Powertec Power Rack System & Utility Bench Review

[BIGNATEDAWG]

REVIEW:
Powertec Strength Power Rack System. (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/ptec/sps.html)
Powertec Strength Utility Bench. (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/ptec/sub.html)

It took me forever to decide whether I should buy these products or not. So much money, and buying anything high-dollar over the internet just seems like a risk. I thought this review might be helpful to the people out there wondering if they should order this equipment, or not.

Once the equipment comes in, I'll update with pics and opinions.

Review so far....
I placed this order on 11/23/07, buying myself an early Christmas present.
Today is 1/09/08..... and I haven't received either of these items.
I'm not sure how long it usually takes, but 47 days already, seems like a long time to me.
If your thinking you can order this and get it soon, forget about it.

Has anyone else had shipping problems like this?

[jb818]

I ordered mine on dec 21 2007, and it has not come in, only the free gift.

[elmerfud]

Word at my local fitness retailers was that Powertec was behind filling orders. Not sure why.

I looked at a Powertec cage. They wouldn't sell me the floor model and they were out of stock. Their shipment was 2-3 weeks late and they thought it would arrive any day now. I didn't bite. I bought my workbench from a retailer that had it in stock.

[BIGNATEDAWG]

Hey, just realized I never updated this.
I did receive my equipment and have it set up now.

Rack ? The rack is incredibly strong/durable. This is definitely a heavy rack, and not cheap whatsoever. I don?t foresee it ever breaking.. ever. Assembly wasn?t bad, but prepare to have someone help you put it all together. Balancing and bolting the huge pieces can be a pain solo. Sizewise, it takes up a lot of space, no denying that. I have to set it directly in the center of the room, to have enough space to walk around it, and for using an Olympic bar. The holes are pre-labeled so that's nice.
Pics:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01191.jpg
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01192.jpg

Lat Attachment ? The lat attachment is incredibly smooth. I figured it would be great, but it really passed my expectations. It?ll support all the weight I put on it without fear of overloading it. The only problem I came across with the lat attachment was the assembly. The only instructions you have is a one page exploded view of the whole attachment. With all the parts it kind of to figure out what to do first. The clear plastic covering the pully's is attractive, I put a bb.com sticker on there to make it even more sexier.
Pics:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01193.jpg
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01194.jpg

Extra?s ? The Power Rack System came with a lat bar, single hand pully, a straight bar, and dip bars. The dip bars are nice but not great for me, with my size it just doesn?t feel like I can comfortable on them. But like everything else the equipment is built to last.
Pic:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01195.jpg

Utility Bench ? I absolutely love this. It?s heavy weight, durable, and easy to adjust. One of the better bench's I?ve used.. and I?ve been to a lot of different gyms.
Pic:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01196.jpg

Shipping ? Shipping was the main downside about this whole order. It took about 3 full months to receive it. It?s shipped freight, so it comes on a big 18-wheeler. The driver called me and I had to meet him and help unload it into my truck (the truck was to big to fit down my road). The packages are really heavy.

Overall, I?m glad I purchased the Power Rack system and I would recommend it for anyone interested in bodybuilding. I?m into basic free-weight movements, by myself, so this equipment is perfect for that. It cost a bit price wise, but it is a quality product.
Again, sorry for the delay.

Overall pic: http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01197.jpg

If anybody has any questions or concerns with these products let me know, I'll give my honest opinion.

[FERRUM_MAXIMUS]

Hey, just realized I never updated this.
I did receive my equipment and have it set up now.

Rack ? The rack is incredibly strong/durable. This is definitely a heavy rack, and not cheap whatsoever. I don?t foresee it ever breaking.. ever. Assembly wasn?t bad, but prepare to have someone help you put it all together. Balancing and bolting the huge pieces can be a pain solo. Sizewise, it takes up a lot of space, no denying that. I have to set it directly in the center of the room, to have enough space to walk around it, and for using an Olympic bar. The holes are pre-labeled so that's nice.
Pics:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01191.jpg
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01192.jpg

Lat Attachment ? The lat attachment is incredibly smooth. I figured it would be great, but it really passed my expectations. It?ll support all the weight I put on it without fear of overloading it. The only problem I came across with the lat attachment was the assembly. The only instructions you have is a one page exploded view of the whole attachment. With all the parts it kind of to figure out what to do first. The clear plastic covering the pully's is attractive, I put a bb.com sticker on there to make it even more sexier.
Pics:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01193.jpg
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01194.jpg

Extra?s ? The Power Rack System came with a lat bar, single hand pully, a straight bar, and dip bars. The dip bars are nice but not great for me, with my size it just doesn?t feel like I can comfortable on them. But like everything else the equipment is built to last.
Pic:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01195.jpg

Utility Bench ? I absolutely love this. It?s heavy weight, durable, and easy to adjust. One of the better bench's I?ve used.. and I?ve been to a lot of different gyms.
Pic:
http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01196.jpg

Shipping ? Shipping was the main downside about this whole order. It took about 3 full months to receive it. It?s shipped freight, so it comes on a big 18-wheeler. The driver called me and I had to meet him and help unload it into my truck (the truck was to big to fit down my road). The packages are really heavy.

Overall, I?m glad I purchased the Power Rack system and I would recommend it for anyone interested in bodybuilding. I?m into basic free-weight movements, by myself, so this equipment is perfect for that. It cost a bit price wise, but it is a quality product.
Again, sorry for the delay.

Overall pic: http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC01197.jpg

If anybody has any questions or concerns with these products let me know, I'll give my honest opinion.

Three months to ship it?!Who did you buy it from,and why so long?

[BIGNATEDAWG]

Ordered it from here. Powertec was out of them and manufacture some more or something. Might not take as long now, that was during xmas.

[FERRUM_MAXIMUS]

Ordered it from here. Powertec was out of them and manufacture some more or something. Might not take as long now, that was during xmas.

I've heard of several people getting them from Powertec in the same time frame with a much shorter wait time,how they work out the shipping order seems to be a mystery,but it sure isn't first come first served.At least you finally got it.