I'm planning on buying a commercial grade Power Tower.

[Ultimus]

At my local fitness store, they sell commercial quality equipment, and I am going to get a power.

It's a body solid, and looks pretty solid, and good quality. You can do pull ups, dips, leg raises, push-ups.

He's going to build it for me and all for $325

I don't have a Dick's Sports, or Sports Athority anywhere near me, so its my only option.

What do you think?

[Creatine28]

At my local fitness store, they sell commercial quality equipment, and I am going to get a power.

It's a body solid, and looks pretty solid, and good quality. You can do pull ups, dips, leg raises, push-ups.

He's going to build it for me and all for $325

I don't have a Dick's Sports, or Sports Athority anywhere near me, so its my only option.

What do you think?

You might want to check Craigslist, they have those on there all the time. $325 seems a bit pricey.

[Ultimus]

You might want to check Craigslist, they have those on there all the time. $325 seems a bit pricey.

I've checked Craiglist every single day, but power towers only come once in a life time, and they sell ultra fast! Any weight equipment gets picked up fast!

[Napune]

Any weight equipment gets picked up fast!

Very true, I used to work at a Play It Again Sports, fitness equipment new and used sold very quickly. I would buy from an online store and get it shipped and build it myself. I posted a reply in your teen section post btw.

[daveray]

I took a look at that model two weekends ago, and I agree that the quality is very nice and sturdy. It's amazing how junky the Powerline stuff is in comparison... the tilted back pad and the two supports on the chin bar are especially nice.

I did some pricing online for it shortly after that, and the best I could find (from a reputable dealer) was $299 w/free shipping, so $325 is not bad at all, really.

[Ultimus]

I took a look at that model two weekends ago, and I agree that the quality is very nice and sturdy. It's amazing how junky the Powerline stuff is in comparison... the tilted back pad and the two supports on the chin bar are especially nice.

I did some pricing online for it shortly after that, and the best I could find (from a reputable dealer) was $299 w/free shipping, so $325 is not bad at all, really.

Well should I pay 325 for that, OR buy this?

http://www.bayoufitness.com/Detail.bok?no=69&zmam=2856867&zmas=1&zmac=4&zmap=741178182210

[daveray]

Well should I pay 325 for that, OR buy this?

http://www.bayoufitness.com/Detail.bok?no=69&zmam=2856867&zmas=1&zmac=4&zmap=741178182210

I'm not familiar with Keys Fitness, but when I was scoping and testing out VKRs for myself, I really got the impression that you really get what you pay for. That is, Body Solid (and Parabody's nice VKR) weren't just more expensive because of the brand name or because they were out to gouge the consumer but rather because the product was that much better.

I hate to buy the same piece of equipment twice, so when you are already laying out a good chunk of money, I find it's usually best to pay a little more and get a good, quality piece of equipment that is comfortable and that will last.

I would definitely not buy the Keys Power Tower sight unseen (that goes for most equipment, actually). I would definitely want to test it. A few differences I see right off:

1. Look at the pushup station. You have only once choice of hand position: palms facing. On the BS model, you have that position plus the opposite direction, kind of like the grip you'd use on a barbell. The other thing I don't like about the pushup station on the Keys is the low crossbar right where your head would be going up and down. I vaguely remember someone complaining about a power tower in another post that had this same issue and he couldn't use a full range of motion lest he smash his face in.

2. Leg raise station. The seat on the Keys is angled back, which is nice, but unfortunately the arm rests are not similarly angled. VKRs with tilted backs AND arms are much more comfortable, and you just kind of "lock in" nicely. For that matter, look at the padding difference. The BS pads are not only thicker but also concave.

3. Differences in height. The Body Solid has the more standard height of 82", mainly to better accommodate standard ceilings. The Keys is 86", which I would actually prefer but would be a problem for many people. Look at how many people have to flip the chin bar support on the Powertec rack to accommodate ceiling heights -- and that rack is only about 82" high!

4. Weight capacity. Interestingly, I couldn't find a stated capacity for the BS model, but given that the Powerline is 250 lbs and is far inferior in quality, I would guess it's at least 400...but who knows, that's only my guess. I weight about 280 and it didn't wobble at all when I played with it in the store. The Keys is rated at 250, which is actually pretty good compared to others in its price class, but whether that is sufficient for you depends on your weight and how far you will progress. I would be too heavy for it right out of the box. As time passes, you will be loading your body down with plates, so be sure to consider that.

So, to conclude this long post, I guess the Keys might work just fine for you depending on your house, your build, and your budget. Most VKRs in the $100 - $150 range don't seem nearly as nice as the Keys seems to be. Personally, though, I would save some money somewhere else and buy the BS or the Parabody. I would rather buy no equipment or improvise equipment than buy something that kind of mostly works... When things are painful or wobbly or don't fit quite right or are just a pain in the ass, it's a real psychological killer. Lifting is enough work without dealing with bad equipment!

[Yonkersguy]

This is a subject that's been beaten to death here, and I"m just as much a part of that as anybody else. But, I've just come across one for the home gym and says that it has a 750 lb capacity. That is enough weight to hold ANYBODY HERE WITH AS MUCH WEIGHT AS THEY WANT TO STRAP ONTO THEIR BODIES.

Muscle Dynamics DLP695 Dip / Leg Raise / Pull-Up

This thing really looks solid!

[ctgblue]

If it is this model
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Item.aspx?ItemID=515&ItemLabel=GVKR82%3a+Body-Solid+Vertical+Knee+Raise%2c+Dip%2c+Pull+Up

It is worth it, I had one, after trying every other model out there. (the only one close was the Hoist at $200 more)
I could do hanging crunches off the chin bar at 250lbs and it did not move. The Keys model wobbled when I tried chins, as did all the "sporting goods store" models
I paid $299 + tax several years ago

See how far back the rear legs extend? That is the difference. You DO NOT want one that has the chin in front, they suck
this is a solid machine
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/images/Item/515l.jpg

[Yonkersguy]

ctgblue, are you speaking from experience? I mean, as far as the power towers with the chins in front. Have you tried most of them to come to that conclusion? Just curious...I mean, I've tried some that were better than others, but the one that I purchased is very solid..and the chins are in front. It doesn't wobble or anything. And it's very comfortable to use.

[daveray]

I emailed BS just for the hell of it, and actually the power tower capacity (as pictured by ctgblue) is 800 lbs! So plenty to work with there. It did feel really solid.

As for chin in front, I only tried a couple in stores, but they were low end ones, not like the one Yonkersguy is referring to. I felt really crowded into the units and and on one, the dip bars actually hit my arms when I hung from the chin bar. The main advantage I can see with that setup is saving floor space since you can stick it in a corner.

[Ultimus]

If it is this model
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Item.aspx?ItemID=515&ItemLabel=GVKR82%3a+Body-Solid+Vertical+Knee+Raise%2c+Dip%2c+Pull+Up

It is worth it, I had one, after trying every other model out there. (the only one close was the Hoist at $200 more)
I could do hanging crunches off the chin bar at 250lbs and it did not move. The Keys model wobbled when I tried chins, as did all the "sporting goods store" models
I paid $299 + tax several years ago

See how far back the rear legs extend? That is the difference. You DO NOT want one that has the chin in front, they suck
this is a solid machine


I believe its that one. I think I will get it. At another fitness store they had an ultra nice hoist but it was 500, but I think if you had the money, it would be worth buying the hoist.

[ctgblue]

ctgblue, are you speaking from experience? I mean, as far as the power towers with the chins in front. Have you tried most of them to come to that conclusion? Just curious...I mean, I've tried some that were better than others, but the one that I purchased is very solid..and the chins are in front. It doesn't wobble or anything. And it's very comfortable to use.

Absolutely, every one was crowded feeling, I never found one I would consider heavy duty, and as for weighted chins, no way, plus, I like the option of gravity boot crunches, but I only tried about 15 different ones to form that opinion

[Yonkersguy]

Absolutely, every one was crowded feeling, I never found one I would consider heavy duty, and as for weighted chins, no way, plus, I like the option of gravity boot crunches, but I only tried about 15 different ones to form that opinion

OH, I understand now..you're over 6'. I can see how you can get crowded in one of those things. lol! Sorry, me being 5'7" makes it easier for me to pick out one of these things and be a little more comfortable. I actually didn't get the one I ordered yet, but, I plan on reviewing it when I do.

[ctgblue]

Most of the ones I tried, even with the chins on the back, would try to flip over on me at about 240lbs bodyweight when I did chins, which is why the hoist and bodysolid were the only two I considered. no way I was doing inverted crunches and landing on my head
aside from a 4" height difference, I would swear they were made by the same company as the welds, parts, setup, looked identical (they probably are made the same place) but the BS was $200 less
I would have to curl my legs a little in the BS to go all the way down on chins, but had at least a foot of clearance hanging upside down

The one you like has no option for inverted crunches, having handles instead of a bar, but it looks nice, I just have a 52" chest and am 6'2", so I don't fit with the chins, I hit the sides a bit and bounce my feet on the back of the machine

[Yonkersguy]

well, the one that I pictured here was just one that I found yesterday. It wasn't the one that I ordered. The one I ordered is Proform fusion and the dip handles fold up and away when you're doing chins so they shoudln't be in the way. I"m still waiting on the delivery.