Equipment Review: Vectra VX-18 Multi-Station Gym
Posted in Exercise Equipment Advice on May 26th, 2006 by Healthstyles Exercise EquipmentBy: Tim Hilgert, HealthStyles Exercise Equipment Denver Regional Manager
The Pinnacle in Resistance Training
Rating *****
Vectra has been producing some of the highest quality home gyms in the USA since 1987. The VX-18 is the culmination of 20 years of innovative design technology. What sets Vectra apart is their attention to the quality of construction, the ease of use and the biomechanical correctness of all of their machines. It is absolutely the best home gym that I have encountered in the industry. The price of the VX-18 at $4,999 makes some take a step back, but after all, you get what you pay for and this gym is worth every cent.
Features of the VX-18
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Direct drive arcing press arm eliminates cable stretch completely and moves in the natural arc of the human body
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One of the few home gyms to provide the versatility of adjusting from a lying bench press to an upright military press
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Seven position Vector bench that goes from a 15 degree decline to fully upright for shoulder press and allows for separate use with dumbbells as well as incline sit-ups
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Unique ratcheting system that is utilized on the butterfly station, the leg hold down for the high pulley and the seated row station allow for micro adjustments to fit every user
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Swiveling mid and low pulleys provide many options for a great number of quality exercises.
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Pivoting ankle cuff for leg extension fits users of any size with no time wasting adjustments
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Seat pad that pivots up to support the entire thigh during your standing leg curl
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One of the few gyms on the market that provide a quality squat exercise using the naturally arcing press arm
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You have the ability to add a commercial quality leg press to the gym
Specs
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Frame: heavy duty welded steel construction with a quality powder coat finish for durability
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Pulleys: fiberglass reinforced nylon with sealed ball bearing hub
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Guide Rods: solid stainless steal with a linear polish
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Cables: internally lubricated, clear nylon coated, aircraft quality, 2000 lb. tensile strength with stainless steel fittings
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Weight Stack: Machined cast iron powder coated 210 lbs. standard with 260 lbs. available.
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Pads: seamless cushions that are more durable than molded or sewn cushions
The things that I like most about this gym are that the motion feels as good as anything in the health club, the ease of adjustment from one exercise to another or from user to another make it a breeze to use and the biomechanical correctness of the exercises give by far the best results possible.
Vectra makes a wide variety of home gyms to fit in almost any space. They range from small single stack corner units to four station, four weight stack units to accommodate a number of different users at the same time.
The Pros and Cons
Pros
1. Unmatched quality of construction to last a lifetime
2. Smooth, quiet and correct movements to fit any user
3. Very quick and easy adjustments save valuable time and energy
4. Provides an incredible variety of exercises with multiple exercises for each muscle group
5. The ability to add to your gym with different leg press options and accessory handles
6. Each gym is hand made in the USA and pre-assembled at the factory before being shipped out
7. Vectra has been on the leading edge of innovation in the industry for 20 years
Cons
1. At $4,999, this is one of the more expensive single weight stack home gyms in the industry.
2. Size: The VX-18 takes up a considerable amount of space and would not be suitable for apartments or multi-function spaces.
Conclusion
The VX-18 is the ideal gym system for the homeowner who wants a full home fitness center to completely eliminate the need to workout at a health club. Unlike lesser quality gyms that you may need to replace or upgrade in the future, the VX-18 is a one-time investment that your family can use for a lifetime. With the versatility and flexibility of the system, the entire family can enjoy productive workouts on the VX-18. The quality, versatility, effectiveness of the VX-18 is unmatched in the industry. So despite the high price tag, I feel that this gym system delivers the best value for the investment and give the system 5 stars.
Contact your local Healthstyles Exercise Equipment retail store for more information about the Vectra Fitness VX-18 Multi-Station Home Gym


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