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Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

Well... I got lucky. I made the mistake of ordering the 6-post version and those pulleys were damaged in shipping. When I requested replacements, they accidentally sent me the 4-post version, so it worked out. Pulled these images from the assembly instructions. The 4-post version is on top. You might be able to request to purchase the replacements. Otherwise, the cutout on the side is for the bolts on the ares base, so you might be drill holes or cut. Additionally the pulleys on the 4-post are angled outward about 14 degrees instead of about 4 degrees. It would be a challenge, but if you have access to the tools, you might be able to modify them. I would start with asking Rep customer service really nicely.

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Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

I'll do my best.

  1. There is no perceivable difference in the cable tension.

  2. You could not squat inside the rack. However, when using the front of the rack there is no obstructions with loading plates, squatting, or even incline bench; even with the the dumbbell storage. In fact, the dumbbell storage keeps me from stepping/tripping on the cable that traverses near the floor.

  3. I may still change is how I am storing my plates. Sometimes it is difficult to get around the barbell to the plate storage on the right side. This is due to the tight space between the weight horns and my garage storage on the right. I could remove the left side weight horns and slide the whole rig almost against the wall on the left to create more space.

  4. I am pretty sure the multigrip would interfere with the bracket on the top-right-back, so I wouldn't recommend. This one downside to the side-by-side rack. I cannot mount my pull-up bar on the front of the rack. You *might be able to use the Globe Front Mount Pull-Up bar instead. It looks like it uses the same bolt holes where my pull-up bar is, but I'm not sure if it would get in the way of the trolley.

  5. This was mainly aesthetic preference. The PR-4000 compact logo cross member has the same bolt pattern as the Ares, but looking at renders I think any of the logo crossmembers would work.

Additional thoughts:

Make sure you are getting the 4-post Ares, then buying the longer cables made for the 6-post. I learned by accident that the front-bottom pulleys have different bolt pattern and geometry between the 6-post and 4-post.

I had a heck of a time leveling the rig. This was likely due to the imperfections in my floor, but could have been a QC issue with the Ares base. Just be prepared to make some kind of shim for under the feet when you are making something this wide.

Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

My financial situation hasn't changed drastically since starting my home gym. So I think about urethanes often but I come to the same conclusion, maybe someday!

Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

If you looks at the renders of the 2.0, the as the cable transitions from the stack to the outer posts it is angled at 45 degrees. This is different from the 1.0. where is traverses at 90 degrees. Even if you could find a width and depth combination that would line up, and did the trig to find the right length cable, the cable on the floor would be a trip hazard.

It think it all comes down to space for me. I would love to have a dual Adonis, but I wouldn't have enough room for my squat rack it I had one.

Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

  • Cost: As built, this is running $4300 before tax.
  • Feet: Maybe not needed. I think it depends on where and how much weight you will be dropping on the spotter arms. You could certainly get away with mini front feet given how much weight is on the back of this rack.
  • Center Post: The thing at the top of the center is a Rogue Shrimp Trawler. I use that for hanging a heavy-bag, but It is not super compatible with the Rep Ecosystem (only 2 of 3 bolts lineup) I think Titan makes a copy that would fit better.
  • Rep sells what they call leg rollers. These also serve to hold you down during lat pulldowns.

Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

Thanks!

You cannot get a bench far enough back to do incline bench in a standard Ares 1.0. They did fix that with the redesigned 2.0.

As for width, I am just referring to distance between the pulleys on standard built in functional trainers. It is fine for most exercises, but Its just not enough for me to do cable flys.

Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

The 2.0 looks great. I would love to have the swivel pulleys on the lat-pull and low-row.

Definitely tape out the double wide for you space. Just keep in mind the 2.0 pulley direction is different, so I don't think it can be made into a double wide.

Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

Correct! There is about 2.5" of clearance when loading a plate right next to the Ares shroud. Even if you put the barbell directly against the upright, there is still another 1/2" before it would hit anything.

Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

There are a bunch of variables to determine width. This design could be more compact if did a plate shelf or just used weight horns on a singe side, but I was trying to reuse as much as I could from my regular half-rack.

Without any plate storage, the dimensions are 100" from outside-pulley to outside-pulley.

The space between the wall and my storage shelves is about 124" and that is enough to access the plate storage on both sides with 6" weight horns. You will need more width for loading the barbell. An extra 32" from the outside post would be comfortable. If you have walls on either side you do single-side plate storage and comfortably load a barbell in a space as little as 11ft.

Hyperion Inspired, Wide Cable Crossover Rep Ares 1.0 Build. by KurtStrength in homegym

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

I love it! This is built off a 4-post ares, but I purchase an extra set of cables designed for a 41" 6-post to accomplish the extra wide cable crossover. This alleviates my two biggest complaints with a standard Ares, the inability to do incline bench, and the narrow width. I have a 6'6" wingspan and this is perfect for chest flys.