Home Gym Equipment Recommendations

[MrKleen73]

They had these at one of the company gyms i used to work for. I think it was just called a self spotting squat rack. They were cool but also kind of odd because if you accidentally tristed your hand a little bit the bar would just lock midmovement. So there was a learning curve to working hard on it.

This one looks like it might be the modern version with hand grips you let go of to activate the spot. I am sure it is ridiculously expensive as well. They have a video on the page. Invalid Link Removed

Here is another video of people using them in the gym and personal trainers talking about it. If you have the cash this thing looks AWESOME!
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[Stacks1]

They had these at one of the company gyms i used to work for. I think it was just called a self spotting squat rack. They were cool but also kind of odd because if you accidentally tristed your hand a little bit the bar would just lock midmovement. So there was a learning curve to working hard on it.

This one looks like it might be the modern version with hand grips you let go of to activate the spot. I am sure it is ridiculously expensive as well. They have a video on the page. Invalid Link Removed

Here is another video of people using them in the gym and personal trainers talking about it. If you have the cash this thing looks AWESOME!
Invalid Link Removed

Wow great find! It looks a little different from what I remember but it was a long time ago and maybe my memory is off. I'll check out the video later today.

 

[MrKleen73]

Wow great find! It looks a little different from what I remember but it was a long time ago and maybe my memory is off. I'll check out the video later today.

Oh this one is not the same as the one you all were referring to, that one was just the rack with a barbell hanging from cables and like mentioned just twisting the bar would lock the cables immediately. However the mechanism was very unforgiving, and the slightest turn could lock it up in the middle of the negative. Not a big deal on the concentric but definitely an issue on the negative or lowering portion of the lift. I totally understand why it was that way though, the last thing they wanted was it not to be sensitive enough and cause an injury. These handle levers you can just let go of look like a much better design.

 

[sns8778]

I’ve never seen that. While it’s pretty wild, it sounds like something that could basically be replicated in effect with a properly set pair of safety pins/straps in a power rack

I mean it sounds very truly like something great for a rehab center, and useless for someone trying to actually cultivate a mindset of strength & perseverance.

It's hard to explain, and maybe we haven't explained it accurately if its coming across as something that wouldn't be useful for bodybuilding. It definitely would be great for a rehab center but it is awesome for bodybuilders, especially for a home setup and especially for someone that works out alone because it allows you to push your strength limits without fear of dropping a weight on yourself. Want to increase your shoulder press but no spotter? No worries of dropping the bar. Want to see if you can do more weight on bench pressing for reps but too scared you can't rack it if you push for one more rep? No worries, you don't have to.

I've worked out in a lot of gyms and seen some really cool equipment, but the machine he's talking about is the coolest thing I've ever used for training because there was so much safety and so many possibilities.

 

[sns8778]

They had these at one of the company gyms i used to work for. I think it was just called a self spotting squat rack. They were cool but also kind of odd because if you accidentally tristed your hand a little bit the bar would just lock midmovement. So there was a learning curve to working hard on it.

This one looks like it might be the modern version with hand grips you let go of to activate the spot. I am sure it is ridiculously expensive as well. They have a video on the page. Invalid Link Removed

Here is another video of people using them in the gym and personal trainers talking about it. If you have the cash this thing looks AWESOME!
Invalid Link Removed

That does look cool. Thanks for sharing.

I could see where some people may would like that one better; I personally would much prefer the original. Like you said, it was a bit of a learning curve but it only took me a couple workouts to get used to it. I'm just not sure they exist anymore.

 

[MrKleen73]

That does look cool. Thanks for sharing.

I could see where some people may would like that one better; I personally would much prefer the original. Like you said, it was a bit of a learning curve but it only took me a couple workouts to get used to it. I'm just not sure they exist anymore.

Yeah, I would imagine they may not, that was at least 18 years ago. I got pretty good with them too since they were the only place to squat or bench press in the gym. They had 4 of them. You just had to learn how much you could rotate the bar before it would lock up on you.

@Hyde, yeah, pretty much traveling spotter arms, but lift off heights and things could be made exact on them which was pretty cool. That being said, I always preferred true free weights and a spotter or spotter arms myself. However if solo, and safety was my #1 concern it would have been on my list for a great way to do a lot of heavy barbell movements without too much risk.

 

[Hyde]

It's hard to explain, and maybe we haven't explained it accurately if its coming across as something that wouldn't be useful for bodybuilding. It definitely would be great for a rehab center but it is awesome for bodybuilders, especially for a home setup and especially for someone that works out alone because it allows you to push your strength limits without fear of dropping a weight on yourself. Want to increase your shoulder press but no spotter? No worries of dropping the bar. Want to see if you can do more weight on bench pressing for reps but too scared you can't rack it if you push for one more rep? No worries, you don't have to.

I've worked out in a lot of gyms and seen some really cool equipment, but the machine he's talking about is the coolest thing I've ever used for training because there was so much safety and so many possibilities.

I believe I fully understand you - that’s a very remarkable piece of equipment. I just think I share a different set of values regarding barbell training specifically.

Even when doing bodybuilding work, I see myself as a lifter first. I see the psychological aspect of lifting weights as integral - we want to make our training safe as possible, but I believe there is great value in the fear of failure. Spotter arms provide that safety, while allowing enough discomfort that you really think about whether you take a final rep.

I believe in never intentionally missing reps in barbell training, and rarely pursuing truly absolute limits. Part of that is preventing injury, but also to build self confidence & the expectation to finish what you start/attempt. If I am not confident of a rep, I don’t take it. This success-focused training also lends itself to leaving at least just a little something in the tank, which helps promote faster recovery between sessions and longer training cycles/room for progress next time before stalling or needing some kind of rotation or waving. I don’t want to know my current absolute limits. I want to believe they are greater than.

The fear is very important to me. But that might make more sense when you consider that barbell lifting is my competitive sport.

 

[Stacks1]

Oh this one is not the same as the one you all were referring to, that one was just the rack with a barbell hanging from cables and like mentioned just twisting the bar would lock the cables immediately. However the mechanism was very unforgiving, and the slightest turn could lock it up in the middle of the negative. Not a big deal on the concentric but definitely an issue on the negative or lowering portion of the lift. I totally understand why it was that way though, the last thing they wanted was it not to be sensitive enough and cause an injury. These handle levers you can just let go of look like a much better design.

Yes! What you're talking about is what I remember. This other thing you found looks pretty cool too though! I would certainly have to try it before I buy it though.

 

[Stacks1]

I believe I fully understand you - that’s a very remarkable piece of equipment. I just think I share a different set of values regarding barbell training specifically.

Even when doing bodybuilding work, I see myself as a lifter first. I see the psychological aspect of lifting weights as integral - we want to make our training safe as possible, but I believe there is great value in the fear of failure. Spotter arms provide that safety, while allowing enough discomfort that you really think about whether you take a final rep.

I believe in never intentionally missing reps in barbell training, and rarely pursuing truly absolute limits. Part of that is preventing injury, but also to build self confidence & the expectation to finish what you start/attempt. If I am not confident of a rep, I don’t take it. This success-focused training also lends itself to leaving at least just a little something in the tank, which helps promote faster recovery between sessions and longer training cycles/room for progress next time before stalling or needing some kind of rotation or waving. I don’t want to know my current absolute limits. I want to believe they are greater than.

The fear is very important to me. But that might make more sense when you consider that barbell lifting is my competitive sport.

I see what you're saying. In a perfect world, I would always go with the free weight barbell with a spotter. However, if I am building out a home gym and considering something like a smith machine (which I actually have as part of my home gym), then I would certainly opt for this piece of equipment instead.

Like you said, it's really all about preference and your approach to bodybuilding. I am one who very often pushes myself to failure, so I would never put myself in a situation where I didn't feel safe about a spot - I honestly don't trust myself. But I like the feel of a real barbell movement more than machine or smith machine. So, for me, I think this would be perfect.

 

[sns8778]

I believe I fully understand you - that’s a very remarkable piece of equipment. I just think I share a different set of values regarding barbell training specifically.

Even when doing bodybuilding work, I see myself as a lifter first. I see the psychological aspect of lifting weights as integral - we want to make our training safe as possible, but I believe there is great value in the fear of failure. Spotter arms provide that safety, while allowing enough discomfort that you really think about whether you take a final rep.

I believe in never intentionally missing reps in barbell training, and rarely pursuing truly absolute limits. Part of that is preventing injury, but also to build self confidence & the expectation to finish what you start/attempt. If I am not confident of a rep, I don’t take it. This success-focused training also lends itself to leaving at least just a little something in the tank, which helps promote faster recovery between sessions and longer training cycles/room for progress next time before stalling or needing some kind of rotation or waving. I don’t want to know my current absolute limits. I want to believe they are greater than.

The fear is very important to me. But that might make more sense when you consider that barbell lifting is my competitive sport.

I see where you're coming from.

I do mostly barbell and dumbbell training myself.

That's what I actually liked about this machine though is that you can do that type of thing very safely without a spotter. Which in my case is very important now days being that I don't have a workout partner because I never know exactly when I'm going to be able to train and I train at the workout setup I have here.

It's not a piece I would think would be necessary or beneficial in a gym environment. But for a home space, it adds a lot of versatility and allows someone to do things with a barbell that they may would only be comfortable doing on machines otherwise.

I don't think its a good piece for someone in your situation that competes, but I think its an awesome piece for someone that could have afforded one that trains at home and wanted the safety and versatility of it.

 

[Hyde]

I see what you're saying. In a perfect world, I would always go with the free weight barbell with a spotter. However, if I am building out a home gym and considering something like a smith machine (which I actually have as part of my home gym), then I would certainly opt for this piece of equipment instead.

Like you said, it's really all about preference and your approach to bodybuilding. I am one who very often pushes myself to failure, so I would never put myself in a situation where I didn't feel safe about a spot - I honestly don't trust myself. But I like the feel of a real barbell movement more than machine or smith machine. So, for me, I think this would be perfect.

It sounds like it - believing in what we’re doing is very important both in the ability to generate results AND deriving satisfaction from the process.

 

[🧱BrickHouse🧱]

Well got in the leg extension/curl, just need to figure out where I want to get it set up. Lady who was selling it had all Titan gear, she had that reverse leg press and leverage squatter. She was moving and new gym meant she had to downsize and that was the only reason she was selling it, thing look pretty much brand new.

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I had one of those TuffStuff Leg Presses for a year or so and I absolutely loved it. The depth you can hit on it and how smooth the guide rails are - phenomenal.

 

[JTS22]

I have this squat rack along with the pulley attachment system Smont posted.

Might try this is the near future:
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[Nugenetho]

I switch between my bench setup and home rowers for cardio, especially on days I don’t feel like running. The rower takes up less space than a treadmill and still gives a solid full-body workout. I went with one from merachfit after using a buddy’s — feels smooth and the tech makes longer sessions less boring.

 

[Anabolic66]

I recently added that Body Solid Leverage Gym out back there in the center. Thing is great. Does lots of exercises and replaces like a dozen or so gym machines. Bench (flat, incline, decline) shoulders, shrugs, high-pulley, low pulley, has a bar you attach if you want to squat, etc... I still do my main lifts of course w/ barbell (bench, SQ, DL, OHP) but tons of accessories on this thing. Tore a bicep 6 weeks ago, fully healed now (outer head, upper tear (not distal) looks a little funny when flexed, but looks normal when hanging by my side...

Been mainly using my belt-SQ (cant really see it out back on the right) over BB SQ these last few months, turning 60 next year and the back is pretty beat up...

Pooled blood is almost gone (my arm was filled from delt to wrist)...
Was just placing a 100 lb bell back into the rack after rows, and it went "pop..pop"... Could have been worse I guess.

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[Hyde]

I recently added that Body Solid Leverage Gym out back there in the center. Thing is great. Does lots of exercises and replaces like a dozen or so gym machines. Bench (flat, incline, decline) shoulders, shrugs, high-pulley, low pulley, has a bar you attach if you want to squat, etc... I still do my main lifts of course w/ barbell (bench, SQ, DL, OHP) but tons of accessories on this thing. Tore a bicep 6 weeks ago, fully healed now (outer head, upper tear (not distal) looks a little funny when flexed, but looks normal when hanging by my side...

Been mainly using my belt-SQ (cant really see it out back on the right) over BB SQ these last few months, turning 60 next year and the back is pretty beat up...

Pooled blood is almost gone (my arm was filled from delt to wrist)...
Was just placing a 100 lb bell back into the rack after rows, and it went "pop..pop"... Could have been worse I guess.

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View attachment 255759

New machine looks great. Sorry about the bicep; I have a big divot in my left same spot from a max deficit deadlift the day my son got out of the hospital when he was 2. We’d been there a couple days, I was dehydrated & unrecovered going into the session & it just ripped at the top. Looks normal until you flex it like you said, but works fine Such is the life of being a jacked meathead!