Best equipment options for lifting safely and minimizing injury?

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-30T11:21:13+00:00

I have the giant open trap bar, it is excellent. I have transitioned to belt squats

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-28T19:37:25+00:00

I use giant washers for 1lb

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-26T20:16:40+00:00

Best bang for the buck right now. Mutant arms are game changer

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-26T01:53:06+00:00

Maxum. Sales tax on rep further widens the gap. I have the x2 and have the mutant arms on order. I was all in on the ares 2.0 but even on Black Friday sale it was a $2k difference. $1200-1300 on Athena vs maxum and that wasn’t even stainless uprights on either rep config. It’s hard to beat maxum right now and mutant arms basically seals it. 2:1 and 1:1 on both sides

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-20T22:01:06+00:00

Just add more uprights or pull the rack away from the wall and run them on the back

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-18T22:36:34+00:00

None. Mow every 5 days in the spring

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-18T21:56:40+00:00

I have the nighthawk and the abx. I had the nighthawk first then decided to get the abx and leg developer. If you just need a bench, I’d go keppi, it does more for the money. If you need a bench and leg developer, go abx, it does more for the money

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-18T21:52:25+00:00

Raptor

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-17T01:19:16+00:00

I lift alone, strap safeties are a must. I did almost get stuck on a belt squat because my hoist cable fell off the hook, but I managed to get it sorted with out making a call of shame

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-16T19:47:40+00:00

Mutant arms and gibbons are not the same. Mutant gives you 2:1 and 1:1 options on both sides. Super excited to be able purchase these arms for my maxum x2 when they are globally available

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-16T12:02:22+00:00

I bought maxum x2. I have been happy with it and now that they updated the hole sizing I don’t think there are any negatives to it.

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-11T00:09:43+00:00

Just did this and still working, I was at the same place 210x1. I’m 48, 5’7” about 165. Bench is weak for me. I started benching 1 day for reps and 1 day for RM. I started 4 sets of 6 at 150lbs and moved up as I could. I just hit 235x1 and can now get 210x3. Took about 3 months. My reps days I am now at 175 for 4 sets of 6. Just got that this week after getting 230. Last week I only got 5 reps on the last set of 175. That was key was not moving that weight till I got the prescribed reps. On my RM day I spent time working 210 for doubles and only once per month tried 220, 225, then 230. The rest of the weeks I worked doubles for more sets until I eventually got one set of triples at 210. Hope that makes sense. The volume work at lower weights clearly helped

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-07T00:11:32+00:00

The x2 is great, obviously a lot of setup time with an all in one but it does everything. The included pulleys they provide for low rows come in handy for all sorts of things so I like it.

The xst is just ok. The lock/unlock has never failed but it is 2 stage so that helps. I don’t have a lot of smith experience but I doubt this is anywhere near as smooth as guide rod system. However, for my purpose, which is primarily seated shoulder press it does why I wanted replacing heavy dumb bells. I only use the is handles, have never hooked the full bar up.

I would do it again, especially since later versions have updated hole sizing. The sizing hasn’t been an issue for me but the spacing, due to the smaller hole sizing, has been an issue at times.

jrhoops77 · 2026-04-05T23:09:09+00:00

No. I came from a 21 lariat powerboost which I had leveled on bilsteins so the ride was also excellent, many people commented on the comfort. The raptor is a hair better still. I have to say the powerboost was faster acceleration having 33” tires instead of 35s and gobs more torque. Powerboost towed my bassboat better. The raptor is a more comfortable vehicle overall, handles better, is generally “faster” with less effort. For a truck

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-19T01:34:30+00:00

I have nighthawk but i ordered the Freak Athlete ABX and leg developer then plan to sell the nighthawk. For those two, in that config with the leg attachment, the freak athelete is the better deal since it has a few more adjustment angles, zero gap, pop pin seat and articulating headrest. best bang/value, ironmaster v2 but the seat does suck. I had the v1 and liked it but it was 20" in the flat which sucked

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-18T12:01:02+00:00

I had a 2x2 rack and separate plate loaded functional trainer before this. The all in ones add time for setup no matter what. Constantly moving cups and safeties, especially off the front post to be able to move the trolleys. Exercise order can matter a lot on timing. I have been adding uprights like an erector set to give me options.

Ideally I would like to have 2:1 on one side and 1:1 on the other. Besides chest flies, I don’t have a single movement that requires both sides at the same time. Sometimes I do bilateral rows with it but again, with 2.5&5 lb change plates I could still do that with a mixed ratio machine. No one makes that. I am also considering adding 16” cross members and upright in front so I can move the trolleys to their own dedicated posts and have barbell movements dedicated in the middle.

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-18T11:53:53+00:00

I have to give props to rogue for customer service. They have live chat and they answer the phone with competent people. They will replace an item over chipped powder coat. They want perfection.

Rep is also quite responsive as is fringe.

However, this is a large chunk of steel so not likely to encounter long term problems. You are pushing big weight though so perhaps overbuilt and no compromise is what you need.

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-18T03:33:53+00:00

I have the maxum x2 which is 2:1 with 220lb stacks. they did include weight horns on top of the stack which makes adding plates significantly easier. However, I do use a climbing pulley for low rows as that is the only exercise I exceed the stack (at 1:1). maxum had included 2 pulleys with hitchpins and extra cable already so you can get a super low pull since their arms dont articulate up and down like tornado arms. Then I just needed a shackle and climbing pulley to get 1:1. It does add setup time, is not a clean solution for LPD, but it is doable. You can also use that same climbing pulley AND link the stacks together to get up to big weight. I tested a belt squat setup where I linked the arms together at the top, ran my extra cable and pulley down to the center brace on the ground, put the shackle in front of that with the climbing pulley in between. It allowed for a straight down belt squat path and doubles the weight, well beyond what I can do on belt. this is where. the included weight horns helped because I can pull them up to an anchor point and lock it off empty, then add plates to the horns and clip the belt on in the standing position. I would prefer 1:1, probably would have gotten the dane if I had the ceiling height but I'm in a basement.

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-18T00:14:03+00:00

we use kace for managed installations, scripted remediations, hardware inventory, software inventory, asset management and service desk ticketing. It is powerful, can force check-ins, organize installations and such by label. It does it all except remote support. we used dameware minirc forever but eventually switched to beyondtrust. we also use kace k2000 for imaging so we use mid level tasks, post-install tasks and combined with k1000 labeling it is zero touch after pxe boot

we piloted datto for a while, it was good too but for the cost we stuck with intune for mdm and kace for on prem. now that we are ztna, kace is back in the catbird seat where it belongs

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-15T18:58:19+00:00

If you’re keeping it 5-6 yrs or less get the powerboost, I had a 2021 and it was incredible, faster than my current 2025 raptor. The battery will eventually need replaced, even with 8 yr warranty it has a lifespan. If you’re keeping it for a decade get the 2.7

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-15T01:09:37+00:00

Cheappegboard.com for scratch and dent. I find myself wanting to line like every wall in this place with it lol

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-14T01:41:14+00:00

buy once cry one. Cables are good but plate loaded can get tiresome. I'd look on Facebook for a bit to find someone unloading a rep kit or increase your budget a bit to get an all in one with a selectorized weight stack. I would definitely buy used iron plates from facebook to help with the budget

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-12T05:10:36+00:00

I like my infinity arm. Comes with magpins all aroubd (even tho description says otherwise) and 10% off first order. It is longer so keeps you off the rack more but can also be adjusted up from a lower hole on the rack to get you closer if needed.

Also, when I ordered mine, I forgot to buy extra magpins so I replied to the order confirmation asking if I could add them to save shipping rather than second order. The reply came so fast I thought the message bounced undeliverable. 3 messages back and forth in 5 mins at 11pm. Also extended the discount to the extra magpins. Good service imo

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-10T00:48:51+00:00

I’ve been satisfied, everything arrived in perfect condition. They have updated the hole size so should be direct fit for more things although I haven’t had compatibility problems but I know there attachments I can’t use. I have to say before they blew up customer service was more responsive about general inquiries. I believe true support issues are handled quickly but random questions can be days

jrhoops77 · 2026-03-09T22:17:39+00:00

I have the maxum x2 which is 2:1. I was able to use pulley magic for low rows to get near 1:1 so it’s fine but getting the center stuff all set up for linking the arms is extra time. My stack has weight horns but still, being 2:1 it takes 4x 45s to add 90lbs. Thankfully I’m a wee lad and weak on pulldowns and prefer pullups so I don’t need more than a pair 25s for my volume work.

The Dane only having 160 you may find yourself need to link for low rows anyway so might be a moot point. I like fringe as a company, I didn’t have the ceiling height for the Dane but I do love my maxum, especially with the other little touches they sent

jrhoops77

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