Question Re Rack/Cable Machine: Please Help Me Decide Between 2 Similar Ones

blobert

Hello,

I'm looking to get a rack/cable machine for my home gym.

The cheaper option is this:

The more expensive one is this:

My question relates to the cable pulleys and what exercises you can do with them.

The first rack seems to only have 2 x height adjustable bits to attach to where the 2nd one also has top bits you can attach to (the left one with the lat pulldown bar on)

My question is whether if I get the first machine will I be able to do lat pulldowns or tricep work by just putting the adjustable pulleys up as high as they will go?

I'm assuming that it might work but not as well as the second machine? Or maybe it won't be possible at all?

Let me know what you think or it there is any other exercises I'm missing out on by not having the top attachments?

Basically the first machine is significantly cheaper (about 1/3 less) than the second one and I'm trying to work out what I'm missing out on by not having the top attachments. I think I can get the landmine attachment, seat for lat pulldowns and the feet for cable pulls that the 2nd one has for the 1st machine as accessories and it's still a good bit cheaper so I'm basically looking to see what I'm missing out on by not having the top pulley bits.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Black Sheep

It's difficult to be entirely sure, from the photographs, but if I understand you correctly…

The top machine will still allow you to do a variety of tricep movements, no issues there.

In terms of doing a lat pulldown, it's hard to tell but if you removed the catcher arms and sat on the ground, it's possible you could manage as a beginner - although as you get stronger then the amount of weight you can lat pull will be limited, without pads to secure you coming up.

A better option would be to set the attachment high and do a half-kneeling single arm lat pulldown (google it).

Another option would be to do a dante row (less common, and you'll have to google it, but it also trains the lats).

I note the top rack has something the bottom rack doesn't have, which is more of a range of options for doing pull-ups. In lieu of your lat pulldown you could use these, and you can use a band for assistance if you needed.

Either of these racks will be reasonably pricy. If you have the space, I personally would suggest you also look at going for a more basic rack (no pulley attachments), something that is just the rack and plate storage on the side… Either a full rack or a half rack… And then look at getting a stand-alone high and low cable machine. Why do this? IMO, a rack without pulleys is a lot less cluttered and in the long run you might be glad of it. Depending on the high and low pulley machine, and rack choice, it may be the same price or just slightly more. Space would be an issue.

tipperary

I have the Tyr rack from RPM (effectively the same as the second one you linked to, but with a smith machine). Worth noting that the pulleys on the uprights are a 2:1 ratio, so a 100kg weight stack will only feel like 50kg. The overhead pulley is 1:1 though, so you get the full benefit of the 100kg.

For a lat pulldown you are likely to be pulling a reasonably amount of weight, so would suggest the second one is the better option.

blobert

Thanks, I managed to get an ex Demo Ragnar (the more fancy one above) from them for relatively cheap so that should give me more options.

Thanks a million for all the help, it's much appreciated!

runswithascript

Where did you buy from and for how much?