While I'm not 100% positive who copied who, I think Stamina Viper copied Powertec. If you check out the picture you'll notice both gyms use the same exact pulley system, the rest of the design looks pretty similar also. I think the Powertec bench is far superior though, the bench will go from decline to incline. You can do squat exercises and also add optional accessories if you want to: pec fly, leg press, machine dip, and machine curl. Plus if you check out the leg extension pads, the Powertec pads definitely look thicker and softer.
This is my current setup at my home gym, it took me awhile to save up for the gym. I bought most of it off Craigslist and Ebay. I got the Precor Precor EFX 5.17 for $1200 on Ebay with free shipping, the retail price on this is $2899. Of course it's a little used, but Precor makes pretty tuff equipment, there isn't much that would break on it. If it did Precor would supply me with new parts anyways.
My Powertec Half Rack Workbench, I got it for only $200 on Craigslist. The metal on this bench is just as good as commercial quality, it will last a very long time. What I really love is the self spotters on this bench, it allows you to bench any amount of weight you want without killing yourself. The padding on this bench is very comfortable. I also got the preacher curl with it for only $50, this accessory is awesome for building up your biceps.
Of course the Precor elliptical I mentioned above, best money I've spent in a long time.
This is one of the most comfortable squat machines I have ever used. Powertec makes it, it's called the Leverage Squat Calf machine. It was up on Ebay for only $280, I had to buy it. Retails for around $500, not a bad deal huh?
Another great fitness machine I bought off of Craigslist. I bought it for only $125, the pads are super soft and there are handles on both sides for comfortability. I love this fitness machine, you can really build up your hamstrings and quads. The leg machine is made by BodySmith, I don't even think the company is around anymore.
Great for hitting my calves really hard, you can really get a good burn with this machine.
Bought this 80 pound punching bag at Harper Sport a few years ago, it's held up real good. You can really burn off the calories with a punching bag.
The old Bench Weider Pro 340, perfect for setting my radio equipment on.
I bought a used Tuff Stuff dip station from Wate-Man Fitnees Equipment in Livonia, Michigan last week. The dip station is super solid, no bending in the dip station at all. That's where you half to be careful, a lot of these dips stations bend. The only problem with the dip station is the handles, they dig right into my palms when I do dips. So I decided to do my own modification to the Tuff Stuff dip station, I had some foam at hand, tied it around the handles and went around it with electrical tape. Now it's very comfortable to dips, a very simple solution. If you don't have any soft foam laying around, you can also use an old sweatshirt.
I tell people time and time again, please don't compare yourself with other bodybuilders. First you don't know if they are taking steroids or any other drugs, second they might just have better genetics for you. I really don't go for the genetics thing anymore, more than half the community of bodybuilders are on steroids now. It's sad I know, but it's true!
If you want to compare yourself with someone, why not let it be yourself. Take pictures of the body parts you want to develop. After six months or a year, then compare your current pictures to your old pictures. That's the best way to compare yourself and see if you are getting results.
Sometimes looking at bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger may help you, but it didn't really help me. Reason is I know I will never look that big, Arnold admitted to steroids. The only way I could get that big is if I took steroids. That's how I look at it. I know a ton of people that get discouraged and shut down because they are always comparing themselves to others. Take my word for it, don't do it! Just concentrate on yourself!
Eat your heart out fellas, this is female bodybuilder Jaime Koeppe. This beautiful woman has a body to die for, perfect legs, arms, and face. She really looks like she has worked out her triceps and biceps, her back looks very developed too.
I really hate sitcomes, what I'm left with is movies and shows like Man vs. Food. If you haven't seen this show yet, you should check it out on the Travel channel, it's great! Adam Richman travels across America eating at all types of restaurants, trying to eat their largest food they throw at him. Sometimes it's super hot tacos, sometimes it's a huge steak, or sometimes it's a humongous pizza. The show is jampacked with laughter, Adam is a very funny host. I just wonder about this guy, this can't be a healthy job. I bet Adam has his own trainer at a gym to keep his weight down and try and stay healthy. Maybe he doesn't, because when I watched his latest show today Adam looks like he packed on a few pounds. I just hope nothing happens to the guy, I know how bad some of this food can be at retaurants. They use the worst butter, cheapest meat, and fattiest cheese. I guess all we can do is hope for the best and that the show will go on!
I usually don't care for women with short hair cuts, but I have to say Jamie Eason looks absolutely stunning. I came across her while visiting bodybuilding.com, she was in an advertisement. I never heard of her before, I had to check her out her profile. Jamie has posed for magazines such as Oxygen and Muscle Evolution. She used to be a cheerleader, but that was shortly lived because of an unexpected problem in her life. She then turned to bodybuilding, now she trains consistently and competes in bodybuilding competitions. She eventually won her first bodybuilding competition, Jamie found her calling. All I can say is what a beautiful woman!
Cybex's plate loaded squat press machine is by far my favorite exercise machine. If you're not familiar with the machine, I uploaded a picture of the equipment to show you. You've probably seen this machine in your local gym. If you haven't tried it out yet, I suggest giving it some use, you'll love it. The squat press is smooth and there's no need to worry about any kind of slippage. It's the most comfortable leg press I have ever used. I hate the leg presses that slide up and down, it's doesn't feel like a natural motion. I almost won one of these machines on Ebay, but I was outbid, kind of a bummer. Still looking on Craigslist though, something may come up.
Get more out of your workout with the Leverage Chin Dip Assist by Powertec. It's great for new bodybuilders who can't do full dips yet and are trying to develop your triceps and pecs. Other exercises you can do on this Powertec machine are assisted ab crunches, assisted chin-ups, and assisted squats. This is the ultimate piece of fitness equipment for your home. Powertec has lowered the price from $599 to $499, what a deal! Buy yours today from the Powertec website, or from our store in our Powertec section.
Take my word for it, go out and buy a Powertec Multi Press Workbench. It's an awesome bench for pushing your shoulders to the limits, you don't have to worry about putting the weights back on the rack. For instance you know when you do shoulder raises on a normal bench, it feels awkward and you have a hard time putting the Olympic bar back on your rack. Well this bench you don't have to deal with that anymore, I really like it for that main reason. I posted down below all the different exercises you can perform on the Powertec Mutli Press, looks awesome doesn't it? Powertec has market the bench down from $549 to $449, that's a pretty incredible deal!
All the incredible exercises you can do on the Powertec Multi Press Workbench: decline press, flat press, incline press, and shoulder raise. Optional accessories include machine curl, leg press, pec fly, leg lift curl ab, and machine dip.
