Schmidt Sports Elastikon Chest Expander II

This is a really excellent piece of kit. The cable quality is good, and the anchoring system is reliable (so far). The handles are easily strong enough to cope with the draw strength and provide for a reassuringly secure grip, despite their sveldt dimensions. The Elastikon range numbers from I to IV, and I consider each expander as an integral component of a more comprehensive system of exercise equipment. In following a proper system of progressive resistance training, I need to be able to:1. Load a pair of handles to a level resistance that I can successfully pull for the lower value of my target repetition range.2. Build toward the upper value of my target repetition range over a few sessions, separated by adequate rest periods; I aim to exercise on alternate days, or every third day (if not adequately rested).3. I add 5 fkg resistance and repeat the cycle.Each yellow cable is 10 kg of resistance, while red=15 kg, blue=20 kg and green=25 kg.In order to add just 5 kg of extra resistance per exercise during each cycle, I need access to the full range of expanders.All things considered, I am pleased with the results obtained from my investment of time and effort, hence a five star review!

1) As the title says, I was surprised to find it about a level lighter than I expected (my expectations were based on reviews and a resistance chart that I found on expanderkrank.de, google "elastikon expander resistance diagram" on google image search to see it). I was actually able to do a few front chest pulls with it with all 5 bands - and I am not really a strong athlete or anything, although I have been training with expanders for the last few months. Based on my dumbbell measurements, it's pretty accurate at low elongations but only provides about 33kg of resistance at 145-147cm (between outsides of the handles) instead of 45-50 that the chart suggests. Had I known that, I would have got one a level higher. This one is barely enough to serve its purpose for me - and I will certainly grow out of it pretty soon unless I do a length modification described below. Might actually purchase a level 4 version in the foreseeable future even though it would be another 13 pounds spent on shipping.2) It's really as long as people suggests. About 96.5 cm from the outside of 1 handle to the outside of the other or about 71cm total cable length. There is some evidence that other models are about 2cm shorter but that hardly makes much of a difference. I have tried 2 length modifications to compensate for my short height and armspan (I am 168cm tall, can stretch it to about 140-145cm between the outsides): one is looping the cables around the insides of the handles. The problem with it is that it introduces friction that damages the outside layer of the cables over time. The other one is tying knots on the cables. It is actually not bad at all (each knot reduces the length by about 4cm, making it nicely adjustable for people of any height) but it's permanent in the long run: the bungees will likely lose elasticity in the places of the knots if they stay tied (and, thus, constantly under tension). Haven't decided yet if I am going to go for it. Might just get the level 4 version since the range of motion is not that important (within reasonable limits, of course - this won't be suitable for children) as long as the tension is high.3) The handles are not quite as bad as they are described in the other reviews. They are flat on the inside - meaning, unlike certain chinese models that Russia is flooded with (now those have some really poorly designed handles - like ones with grooves for fingers inside which makes any pressing or rotational exercises literally impossible without padding), they are actually designed with the typical exercises in mind! They are fairly thin but not really uncomfortable to grab. The only improvement could be rotating handles but that's not necessary.To summarize: could use more accurate resistance info (given that they are sold online) and some length options but otherwise probably the best bungee-based expanders on the market.

This is a good produced spoilt by the handles the locking system is good. The handles are poor they are slippery and narrow they don't give a good grip. Improve the handles by making them thicker and some sort of better griping rubber or plastic and you would really have something. I put some foam and grip tape on mine improved it no end. Would I buy another yes but I'd do my improvement on the handles, Shame they did not do the same. Better handles and I'd give it a five +.

I have only just started using the chest expander, but it is just what I wanted. The problem is that if I want to gradually increase my workout I will have to buy the smaller yellow expander so I can use their smaller rating when adding increased loading to my workout, thus ensuring a smaller, and better, increase in loading.

I am a 65 year old trying to get into better shape and have been using this exerciser daily for about 6 months with very good effects. I bought the yellow strung model (5 x 10 kg cords) and built up to using two yellow cords fairly easily. I found it impossible however to jump up to three yellow cords because of the large 10 kg increase in pull. I therefore bought a red string model (5 x 15 kg cords) so that I could use one red and one yellow cord to increase the pull to 25 kg. I did this for a few weeks and then upped it to two red cords (in theory 30 kg). I can now pull this easily but find three yellow cords (in theory also 30 kg) still impossible. This makes a nonsense of the cord ratings. This device facilitates a range of exercises and allows a good workout but desperate needs accurate cord ratings and some 2.5 kg and 5 kg spare cords to allow a gradual increase in strength rather than large leaps.

This is the better of a few expanders I have used. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to get an expander. Also it was delivered in good time. Instructions are in German so be warned but a quite search, translate and all is well.

Fantastic piece of hardware - bought all four expanders (yellow, red, blue, green) and swapping the configuration depending on training. The cord are compatible between models so there is wide combination spectrum (from 10Kg to 125Kg)

Good quality product

extenseur de musculation de très bonne qualité. je l'utilise en complément de la pratique conventionnelle. les extenseurs permettent un travail différent de la musculation. Plus les élastiques sont tendus plus la force nécessaire est importante. le maximal de la force est donc en fin de mouvement alors qu'en pratique traditionnelle la force max intervient en début de mouvement. La sensation est donc différente. Je fixe l'extenseur a un crochet au mur permettant une multitude de mouvements. Vraiment je suis ravi du produit qui se situe très au dessus des produits de la catégorie. j' associe également les élastique de différentes forces permettant des valeurs intermédiaires (10+15 = 25kg ....) je regrette seulement qu'il n'y ait pas d'extenseur de 2.5 kg, ca manque!!!

Super Expandertraining möglich. Sehr robust. Allerdings auch schon sehr stark in Rot . (15Kg pro Strebe) Für Anfänger wäre der leichteste m.M.n.geeigneter! Aber er lässt sich auch problemlos verstellen.Einfach mehrere "Streben" raus nehmen und gut ist. Super Anleitung zum trainieren dabei. Für mich ein rund um gutes Produkt.

Griffe gut zu handhaben, leichter Wechsel der SchnüreGummischnüre lassen mit der Zeit nach, man braucht halt immer mal Ersatz

Nach Jahren erst die Rezession, hatte mein Sohn genauso wie ich mit 68 bis heute in Gebrauch, hat keinerlei Verlust in der Spannkraft, ich schaffe bis heute nicht alle fünf.

Le système de fixation des élastiques est super, solide et sécurisant. Quand tous les élastiques sont en place, il faut déjà avoir de bons bras pour s'en servir heureusement la fixation permet d'en retirer autant que l'on souhaite très facilement pour faciliter la progression.Le seul bémol est que ces élastiques sont très longs et pour les exercices uniquement des bras une personne de taille moyenne aura du mal à pouvoir les tendre. Dommange