Powertec Roller Smith

[Srben]

Does anyone here own one or have personal, first-hand experience with one? I'd like to hear some feedback if you actually have experience with one. I'm considering buying one, and I need to hear some pros and cons.

*Please respect this thread and do not post opinions based on speculation, or give opinions on why free weights are vastly superior, inform me that a power rack would be better, and how Smith squats will eventually kill me somehow. Thank you.

[thedickus]

I had one of the earlier model PowerTec smith machines. My main knock was not the smoothness of the up and down movement, this was fine. It was the locking assembly that rotates. In my model it was metal on metal and once you got over 2 45lb plates a side it becomes increasingly difficult to rotate the bar and latch it to the safety stops. They told me to pack it with axle grease which I did, it helped a little,but not much. The parts guy sent me an newly designed locking assembly which operated on bearings. I believe this assembly is the one for the model that you're looking at. It was night and day and very smooth. The problem is the machines are very much redesigned and the bolt heads on the machine would come into contact with the newer assembly so I couldn't safely use it. But the upside is I think it would be much smoother that what I dealt with. The PT Roller Smith also appears to have the gun brackets which will offer some safety for free weight exercises, mine just has J hooks to hold an oly bar. The other issue with mine, and I can't tell if this is wider or not is that my elbows and forearms would brush the guide poles and/or safety stops when doing pressing movements. I have to take a little narrower grip than I'm used to.
I still use mine but would dump it in a heartbeat for a Body Solid Series 7 or something comparable. It looks like they've discontinued making a smith machine so this may not be that great either.
I'm not biased against PowerTec, I have several PT pieces. I just don't like their smith machine. I'm also a big proponent of smith machines even though they cause male pattern baldness and impotence.
Unless you're getting a fantastic deal on it or just in a really bad market area for smiths I'd say pass on PowerTec's version and hold out for something else.

[Srben]

The online reviews share your experience. Most of the complaints I've heard with Powertec equipment (in general) are with older models. It seems their Smith is no different. Do you know how many model versions have been put out? I'm also scoping out the Series 7 and keeping an eye on Craigslist, but the Roller Smith looks to be perfect. I'd love to hear from someone with a current model.

[thedickus]

The online reviews share your experience. Most of the complaints I've heard with Powertec equipment (in general) are with older models. It seems their Smith is no different. Do you know how many model versions have been put out? I'm also scoping out the Series 7 and keeping an eye on Craigslist, but the Roller Smith looks to be perfect. I'd love to hear from someone with a current model.

I've seen white PT smiths, mine which is black, and then they changed to the design you're looking at. I've never heard of anyone on this site mention a PowerTec smith. The only reason I mention my particular brand is to tell people to stay away from it. Natalie Minn was posting on here for a while. She works for PowerTec and was looking for feedback. I haven't seen her post in a couple of months so I don't know if she moved on or what happened. Curbside_quiche is a PT dealer out of Australia. He's real good about giving info on PT's line. He might know first hand about this particular model. We're the same height so it sounds like you'll have some of the same issues I had regarding the narrowness of the uprights. I see it's on special/closeout on PT's site for $900. If they haven't fixed the issues my model has I'm afraid you'll just be throwing away $900.

[Srben]

We've got a local PT dealer, but when I called they don't have one in stock. I can't tell if the closeout is a discontinuation, or if they're reducing their inventory. Either way, I appreciate your feedback. If anyone is interested in the New York Barbell Smith (http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/9402.html), I owned one and found it quite good for the price. I foolishly got rid of mine and regret doing so. When I first got it, they sent me two of the same sides of the Smith and I had to call them, but their customer service handled it right away. I don't think their fit and finish is as good as the Body Solid pieces I own, and the Powertec brand seems to be well liked around here and has all the features I'm looking for, but the action on the NYB Smith was smooth enough for even heavy lifting. If it had the option for free weights and an included lat pulldown for the same price, I'd order it.

[tmonkey]

going to respect your not wanting any opinion on the rack and only say it would be nice to have both


but this does look like a great deal - as in i am now thinking about it myself

http://www.powertecfitness.com/speci...fo.php?id=P-RS

[Srben]

going to respect your not wanting any opinion on the rack and only say it would be nice to have both


but this does look like a great deal - as in i am now thinking about it myself

http://www.powertecfitness.com/speci...fo.php?id=P-RS

Yeah, I already have a power rack and a good selection of free weights in the home gym, so that's covered. I thought for sure someone here would have bitten the bullet and own the current model and be able to give some feedback. I'm not finding any negative reviews, though. If people are unhappy with them, they must not know how to use the internet.

[mustangous]

Just curious if you ever bit the bullet and purchased? Im thinking of the same unit, but have to call about measurements...