GymBlocks, Development, Production & Usage
GymBlocks as a Starting Aid in Strength Training: Production, Development & Application
Gymblocks (also starting aid, Starting Block or strength block) are small training aids with a big impact: They improve the start of heavy machine exercises, reduce unnecessary overstretching at the starting point and help you train more safely and effectively. ANVIL Fitness was one of the first manufacturers to replace often improvised wooden blocks with a more visually and technically sophisticated solution back in 2020. Since March 2026, we have been producing our GymBlocks in their 4th version – more compact, robust and functional than ever before.
First generation:
Current generation:
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What are GymBlocks, starting aids or strength blocks?
GymBlocks are used on strength machines to improve the starting position of an exercise. Many machines start from a mechanically disadvantageous (but structurally necessary) position: maximum stretch, unstable joint angles, and a difficult-to-control start to the movement. A Starting Block or strength block specifically shortens this start – without “modifying” the machine.
Typical machines where starting aids are particularly useful
- Chest press (Plate-Loaded or Stack)
- Shoulder machines / shoulder press
- Rowing machines (seated, iso-lateral)
- other machines with a very disadvantageous starting point
Why a starting aid in machine training brings real progression
Especially with heavy weights, the first repetition often determines performance, technique and safety. Without a starting aid, you often start from a position that:
- promotes overstretching in the target muscle
- reduces performance, because force transmission at the starting point is poor
- unnecessarily increases the risk of injury
With a Gymblock (starting aid / Starting Block / strength block), the first repetition starts more controlled. After the first repetition, the block automatically retracts from the buffer or starting position via the bands – and you can once again use the machine's full range of motion.
ANVIL GymBlocks: Development since 2020 & Version 4 since March 2026
ANVIL Fitness was the first provider to replace classic wooden solutions with a high-quality, repetition-accurate and durable alternative in 2020. Since then, the concept has been continuously developed – not as a lifestyle gadget, but as a functional tool for heavy training.
What makes Version 4 better
- new spiral-thread mounting
- instead of one-sided support: usable on 2 axes
- 2 different starting heights in one system
- static loads > 150 kg per block (highly robust)
- Visual adjustments
Many copies and imitations that emerged after our launch have either disappeared from the market or are not convincing: poor appearance, fewer features, low quality. The difference lies in the details – and in the process.
Production in Germany: Material, machines and finish
We manufacture our GymBlocks on site in Germany. The basis is a high-quality industrial plastic: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) – spelled out and deliberately chosen because it stands for durable components with high dimensional stability. We receive the material from the only German manufacturer that provides us with 3D printing raw material of this quality.
Industrial printing instead of hobby 3D printing
The printing is done on industrial printers made in Germany, such as those also used in aircraft construction and motorsport. This allows us to achieve reproducible dimensional accuracy and load-bearing capacity – crucial for a starting aid that must function reliably under load.
Surface & finishing
After printing, the GymBlocks are chemically and residue-free processed. The surface is treated in a specially developed gas chamber, sealed, and the entire block is hardened. The exact processes, times and chemical details are a trade secret – and that is exactly one of the reasons why our blocks stand out from the market in terms of appearance, grip feel and long-term performance
It is a fact:
“A lawnmower doesn't make a perfect lawn –
just as a 3D printer doesn't automatically produce good tools and components.”
PVC logo and the DNA of production
High-quality PVC logos round off the design and reflect the passion for product development. Up to 6 hours of production time is invested in every pair of GymBlocks before packaging. We maintain the excellent price primarily through parallel production, process optimization – and a very low return rate.
Application: How to use GymBlocks correctly as a starting aid
The application is simple: You place the Gymblock where it sensibly shortens the machine's starting position. Depending on the machine, this can vary between the weight stack/stop and the mechanism. Thanks to the bands, the block works automatically: After the first repetition, it retracts from the starting position, so you can once again train over the full range.
Practical examples
- Chest press: safer start without unnecessary shoulder/chest overstretching during heavy sets
- Shoulder machine: controlled start despite an unfavourable lever at the start
- Rowing machine: clean start of the pull without having to “pull from overstretch”
Important: A starting aid does not replace proper technique – it ensures that you control the critical starting point with heavy weights instead of “surviving” it.
Who is a GymBlock suitable for?
Private users (recommendation)
We continue to recommend GymBlocks primarily for private users who handle their equipment with care. In this environment, starting aids can last extremely long and quickly become a permanent part of heavy machine training.
Gyms (realistic expectation)
In gym operations, GymBlocks are often subject to careless handling by many members. As a result, they are not necessarily durable “for life” in every case. However, our attractive prices combined with maximum performance ensure that the ANVIL Gymblock is regularly reordered by gym customers
Conclusion: GymBlocks, Starting Blocks and strength blocks – small aid, big effect
Whether you are looking for a starting aid, Gymblock, Starting Block or strength block: The goal is always the same – a safe, powerful start to heavy machine exercises. ANVIL GymBlocks combine development, industrial production in Germany and a consistently further developed function – now in Version 4.
FAQ: Starting aid, Gymblock, Starting Block
What is the difference between Gymblock, Starting Block and strength block?
They are often different terms for the same principle: a starting aid that shortens the starting point of a machine exercise so that you can get into heavy repetitions more controlled and safely.
What do I use GymBlocks for most often in training?
Especially often for chest presses, shoulder machines and rowing machines, because the start is often unfavourable there and creates unnecessary overstretching.
Are ANVIL GymBlocks suitable for gyms?
The blocks are very durable (static > 300 kg per block). However, in gym operations, the members' handling determines the lifespan. For private users, they are generally particularly durable.
What material are ANVIL GymBlocks made of?
High-quality industrial plastic Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), supplied by a German manufacturer of 3D printing raw material.
