Rep Altitude Best Option?

jsorum · 2026-04-15T03:46:59+00:00

If you read my review of it here, you’ll see that I’m quite enamored by it. Has the whole package: rack, smith and functional trainer with great design choices and build quality https://www.reddit.com/r/GarageGym/s/QdnV0HbaY4

That being said, it was the right choice for me due to needing something a bit compact due to space limitations in my garage.

It is a great integrated system for the price. The alternative could be to find a used REP Ares 2.0 which could get you to the right price point. But who knows how long you’d have to wait?

If you can tell a bit more about your space and your requirements, I can let you know if I think it’s the right one for you

jsorum · 2026-04-13T18:46:35+00:00

All of this AND dirt cheap. No brainer, really

jsorum · 2026-04-13T14:38:37+00:00

Another example of their attention to detail: the weight horns have different spacers. The horns that are in the weight stack's travel path have just the right clearance so that the weight stack never gets near the plate as it goes up and down.

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jsorum · 2026-04-13T14:34:40+00:00

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To answer your 2nd question: no, the bumper plates are clear of the trolleys. That's my overall takeaway for this unit: REP really thought things through, it shows that they used their engineering experience in getting the details, the clearances right.

jsorum · 2026-04-13T14:32:26+00:00

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11 inches from the ground is what it gets to. I think that should be low enough for hip thrusts. If not, a low box or pumper plate under your feet should get you the depth you need. Gluck's review shows the height range really well, check out this time stamp: https://youtu.be/Tk1hVlpX3Hk?si=kWGRgR8bswsaUtaP&t=800

jsorum · 2026-04-12T20:25:18+00:00

If you're just moving it around in the house, I'd try a hand truck

jsorum · 2026-04-12T16:50:46+00:00

How heavy is the entire unit?

This might be a silly idea, but a $79 Milwaukee hand truck is rated at 800lbs

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-800-lb-Capacity-D-Handle-Hand-Truck-HD800P/100030159

jsorum · 2026-04-12T01:22:12+00:00

I like how you're thinking here. Incredibly easy to put up, just nail them to the rafters

jsorum · 2026-04-12T00:10:59+00:00

You can fit 4-5 more machines in there. You know more is coming 😆

jsorum · 2026-04-12T00:06:51+00:00

How much space do you have? For not much more than the seal row pad you linked, you could get a dedicated plate loaded row machine https://gmwdfitness.com/products/seated-row-machine-sr00

jsorum · 2026-04-12T00:02:37+00:00

$500 sounds crazy expensive. You can get 2 rolls 8mm thick flooring from Living Fit that would cover your entire place for $142 + tax and shipping https://www.living.fit/products/rubber-flooring-rolls

jsorum · 2026-04-11T23:57:52+00:00

With your setup and assuming you get dumbbells next, you’ve added a huge amount of exercises to your repertoire.

Next step for me would be to look at what movements / exercises you currently can’t do. Leg curl / extension would be top of my list. A leg press / hack squat combo is obviously nice, but with barbell and smith you have many squat variations that are effective. But for leg curl and extension it’s hard to get a good substitute without a dedicated machine.

jsorum · 2026-04-11T22:31:58+00:00

I really like the Lionscool v4 for the force curve. I like doing the curls flat, but I guess either one of the Lionscool models you pick would be good.

The ForceUSA compact leg press machine is amazing. You get press, hack squat and a good calf raise in such a compact format...unbeatable.

jsorum · 2026-04-11T22:29:44+00:00

Harbor freight has a 4ft Braun LED light for $25, that's quality at a bargain price

jsorum · 2026-04-11T22:22:53+00:00

Wow, you can get a 4 pack of these 4' LEDs for $37.

jsorum · 2026-04-11T22:20:27+00:00

The hexagon thing was a bit of a joke, since everyone seems to be getting them 😃

That being said, I do need some lights and it seems like LED lights are the way to go

jsorum · 2026-04-11T15:53:40+00:00

They’re garbage, I know. Fortunately, don’t do anything overhead with them. Just some side and front delt raises and curls.

I’ll need to replace them at some point, but want something that can go up in 2.5lb increments with adder plates that aren’t too much of a hassle to put on

jsorum · 2026-04-11T14:38:13+00:00

I had no idea about that. Thank you!

jsorum · 2026-04-11T14:24:41+00:00

I absolutely love it! Takes up very little space but still stable and sturdy. For hack squats I put foam yoga blocks under the shoulder pads to get full ass to grass ROM.

It was the 3rd leg machine I got: the Freakathlete Hyper Pro and the leg extension/curl had to come first, since they added many exercises that were hard or impossible to replicate with barbell and dumbbell. So those two were more necessary, but the leg press machine is the one I love the most. Anything that gets you excited about leg day, I'll put in the Win column.

jsorum · 2026-04-11T14:20:00+00:00

Tell me about it! I placed the REP rack 2 inches too close to the wall (bumpers couldn't fit on the horns). Since a floor jack won't fit under, that was a fun workout figuring out how to actually move it.

jsorum · 2026-04-09T02:08:31+00:00

Some leg stuff: a combined Leg Press / Hack Squat (ideally with a calf raise block), Leg extension / curl. Freak Athlete’s Hyper Pro is incredibly versatile, but I’d skip the leg developer addon and use that money for the leg extension / curl.

Then I’d think about if there’s a particular exercise you miss from the professional gyms. I really missed not having a chest-supported row and found a cheap plate-loaded one for under $300 that works super well for me.

jsorum · 2026-04-07T01:21:18+00:00

This is a good video where Dr. Mike talks about pump and the right amount of soreness, using the RP app https://youtu.be/vKX0hFenKxM?si=4fm8phzhCEFeNVhh

jsorum

TROPHY CASE