Helix Lateral Trainer Review

Learn More About the Helix Lateral Trainer here

** Use this discount code to get 25% off the regular price - NCK25

 

What is the Helix Lateral Trainer?

The Helix Lateral Trainer is a cardio machine designed to work in a lateral movement pattern instead of just straight up and down or forward and back.

This works a much wider variety of muscle groups, creating a greater overall training effect, making your cardio work more efficient and more effective.

The machine is similar to a stair machine but with pedals that rotate around instead of moving up and down.

Here's a view from the back.

The video shows this much better, as does the animation above.

As well, I go into MUCH greater detail on how this machine works and what it's good for in the video...definitely worth watching, especially if this concept is interesting to you!

 

The Helix Lateral Trainer is designed to be moveable...

For home gym use, this is an invaluable. The Helix unit I have is designed for home gym use (the commercial version may be different).

My basement is full of equipment and I often have to move things around in order to use them or clear space to do certain exercises. I don't have a set place for the Helix at the moment, so this is a HUGE benefit for me.

The front end of the Helix has wheels on it, so all I have to do is tilt it forward then roll it to wherever I want to put it. It's not heavy when moved like this.

The console is run on batteries and the resistance in the machine is mechanical, so there's no plugging in required. This means you can literally use it anywhere that you can roll it...even out into your driveway, if you keep it in your garage gym.

 

How durable is the Helix Lateral Trainer?

The load limit on the Helix is 300 lbs, so I decided to test it while wearing an 85 lb weight vest. My bodyweight is 195 lbs, so total the machine is holding 280 lbs...and doing so very easily.

The connections between the pedals and the machine are made of solid steel...it held up to this full load, no problem.

And yeah, I couldn't resist using this machine while in a squat position, while wearing the weight vest...it BURNS.

 

Are there any negatives to the Helix Lateral Trainer?

There are a couple of things to be aware but nothing, in my opinion, that are dealbreakers.

 

1. The bodyfat calculator on the console is not super accurate. I have several high-quality bodyfat scales and the one on here wasn't in the same range. That being said, you don't get this machine for the bodyfat calculator...you get it for cardio training. The heart rate gauge (which uses the same electrodes) is definitely useful and works well, but check your bodyfat on something designed just for that.

 

2. It does take a bit of time to put it together. I posted a video below on my assembly experience. It took me about an hour and a half but I was able to get it all working just fine. They do offer a service for installation and assembly for an extra fee, which if you're not inclined to put it together yourself, you can choose to go with.

 

3. I'd like to have a higher resistance setting available, but that's just personal preference. It is, after all, a cardio machine and not a strength training machine! In that respect, the resistance settings currently available should be just fine for most uses. The lowest setting especially will get your legs whipping around VERY fast, so when you're starting out with it, I would actually recommend setting SOME resistance on the pedals so you don't goo TOO fast to start.

 

So is the Helix Lateral Trainer a good cardio machine?

It is an EXCELLENT cardio machine.

Beyond just using it for cardio training, it's actually ideal for use in warming up for lower body exercises such as squats and lunges.

The rotary action gets a lot of blood and lubrication into the hip joints, without any impact or stress.

I've also come up with a variety of other uses for the Helix for upper body as well as lower body training. I'll be sharing these in the near future as well.

Overall, though, if you're interested in a machine for cardio work that is WAY more interesting and useful than standard cardio equipment, the Helix is a great choice.

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

Helix Assembly Video

When I first received the Helix, I recorded the process of putting it together (took about an hour and a half total). Here's the full rundown.

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

 

Helix Backwards With Weight Vest For Quads

You can use the Helix in a variety of ways...here's what it looks like done backwards using a weight vest to really burn out the quads.

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

 

Warming Up the Shoulders Using a Helix

The Helix is very effective for upper body warm-ups as well. Set your hands on the foot pedals and rotate them while in a plank position.

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

 

 

Battle Rope Style Upper Training With The Helix

The Helix can easily be used for upper body cardio training as well, using a similar movement pattern to battle ropes, without needing ropes.

Simply squat down and grip onto the sides of the pedals, then rotate quickly around like battle ropes. This is one situation where I actually do recommend gloves for hand comfort.

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

Holding a Kettlebell With the Helix

To make the Helix even more challenging, you can also hold a weight (ideally a kettlebell) in one hand as you do the movement.

Hold on tight with the other hand and switch hands regularly. It'll really amp up the challenge!

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

 

Working the Rear Delts With a Helix Lateral Trainer

This is using the Helix Lateral Trainer for rear delt training. It's a very effective way to utilize the rotary action of the pedals to target rear delts.

The Helix Lateral Training is incredibly versatile, not only for doing lower body cardio training but for a variety of other purposes, including working the rear delts very effectively.

To do this, you'll kneel down beside the machine pedals, then focus on the backwards part of the pull, using the rotary action to precisely target the rear delts.

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

Upper Body Cycling With a Helix Lateral Trainer

The Helix can also be used for upper body cardio very effectively, similar to an upper body cycle ergometer.

Just stand to one side, then pump the one pedal almost like you're rowing. It gives you fantastic upper body training while saving your legs (useful if you have an injury to work around or have heavy leg traning to recover from or save your legs for).

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

 

 

Fat Loss Circuit Training Full-Body Workout Using the Helix Lateral Trainer

The Helix is a fantastic piece of cardio equipment for doing circuit training with. This workout uses a pair of dumbbells and the Helix to hit the major movement patterns and almost every muscle group in your body while getting a tremendous fat-burning workout.

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

 

Upper Body / Lower Body Alternating Cardio Using the Helix Lateral Trainer

I like to use the Helix not only for regular cardio but for warming up for weights as well. To do this, I'll take advantage of the ability to use the Helix for lower body AND upper body work with basically zero setup. This makes for great cardio training without as much muscle fatigue - don't let muscle fatigue be the weak link when training your cardiovascular system!

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.

 

 

Targeting the Inner Thighs/Adductors Using the Helix Lateral Trainer

With a simple change in foot position, you can change the focus of the Helix movement from gluteus medius and minimus (the abductors/outer butt muscles), to the adductors (inner thighs).

It looks a bit weird but really works well!

Learn more about the Helix Lateral Trainer here.

** Use discount code NCK25 to get 25% off the regular price.