Favorite gym equipment

[DecaForDessert]

I see you man and you seem like a nice dude but you posted over 20 posts yesterday.

You’re wrong for that and I prefer you don’t call me a friend until you grow up and figure that out. I’ve been here 20+ years you don’t think we all see you hiding out in 2-3 threads all day every day boosting your post count up and using AI to craft 99% of your posts?? Seriously?

Now.. moving forward to redirect this thread back on track this will be my last reply about this but consider your next posts (all of them) carefully because from now on every member who reads this is watching for the name @DecaForDessert name to pop up to see if it’s the same bs and I guarantee they all noticed it way before I did. Keep doing what you have been since March and good luck to you bud. It doesn’t end like you hope.

If you want a second chance to start all over again on the board, properly introduce yourself in the New Members Forum like you didn’t in March and start trying to become a better overall contributor I would absolutely call you my friend on the board and stand by your side no matter what if your showing us.

If you at me again I won’t do anything.
You’ll have done it to yourself because people read this sh** man.

(I would just come back with a new account and name because “Deca for whatever” doesn’t suit anything you’ve posted since March)

1. Heard, I did not know that I was causing a forum-wide issue and disruption. Sincere Apologies to anyone that I seem to have impacted, I did not know that there was a target on my back. I will cease posting.

2. I work for a living; this was supposed to be a place to hang out with like-minded people who shared the same passion I do and were excited to deep dive into interesting topics together. I do not have an attraction to my post count, it is a meaningless number to me.

3. Just because you articulate yourself in a different way than I do does not mean I utilize AI to "boost my post count" (I can not get over how stupid this accusation is, I literally own an Automation company that utilizes N8n and Agentic rag to audit and automate repetitive tasks in established corporations. Your AI buzzword usage comes off as uneducated and ignorant).

4. I have no interest in being your "friend"; it was a light-hearted response pointed at your odd crash out over me apologizing for misreading a post. You had an episode, and honestly, there was no intelligent response to you saying, "Don’t ever try and extract sympathy from me again". Your ability to converse in a normal human fashion with me seems to be lacking, and quite frankly, I can see your blood pressure rise when you type.

5. Still stuck on how unintelligent your AI accusation was, might I recommend a dictionary (pick your favorite brand) when you struggle to understand 5+ letter words that I use.

6. I laughed at your post because it reads as satire; no emotionally intelligent person communicates like that. I literally thought you were putting on a show, when in fact the reality was even more amusing because you weren't kidding.

7. The interest you have taken in my username is quite cute, next time, I'll put my social security in it so that it is more personal

8. If you were able to make it this far, count me impressed. Congratulations on the 20+ years; they have shaped you to be one of the most abrasive people I have had the displeasure of interacting with.

Next time you have an issue with someone and you have been stalking their profile to gather the metrics that you have posted, feel free to interact with the "Start Conversation" button and have an adult conversation as to why you are having your episodes over my posts. Calling me out can be done in an adult fashion, or it can be done as you did it. You come off as being homeschooled by a Pigeon, quite frankly.

-This post was written with AI-

 

[massephase]

My dream gym equipment
-seated hamstring curl - old flex
-hacksquat - flex/startrack or atlantis
-leg press - nebula
-pec deck/rear delt - prime
-leg extension - prime
-panatta lat pulldown - plate loaded
-Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded Iso-Lateral Row
-cybex smith

plus some abductor and addctor, hyper ex bench, adjustable bench, barbell, power rack,cable crossover multi station, dumbbells up to 150lbs and I don't need anything else

my gym has everything on your list other than the prime pieces hehe. The flex hamtractor is simply amazing .

Here is my list

machines
>> flex hamtractor
>> cybex hack squat
>> Hammer Strength flat bench
>> bodymasters cxp row (amazing for single arm lat rows imo)
>> gym80 chest supported t-bar or the watson t-bar
>> nebula leg press
>> cybex smith or an angled one by lifefitness
>> nautilus xplode pulldown or the hammer strength ISO lateral front lat pulldown
>> Schnell unilateral plate loaded leg extension - this thing is big though, not very garage friendly. It also seems to be rare, couldn't even find a picture on google. Schnell equipment has adjustable lever-arms for adjusting resistance curves
>> for close grip benches, a standing bench press machine is great (we have an old one by Schnell)
>> the gymleco pin loaded scott curl machine (gymleco 350 bicep curl)
>> a dip machine ... I like the life fitness signature series seated dip (pin loaded), but the weight stack is quite limiting
>> also indispensable would be an adductor machine and some kind of cable tower

other stuff
the other stuff is obvious, barbells, dumbbells, a power rack, something to do dips on and an adjustable bench ... maybe a landmine for t-bar rows

 

[luki7788]

my gym has everything on your list other than the prime pieces hehe.

I hate you

 

[Mufasa123]

My opinion.

All these new fangle machines will not change where you stand in the line-up on stage.

Good for variety, working around injuries and attracting people to your gym. Oh . . . can’t forget safety but that’s about it.

But it all boils down to consistency and progression regardless of the tool. Any tool is subject to misuse and abuse. It’s how you use the tool (talking here about bodybuilding) all else being equal.

Consistency.

Reminds me of what Bart Starr, football star QB and coach said. He said that in each offense play, if they had just moved the ball three more inches they would have won the Super Bowl.

Again it’s about consistency. Just one more rep or half rep, one more pound or half a pound, over time using free weights or machines is what makes a winner.

Sorry for the segway but couldn’t resist.

While not common, in the home or personal gym niche culture many lose site of this. They end up spending more energy searching and acquiring the perfect pieces (which can be fun for sure) as opposed to lifting for progress and diet. Acquisition and swapping becomes a hobby - nothing wrong with that but if you got into it for progress all the deals in the world won't substitute for work using the equipment.

This is one of the reasons space limitations are a blessing. You have to choose first what is absolutely needed and then move do it own to limit your "Want List.". I'd been lifting for 25+ years so I didn't make many mistakes or "should have" purchases. I wish I had a little more space for a few pieces but that's the way of everything in life. It was a fun period of years building it out but I don't think I've gotten anything new in ages with the exception of a specialty bar and a rack mounted single bar holder for convenience and fast swapping (all of $50 I think and I love it!).

 

[alfresco]

While not common, in the home or personal gym niche culture many lose site of this. They end up spending more energy searching and acquiring the perfect pieces (which can be fun for sure) as opposed to lifting for progress and diet. Acquisition and swapping becomes a hobby - nothing wrong with that but if you got into it for progress all the deals in the world won't substitute for work using the equipment.

This is one of the reasons space limitations are a blessing. You have to choose first what is absolutely needed and then move do it own to limit your "Want List.". I'd been lifting for 25+ years so I didn't make many mistakes or "should have" purchases. I wish I had a little more space for a few pieces but that's the way of everything in life. It was a fun period of years building it out but I don't think I've gotten anything new in ages with the exception of a specialty bar and a rack mounted single bar holder for convenience and fast swapping (all of $50 I think and I love it!).

It has been my experience that my best workouts (and progress) have been in gyms with the bare minimum, the least amount of equipment. And I like it that way.

 

[gauge22-v2]

The chain-driven Nautilus pullover should be on every back list.

I was a regular at a gym in the mid-90s that had this. Pads were all cracked and covered with duct tape, yeah it was a dungeon of sorts, but I fricking loved that thing. Even the sound the chain would make when doing reps.

Why hasn't a modern equipment company replicated this bad ass!!

 

[gauge22-v2]

This thread is incredible.

I am buying lottery tickets this week!

Imagine having almost an unlimited budget to design a house around a customized gym. Cold plunge, dry sauna, and every piece of equipment imaginable....

 

[Mufasa123]

It has been my experience that my best workouts (and progress) have been in gyms with the bare minimum, the least amount of equipment. And I like it that way.

Probably because the attitude and seriousness of the members. Nothing like a great training crew or environment. This is the one negative to a home gym - unless of course your public gym options suck in those respects so better alone. Small private gyms with serious lifters was my favorite.

 

[pimpman]

No kidding? Congrats to him for turning shit around and living the American dream.

Do you have any of the cool ones locally that have the custom lighting or training rooms? AZ has a ton apparently

Oh yea the one I go to has everything. Movie theater cardio room, and a room with the lighting and mirrors where you can workout with your shirt off and film yourself training. I hate the loud hip hop music in that room. Plus all the teens without a shirt on . Unfortunately they have the best leg machines in that room

 

[comedycentral]

my gym has everything on your list other than the prime pieces hehe. The flex hamtractor is simply amazing .

Here is my list

machines
>> flex hamtractor
>> cybex hack squat
>> Hammer Strength flat bench
>> bodymasters cxp row (amazing for single arm lat rows imo)
>> gym80 chest supported t-bar or the watson t-bar
>> nebula leg press
>> cybex smith or an angled one by lifefitness
>> nautilus xplode pulldown or the hammer strength ISO lateral front lat pulldown
>> Schnell unilateral plate loaded leg extension - this thing is big though, not very garage friendly. It also seems to be rare, couldn't even find a picture on google. Schnell equipment has adjustable lever-arms for adjusting resistance curves
>> for close grip benches, a standing bench press machine is great (we have an old one by Schnell)
>> the gymleco pin loaded scott curl machine (gymleco 350 bicep curl)
>> a dip machine ... I like the life fitness signature series seated dip (pin loaded), but the weight stack is quite limiting
>> also indispensable would be an adductor machine and some kind of cable tower

other stuff
the other stuff is obvious, barbells, dumbbells, a power rack, something to do dips on and an adjustable bench ... maybe a landmine for t-bar rows

Bodymasters cxp line amazing and the row is up there with the best.

 

[alfresco]

Probably because the attitude and seriousness of the members. Nothing like a great training crew or environment. This is the one negative to a home gym - unless of course your public gym options suck in those respects so better alone. Small private gyms with serious lifters was my favorite.

I prefer to train alone. And do so now.

45 years ago I trained with a young man (I was young too back then) and I achieved my best results with about eight pieces of equipment . . . Olympic bar / 330 lbs., adjustable bench, adj dbs, ez curl bar, pulldown and push down apparatus, chin and dip bar with a weight belt. I think that was it. Forced us work extremely hard, we had no choice . . . that was the key . . . with a limited amount of equipment. And I (we) achieved my best results ever, excluding when I got on +TRT. Best fun ever

 

[Mufasa123]

I prefer to train alone. And do so now.

45 years ago I trained with a young man (I was young too back then) and I achieved my best results with about eight pieces of equipment . . . Olympic bar / 330 lbs., adjustable bench, adj dbs, ez curl bar, pulldown and push down apparatus, chin and dip bar with a weight belt. I think that was it. Forced us work extremely hard, we had no choice . . . that was the key . . . with a limited amount of equipment. And I (we) achieved my best results ever, excluding when I got on +TRT. Best fun ever

That equipment list was the first set of purchases for my first home gym even as a guy with 25+ years in at the time and an adult budget (more weight as I'd been lifting for a while). Though I didn't have a pulldown just pull up bar and dip station upstairs due to low ceiling - I called it the upper annex but it was my bedroom! I'd do overhead lifting outside.

That's all you need to get big and strong (food/diet obviously). I have some other pieces and I've upgraded and added but my lifting still mostly/80% revolves around that equipment.

I have friends in the OL/PL & S&C communities including guys who've won world/national titles and held world records (some great training partners and crews over time). Their gyms are similar. Mostly old school black iron stuff. When I was younger I trained with a guy who was a lifter at York during Paul Anderson's era and was close to Arnold who had him come to the Classic every year. He was mid-late 70s then I guess (long passed now is a safe assumption). Still had a black iron dungeon basement gym we lifted in. Wife called it his "iron pills".

 

[Swag71]

any panatta is good

 

[Pigsy]

This I one of my favourites in my home gym

 

[KyleSmith1985]

Nautilus
Icarian
Body masters
Flex Fitness

And for the love of god no Hoist, technogym, or lifetime fitness. Don't love Hammer strength either besides a few back machines. Its these brands that are in most commercial gyms in my area. Although I've seen Atlantis equipment starting to be in some EOS gyms.

 

[KyleSmith1985]

Most of my training is free weights but I do have some favs:

Leg Press: Nebula or BodyMasters late 80s/early 90s (love these and I'd own one if I had the room). Never tried a Pendulum - definitely on my list

Leg Extension: Strive/Prime (I have an old Strive combo unit LE/LC that Prime just re-released)

Functional Trainer: Prime with 2nd to Cybex Bravo (I have an Inspire which is amazing, smooth, and compact if you don't want to pony up big money)

Pullover: Old school Nautilus (I'd own this if I had room too).

Triceps Pushdown/Dip: Bodymasters made an old seated unit that have I have never found a better. Was really a dip style motion but hit tris so hard. Just perfect.

Reverse Hyper: Mine is a custom tilt-top but any of the tilt top commercials work. Rogue is a nice flat unit snd nothing wrong with it.

Adjustable Dumbbells: I think it was Cage who got the new Reppin models in the home gym thread. These look amazing. Otherwise Ironmaster or if you can find an old set of high end Powerblocks (I have these up to 120lbs).

Plates: classic vintage like York or other is cool or Ivanko chrome (don't age well with use!) but I own Ivanko Revolvers, Rogue comp style bumpers, and some standard iron. Plates are by far the most expensive thing in the gym. Buy once, cry once but damn. A lot of cheaper offerings out now. Ivanko is expensive unless you do a big commercial size order (bunch of us went in on one to a central location) and even then it's a premium option. Rogue 6 shooters and other options look nice.

Bars: Eleiko is my favorite but I don't own any. Don't skimp on a bar of all things but plenty of reasonable alternatives that are quality.

Reverse hypers are so underrated. Almost no gyms have them but I can't really blame them, no one uses them. They just end up being a table for people to put their shit on. I do them 5x/week and its made a world of difference for my lower back. I don't really use it as a hypertrophy tool, rather a recovery/theraputic tool.

 

[Brock456]

I got to try out some new stuff yesterday. Man these new machines blow Hammer Strength stuff out of the water! I still love old school pieces like Cybex/Nautilus though…..

1. Atlantis plate loaded incline press

2. Panatta vertical chest press - excellent converging chest press, got such a good contraction on this

3. New tech M torture Wide Chest Press - man this thing was super cool, another converging chest press, amazing contraction

A couple other cool ones - Atlantis plate loaded shoulder press, Atlantis lateral raise, Atlantis chest flye

Really really love the stuff from Atlantis

 

[lookslikesausage]

I got to try out some new stuff yesterday. Man these new machines blow Hammer Strength stuff out of the water! I still love old school pieces like Cybex/Nautilus though…..

1. Atlantis plate loaded incline press

2. Panatta vertical chest press - excellent converging chest press, got such a good contraction on this

3. New tech M torture Wide Chest Press - man this thing was super cool, another converging chest press, amazing contraction

A couple other cool ones - Atlantis plate loaded shoulder press, Atlantis lateral raise, Atlantis chest flye

Really really love the stuff from Atlantis

Atlantis makes a lot of excellent pieces. Some of their Hack Squat iterations have been top of the heap. I too like the Panatta Vertical Chest Press but the strength curve is a little off. It's too light coming out of the bottom position I've found. It's fine for me because my shoulder is kaput but I think healthy strong guys would need a lot of plates for it. Panatta's Super High Row is awesome. I was very impressed with New Tech when I tried a lot of their pieces last summer in of the Oxygen gyms, particularly a few of their chest presses.

 

[Mufasa123]

Atlantis, Prime and Panatta are top gear these days. There are others but these names are in there for sure on some of their better pieces. Well designed and quality heavy builds.

 

[MajinBoo]

Atlantis, Prime and Panatta are top gear these days. There are others but these names are in there for sure on some of their better pieces. Well designed and quality heavy builds.

In my opinion Panatta cannot be compared with top brands. Is too fancy but to fragile. Good for commercial gym maybe but not for bodybuilders.
Prime is good but strive was better. Gymleco is quite good, compact and heavy duty. I like Newtech provided you know how to adjust the machine for yourself.
Old cybex and smith are top too. Megamass and granite (designed with JP) are new brands with limited portfolio but what they have is top notch.

Nowadays if I would have to open a gym with a single brand it would be gymleco. Otherwise it would be a mix of the above.