Total Sport America

[switch87]

Anyone every use or hear anything on their equipment? I'm looking at a used smith machine with weights for around 300. It has over head pull and lower, chest fly, preacher attachment, leg, and a few other things. I'm new to this so I dont know what everything is called. Trying to set up my own workout area at home, looking at a couple others also but wanted to get some input on this. thanks

[NephilimRising]

I have a home-gym machine that includes a chest press, pec-deck, lat pulldown, leg extension, and low row. I bought it new for 150 bucks almost 7 years ago and its still in excellent condition today, although it should be noted that i use it sparingly......very sparingly. I dislike some of the design features, but that shouldn't be a problem with a Smith Machine.

Edit: My TSA home-gym is constructed of paper thin metal.

[Keetman]

I've never seen the smith you're talking about, but I have seen plenty of TSA stuff and cheap smiths in general. It is what it is and it isn't much. This stuff is just typically made cheap and sold cheap to the masses. I would be floored to find out the smith was anything but a complete pain in the arse to use. I bought a bodysolid smith 11 years ago for a lot of money. It was a "higher" end home model, but it still had bushings that the smith carriage rode on instead of bearings and it was terrible, imo. I still remember how awkward and painful squats were on that thing. I'm sure it was the design, and I can't believe TSA got it any better on a machine that is sold at a discount chain.

Depending on what you're getting, I wouldn't say TSA is terrible across the board depending on your budget and level of interest in fitness. But I would caution you to run away from anything but nicer smith machines or you may have a bad experience with free weights. I almost gave up squatting because I didn't understand how bad my equipment was!!!!