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

[jtaliani]

Great finds Brian!

[HealthNutMD]

Great Trifecta!! You really find some interesting pieces!!

[TLYNCH777]

I got 2 new machines today which I'm excited about.

1st is a TK seated calf:




2nd is a Streamline Vertical Leg Press to complete my trifecta

Great find !!!

[TLYNCH777]

My latest addition; just got it from the powder caters and assembled a few minutes ago. Pretty stoked for tomorrow's back without. Hey TJ, know where I can get some replacement decals for this?

Cool !!! Sorry man I once had all the smaller labels and a few dozen of the nice larger decals I put them everywhere all the nebula I sold would all get a fresh new decal i used them all up earlier this year & I need a pair as well the decal really completes a nice restoration job

[alexthaman]

I got 2 new machines today which I'm excited about.

1st is a TK seated calf:




2nd is a Streamline Vertical Leg Press to complete my trifecta

your gym is becoming more and more awesome man! I really like your trifeca. And this tk calf machine is really great! Used market in your area seems to good to be true!

[irongym]

That looks like a great bent over row bench. Who makes it? If its TK I was also wondering if TK is making his old stickers still? I love the "warning this machine builds muscles" stickers

It's a Nebula. Arsenal Strength is making these again too, however this is an original I picked up from a gym owner I know.

[irongym]

I'm too excited about this one. It's leaving Ontario tomorrow and arriving in Edmonton on Saturday. I talked about this bench at length quite some time ago in this thread and wanted to try one out. Well instead I bought one.

My latest addition: the Parrillo Arched Olympic Incline bench!

Can't wait to see how my badly healed right shoulder feels on this (ATV accident when I was 13, broke the ball off the humorous, dislocated and tore everything, emergency surgery, staples, and lots of scar tissue).

[irongym]

I'm looking at getting a stepmill for my gym. Really interested in the Jacob's Stairway. Anyone demo one? Seems like a great piece for the price.

http://www.jacobsladderexercise.com/...ardio-machine/

[dieselmike]

Can't wait to see how my badly healed right shoulder feels on this (ATV accident when I was 13, broke the ball off the humorous, dislocated and tore everything, emergency surgery, staples, and lots of scar tissue).

In for pics of that x-ray.

[irongym]

Lol, it's not that exciting. Loos like a normal xray, except for the staples, one on each side where it broke.

[ExJbeck]

Has anyone used this version of the Strive arm curl? I currently have a Magnum/Matrix version, thinking I should maybe switch it up.

[HealthNutMD]

Has anyone used this version of the Strive arm curl? I currently have a Magnum/Matrix version, thinking I should maybe switch it up.

I have not. I guess this version is 15-20+ years old?

[ffrink]

I'm looking at getting a stepmill for my gym. Really interested in the Jacob's Stairway. Anyone demo one? Seems like a great piece for the price.

http://www.jacobsladderexercise.com/...ardio-machine/

I have not used the Jacobs stair climber but I have used their Ladder and also have experience with commercial stair climbers. They can really kick your butt quick. The addition of using the belt to control motor speed on the Jacobs machine will make it extra hard.

[squat802]

One of the best pieces of equipment money can buy for "HIIT" High Intensity Interval Training is called the "Real Runner" which perhaps alot of you have never heard of. It's original design was called the Power Runner which you might be more familiar which was the plate loading version. The Real Runner is far more versatile as it's uses Hydraulics to provide constant resistance in both flexion and extension really smoking the hip flexors like nothing you've experienced b4. You can check it out at Tigerbarbell.com for information and video's. I have 2 in my gym and we use it exclusively for HIIT ie short anaerobic 20-30 second bursts.If your looking for increased speed, power, strength and conditioning you should check it out. If you have any questions feel free to send me a pm.

[IronZeus01]

Hi, I just want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread, thank you very much! Since this is the best of the best thread, does anyone have a best of the best Seated leg curl machines?

[HealthNutMD]

We had talked about the old flex hamtractor, and maybe a few other seated curls, however, in my opinion, the best hamstring curl machines are:

1) Flex Fitness prone leg curl, and Star Trac versions which preserved the Flex Fitness design up until they made the new changes a couple years back). Some geek engineers at Star Trac made some bad changes to the current Star Trac Prone leg curl. You need to get the versions with the bar between the legs. Its unfortunate when a few goobers on a computer (that don't workout or use the machines) make changes. Unfortunately the newest model just isn't as good. I'd still get it though (If I couldn't get the prior version with the bar between the legs.

2) Flex Fitness and Star Trac kneeling leg curls. I believe they have not made any changes. the current version is still the same. Amazing machine.

3) Atlantis salectorized standing leg curl amazing machine.


No reason for a seated leg curl imo.

[IronZeus01]

We had talked about the old flex hamtractor, and maybe a few other seated curls, however, in my opinion, the best hamstring curl machines are:

1) Flex Fitness prone leg curl, and Star Trac versions which preserved the Flex Fitness design up until they made the new changes a couple years back). Some geek engineers at Star Trac made some bad changes to the current Star Trac Prone leg curl. You need to get the versions with the bar between the legs. Its unfortunate when a few goobers on a computer (that don't workout or use the machines) make changes. Unfortunately the newest model just isn't as good. I'd still get it though (If I couldn't get the prior version with the bar between the legs.

2) Flex Fitness and Star Trac kneeling leg curls. I believe they have not made any changes. the current version is still the same. Amazing machine.

3) Atlantis salectorized standing leg curl amazing machine.


No reason for a seated leg curl imo.

Thank you so much HealthNutMD, for everything you did for all us basement (garage gym owners) ..

[ScheelG]

No reason for a seated leg curl imo.

Agreed, most seated curls I have used just feel awkward and not biomechanically optimal, I don't mess with them, lots of much better options like the others you mentioned from the CNO list.

[ScheelG]

What are yall's opinions on the flex leverage pieces, particularly the vertical chest, incline chest and shoulder? I know they have been talked about here and there and I know Bigfeather seems to think very highly of them according to his youtube, but I also noticed they are not on the CNO list.
I want to thank everybody for their contributions, this has been such an eye opening thread full of awesome information for me to learn about equipment as I handpick equipment for my gym I am trying to open here in a year or so.

[LATS1968]

What are yall's opinions on the flex leverage pieces, particularly the vertical chest, incline chest and shoulder? I know they have been talked about here and there and I know Bigfeather seems to think very highly of them according to his youtube, but I also noticed they are not on the CNO list.
I want to thank everybody for their contributions, this has been such an eye opening thread full of awesome information for me to learn about equipment as I handpick equipment for my gym I am trying to open here in a year or so.

HONESTLY the flex line is one of the best leverage lines out there.. ask any of the top guys at gold venice and they will tell ya their favorite piece for chest is that seated chest press..

[HealthNutMD]

What are yall's opinions on the flex leverage pieces, particularly the vertical chest, incline chest and shoulder? I know they have been talked about here and there and I know Bigfeather seems to think very highly of them according to his youtube, but I also noticed they are not on the CNO list.
I want to thank everybody for their contributions, this has been such an eye opening thread full of awesome information for me to learn about equipment as I handpick equipment for my gym I am trying to open here in a year or so.

I would also agree that the Flex Leverage, and most of the old Flex Fitness stuff is very, very good!


There is going to be a lot coming from me tonight... Today was a big day.

I recently spent 3 days in Sarasota Crunch, so spent a lot of time with the new Star Trac Plate loaded line, which is based off of the old Flex Leverage line. We have discussed these pieces in this thread before.

In a nutshell, the best piece in the current Star trac Plate loaded leverage is the Decline chest. I'd give it an A/A-. I'm a bit of a pre-stretch freak, I like a ton of pre-stretch and huge range of motion. I don't like to feel the starting position, at all. I don''t want to be able to touch the stop (starting/rest) position. In my opinion, the Star trac decline could still use a few more inches of prestretch beyond the max setting (most prestretch, arms back as much as possible).

I would agree that the old Flex Leverage vertical chest is a very good piece B+/A-. I think the current Star trac Vertical chest is about the same, not much difference that I can recall. I would prefer to have more prestretch on the Flex and the Star trac leverage piece. The Decline Star trac actually has a little more max pre-stretch than the regular vertical.

I would rank them as follows, I've had much more time on these now.

1) Star trac decline plate loaded A/A-

2) Flex Fitness Leverage plate loaded vertical chest(or) Star Trac vertical chest B+/A-

3) High Row B

4) Lat Pulldown B


I don't think the others are even worth talking about.

The Star Trac Bicep is terrible D-

The Star Track Shoulder I've demoted to an F... I'd rather just not use it at all, horrible.

Star Trac Incline chest is an abomination... F- Absolutely Horrid machine. The arms are way out in front. garbage.

Row isn't horrible, just not worth talking about.

[HealthNutMD]

The Panatta shipment is underway from Goalder.

My understanding is that everyone will have their stuff by the end of the month. Someone actually got their Panatta Ab machine already.

Here are some pics. Lots to discuss.

[HealthNutMD]

Long Morning...


I had to sort all the pieces for DAVE and mark them all. Loading them in the order they were being taken off... 100% perfect order. these things never have a scratch, complete cocoon. The only potential scratch could come from taking them most of them off the palettes. He came with an empty truck, but still totally filled his truck. Unless they were taken off the paletts, no way they could have all fit. Thankfully he had come previously and had taken some pieces as well. Literally didn't have room for one more machine.

[julces]

Long Morning...


I had to sort all the pieces for DAVE and mark them all. Loading them in the order they were being taken off... 100% perfect order. these things never have a scratch, complete cocoon. The only potential scratch could come from taking them most of them off the palettes. He came with an empty truck, but still totally filled his truck. Unless they were taken off the paletts, no way they could have all fit. Thankfully he had come previously and had taken some pieces as well. Literally didn't have room for one more machine.

i like that curl attachment, do you know where can i get one ? 😊
everything looks awesome

[LSBKEB]

Anxiously waiting for the rest of my Panatta order, here are some pics of my Ab crunch that came last week! I can't say enough how amazing this piece feels! Great pick Chris!

[HealthNutMD]

i like that curl attachment, do you know where can i get one ? ��
everything looks awesome

Yes, a couple people got that curl bar on this Panatta order. Also got a few other Panatta bars and attachments. You can check out their website. I still have a few tricep cable attachments to sell as well.

[HealthNutMD]

Anxiously waiting for the rest of my Panatta order, here are some pics of my Ab crunch that came last week! I can't say enough how amazing this piece feels! Great pick Chris!

Hopefully you'll have more pics this weekend.

I want to do a review of all the best of the best of the best, the one hit wonders, and the machines that are the best in each category. Its not surprising that Panatta owns so many of those categories. I'll have to find time tomorrow to do it, hopefully.

The range of motion on the Panatta Ab is the best I have come across. It has a natural crunch. You can literally touch your knees to your forehead, and it just feels awesome. That crunch at the end is something I haven't come across in any other ab machine.

the new modified Super incline has just become a one hit wonder. I hate to say it but it has undergone several revisions since we first had it made for us.. and then they really went all out for the modification for tall people. Will talk more about that tomorrow.

The Lat pulldown mod for tall people totally changed it for me...

The Deltoid seat mod was the icing on the cake... Will show come pics. This deltoid machine is insane. The most amazing, most adjustable deltoid... words can't really describe it!

The High Row mod was also excellent. Better for taller people. Added adjustable seat, although I still use the lowest position. Best high row bar none.

Tricep machine is badass

Will review all the top machines.. Many of which are Panatta.

[LSBKEB]

Goalder arrived with the rest of my equipment today, pictures attached. Brief review coming. I will follow up in a month after I have spent a good amount of time with each machine. Also, my first order of Ivanko Revolvers arrived today as well!

[LSBKEB]

More pics......

[LSBKEB]

Final pics for now, Ivanko Revolvers and of course, a battle scar from the day (pinched hand).
Brief review:
First off, a huge thanks to Chris. I was really hesitant to order from a complete stranger and I regretfully passed on the first order. I have only talked to him on the phone but he took care of my entire order, lined up Goalder, made sure everything was accurate, dealt with the shipping hassles, and handled all of my money in between. I'll keep it brief as countless others have said the same about him but between this thread contents, this order, his willingness to help me, the quality of these pieces, Chris is a stand up guy!

This was my first experience with Goalder. He is "as advertised". Everything was set in place without a scratch. He really knows what he's doing with moving equipment. He was in and out in around 2 hours today with 5 machines and repaired his lift gate in the process (bad solenoid). You get what you pay for, If I buy another high price machine like these, i will use him again.

I've had a week to use the ab machine, this piece is amazing. The pre-stretch is incredible, the crunch is amazing (you can touch your forehead to your knees), the roller on your back is comfortable, and this machine is built like a tank. I can't think of anything they could change to make this better. As far as the other 5 machines, I've only played with them with no or little weight so far but every single one of them feels perfect. Panatta is no joke, the attention to detail is amazing. Pictures do not do these machines justice. They are all built like tanks with well thought out designs. I will use them all for a few weeks and try to get back on and write a review on each. If anyone has any questions, feel free to send me a pm. Anyone else who is in on this order will not be disappointed. Again, thanks Chris!