The Temple of Gainz V3 Leg Extension/Seated Leg Curl has served both my wife and me very well, although it required a couple of adjustments to reach its full potential. The build quality is phenomenal, customer service has been top-tier, and my order qualified for free shipping and delivery. The machine comfortably accommodates both of us despite our size difference, and my wife especially enjoys using it. The first adjustment was adding a seat belt. During seated leg curls, I would lift away from the back pad, limiting my ability to effectively load my hamstrings. I initially compensated by pushing down hard on the leg clamp, but that introduced a noticeable amount of flex into the machine. Once I installed a seat belt, the problem disappeared and the leg curl function worked perfectly. The second adjustment was switching to single-leg extensions. The 264-pound weight stack uses a 1:1 pulley ratio, and I found myself approaching the full stack fairly quickly when training both legs together. Performing extensions one leg at a time solved that issue while also providing an excellent unilateral movement. This V3 model has since been discontinued and replaced by the V4, which appears to address many of these concerns. The updated version includes a seat belt, a revised frame structure, and knurled handles. Overall, this is an excellent space-saving combination machine for a home-gym owner who has the room for a dedicated leg station. Despite the minor adjustments required on the V3, its build quality, functionality, and fit make it a machine I would absolutely purchase again.

The Nike Squat Cage served me extremely well as a four-post rack until I wanted to add plate storage and expand its attachment capabilities. I use it daily, and it has never limited any lift I’ve performed. The rack is sturdy, its finish has held up well, and its distinctive design stands out in a home-gym market dominated by Rogue and REP racks. Its 3×3-inch uprights and 5/8-inch holes have accepted the third-party attachments I’ve tried, but Nike leaves some functionality on the table. The rack lacks Westside hole spacing through the bench zone, numbered holes are not visible on the inside surfaces of the uprights, and additional holes along the sides of the uprights would make attachment placement more versatile. The biggest limitation is Nike’s lack of an expandable rack ecosystem. I contacted the company about purchasing additional uprights and crossmembers to convert mine into a six-post rack, but Nike does not sell those components individually. I eventually completed the conversion using another manufacturer’s uprights and crossmembers, although I would have preferred a matching all-Nike setup. This rack makes the most sense for a fitness studio or personal-training facility that wants a sturdy, attractive rack in a fixed configuration. For a home-gym owner whose setup will evolve over time, it lacks the modularity and long-term support offered by competing brands. The price has also increased since I purchased mine. At its current price—particularly when compared with companies offering broader attachment ecosystems and free shipping—I would not buy it again. It remains an excellent rack for lifting, but it is a much less compelling platform to build a home gym around.

I bought the Nike 1972 Power Bar locally from Dick’s Sporting Goods because this was my first true power bar and I wanted to handle it before buying. It has since become my go-to bar for bench pressing and has served me very well. I would describe the knurling as pointy rather than sticky. For comparison, the Texas Power Bar has more of a sticky, locked-in feel, while the Rogue Ohio Power Bar has a more serrated feel. I’ve owned all three, and the Nike’s knurling is distinct—it provides plenty of bite, particularly for benching, without feeling like a copy of either bar. The black coating has held up well, and the sleeves have also remained in good condition. My main criticism is value: at its retail price, there are bars from established specialty manufacturers offering more features or stronger specifications. What those alternatives usually cannot offer is the ability to walk into a nearby store, feel the knurling for yourself, buy the bar and train with it that same day. This bar is best suited for someone who values local availability and wants to handle a power bar before committing to it. If that convenience matters—and you don’t mind the automatic criticism that seems to accompany Nike strength equipment—it is a dependable bar that performs especially well on the bench

This was my first barbell, purchased as part of a large bundle of Nike equipment. After three years of use, my overall impression is that it does nothing exceptionally well—but it also hasn’t failed me in any meaningful way. The knurling is mild, which my wife particularly enjoys, and the finish has held up well. One of its biggest advantages is accessibility: a new lifter can walk into a local Dick’s Sporting Goods and buy one without researching specialty manufacturers or paying freight shipping. At retail price, I think the value is only marginal because there are better-performing bars available once you know what to look for. Used, however, these can often be found inexpensively and make a perfectly serviceable first barbell. I didn’t understand the enormous range of barbell options—or how opinionated the home-gym community could be—when I bought it. Some of the negativity surrounding this bar seems driven more by the Nike name than by actual shortcomings. I don’t regret buying it, and it has served my household reliably, but knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t buy it again.