'Look What I Bought Today!' - Part Deux

[EricAtl]

I don’t “need” anything but there are a few things I have my eye out for: York plates, belt squat, chest supported t bar row, pec deck, HS low row or DY row. A local HS low row was for sale on eBay recently and the bidding got too high. I saw this one early this morning for a good price and was able to snag it. It has a very small footprint so I think I can make it work, although maybe it’s time to get rid of a bench or two. Always a work out for me to get a HS piece together, but got this one together on its back and lifted it upright. I’ve replaced some hardware, but need to place an order with bolt depot. I will likely recover the pads to match.
Still having issues uploading photos.

[Greybird2]

I don’t “need” anything but there are a few things I have my eye out for: York plates, belt squat, chest supported t bar row, pec deck, HS low row or DY row. A local HS low row was for sale on eBay recently and the bidding got too high. I saw this one early this morning for a good price and was able to snag it. It has a very small footprint so I think I can make it work, although maybe it’s time to get rid of a bench or two. Always a work out for me to get a HS piece together, but got this one together on its back and lifted it upright. I’ve replaced some hardware, but need to place an order with bolt depot. I will likely recover the pads to match.
Still having issues uploading photos.

Nice! You have 3 HS pieces all the same color? You are really getting some nice pieces.

[urbanlifter]

Very cool, always enjoyed that machine at LA Fitness!

[EricAtl]

Very cool, always enjoyed that machine at LA Fitness!

Thanks. Did you go one handed and other hand on the pizza slice.

[EricAtl]

Nice! You have 3 HS pieces all the same color? You are really getting some nice pieces.

Thank you. I have the iso row in white. Saw a gray one for sale and thought about getting it to match but passed. If the price was right though.

[urbanlifter]

Thanks. Did you go one handed and other hand on the pizza slice.

No pizza at LA, that's Planet Fitness.

But I did do single arm at times. LOL

Current favorite back machine is the Matrix, but I don't get to use it very often unless I'm working out at the base gym.

[matrix563]

bought the heavy handle kit from Ironmaster. Not immediately falling in love with them.
Yes dumbells are more compact now when using heavier dumbells, I know thats part of the reason for them.
Maybe because I am so used to not having them on the dumbell, but felt a bit awkward and weird performing incline presses yesterday. I think I was just used to moving my hands a bit further to one side when doing this now it feels a bit out of sorts, with the handles attachments jamming into the side of my hands now with the much smaller space for your hands.
I'll give it some more time.

If you end up still not liking them ill buy from u

[matrix563]

The HH kit is my favorite upgrade for the Ironmasters. The wide stock grip always felt too easy to get a little off balance. The HHs make the grip about the same length as roundheads.

HH kit, 120 kit, and microplates here, and I like them all.

Which microplates?

[EricAtl]

No pizza at LA, that's Planet Fitness.

But I did do single arm at times. LOL

Current favorite back machine is the Matrix, but I don't get to use it very often unless I'm working out at the base gym.

Oh yes, got my Fitnesses mixed up.

[murphyreedus]

Which microplates?

https://www.ironmaster.com/products/micro-plate-kit/

They're expensive for what they are, but I like them for making 2.5# jumps per hand.

[matrix563]

https://www.ironmaster.com/products/micro-plate-kit/

They're expensive for what they are, but I like them for making 2.5# jumps per hand.

On spread

[thedickus]

Since we're talking about IronMasters, does anyone use the Titan Fitness Dumbbell Stand and Plate Tree? I see they're up to Version 3 on it. The top looks to be angled which reminds me of the PowerBlock stand. If you're using it do you prefer it to the IronMaster stand? The Titan stand looks like it would be easier to get to the plates if it were in a tight space better than the IM stand.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Quick update, started putting together my Powertec leg press at the beginning of the week and along with the video and the instructions to determine some of the bolt sizes, it's really not a bad assembly at all...the only thing holding me back on completing it is time throughout the week, but I found some time each day and I'm just about finished (probably the next day I get to work on it).

So far my initial impression is that it exceeds my expectations for a residential piece! Powertec really upped their game with the improvements on their tougher textured paint and the stainless steel weight horns are a nice touch compared to their earlier model gloss paint and chrome weight horns (updated welded horns would've be excellent and highly welcomed, but still they're good and will hold up just fine).

A huge selling point for me aside from it's pound for pound awesome value in the residential/light commercial market is the space that this 45° leg press saves which was extremely important for me with my minimal space, I'm more than satisfied and can't wait to complete the build and start taking it for a spin!

I fit the whole unit on one stall mat which my Biotest Dead-Squat Bar previously occupied and the leg press takes up less space than that bar on it. The regulars know by now that I was on the fence back and forth on whether to sell, or keep the trap bar and ultimately it's a great bar, but eats up way too much space being rackable for my particular space, so with that said it's back on the market again.

[murphyreedus]

A huge selling point for me aside from it's pound for pound awesome value in the residential/light commercial market is the space that this 45° leg press saves which was extremely important for me with my minimal space, I'm more than satisfied and can't wait to complete the build and start taking it for a spin!

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts once it's up and running. I have made great efforts lately to minimize my gym, but a leg press just keeps calling to me, but the commercial units are too big and the home units like the Body Solid just don't do it for me. Powertec looks like the happy medium.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Thought I'd post a pic of the finished build, the only part I need to put on is one of the weight horns underneath the carriage (one of the hex bolts for the weight horn was defective and couldn't be tightened in, I'll get a replacement one).

https://imgur.com/a/0mDVKjR

Like mentioned, super compact and will give my opinions and review as soon as I get to take it for a test drive.

[Duplicitous]

Tiny addition to the gym. Magnetic cupholder from Harbor Freight. Hopefully, this keeps me from putting my water bottle down in random places and then having to hunt for it between sets.

[EricAtl]

Tiny addition to the gym. Magnetic cupholder from Harbor Freight. Hopefully, this keeps me from putting my water bottle down in random places and then having to hunt for it between sets.

Nice, I should get one. On spread.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Real busy the past few weeks...but finally got to use my Powertec leg press on lower day today on working sets and it's excellent! Super smooth and the machine fits me well at 5'8", I get a really good range of motion and the safeties settings to lock the carriage at a particular height fits me well.

The safety handles unlock the carriage when you engage the footplate by pressing it and turning the handles vertical and when done turning them facing horizontally inwards to lock the carriage at one of the four safety heights (stay focused on your sets and keeping a watchful eye upon locking the carriage before moving your feet off the plate and you're gold).

And to anyone looking for a light commercial, space saving powerhouse of a leg press, I highly recommend this leg press! Once I get some time I'll do a more detailed review thread on it.

On a side note, I recently placed an order for the selectorized stack to go on my Powertec lat machine (the newer model stack is compatible with my older model lat machine)...figured it would free up some extra 45s I could use for my leg press and also would encourage adding in some nice drop set training for bis and tris to just set the pin at whatever weight I want to load it on.

[urbanlifter]

Real busy the past few weeks...but finally got to use my Powertec leg press on lower day today on working sets and it's excellent! Super smooth and the machine fits me well at 5'8", I get a really good range of motion and the safeties settings to lock the carriage at a particular height fits me well.

The safety handles unlock the carriage when you engage the footplate by pressing it and turning the handles vertical and when done turning them facing horizontally inwards to lock the carriage at one of the four safety heights (stay focused on your sets and keeping a watchful eye upon locking the carriage before moving your feet off the plate and you're gold).

And to anyone looking for a light commercial, space saving powerhouse of a leg press, I highly recommend this leg press! Once I get some time I'll do a more detailed review thread on it.

On a side note, I recently placed an order for the selectorized stack to go on my Powertec lat machine (the newer model stack is compatible with my older model lat machine)...figured it would free up some extra 45s I could use for my leg press and also would encourage adding in some nice drop set training for bis and tris to just set the pin at whatever weight I want to load it on.

Good to hear it's working out! In terms of compact-ness I've always wondered whether the compact leg sled would be a good future addition to the gym, for some reason I just don't find leg press machines comfortable anymore. Small addition to the gym recently, had some Amazon points and I've been trying to make Bulgarian split squats work better on the belt squat machine. Jury it out of this thing, but I'll say it's the epitome of "Made in China" LOL. For the price though it was hard to say "No" to, on sale it was $89 but ended up only costing me about $30 shipped (Simply Imagine). After putting it together it feels like it will be stable enough, pad seems fairly decent, everything else is pretty much the bottom of the barrel. Using the Ironmaster bench was okay but this is just a little easier to setup, nice to have the ability to adjust the height a bit even though 95% of the adjustments are useless unless your 6'5".

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Good to hear it's working out! In terms of compact-ness I've always wondered whether the compact leg sled would be a good future addition to the gym, for some reason I just don't find leg press machines comfortable anymore. Small addition to the gym recently, had some Amazon points and I've been trying to make Bulgarian split squats work better on the belt squat machine. Jury it out of this thing, but I'll say it's the epitome of "Made in China" LOL. For the price though it was hard to say "No" to, on sale it was $89 but ended up only costing me about $30 shipped (Simply Imagine). After putting it together it feels like it will be stable enough, pad seems fairly decent, everything else is pretty much the bottom of the barrel. Using the Ironmaster bench was okay but this is just a little easier to setup, nice to have the ability to adjust the height a bit even though 95% of the adjustments are useless unless your 6'5".

Thanks, in regards to the compact leg sled, the channel Home Gym Hacks and Reviews does a thorough review and comparison in these two videos...

https://youtu.be/qphb_jwJk2w

And...

https://youtu.be/OxJGBkrhlNo

He also did a hack video on the leg press where he took the adjustment back pad tube out and laid the back pad lower for more back comfort. I think I have the back pad set at the second adjustment and so far haven't experienced any discomfort with it, but it's good to have options and modifications just in case.

[thedickus]

Good to hear it's working out! In terms of compact-ness I've always wondered whether the compact leg sled would be a good future addition to the gym, for some reason I just don't find leg press machines comfortable anymore. Small addition to the gym recently, had some Amazon points and I've been trying to make Bulgarian split squats work better on the belt squat machine. Jury it out of this thing, but I'll say it's the epitome of "Made in China" LOL. For the price though it was hard to say "No" to, on sale it was $89 but ended up only costing me about $30 shipped (Simply Imagine). After putting it together it feels like it will be stable enough, pad seems fairly decent, everything else is pretty much the bottom of the barrel. Using the Ironmaster bench was okay but this is just a little easier to setup, nice to have the ability to adjust the height a bit even though 95% of the adjustments are useless unless your 6'5".

I had an older model of the PowerTec compact leg sled. I did a review on here some years back. I've always heard of these referred to as a hip sled. I thought I did a review of mine years ago in the Equipment forum, but couldn't find it. I don't think it's all that similar to the feel of a leg press. When I leaned the pad back as far upright as it would go, it was hack squat like. I had a fairly easy time maxing out the capacity on it. I've seen vids where Lee Pries put an Oly back with 45 on each side through the back rest to add more weight. I did like calf raises on it better than my 45 degree leg press. If I had the room I'd have both, but I don't really think it replaces a leg press.

[urbanlifter]

I had an older model of the PowerTec compact leg sled. I did a review on here some years back. I've always heard of these referred to as a hip sled. I thought I did a review of mine years ago in the Equipment forum, but couldn't find it. I don't think it's all that similar to the feel of a leg press. When I leaned the pad back as far upright as it would go, it was hack squat like. I had a fairly easy time maxing out the capacity on it. I've seen vids where Lee Pries put an Oly back with 45 on each side through the back rest to add more weight. I did like calf raises on it better than my 45 degree leg press. If I had the room I'd have both, but I don't really think it replaces a leg press.

Yeah, I figured it would be more like a hack squat. Already have a leg press replacement with the belt squat so anything else would just be for variation. But I doubt that would even happen, pretty well set right now on major stuff

[Deep-Voiced-One]

On the subject of modifications (not sure if this would be a potential structural issue), but I was kicking around the idea of adding Bare Steel Equipment's plate loaded extension horns to my leg press to be able to add more 45s to the top weight horns...

https://baresteelequipment.com/colle...ded-extensions

[Greybird2]

Have you really maxed it out at 1000lbs already?

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Have you really maxed it out at 1000lbs already?

Hahaha not quite, but I thought it might serve the purpose of loading the top weight horns of the carriage which are better accessible than the bottom ones and have more clearance.

[Mech6]

Hahaha not quite, but I thought it might serve the purpose of loading the top weight horns of the carriage which are better accessible than the bottom ones and have more clearance.

I just keep 360 on the bottom horns at all times and that's where I start warmups with this. Then just add to top horns for work sets.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Yeah, I figured it would be more like a hack squat. Already have a leg press replacement with the belt squat so anything else would just be for variation. But I doubt that would even happen, pretty well set right now on major stuff

Nice ingenuity there in the previous post McGyvering up a few leg accessory pieces and on the cheap too which is awesome!

The belt squat is hard to beat for quad work and a great space saving alternative, but for me since mine is the rack attached version it's sort of a pain to setup after squats and deadlifts and I prefer laying back and hammering the quads with high volume on the 45° after squats and deads (both legs and single leg press, it's also effective for calf raises).

[Deep-Voiced-One]

I just keep 360 on the bottom horns at all times and that's where I start warmups with this. Then just add to top horns for work sets.

Thanks, I'm gonna start utilizing it like that, that'll save on adding the extensions...might be a little switching out if my girlfriend uses it, but easy enough to lower the carriage for her after my sets, or add my weight after her sets and I think she locks the carriage a bit lower than me.

[Greybird2]

Hahaha not quite, but I thought it might serve the purpose of loading the top weight horns of the carriage which are better accessible than the bottom ones and have more clearance.

Well that's good to know. If that machine had you over 1000 in 2 weeks, i would have to get one....

[urbanlifter]

This is the most active thread so I figured I'd post it here, REP Fitness EX Deep Knurl is back in stock and on sale at $349. Not sure it's going to get much better than that, one of the best in the business.

https://repfitness.com/collections/b...l-power-bar-ex