50 Words or Less
The Shogun FLEX is a compact, portable, and versatile resistance training system. Strong, usable app. Great for those with limited space or anyone who wants to take their workout on the road.
Introduction
Everyone knows that strength training is important. Whether it’s to improve your golf or just to stay healthy and capable as you get older, resistance training is a key part of the equation. Unfortunately, commercial gyms can be expensive and inconvenient, and home gyms can be expensive and space-consuming. The Shogun FLEX aims to solve several of those problems by packing a resistance trainer into a tiny package. I tested it to see if it could deliver results like a traditional gym.
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Set Up & Ease of Use
The Shogun FLEX comes in a tidy, organized traveling case. Measuring roughly 12″ X 11″ and weighing under five pounds, it delivers on its promise of portability. The FLEX device itself is just over 4″ X 4″ and weighs a pound and a half.
Inside the carrying case, you’ll find all the pieces you see above. There’s the Shogun FLEX, door anchor, foot anchor, ankle wrap, D-handle, and tricep straps. You also get a charging cable (USB-C) as well as instructional information.
To get started, you’ll need to download the Shogun FLEX app, connect your device via Bluetooth, and set up your device with the appropriate anchor and handle. I’m going to dive into the app and anchors in more detail below. For now, I’ll say that the FLEX is fairly easy to use your first time out, and subsequent uses are easier. [See Price / Buy]
Shogun FLEX App
The Shogun FLEX app is an essential part of using this device. Connecting your device to the app is easy – just hit the “Connect” button like you would with any other app and Bluetooth device. There is a “Fast-Track Onboarding” section that covers some of the very basics like turning the FLEX on and explaining the six training modes. There’s also an FAQ there with more advanced information.
Once you have your device connected, you can choose Free Training, a scripted workout, or you can create your own workout. In Free Training, you set the resistance and the Training Mode (more on this later) and do whatever you want. There’s a Training Library that shows movements for every body part if you need inspiration. [See Price / Buy]
With the scripted workouts, the app tells you what exercises to do as well as setting the resistance and number of reps. You can customize the weights and reps, but this is a nice way to experiment with the FLEX and learn different movements. It’s also good for people who need a little push, structure, or coaching to get through their gym session. [See Price / Buy]
Finally, you can create your own workout. You can select up to sixty exercises from the Training Library and customize the weight and reps to build the exact workout that you want. All your workouts are tracked in the app, so you’ll have a record of each session.
Effectiveness
The Shogun FLEX can deliver anywhere from 4 to 44 pounds of resistance per unit, and you can connect up to eight units through the app. Theoretically, that means as much as 352 pounds of resistance, though it’s impractical to connect all those devices to one handle.
There are six Training Modes: Standard, Concentric, Eccentric, Constant, Chain, and Generation. In Standard Mode, the resistance is mostly consistent across the pull-out and retraction. Concentric Mode puts full resistance on the pull-out and half resistance on the retraction; Eccentric Mode is the opposite. Constant Mode adjusts the resistance to match the speed that the rope is pulled, and in Chain Mode the resistance grows the more the rope is pulled out, just like lifting a barbell with chains on it. Finally, Generation Mode helps to recharge the FLEX.
To use the Shogun FLEX, it needs to be anchored to something, and there are several options. The door anchor (above) and foot strap (below) are included with the unit. Another combination that you can see in these pictures is the platform with swivel cages. Also available, but not pictured, are the wall mount (which you need to screw into your wall) and the rack mount (for attaching to a squat rack).
All of these anchors have obvious uses, but they also invite you to be creative. I don’t think that my seated row configuration with the platform (below) is an approved use – and for legal reasons, I’m not suggesting that you try it – but it did work pretty well. If you’re the type who can’t work out unless everything is laid out just so, the Shogun FLEX probably isn’t for you.
A final practical note, there’s about six feet of rope in each FLEX. This allows for a lot of movements and creativity, but, at exactly six feet tall, I can’t stand on the platform and fully extend my arms overhead.
With all the basics covered, we get to the essential question: can you get a great workout from the Shogun FLEX? The short answer is yes. While 44 pounds of resistance is not a lot by the standards of a “trained” person, it’s plenty for some movements, and you can pair the units to get more. Additionally, the six training modes add some variety that you can’t get with traditional weights.
Let’s try a tougher question, “Is the Shogun FLEX a perfect all-in-one fitness solution?” For this, I’d shift my answer to no, but there’s virtually nothing that is. The FLEX has limitations – the lack of weight, the need to change set-ups – but I think the pros outweigh the cons for a lot of users.
Longevity
When I judge a golf training aid, this section is primarily focused on whether you’ll use the trainer for more than a week. With a fitness device, I’m going to focus on the best and worst use cases to help you decide if this is something you’ll want to use long term.
The most compelling thing about the Shogun FLEX is its portability. If you travel regularly and want to get a good workout anywhere, this is a great buy. It’s going to add so much variety to your normal push-up/squat/sit-up hotel room workout. Similarly, if you have limited space in your home but want to get some resistance training, the FLEX is a great option.
I’ll add one other group to the “plus” side of the ledger: people who have home gyms but want more variety. This is where I fall, and it’s what made me want to test the FLEX. I have a basic squat rack, but I wanted something to approximate a cable system/functional trainer. While not a perfect substitute, the FLEX hits a lot of the notes I’m looking for at a much lower price with a non-existent footprint. If you’re in this boat with me, I think the rack mount is probably your best option.
My only negative note is that the Shogun FLEX would not be my first purchase if I was building a home gym and had adequate space. A basic free weight setup is still the GOAT for building strength and athleticism. It’s also easy and relatively affordable to scale as you get stronger, and it’s the king of versatility.
Two final longevity considerations are the battery life and the app. For me, the battery lasted through a couple longer workouts (30+ minutes) before demanding a recharge. I think the app is really well executed, but your workouts are going to be tethered to your phone, and you’re likely going to need to spend some time dialing in your reps and resistance. I don’t think either of these issues is a deal breaker, but you should consider them before making your purchase.
Value
The base unit – one Shogun FLEX, ankle bracelet, foot wrap, D-handle, door anchor, and tricep rope – retails for $350. A set of two costs $700. [See Price / Buy]
There are also a variety of bundles. What you see in this review is the FLEX Anywhere bundle with the platform, long bar, and two swivel cages. That retails for $945, which is a nice savings over buying the pieces separately. There are also the FLEX Wall Trainer Bundle and FLEX Rack Pro Bundle for those that want to wall or rack mount their FLEX units.
Overall, I think the Shogun FLEX is a strong value for those with the right use cases. While you might be able to put together a functional free weight set-up for less if you shop secondhand, that’s going to eat up a ton of space and won’t be portable.
Conclusion
The Shogun FLEX delivers on its promises of portable, versatile resistance training. Compared to commercial gym memberships and most home gym equipment, it’s also reasonably priced. If you need to take your workouts on the road or can’t commit massive square footage to a home gym, the FLEX is worth a look. [See Price / Buy]
Shogun FLEX
Embrace the revolution of fitness with FLEX, the ultimate smart portable resistance training device. FLEX isn’t just any portable cable trainer; it’s your on-demand gym, ready to transform any space into a full-body workout zone.
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Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.