muscles. The shoulders joints are stabilized by the Bodyblade while working in and around the shoulder joints. 

For a physical therapist,  the Bodyblade machine can be beneficial for patients to strengthen the muscles around the rotator cuff. The Bodyblade is also good for athletes who are involved in constant throwing exercises.

Muscle Groups To Exercise

using bodyblade

The main group of muscles that Bodyblade works are the shoulders and the arms. When you hold the blade in the middle you work on the biceps. For the forearms and triceps, you grip the underhand of the blade. For workout the legs, back, and abdominal muscles, you need to for the six super exercises instructed in the Kit.

You can use Bodyblade as advised on the DVD which takes 10 minutes and you should do it many times a week for you to get effective results. All the exercises on their wall chart will work out your abdominals, back, arm, chest, and legs muscles.


Bodyblade Main Features

The following are some of the main features that make Bodyblade attract many people building muscle and body tone.

1. Light Weight

It’s ideal if you are in search of a lightweight resistance system to tone your shoulders and arms and also for stabilizing your joints. Bodyblade liaises very well with weight loss, body fitness programs.

2. Muscle Improvement

It’s able to help in toning your body muscles in a short period of 270 times in a minute and the movement improves the muscles quite efficiently and effectively. You won’t regret this wonderful experience.

3. Portable

It comes in a kit that is easy to carry both for all the three models, that is Bodyblade Pro, Bodyblade Classic, and CXT Bodyblade. The blades weights from 1.5 up to 2.5 lbs, that’s depending on the version type.

4. Ready Instructions

Each of the versions of the three Bodyblade has a DVD for instructions on how to work out and a wall chart for exercises. This is quite self-explanatory and easy to follow the guidelines.

5. Physical Therapy

It offers a variable resistance exercise that is suitable for exercises with a physical therapist especially for post-injury, and it assists in tightening your back, arms, shoulders, chest, and core.

6. Cost

They vary in costs and you can buy what is affordable and suitable for you.

7. Manufacturers’ Warranty

All three versions come with a warranty of 1 year from the initial purchasing date.


Pros of Using Bodyblade

  1. You can come up with quick upper body workouts that are effective. This includes the chest, arms, shoulders, and back. Does it replace deadlifts? squats? No, not it doesn’t but it can be effective for certain folks. 
  2. Available in different sizes making it suitable for users with different heights.
  3. Suitable for rehab therapy programs especially for post-injury exercises for shoulders, arms, or back.
  4. Each model of Bodyblade kit comes with easy to understand instructions in a DVD and a wall chart.
  5. The user can control the resistance as the models are light in weight and they are suitable for using at home gyms.
  6. It’s easy to use on the joints as it has no weights to lift and that makes it quite pretty fun to use.
  7. The kits are light and hence quite portable in case you want to travel with it.
  8. Comes in different models meaning it’s available for different users. The prices vary and can choose what is affordable for you.
  9. You don’t need big storage for it as you can just place it under a sofa or behind a sofa.

Cons of Using Bodyblade:

  1. The Bodyblade cannot be used for lower body exercise.
  2. While you can add intensity, you cannot add additional weight.
  3. Not a general purpose fitness device for most folks. It won’t replace lifting weights for general fitness, tone, and strength.

Bodyblade Review: What Do The People Say? 

review of bodyblade

Amazon Review

Most users that have purchased the Bodyblade from Amazon have rated it at an above-average rating and are using them at home. They are pleased with their significant results though one needs enough time to adjust to using it. They say it’s good for joint stabilization and body tone.

All three versions of BodyBlades are selling on Amazon and you can make your order online and receive it within a few days. The shipment is quite fast and efficient. 

Youtube Review

Youtube reviews are also high with comments like amazing workouts and quite impressive on the body toning and muscle buildingIt is a simple exercise especially for some who had a shoulder injury and used it for therapy.

Some of the users who have used it as a cuff rotator after a cuff injury and the personal therapist recommended the Bodyblade for them. It has worked effectively especially in building strength and toning the body muscles.

Bodyblade works well when paired with other training programs like Bosu Ball and HIIT trainers used in weight loss. It’s quite a good functional tool with amazing results.


In Summary (TL;DR) 

To sum up our Bodyblade review…  the Bodyblade is bow-shaped with a length of 3 up to 5 feet and a rubber grip in the middle that is quite large. To use, you hold the grip and then move your hand back-and-forth to bend and flex the blade. The harder you push and pull on the blade, the greater the arc or flex in the blade, which then requires greater force output from you to neutralize the speed and control the movement of the blade.

It’s quite light in weight, not very bulky, and convenient to use. It has been designed to help in physical therapy and while it can be an all-around tool for functional training, it has limitations and is not going to fully replace other physical activity. 

That said, it is suitable for all ages and quite fun and easy to work out with. And if you meet certain use cases – such as being a senior citizen, needing to rehab upper body injuries, or have specific physical limitations – it is great tool to have in your arsenal. 

The Bodyblade comes in three different models with varying prices that is the Bodyblade Pro, the Classic, and the CST. The prices are quite affordable and you can order from Amazon.

Bodyblade Classic Kit, Black
  • The original and authentic Bodyblade created by physical therapist Bruce Hymanson.
  • Smooth and variable resistive workout. Automatically adjusts to the fitness level of the user. Challenges every major muscle group.
  • Lightweight and portable - travels anywhere. Weight: 1.75 lbs, Length: 4 feet.
  • A great all-around functional training and conditioning tool; 10 minutes a day for a complete strength workout. Enough resistance for performance...
  • Includes: Bodyblade Classic, exercise wall chart, and a complete online exercise library including upper body, lower body, core, and total body...

If you like this review, check out other exercise equipment, like the Bowflex Motivator 2