Leverage equipment?

[Campman]

Has anyone used the Body Solid SBL-460P4 Leverage gym and what is your opinion?

[mjh]

dear god, no. The fact that it has the words "freeweight" in the product name makes me very angry.

This site advocates free weights over machines: http://stronglifts.com/why-you-should-always-squat-with-free-weights/

This monstrosity is obscenely expensive. For that amount of cash you could get an amazing power rack, olympic bar and all the weights you could ever need.

[iLift5x5]

Well I guess I'm not going to be too popular in this thread then.

I'm using a mixture of leverage machine and freeweights the reason being is I needed to get something for the entire family. As much as I enthused about the prospect of using the freeweights. My Wife remembered what she'd used in the Gym before and she saw the whole freeweight thing as being more of a mens thing. Despite my reasoning I had enough cash and space for one major piece of kit (wanted power rack) and a bar and weight set.

The best compromise I could get to was the Powertec Workbench LS. By using the freeweights for deadlifts and eventually going the Steinburg lift route for squats when I get my initial strength back up I think I've got a fair compromise to keep everyone happy. Whilst I know leverage isn't ideal it's a start and it's got my ass off the couch and working out in my garage.

I freeweighted many, many years ago when I made my own weights and bars from discarded post office trolleys so I know the pros and cons only to well. Using leverage is a bit like riding a bike with stabilisers, yeah you may get to the same place but it's nowhere near as manoeuvrable, as much fun and most important of all you don't get the sensation of balance.

Anyway, I've been only at the program for a couple of weeks but already I'm seeing to fantastic changes within myself and I think I'm going to be on it for life now

The important thing for me is that I maintain the 5x5 programme as it's been getting the best workout routine I've ever had.

What's really funny though is although she saw the rack as a bit scary she's loving the 5x5 programme and is working out with me, so maybe later on I'll get the rack after all?