RitFit BE01 (Back Extension)
Why a GHD?
If you have the space and want to strengthen your core, back, glutes, and hamstrings, a Glute Ham Developer (GHD) is a great purchase.
I have a full-size GHD right (From Titan Fitness), and truth be told I love it. It does all the things that I want it to do – and it does it well. However, It takes up a ton of room (about 6 feet by 4 feet), and it is so tall, that I cannot use it just anywhere in my basement gym. My basement ceilings are not the same height throughout the space…so depending upon where I place the GHD, my head will hit the ceiling when doing Nordics/GHRs. Therefore, while I love my full size GHD – unfortunately I think that I am having to part ways with it. ENTER THE RITFIT BE01. A “mini” GHD. Half the size, and half the price of my Titan GHD.
My full-size GHD also rocks a bit, which can be a little annoying – and I do not have this issue with the RITFIT BE01 MODEL, primarily because of the lower center of gravity on the RitFit model. With the Full-size GHD being so high up – it is going to be more prone to rocking.
The product is currently about $420….and about $377 AFTER my PROMO CODE: RFDESIGN. SO keep that low price in mind as we talk about what you are getting with this product.
Now you might think to yourself…I wish that the BE01 was a little bit taller…because then I could do full-range Glute Ham Raises (or GHRs), and I could do body-weight reverse hypers. What I would say to that is…then don’t buy the BE01…if that is what you want – then what you to get is a full-size GHD.
Exercises
The BE01 is advertised to accommodate users who are 4’7" to 6’3"…so just for context I am 5’11”. Therefore, if you are not within this range - look elsewhere.
SO What can you do, with this MINI-GHD?:
Nordic Hamstring Curls
If you are no strong enough yet to do Nordic Curls, and you need to work yourself up to that …all you have to do is pivot the angle ..and this will make the movement much easier…and then as you get stronger…you can work your way up to doing Nordics at 0 degree pitch.
Hip Extensions (Note: There is a 25 degree pitch max. No 45 degrees pitch, which you may be accustomed to)
A primary exercise for this product is a hip extension. You can resistance with a resistance band attached to the included band pegs, or by holding a weight plate, dumbbell or kettlebell. If the band pegs ever get in the way – they can be easily removed by unscrewing them.
Back Extension
These look very similar to the hip extension, but instead of hinging at the hips, you will round your back on the down and up. They are both posterior chain exercises….but hip extensions primarily work the glutes and hamstrings with a neutral spine – whereas back extensions target the spinal erectors by focusing on moving through the lower back. Here were are not really hinging at the hips, its more about spinal flexion (rounding of the back) and extension (straightening the back).
Oblique Extensions
By sticking both feet under the leg rollers and laying on your side you can execute oblique crunches.
Situps/Core/Abdominal Exercises
Blast your core/abs by doing flat, incline, and decline exercises!
Specifications/Features:
It has a STATIC weight capacity of 660 LBS
The dimensions when in use are 35” Tall, 45” Deep, and 32” Wide.
The unit weighs 116 lbs
Has wheels for easy maneuverability
When stored vertically it is 35” DEEP
Adjustability:
5 angle positions: 25 deg, 15 deg, 5 deg, o deg, and -7 deg…pop pin, screw down to tighten to lock it in place. The Gas strut to make adjustments easier.
Foot plate has 4 positions
Leg Roller Pads have 3 positions
Steel
Mostly made is 2x3 Steel, which I am measuring at 14 Gauge steel – but that might be the paint making it seem thicker (They advertise 16 gauge steel).
Pads
4.3” thick pad, with grippy material
18.5” Pad Length, 7.9” Pad Width, angled slope here to lock your knee caps onto when do hamstring curls
Foot Plate
Footplate length: 17.3”
Footplate width: 13.4”
Handles
Handle length 6.3”
Handle Spacing 22.8”
Review
Shipping & Assembly:
The unit arrived in two boxes, in relatively good condition. Assembly was easy except for when I had to add the guide rods with the foot plate attached. It is heavy, so keeping it steady while attaching the bolts was a little difficult, and would have been easier if I had someone helping me.
Powder coat:
The Powder coat is not high quality. The unit did not come with a few tiny scratches from rattling around in the boxes…but nothing that was a cause for concern. All budget brands save you money by shipping as cheaply as possible, and the quality of powder coats are usually the same. Nothing to write home about, but will generally speaking keep the rust away.
Pads:
They are in my mind the a good density. Not too soft, not too soft. They are covered with a grippy material which is nice , because it ensures that you won’t slip off the pads. No complaints, and the fact that there are two SEPERATE pads, providing you with enough space to prevent crushing your delicate parts is also very nice.
Handles:
I wish that they were wider (they are spaced out only 22.8”), or better yet DETACHABLE….but not an issue for someone my size (200 lbs, 71” tall), unless I am holding a weight plate. While holding a 450mm weight plate my elbows/forearms hit the handles.
Wiggle:
There is a noticeable Wiggle in the components. In order to make it easy to adjust there is a bit of “slop” in the design, which leads to a noticeable “clicking” on each rep. However, the same is true on my full-size Titan Fitness GHD, and the Rogue Abram GHD 2.0.
Height Adjustability for Foot pads:
For obliques: I with the leg roller pads could extend further up so BOTH of my feet could fit one one side of the foot plate, underneath the leg roller pad more easily.
Stability
The unit is very stable there is minimal to NO rocking (different sized people may have different results). The BE01 has much better stability than my full size GHD, which does rock since you are so high up in the air on the much taller unit. Since you are lower to the ground with the BE01 – rocking is not an issue (for me).
Verdict
At this price, the product definitely delivers value. Half the size of the standard GHD, and LESS THAN half the price of a standard GHD
If this sounds like this might be the right product for you, do not pay full price. Use PROMO CODE “RFDESIGN” to save money. If you click on my affiliate shopping link before purchasing I do get paid a small commission which helps support running this channel and it costs you nothing extra. Much appreciated!
