Hi Guys,
My name is Mark. I would like to thank everyone for contributing to this thread. It really helped me build my first home gym.
My frame of reference for gym equipment stems from my teens and 20s training at NJ old school hardcore gyms. I am 46 now. Back then I trained at Diamond Gym, World Class Fitness, Guys Gym and Body Worx. I used a lot of TK Star, Flex Fitness and later Atlantis. There are not many left, which is the reason I built my own. I went to a Retro and was disgusted by the exclusivity of brands like Life Fitness and Even Hammer. I cannot stand the hammer leg equipment. Ron Partlow from Mutant on a Mission said it best - "I judge a gym by its leg equipment".
Sadly, I had to sell all of my equipment last year. I was going through a lot and I was forced to sell.
The Gym I had was a 2 Car Oversized Garage and 500SqFt basement. I live in northern NJ.
I purchased a lot of pieces form TJ, JoeP and Others in NJ/NY area. I also purchased and had upholstery work done by TK.
I am currently in search of a home with at 2500sqft and will do it again, however here is what I had and what I thought of the pieces:
TK Star
Seated Calf - loved this piece, was fully restored flat black by TJ. Will look for this again with 2.0 gym.
Forearm Bench - Truly not a necessary piece since wrist curls can be done of bench/knees, however it was super comfortable and a work of art. Mine was red with black leather and red stitching. Will not replace, do not have the budget for it this time.
Power Squat - Older piece and one of the best angles I have used. However foot pedal was very cumbersome after a heavy set. Will not buy again, will look for one with a shoulder height racking mechanism.
BBZ Row - Great old school piece, felt it all through the lats and rhomboids. I restored this piece gloss red and black wrinkle with black leather pad and red stitching. If price is right, will buy again.
Tricep Attachment - Best Tricep pushdown attachment I have used. Takes all the strain off the wrists. Will buy again.
Wide Lat Wing Pulldown Attachment - Very comfortable and great grip, bend allowed for maximum contraction in the lats. Will buy again.
Close Grip Lat Attachment - The version I had, came with a polished grip and would slip out of your hands. I put grip tape on it and it was better. I believe he came out with a knurled version. If so, I will buy again.
MedX
Leg Extension - Great piece, although I did bottom out at peak contraction. This can be fixed by adjusting seat. Loved the heavy stack. Not sure if I will buy again, was a very expensive piece.
Seated Leg Curl - Wasn't all that impressed with this piece. Cheaper machines do the same thing just as well. Not sure if I will buy again, was expensive as well.
Flex Fitness
Prone Leg Curl - Loved this piece. One of the best I have used. Will try to find and buy again
Incline Chest Press - Just OK. Not sure what the angle was but seemed lower than 45. Probably wont replace it.
Preacher Curl with swivel Grip - The handle grips were everything here, the rotation was great to take pressure off the wrists. Also loved the variation of the grip allowing you to do a hammer style curl. Will try to buy again.
Rogue
RM3 Power Rack - Great 3x3 rack for the money. I did have to bolt it to the floor though. Lots of attachments and upgrades. The monolift attachment was not worth the money, a bit flimsy at 3 plates and up. Would buy again
Adjustable Incline Bench - Great bench but heavy. Nice still pads. Expensive though. Not sure if I would buy again, most likely would go used.
Flat bench with Thompson Pad - Loved the wide pad for flat dumbbell presses. Would buy again.
Rubber Hex Dumbbells up to 80 - Not much to say here. Good for the money. Will look for Ivanko / Troy ProStyle in the future.
Mass Storage System - Great universal storage, heavy duty construction and easily upgradeable. Held all dumbbells and pins for olympic plates. Will most likely look for pro style dumbbell rack.
Ohio Bar - Good all purpose bar. Would buy again.
Nebula
35 Degree Leg Press with top mounted guide rails - Loved this piece. TJ did a great job on the bearings and new guide rods. Once I got the sled and rails aligned it was smooth as silk. One of the smoothest leg presses I have ever used. Sad to part with it. Loved the calf section of sled. Would buy again if price is right.
GHD - Great adjustments and stable. Did a lot of ham/lower back work and also dumbbell rows. Would most likely not buy again since there are better options. I believe it is on ebay now.
Arsenal Strength
Pro Hack Squat - Love the wide diamond foot plate. Some things need tweaking. No grip on hand controls, no caps on horns. Upholstery was good although mine was ripped in shipping. Would buy again, probably not new though.
Vertical Leg Press - I was disappointed, especially when I tried the Nebula. Will wait for a TK Star next time.
Sissy Squat - It was OK, prefer the base to be a bit wider. Would buy again.
EliteFTS
Lat Pulldown with low row - Nice 300lb stack. Comfortable seat. Low height for basement. I did have to bolt it down though, anything over 250 and it would tilt. Will look for 4 Stack in the future.
AMERICAN MULTI ANGLE PRESS BAR - Loved doing tricep work with this bar. Would buy again. Sad I gave it way.
American Press Bar - Helped me with chest work due to my shoulder, the grips were awesome. Would buy again
AMERICAN MULTI GRIP ATTACHMENT - Loved the hand options on this. Would buy again.
FAT BAR, 36-INCHES - Too thick, prefer thinner lat attachments. Also very heavy, women will not be able to lift this unless they are strong. Built tough, like everything Elite sells. Wouldn't buy again.
Cybex
VR2 Shoulder Press - Basic shoulder press, A bit big if you have to get in basement. Two grip positions. Would buy again for right price but would most likely look for other options as mentioned in these threads.
Lateral Raise - Solid lateral raise, really helped me strengthen my left shoulder. Would buy again.
Rear Delt Plate Loaded - Very unique piece. Used this for higher rep lighter rear delt work. Saw a difference in my rear delts after a month of use. Would buy again.
Smith Machine - Great Smith, bar goes to the floor, cant beat for a good all purpose smith. Would buy again. I have squatted 500+ on this smith with no issues.
Hyperextension - Solid bench, fit the purpose. Would buy again.
UCS
Flat and Incline Benches - Holy hell are these things heavy. Construction is second to none. Loved the spotter foot plate but heavy barely got them in the basement. Would not buy again. Just too heavy and expensive. Would look for basic benches or just use an adjustable and power rack.
Hammer Strength
Preacher Bench - I restored it and had TK do the upholstery in black leather and red stitching. Solid piece. Would most likely look for the Icarian Standing Preacher.
BodyMasters
Tricep Dip / Pushdown - Heavy stack heavy machine. Actually fell on top of me as I was wheeling it down my driveway. Long Story. Great hand adjustments. Seat belt attachment to hold you in place. Not sure if I would buy again.
MAG Attachments - I had them all, don't hesitate to buy. I will buy again.
Telju - Spanish company I believe
Adductor and Abductor - Just OK, have used a lot better. Nice handle to set up with. I got them at a good price. Doubt I would buy again.
Low Row - Decent feel, comfortable. Assistance pedal. One thing I didn't like is that you could only load it with 25s, not enough room for 45s. I would buy again
High Row - Just OK, I prefer the hammer, a bit odd on the contraction. I would not buy again.
Magnum
Standing Calf Raise - Solid calf raise. Plate loaded and worked great. Will buy again if price is right
Pendulum
First Generation Squat I really liked this piece. Was able to do squats, shrugs and viking presses. I would like the Rogers Power Squat Pro the next go around.
That is about it. It took up my dining room, basement and garage. I will try to find pictures, however, I deleted a lot cause I was not happy I had to get rid of it.
I also had a great sound system with some old school Ramsa speakers and amps. Every room had 4 speakers and a sub. Wife hated it!
Thanks again to all those who have posted recommendations in the thread. It helped me a lot.
Cheers,
Mark
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