Bodymax CF500 Elite Leverage Gym With Bench and Preacher

Was a bit of a tight fit height wise but I removed a bit of the wooden floor which I've now replaced but it hasn't compromised any use I still have plenty of height for Lat pulldowns . I found the pulley system really smooth and quiet and easy to use . The lever system is quiet and lovely balanced action I was a little worried having to start bench press from low position but I found it easy to use and the fact it is strong and sturdy it's completely safe to use on your own a big plus in my book I've been using a smith machine for last 12 months I would say to anyone that this is a much better option if u only have enough space for one machine I actually find I can use 30% more weight on bench press and shoulder press defiantly worth the money and I'm looking forward to lots of useI've now had this machine 12 months it gets fully used 2ce a week and still as good as new very sturdy I use 140kg on lat pulldown it says 160kg is maximum so am bit worried going any heavier but up to now the cable hasn't worn or freyed the rubber coating after yrs of training on free weights I can't fault this machine I just ❤️ It

Liked the product disliked that it was delivered with missing parts

Quality . Gonna be a big boy in no time . Can lift monster weights.Bring it . He he he

Lever machines are inherently flawed because the weight always has to follow the path dictated by the levers, not your limbs. As a result, they are inefficient compared to free weights (or even cam machines) and don't work the stabilizing muscles that come in to play when you lift free weights. This is why, when you have trained on a lever machine and you think you can bench 250lb, its a rude shock to try free weights and find that really you can only bench 170! (Newbs actually like to be able to kid themselves about the amount of weight they can lift, but its not the way to actually progress). And note that on some exercises - notably on this machine, the squat - the constrained movement imposed by the levers is likely to injure you. Also on the squat, and the bench press, this machine makes you start from the bottom of the movement, meaning that your muscles are going from zero load to maximum right from the off, and at full stretch - rather than loading progressively as you do when taking a barbell off a rack and lowering into the movement. If you have £600 to spend, what you really need to do is get yourself a power cage and an Olympic bar. Now you can train heavy, in proper form, and in safety. Once you get used to a power cage you'll realise that these lever gyms are just beginners toys. Everyone who buys one ends up wishing they hadn't. Absolutely NO serious lifters use lever gyms in preference to a cage/rack and a bar.

If you read no more than this - sweet machine, love it, treat yourself!I've been training for many years and a few years back I started putting together a solid home gym, mainly weights based.I had one of those basic £100 lat pull down pulley machines, it was a bit rickety but did the job. I finally decided to spoil myself and fork out for something better, and after much studying came up with this, it's heavy, versatile and not too big.What a good decision, this is a quality machine, all very solid feeling, went together well, no missing bits or misaligned holes. The fittings all seem to be of a high quality, so expect this machine to last.To summarise by part/exercise:1. The bench - really heavy and solid feeling. Does incline or decline, seat inclines too. Has wheels to help move it around.2. Leg curl/extension attachment - fits in fairly easily, motion feels reasonable, not as good as a separate machine though.3. Preacher extension - well put together, adjustable height, suitable position for preacher curls, either bar or dumbbell.4. High pulley (pulldowns/triceps) - very nice smooth motion, no wobble. High enough for full extension (I'm 6"2 with long arms). Because of the leverage action be prepared to move more weight than normal, old pulley working weight was 70kg on this I need 110kg+. Knee pads for pull downs fold neatly out of the way.5. Low pulley (rows/biceps) - Again a smooth comfortable motion, footrests are fine for rowing, can do wide or close quite happily. Curls are good too, the machine is so heavy it doesn't rock or wobble like the lighter ones. Again expect to use more weight.6. Lever arm (bench press/squat/shrug/calves) - good action, has proper heavy bearings on the pivot. Comfortable to use, especially good for static hold work like shrugs or calves, just the right position. Benching is fine, obviously not as free as a barbell, but safe and easy to control, I tend to do flat with a bar and incline on this. The lever arm also folds out of the way when not in use.In terms of the rest mine came with a wide handle, short bar and one single handle. I already had a rope and close grip handle, so can't really wish for any more. No maintenance issues in the 3 months I've had it, no sign of wear on the cable, just some scratches where the weights slide on.To summarise: great machine, strong feeling, be prepared to invest in a few plates. Work hard and get swole!