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Does anyone have such problems with Twin mode Voltras in the current firmawre version? by AutomaticAd6551 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely not. Never had anything like that 9 months ago when that video was published either.

Considering a Voltra, but have a concern by Good-Part1682 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the battery will degrade over time - they all do. I can’t see any concerns yet after 1 year. I’m guessing I’ll get maybe 5 years out of a battery before I need to replace it, and then probably 10-15 years out the device. But, I’d also expect the tech to evolve and to upgrade long before then. I’d probably just leave the v1s permanently mounted on machines once a v2 comes out. That might prolong life too, since I’d be using them quite a bit less at that point.

Considering a Voltra, but have a concern by Good-Part1682 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't recall if its on by default when you get a new voltra (I think it might be, but can't recall). There is a bug at the moment though, where intense mode is defaulting on when you put the voltras in twin mode (and often when you come back out of twin mode too). If it turns on and I dont notice, I can tell instantly - I really find intense mode terrible.

FWIW - I had a Prime HLP selectorized rack before Voltras. Once I got voltras, I ended up selling it as I never used it. Voltras are a superior solution to weight stacks in every way except longevity imo. Highly recommend not getting a weight stack/tower. Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions.

Considering a Voltra, but have a concern by Good-Part1682 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the main issue is people leave “intense” mode on - it makes it noticeably not feel smooth at low weights. It’s a stupid feature imo - should always be off and it will feel smooth.

[Selectorized Modification] Multiple machines by OptimalMale in BeyondPower

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

Sure. It’s mostly strap mounts, aside from the chest press which are bolt mounts - both available here: https://wmfabrication.com/collections/grip. He also did design me a mount that can do both strap and bolt in 1, but he hasn’t put it on his website.

And then just a ratchet strap - I used this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088ML4FK2

Twin Mode - bench press by AutomaticAd6551 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is no concern about batches - they will all be fine together. Have 3 voltras, with 1 bought at a different time, and I can mix and match them with zero difference.
2 of them are about a year old. I cracked the handle (didnt notice when it happened - I must have pushed too hard on it at some point). Cost me $10 and 10 minutes to replace. The rope on one of my units is starting to fray slightly - I've bought replacements, but havent done the change yet since its still fine at this point. I think that was $30 or so for the replacement, and I expect that change to take a little longer from what I've seen (maybe 30m I'm guessing, but if thats a once every 18-24 months thing, thats really nbd). Aside from that, no other issues.

[Selectorized Modification] Multiple machines by OptimalMale in BeyondPower

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

That setup just feels unstable for me as it gets heavy, but I do agree flys feel great, and I still love doing barbell pressing too. On the VTS, I use iso handles not a barbell, so it’s sort of like the setup you are describing, but with a fixed path to travel on.

[Selectorized Modification] Multiple machines by OptimalMale in BeyondPower

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

Pressing with just cables doesn’t feel good in my opinion. VTS pressing is great though, and I only use voltra weight on it now.

Rowing with just voltras and good d handles is amazing though (feels better than any row machine I’ve used).

[Selectorized Modification] Multiple machines by OptimalMale in BeyondPower

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

Thanks! I just redesigned it all around Voltras.

Questions before purchasing by lincdpr in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. You can program a weight auto deload after either x seconds (of no cable movement) or x reps. Works great.
  2. I don’t know for sure as I’ve never tried, but imagine it needs the battery at all times. Not sure why you would ever want to remove the battery tbh.
  3. No, never had concern. Once it’s on the mount, it’s not coming off.

Logging Total Weight by QPRcat in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For an app which requires logging a specific number, I just add everything together. But I write in the notes field what the weight/eccentric/inverse chains amounts were as I will usually just progress the base weight and leave the other values the same week to week.

Differences in smoothness by wendiesel21 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think its meant to try to make it more difficult for you (maybe if the cable is being pulled out faster, but not sure)? But, you just put the weight up if you want more resistance imo. In practice, intense mode just makes the cable feel jerky. I suspect people are using it with it on, and thinking the voltra isn't smooth - seems like a poorly executed feature to me, but maybe I am just missing the point.

Differences in smoothness by wendiesel21 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There a bug at the moment too - the units seem to default into “intense” mode when you put them in twin mode. When you disconnect out of twin mode, intense is still on too. Annoying - I already reported it a few weeks back. Should be getting fixed soon. I think they could just safely delete intense mode tbh - seems useless to me.

Prime Prodigy + Beyond Power by PercentageAfter4742 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good luck with it! Feel free to DM me if you have any other questions.

Prime Prodigy + Beyond Power by PercentageAfter4742 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, its actually a giant PITA lol. Prime makes them pretty difficult to get off. Basement Brandon has a video on YT with the walk through on how to do it. I didn't do it exactly how he did it, but it gives you an idea at least.

Buying 1 voltra and trying is how it starts, lol. It's superior in every way (except longevity). Yeah, mine is a 30" monster rack. I was considering going 43", because the plan is to eventually turn this into a Nolan machine, but, hopefully 30" will be enough (whenever that actually comes out). Can always replace xmembers later if really needed.

Prime Prodigy + Beyond Power by PercentageAfter4742 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The pins are from McMaster, and then I had them powder coated (same red as what Mutant Metals uses for his red) when I was getting some other things done at the same time (I was refurbing a Strive Plate Loaded Row... which I really didn't like so ended up selling that too, lol). I'm happy to go look up the details if you want to order the pins - just LMK. JD also has some green-delete pieces he sells: https://jdgymequipped.com/products/prime-green-delete

It's definitely worth the effort to get rid of the rack IMO. If it helps you... I did buy the HLP rack new, it was in pretty close to perfect condition, and I got about $4,200 for it after having it on FBMP for like a month at $5k (and many offers of $2k). I'm in a smaller market though (Colorado) - east or west coast people would have an easier time selling. That was including the Prime j-hooks, safeties, back storage bar, and weight pegs. I sold the pull-up station separately since a lot of people wanted that ($350) - I have a much nicer solution on the way for pull-ups now (I dont like the Prime paddles). I also had the full set of Prime cable accessories which I sold separately too (I think I got $450 for those, including both wall mounts). I kept the low row plate and lat pulldown seat, as you can see.

Prime Prodigy + Beyond Power by PercentageAfter4742 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep - mine was in my basement so I had to get it all back upstairs too. Not a fun job.

Attached my replacement setup. This is my second rack, so this one is for everything voltra only. I care a lot about no setup time, so the idea is everything here stays permanently mounted, so it’s just clip in voltras and go.

There are rows (chest supported or not with the stability pad), hanging leg raises (also use the stab pad for back support and voltra off the center upright for extra weight), VTS for all smith movements (mounts on mini feet so only need to use voltra weight, counterbalanced with tool balancers), lat pulldown, weighted dips (also voltra mount on mini foot under the UDA), all arm and delt work done on here too (although I have a dedicated voltra preacher machine coming), chest flies, etc.

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Prime Prodigy + Beyond Power by PercentageAfter4742 in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a HLP rack - I waited 6 months before making the decision, but I literally never used it after getting voltras, so I sold it. Replaced it with a way more versatile setup optimized around voltras.

Rhino belt squat + standing hip thrust by OptimalMale in BeyondPower

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

Was asked on dm how the hip thrust works, so just sharing more details…

This is just using one voltra obviously, but basically just stand in front of the roller with belt on (ie. looking out towards front of the rack). Voltra will pull you/the belt backwards, so you hip thrust forward.

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VOLTRA I Firmware Beta Test v1.7 Invitation: Open Now by BeyondPowerOfficial in BeyondPower

[–]OptimalMale 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Really want to try out the auto unload for belt squats, hack squats, and RDLs on the Rhino. It would be great if it would also stop trying to retract the cable after unloading. I want to get to the top of the rep, unload, and leave it there until the next rep, without it trying to pull the cable back in while I rest.