The seat and the backrest aren’t designed to be especially ergonomic, but they’re well-padded and covered with quality vinyl. They’ve used 14-gauge steel tubing for the frame, which can support users up to 300 lbs. Although these are relatively affordable options in the mid-range segment of the market, they’re robust machines that will keep up with your demands. Build QualityĪs with all Marcy products, the build quality on the stack home gyms is high. Ultimately, all of this is why we think these models are among the best home gyms you can get, especially if you’re new to strength training. It also provides a surface on which to put a chart that outlines 15 different exercises. This prevents you from having clothing or body parts come into contact with the weights or guide rails (which have grease on them). This along with the included ab strap allow you to do seated crunches, and target your core muscles more intensely.įinally, present on all machines is a shield / shroud that protects the user from the weight stack behind. Marcy make up for this, however, with the inclusion of a center pulley on the 4965 model. Unfortunately, this is missing from the MWM-4965. It fixes to the leg developer’s upright post via a screw in pin, and allows you to do preacher curls using the lat pulldown bar attached to the lower pulley. One of the best uncommon and nice-to-have features that Marcy have added to the MWM-990 and 988 models is the preacher curl pad. All machines also come with a straight bar and ankle strap attachment. EZ curls reduce strain on your wrists, but also activate your biceps and brachioradialis muscles more intensely. This isn’t something you see on a lot of machines, and its purpose is to allow you to do bicep curls with the wrists rotated. On all of the stack machines, Marcy have included an undulated (i.e., “EZ”) lat pull down bar. This alone makes them stand out from the crowd and is appealing if you want your home or garage gym to have a bit of style to it.
Where most of their competitors go with fairly bland colors for their home gyms (e.g., plain gray or white), Marcy went with matte black, silver or charcoal for their circuit trainers’ frames, plus black vinyl for the seat and bright red detailing. Where they try to set themselves apart is in the look, and by adding some uncommon, but relatively minor, features. Marcy’s stack home gyms follow this convention. This standard design is centered around three main stations: This really comes down to an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude. Home gyms, especially in the mid-range segment, typically have a fairly standard design. If you prefer a nice visual, here is a comparison chart. The MWM-4965 has slightly different dimensions to the 990 and 988: The 4965 is 72” L x 38” W x 78” H, while the other two are 68” L x 35” W x 79” H.The MWM-990 and 988 have a detachable preacher curl pad that allows targeted development of the biceps.The 990 and 988 are missing this feature. The MWM-4965 includes a flip up foot plate that makes low rows possible / easier. The MWM-4965 has a center pulley that attaches to the included ab-strap, and allows you to do comfortable and effective weighted crunches that build your six-pack.The 990 is matte black, while the 988 is matte silver The MWM-990 and 988 are identical except for color.That’s why we’ll note their differences here. With these models, you’re getting a smooth and reliable performance at a mid-range price.īefore discussing the deisgn proper of these Marcy home gyms, it’s worth noting that the similarities between the three machines (the MWM-990, MWM-988, and MWM-4965) far outweigh their differences. Marcy have made these home gyms for the beginners/intermediate users who need something solid and uncomplicated. Instead, you’re getting the old-school treatment: Two flat boards (seat and upright backrest) that have plenty of padding. There are no modern ergonomic seats, and the only position is upright.
They’re highly functional multi- gyms that feature all of the core workout stations that allow for most of a full body workout, as well as a few unique extra stations such as a removable curl pad (except for the MWM-4965).Ĭomfort-wise, they’re honestly nothing special. stack home gyms are mid-range machines that bring a balanced combination of performance, quality, and price.