Cost No Object Machines and Free Weights, the Best of the Best

[HealthNutMD]

Hey can you tell me how you like the 2 inch elite fts manilla rope attachment?

Thanks
Gus

The attachment to the Monkey Bar of the Elite Collegiate rack is not straightforward. Thank-you for reminding me to call them. I don't have an opinion on them yet. I'm wondering though if covered ropes are not better? I do look forward to hanging a long outside rope someday. What length of rope is ideal? I mean how high do you recommend? After a certain height I guess you'll need belayed :-) or have some protection on the ground...

[HealthNutMD]

The Cybex VR3 Arm Extension came Friday. The heavy stack option is a must. The design of this machine is great. Its a great luxury piece, a great way to finish triceps after everything else. There are different types of tricep machines, but of this particular type of tricep machine, it really is the best of its type. There are other types of tricep machines which are great, but what I am talking about is this specific type of tricep machine. All manufacturers seem to make an arm extension similar to this one, but the Cybex one is by far the best. Free motion makes a decent one with proper upper back support, but I prefer the feel and motion of the Cybex for this particular piece. A lot of other companies don't have proper upper back support for this design. Some companies simply don't have upper back support (simply stupid once the weight starts getting heavy). Some companies don't have adequate upper back support, or some poor design in the elbow pad, etc., that does not allow for a solid fit in this machine that allows for pushing the heviest weights. This machine fits like a freaking glove. You can squeeze into it and it holds you very tight, allowing you to push the stack if you can (good luck with that on the heavy stack). A lot of people are familiar with this machine. Both the VR2 and VR3 machines of this type are great.

Sure, you can do all kinds of bar work and dumbell work for triceps. I'm not going to say this machine is neccessary per se. However, The fact that I dished out a lot of money for it speaks for how I feel about it. It is a luxury, not a requirement. It does deserve praise for it being the best of its very specific type of tricep machine.

[HealthNutMD]

Here are two pics simply because they were right next to the tricep machine:

[tjp15785]

healthnut, maybe its been discussed, being lazy not going through 22 pages of posts. Just did squats, : ). did you look into marpo kinectics rope machine. Interestingly enough they are located in Livermore.

[rthawker]

If your going to go for a rope machine you might as well go all out.

http://www.mteverclimb.com/

It's motorized and you can adjust speed and direction.

[tjp15785]

If your going to go for a rope machine you might as well go all out.

http://www.mteverclimb.com/

It's motorized and you can adjust speed and direction.

so does the other as well as where the rope is coming from, look them up

[FatGymRat]

Here are two pics simply because they were right next to the tricep machine:

That rickshaw is badass. GET YOKED.

[rthawker]

so does the other as well as where the rope is coming from, look them up

I looked them up and I guess the biggest difference is the Marpo is a rope pulling machine and the Everclimb is an actual climbing machine.

[rthawker]

After Grkmec posted about his Power-Lift purchase I was checking out their site and seeing this rikshaw reminded me of the trap bar I just saw on their site. It also has handle diameter choices like the rikshaw. http://www.power-lift.com/freeweight...ngpowerbar.htm Just scroll down.

[flexhead222]

I just noticed that Nebula must have made two different angles on their leg press machine (see pictures). I own the 35 degree angled one. The other one looks to be on about a 55 degree angle (I'm guessing). Tom know longer owns nebula, & the new owner seems to know nothing of the company's past. Have any of you guys ever tried both-? Which angle works best etc.-? You can see the adjustment tube on the back rest is alot shorter on the steeper angled machine. If anyone has any info. please post. Thanks.

[darkfact]

I just noticed that Nebula must have made two different angles on their leg press machine (see pictures). I own the 35 degree angled one. The other one looks to be on about a 55 degree angle (I'm guessing). Tom know longer owns nebula, & the new owner seems to know nothing of the company's past. Have any of you guys ever tried both-? Which angle works best etc.-? You can see the adjustment tube on the back rest is alot shorter on the steeper angled machine. If anyone has any info. please post. Thanks.

Well I know the nebula leg presses have been 35 degree's for many years, I was surprised to see their website working again after you posted this because I was under the impression they just went out of business last year sometime. The current website still lists the leg press as 35degree's and they still look the same to me, where did you find the pic of that steeper leg press? I'm wondering if it was custom made or something.

[flexhead222]

Well I know the nebula leg presses have been 35 degree's for many years, I was surprised to see their website working again after you posted this because I was under the impression they just went out of business last year sometime. The current website still lists the leg press as 35degree's and they still look the same to me, where did you find the pic of that steeper leg press? I'm wondering if it was custom made or something.

It is listed on craigslist now (in Ct.) It must be pretty common, because I have been checking video's. Go to MD's web site (in the trenches). Search" Neil Hill legs" stop the video when he is doing squats. Check out the leg press in the background. Notice the angle, you will see it is steep. The back rest adjustment tube is way shorter than mine. I talked to the new owner of Nebula, nice guy, but knows nothing about his equipment. I have talked to Tom Eilerman in the past, & he knows equipment-! I guess he could answer this question in a second, but he is no longer involved with the company. I am thinking about buying the steep one. Having both angles would be neat. Has anyone out there tried both-?
I have a 1,200 square foot home gym loaded with commercial equipment. I am a gym equipment nut. I have some of everything: Icarian, Magnum, Bodymasters, Nebula, Polaris, Cybex, Nautilus, Flex. My gym is fully mirrored, & the floor is custom done in rubber (floor was done through Magnum fitness out of Milwaukee, WI.).
I used to own a commercial fitness center for 15 years. I sold my gym in 1999. If I get time, I will post some pictures.

[darkfact]

It is listed on craigslist now (in Ct.) It must be pretty common, because I have been checking video's. Go to MD's web site (in the trenches). Search" Neil Hill legs" stop the video when he is doing squats. Check out the leg press in the background. Notice the angle, you will see it is steep. The back rest adjustment tube is way shorter than mine. I talked to the new owner of Nebula, nice guy, but knows nothing about his equipment. I have talked to Tom Eilerman in the past, & he knows equipment-! I guess he could answer this question in a second, but he is no longer involved with the company. I am thinking about buying the steep one. Having both angles would be neat. Has anyone out there tried both-?
I have a 1,200 square foot home gym loaded with commercial equipment. I am a gym equipment nut. I have some of everything: Icarian, Magnum, Bodymasters, Nebula, Polaris, Cybex, Nautilus, Flex. My gym is fully mirrored, & the floor is custom done in rubber (floor was done through Magnum fitness out of Milwaukee, WI.).
I used to own a commercial fitness center for 15 years. I sold my gym in 1999. If I get time, I will post some pictures.

Damn dude for sure post some pics up your gym sounds sweet!

I didn't really know the steeper angle nebula exists obviously but if I was to buy one I think I'd rather get the steeper angle too. I started noticing nebula equipment when ronnie coleman put out his famous vid with the 2400lbs or w/e leg press on it. I've never used one myself but I love the design of some of their stuff and in particular the leg press.

Regardless, I'm happy to see the company continuing to build stuff with a new owner or not. Too bad bodymasters hasn't had the same opportunity so far after they died...

[flexhead222]

Damn dude for sure post some pics up your gym sounds sweet!

I didn't really know the steeper angle nebula exists obviously but if I was to buy one I think I'd rather get the steeper angle too. I started noticing nebula equipment when ronnie coleman put out his famous vid with the 2400lbs or w/e leg press on it. I've never used one myself but I love the design of some of their stuff and in particular the leg press.

Regardless, I'm happy to see the company continuing to build stuff with a new owner or not. Too bad bodymasters hasn't had the same opportunity so far after they died...

FYI--I just talked with a guy who works for Knight manufacturing inc. in Rayne, LA. They are the company which bought out the bodymasters name and building. He said that they are working through some legal matters, but hope to start building gym equipment again in the near future. The company builds tools for the oil industry. If anyone needs parts for bodymasters equipment give them a call. Ask for Melvin, phone # is: 1-337-334-6969. He should be able to get you the parts you need. The web site is: knightoiltools.com

[darkfact]

FYI--I just talked with a guy who works for Knight manufacturing inc. in Rayne, LA. They are the company which bought out the bodymasters name and building. He said that they are working through some legal matters, but hope to start building gym equipment again in the near future. The company builds tools for the oil industry. If anyone needs parts for bodymasters equipment give them a call. Ask for Melvin, phone # is: 1-337-334-6969. He should be able to get you the parts you need. The web site is: knightoiltools.com

Yeah I've know about Knight and Melvin for a year or two and I had heard they plan to build some equipment eventually I just haven't seen anything surface yet. I just hope when they do start building that they stay true to the name and not try and completely reinvent everything, they were one of the better brands IMO before they went under.

[flexhead222]

Yeah I've know about Knight and Melvin for a year or two and I had heard they plan to build some equipment eventually I just haven't seen anything surface yet. I just hope when they do start building that they stay true to the name and not try and completely reinvent everything, they were one of the better brands IMO before they went under.

I agree.

[FOOFAC]

Looks like you have a lot of stuff now. What is the Sq Ft of your room? I just got back from working on my gym which is 448 Sq Ft and it is too small. I could add about another 600 Sq Ft but that would kill my planned HT room and I would have to go to a living room HT like I have now. At this point I'll have to get rid of my spider curl and preacher curl benches and I won't be able to add a multi station cable crossover. The killer is that I had an idea to change the foundation by bringing it out to the front of my wrap around porch which would have made my gym 808 Sq Ft. The next day I ended up in the middle of a suicide that tied me up for three days during which they had already poured my foundation. At this point I feel like building another house!
I also bought some 1/2" horse stall mats but I had to pay $80 usd for them! It was the only option I had locally and shipping out of province would have cost me more. I have hydronic radiant floor heating on all three floors of my house so I only bought 3 mats to make a small dumbbell area because covering the entire floor would increase my heating costs. I should have gotten into feather collecting instead of bodybuilding, at least the shipping would be affordable!
Anyway I didn't get my gym finished as planned, my mother ended up in the hospital for cancer surgery and the mirrors that I ordered 2 months ago showed up the last day I was there. I also ended up with missing bolts and small parts on my Hammer Strength pullover and shoulder press by disassembling and transporting from one location to another. Once I get the parts all I need to do is install the mirrors, mount my plasma and stereo equip and disassemble and move my Hip Press so I should get it all done on my next trip in July...unless I decide to scrap my HT and add on. lol

[HealthNutMD]

If your going to go for a rope machine you might as well go all out.

http://www.mteverclimb.com/

It's motorized and you can adjust speed and direction.

"Used and endorsed by the Pittsburgh Steelers"

SOLD! Hehe

[HealthNutMD]

After Grkmec posted about his Power-Lift purchase I was checking out their site and seeing this rikshaw reminded me of the trap bar I just saw on their site. It also has handle diameter choices like the rikshaw. http://www.power-lift.com/freeweight...ngpowerbar.htm Just scroll down.

The Elite FTS has adjustable legs, but this one has 3 grip choices. Both are nice. but I have the Sorinex Diamond bar also... The Diamon Bar is nice, rack mountable... The Elite is a great stand alone unit.

If the Power-lift bar shown there is rack mountable, that would be nice as well. It probably is.

[HealthNutMD]

I really like the Atlantis leg press which is 40 degrees. After the mdification they made for increased width, I am really happy with the result. I'm telling you the lack of bearings that Nebula and others have makes it the smoothest leg press on the market. I'll have to take some more pictures of it, but you could load as many plates on that Atlantis as the Nebula... In any case, the Atlantis 40 degree leg press is a great design. Very well thought out. Those Nylon rollers and stainless steel guide rods are smooth as butter.

[HealthNutMD]

Looks like you have a lot of stuff now. What is the Sq Ft of your room? I just got back from working on my gym which is 448 Sq Ft and it is too small. I could add about another 600 Sq Ft but that would kill my planned HT room and I would have to go to a living room HT like I have now. At this point I'll have to get rid of my spider curl and preacher curl benches and I won't be able to add a multi station cable crossover. The killer is that I had an idea to change the foundation by bringing it out to the front of my wrap around porch which would have made my gym 808 Sq Ft. The next day I ended up in the middle of a suicide that tied me up for three days during which they had already poured my foundation. At this point I feel like building another house!
I also bought some 1/2" horse stall mats but I had to pay $80 usd for them! It was the only option I had locally and shipping out of province would have cost me more. I have hydronic radiant floor heating on all three floors of my house so I only bought 3 mats to make a small dumbbell area because covering the entire floor would increase my heating costs. I should have gotten into feather collecting instead of bodybuilding, at least the shipping would be affordable!
Anyway I didn't get my gym finished as planned, my mother ended up in the hospital for cancer surgery and the mirrors that I ordered 2 months ago showed up the last day I was there. I also ended up with missing bolts and small parts on my Hammer Strength pullover and shoulder press by disassembling and transporting from one location to another. Once I get the parts all I need to do is install the mirrors, mount my plasma and stereo equip and disassemble and move my Hip Press so I should get it all done on my next trip in July...unless I decide to scrap my HT and add on. lol

All the life tragedies that happen are unfortunate. I hope you get to have your dream someday. I dream of a 27 x 35 x 11 home theater room, and a 50 x 30 x 12 gym room someday...

[grkmec]

Enjoy...

[grkmec]

[Skyaura]

Grkmec

Outstanding!!! All that is A+ equipment. Power Lift Rack, Ivanko Plates, Pendlay Elite Bumpers and Rage medicine balls. If you were to add a functional trainer (The Tuff Stuff FTX and Cybex Bravo are my favorites) you would pretty much cover what I would need as far as strength equipment is concerned. Definately dropped some coin, but that equipment will last a lifetime.

[HealthNutMD]

Awesome! Top of the line...

Time to put that stuff to some serious use!

[HealthNutMD]

Some good videos of T-Grip Barbell's products, although I haven't seen any double grips here:


http://youtu.be/tDCQx46OICA

http://www.youtube.com/user/Barbell4.../0/tDCQx46OICA


The owner is very nice. He sent me out a free bar today to make up for the delay in the bar I ordered. In addition, he is giving me 20% off another bar, so I am going to end up getting 3 T-grip barbells. I'll probably pick up the straight (90 degree) handle version in addition to the angled handle version, both double grip.

You can also see how people use that third grip in the video that we were wondering about previously.

[Lachdanan]

Hey grkmec,

Is that rack a single piece of equipment that's all connected? Where can I find more info about it? I just wanna know what kind of exercises does it allow you to do, since it seems it's pretty big.

Very cool gym, impressed :O

[HealthNutMD]

Atlantis has been updating their website. Here are some new pics of the 9 foot height 7 gauge Poliquin rack with 2 inch hole spacing:


http://www.atlantis-fit.com/en/p/fre...ack-9/3/3/302/

[OutKlast]

Atlantis has been updating their website. Here are some new pics of the 9 foot height 7 gauge Poliquin rack with 2 inch hole spacing:


http://www.atlantis-fit.com/en/p/fre...ack-9/3/3/302/

[HealthNutMD]

I can't find the post on here... Who here bought the Atlantis B-177 Bench and how do you like it? Does it work well as a decline, flat, incline? How comfortaable is it ands how are the angle choices, etc... how much do you like it?


http://www.atlantis-fit.com/en/p/fre...bench-/3/3/69/