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

[OutKlast]

Saw this on reddit. Mirror that measures the angle of your back and knees in real time while squatting. Also has a timer at the bottom to keep track of your tempo.

[HealthNutMD]

Actually, rpark, that's exactly what it is, Strive's new Prime evolution line. I can only find the biceps machine on their homepage though.

I've been meaning to give them a call and catch up. It was a real loss when they closed the Strive Gym in Pittsburgh (that I had posted pictures of a few years back in this thread).

Thanks for posting the picture. I'll have to get more information. that is exciting news.

[DoctorRemulak]

I'm refurbishing/upgrading a lat pulldown. Does anyone know what the best pulleys (lowest friction) and best cable available would be?
Thanks

[MGM711]

Interesting Dumbbells. Would be curious to see what the 120-150's look like.

Hey Chris, it's Gene from SMC...changed my handle since I'm no longer there and now at UOP in Stockton.

The story on the JBell is the guy stole the idea from Donnie Thompson. Donnie claims that the guy saw his prototype Center of Mass Bell (which I believe Sorin is now producing) at one of his seminars and copied the design right after.

Personally, I prefer Donnie CMB over these, but to each his own.

[HealthNutMD]

Hey Chris, it's Gene from SMC...changed my handle since I'm no longer there and now at UOP in Stockton.

The story on the JBell is the guy stole the idea from Donnie Thompson. Donnie claims that the guy saw his prototype Center of Mass Bell (which I believe Sorin is now producing) at one of his seminars and copied the design right after.

Personally, I prefer Donnie CMB over these, but to each his own.

Do you have a link for Donnie CMB? Would be great to see his product.

Great to hear from you Gene!!

[HealthNutMD]

I'm refurbishing/upgrading a lat pulldown. Does anyone know what the best pulleys (lowest friction) and best cable available would be?
Thanks

Tim Ryan would be a great person to ask. He is one of the master refurb guys. He would know the answer for sure.

Anyone have his info handy?

[harrisg83]

Tim Ryan contact info- (630) 717-0166. I'm in the process of having Tim totally re-ferb/re-fit a 1st Gen Nautilus rowing torso for me. Should be a great rhomboid/rear delt blaster when a finished product.

[MGM711]

Do you have a link for Donnie CMB? Would be great to see his product.

Great to hear from you Gene!!

There's still nothing on Sorinex's website on them officially, but there's been pics posted both by Donnie and Sorinex with the finished product. I've seen that Sorinex has trademarked them and possibly did a patent as well. Hopefully we see some info soon.

[HealthNutMD]

This is all that comes up

[MGM711]

This is all that comes up

Sorinex has done a few too, but correct, there isn't many images out there.

[McBrody]

It's a pretty good idea. I'm guessing they would feel similar to Power Blocks, which are compact and have a handle in the center.

[lsu777]

to me the J-Bells still look way better. IF he stole the design, he improved it a ton.

[MGM711]

to me the J-Bells still look way better. IF he stole the design, he improved it a ton.

Some people want to get a workout in at Planet Fitness while others want to train at Westside...to each his own.

[44Juice]

Hello everyone, new to this forum. Any forum for that matter. Testing the waters to see of I'm doing this correctly.
Enjoy this thread very much

[44Juice]

It worked. I feel like I know some of you. I first went through the thread by looking at just the pics (drooling). I then went back and read the entire forum on the subject. I thought I was the only one with the disease . I cannot post any pics of my gym yet. It is a work on progress. I suffer from the same malady as most--space deficient. I intentionally purchased a new house with a 3 car garage (gym area) thinking it would be enough. You probably know how that goes.
I now am preparing to take the next step and purchase 1 acre or so to build a separate gym for myself behind the house. Being in California cost is a challenge. However, not impossible.
In the meantime I will continue to gather machines I desire for my setup. Thanks to everyone's input I will be adding some of the great machines listed here.

Thanks for the great thread and keep 'em coming
Also thanks to HealhNutMD for starting this great thread.

[HealthNutMD]

I suffer from the same malady as most--space deficient. I intentionally purchased a new house with a 3 car garage (gym area) thinking it would be enough. You probably know how that goes.
I now am preparing to take the next step and purchase 1 acre or so to build a separate gym for myself behind the house.

Once I finally figured out all the machines I wanted, it then becomes a matter of narrowing it down to only the truly special ones. However, even if you thin out the heard, you still need a minimum amount of space for a "complete" gym. What I've found out, is that I can fit my gym comfortable into 3000 sq feet minimum, but that is absolute minimum. That's a big burden to carry. Reality has set in.

Speaking of which I'm going to have to get around to puting an ad up for the Nebula seated calf and the Atlantis Ab bench

[Ranman1482]

Did anyone else hear that David Int. is no longer manufacturing the future line? Really wanted the pullover. Chris can you tell me your experience with them and shipping? Are you from Pittsburgh?

[vazqfam]

During my upgrade process I have been considering some machines based on forum input. Before finalizing I would like to ask a couple of questions for those of you can help. Thanks in advance.

Currently own the ISO hammer shoulder press (aka behind the neck press) (sorry cannot post pics yet)
I am considering the Power Life plate loaded and the Deltoid Press by Panatta.
I would like to demo the PL and P but not sure where to locate or even if Cali has a place housing them.
From what I have read the PL is superior to Hammer (I like the hammer, but in-keeping with thread searching for the best)
As far as footprint PL site has no info that I could read. Panatta foot print is most favorable.
At any rate: 1) What makes the PL better than Hammer?
2) Is it worth having all three, two, or just one?

Thanks in advance

PS Next I will cover lateral raise machines, then rear deltoid. I do lean toward plate loaded machines, but I am not opposed to selectorized. Both type of machines complement free weights movements.

By the way I am 44Juice. somehow I made a mistake and got my name changed.

[sbd1805]

I had the pleasure of visiting Bud (coah_ras) up in Idaho a few weeks ago, very nice guy and what a great gym. I have had a bad low back injury for a while now so I wasn't able to really go all out but I must say I was very impressed with the Avenger line. The leg press even with my injury was very nice. I really liked the Rogers Squat Pro, I almost didn't even try it because I didn't want to load my spine with this injury but I am glad I did. On another note I just picked up a Body Masters overhead triceps extension the CXP version, I am waiting to hear back from Dave Goalder on when he can get it for me. I will be heading to Portland Oregon this weekend and will have a chance to demo the Star Trac Leverage line.

[lsu777]

Some people want to get a workout in at Planet Fitness while others want to train at Westside...to each his own.

Dude i am way more westside then planet fitness but the jbells look to be better designed. Seem to have a better center of gravity.

[44Juice]

BM overhead triceps extension machine was a good piece. I had one about a year ago. Kevlar belt, 300lb stack, foot assist, and fixed triceps bar. Only disadvantage for me was large foot print. Also had a chance to try the Atlantis overhead Triceps (precision series) it had a bit heavier stack (340lbs) and motion was a bit different than the BM. The pulley system made it harder. Either way, sbd1805 great score. Very few overhead triceps extension machines around today.

[MGM711]

Dude i am way more westside then planet fitness but the jbells look to be better designed. Seem to have a better center of gravity.

Have you tried both?

[sbd1805]

Thanks 44juice, I too have your same problem with not having enough square footage to support my habit. You had asked earlier about the differences between Power Lift to Hammer, my understanding is that Power lift uses 3x3 7 gauge (3/16) steel a lot of times as opposed to Hammers 2×2 11 gauge steel. They also have a pre-stretch setting on some of their pieces. I am sure another forum member could give you more information as I have not purchased any of their products as of yet.
I would like to get some of your guys opinions on the Legend "Wide Chest", I really enjoy the Hammer wide chest and as far as I know Legend is the only other company to make a dedicated "Wide Chest". I can't wait to demo the Star Trac Leverage Decline this weekend. I loved the Hammer decline so I have high hopes for the Star Trac Decline with its adjustable pre stretch.

[lsu777]

Have you tried both?

I have tried neither, thats why I said they LOOK to be better designed. I will agree the jbells are poorly designed in the form of being adjustable, prolly wouldnt hold up over time nearly as well. I also like the way the ones you posted are like dumbbells, fixed. I just think the way the jbells come down further on your arm would make it more stable and allow for a better stretch. I could be wrong though and I wont find out because I will be damned if I pay for the Jbells and they only build once the order is placed. Would be much more likely to buy the ones you posted as imo the jbells company seems shady.

Personally i believe the crew that post in this thread could tweak either design to get it almost perfect. And I do agree the jbells are my glitz than substance also. One thing i would worry about on both is for like chest flyes, how do you keep the bell from hurting your forearms?

[Renzinho]

BM overhead triceps extension machine was a good piece. I had one about a year ago. Kevlar belt, 300lb stack, foot assist, and fixed triceps bar. Only disadvantage for me was large foot print. Also had a chance to try the Atlantis overhead Triceps (precision series) it had a bit heavier stack (340lbs) and motion was a bit different than the BM. The pulley system made it harder. Either way, sbd1805 great score. Very few overhead triceps extension machines around today.

Which one was better of the two?

[44Juice]

Which one was better of the two?

The Atlantis was better in the angle of the seat and strength resistance. However, the footprint was larger than the Body Masters.
The Atlantis model was an older version previous to the current T-162 model which only has a 205lb stack. It had chrome frame. I still have the Atlantis Standing Side Lateral raise from this line.

Perhaps the new T-162 model is improved. I cannot say because I have not used the new version. At any rate, since neither of those models are made anymore (i.e. BM or old Atlantis) it would be a nice score if you can squeeze either one into your space. Flex also made an overhead triceps extension, but it was nothing to write home about.

The difference between the BM and the older Atlantis was seat position. BM was a seated overhead triceps extension (90 degree motion) while Atlantis was more a French triceps extension (motion of angel went away from skull)

I wonder if anyone has had the chance to try the Panatta triceps extension. I'd be curios to know if its one of those must have items.

[TLYNCH777]

Its been a while I have a lot of catching up to read back on this forum but I am glad its still alive. Although I have different opinions of many of the best of the best threw my own training by Chris creating this forum it has connected a lot of good people & I hope it continues to...

We got Tk Stars New True Wing Lat Bar a few weeks ago & its Unbelievable !!! He got the angle just perfect for pulldowns unlike any pulldown bar I have ever used. I can't say enough great things about all these quality heavy duty Handels he has been making this year http://tkstar.com/category.sc?categoryId=98

They are beyond worth it, will last a lifetime, such amazing quality craftsmanship & the angles are just perfect

Some great news his new shop is complete & he is once again making his famous seated calf & very soon his ultimate preacher curl !!!

[MGM711]

...how do you keep the bell from hurting your forearms?

It's just a different feel than a DB and one would adjust I'm sure as time goes using the CMBs. Personally, I think the CMBs make sense, not necessarily to replace the DB, but maybe a better garage choice if you don't want a whole wall of DBs.

[bigfeather]

Just acquired... Nebulas.

[rpark]

Inline for you big feather: