The Powertec Roller Smith Machine - Very Good, but Not Perfect
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- Опубликовано: 30 мар 2024
- The Powertec Roller Smith Machine returns! In this video, I review WB-RS19 - The Powertec Roller Smith; I show all of the machine’s strengths, but I also suggest how future editions of this model can be improved. Further, I compare this to other Smith Machines on the market and I briefly compare it to Powertec’s Leverage Machines: The Levergym and Multipress. Ultimately, I am extremely happy to have this machine back in my garage gym after going nearly a year without a Smith Machine.
Most of the equipment, attachments, and accessories I use can be found following the link in my RUclips bio / about page. I am an affiliate for Powertec, GymPin, and I have an Amazon affiliate store. Please consider using one of my affiliate links. Any time a purchase is made through my affiliate links, I could receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. When you make a purchase using the link, you help support this channel, but more importantly, it shows the company I am helpful to their brand. Thank you!
All information provided by Home Gym Hacks and Reviews is for entertainment and educational purposes only. No information is to be taken as medical or health advice relating to any individual health or medical condition. You agree that using this information provided by Home Gym Hacks and Reviews is at your own risk and do not hold Home Gym Hacks and Reviews liable for any losses, damages, or injuries resulting from any of the information provided. Always consult a physician before beginning any exercise program.
Thanks for the update! Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
Thanks for the review as always. I used your link and had my smith for about a month. I love it. Thanks for the insane pumps.
That is great to hear and greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
Great video. Very informative on the powertec smith machine. I’m considering building out my own home gym.
Greatly appreciated! Best hobby there is.
I recently picked up the levergym partly based on your insanely helpful hacks series. Enjoying it quite a bit. Now, I feel like I may need the smith machine too, 😂
I really appreciate that and great to hear you’re happy with the Levergym. The Roller Smith is certainly a good sidekick for the Levergym.
You should check out his reviews on the IM2000. I have that machine and love it.
Looking swole! Thanks for the review!
Thanks so much!
Great job as usual.
Thank you.
YEP..you know my stance on the Smith Machine. Its an amazing tool that not only gives an amazing workout,BUT it can help get you past sticking points with bench,squats and even deads..Those who speak badly about the Smith have been misinformed and tend to listen to the wrong people..Good review.
I know you’re definitely a big believer in the Smith and I’m guessing the Smith certainly helped you get to the numbers you’re squatting now. Thanks, BBD!
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews you know it...thanks man..and enjoy your new gear!!
Great video HGHR! Smith machines get a bad rap. I use the one at my work gym for a lot of different exercises. Since I can't fit one in my home gym, I ordered the Bulletproof VTS to attach to my rack. Hopefully it adds some versatility to my space without the footprint. Having a dedicated setup is ideal though.
Thank you, Carter. Hopefullly that will work well for you. Your rack is going to be super versatile.
6:52 looking swol! 💪
A-1 review as always bro!
Sincerely appreciate that, BGB!
Finally able to watch your videos haha after one month out in Africa some of the wifi was too spotty to do much streaming 😂
That sounds like an awesome trip…especially if you went on a Safari. Thanks so much!
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Cape Town up to Senegal did it all man haha …kept up with the gym too LOL
@@aynrandfan7454 that’s awesome! My wife really wants to visit Africa and do a Safari…maybe one day. In the meantime, we went on one of the drive-through Safaris in the US.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews ya I did that drive thru one in Malibu with the giraffes haha… I will try to do that gorilla trek in East Africa some day…they can prob bench more than any strongman LOL
0:40 If you ever want to have a Mr Olympia Marathon, count me in!!!😂
lol! I’m surprised Ronnie’s, “The Cost of Redemption” even works after all the times it got watched. I actually had Ronnie sign the, “Cost of Redemption” and “The Unbelievable” when I met him.
hi from Morocco 🙏
Thanks so much for stopping by.
I had the OG Powertec Smith for over a decade. Was a great piece. Really surprised at the inability to get the bar low with this design. Something Powertec really needs to think about in their next redesign.
I will say I like the smaller footprint of the new model over the old one you had.
Smith Machines are great. I still use my power rack but I also use the IM2000 almost every workout.
Very good to hear. I was going back and forth between getting this Smith or another Powertec Rack - as you can see, the Smith won…I just think I’ll get more use out of the Smith.
Great video as always! I wonder if PowerTec is going to update this unit in the near future
Thank you! Not that I know of and I certainly hope not after just adding this one back to my gym 🤓
@@HomeGymHacksandReviewsYour reviews are next level and the hacks are even cooler! What size rubber washer did you use to make the bar travel lower?
@@arov235 I really appreciate that. The larger rubber stoppers are 1 inch and the ones on the storage posts are 1/2 inch. The springs are about 3”
@@HomeGymHacksandReviewsaha I get it you just swapped it out the 1 inch for 1/2 inch. That’s genius!!
I am early! Smith machine gang!
Thanks so much, LGG! I’m not afraid to admit it 🤓
IM2000 FTW!
Hey CJ! I haven’t heard from you in a while. lol! I know you love that IM2000.
When IM 3000 ?
@@andreadalex8893 the last I heard, sometime later this year…I’m not sure if that’s still the plan.
I bought a pair of trolley attachments that allows a power rack to turn into a smith machine. I recently posted a review brother!
I am one of the very rare home gym owners who doesn’t have a Power Rack, but those are cool add-ons.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews You have everything else though which puts everyone at an enviable position my guy!
07:30 Yeh I always think this when people rave about thicker chin up bars or thicker dumbbell handles. I get much better muscle connection with a relatively slim handle, otherwise it's a forearm pump.
Wrist pain became a problem for me on the IM2000 which only has a slightly thicker bar than this. That’s also why I like my fixed set of dumbbells so much, because they have a smaller diameter than any of the adjustable dumbbells I’ve reviewed.
Hi Do you plan to make a video on the new leg press attachment update?
Definitely.
I think you say it best at the end HGHR, all in ones that can do heaps won't have better features than a dedicated machine
It keeps me looking around for something better, the Body solid unit I picked up is ok but it falls into that category you say, I'm only really using it for warm up chest presses and I'm preferring using my rack high low pulley for pulldowns
So I think with the way I train, a dedicated lat pulldown/seated row unit and an above average but compact smith machine plus a few specialty bars would be all I need to finish my home gym off
Also got myself a proper commercial grade hyperextension bench recently too, it's decent also
For 5 years, I had a set up very similar to what you describe. I had the old Powertec Smith (also served as a 1/2 rack), High / Low Pulley, and eventually got one of the old Multipresses. I had some excellent years of training with that limited amount of equipment. Good to hear you got a Hyperextension…I love that exercise.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews the hyperextension along with foam rolling/ball rolling is helping prolong necessary physio visits
But yeah, I really miss using a good smith machine, the same brand as my hyperextension and fixed upright bench seems they may do a good one
@@redwhiteandblueblood I do think the exercise is beneficial for Prehab.
I have a question about the smith machines bar dimensions. I contacted Powertec and they told me that the shaft “grip” diameter is 1”. I am surprised that it is only 1” in comparison to some other brands who report grip diameter. Does yours look to be 1” in diameter?
Thank you very much for any information you can provide. I enjoy all your videos. Always highly informative and helpful.
Thanks so much. It’s 1 1/16 diameter (I think I said 1” in this video). It has a 3.5” circumference. The diameter is smaller than other Smith Machines, but to me, it’s the perfect diameter.
Is there a piece of equipment that you did not sell?
Do you assemble all of the equipment with any help?
COVID and modern gym culture turned me into a basement gym nerd. I still have my YMCA membership because like the pool.
Great video as always.
Thanks so much.
In order to keep this channel going, I sold just about everything I originally had. Interestingly, after trying a bunch of different brands, I found myself wanting to go back to almost exclusively training with Powertec products.
I am a one-person-show. On the very rare occasion my wife might need to help me with a portion of the assembly, but I really enjoy assembling equipment.
I’ve had a couple basement gyms over the years. In the middle of winter or summer, I’d be glad to have a basement gym like you.
I also have a YMCA a couple miles from me. I was a member there before getting my present gym up and running.
Curious about what changes were made to the new powertec leg press attachment for the bench. Will they be sending you one soon?
It now has a 100 pound higher weight capacity because the base has a new design and the post has been redesigned. The remainder of the attachment is largely the same.
I’m working on it.
I am in the market for a smith machine, have been for a while. There are allot of choices out there so I have been doing my research and making the comparisons. You mentioned on your review of this smith a couple years ago the angle was 5 degrees, you said that again in this newest review. The Powertec site says it's 15 degrees, I have emailed them and asked the question again and they said again it was 15 degrees. Like you, I prefer a 90 degree or as close to 90 as possible. There are others out there that are 3 degrees, 7 degrees as well as straight up and down. Sorry for the long question, how did you get 5 degrees when the Powertec folks are sticking with 15? Did you actually measure it?
I put a digital level on it. I measured back when I did my original review and measured it again for this review just to double check. Before making this video, I went to Powertec’s site and looked at their specs, and saw that 15 degree measurement, but I still went with my level’s reading.
What smith machine would you recommend? Angled or straight? Brand? I’m looking to get one for the garage gym.. budget about 2k
I just came across the VTS attachment from bullet proof fitness equipment
This is the one I wanted and chose for my home gym.
I always thought the old Cybex Smith was the original GOAT Smith Machine but those can only be found used, and unless you find a good deal, they’re over 3k.
I was always a big fan of straight guide rods (largely because of the Cybex), but I’m really liking the angled as of late. It’s really a personal preference more than one being better than the other.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews appreciate you!
@@Wetterwet anytime. Thanks so much.
Hey HGHR, do the guide rods wobble once you hit 225+ lbs? I noticed many other home-quality smith machines have this problem where the guide rods move around as you start going heavy.
I haven’t gone above 225 on this machine in many years; however, the solid and shorter guide rods + the fact they get bolted in should prevent that from happening.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Thanks! So is it a unique design then compared to the others?
@@RonMexico527 I think it’s better quality than others.
I think the extreme anti smith machine idea and trend mostly came from people on the internet needing to create content. Back in the days of muscle mags (which had their limitations), people weren't making shit up to create daily content.
I think I started using the Smith Machine in 2003, the old Cybex, which is largely considered the best Smith ever made. I’ve never gotten hurt on the Smith and didn’t have a lot of the wrist, shoulder, and elbow pain I got from the barbell bench press. It was such a big part of my DC Training Routines.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews I've only ever used 3 - Life Fitness, Nebula and Cybex.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviewsHi,Alex. this is Frankie from Eonfitomni. no emails from u for many days, may i know what is going on?
@user-ow5qk5yi4w you guys should change your name to just Eonfit
Have you heard any words good or bad on having a multi station gym on a 2nd floor? Thanks.
I would feel comfortable putting the machine in one of my spare bedrooms. Because it has a pretty big footprint, the weight will be distributed pretty well. I would be concerned if you’re maxing the machine out and multiple people are using it at one time.
Did you duct tape your mats? It appears that you either used two strips of normal width or one with a larger size. Can you confirm? It looks good.
I use the 2.88” Gorilla Tape. I’ve replaced it 2-3 times over the last 4 years because I’m always moving equipment around and it gets torn up.
Thank you Sir. I enjoy your channel. I’m a big Powertec fan.
@@sixguncowboy9478 great to hear and I really appreciate that.
Can u do a house tour?
I have 3-4 gym tours in my playlist showing how my gym has evolved over the years. I plan on doing another tour in a few weeks…just waiting to get a couple more pieces of equipment. The rest of my house isn’t nearly as impressive as my 3 gyms.
Hey, is thing pretty loud or quiet? Could you hear it from the next room?
No. It’s a pretty quiet smith.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews thanks for the reply. Is it stable enough for pull ups if the bar is locked into the top?
@@user-py2ix8qm2h I would not perform pull-ups with the bar in the top cross-bar because it’s metal on metal. Pull-ups are pretty decent on the first lock-out point.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews thanks for engaging with the viewers! Safe to say this would be great for an apartment without pissing off the neighbors then lol?
@@user-py2ix8qm2h happy to help. I can’t imagine anyone in an adjacent apartment being able to hear this Smith unless they have superhero hearing abilities. 🤓
Great review but no way this smith is better than the IM2000 given its limitations and angled bar path. You shouldn’t need to hack in order to perform standard lifts like decline and shoulder press. Those basic moves should be accommodated by default.
Thank you. There’s definitely some give-and-take. This machine’s bar and footprint are two of its biggest selling points. However, even with knowing this Smith Machine’s limitations, I decided on this one over everything else on the market. Good to hear from you again!
The IM also costs much more and is larger. And you can do shoulder presses in the Powertec one. Just sit down.
Why do you turn down free equipment. You review equipment to help us decide if it's something we might want, whether you want or would use the piece doesn't matter. Get the equipment and tell us the truth about it. I know you're not worried that a negative reciew might stop the free equipment train flowing to you because you don't accept free equipment.
We need honest people to review stuff for us because we will never know about it until we've bought it and it's too late then if we don't like it.
Only about 3 honest reviewers and I've seen them all. I believe Yall are forgetting we need yall to review all equipment for us.
That all in one is a piece a lot of us are thinking about, I know because I am one of them. and you could. You could help us a lot, like I said whether you would use it is irrelevant.
Come on man get the stuff and tell us the truth about it. Otherwise all we have to go off of is 99% of reviewers who are just trying to collect equipment and nothing they say we can believe. I've grown to hate th rd industry with all the liars and thieves. We need guys we can trust reviewing equipment. All these garage gym ---------- fill in whatever name you want, they just want fee equipment.
Help us
Thnkx for listening as you can tell the crooked industry has turned me off The 2 things I despise are a thief and a liar and that is 99% of the industry
Hey BH! Always good to hear from you. This hobby takes so much time and energy. Luckily, my wife is very supportive, but if I spent anymore time than what I do on this channel, I would feel like she and my real job are suffering.
When I first started, HGHR, I wanted to review everything; now I just want to review stuff that I actually plan on having and using day-after-day. And you know I love the Powertec stuff. I used it long before this channel and I’ll continue using it long after I make my very last video.
Also, when compared to other reviewers, I am old 🤓 Moving equipment around, assembling, disassembling, and trying to sell stuff I don’t want is hard on me and it takes me away from bodybuilding. I’ve been to the ER from equipment falling on me and I have more bumps, bruises, and muscle strains from the logistics of HGHR than I’ve ever had from lifting. Just know, I appreciate your support and I’m thankful for any video you watch of mine.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
Although I wish you would review everything, after your reply I understand now why you don't and I respect that.
I do not wish any of the REAL reviewers as I call Y'all any bad intentions as you know I'm on your side and will take up for you four guys to anyone.
At least through the other reviewers not included in the four I get to see new equipment and it's features. It's a lot better than years ago, when we only had magazines for any info at all. Thnkx for your honesty and Take Care
GO POWERTEC!!!!!!
@@bobbyhunt3009 thanks so much, BH! If I ever go full-time, which it’s highly unlikely I ever will, I’ll review any 3 machines you choose.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
Thnkx Man, That is Very Cool of you!!!!!!!!