Garage Gym 411

Garage Gym 411

Member Since 3/4/2026

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392 points

Resident of the Gunshine State. Admin of 12 FB Groups for Used Fitness Equipment since 2017. In early 2025, I finally launched Fitness Relocation, a FREE Used Fitness Equipment Marketplace for fellow home gym nerds who loathe social media in general. HomeGymCon VIP attendee in both 2024 & 2025. R.I.P. Doug Brignole (BRIG20) and John Meadows (Mountain Dog)

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Garage Gym 411's Reviews (10)

(3.33)
4/8/2026
Circa 2006, Evolve Projects, LLC was formed and with Louis Simmons' blessing, the "CoRevolution" (an 'infomercial' version of what was known as the Westside "Scout" Folding Reverse Hyper) was brought to market. Later on, Rogue Fitness would release their version. I picked mine up from a Play It Again Sports for $50.00 with the idea that I would place it in front of one of my cable machines and use its weight stack (instead of placing plates on the CoRevolution.) I have yet to try this experiment, but have zero regrets and might get around to it someday. I would not pay more than $100 for a used CoRevolution in great condition, and instead, I highly recommend hunting down a used Rogue Fitness "Westside Scout Hyper" for $250 USD or lower, as there are plenty of used ones out there and it will be easier to resell (vs. a CoRevolution) if you change your mind. The Reverse Hyper machine was always a huge and heavy 'space hog' that its owners would eventually sell-off to reclaim space, in most cases. Home gym owners have jokingly referred to their Reverse Hyper as their 'gym desk' or 'drink holder.' (Just get a "Drink Spotter" from Massenomics.) The foldable reverse hyper is a much lighter, portable solution with a smaller footprint and a better fit for the home gym owner who wants this machine. Even "Glute Guy" Bret Contreras recently admitted to Joe DeFranco (on a March 5, 2026 podcast episode) that even he put his old school reverse hyper in storage.
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(5)
4/7/2026
Before the Kabuki Strength Transformer Bar (2017), there was the Slayer Barbell Assassin - it's like your EZ-CURL bar... on STEROIDS!!! But seriously, this unique, well-built, barbell was offered in 2 versions - the original Slayer Barbell and the Slayer Barbell "Assassin." Both models came with rotating sleeves. The Assassin model added the ability to choose from 10 different settings to alter its strength curve - not unlike what Strive/Prime Fitness does with their plate-loaded SmartStrength® machines and what Kabuki later did to the safety squat bar with their Transformer Bar design. After a successful exclusive distribution deal with EliteFTS that began at a trade show, Slayer relocated to Florida. Unfortunately, the company dissolved soon afterwards. Slayer's YT channel "slayerbarbell22" still exists and the "TASOSCHATZ" & "willbrink" YT channels have some Slayer-related videos as well - search YT for "Slayer Bar JM Press" to see Dave Tate of EliteFTS perform a modified JM Press with chains using the original Slayer Barbell. While I have no plans to sell my rare and unique Assassin Barbell, as far as any design improvement suggestions go, it would be cool if the sleeves were a bit longer and for the Slayer Barbell to be "rackable" - ironically, I believe Slayer initially captured the attention of the fitness industry by being the first company to offer a "rackable" trap bar before Sorinex & Rogue. Slayer also created a plate-loaded, lever curl 'dumbbell' product - if you are curious, the Watson B.D. Lever Curl Dumbbells ("original design by Charles Poliquin") look 'eerily similar' to Slayer's dumbbell product. The Watson B.D. Lever Curl Dumbbells are on Gym Radar, but it does not have any reviews yet - perhaps we can get Brian Shaw to submit a review? (search YT for "Brian Shaw’s Secret Bicep Hack" to see a short clip of Brian using his Watson B.D. Lever Curl Dumbbells with 45lb Rogue Deep Dish plates.)
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(4.67)
4/6/2026
I try to avoid Amazon and prefer to buy direct from the source whenever possible. That said, I did look into pulleys on Amazon, "snatch blocks" from Tractor Supply, Harbor Freight, Home Depot and Lowes before I decided to purchase 2 Quick Load Pulleys from F&F Steel (using code CFF.) During my search, I was surprised many pulleys were overqualified for my application and did NOT contain bearings whatsoever (my super smooth Tuff Stuff FT pulleys have really spoiled me.) I arrived at the F&F Steel Quick Load Pulley, as it's frame is not a cheap imported product, uses bearings and is built like a tank. Also, I was pleasantly surprised at the level of customer service and patience of F&F Steel - they won me over quickly. Like other reviewers, I'm purchasing this pulley for "1:2 ratio" reasons, but will NOT be involving a Voltra. I have 4 Rogue Monster Shackles (w/carabiners) mounted on a pair of Rogue Monster Shrimp Trawlers (up top) and also on a pair of Rogue Rhino 'feet' (down below) that I repurposed to use with my own version of a Rogue "Wall" (see my gym pics.) I can place a pair of these pulleys above (or below) quickly by attaching each to an appropriately placed shackle. Because I am using the cables from either my Keiser or Tuff Stuff FT, this pulley design is perfect for my application, as it easily allows the user to 'thread' a cable without worrying if the end of said cable may/may not have a 'stopper' (as that would not be able to be threaded through your typical pulley.) I did want to purchase a pair of Bullet Pulleys to experiment with, but history has shown that whenever they have a sale, its always for their pulley bundles - Bullet Pulley did have a BOGO sale on their pulley some time ago, but not since. Also, a Bullet Pulley would not allow me to easily pass a cable from a machine (with the stopper) either. The F&F Steel Quick Pulley isn't cheap, but its a very solid product. If I could ask for anything, I'd prefer it be offered in black (vs. white.)
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(5)
4/4/2026
This is the same model Functional Trainer used by Athlean-X and Strict Vision Athletics on YouTube - WWE Wrestler Seamus has the later, PPMS-245 model. In the Summer of 2018, after 1-2 months talking to the Seller and an 8 hr drive, I obtained a used PS-245. I knew beforehand that it was configured with 2x200lb stacks and a "rehab-friendly" 4:1 ratio, so I ordered a 2:1 cable kit from Tuff Stuff once I got it home - this 2:1 kit changed its max resistance from 50lbs to 100lbs per arm. The Tuff Stuff PS-245 is a commercial grade machine with arms that can be adjusted in 2 planes (i.e. up/down, left/right). Its cable smoothness has really spoiled me (only my Keiser Functional Trainer might be smoother.) At HGC 2025, I tried the Voltra and found its "cable pull feel" unsatisfying. I sold my Bodymasters lat pulldown once I placed my Keiser Functional Trainer directly in front of my Tuff Stuff Functional Trainer (see my gym pics) so I can combine 4 cables from both FTs (using a F&F Steel MultiLink 90) for a max resistance of 300lbs to replicate a lat pulldown exercise. When using a cable machine for back development, I generally prefer a single arm lat pull-in (thanks, Dr. Jordan Shallow) using a Prime RO-T8 handle (attached to either FT) or performing a seated scapular retraction using 2 cables from a single Functional Trainer (per Doug Brignole's BRIG20.) Otherwise, I use my Keiser Biaxial Upper Back machine. I'm looking forward to RepOne Strength's ESTACK product line, as there has been talk about possibly offering a ESTACK retro-fit kit for existing selectorized machines - that could bring my Tuff Stuff FT into the digital age by providing band & chain emulation, programmable eccentric loads, and possibly 500lbs max resistance per arm! Time will tell. Initially, I had to get used to the Tuff Stuff name. This company started as Cal Gym back in the 70's, was later bought by Brooks Industrial Marketplace in Dec 2022 and unforfunately, filed for Chapter 11 in Sept 2023.
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(4.67)
4/4/2026
Keiser strength machines are known for dynamic capabilities and being very joint-friendly - ideal for pro sports facilities (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA) and physical rehab facilities. The Keiser AIR250 Model 2621 Standing Hip is a solid, quality, adjustable machine. You may have seen a selectorized version of this kind of machine in your local gym (aka Multi-Hip) and it was collecting dust, right? This machine is the upright, space-saving, 'less-pervy,' alternative to an Abductor/Adductor (aka good girl/bad girl) machine - I'm surprised they were never used as a prop in any of the SAW or Final Destination movies. Moving on... To accommodate users of all heights, most selectorized Multi-Hip machines either have a fixed platform and a padded roller that adjusts "telescopically" or only have an adjustable platform. The AIR250 Standing Hip has an adjustable "half-platform," as only one leg needs to remain planted when using this machine - makes sense. All Keiser strength machines (with 2 or 5-window displays) provide resistance & reps. This machine's max resistance is 145lbs (66kg) and adjusts in 1lb/1kg increments. I never imagined I'd own this kind of machine. Frequently, I archive listings for used machines I might want to revisit. I first heard Doug Brignole on Mark Bell's Power Project podcast April 2021. During lockdowns, Doug created a home gym that included a Tuff Stuff "Multi-Hip" machine and I had saved a listing for 3 Keiser machines...including a Standing Hip machine! It was only being sold as a package, but no regrets, as I soon realized it was a sick deal and glad I bought all 3. Brignole is solely responsible for my adding this machine to my gym. NOTE: Keiser later decided to fold their "AIR250" designated machines into their A300 lineup. More recently, these machines are also available within their A400 series. Starting with the A300 (model 2621) version, this Standing Hip machine now has straighter arms (less bends) vs. the earlier AIR250 (model 2621) version.
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