Home Gym Equipment

Reviews

The Inversion Machine shipped to me was not the model as pictured or as written up in the description of the product. It was a Weider Inversion System but a much cheaper folding product and did not have the adjustable ankle clamp method. Which is why I purchased the machine because the ankle clamp is much better than the foot and heel method. I am a Prime Member which really paid off in this case. The machine was shipped back vie a call tag for UPS, no cost to me. At the same time I re-ordered again and was promised by the customer service person, no problem; he saw the errors in the Amazon ad page and would have the page corrected and be sure that I was sent the right model from Weider. I WAS SENT A SECOND WEIDER INVERSION MACHINE AND YES IT WAS WRONG TOO. THE SECOND MACHINE WAS THE SAME AS THE FIRST ONE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE CSP IN INDIA TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES THAT I WAS DESCRIBING TO HIM; EXCEPT ON THE SECOND ORDER I HAD LOOKED UP THE RIGHT PART NUMBER ON THE WEIDER WEBSITE AND GAVE IT TO THE CSP IN INDIA AND WAS PROMISED THAT HE WOULD BE SURE THAT I WOULD BE SHIPPED THAT MACHINE. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AND AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPS TO CALL AMAZON'S CORP. USA OFFICES AND GOT NO WHERE. I SENT THE SECOND MACHINE BACK AND PURCHASED THE MACHINE I WANTED FROM ANOTHER INTERNET SOURCE. NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER!!!!!!

I ordered this for my wife. If you look at the picture its a nice, well built unit with large frame and ankle straps to hold you in. What you get delivered to you is a cheap piece of junk that sells at for $129.99 at Kmart REALLY I SAW IT THERE. No large handles to pull you up,a small flimsy frame that folds up, and a chain to adjust how far you invert. When I tried to inquire about an exchange Amazon told me there was a problem with people getting the wrong product, nowhere is there even a option for an exchange for they correct item only a refund. I love Amazon the sell Quality stuff and great prices but this feels like some kind of bait and switch, hoping people will not figure it out until after Christmas and not bother to return it after spending an hour an a half putting it together.I feel cheated and being a Used Car Salesman it is hard to get my feelings hurt. Bottom Line they don't send you what you paid for so BUYER BEWARE.

The item depicted in the image of this product at Amazon.com is not the item Amazon.com shipped to me. After waiting eight days for delivery the product which was delivered was different than what I ordered according to the pictures shown on the items webpage at Amazon.com. I didn't realize the problem until the product was unpacked and being assembled in my basement. After lengthy conversations with Amazon.com customer service represenatives and management staff, the only way they were willing to remedy the problem was to offer me a refund. I don't want a refund. I want the item that Amazon.com lured me to buy - the item I thought I was buying. I have been defrauded and deceived by Amazon.com.

This is a great product, but if you recieve it and you notice parts are broken best of luck getting the parts replaced. I bought this inversion system in January and am still trying to get parts replaced. I have been sent parts I didn't need and am still waiting for two parts I do. I have however recieved one correct part! Again, poor customer service. It's too bad the customer service it so poor, I wouldn't buy from this company again.

This system looks to be the same as the Healthrider Inversion Table System but with uglier colors. I bought the Weider for the $229.00 shipped, but now it's more expensive now for whatever reason. This is a nice machine and sturdy. My friend has a different companies and it feels pretty flimsy in comparison. Assembly took about 3-4 hours and a ratchet and sockets (17mm and 13mm) and a couple of wrenches are very handy. No torque specs provided for bolts, so be careful not to over tighten certain bolts or screws. The back relief is evident the first couple of times I use it. I can immediately look over my left shoulder without the normal neck pain I've had lately. Be sure to follow instructions for use.

Reviews

Pros: very nicely priced (especially at Weider site) in comparison with other machines of this type; well built; and came pretty much put together already. Cons: This machine has no adjustment for shorter users - in other words, neither the length of the platform nor the cords can be adjusted. The lower frame has only one position available, which means that if you are under 5'10" or so and try to do the basic cardio exercise which involves sqautting and pulling on the cords, you probably won't be able to reach the cords behind you - - they're just too far away. Even if you grab them, when you finish the motion, your feet are no longer on the foot pad. You can get around this by doing the squats separately, or by leaving the bench only partially extended (which is not recommended by the manufacturer, as it leaves the bench unsecured). Other negatives: The unit does not come with any exercise program, whether on DVD, tape or just written - - just a chart of various exercises. It's left up to the user to develop a regimen. Also, the round plastic covers at the bottom of the frame are not wheels, which means moving this thing involves actually dragging or lifting it (and it's pretty heavy).

This home gym won't make you look like Rocky Balboa, but that is besides the point. This little bad boy is awesome. I am a fitness freak and needed something for the home because of a crazy schedule. It is more than worth the one hundred and odd dollars for the workout. Like I said you won't bulk up like Rocky, but you will break a sweat and stay in shape just using this if you are not lazy. Great piece of equipment to have at home; and, good for a temporary or supplemental workout for the regular gym. Save the whales mf's!

As an ex-collegiate athlete, I bought this machine so I could workout on my schedule. GREAT investment. I use it several times a week. The machine is very heavy duty with heavy gauge steel tubing, and is also very stable, no tipping even at the highest incline. I am able to get a full upper body workout, and do several lower body exercises. Though it could be modified to accommodate a few more lower body exercises, the TBW 5000 works great for what it is designed to do, and is a great value for what I paid.

When I was young (in the 70's), my father purchased the first generation of these machines. After the novelty wore off, it became my machine. I had never saw anything like it until Chuck Norris started selling a similar machine in the late 90's. I thought I would get one, but it was too expensive. Last week, I purchased this Weider Total Body Works 5000. It is a lot heavier than the one we had in my youth. This weighs around 70 lbs, where as the one I had weighed around 35 lbs. This machine is real quality. It reaches a higher incline than my old one and is built for more exercises. I've been training my 11 yr old son, so I've had to lower the incline. I've noticed that if you lower the incline to the lowest notch, there is a knob in back that hits the ground, so what I did for my son was put the incline on the second notch and place books under the back of the machine. Based on the thickness of the book, determined the incline. In a week, he quickly went from a slight incline to fully at the second notch. I love to work out, so I doubt if this machine will go unused. I will also make my son use it as training for his swimming, but my wife and daughter will probably not use the machine. Like anything, if you don't build up a habit of working out, this machine will be just another piece of furniture. I would encourage you to block out a specific time each day to work out. When asked how do I find the motivation to work out each day, I tell them "don't think about it, just do it". The moment you think about it, you will justify why it will be better later. Oh, one more thing that I noticed in the comments. This is hard to fold up to store. This is both right and wrong. If you can lift the gym, then it is easy to fold it up. But, like I mentioned, it weighs around 70 lbs. So, it would not be easy for women and children (no offense -- I do know a few women that can lift over 70 lbs over their heads, but this is an exception rather than a rule). So, if you are committed to work out every day (or at least every-other day), you will love this machine.

I have been comparing these type of machines to establish some customer service before purchase - and its been over 13 days and Wider has not responded back to any thing that i requested - Warranty on parts / parts replacement / when they will have some in stock on the web site - Absoutley NOTHING back - if you can't back up your product, why should we buy it - I am considering other products that cost more, but have customers in mind!!!!!

Reviews

It's not the caliber of something you use in your local gym, but for home use, it more than suffices. It's not compact however. To actually use this piece of equipment, it probably requires a good 6'x7' space. Regardless, it's sturdy and fairly easy to assemble. Some of the pre-drilled holes don't line up perfectly, but those issues were nothing that a little elbow grease wouldn't solve. Assembly took about 90 min. I would absolutely recommend having a socket set with both a 13mm and 15mm attachment and a rubber mallet. The socket set will speed the tightening of about 30 nuts and the rubber mallet will help you get some tricky pieces aligned without scratching or denting the materials. All in all, it's a good piece of equipment for the money. I would absolutely recommend it.

Bought this a year ago and it's like I just put it together. I have a feeling this will be in my home gym for a very long time. Sturdy, durable, lightweight, easy to put together...everything you would want in a home-gym accessory.

I was looking for an AB workout device. After trying and/or reviewing the many products on the market I decided on the Power Tower. It's not some fun gadget or flash-in-the-pan gimmick device. It works you hard and brings the burn. No helpful springs or rockers - just hard work for reliable results. Excellent choice if you are serious about hard work and REAL results. Assembled easily.

I bought this machine for P90X back routines. I just finished back and legs today and I must say this machine is solid. It has a bar at the bottom to help with assisted pull ups. I found that by using the bar at the bottom, I could get more reps and really work the back. On a similar note, I bought pull up assistance bands to go with the machine. During assembly, I slipped the bands through the pull up bar before tightening the screws. The verdict is still out on the bands plus by using the assistance bar at the bottom of the machine, I may not need them.

Once again I get reminded of the lesson: "you get what you pay for". I might as well have taken $170.00 and burned it. This product is way overrated as far as weight capacity. 300 lbs? HA! I am 6'2" and 230 lbs and I cannot safely use the dip bars. They are long and create a lot of torque on the TWO PIECE and TOO THIN main uprights. The pipes twist and flex so much that I just have to stop the reps. Has everyone seen the video of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge oscillating and crashing into the river? That is what starts to happen when you use this piece of equipment. The pull-up experience is not much better. At the end of your reps when you are trying to grind out that last one, you could flip this thing onto its side. This thing is narrow. The frame is only 24" wide. Weider advertises something like 42" wide but that is just the width of the pull-up bar itself. Think about how much side-to-side stability you might get with a 24" wide contraption like this made of thin wall pipes with multiple joints. That is right, ... NONE! This is an absolute piece of garbage and Weider should be ashamed to put this onto the market. The guy in their photos must weigh 170 lbs max. If you are 200 lbs or more DO NOT BUY THIS FLIMSY PIECE OF JUNK! (and yes, I put it together correctly and it is on a level concrete floor) Very dissatisfied.

Reviews

Well, let me start off by saying I bought this yesterday (Valentine's Day) returned it today because I couldn't find a door that would shut with the equipment installed. I'm disappointed because I think it would be a good exercise product & I was really looking forward to trying it out. I gave it 4 stars because of the price, quality & ease of installing/removing & storing it. I'd like to give it 3.5 stars though, b/c I couldn't find a place to use it in my apartment. Also, shop around.... I bought mine at a local Dick's store for $99.99 plus tax, didn't have to wait (or pay) for delivery. Pros: - Seemed well made for the price. (Didn't get to use it, so don't know about longevity, but nice out of the box) - EXTREMELY easy to install. From the box to installed in 10 minutes. Very easy to put up, take down & store. (I easily moved it around to every door in my apartment trying to find a good place to use it) - Small, light weight & portable. Cons: - The brackets that go over the door are wide so they'll fit over thick doors. They don't fit thin doors very well. - Instructions, which you don't see until you buy it, recommend installing the X-Factor on the side of the door that closes against the door jamb (for example, most doors open into a room, so you would have to install it & exercise on the side of the door that's in the hallway). The reason is to increase the strength of the door as you pull against it during exercise. They don't come right out & say it, but this reduces the chance that your door could bust open & fling against you during your workout. Referring back to my example, if you're exercising inside the room, the only thing holding the door shut is the door latch. - There MUST be at least 1/8" clearance between the top of the door & door frame (header). Same for the bottom of the door & the floor (sill). This is so the bracket can fit between the door & the frame/floor when you shut the door w/ the X-Factor installed. This is where I had problems and had to return it without any chance of using it. I found reviews on other websites (sorry, can't recall where), that a few people had the same problem but didn't give details, so I took my chances. One person said they trimmed the door shorter to fix the problem. I'm a renter, so that's not an option. Another point to be aware of, if your doors are hollow core, not solid wood, trimming them shorter may reduce their strength, and when you start pulling on them w/ the X-Factor you may end up damaging your door & hurting yourself. So, before you buy this, check your doors to make sure there's enough clearance & that you can install it in a place where you'll enjoy working out & be able to watch the videos too (back to my example... I don't know anyone who has a t.v. & dvd player in their hall). Also, Google around for other reviews. It seemed like there was a mix beginners & pros, and there was a variety of opinions. The pros felt it was a good "back-up", but wouldn't give up their pro equipment, and the beginners thought it was a good product to start with. Not sure if this will add to your decision or not, or your opinion on my review... so here's a little about me: I'm a 34 yr old female. I work in an office all day, and am very disgusted w/ how out of shape I've become from sitting on my butt for up to 70 hrs a week. I want something that will exercise my whole body and can be used in short or long time frames for a good work out. I also want something that doesn't take up a lot of space & is easy to move around as necessary, and, yah, doesn't cost a fortune either. I really thought I struck gold w/ X-Factor. Bummer... the search continues. Good luck in the frustrating quest to find exercise equipment that's right for you!