Powertec Workbench Leverage Gym WB-LS

We found two detailed single-product reviews of the Powertec Workbench Leverage Gym WB-LS -- both quite enthusiastic. Personal trainer Bret Spottke recommends it without noting any drawbacks, while the more detailed review at Home-Gym-Review.com notes two. Only a handful of owners rate and review this gym at Epinions.com, with one owner highlighting several criticisms worth reading before making a decision.

Reviews recommend the Powertec Workbench Leverage Gym WB-LS as a budget compromise, since it costs less than a regular home gym but is safer than lifting heavy weights without a spotter. You do need to provide the weights, and experts say it's not the best option for a beginner. However, this setup does let you lift large weights safely: 500 pounds on the press, 350 pounds on the lat pulldown, 300 pounds on the squat and 250 pounds on the leg lift. This is an advantage over most home gyms, whose 200-pound weight stacks limit what you can lift. The frame carries a lifetime warranty. If budget is a priority, reviews recommend the Weider Max Ultra (*est. $400), a gym with resistance bars instead of weights.