Cost No Object: Machines and Free Weights, the Best of the Best. PART 2

[matrix563]

pure awesomeness as always healthnut

i'm glad I own at least one of the items on your list lol

Nautilus Power Plus 10 degree chest


have you ever tried the Polaris pullover and the treadwall? I think the treadwall should be up there on the cardio list.

what about the combo atlantis leg curl/extension everyone likes? have you tried that?

do you have a best of the best cable crossover/functional trainer recommendations?

I've had a few chances to get the blue nautilus pullover but its too far apart for my elbows. the Polaris feels just as good to me and is adjustable in size for different elbow widths. I never saw the nautilus women's pullover which I think may have fit me good.


I wish I could try out that side torso crunch machine you have. looks really good.

[matrix563]

ps thoughts on the powernetics supercat? I recently got one and I think its awesome to do weighted squat jumps. i'm not starting out with anything crazy, just 50 pounds. some people that have one nearby me were doing 135 on theirs and they were able to start dunking so i'm hoping for similar results

[rpark]

ps thoughts on the powernetics supercat?

I've got a very similar unit picked up from university of Pitt a few years ago. I wish I could use it more but it won't fit down into my basement, so it's stuck in a storage unit. Not sure how it compares to the Roger's super squat but I do think it's a solid piece worthy of discussion. Can't vouch for the ability to dunk...

[matrix563]

rpark any photos of yours? i'd like to see it .

[rpark]

Yeah, but they were taken in my truck just as yours was, haha.

[matrix563]

LOL its a supercat but a newer version than mine. handles and side spring pole adjuster. how long are your weight horns? they look longer than mine

[squat802]

LOL its a supercat but a newer version than mine. handles and side spring pole adjuster. how long are your weight horns? they look longer than mine

That's a Bear with the taller plate posts, it's the easiest way to tell the difference with a Super Cat. Although the Bear frame is much heavier too.

[rpark]

how long are your weight horns? they look longer than mine

That's what she said

[matrix563]

That's what she said

Damn. Oops lol

That's a Bear with the taller plate posts, it's the easiest way to tell the difference with a Super Cat. Although the Bear frame is much heavier too.

I cant even imagine this thing being heavier lol

On the powernetics site for the endurance explosiveness quickness the supercat and bear have the same attributes lol

[Hardgains88]

Just wanted to say how incredible a resource the thread has become. I dont buy many pieces actually on the list, but have bought used pieces specifically because they were well regarded here, in the running, or actual runner ups. This thread is a good guide for what features or qualities to look for in equipment, even if a piece didn't make the list. qualities that make a piece of equipent the best can be used to gauge other equipent. The thread also Makes good reading, like car and drivers "best supercar” edition.
I remember being a lurker when chris first started looking to put his gym together, i think he had a list of 15 pieces,things ie a hurricane, ghd, rack, probably nothing thats still on the list now. im sure he had no idea where it would eventually lead to. Thanks chris for putting the time and work in!
One final observation that speaks volumes about the genius of a particular equipment designer. There are almost twenty pieces of equipment made by companies not only founded by, but designed by or with the guidance / influence of the same person. Arthur Jones has to be the most influencial equipment desiger in this industry. A lot of the Nautilus pieces on the list were designed 40 years ago and are not only competive, but still "best of te est cost no object"
Nautilus , Med x, and Hammer strength (arthur Jones Son techically started hammer i think but Arthur was involved heavly) created trends and principles That shaped the industry. I just started reading up on Jones the past few months. I bought a few old pieces to tinker wth so it got me thinking about him. i remember when i first started training in 1987 and quickly got a job working at the fitness center/gym i had started training at. the gym area was 1/2 Nautilus and the other half free weights. intersting. That a few of the same pieces i used 30 years ago as a teenager still have not been surpassed by modern companies using computer aided design and manufacturing!

[ArtifactFit]

Damn. Oops lol




I cant even imagine this thing being heavier lol

On the powernetics site for the endurance explosiveness quickness the supercat and bear have the same attributes lol

Hey Matrix,

Where did you get that from? Looks exactly like the one I sold 18 months ago.

[matrix563]

Hey Matrix,

Where did you get that from? Looks exactly like the one I sold 18 months ago.

Really? lol. near Greensboro in north Carolina. I think the guy said he got it from a school. not sure. city was Whitsett or something

[ArtifactFit]

Really? lol. near Greensboro in north Carolina. I think the guy said he got it from a school. not sure. city was Whitsett or something

Probably not then, I sold one that had the exact same color pads, got it from my H.S in Il, they were maroonish to match our team colors, didn't think they would make that many that color.

I enjoyed that piece while I had it! Moved and it didn't fit.

[Agathomax]

New pictures from the FIBO expo: Panatta Bent over Row Machine & new redesigned Triceps extension machine.
The back pad is back, but I don't know if it adjustable....

[ydmora]

I picked up a couple mid rows for evaluation. One arrived yesterday, the other will probably be here Monday next week.

1) is the rare Cybex Plate Loaded Mid Row. It has the opposite strength curve as the MedX Avenger, but bio-mechanically looks excellent. In terms of STRIVE/PRIME strength curve settings, the MedX Avenger has an extreme 3 setting: Max weight at the very begining (0 degrees). The Cybex Plate loaded row has a Strive/Prime setting of 2: The peak resistance is at the end of the movement.

Biomechanically, the Cybex Plate loaded row is near identical to the MedX Avenger. I really like the fixed handles of the Cybex. The Cybex also has the horizontal set of handles as well. The Cybex contains a bearing at the top of the movement arm to allow for some movement, but yet in a way that does not make it unwieldy in any way. I'm sure we all have tried the selectorized Cybex at some point since it is a staple in every gym, however, this rare plate loaded version looks very unique, and does not have the strange cam of the selectorized version.



















2) Is the Nautilus Low Friction Compound Row. I am simply curious about this piece, and do not like to leave any leaf un-turned, especially since I have a machine shop at my disposal to do hardcore mods easily now. Most of the efforts from this point forward will be to do mods since there really aren't a lot of good new machines coming out, other than Panatta and Prime these days.






I really haven't put any time in on this Row. it needs some pre-stretch added by using a chest pad spacer. Just arrived so have to see... I could weld new handle designs on it, if worthy of such a mod.

Anyone else have experience with this Nautilus Low Friction Compound Row? Its not overly impressive from the first try. Pre-stretch is easily added though...

IMHO, the Cybex Plateloaded Row is a superior machine (in utility) when compared to the MEDX Mid Row. The Nautilus Low FRICTION ROW Needs some spacers below the pads to truly discover its full potential. Additionally, it could benefit from a 2-3 inch medial displacement of the grips as they presently exist. Overall, GREAT ADDITIONS to your collection. You know I prefer the Nautilus to your Hammer Strength because although your Hammer Strength Row provides convergence on the pre stretch, it will cause too much divergence where you physiologically need convergence once again ....at contraction. Moreover, selectorized machines are superior to plate loaders as they are more compact and provide the convenience of quick weight changes from the comfort of your own seat (a feature seen many times on recent weight stack equipment). Nothing beats a drop set done to DEATH.

[ydmora]

Drilling for the best, 1 5/8" OD, 3/4" Bore, Ball Bearings... Fits right on a Stainless 316, 3/4" shoulder bolt (original shoulder bolt size). Unquestionably the best method.

Also replacing the small parts with Stainless 316 made parts...

Replacing metal spacers with PTFE spacers.

STAINLESS STEEL 316 FOREVER!!!!!

Nothing like making the good ----> PERFECT !!!

[ydmora]

ps thoughts on the powernetics supercat?

I think these type of machines are totally awesome. I have tried the Champion Barbell, Promaxima and the Samson....Samson I preferred less. Overall, they are very cool and I like them more than the Pendulum Squat Pro. Nothing beats the Hammer Strength H Squat though , but this comes in as a very good second. Definitely can't go wrong with this piece.

Jesse

[ydmora]

Just wanted to say how incredible a resource the thread has become. I dont buy many pieces actually on the list, but have bought used pieces specifically because they were well regarded here, in the running, or actual runner ups. This thread is a good guide for what features or qualities to look for in equipment, even if a piece didn't make the list. qualities that make a piece of equipent the best can be used to gauge other equipent. The thread also Makes good reading, like car and drivers "best supercar” edition.
I remember being a lurker when chris first started looking to put his gym together, i think he had a list of 15 pieces,things ie a hurricane, ghd, rack, probably nothing thats still on the list now. im sure he had no idea where it would eventually lead to. Thanks chris for putting the time and work in!
One final observation that speaks volumes about the genius of a particular equipment designer. There are almost twenty pieces of equipment made by companies not only founded by, but designed by or with the guidance / influence of the same person. Arthur Jones has to be the most influencial equipment desiger in this industry. A lot of the Nautilus pieces on the list were designed 40 years ago and are not only competive, but still "best of te est cost no object"
Nautilus , Med x, and Hammer strength (arthur Jones Son techically started hammer i think but Arthur was involved heavly) created trends and principles That shaped the industry. I just started reading up on Jones the past few months. I bought a few old pieces to tinker wth so it got me thinking about him. i remember when i first started training in 1987 and quickly got a job working at the fitness center/gym i had started training at. the gym area was 1/2 Nautilus and the other half free weights. intersting. That a few of the same pieces i used 30 years ago as a teenager still have not been surpassed by modern companies using computer aided design and manufacturing!

That is because Arthur Jones was the one to do the medical research and the passion for excellence. He sought proper biomechanics, ergonomics and physiological strength curves. He knew how the muscle worked at EVERY LEVEL (visual or microscopic) and then went on to design machines that worked with our nature (i.e. Compound Leg, 1970 PLPO...double machines, etc).

Very few other companies have even been able to do 1% of what he did (e.g. strive). Notice that the copycat companies of Hammer Strength out there today (e.g. Powerlift, Panatta, Pendulum..etc) may do a good job but only with leverage/plateloaded equipment. It takes true scientific know how and ability to get things right with a weight stack.

Thank Goodness we had an Arthur Jones.


Jesse

[C123C]

That is because Arthur Jones was the one to do the medical research and the passion for excellence. He sought proper biomechanics, ergonomics and physiological strength curves. He knew how the muscle worked at EVERY LEVEL (visual or microscopic) and then went on to design machines that worked with our nature (i.e. Compound Leg, 1970 PLPO...double machines, etc).

His machines were mostly solid to great and his attention to detail in the quest for excellence served him well, but his knowledge of the muscle was limited to mechanical/joints - his adaptation theory was flat wrong (concentric failure = stimulus light switch, mechanical volume/work unnecessary, fitness/fatigue etc...) and heavily biased toward selling his machines. While he did a lot of good in taking resistance training to the mainstream but A LOT of damage came out of it. The squat and pulls almost disappeared completely in 80s/early 90s bodybuilding. The decline in US Olympic Lifting coincided with the rise of the machines also.

If you think about it, Jones is mostly the reason books like Starting Strength needed to be written as it was originally meant as a coaches' manual to teach lifts given the knowledge level of the basic lifts had deteriorated badly.

[Hardgains88]

There certainly was a little PT Barnum and machine centric focus in his system of weight training. The equipment however was so far beyond anythong at the time. considering all the advances in manufacturing and increased ability to research, test and measure both the human body and equipment, there seems to have been very little advancment since he left the industry. He may not have invented leverage or even cams, but he did take both concepts mainstream and was instrumental in developing them to vety clse to there current levels. at best there have beem minor refinements made, in many cases outright regresion in effectiveness and innovation.
Thankfully machine based training has fallen back from Prominant thinking and returned to a place as ancillary movements to compound free weights in the post crossfit boom that trickled down to other free weight strength areas. machines have an important place in many training programs still and its curios that its an industry with almost no real improvement compared to any other industry that is based on understanding of the human body and physiology.

[deadwoodgregg]

Let's get this thread back on track.

Be patient and the equipment will come.
I always wanted this piece in this model. Scored a mint Atlantis P-156 Rear Delt/Pec Fly Combo for a little less than 1/3 of new price. Not sure of the story behind it, but am guessing that it was a demo unit.











A couple of small paint issues that I will touch up. Very pleased with this pick up.

[rpark]

Very nice pickup Gregg, I love my same atlantis pec/delt deck. Only noticeable difference to me is that you have a belt vs mine having cable (and of course mine costing full price )

[HealthNutMD]

Very nice! I agree this is the best choice for this type of machine.

Nothing better than a same as new piece for that kind of price.

I think mine has a cable. I'm sure it makes no difference.

[irongym]

https://youtu.be/sE_KintKzkM

My gym got featured by Mutant Supplements! 1st episode of their third season, and first time a gym in Canada has been featured!
Hope you all enjoy from one equipment nut to the rest!

[a7stringkilla]

Nice! Your place is looking DOPE!!!

[rpark]

Thanks for sharing iron gym, that was good.

[Bench905]

https://youtu.be/sE_KintKzkM

My gym got featured by Mutant Supplements! 1st episode of their third season, and first time a gym in Canada has been featured!
Hope you all enjoy from one equipment nut to the rest!

That was awesome! Some really cool pieces you have there - so cool to see that episode.

[Nebamartinez]

That started out as my Rae Crowther Calf. I never was a fan of the rounded calf block.

Waaaz up 2more 😝

I remembered seeing your post of your three Rae Crowther pieces you bought and the seated calf looked identical to the one I purchased.

The only thing I noticed on mine that I didn't see in your pics was a rivet with a plastic cap over it on the weight carriage storage/stop arm.

"Six degrees of separation" almost literally coast-to-coast 😎👍

I really appreciate the rounded calf block it works great for my lil gnome stubs

[Nebamartinez]

https://youtu.be/sE_KintKzkM

My gym got featured by Mutant Supplements! 1st episode of their third season, and first time a gym in Canada has been featured!
Hope you all enjoy from one equipment nut to the rest!

Wow that's one bada$$ gym you own! Love it.

[Oxidated]

My gym got featured by Mutant Supplements! 1st episode of their third season, and first time a gym in Canada has been featured!
Hope you all enjoy from one equipment nut to the rest!

Very impressive. I was grinning like a kid in a candy store throughout the video.
Really special place.