Lalo's Reviews (25)


(5.00)
5/8/2026
I have the Ares 2.0 in a 4-post configuration, and overall I think it’s a great system, though it definitely has a few drawbacks. Pros: First off, it looks awesome. I went with the clear coat version, and it looks incredible in person. The build quality is some of the best out there compared to other brands. The 4-post setup also has a relatively small footprint while still offering a ton of functionality, which is a huge plus for home gyms. Assembly takes a while, but honestly it’s not that difficult if you’ve got an adventure buddy, an open weekend, and can “read real good.” The pulley system feels smooth and buttery, and I found threading the cables fairly intuitive. If not, REP also has a solid assembly video that walks you through the process. I also really liked the included lat pulldown bar and handles—the knurling on them feels great. Cons: You should really think of the 4-post Ares 2.0 as more of a half rack because you can’t comfortably bench or squat inside the rack itself. This is a smaller gripe, but you also need to make sure the front cable trolleys are fully lowered before squatting or benching. Otherwise, the knurling on your bar can rub against the cable lines, or the trolleys can get in the way while adjusting spotter arms or other attachments. I’d also strongly recommend replacing the included carabiners. They feel cheap, the hooks can tear up straps, and most of mine don’t fully open properly. I have the included pull-up bar as well, and I really wish REP offered a knurled version. I’d happily pay an extra $50–80 for that option. For the Future: I’ll probably expand mine into a 6-post setup eventually. I actually reached out to REP Fitness about what parts I’d need, and they were very quick to respond with recommendations and a quote. One thing to note: not all of the necessary expansion parts are listed on their website, so you’ll likely need to call or email them directly.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(3.67)
5/8/2026
I bought the rack-mounted version, and overall the fit is nice. It has a decent amount of UHMW on the back, so it won’t scratch up your rack. It’s great for storing change plates and keeping those smaller plates organized. My main gripe is that it takes up more room than it really needs to. I feel like the design could be shrunk down a bit and still be just as functional. Along those same lines, using two bolts feels a little excessive, I’d imagine one would probably do the job, though I’m not exactly a structural engineer or science guy. The coating is also just okay. When mine arrived, some of the coating was already chipped from getting dinged up during shipping. Value-wise, they’re a bit more expensive than competitors like Stray Dog Strength while also being slightly less functional since they don’t have rear tabs for holding bands or other miscellaneous gym items like bands.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(5.00)
5/8/2026
I have two of these in black-on-black, and the build quality is excellent. I added a thin layer of UHMW on the back of mine to help protect the rack, and it works great. The design is really well thought out, the top uses a soft plastic/rubber material that cushions the bar while also keeping it snug so it doesn’t rattle, make noise, or interfere with the rest of the rack. The color options are also great, with plenty of combinations to choose from. Naturally, I used all of that creativity to pick black-on-black. Really bold choice on my part. They also have a very premium look without the premium price tag. If I had to give one con, it’d be that each holder only stores one barbell, which is probably why I ended up buying two.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(4.67)
5/4/2026
Like most Kleva Built / REP Fitness collaborations, the Adroit Landmine is really well thought out and looks great in a home gym. The movement is smooth in all directions, and overall it performs really well. The included magnet could have made this an absolute winner, but unfortunately, it’s the weak point. The magnet just isn’t strong enough. When I rack the weight, the attachment sometimes comes loose from the rack, which could turn into a tripping hazard. I’m hoping REP takes feedback like this into account and upgrades the magnet in future versions. It’s frustrating because this is so close to being perfect, it stores well, looks fantastic, and functions great overall, aside from the magnet issue. If anyone has found a stronger alternative magnet that works with this, I’d definitely be interested in hearing about it.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(4.67)
5/4/2026
Like Big Antonio says, this thing follows Rogue’s philosophy of being way overbuilt, and I mean that in the best way possible. It’s added a ton of value to my home gym by getting equipment off the floor and making the space feel much more organized. I’ve got a band shelf mounted up top, several small hooks holding cable attachments, a Fit Frog barbell holder on one side, and even my Bells of Steel seal row pad stored on one of the posts. I’m working with a relatively small space and it’s a rental, so the fact that I can store all of this without drilling holes into the walls is a huge win. Price-wise, I actually think this system is very competitive, if not better, than similar options from REP and Bells of Steel right now. Maybe it’s tariffs or broader supply chain stuff, but at the moment, Rogue’s pricing is hard to beat. That could change, but as it stands, I wouldn’t sleep on this unit. The Cons: Assembly isn’t rocket science, but I do wish Rogue included clearer instructions or at least some best practices for putting this beast together. I built it solo, and when it came time to install the shelves, things got a bit awkward, I ended up scratching one of the posts in the process (not my proudest moment). If you’re building this yourself, I’d recommend assembling it while it’s laid down, then flipping it upright at the end. Even better, grab a friend or significant other to help, these shelves are heavy and a bit unwieldy, and having an extra set of hands would go a long way in avoiding mistakes like mine. It does not come with plate dividers, which can make it difficult to access plates when they are pushed tightly together. I ended up putting all my 45 lb plates on one side and the rest of my bumper plates on the other end to make things easier to grab.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(5.00)
5/4/2026
Sturdy and Dirty I really enjoy this bench, it feels like something you’d find in a commercial gym. It’s super sturdy, almost overbuilt, but not in a way that makes it hard to use or move around. It’s still easy to adjust, store, and reposition. I’ve seen some people complain about setting it up for decline, and to that I offer the confused Jackie Chan meme. Just put the bench at a slight incline, adjust the post, then set it to decline—three steps and you are done. End of rant. Back to the review: the finish looks great, and assembly was super easy. I originally bought it with the standard bench pad, which was perfectly fine, but I’m a sucker for consumerism, so I ended up upgrading to the wide pad. Honestly, unless you’re a larger individual (physically, not ego-wise), the standard pad is more than enough. Save your money and don’t be like me. The grip on this bench is excellent, you can really lock your shoulders in for bench press. For reference, I’m a short king at 5'5" (maybe shorter on a bad day), and I can still get solid leg drive with no issues. Wish List: It’d be great if there were a way to add attachments. Then again, if REP did that, they probably wouldn’t be able to sell the rest of their benches.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(4.33)
4/29/2026
Pros: Overall, I think the Atlas is a great piece of equipment, lightweight, durable, and well built. I really like the versatility; you can use it for both landmine work and as a cable attachment. The price is also very competitive, which makes it easier on the wallet. From a design standpoint, the adjustable handle placement is a big plus, and it looks great overall. Cons: One downside is that the handle circumference feels a bit too narrow, which makes it slightly awkward to grip, I wish they were a bit thicker (and that’s coming from someone with baby hands). My more controversial take is on the knurling, it’s pretty underwhelming. I went with the double diamond option, and the grip felt just okay. It reminds me of the Ohio Bar in Black Zinc, which most people consider fairly passive. In fact, the knurling on REP Fitness' standard cable attachments feels sharper than the double diamond. Lastly, the range of motion feels great when used as a landmine, but as a rack attachment it’s just okay. I don’t always feel like I’m getting full ROM. That said, it could just be me since a lot of other people seem to really like it.
Performance
Value
Build Quality

(3.67)
4/28/2026
Pros: I have a full set of these, and overall I really like them. I love that they’re made in the USA—especially in the same place Cadillacs were made, which makes them feel that much cooler and more unique. I’ve used other kettlebells before, and the e-coat finish on these looks great and, at least for me, actually helps with grip. That said, these aren’t competition kettlebells, the handles are thicker (“chonky”), especially as the weight increases. I think that’s why some people say they feel slippery, but I haven’t had that issue personally. Cons: The only real downside I noticed is that on a few of the kettlebells I bought, the e-coating either wasn’t applied properly or didn’t hold up well. It started to come off once I got sweat on them. I’m pretty sure mine were from an early run, though, and sure Rogue has since fixed that issue.
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