Many home gyms cover squats and deadlifts, but when it comes to isolating the quads and hamstrings, things can get makeshift.
The NOVA™ Leg Extension and Prone Leg Curl Machine aims to fix that by combining two commercial-gym staples into a single plate-loaded unit. Its pull-pin system switches from seated leg extensions to prone leg curls to hit both sides of your thighs without any hassle.
It also offers three load-ratio settings — dubbed the Adjustable Load Ratio System —that increase your resistance instantly without changing the weight plates. Add nine leg-lock settings, eight starting positions, a supportive V-tilt design, and a claimed constant-tension loading system, and the NOVA™ packs a lot in for the price.
Now that you have a little taste, let’s see how the NOVA™ performs when it is time to train.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE NOVA™
At 115 pounds, the NOVA™ weighs enough that you don’t have to worry about it moving around. It supports lifters weighing up to 350 pounds, and the wide base feels stable when getting after it.
But you must earn that first workout because the NOVA™ does not arrive ready to train. Assembly is a significant time investment, especially if you are tackling it alone. The machine has multiple moving parts, pads, and adjustment mechanisms that must be installed correctly, so this is a good time to phone a friend and offer them food in exchange for labor.
Once assembled, though, the NOVA™ is ready to train your quads and hamstrings.
TWO EXERCISES, ONE MACHINE
The NOVA™ 2-in-1 machine delivers double the isolation goodness without taking up twice the floor space or costing twice as much.
Its precision pull-pin system lets you switch from seated leg extensions to prone leg curls in under three seconds. Pull the pin, move the arm into position, lock it in, and you are ready to train the other side of your thighs. That quick transition makes the NOVA™ great for superset or anyone who wants to train both muscles without wasting time.
Combining both functions makes it a better fit for a garage, basement, or spare-room gym where every square foot matters. The value here is that it gives home-gym lifters access to two isolation movements that are difficult to perform without dedicated equipment.
The NOVA™’s variable load-ratio system is unique. Instead of changing plates every time you want more or less resistance, you can choose between 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2 settings.
Here’s how it works. The different settings change the machine’s leverage. Moving the selector alters where the resistance connects to the lever arm, increasing or decreasing the mechanical advantage. The plates remain the same, but the longer or shorter lever arm means the working muscles produce more or less force to move them. 100 pounds of plates can provide 100, 110, or 120 pounds of resistance, depending on the setting.
It is a simple feature, but it makes the NOVA™ more versatile than a standard plate-loaded leg attachment.
The NOVA™’s 12-degree V-tilt helps place the hips and pelvis in a better position, making it easier to keep the lower back from taking over while performing curls.
By supporting the torso while allowing the hips to settle into the pad, the V-shaped design helps keep tension where it belongs: on the hamstrings.
BUT HOW DOES THE NOVA™ FEEL?
A leg extension and curl machine only works well when your knees line up with its pivot point, but lifters come in all shapes and sizes, so how does NOVA™ allow for this?
The machine offers eight starting positions, allowing you to adjust the movement sweep for a deeper stretch or a shorter starting range. The nine-point adjustable leg lock helps position the lower-leg pad securely while keeping your knee aligned with the machine’s pivot point. It may take a few sets to find your ideal setup, but once you do, the NOVA™ offers a more customized fit than most plate-loaded leg attachments.
It provides a full range of motion for both exercises. During the leg extension, you can begin with the knees in deep flexion and finish close to full extension. On the leg curl, the machine allows the hamstrings to lengthen at the bottom before moving into a strong contraction at the top.
The resistance also feels constant through most of each rep. Mikolo calls this its Constant Tension Tech, and the NOVA™ precision loading system does a good job of keeping tension where it should be
But the resistance curve is not even. There is a slight drop-off in tension at the bottom of the leg extension, when the knees are in deep flexion. On the leg curl, resistance feels lighter when the hamstrings reach their fully contracted position.
However, neither issue is a deal-breaker.
IT’S NOT ALL SUNSHINE & ROSES
There is a flaw that shows up during the prone leg curl. The lower-leg pad does not roll as your knees bend. Instead, it moves up and down the back of your lower calves, creating friction against the skin.
This rubbing becomes uncomfortable, and it makes an otherwise smooth exercise less comfortable than it should be. Mikolo should replace the fixed pad with a rolling design in the next version.
The other drawbacks are easier to live with. Because the NOVA™ is plate-loaded, changing resistance takes longer than moving a pin on a weight stack machine. The adjustable load ratios help, but you will still need to add or remove plates for larger jumps.
You also have to assemble the machine yourself. Once it is built, however, neither of these limitations affects how the NOVA™ performs.
IS IT WORTH IT?
At $359 on the Mikolo official website, you’re getting a leg extension and prone leg curl setup in one unit, along with multiple starting positions, three load-ratio settings, and a solid 115-pound frame that supports users up to 350 pounds. Buying separate machines for each exercise would cost more and take up more room.
The lifetime warranty also adds confidence to the purchase. Budget-friendly equipment can sometimes feel like a gamble, but long-term coverage helps ease concerns about durability and replacement parts.
The fixed lower-leg pad keeps the NOVA™ from being perfect, but it does not erase the machine’s overall value. For $359 (discounted from $459), it provides two hard-to-replicate isolation exercises, excellent range of motion, a strong resistance profile, and enough adjustability to fit a wide range of lifters.
The NOVA™ offers strong value. It is not flawless, but for home-gym lifters who want serious quad and hamstring isolation, it gets far more right than wrong.
Muscle & Fitness and JW Media, LLC were not involved in the creation of this sponsored content. The views and claims expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Muscle & Fitness or its editorial staff.
