After working with the XR45 I can say that it is comparable to the machines at my local gym. I rarely use them, but I am actually impressed with the quality of this unit for the low price of under $250.
My wife and son are more than satisfied and it will take them awhile before they outgrow the weight stack. I also have numerous methods of easily increasing the weights for them when that time comes.
On days when I just can’t make it to the gym, it is nice to know that I can still get a little something done at home (comparable to the workout in a hotel gym). From my perspective, the gym will pay for itself in two years of consistent use. After that it is all gravy.
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| Gold's Gym XR45 |
There is a pull-out that comes with the gym to help guide you through the exercises. I thought it a shame that Gold’s couldn’t spring for the extra paper to give each model its own exercise guide, but what do I know about customer expectations? ;-)
- Bench Press (chest press really)
- Butterfly (pec deck)
- Preacher Curl
- Leg Extension
- Leg Curl
- Abs Crunch (possible but uncomfortable)
- Triceps Press Down (triceps push down)
- Stiff Arm Push Down
- Back Extension (cable rows)
- Dead Lift
- Side Bends
- Shoulder Shrugs
- Overhead Extensions
- Isolation Curl
- Standing Curl
- Lateral Raise (possible but uncomfortable)
- Bent Lateral Raise (possible but uncomfortable)
- Front Raise (possible but uncomfortable)
- Upright Row
- Bent Row
- Back Extension
- Lat Pull Downs
There are some issues with the way this system was designed. The weight stack is very handy. One slide of the pin and you can change the weight. It is real weight and not some ever-changing stretchy weight. Unfortunately, the weight is different at each part of the gym due to the pulleys / friction in the system. Here is an example. The high pulley used for Lat Pull-downs (you know the same exercise you see people do in the gym because they cannot do pull-ups) has 18lbs of weight with just one plate engaged on the stack. That same plate weighs 46lbs at the low pulley (used for Leg Curls / Leg Extensions) and 13lbs at the Butterfly Arm. Now I don’t have a problem with this, but if you are someone who hasn’t been to the gym in a while and you try to do a 46lbs single leg curl, you are not going to be a happy camper trying to do sets with 46lbs. I find it hard to believe that someone designed it this way so I have no choice but to believe that it is actually one of the exercises from another machine that shouldn't have been included on this one. Even from this perspective, one has to cringe at the liability associated with not being clearer with the exercise guide. The target demographic for these products are beginners, because few people with any experience in resistance training would forgo the gym to purchase one of these machines for themselves unless they had very different needs or had endless disposable income. Remember folks, I could pay my gym off for the next two years for the price of this setup. In my gym I am not limited to a single machine, I have a range of dumbbells, barbells, machines, racquetball courts, etc., etc., …
On a positive note, a majority of the exercises are as good as on the gym machines and they can be done at anytime in the privacy of my own home. If you are set on getting a home gym and can’t afford to spend a lot of money, I can still recommend this setup.
Next post explains why I stick with free-weights.
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3 comments:
I'm the one using this machine & it's ok. I wouldn't recommend it for someone just starting out. The weight on the single cable can be a bit much if you have never lifted before. Also, you have to be careful with your form because of the way you have to position yourself to do some of the exercises. Definitely not a good choice if you have back problems.
I know this is a very old post but Ive just recently started using my siblings XR45 and I like it.
I had lifted in my teens, stopped for 5 years, dwindled to 6'2 190, so Im not exactly a beginner but with some imagination a lot can be done with this.
1 Arm Preacher Curls(If working left arm rest left knee on bench, standing with right leg, reverse to do right arm)
raised leg sit ups(sitting on floor using leg curlers)
1 Arm Cable Fly(high pulley, use chain)
Incline Bench Press(by putting your hands on the top grip of the "half circle" grip you will get a much better upper chest workout)
Incline Push up(putting toes between bench and rollers)
Also there are heel/leg kicks and a thew other exercises on the poster that are xr45 compatible.
I do agree that the low pulley does seem to be a bit to much resistance for some exercises but isnt bad for things such as shrugs or sitting rows.
Ive only been using this for a very short period of time and my chest has grown so much my girlfriend says I grew 2 cup sizes.
i also own a 4 position free weight bench with adjustable dumbbells and bar and if I had to chose it or the Xr45 I would take the XR.
This will never replace a gym membership but to me that is comparing apples to oranges
Some pros over a gym tho
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- No line for machine
- No a$$holes working out near you
- Ability to do it completely on your own time.
- with tweaks and a few extras like kitchen chairs for chest or tricep dips , a tricep rope or whatever you can thouroughly target each muscle group.
- No pressure or feelings of embarassment most beginners feel in a gym filled with pro's.
- With adjustable free weights and a $50 bench, plus a exercise bike or treadmill, and you have pretty much a complete home gym.
This machine is also great to do supersets, very little down time to switch from bench to fly or fly to lat pull downs ect
Every day Ive been realuzing a new exercise i can do on this machine Ill post as I find them
----- Jason Williams
I had this machine for a few months before I put it out to garage sale.
It was ok for me, though the weight ranges on the pulley exercises started out way too heavy for my girls. I think if you are a bigger guy, this machine will work for you at home. If you are smaller or a beginner, not for you.
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