Marcy Weight Bench...quality is suspect

[Kill Shot]

I bought a Marcy weight bench for $130 last month. I don't know what model off-hand. It has a slot at the front for the apparatus (don't know what it’s called) for doing leg extensions and leg curls and another one for doing preacher curls. The display model seemed pretty high quality but after I set it up at home and used it for a couple of workouts, I have second thoughts.
First off, the two cushions; one had a gash in it about an inch long and the other had a seam that was missing a bunch of stitches. I returned those two pieces to the store and they were replaced. The leg thingy works fine. I was really looking forward to doing preacher curls but the rocket scientists who designed this thing made the holder for the barbell way too high. So if you were to do a rep, 3/4 of the way down you would hit this damn thing, interfering with a complete rep. It's ridiculous. My arms are not that long, they are quite average in length. I ended up taking a hacksaw to the holder. Lastly, the seats are held on by 4 wood screws each. They are already getting some sway in them. I'm guessing they will bust out of the cheap-o plywood within a few months.
Does anyone else have a Marcy bench and have seen some of these bad design/quality issues? Or is this kind of thing inherent in equipment under $200. I realize you get what you pay for; I just thought I was getting a quality weight bench. Sorry for the rant. I'm not trying to bash Marcy, just the one bench I bought from them. Give me a reason to try them again down the road.

[ctgblue]

Marcy is notorious for low quality design, fit and finish
unfortunately so are most of the other sub $200 manufacturers, some of them are so bad that I am afraid to get on them in the store to check out the space limitations
it's one case where you make do with what you have and save up for some quality pieces and assemble them one by one
I'm sure you were on a tight budget, but one thing my dad told me that has always proved true
Always buy the best you can afford, that way you won't be saying "you know I shoulda..."
good luck, save up for some tougher equipment, get it one piece at a time if you must

[Kill Shot]

ctgblue,

Thanks for the heads-up. Ya, I follow your Dad's motto for the most part, however, it was my WIFE (evil) who I got into the price debate with. I had my eye on this nicely built 5 in one Smith machine by Image for $399. However, I was a bad boy that week so I had to kick my needs down a bit. It sucks to be the guy in the barrel.

[Mr Scientist]

I have seen just about everything sold on there. I am sure they have good quality weight benches for sale. You can sometimes get great deals on the higher end products.

[Kill Shot]

Excellent idea, Mr. Sci-dude! Will check it out!

[gummo]

Is this the bench you are talking about?

[Kill Shot]

it's similar, but no, it's not the same model. Instead of the pegs mine has peg-like hinges that are welded to the frame, also the top is different (where it would hold the barbell). Otherwise, the seats, white back bar (which seems flimsy to me) and the attachments look identical.

[ken361]

it's similar, but no, it's not the same model. Instead of the pegs mine has peg-like hinges that are welded to the frame, also the top is different (where it would hold the barbell). Otherwise, the seats, white back bar (which seems flimsy to me) and the attachments look identical.

my bench just broke at the welds almost killed my self with 260 on the bench what a piece of crap should sue there asses

[dparty82]

my bench just broke at the welds almost killed my self with 260 on the bench what a piece of crap should sue there asses

Well good to hear your still alive. If the bench folded up on less weight than the stated max load...then I would file a big fatty against them. Put them into bankrupt!!

[ken361]

Well good to hear your still alive. If the bench folded up on less weight than the stated max load...then I would file a big fatty against them. Put them into bankrupt!!

well one of the welds was broke then the other one just went, I have the big smith machine set. I had problems with the bench were you adjust the bench the handles broke and tore the steel so I drilled a new hole and put a long bolt in there. There steel is so soft its a joke love to kick someone ass for cheap ****!

[HardKore79]

well one of the welds was broke then the other one just went, I have the big smith machine set. I had problems with the bench were you adjust the bench the handles broke and tore the steel so I drilled a new hole and put a long bolt in there. There steel is so soft its a joke love to kick someone ass for cheap ****!

You only have yourself to blaim. Thank goodness you're still alive.

[ken361]

been lifting for 20yrs so i know what im doing, didnt think this would go like that and also my fly attachment cracked at the weld also!

[HardKore79]

been lifting for 20yrs so i know what im doing, didnt think this would go like that and also my fly attachment cracked at the weld also!

I meant as far as brand choice.

[wingman11]

ctgblue,

Thanks for the heads-up. Ya, I follow your Dad's motto for the most part, however, it was my WIFE (evil) who I got into the price debate with. I had my eye on this nicely built 5 in one Smith machine by Image for $399. However, I was a bad boy that week so I had to kick my needs down a bit. It sucks to be the guy in the barrel.

A $400 smith machine probably would have been a disaster as well...

[iPhoneSRQ]

been lifting for 20yrs so i know what im doing, didnt think this would go like that and also my fly attachment cracked at the weld also!

ken, glad you didn't get hurt. now go resurrect another 8 year old thread!

[ken361]

ken, glad you didn't get hurt. now go resurrect another 8 year old thread!

thanks! was the first marcy thread i saw lol, least people are seeing it

[HardKore79]

thanks! was the first marcy thread i saw lol, least people are seeing it

Thanks for updating it.

[Wildtim]

thanks! was the first marcy thread i saw lol, least people are seeing it

Personally I think it was the perfect thread to resurrect for posting this. I was happy with my Marcy bench as it was an upgrade form the 70's garage sale bench I had but I was happier yet when I got some quality equipment. I had what I have long suspected was Marcy's best design too.

[iPhoneSRQ]

Personally I think it was the perfect thread to resurrect for posting this. I was happy with my Marcy bench as it was an upgrade form the 70's garage sale bench I had but I was happier yet when I got some quality equipment. I had what I have long suspected was Marcy's best design too.

No one said it wasn't a good thread to resurrect...glad the man didn't get hurt that's most important.

[~CoNkY~]

Bought a Marcy slant board (rated for 350 lbs btw) on sale just for the hell of it due to the LOW price, thought I might get a few situps out of it or something. Spent 30 minutes putting it together, stood back and admired my work, sat down on it to test 'er out......CRACK, the plywood seat cracked in half. Back to the store it went...no more buying crap, no matter how cheap they are giving it away for!


EDIT: OOPS just realized this was a resurrected ancient thread!!!

[ironwill2008]

It's a sad state of affairs how previously good companies go down the road to crappy quality, in search of the last dime they can squeeze out of people. Back in the 60's and 70's (yeah, I know, ancient history), Marcy was known for building very heavy-duty, high quality equipment. My, how times have changed.