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

[HealthNutMD]

Years ago, Panatta had a line named "Fantastic". Among other pieces they had the best lat isolation machine I have ever used, it looked like a deltoids side lateral unit but instead of moving the load from 6 o'clock to 12, it was exactly the opposite. The pads were under the elbows and the move imitated a bit the iron cross. I still use it either by itself or for preexaustion superseted with pullups etc, excellent. Their steal thickness is about 5mm or 7g for you.

Just for clarification, the steel thickness of Panatta is 4 mm thick

7 guage is 4.57 mm thick.
11 guage is 3.05 mm thick.

Also of importance is the steel tube dimensions. Of all of the machines, I have, the Hammer Strength is the lowest in the brands. And most companies use 11 gauge for most parts in the machines. Nebula often mixed some parts in 11 gauge and some parts in 7 gauge.

[Jetigen]

Just for clarification, the steel thickness of Panatta is 4 mm thick

7 guage is 4.57 mm thick.
11 guage is 3.05 mm thick.

So, Panatta machines are made of roughly 8.5 gauge steel tubing. To me it's a "better" thickness for commercial gym machines. 11ga is at the lower end and 7 ga is overkill in my opinion.

Here is a mm-to-inches steel gauge table: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...post1301929901

[HealthNutMD]

Yes, and they are 4 mm throughout. Also, the main frame tubing is huge, its like 6 inches wide (I'll measure it in cm, I'm sure its metric). Did you see the weight horns... unreal. I'll take a picture with (8) 45 lbs on each weight horn.

All you have to do is come over and help me move the Panatta Super Horizontal Bench and Super incline bench, and then move the Nebula horizontal and incline right next to them... The Panatta benches feel TWICE as heavy.

[keyboardworkout]

Did you guys see the thread with the guy asking about x-force 3-1-5 equipment?

http://www.x-force.se/index.php/products

Maybe you guys have talked about this stuff already in this thread.

[Jetigen]

All you have to do is come over and help me move the Panatta Super Horizontal Bench and Super incline bench, and then move the Nebula horizontal and incline right next to them... The Panatta benches feel TWICE as heavy.

I am dreaming about opening a good gym overseas in my home town, Bishkek. At the moment there are no worthy gyms over there. Might visit your home gym one day to see the cost no object machines if I find funds.

[HealthNutMD]

I am dreaming about opening a good gym overseas in my home town, Bishkek. At the moment there are no worthy gyms over there. Might visit your home gym one day to see the cost no object machines if I find funds.

Sounds good.

[HealthNutMD]

Did you guys see the thread with the guy asking about x-force 3-1-5 equipment?

http://www.x-force.se/index.php/products

Maybe you guys have talked about this stuff already in this thread.

Yes I put some pictures up when I visited Gainesville Fitness club that has the whole line. A couple of us have been there and tried them. They are basically Nautilus frames and machines, with the XFORCE rotating weight stacks.

In a nut shell, There weren't any Xforce machines that I liked.

[Agathomax]

Just for clarification, the steel thickness of Panatta is 4 mm thick

7 guage is 4.57 mm thick.
11 guage is 3.05 mm thick.

Also of importance is the steel tube dimensions. Of all of the machines, I have, the Hammer Strength is the lowest in the brands. And most companies use 11 gauge for most parts in the machines. Nebula often mixed some parts in 11 gauge and some parts in 7 gauge.

To be more precise, Panatta use 3mm tubes as well. Look for exemple on the 40mmX40mm square tube under the seat of your lat machine or (I couldn't swear because I've still never seen it) on your Super incline press. It's a standard 3mm 40x40mm square tube (maybe 35mmX35mm, don't remember by heart) , very common in Europe. But yes, on the main structure and moving parts, they use 4mm or more (10mm for exemple on the pivot axis part.)


The notable part are their new horns system. My local Panatta trade representative told me that they now use some nylon horns which offer more durability than chromed steel horns. The bad point is that he wasn't certain that it could be possible to use that type of horns on older equipment (it's actually my case, I've bought some Panatta free weight machines equipped with 28mm horns and I called them for a quotation to change them for 50mm horns.) because according to him, the inner tube could be thinner than 51mm. To my amazement, he saids that they don't have any stock of classic chrome older horns...

[Renzinho]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261613341666?redirect=mobile

[GiacomoC]

Hey guys, thinking about adding a pendulum pulldown machine, question is what is the advantage over regular cable pulldowns.. Im a free weight guy but i want my clients to have options..

[bigfeather]

I have a PPd, MedX Avenger Pd and a BodyMasters Lxp Pd and rarely use them. Nothing out of the ordinary IMO. Cable station with MAG maximum advantage grip bars I have found to reign supreme in the Arena of Pulldowns!

[saulid]

Hey guys, first I just wanted to say that the list is coming along great!

I noticed some Nautilus XLPOAD gear was tested and rated fairly 'meh' by some, while others enjoyed a few pieces. However, I saw no mention of the Nautilus Leg Extension and Prone curl. I might be able to snag both fairly new for a good price, and wondering if anyone has comments on them. I'm mostly interested in the Nautilus XPLOAD Leg Extension. The seat as a backwards incline to assist in contraction, plus the strength curve looks fairly nice. However, it's hard to judge lever strength when it's using a double lever action and one lever changes angles of pull, while the other lever changes overall resistance. Any thoughts?? I currently have a Cybex VR2 Leg Extension. It's a smooth machine and very comfortable, but I feel the positioning of the XPLOAD might help reduce some knee stress and have a nicer strength curve. As for the Nautilus XPLOAD Prone Leg Curl, I'm getting it mostly due to the fact he wants to sell as a set. I currently have a Cybex Classic Seated Leg Curl and a Flex Hamflexor Kneeling Leg Curl, but would replace the seated leg curl if I got this one.

Also I've personally got a few of the machines listed here in my garage (Atlantis Incline Row, Atlantis Bicep Curl, plus a Hammer Chest and Pulldown). I agree 100% with the rankings of these pieces. The Atlantis Incline Row is amazing, love the angle options and the reduced lower back strain. The Atlantis curl has the best handles I've ever used on a curl machine. As for the Hammer gear. I find both to be 'ok'. Definitely looking for something better, but the pulldown works for now. I have the Hammer Vertical chest and I'm looking to upgrade that when I find a good deal

For those of you discovering what Panatta has to offer, I've got some long time experience with them! I have an Original Panatta Deltoid Press. Unilateral converging arms, plus a leg lever to get the arms up and started for a press. The downside is that there's no back adjustment.. but it's perfect for my body dimensions. Also it uses the multi-grip that the older units had shaped almost like a question mark. I love this machine! Got it from a guy that received it as payment for an i.o.u. His friend he got it from came over from Italy and brought this machine with him.

Another classic I have is the Flex Kneeling "Hamflexor" Leg Curl. Once again, great machine! It has a 180lb weight stack on it, with the original silver finish and red padding. Doesn't really match my other gear, but you can't go wrong with this machine! A great feel to it, adjusts smoothly, and has a pretty decent weight stack on it considering it's unilateral!

[RBroussard]

Maybe the married guys would understand this...

So my wife and i stayed at the Venetian a few days in Vegas over the summer and the dumbbells they had in their fitness center were the Hampton Gel Grip Dumbbels. I want to upgrade my dumbbells from the grey hex variety now that I have a finished and dedicated weight room. Been looking at the Legend Fitness 3 Tier Racks to hold an upgraded pair. Personally I want the Rogue Fitness Dumbbells.....but wifey not impressed. These Hampton Dumbbells are OMG expensive and that is what she would want if we got something other than the grey hex.

Have the following thoughts....maybe get her the Hamptons up to a certain weight...then something else for me at heavier weights. She made mention of the 7.5, 12.5, 22.5, and 27.5 weights being useful to bridge the gaps.

Looks like I can get squeeze the following sets on a 15 pair 3-tier rack from Legend Fitness:

Pair 1: 5
Pair 2: 7.5
Pair 3: 10
Pair 4: 12.5
Pair 5: 15
Pair 6: 17.5
Pair 7: 20
Pair 8: 22.5
Pair 9: 25
Pair 10: 27.5
Pair 11: 30
Pair 12: 35
Pair 13: 40
Pair 14: 45
Pair 15: 50


Then on a separate 2-tier 10 pair rack from Legend Fitness I can get the following pairs (some other brand):

Pair 1: 55
Pair 2: 60
Pair 3: 65
Pair 4: 70
Pair 5: 75
Pair 6: 80
Pair 7: 85
Pair 8: 90
Pair 9: 95
Pair 10: 100

Are there any other dummbells are there comparable to the Hampton Gel Grip?

[Skidmarx]

Hey guys what are your thoughts on the magnum biangular machines? A pin loaded incline press on CL got me looking at these products and they seem to be designed really well. The plate loaded line looks awesome.

[dumb.bell]

Hey guys what are your thoughts on the magnum biangular machines? A pin loaded incline press on CL got me looking at these products and they seem to be designed really well. The plate loaded line looks awesome.

I have the vertical chest, incline press, and shoulder in the selectorized version and love them.

[irongrandpa]

Dumbell, do these have a converging ROM?

[HealthNutMD]

Hey guys, thinking about adding a pendulum pulldown machine, question is what is the advantage over regular cable pulldowns.. Im a free weight guy but i want my clients to have options..

I have the Pendulum Pulldown, and it is a good machine, but it is a one trick pony, not a "COMBO LAT PULLDOWN" as advertised. Yes sure you can change from the Triangular shaped rotating handles to other attachments, but none of the other attachments are worth using IMO.

I like the Pendulum Pulldown with the cowbell shaped rotating handles, and don;t have plans on getting rid of it. That being said, I'll rank the pulldown machines I have:

1) Panatta Lat Pulldown
2) Power Lift Pro Select (Selectorized Lat Pulldown with heavy stack)
3/4 is a tie... Power Lift Pro Plate Load vs Pendulum 'Combo' Lat Pulldown.

And as Big Feather said... Check out the Wide Mag grip for doing pulldowns on a cable pulldown, its a really good attachment.

[dumb.bell]

Dumbell, do these have a converging ROM?

Yes

[coach_ras]

Sorry to have been away so long... Lots of great things happening at our spot up here in Idaho. Told some friends here that I'd post some pics of the progress of our gym remodel effort thus far. Will post more pics in a few weeks after we get more things settled following Goalder arrival next week with our last run of equipment for 2014... Thanks again to all of you here who have helped us in putting together a world-class training facility for our athletes - young & old!

1) Elite FTS Collegiate Power Racks w/ 0-90 Adjustable Benches
2) Rogue Fitness RML-390 Bolt Together Power Racks (we're using them as double sided half racks; plan to add strap safety system & safety spotter arms in future)
3) Legend Fitness 6x8 Olympic Lifting Platforms
4) Atlantis Lat Pulldown (with Williams Strength Tsunami Lat Pull attachment) & Atlantis Unilateral Lat Pulldown
5) Flex Leverage Lat Pulldown & Medx Avenger Pulldown (totally refurbished; still awaiting replacement original seat from Ken at Regeneration)

[Skidmarx]

Looks great Coach !

[a7stringkilla]

Place looks greats Ras!

[Jetigen]

Embedded for Coach Ras:

Sorry to have been away so long... Lots of great things happening at our spot up here in Idaho. Told some friends here that I'd post some pics of the progress of our gym remodel effort thus far. Will post more pics in a few weeks after we get more things settled following Goalder arrival next week with our last run of equipment for 2014... Thanks again to all of you here who have helped us in putting together a world-class training facility for our athletes - young & old!

1) Elite FTS Collegiate Power Racks w/ 0-90 Adjustable Benches
2) Rogue Fitness RML-390 Bolt Together Power Racks (we're using them as double sided half racks; plan to add strap safety system & safety spotter arms in future)
3) Legend Fitness 6x8 Olympic Lifting Platforms
4) Atlantis Lat Pulldown (with Williams Strength Tsunami Lat Pull attachment) & Atlantis Unilateral Lat Pulldown
5) Flex Leverage Lat Pulldown & Medx Avenger Pulldown (totally refurbished; still awaiting replacement original seat from Ken at Regeneration)

[GiacomoC]

I have a PPd, MedX Avenger Pd and a BodyMasters Lxp Pd and rarely use them. Nothing out of the ordinary IMO. Cable station with MAG maximum advantage grip bars I have found to reign supreme in the Arena of Pulldowns!

Thank you, i have the Mag handles and love them..

Also got a chance to use the medx row today, not a huge fan. I prefer a chest supported row.. Went to 5 plates per side for 10, not sure where that stands as far as weight but didn't do much for me...

thanks for all the info!!!

[Skidmarx]

This old Panatta multi press looks interesting. Something from the 80's ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panatta-Spor...item20f04d29a8

[Jetigen]

This old Panatta multi press looks interesting. Something from the 80's ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panatta-Spor...item20f04d29a8

Uploading cropped pictures here for archiving. I also extracted the how-to sticker.

Panatta Sport Multi Use Press Machine

[HealthNutMD]

Thank you, i have the Mag handles and love them..

Also got a chance to use the medx row today, not a huge fan. I prefer a chest supported row.. Went to 5 plates per side for 10, not sure where that stands as far as weight but didn't do much for me...

thanks for all the info!!!

Which MedX Row are you talking about? The MedX rows all have amazing, adjustable chest support. You must be talking about something else?

That being said, the MedX Avenger is far better then the selectorized version. Did you try the MedX AVENGER (plate loaded) row? Or the selectorized MedX row? I can understand not liking the MedX selectorized row (although it has an adjustable chest pad). It must have been something else you are talking about...

[GiacomoC]

When i say chest supported row, i'm talking your standard Elite fits chest supported row. The medx one had chest support, and i liked it but i still prefer the feel of the simple old school 45 degree one...

Same day i also spent some time on the Rogers Squat pro, and really like that... But that being said it takes a huge amount of plates to get resistance level i was looking for. I think its a great machine, for athletes, and fitness people alike.. And a supplementary exercise for powerlifters..

[HealthNutMD]

When i say chest supported row, i'm talking your standard Elite fits chest supported row. The medx one had chest support, and i liked it but i still prefer the feel of the simple old school 45 degree one...

You mean like an incline lever row? I'm not sure which MedX piece you are talking about.

Same day i also spent some time on the Rogers Squat pro, and really like that... But that being said it takes a huge amount of plates to get resistance level i was looking for. I think its a great machine, for athletes, and fitness people alike.. And a supplementary exercise for powerlifters..

Yes, the Power Squat Pro is an amazing piece. Yes, it will take a lot of plates for people who can squat heavy. Here is the thing: If you fill up all 4 weight horns equally, the strength curve is flat, like a regular squat. Can you imagine filling up all 4 weight horns with 45's? I don't think anyone could do that much weight. So while you may need to put on a lot of 45 lb plates, it should be able to accomodate anyone's needs. I can't see anyone squatting that machine fully loaded.

If you want a strength curve that is lighter at the bottom of the squat, and that gets heavier as you stand up, then you just load the bottom two horns.

If you want a strength curve that is heaviest at the bottom, but gets lighter as you stand up, then you just load the top.

If you want a flat strenth curve, like a bar squat, then load all 4 plate horns evenly. I can't imagine anyone being able to squat that machine with all 4 weight horns being completely loaded with 45's.

Either way, that piece is genius. Its comfortable also with that built in, adjustable neck pad.

[GiacomoC]

On the medx site its called seated row.. And yes and incline lever row..

[harrisg83]

Going to visit a gym about 1 1/2 hours from me next week that has the entire X-force line of equip and a bunch of retrofitted MedX superslow pieces. I know Chris wasn't impressed when he tried the X-force pieces in Florida (or the superslow pieces for that matter) but I would like to try them out for myself with an open mind. Since the gym is so close to home I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

http://www.x-force.se/index.php/products