Strength warehouse USA, anyone have experience buying from them?

[HeavyIron8]

I'm looking at a body solid lat pulldown machine: https://strengthwarehouseusa.com/col...id-row-slm300g

I'm curious if anyone has bought from this place before and their experience? I just want to avoid a potential nightmare since I've never heard of these guys before.

[radrd]

I haven't purchased from them but I inquired about some plates and received a prompt, professional email back that gave me some confidence. Seems legit but it's hard to know for sure.

That said, for Body-Solid equipment, I'd check Fitness Factory first. Like everyone else, they are having challenges with stock levels, but they are well regarded and are a major online retailer for Body-Solid.

[rpark]

$2,500 for body solid with 310 lb stack? No thanks.

[broganoff]

I've ordered from them 4 times. When there were delays from the producer they were proactive in telling me and giving me options for how to deal with it. Easy to get them on the phone and deal with as well.

[HeavyIron8]

$2,500 for body solid with 310 lb stack? No thanks.

What's bad about it? It's got a smaller footprint (only 24 inch width) than most other commercial grade lat pulldown.

[Duplicitous]

That said, for Body-Solid equipment, I'd check Fitness Factory first. Like everyone else, they are having challenges with stock levels, but they are well regarded and are a major online retailer for Body-Solid.

They're owned by Body-Solid.

[ncsuLuke]

They're owned by Body-Solid.

I heard that Inspire actually owns them, not sure the validity to that. Either way, this is actually a pretty nice piece, very smooth and works well.

[weisgarb]

I heard that Inspire actually owns them, not sure the validity to that. Either way, this is actually a pretty nice piece, very smooth and works well.

To the best of my knowledge, Body Solid is still independently owned, while Inspire Fitness is a division of Health in Motion.

I've never tested one, but that particular unit has gotten good reviews.

[ncsuLuke]

To the best of my knowledge, Body Solid is still independently owned, while Inspire Fitness is a division of Health in Motion.

I've never tested one, but that particular unit has gotten good reviews.

That's probably right, I can't remember where I heard it. I do know you can fit these to accept the Inspire weight stack because I have seen that, not sure why the person did that, I assume they got the 210 stack and wanted heavier.

[HeavyIron8]

I went ahead and bought the 310lb stack unit for $2499. They dont charge sales tax and no LTL shipping fee. I chose it because of it's small width footprint and, ease of getting it where I want it to be. Rogue fitness's lat pulldown is better but they refuse to ship theirs disassembled.

[RGrizzzz]

I have that pulldown. It's a solid unit. I bought it from a forum member last March for WAY less. You might want to think about Titans unit. It's about half the price, and has decent reviews. There's a plate loaded model too.

https://www.titan.fitness/strength/s...or/400467.html

[HeavyIron8]

I have that pulldown. It's a solid unit. I bought it from a forum member last March for WAY less. You might want to think about Titans unit. It's about half the price, and has decent reviews. There's a plate loaded model too.

https://www.titan.fitness/strength/s...or/400467.html

I don't mind the extra cost for a new unit. I know a used one is likely no different, but meh. I did consider Titan's unit, but the footprint it takes up is too big for my liking.

[gym62richard]

What's bad about it? It's got a smaller footprint (only 24 inch width) than most other commercial grade lat pulldown.

I used to have that unit, nothing wrong with it at all, I picked up the one I had used for about $500 and when I sold it I think I got around $650.

I think the issue is that at $2,500, before the pandemic there were so many great options for that kind of money. I find it difficult to assimilate current market prices, to my thinking the new Body Solid Pro Clubline equipment looks to be overpriced, but in the current market?, maybe not.

[HeavyIron8]

I used to have that unit, nothing wrong with it at all, I picked up the one I had used for about $500 and when I sold it I think I got around $650.

I think the issue is that at $2,500, before the pandemic there were so many great options for that kind of money. I find it difficult to assimilate current market prices, to my thinking the new Body Solid Pro Clubline equipment looks to be overpriced, but in the current market?, maybe not.

I get that, it’s just that I couldn’t really find another alternative with this small of a footprint and commercial built quality.

[grumpytude]

I went ahead and bought the 310lb stack unit for $2499. They dont charge sales tax and no LTL shipping fee. I chose it because of it's small width footprint and, ease of getting it where I want it to be. Rogue fitness's lat pulldown is better but they refuse to ship theirs disassembled.

I have this piece with the 300lb stack. the plates are in 15lb. increments not 10lb. I would rather have 10lb. 300lbs is overkill for this unit. i think a 200lb. stack with option to add plates like other some units have would be ideal.
Its a mid-row. easier to pull more weight on a low row i think. Overall its a good piece. footprint is very small for such a large piece.

[HeavyIron8]

I have this piece with the 300lb stack. the plates are in 15lb. increments not 10lb. I would rather have 10lb. 300lbs is overkill for this unit. i think a 200lb. stack with option to add plates like other some units have would be ideal.
Its a mid-row. easier to pull more weight on a low row i think. Overall its a good piece. footprint is very small for such a large piece.

How big of a difference is it between mid and low row?

[grumpytude]

not sure if the difference is that big of a deal. I usually do more on the low row- I think due to my foot position is more in line with my body. on BS mid row the feet tend to be a bit below the torso. Makes it a bit more difficult, hence never utilizing the 300lb. stack. Of course hand position etc. also plays a role in what you are targeting.

[ncsuLuke]

I have this piece with the 300lb stack. the plates are in 15lb. increments not 10lb. I would rather have 10lb. 300lbs is overkill for this unit. i think a 200lb. stack with option to add plates like other some units have would be ideal.
Its a mid-row. easier to pull more weight on a low row i think. Overall its a good piece. footprint is very small for such a large piece.

You could get a gym pin to microload

[HeavyIron8]

You could get a gym pin to microload

I went ahead and purchased 2 of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should stick pretty well to the cast iron selectorized plates.

[radrd]

I went ahead and purchased 2 of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should stick pretty well to the cast iron selectorized plates.

Yep, I use platemates with my FT and they work fine. Wish they were cheaper.

[Duplicitous]

I heard that Inspire actually owns them, not sure the validity to that. Either way, this is actually a pretty nice piece, very smooth and works well.

Body-Solid definitely owns Fitness factory. All warranty parts ship from Fitness Factory and they even have the same address. I don't know if Inspire is related to either in any way. Could be *shrugs*

[grumpytude]

I use these. I have a 5lb. and 2.5lb. I believe these are body solid too. bought them years back- when they were pretty cheap. I'm sure the price is much more now like everything else.

[HeavyIron8]

Hey, so I receive and assembled the unit today. Is it normal to have a small bit of clanging and sound of the cast iron selectorized plates sliding along the guide rod? I greased up the guide rods with some axle grease.

[HeavyIron8]

Should I be using dry silicone spray lube instead of axle grease on the guide rods? I figured since all the parts are either cast iron or steel, might as well use grease.