Newb Advice on package Local vs Interstate and a new brand in the works

Hello everybody. I'm a new member and I am from Adelaide. I am about to buy a setup for home. I am have only had about 6 months of experience and it's usually always been at a gym.

I have decided I want to cancel my Gym membership as I find it annoying for the following reasons

Driving there
Teenagers socialising
Anybody that is dawdling
Waiting for equipment


I also understand like all of you can appreciate, sometimes your partner can not be there. I really don't feel safe doing certain exercises without a spotter. Because of this and many other reasons I have decided I want to buy a power rack (cage) and other equipment.

I have recently been tossing up between a few of the more popular brands
MMPR
Powertec
Force USA
Cyberfit LC2

Out of these 4 I am mainly considering These 2 packages

MMPR Package
Powertec Package

Out of the 2 I was leaning towards the MMPR because it has the pulleys and a better chin up area. Overall it seems more favourable amongst the community and it's the same price.

However, due to freight charges and warranty purposes I am trying my hardest to buy locally but there is nowhere I can find in Adelaide that stock or can get any of these packages in. Not even the racks separately. Has anybody had any luck?

After a long discussion with somebody from a workout retailer, they have made me aware of a brand I have not heard of before. I did have a look in person and from what I can see it looks like a very solid rack. This is not the retailer I went to but this is the exact rack they have recommended, it's the

Bodyworx L475 Power Cage with Hi/Low Pulleys

Other features include:

* Heavy duty Steel Tubing.
* Bar catches distribute weight evenly on upright.
* pop pin adjustable safety rails and bar catches for ease of use and quick change
* Chin Up Bar.
* Inclusive of Lat / Row option
* Maximum weight capacity: 365kg
* Lat/law row capacity: 180kg
* Optional 210lb weight stack $549.00
* High quality powder coating
* Dimensions: L 1400 x W 1250 x H 2100mm

The sales person was really trying to make a sale and I could feel that he was getting desperate (I used to work in sales) I then told him that I was interested in sticking to a brand I have read about and heard people talking about without being biased. He then told me to call the Bodyworx company and not to trust what people on forums say. I told him I would research in to the Bodyworx brand and racks in general and get back to him.

He packaged up a deal with the same equipment as the packages I am interested in Olympic bar, 120kg of rubber coated weights, high quality bench (not sure which one) and of course the Bodyworx rack which does have the pulleys and the mechanism actually looks quite good (I know these aren't great but I like the option having limited room space)

Total was around $1650 which works out to roughly the same as the Powertec/MMPR packages delivered (not cash price because I want to do finance)


I guess what I want to ask you guys is

Now if I decde to keep it in my state I could look at the Force USA gear which is readily available to me or would you guys think Bordyworx a better brand for the rack?

Would you worry about the warranty being "online" or from another state?

Do you think somebody like myself with little experience needs this type of gear? I do plan to use it for a long time and that's why I have chosen the stuff I have!

What package would you go for

Anything else you want to add?

Thanks guys it really means a lot

Anybody? I understand there are a lot of these threads however none are dealing with my scenario! I can't find any talk about Bodyworx, a lot of the threads are from 2 years ago and things change all the time.

I am basically saying this

Should I buy from my state and get Bodyworx or Force USA. If so then which brandd out of the 2. If not then I will be buying the MMPR package from gymdirect

I am just worried about warranty, if I can get the same thing here even for a few hundred more then I would be happy.

Gym direct was a site sponsor... Mention this site and there are discounts available...

Not to sure if he still does this... You will find him posting on here under the name HULK...

I and many others can vouch for the MMPR rack... All the PTC's have them and they get worked real hard... So you need not fret about this rack its an excellent choice...

I don't know the other racks so I can't comment... Comes back to you and your personal opinion as to what you choose...

Good luck!!!

package sounds pricey to me and its probably a very cheap, crap Oly bar in the package. I think if you plan to use it for a long time, the bar is the first thing i'd invest more into.

i dont think interstate has any bearing on the warranty concern you have. It fact it opens you up to more variety and value. Just ensure you factor in shipping in.

Thanks guys. I don't get discount because I'm doing finance, which is another reason I think it will be easier to do it in my state for all the paperwork!

@wingman - Is the Oly bar in the MMPR/Powertec packages ok?

gymandfitness have a big retail store in Adelaide.
why don't you go see them to look at the racks they have?

Adelaide Gym and Fitness Equipment | Exercise Equipment

PerthMac said:

gymandfitness have a big retail store in Adelaide.
why don't you go see them to look at the racks they have?

Adelaide Gym and Fitness Equipment | Exercise Equipment

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I spoke with them on the phone and they were helpful. I live an hour from them and haven't yet had the time to visit them. Like I mentioned earlier, I am favouring the MMPR and they don't stock this. They stock Healthstream, Boy Solid and Force USA.

I am still a bit hesitant to buy any of these brands due to the nature of the discussions present in our forums. I will in fact visit them before I sign the dotted line with Gym Direct.

MAte if you've only been lifting 6 monts why not just buy the cheapest rack you can find on ebay or gumtree, you'll get it for half the price of new, I buy some shit second hand for 30% of retail and my gear is as good as what you find in comercial gyms.

Fuck it's just weight and a shitty steel box to stop it falling on you. Don't get raped by the gym shop, let someone else's pain be your gain.

I have had Lily from Gym Direct sort out the paperwork for a package.

1 Package Deal _ Power Rack with high low pulley + ASFID bench + Olympic bar + 145kg Olympic weights $1450

Then I have also included :

Add a pair of Olympic dumbbell handle $85.00
Add a leg curl / leg extension attachment $50.00
Add a dip attachment $65.00
Add a MOPR free standing weights storage rack $110.00

The total amount with delivery is around $2000 (Not cash price as I'm doing finance)

Since I added the dumbbells, the weights that has been recommended to me is as follows

2 x 20
2 x 15
2 x 10
8 x 5
4 x 2.5
4 x 1.25

I am thinking about making this slight adjustment
4 x 10
4 x 5

Does anybody have any other recommendations?

Thanks for all of your help s far

uppon2 said:

I

Since I added the dumbbells, the weights that has been recommended to me is as follows

2 x 20
2 x 15
2 x 10
8 x 5
4 x 2.5
4 x 1.25

I am thinking about making this slight adjustment
4 x 10
4 x 5

Does anybody have any other recommendations?

Thanks for all of your help s far

Click to expand...

You only need
2 x10
2x5
2x 2.5
2 x 1.25

Get the rest as 20's. 15's are a waste of time. All other possible combos of weight can be made with two each of the above.

Sorry just noticed your getting DB's thats probs why you want the small plates.

Try cyberfit guarantee he will beat that price by a mile.

Brick said:

MAte if you've only been lifting 6 monts why not just buy the cheapest rack you can find on ebay or gumtree, you'll get it for half the price of new, I buy some shit second hand for 30% of retail and my gear is as good as what you find in comercial gyms.

Fuck it's just weight and a shitty steel box to stop it falling on you. Don't get raped by the gym shop, let someone else's pain be your gain.

Click to expand...

I have checked gumtree and have seen decent ones for $300, however I am doing finance as I am studying again and can't afford to buy things outright.

Once I start adding everything up (second hand or not) it's still going to be far too expensive for me to buy without finance. A loan is also not an option for me

uppon2 said:

I have checked gumtree and have seen decent ones for $300, however I am doing finance as I am studying again and can't afford to buy things outright.

Once I start adding everything up (second hand or not) it's still going to be far too expensive for me to buy without finance. A loan is also not an option for me

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Whats the interest rate? Just save, or use your tax return or better yet find a decent gym not full of dickheads where you can train.

Why drop thousands on gear if you got no dough to begin with.

Brick said:

You only need
2 x10
2x5
2x 2.5
2 x 1.25

Get the rest as 20's. 15's are a waste of time. All other possible combos of weight can be made with two each of the above.

Sorry just noticed your getting DB's thats probs why you want the small plates.

Try cyberfit guarantee he will beat that price by a mile.

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I spoke with him on the phone and he was extremely nice and incredibly honest. However, he did not offer finance - The companies he has tried through have told him they aren't accepting any more online focused businesses, even though he has a showroom!

Brick said:

Whats the interest rate? Just save, or use your tax return or better yet find a decent gym not full of dickheads where you can train.

Why drop thousands on gear if you got no dough to begin with.

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With Certegy there is no interest rate. They charge the retailer the initial percentage for the service and that is most likely incorporated in to the package price.

The 5 gyms nearest to me (I need 24 hour access) are $25 a fortnight. My repayments on the gym after deposit will be $60 a fortnight.

Obviously after 12 months it will be paid and eventually I will start saving money and own my own gear. I will also be honest and admit to feeling a lot more comfortable in my own house privacy and encourages me to experiment more and try to go harder than I normally would!

I like your approach Brick. I was in I.T. Management for years and if you don't have that attitude then you will fail in high pressure career situations! I do appreciate your honesty and advice. Please excuse my resilience and defensive answering (excuse making to some) - I have put a lot of thought in to this over the last year

On that note. Which weight plates would you get if you were me?

I`m in Adelaide too mate and built up a pretty monster gym over time.

The main places here are not that great I`ve found. They all seem to stock Force USA stuff which I`ve tried in the past and didn`t like.

I`ve bought a fair bit from Southern Workout Store. The main guy there is pretty helpful and has given me a fair deal with the stuff I have bought from him over time.

I love training at home, the gym is open 24/7/365 and has no idiots using it! I never have to wait to use stuff and can wear what I want and listen to what I want! Well worth it!

If you are just starting out I wouldn`t worry too much about having a monster set up, just get something entry level and as time goes on, and you find you are enjoying it, then you can upgrade.

Gettingbigger said:

I`m in Adelaide too mate and built up a pretty monster gym over time.

The main places here are not that great I`ve found. They all seem to stock Force USA stuff which I`ve tried in the past and didn`t like.

I`ve bought a fair bit from Southern Workout Store. The main guy there is pretty helpful and has given me a fair deal with the stuff I have bought from him over time.

I love training at home, the gym is open 24/7/365 and has no idiots using it! I never have to wait to use stuff and can wear what I want and listen to what I want! Well worth it!

If you are just starting out I wouldn`t worry too much about having a monster set up, just get something entry level and as time goes on, and you find you are enjoying it, then you can upgrade.

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It's funny you should mention that. I was over there earlier and I went to 2 different locations to look at the gear. I felt like I wasn't getting the help I needed and it just felt like people were fighting for sales. I was the only person in there so I guess it makes sense, but anyway I spoke with someone and they told me they couldn't match the price but they could do it for a $250 more and with a pretty ordinary looking bench and only 100kg of weight instead of 145kg. I told them I was not interested in that deal as it was more than I was going to spend. The sales person told me he could not do anything better, but his manager was coming in to the store to cover his shift while he makes a delivery. He then told me that if anybody could do a better deal, it would be him.

It turned out that the manager was in fact the owner. I explained the situation and he was bending over backwards to help me out (I have never had this service from anybody in one of their stores before) - He is going to price match this same MMPR deal I want but instead of a MMPR I will get the Bodyworx LU47PC which can be found here and for better details and closer pic look here It's their light commercial model. There was 2 other types of racks there. One was a body solid and the other one was a healthstream I believe. Hands down the Bodyworx is clearly the best there, It looks like a super commercial model in comparison to the others, it was bigger, stronger and thicker with a more solid frame. It doesn't weigh a lot, but it sure is designed to support the weight well. It has a weight rating of Cage: 365kg Pulleys: 180kg. It has quick release safety bars which are easy to move around and the same as the J Hooks. I'm actually really surprised by the build quality. I was swinging around on it with all of my weight (Almost 100kg) and it didn't budge. The other 2 racks there had slight lateral movement and they were slightly wobbly when performing like a monkey. It seriously surprised me. It has welded corner brackets the same as the Cyberfit one and a multi grip chin up bar (hammer style) the same as the Cyberfit one. The pulley runs off 2 points like the Force USA one, not that it should make a whole lot of difference but it looks better than the MM one judging by pictures of the MM

Because they don't have the same bench as the Muscle Motion one, He said he would include this bench Bodyworx C430UB Compared to the others there this one was superior in strength and build. It's a commercial bench and was like a rock. It has wheels at the top for movement and great angles for the positioning. It was their best bench. They have given me the same amount of weight obviously (145kg) but they have given me a choice of either this Power Maxx weight or this stuff which is there own preference. Both are rubber coated and have metal centres. I'm still undecided of which to get. I upgraded the bar to a Force USA Commercial Grade Olympic Barbell rated at 1500lbs with Thrust Bearings, for an extra $100.

I am still getting the same finance deal and this way I don't pay for freight and if anything happens, my warranty is literally 5 minutes around the corner. I am still undecided as to which way I will go, but at least now I have a local option for the same price

Yeah the bloke you dealt with will be Krishna. He is a decent bloke and has sorted me out every time. I`ve bought heaps of full commercial stuff from him and his prices have been good.

Olympic plates are pretty much the same, as long as they weigh what they say. Go for the cheapest ones I guess.

Gettingbigger said:

Yeah the bloke you dealt with will be Krishna. He is a decent bloke and has sorted me out every time. I`ve bought heaps of full commercial stuff from him and his prices have been good.

Olympic plates are pretty much the same, as long as they weigh what they say. Go for the cheapest ones I guess.

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Yes, it was Krishna, he was very genuine and honest! I might get a combination of the 2 weights. Why not

Hi,

I've never seen one of the BW racks in person but I had a quick look online and my only comments would be that as far as I can see, there are no holes for mounting j-hooks on the front facing out - which means all work would need to be done inside the rack (so no oh press for one). With the lat-pull down there, you also cannot get a bench in far enough to bench off the back hooks. Both of these combined I think does limit the usability of the BW rack.

Anecdotally, we've also had feedback from people that the mounting rods on the j-hooks on this rack are very short, and that they only thread through one hole on the rack (see image below - same model but diff chin bar and no lat pulldown)).



Looks sturdy enough otherwise.

littlebloke said:

Hi,

I've never seen one of the BW racks in person but I had a quick look online and my only comments would be that as far as I can see, there are no holes for mounting j-hooks on the front facing out - which means all work would need to be done inside the rack (so no oh press for one). With the lat-pull down there, you also cannot get a bench in far enough to bench off the back hooks. Both of these combined I think does limit the usability of the BW rack.

Anecdotally, we've also had feedback from people that the mounting rods on the j-hooks on this rack are very short, and that they only thread through one hole on the rack (see image below - same model but diff chin bar and no lat pulldown)).

Looks sturdy enough otherwise.

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Thanks for your comment mate I missed those things!

I will go back in tomorrow and double check this and report back about the other things you mention also - I am finding it so hard to get something local that is still solid and good quality!

Gym and Fitness are my next stop tomorrow to look at Force USA gear. I can see you stock this yourself, anything I should look out for there?