Weider Max Ultra

Consumer Reports includes an earlier version of the Weider Max Ultra in its excellent comparison tests of five exercise machines. This review is based on thorough tests by engineers and fitness experts, but it's not clear from the review how much of the evaluation also applies to the latest Weider Max Ultra. The more detailed but less formal review at Home-Gym-Review.com has been updated to cover the Max Ultra, and over two dozen owners also review the newer Max Ultra at Amazon.com and Sears.com. The brief critical review by personal trainer Brett Spottke is harder to evaluate, since he seems biased against any Weider equipment and doesn't document any testing of the Weider Crossbow or Max Ultra.

For a good workout at a budget price, reviews recommend the Weider Max Ultra home gym (known in the past as the Advantage, Crossbar and Crossbow). Instead of weights, this gym uses the resistance of bendable bars and cables. This technology was made famous by Bowflex, but the Weider Max Ultra costs much less. Home-gym reviews say that while weight stacks and the Bowflex provide for a smoother and more even movement, the Max Ultra can still provide a good workout, though it may take some getting used to. Resistance can be upgraded from 240 to 440 pounds, plenty for most users. Most owners say they're very happy with it, especially for the price. It takes a long time to assemble but is one of the easiest gyms to store, since it folds to about 2 by 2 feet. A compact home gym is smoother but heavier, larger and much more expensive -- for example, the well-reviewed BodyCraft Galena (*est. $1,300; $1,600 with optional leg press).