I picked up the Angles 90 after watching your Instagram. It has been a true game changer. Took 6 weeks, and almost double the price after customs and duty, but well worth it. What I liked most about this video is the fact that you included cat-camel and physio exercises. Truly a holistic approach to fitness, treating the body as a unified system. Well done, H! AB
Thanks so much, AB! I am so glad to hear you are happy with the Angles 90 Grips…and after that shipping time and expense, it’s important that you are happy with them. My first set shipped from Italy and it seemed like it took forever. My second set shipping from Pennsylvania (I think) and they got here in a couple days.
Interesting to hear your opinion on those seven top game changers. I like that you cut to the chase and get right down to the details. It's great to see you actually perform the exercise and explain why you like it. Much appreciated! 👍
Agreed. These speciality bars can be used for a lot of additional exercises. BGB, I may have missed it, but what exercise (if any) were you doing when you had your pec injury?
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews straight bar. Hard to say what was the cause. Sometimes when you lift hard enough for long enough things just happen. No worries though I’m on my way to a full recovery. I just posted an update actually!
I have not, but I’m not overly impressed with the videos / pictures I’ve seen. The Titan H-PND (deluxe) is built like a tank, the combo is not. I don’t think Titan’s stand-alone GHD is the most rock-solid piece either.
Nice list. My game changers are no longer using the barbell for skull crushers and instead doing cable skull crushers. My elbows and joints like the cable crushers much better. Additionally, as I age, I no longer fight through pain. If I am doing an exercise and something doesn't feel right I try to stop immediately. In the past I would just fight thru the pain and the next thing I knew I would have an injury that took me out for weeks.
Thank you! Yeah, that straight bar skull crusher and even the ez curl and tricep bar skull crushers eventually caused problems for me. Agreed. Fighting through the pain just isn’t worth it.
I turned the wedges backwards in my Levergym Leg Training video to replicate the stand-alone Levergym Squat Machine. While turned backwards is great for variety and it fatigued my posterior chain to a greater degree, my first choice will always be with the wedge angled down towards the front of the shoe.
Thank you very much! They ship from PA and I got them very quickly. Xii:xi accepts returns and their return policy is on their website. They will place greater emphasis on the quads. Also, for me, they make squats easier on my knees and much easier on my lower back. Give them a few workouts to find out what the best width for the wedges is, how much of your foot you want on the wedge, etc.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews money is so tight right now but I'm sure they will work well, you said they even make the powertec leverage machine Sqaut feel better , thanks again
@@jamesdingess9988 you’re right. I will not squat on the smith machine or squat on the Levergym without the wedges. I hope you are happy with them and consider them a game changer like I do.
How would the squats wedges feel different than standing on the end of a stall mat when squating on the powertec work bench. Doesnt being more on your toes place more stress on your knees?
I used stall mats before I got the squat wedges and they definitely work. However, a wedge provides more support for the foot. If your knees are healthy, it shouldn’t be a problem and it shouldn’t create a problem. They also make squatting on the Levergym more lower back friendly for me.
@@gb8814 it may be worth trying. I was dealing with some knee pain while squatting, when I switched to wedges for a while, it alleviated the knee pain.
Some good items in here..i would like to try a reverse hyper extension. If i got the name right? With my back issue it might help...or...hurt..its fun to try though lol...Im still in the market for a hex bar. Found a SUNNY brand on marketplace,but..the sleeves are kind of short on it so im not gonna get it. Thanks for the video and some good things to keep in mind.
Thanks so much, BBD! You’re right…the reverse hyper could help or aggravate your back depending on your lower back issue. I always recommend someone try one before they buy one. Good call on the hex. You’re gonna need one that can take a lot of plates. There are lots of good ones available, I have the Titan, but I’m sure another one will pop up on MP soon…maybe you’ll find another great deal like you did with the Airdyne.
Man if the specialty bars are that big of a game changer I’m surprised you don’t get the Rogue narrow camber bar with the short black sleeves and stainless steel 32mm handles. Especially since you can adjust the handles to fit you perfectly. It’s definitely on my want list now that they’ve made the bar more narrow and have the thicker handles for pressing. Great video!
Thank you! I came close to getting it, but I put that money towards a couple of machines. If I get a specialty bar, that will more than likely be the next one…especially with the recent modifications.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews also, completely understand about the bar taking a back seat to your recent purchases. Every one of them makes me want one just like it 😂
@@meisdetermined lol! Over the last 10 years, I’ve been much more of a machine guy than a free weight guy…so that’s got a little to do with my decision. If space was tight, I would have already picked up a couple of specialty bars including the Marrs Bar, Kabuki, Transformer, and one of Reps.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews the Marrs bar is amazing. It almost feels like the bar won’t let you do the squat wrong lol. But I know with your issues in the past with your back that you went with the Rhino and Squatmax. Can’t really blame you there. All excellent equipment.
I removed mine a while ago. I like it better off because I can wheel the bench in and out more easily and the squat wedges weren’t secure when placed on the footplate. I have not experienced any issues.
Sumo deadlifts for me are my number 1 Do them once a week, all I need for the lower back not to bother me normally. Big fan of westside spacing when benching too, gives me the freedom of a full rep without the bar clanging on the safeties or anything, but it keeps me safe from being crushed too, was able to push out my bench PR this way Anyways Looks like my next purchase will be 5-80lb Nuobells to work in tandem with my Ironmasters and gives me a more complete dumbbell setup, but also flexibility in that they'll both fit in a spare bedroom if that's the only space I have to use when I move. Gunna have to shelve my full rack of hex dumbbells dream for a few years and only use the few pairs that I still currently have, but I think these will do the job in the meantime, found a supplier down here who sells spare parts if needed outside of a 3 year warranty period, so it's good to have some product protection at least as their durability/longevity hasn't been established yet compared to say Powerblocks/Ironmasters. Weighed all my plates/dumbbells/barbells too, I see why powerlifters and Olympic lifters pay up on calibrated plates for accuracy. My plates weren't too bad actually, all my 5kg plates were around 4.95kg, all my 10kg plates were 9.9kg and all my 20kg plates were 19.8kg, so some consistency there at least, even though they were slight unders. My 8kg and 20kg dumbbells were the worst though at 7.8/7.45kg on the 8s and 20.25/19.4kg on the 20s, wouldn't have battered an eyelid if the 7.45 was 7.8/7.9 and the 19.4 was somewhere between 20-20.5, but the discrepancies per pair are really annoying for me 😆😆😆 barely used those 20s since for example, reluctantly have used the "8s" for tricep kickbacks and shoulder raises but that's about it.
RWB, great to hear sumo works well for you. I did them many years ago, but I’m very reluctant to reintroduce them…maybe I’ll give them a try starting very very light. I’ve got to tell you, with my IM DBs, I’d be fine without my fixed set. The Nuobells do look good and they’ll be a nice addition to what you have. I’ve never weighed my plates for accuracy, but your plates were pretty close.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews the IM DBs are great, moreso just for convenience I prefer a second pair of something for dropsets or supersets which the Nuobells would cater for (my old 45lb IMs I just wasn't using enough compared to the couple of hex pairs I have, hence why I cut my losses there). But yeah, the 75lb set plus add on kit/kbs I kept won't be going anywhere, wish I weighed the plates from my old 45lb set before I sold them 😆😆😆 keep the ones closest to the 5lb range. Worst one I have is 2203gms, so about 65gms off the 2268 which is 5lbs, every other plate is within 40gms under/over, though I have 15 out of the 24 in the 2250-2285gm range with a 2308er, so those 16 plates I use first, then 4 2240s I use next, then the 4 lighest pairs (3 2230s and that 2203er are last) Yeah I changed my sumo deadlift day from leg day to back day a few weeks ago, working well so far, all my accessory leg movements that I may have been fatigued doing after sumos previously I'm now fresh for after a 3-4 day rest and sumos on back day doesn't affect my pulldowns at all later in my session, moreso if I feel good then I bent over row after I deadlift, if I'm a bit stiff/fatigued I'll do some sort of row with a bit more support like db rows or prone rows to look after the back, but yeah it's a good change up so far 👍
Maybe a video on what you wish you knew about home gym equipment before you began your journey
I think that could make for a good video. I may do that at some point. Thank you!
Right off the bat with the angles 90! Things are phenomenal!!
Had to start big! 😂
I picked up the Angles 90 after watching your Instagram. It has been a true game changer. Took 6 weeks, and almost double the price after customs and duty, but well worth it.
What I liked most about this video is the fact that you included cat-camel and physio exercises. Truly a holistic approach to fitness, treating the body as a unified system. Well done, H!
AB
Thanks so much, AB!
I am so glad to hear you are happy with the Angles 90 Grips…and after that shipping time and expense, it’s important that you are happy with them. My first set shipped from Italy and it seemed like it took forever. My second set shipping from Pennsylvania (I think) and they got here in a couple days.
Great tips! Those greyhounds are amazing 👍.
Thanks so much!
Interesting to hear your opinion on those seven top game changers. I like that you cut to the chase and get right down to the details. It's great to see you actually perform the exercise and explain why you like it. Much appreciated! 👍
Thanks so much! I appreciate your comment.
Great list! Most of these are relatively inexpensive and can be added for more training versatility!
Thanks so much, Carter! That was one of my goals with this list.
Very good content! I have also struggled with lots of nagging elbow and shoulder pain, and I am excited to try the things you mentioned!
Thank you! After you’ve had a chance to try some of these things, let me know if anything helps your elbow and shoulder pain. All the best!
I love my football bar for presses but also for throwing in the rack and doing bodyweight rows!
Agreed. These speciality bars can be used for a lot of additional exercises.
BGB, I may have missed it, but what exercise (if any) were you doing when you had your pec injury?
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews I was doing a backdown set on bench press. I had worked up to 320x6 on the day and then tore it repping out 295.
@@babygiantbarbell1014 sorry to hear. Was it a straight bar or specialty bar?
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews straight bar. Hard to say what was the cause. Sometimes when you lift hard enough for long enough things just happen. No worries though I’m on my way to a full recovery. I just posted an update actually!
@@babygiantbarbell1014 yeah, sometimes, things just give out. I’m really glad to hear you are almost all healed up.
Have you ever used the Titan GHD/reverse hyper combo machine?
I have not, but I’m not overly impressed with the videos / pictures I’ve seen. The Titan H-PND (deluxe) is built like a tank, the combo is not. I don’t think Titan’s stand-alone GHD is the most rock-solid piece either.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews thanks man!
looking good and solid in the thumbnail..keep up the good work!!
Thank you, Michael. Appreciate it!
Nice list. My game changers are no longer using the barbell for skull crushers and instead doing cable skull crushers. My elbows and joints like the cable crushers much better. Additionally, as I age, I no longer fight through pain. If I am doing an exercise and something doesn't feel right I try to stop immediately. In the past I would just fight thru the pain and the next thing I knew I would have an injury that took me out for weeks.
Thank you! Yeah, that straight bar skull crusher and even the ez curl and tricep bar skull crushers eventually caused problems for me.
Agreed. Fighting through the pain just isn’t worth it.
Thanks for this 👍
Thank you for an amazing product!
I want a gym like this when I grow up!!!!
lol! It’s a labor of love.
Always great and informative content. As a Levergym owner I appreciate the hacks you’ve shown.
Thank you so much and I’m glad to hear you have a Levergym! Arguably, the most versatile piece of equipment on the market.
Thanks, really enjoyed the video. I'm thinking of trying the squat wedges.
Thank you! I hope they’ll be game changers for you like they are for me.
In some video you use the XI-XII turn on the other side with the powertec levergym. Which is the best directions?
I turned the wedges backwards in my Levergym Leg Training video to replicate the stand-alone Levergym Squat Machine. While turned backwards is great for variety and it fatigued my posterior chain to a greater degree, my first choice will always be with the wedge angled down towards the front of the shoe.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews thanks very much.🙏
@@albertoc.1465 glad to help!
I ordered the sqaut wedges with your code ,
Will they isolate the legs a lot more if they do not work well do they take returns thanks
Thank you very much! They ship from PA and I got them very quickly. Xii:xi accepts returns and their return policy is on their website.
They will place greater emphasis on the quads. Also, for me, they make squats easier on my knees and much easier on my lower back. Give them a few workouts to find out what the best width for the wedges is, how much of your foot you want on the wedge, etc.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews money is so tight right now but I'm sure they will work well, you said they even make the powertec leverage machine Sqaut feel better , thanks again
@@jamesdingess9988 you’re right. I will not squat on the smith machine or squat on the Levergym without the wedges. I hope you are happy with them and consider them a game changer like I do.
How would the squats wedges feel different than standing on the end of a stall mat when squating on the powertec work bench. Doesnt being more on your toes place more stress on your knees?
I used stall mats before I got the squat wedges and they definitely work. However, a wedge provides more support for the foot.
If your knees are healthy, it shouldn’t be a problem and it shouldn’t create a problem. They also make squatting on the Levergym more lower back friendly for me.
Thanks for the reply Appreciated. Unfortunaly dealing with a bit of a kne issued so @@HomeGymHacksandReviews
@@gb8814 it may be worth trying. I was dealing with some knee pain while squatting, when I switched to wedges for a while, it alleviated the knee pain.
im dealing with a lingering knee issue at the moment just above the patella..Thanks for your valuable input.
Some good items in here..i would like to try a reverse hyper extension. If i got the name right? With my back issue it might help...or...hurt..its fun to try though lol...Im still in the market for a hex bar. Found a SUNNY brand on marketplace,but..the sleeves are kind of short on it so im not gonna get it. Thanks for the video and some good things to keep in mind.
Thanks so much, BBD! You’re right…the reverse hyper could help or aggravate your back depending on your lower back issue. I always recommend someone try one before they buy one.
Good call on the hex. You’re gonna need one that can take a lot of plates. There are lots of good ones available, I have the Titan, but I’m sure another one will pop up on MP soon…maybe you’ll find another great deal like you did with the Airdyne.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews yeah i keep on looking..the waiting game lol..
Ur very knowledgeable. Thx
Thank you! I’m glad to hear you found the video helpful, TN.
Man if the specialty bars are that big of a game changer I’m surprised you don’t get the Rogue narrow camber bar with the short black sleeves and stainless steel 32mm handles. Especially since you can adjust the handles to fit you perfectly. It’s definitely on my want list now that they’ve made the bar more narrow and have the thicker handles for pressing. Great video!
Thank you!
I came close to getting it, but I put that money towards a couple of machines. If I get a specialty bar, that will more than likely be the next one…especially with the recent modifications.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews yeah the recent changes made my desire for it change 180 degrees. Originally I felt it was a horrible bar.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews also, completely understand about the bar taking a back seat to your recent purchases. Every one of them makes me want one just like it 😂
@@meisdetermined lol! Over the last 10 years, I’ve been much more of a machine guy than a free weight guy…so that’s got a little to do with my decision. If space was tight, I would have already picked up a couple of specialty bars including the Marrs Bar, Kabuki, Transformer, and one of Reps.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews the Marrs bar is amazing. It almost feels like the bar won’t let you do the squat wrong lol. But I know with your issues in the past with your back that you went with the Rhino and Squatmax. Can’t really blame you there. All excellent equipment.
Can I el image the footplate on my IM2000? It’s a little slippery. Would that effect negatively in anyway?
I removed mine a while ago. I like it better off because I can wheel the bench in and out more easily and the squat wedges weren’t secure when placed on the footplate. I have not experienced any issues.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews thank you so much, I appreciate you.
@@JuanRodriguez-sb1id glad to help.
Sumo deadlifts for me are my number 1
Do them once a week, all I need for the lower back not to bother me normally. Big fan of westside spacing when benching too, gives me the freedom of a full rep without the bar clanging on the safeties or anything, but it keeps me safe from being crushed too, was able to push out my bench PR this way
Anyways
Looks like my next purchase will be 5-80lb Nuobells to work in tandem with my Ironmasters and gives me a more complete dumbbell setup, but also flexibility in that they'll both fit in a spare bedroom if that's the only space I have to use when I move. Gunna have to shelve my full rack of hex dumbbells dream for a few years and only use the few pairs that I still currently have, but I think these will do the job in the meantime, found a supplier down here who sells spare parts if needed outside of a 3 year warranty period, so it's good to have some product protection at least as their durability/longevity hasn't been established yet compared to say Powerblocks/Ironmasters.
Weighed all my plates/dumbbells/barbells too, I see why powerlifters and Olympic lifters pay up on calibrated plates for accuracy. My plates weren't too bad actually, all my 5kg plates were around 4.95kg, all my 10kg plates were 9.9kg and all my 20kg plates were 19.8kg, so some consistency there at least, even though they were slight unders. My 8kg and 20kg dumbbells were the worst though at 7.8/7.45kg on the 8s and 20.25/19.4kg on the 20s, wouldn't have battered an eyelid if the 7.45 was 7.8/7.9 and the 19.4 was somewhere between 20-20.5, but the discrepancies per pair are really annoying for me 😆😆😆 barely used those 20s since for example, reluctantly have used the "8s" for tricep kickbacks and shoulder raises but that's about it.
RWB, great to hear sumo works well for you. I did them many years ago, but I’m very reluctant to reintroduce them…maybe I’ll give them a try starting very very light.
I’ve got to tell you, with my IM DBs, I’d be fine without my fixed set. The Nuobells do look good and they’ll be a nice addition to what you have.
I’ve never weighed my plates for accuracy, but your plates were pretty close.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews the IM DBs are great, moreso just for convenience I prefer a second pair of something for dropsets or supersets which the Nuobells would cater for (my old 45lb IMs I just wasn't using enough compared to the couple of hex pairs I have, hence why I cut my losses there).
But yeah, the 75lb set plus add on kit/kbs I kept won't be going anywhere, wish I weighed the plates from my old 45lb set before I sold them 😆😆😆 keep the ones closest to the 5lb range. Worst one I have is 2203gms, so about 65gms off the 2268 which is 5lbs, every other plate is within 40gms under/over, though I have 15 out of the 24 in the 2250-2285gm range with a 2308er, so those 16 plates I use first, then 4 2240s I use next, then the 4 lighest pairs (3 2230s and that 2203er are last)
Yeah I changed my sumo deadlift day from leg day to back day a few weeks ago, working well so far, all my accessory leg movements that I may have been fatigued doing after sumos previously I'm now fresh for after a 3-4 day rest and sumos on back day doesn't affect my pulldowns at all later in my session, moreso if I feel good then I bent over row after I deadlift, if I'm a bit stiff/fatigued I'll do some sort of row with a bit more support like db rows or prone rows to look after the back, but yeah it's a good change up so far 👍
Good video. So there is another room to fill with equipment.
Thank you! The living room? lol! It’s crossed my mind.