Mega-Smith by Megafitness.com

[BIGJSD]

I am considering this machine for purchase because of the versatilty and price but I am worried about the quality. Does anyone have any experience with this machine? I realize there are better power-racks/smith machine combo's but for the price this seems to be a great value. I really like the addition of cable cross-overs to this set-up. I'm on a budget of 1500 to 1800 dollars and want the most bang for the buck. A smith is a must with anything I buy since I will be mainly lifting alone. Any suggestions or links to comparable machines is appreciated.

http://www.megafitness.com/mega-smith-system-with-cable-crossover.html

[agent8698]

Hi BIGJSD,

I'm new here, I'm a beginner. So I probably shouldn't be answering your question. However, I have been spending a lot of time on the internet in the last few weeks getting myself educated on how to buy equipment that doesn't turn into a clotheshanger after 6 months, and this is what I found:

There are 5 self-spotting concepts available:


1. The power rack

2. The standard Smith machine

3. The Shermworks system:
http://www.shermworks.com/

4. The Prospot system:
http://www.prospotfitness.com/main.htm

5. The Max Rack:
http://www.maxrack.com/weight_machine_online_catalog.htm


All of those have their good points and bad points I'm sure, and
maybe somebody who knows those machines can comment on them. I have looked at the recommendations on this board and on other weight training boards, and have found that clearly most people recommend the power rack over the Smith machine. The other 3 choices seem to be almost unknown (maybe for good reason, I don't know). Max

[ctgblue]

Originally posted by BIGJSD
I am considering this machine for purchase because of the versatilty and price but I am worried about the quality. Does anyone have any experience with this machine? I realize there are better power-racks/smith machine combo's but for the price this seems to be a great value. I really like the addition of cable cross-overs to this set-up. I'm on a budget of 1500 to 1800 dollars and want the most bang for the buck. A smith is a must with anything I buy since I will be mainly lifting alone. Any suggestions or links to comparable machines is appreciated.

http://www.megafitness.com/mega-smith-system-with-cable-crossover.html NO, NOT GOOD!!!
WHY?
Look at the unit, the guide bars are TOO CLOSE to the back of the machine and you will be UNABLE to do incline presses or Militaries on this smith.
Trust me, I've tried the OLD body solid linear and it has the same distance from the back, you CANNOT get the bar to your chest when in an incline position because the legs of the bench force it away from the back of the machine and it basically hits you in the top of your head, in the full upright/military position, the bar is well behind your body.
See my smith picture for the kind of space needed.
I have the York Barbell Linear Smith Machine-540805 and LOVE IT. Plenty of room. I paid $1100+tx for the smith/lat/and super heavy bench. http://www.yorkbarbell.com/products/frame_540.html
But you may not be able to find it for that but should be able to get it for under $1500, if you are interested. PM me and I may know a guy who can get it on east coast.
The ONLY other ones I've seen are the NEW 2002 Body Solid Linear Smith: http://bodysolid.com/showroom/gyms/PowerCenter.html
Do NOT buy nthe older models see below
You WANT and Linear BEARING machine, NOT a ppro smith NOT a linear Bushed, Buty a Linear Bearing set up they are the ONLY ones that I can personally vouch for that DO NOT have sticking points.

Call these guys too: http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/8401.html and ask for the measurement specified below, they have engineers on site that can pull the dimension prints.

After just now checking the measurements, you Need a MINIMUM of 26-27" from the inside back floor brace to the LINE of the BAR, not the rails, But the BAR itself.
This will allow you to do all your inclines and reverse the bench to do All of your militaries

Here is a picture of mine, notice the depth of the machine, This is what you need or you'll be frustrated to all hell
Good Luck

[mityike]

How about the Smith System from Parabody. For roughly $1800, you get a great quality Smith, gunracks on the front for Barbell Bench, plate loaded Lat attach with low row pulley, and all the extra access like the plate posts and the safety Tees for benching free weight off the Gunrack. Its also built on 7 degree angle, which reduces stress on shoulder joints while benching. I now have a Tuff Stuff Linear Bearing, its great, but I want something that incorporates the Free Weight Barbell press, and I dont have the room to add another bench. Im seriously considering this piece, so keep us informed of your decision.

[ctgblue]

Mityike,
If you already have the TuffStuff Linear Smith and it's relatively new, you should be able to get the "gunracks" for the rails and use the free bar.
That is how my local shop had theirs set up.
The Parabody looks Identical to the TuffStuff Rack he had in stock.
But at $1800 it's out of this guys range.

I personally like the bar quality of my YB over the Tuff Stuff I saw. It had the "adapter sleeves" for Olympic weights where mine is a solid bar that weighs in between 60-65 lbs and is completely solid. Plus It was almost a grand less.

[mityike]

Thanks for the reply. My Tuff Stuff is about 1 year old, and I tried to see if I could adapt the gunrack, but my smiths posts are on the front where the Gun Rack would go. I think I'm going to hold off until the first of the year and then make a move. But so far, Im impressed with the versatility of the Parabody. Thanks again.

[ctgblue]

this is the one I saw, it had the gunracks, your's must be a slightly older version.
Now you see why I said they look identical?

[mityike]

Yeah, mine is the older version I guess. I saw this version at the York Barbell store near me, and it has the smith offset in the back of the support, allowing the gunracks to be installed on the front. The only thing I didnt like about this one was that it did'nt have any degree setback, like the Parabody does.

[jinjadog]

Hello CTGBlue,

I just purchased the York Barbell Smith Machine that you had referenced to. Would you happen to have additional photos of it? Reason being is that I'm struggling with how to assemble the lat-pull / row component. I called York directly and they do not have a manual for this model. It turns out that you are the only person on the entire internet that has referenced this specific machine.

Thanks,

[jinjadog]

Hello CTGBlue,

I just purchased the York Barbell Smith Machine that you had referenced to. Would you happen to have additional photos of it? Reason being is that I'm struggling with how to assemble the lat-pull / row component. I called York directly and they do not have a manual for this model. It turns out that you are the only person on the entire internet that has referenced this specific machine.

Thanks,

[PassinThrough]

Strong bump

[rich63]

i have a prospot p500 . I highly recommend it to anyone who trains alone .

[Skidmarx]

WTF? 9 year old bump?