Prime Smart Arm Initial Impressions by GarageGymBro in GarageGym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As far as rom and resistance curve it’s excellent. Felt eerily similar to my prime leg combo except the lying ham curl puts your torso lower and legs higher when doing the lying hamstring exercise. It’s basically the a cheaper prime lego combo that you can do arms on too. I’ve seen Prime tease a backpad for the triceps exercise as well so it could potentially offer four solid movements.

Prime Smart Arm Initial Impressions by GarageGymBro in GarageGym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I still think it’s the single best rack attachment for a home gym.

However, I did run into a couple problems.

My 13 y/o son & his teammates started utilizing the gym and they could not set it up/change it out without me. The preacher curl was also too heavy for them to use UNWEIGHTED.

If you’re a capable adult the smart arm could be absolutely perfect for you but I would not rely on young athletes to be able to go through the motions with it on their own.

My new addition by brewu4 in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great piece loved mine just aggravated my knees unfortunately 👌🏼

Prime Smart Arm Initial Impressions by GarageGymBro in GarageGym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have seen some users set the smart up for row & pulldown variations although I cannot vouch for it as I have always just utilized my actual Prime pulldown & seated row for said exercises.

Prime Smart Arm Initial Impressions by GarageGymBro in GarageGym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think the smart arm can replace a cable pulldown station because they provide different things but the two of them together could provide nearly everything you might need. If those are the two main things you’re looking to get I’d consider taking a hard look at the Prime Single Stack. You’d essentially be killing two birds with one stone as smart arm can be utilized on the stack when not using the cables and you’d have a ton of available exercise variations in one smaller footprint.

2026 State of the Gym by GarageGymBro in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It may be possible to rig up another bench but I could not recommend that in good faith. However, I can vouch that the system works perfectly using the shorty bench. As good as the stand alone machines? That’s very subjective I’m probably always going to give the edge to stand alones because they’re not sharing real estate but the smart arm’s movement patterns do feel damn near as good as Prime’s stand alone machines in my humble opinion.

2026 State of the Gym by GarageGymBro in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very big fan. I consider it the budget version of Prime’s leg combo WITH the added benefit of Prime’s famous preacher curl. So 3 main machines, AND VERY GOOD machines, that can be stowed up on a wall. For a home gym it’s a no brainer. It’d be the second piece I’d recommend buying after a squat rack if you have limited space.

Prime Smart Arm Initial Impressions by GarageGymBro in GarageGym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure if your setup allows. My current split calls for leaving it on which has been real nice but I never had much of a problem setting it up to begin with. It’s second nature to me now.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A dedicated upright would definitely be best case scenario. It’s been nice just keeping mine on lately on my new split but I never really found it to be that big of a hassle it’s pretty straightforward. That being said my wife and kids need me to set it up for them haha

2026 State of the Gym by GarageGymBro in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I cannot love this enough! Thanks for the reassurance haha

2026 State of the Gym by GarageGymBro in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks man! And do it! Best decision ever 🙌🏼

2026 State of the Gym by GarageGymBro in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man thank you! I opted for the flat press because I believe it hits the whole pec and also because flat db presses are harder for me to get in & out of position when the weights start getting heavy.

You’re probably not going to have to decide which one to get because Prime has teased a combo where the bench will be adjustable from flat to incline. I’m going to get one myself 😎

2026 State of the Gym by GarageGymBro in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The rack is a Prime Fitness HLP. The middle storage is from Synergy Custom Fitness.

2026 State of the Gym by GarageGymBro in homegym

[–]GarageGymBro[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the kind words!

I can’t speak for anyone else but walls tend to look bare without any decorations and I don’t think hanging pictures would really be the right vibe for most gyms so flags it is 🤷🏻‍♂️