Mikolo NOVA - Oasis Series Leg Extension / Leg Curl Review: Almost Perfect… But One Flaw
→ Mikolo NOVA Leg Extension and Leg Curl Machine (affiliate link):https://mikolo.pxf.io/L05Nvj
The leg extension on this machine is genuinely one of the best I've used, especially at this price point. But the hamstring curl has one major design flaw that anyone who seriously trains hamstrings is not going to like. Here's the full breakdown.
What Is the NOVA?
The Mikolo NOVA is a 2-in-1 leg extension and prone hamstring curl machine built for home gyms, and it's priced as such. It's currently selling for around $460 depending on the sale you catch, which puts it firmly in the budget category. The machine weighs around 140 lbs and supports users up to 350 lbs, with a wide range of adjustments on the roller arm and tibia pad to accommodate different body sizes.
The standout feature Mikolo pushes hard in their marketing is that this isn't a cable driven system, and it's not just a standard free lever arm either. It uses what they call a direct mechanical linkage system, a bar creating different angles throughout the movement. The goal is a more even feel of resistance through the full range of motion, without the cable stretching or breakage you'd eventually see on a cable driven machine.
It also includes a Variable Resistance Multiplier, which lets you adjust resistance without adding or removing plates. A rail can be lifted and set to three positions. The farthest back position is a 1:1 ratio, the middle is 1:1.1, and the farthest forward is 1:1.2. So 100 lbs loaded at the back position feels like 100 lbs, at the middle it feels like 110 lbs, and at the front position it feels like 120 lbs.
That's what Mikolo claims. Here's how it actually trains.
Range of Motion
This is where the NOVA earns real credit. Range of motion is excellent on both the leg extension and the hamstring curl. On the leg extension, it delivers more range than a Temple of Gains Selectorized machine for comparison. On the hamstring curl, the dial lets you start as low or high as you want, and it drops down low enough to get a real stretch at the bottom of the movement. This is a 10 out of 10 category for the machine.
Resistance Profile
Because of the linkage system, the resistance does follow through on what Mikolo claims. It's noticeably more even than a free lever arm setup, which tends to be light at the bottom and heavy at the top. On the leg extension there's a small, fairly minor drop off in resistance at the bottom of the rep. At the top it stays consistent with no real drop off. The Variable Resistance Multiplier is also usable mid-set, reachable from the seated position, and the resistance difference is noticeable even if it's not massive.
On the hamstring curl, resistance drops off a bit at the top of the movement as the weight approaches vertical, and it's heavier at the bottom. Again, it's not a drastic swing, and this linkage-based leg extension and curl setup is genuinely one of the better feeling systems out there. This category earns an 8 out of 10.
Comfort
Padding across the machine is comfortable, not overly cushy but not too firm either. On the leg extension, the tibia roller pad has enough cushion with no real pain, and it has 9 adjustment positions to dial in shin placement. The back pad is comfortable, but it doesn't adjust forward or back, so shorter users may need to add a pad behind their back to line their knee up with the machine's pivot point. Taller users generally shouldn't run into issues since the pad has enough length, and testing with a 6'4" client showed no real problem there.
The Leg Curl Roller Issue
This is the machine's biggest flaw. Switching into hamstring curl mode is simple, just pull a pin and it locks into place, and there are plenty of adjustment points on both the tibia roller and the arm to dial in your setup. The problem is that the roller itself is fixed and does not spin. During hamstring curls, the roller ends up sliding up and down the back of the calf instead of rolling, and that dragging motion creates real friction and burning after just a few reps.
This has nothing to do with the padding quality, which is genuinely comfortable. It comes down to the roller not rotating. The fix would be simple: adding some type of material inside the roller that lets it spin freely. As it stands, it's foam on the inside with nothing to allow rotation, and lubricant doesn't solve it since there's no mechanism there to begin with.
Scorecard
Build Quality: 8/10 The frame feels solid with minimal wobble or flex, even under heavier loads.
Exercise Feel: 7.5/10 Excellent range of motion on both movements, held back by the resistance drop offs and the non-rotating roller.
Comfort: 8.5/10 Seat and pads are very comfortable, but the roller dragging on the calf hurts the overall experience.
Adjustability: 7.5/10 Plenty of adjustment points on the tibia pad and arm, but the fixed backpad limits fit across different body types.
Value: 9/10 At around $460, it's hard to find a better leg extension machine on the market.
Overall: 7.5/10 Mostly held back by the leg curl roller issue.
Who Is This Machine For?
If quad training is your priority and you want a budget piece that performs well above its price point, the NOVA is a strong pickup, possibly one of the best values available right now. If hamstring training matters just as much to you, this is a harder sell. Until Mikolo fixes the roller, it might be worth waiting for a version two or looking at other options. It's a two-in-one machine, so if you're buying it expecting both movements to perform equally, the current roller design is going to be a real sticking point.
Final Verdict
Would I spend my own money on this machine? If I wanted a great leg extension with the hamstring curl as a secondary bonus I didn't care too much about, yes, without hesitation. If both movements were equally important to me, I'd wait for a version two or look elsewhere. The leg extension is genuinely top tier for this price range. The hamstring curl just needs one simple fix to match it.
→ Get the Mikolo NOVA here:https://mikolo.pxf.io/L05Nvj
