It feels like we are starting to reach a critical mass of equipment for people who want to do bodybuilding style training at home. Not having access to machines was always a huge limitation but between the rack mounted cable systems, multi-angle lever arms, and stuff like the Bulletproof Isolator there are a lot of options opening up. The question is whether they can become low friction enough to *actually* replace those machines or if they’ll just be too much both to set up and tear down.
Between Vendetta Brackets, KaizenDIY adapters, Mutant Metals handles, Buffalo Bully rollers, and CFT performance accessories, any one inch and 5/8” rack can pretty much do anything now. Love it
@@willmcgee9743 I’m curious to hear what he’s heard or experienced too. I have been very happy so far. Shipping was MUCH sooner than mutant metals, my mutant metal handles are the same threads as CFT so they are interchangeable, I was able to get smooth handles from CFT because I may not always want knurl (angles 90 grips don’t fray with smooth handles), lots of color options. Whenever I purchased my Squat wedges from CFT I told them I wanted the rubber grip option. It was extra but I didn’t know that. He was kind enough to still coat them even though I only paid for regular paint. The tricep attachment works well and is effective. I personally don’t have any complaints so that’s why I am also curious as to what Brandon knows. :)
@@willmcgee9743 So a few issues for me. He's directly copied other products from small businesses (Kleva Built Genesis Jack), his products have also been shown to fail on occasions and when confronted with this he ignores, blocks, or denies it. There was also an issue with a giveaway he did for a weight tree that was sent to a customer, but it was designed so poorly it tipped over. When confronted about it he claimed it wasn't his. Just weird stuff that would make me weary of doing business with them.
Nice equipment and I can see how they add versatility to the jammer arms. I don't use them either, but I love all of the ingenuity we're seeing lately.
Rogue 1 inch band pegs work the best with the rogue 1.0 arms and vendetta because of the length of them like you mentioned. Don't know if this was said already, but if you reverse those band pegs to where the long end is pointing toward the outside they won't be in the way. You can also buy some one inch clamps to secure those band pegs for added safety. One other thing that I find useful is to utilize a band peg on the "50 Cal" portion of the trolley where it adjusts up and down on the posts (with the long end facing outwards)-- when the time comes to adjust the arm (moving up and down on the post) remove the band peg and place in the lowest hole of the vendetta when raising up the arm to a high position (hope that makes sense) or lowering. Just make sure the long end of the band peg is facing the side you are on when adjusting. I generally keep my arms extended and raised so it seems easier to move the arm that way as opposed to holding the "50 cal" portion (one hand on "cal" and one hand on peg). Enjoy your videos! Good luck in your powerlifting competitions!
Dang it, was just about to buy a pair for my Rep ISO arms but they’re sold out. Signed up to get notified once they’re available, hopefully the wait won’t be too long.
@@accelas -Seriously? Man let me go do some digging to see if that’s the norm, if so I’m gonna have to pass. Waiting a week or two for delivery is nerve wrecking as is, I’d probably go insane waiting 3 or 4 months.
@@BasementBrandon You'll think of something to do with them... Worlds most expensive barbell holder? It's close to the rack and you could fit a lot on there...
@@BasementBrandon i think it reduces setup though so it lowers the "barrier of entry" to actually use them for more things. Also, the Bare Steel Equipment Stacked Power Pins are 5" and work great!
Cool…so we now have an iso bench option. * perhaps this could even be rigged for leg press with pull-up bar between (not optimal) Now we need a functional trainer add on. I mean a rack is supposed to be like a Lego piece - not sure where the accessory market has been. 😜 Thanks for the video
I prefer dumbbell press or functional cable press after barbell benching. Lever arms are great but still takes some time tinkering and I don't have extra time to tinker in between sets.
Same here. Just bought a 28mm Rogue Boneyard bearing bar. Man it's sweet. Next up competition kilo discs. I really want some Elieko plates but damn they are expensive.
I have a quick suggestion - go to a hardware store and purchase 1" Bolts and you can even get the threads removed, if you care to and, they will be the right lengths for the pins you're after instead of using the band pegs - which are too long.
Lever arms. Got rid of mine with the sale of the rack. Didn’t use them much but something tells me I will buy them again when I get a new rack.. also. Intentional or not. That MG4 was perfectly parallel to the right side of my frame.
I'm with you on the safety aspect of any gym equipment. You should review those articulating adapters for lever arms. I'm sure they would gladly send you a set. The home gym bro Kaizon I think is the guy.
Kyle is a great dude. I think he made them in conjunction with Gym Pin. TBH though, one of the main reasons I wanted to do this video is so I can finally take these arms off the rack
Nice review. Thx! Was hoping for a someday review of the articulating adapters from gympin combined with the vendettas for the crem de la crem accessory that most won’t fully use as well. Understand why they’re coming off your rig though
B, Are any other companies besides Vendetta and Straydog Strength that sell those 180° arm/bracket? I am definitely liking the Straydog version since it comes with a shorter arm and can see it for multiple exercise hacks/applications.
@@BasementBrandon Haven't reached out to him personally. I'm on the email list and I check the site regularly. It says item is built upon order but the "Order Now" button is always greyed out.
Bells of Steel still takes the cake on lever arms, because of the ability to attach them to their cable machine and attach the cables to the arms themselves. You get resistance through the full movement that actually feels like machines.
How u doing bro. I remember a while back u did not like the arms because they just got in the way and u hardly use them. Do u think different now that they slide up and down d have vendetta adapters??
What is the theoretical advantage to using something like this, as opposed to a free weight exercise? I always thought the idea was to get away from machines, particularly fixed plane of movement machines.
Some, especially those who train for hypertrophy, like the fixed range of motion. It can also emulate a lot of machines that a person may miss from a commercial gym.
On a 6 post rack are their any concerns with tipping the rack? I store about 200 pounds on the back of my rack while using the other weight in the front.
Thanks for the video. My thoughts are that Vendetta charges to much for the Rep ISO vendetta brackets almost as much as the ISO arms themselves and here’s what really pisses me off is that for the Rouge $1000 arms vendetta only charges $279 ! What is vendetta playing favorites to the Rouge company. To Expensive and to Long of a wait time.
@@stevenkoos yeah I heard he came out with some after these or when these came out he had already been working on some. I can’t remember the price but it wasn’t $15-$18 like these at the time last year. But I may have missed his since I am not really a lever arms guy.
The biggest reasons are they're annoying to take apart and remove and also I have the only pair of official white arms from Rogue, so they have some sentimental value to me.
Great video @BasementBrandon ! Anyone got any thoughts on this (these as they technically are a pair) v’s the version for the Rogue Monster version 2.0 that will be 5/8” despite the rack (obviously) being 1” ?! 🤔
@@BasementBrandon yes exactly! Makes a lot of sense. Personally I’ve grown used the the perceived security of 1” pins but forget that so many racks use 5/8” perfectly successfully. Perhaps the choice of 1” would be nice but totally understand this is a small business and can’t cater for absolutely everyone!
this is a way how rogue should have done it the minute I saw the trolley, it was #1 idea but, eventually you will dent your rollers or you need to make another 1in whole on the trolley in the top section and you need to loose the tension on trolley, so it will mount/sit to the rack using 2 pins ( not rollers ). The way how Rogue Velocidor is made; it will make it a bit loose though. don't know why folks in Rogue have not done it. I'm in garage gym like 3month only and have better ideas :)
I have the short lever arms. Im a bodybuilding style lifter whos always loved hammer strength. These DO NOT feel like hammer strength! I hardly ever use my lever arms, i even bought add on knurled handle, both straight and angled grips. The problem is that most hammer strength chest machines come together slightly at the top. The do feel good for shoulder press... but do we really need more shoulder lifts?? Making a pendulum squat sounds fun but in a pain in the arse and not worth it. Lever arms are a total waste of money. I think ive paid over $2000 with the add on handles and shipping. Am i gonna get these add ons for $300 to make adjusting them easier? HELL NO. Someone buy my levers arms please. The beauty of a home gym is you realize how many machines in the gym are useless and you dont actually need. Lever arms is just another reminder that all you really need is the basics.
It feels like we are starting to reach a critical mass of equipment for people who want to do bodybuilding style training at home. Not having access to machines was always a huge limitation but between the rack mounted cable systems, multi-angle lever arms, and stuff like the Bulletproof Isolator there are a lot of options opening up. The question is whether they can become low friction enough to *actually* replace those machines or if they’ll just be too much both to set up and tear down.
Agreed, I think these are geared best towards that market.
Between Vendetta Brackets, KaizenDIY adapters, Mutant Metals handles, Buffalo Bully rollers, and CFT performance accessories, any one inch and 5/8” rack can pretty much do anything now. Love it
I would take CFT out of that convo personally, would not buy from them.
@basementbrandon can you elaborate more on why you wouldn't buy from CFT? I was thinking about purchasing a couple of items from them
@@willmcgee9743 I’m curious to hear what he’s heard or experienced too. I have been very happy so far. Shipping was MUCH sooner than mutant metals, my mutant metal handles are the same threads as CFT so they are interchangeable, I was able to get smooth handles from CFT because I may not always want knurl (angles 90 grips don’t fray with smooth handles), lots of color options. Whenever I purchased my Squat wedges from CFT I told them I wanted the rubber grip option. It was extra but I didn’t know that. He was kind enough to still coat them even though I only paid for regular paint. The tricep attachment works well and is effective. I personally don’t have any complaints so that’s why I am also curious as to what Brandon knows. :)
@@willmcgee9743 So a few issues for me. He's directly copied other products from small businesses (Kleva Built Genesis Jack), his products have also been shown to fail on occasions and when confronted with this he ignores, blocks, or denies it. There was also an issue with a giveaway he did for a weight tree that was sent to a customer, but it was designed so poorly it tipped over. When confronted about it he claimed it wasn't his. Just weird stuff that would make me weary of doing business with them.
@@BasementBrandon wow thank you for the back story. Definitely makes a person go “hmmm” lol
Nice equipment and I can see how they add versatility to the jammer arms. I don't use them either, but I love all of the ingenuity we're seeing lately.
Just more toys for the boys 😅
Rogue 1 inch band pegs work the best with the rogue 1.0 arms and vendetta because of the length of them like you mentioned. Don't know if this was said already, but if you reverse those band pegs to where the long end is pointing toward the outside they won't be in the way. You can also buy some one inch clamps to secure those band pegs for added safety. One other thing that I find useful is to utilize a band peg on the "50 Cal" portion of the trolley where it adjusts up and down on the posts (with the long end facing outwards)-- when the time comes to adjust the arm (moving up and down on the post) remove the band peg and place in the lowest hole of the vendetta when raising up the arm to a high position (hope that makes sense) or lowering. Just make sure the long end of the band peg is facing the side you are on when adjusting. I generally keep my arms extended and raised so it seems easier to move the arm that way as opposed to holding the "50 cal" portion (one hand on "cal" and one hand on peg). Enjoy your videos! Good luck in your powerlifting competitions!
You know I didn't even think about just putting them in the other way 🤪
Dang it, was just about to buy a pair for my Rep ISO arms but they’re sold out. Signed up to get notified once they’re available, hopefully the wait won’t be too long.
I placed my order in January, and they're just shipped 2 days ago.
@@accelas Damn a full 3 months? I ordered the Rep ones in March and was hoping it would come sooner
@@accelas -Seriously? Man let me go do some digging to see if that’s the norm, if so I’m gonna have to pass. Waiting a week or two for delivery is nerve wrecking as is, I’d probably go insane waiting 3 or 4 months.
Those look pretty intense as they completely replace the main unit. Let me know what you think if you get them.
Great advice. Looks like great product for those with lever arms.
Could be! I just will warn those who think these will change their opinion on them being useless and trying to salvage their $1000 or so investment.
@@BasementBrandon You'll think of something to do with them... Worlds most expensive barbell holder? It's close to the rack and you could fit a lot on there...
Well at Tractor supply. You can get a 1" inch pin long enough to fit in both plates
Nice
Think I may need to get me a pair! Awesome vid as always Brandon!
I think if you use your arms at all, these are a no brainer. Just don't expect them to change your opinion on them if you don't use them currently.
@@BasementBrandon i think it reduces setup though so it lowers the "barrier of entry" to actually use them for more things. Also, the Bare Steel Equipment Stacked Power Pins are 5" and work great!
Nice review B, hope all is good with the family!!
Come back to the tubes!
Cool…so we now have an iso bench option.
* perhaps this could even be rigged for leg press with pull-up bar between (not optimal)
Now we need a functional trainer add on.
I mean a rack is supposed to be like a Lego piece - not sure where the accessory market has been. 😜
Thanks for the video
It seems PRx showed in a recent video tour with Garage Gym Reviews that they have arms that attach to a cable system.
Your basement is legit some mad scientist lab of muscle/strength
Maybe one of these days I'll actually use this stuff to lift!
My guy Brandon finally found a way to keep it up 😂
Teaching an old dog new tricks.
@@BasementBrandon 😂
I prefer dumbbell press or functional cable press after barbell benching. Lever arms are great but still takes some time tinkering and I don't have extra time to tinker in between sets.
Makes sense!
Those are great. They do increase the profile of the lever arms.
Def do, but a worthwhile increase if you use em IMO!
Vendetta mag pins work perfectly. ;) Stick out about 1/2" thru the far bracket
If they are in stock... if not, the Bare Steel Equipment Stacked Power Pins are 5"
Nice!
I love blowing money on fitness equipment. Yet I’ve never once figured out what I would use lever arms for. Great video Brandon
Same here. Just bought a 28mm Rogue Boneyard bearing bar. Man it's sweet. Next up competition kilo discs. I really want some Elieko plates but damn they are expensive.
Better man than I.
I have a quick suggestion - go to a hardware store and purchase 1" Bolts and you can even get the threads removed, if you care to and, they will be the right lengths for the pins you're after instead of using the band pegs - which are too long.
Good call
Lever arms. Got rid of mine with the sale of the rack. Didn’t use them much but something tells me I will buy them again when I get a new rack.. also. Intentional or not. That MG4 was perfectly parallel to the right side of my frame.
Lol not intentional.
If I ever get lever arms to fill the void of selling my Levergym, I will definitely be getting these.
Right on!
Chains at the top of the rack could srrve the same purpose. But you gotta hook up and set it up a bit ahead
👍
Back on a review roll!! Lever arms on a rack getting in the way 😂 gotta love that
Need to get through some of these videos so I can get rid of stuff lol
As usual, great review. Thank you Sir.
Thanks for taking a look!
I'm with you on the safety aspect of any gym equipment.
You should review those articulating adapters for lever arms. I'm sure they would gladly send you a set. The home gym bro Kaizon I think is the guy.
Kaizen*
Kyle is a great dude. I think he made them in conjunction with Gym Pin. TBH though, one of the main reasons I wanted to do this video is so I can finally take these arms off the rack
@@BasementBrandon 😢end of an era. Now what am I supposed to look at in the background?
Well done Brandon. Question. I see they are $279 for a pair. Does that mean you receive enough for both lever arms or just one?
Both!
@@BasementBrandon thank you.
Just noticed the 4K option on the video...nice man!
You can see all my hair follicle in 4k now.
Nice review. Thx! Was hoping for a someday review of the articulating adapters from gympin combined with the vendettas for the crem de la crem accessory that most won’t fully use as well. Understand why they’re coming off your rig though
Those do look nice, but I've just accepted the fact these are not for me.
HI brandon CAN YOU REAVIEW THE CAR JACK DEAD.LIFT ATTACHMENT or chest supported row or the from fortis equipment or horizontal row machine ?
That might be tough to convince the wife on lol
B, Are any other companies besides Vendetta and Straydog Strength that sell those 180° arm/bracket? I am definitely liking the Straydog version since it comes with a shorter arm and can see it for multiple exercise hacks/applications.
So I don't think Straydog actually recommends using their GOATs that way IIRC.
Thank You brandon for everything you do. Could you do A video on a leg press That you can mount to your rack Is legend and titan have then
If I ever get my hands on them. I tried rigging up my REP utility seat to the lever arms and it was super awkward.
I’ve been waiting on the versions for the Titan Lever arms forever. I would definitely use my lever arms more with a set of these
Has he given you an ETA
@@BasementBrandon Haven't reached out to him personally. I'm on the email list and I check the site regularly. It says item is built upon order but the "Order Now" button is always greyed out.
I think they freaking Awesome. Complete game changer
Fair enough!
Bells of Steel still takes the cake on lever arms, because of the ability to attach them to their cable machine and attach the cables to the arms themselves. You get resistance through the full movement that actually feels like machines.
🤔 will have to take a look
How u doing bro. I remember a while back u did not like the arms because they just got in the way and u hardly use them. Do u think different now that they slide up and down d have vendetta adapters??
Nope, I've since sold them!
What is the theoretical advantage to using something like this, as opposed to a free weight exercise? I always thought the idea was to get away from machines, particularly fixed plane of movement machines.
Some, especially those who train for hypertrophy, like the fixed range of motion. It can also emulate a lot of machines that a person may miss from a commercial gym.
@@BasementBrandon I admit, I don't know much about training that way. For me, I use the same plan of motion too much, I start tweaking things.
hello what the thickness of the side plates?
5/16"
On a 6 post rack are their any concerns with tipping the rack? I store about 200 pounds on the back of my rack while using the other weight in the front.
doubt it.. but always best to bolt it to floor or a platform if possible
Consider some stabilizer feet
Not as long as the rack is either bolted or secured in some fashion (including weight storage)
Brandon I know you have band pegs, why did you feel like you needed to use a pin?
The pins secure where the band pegs do not. Wouldn't want one of these popping out
Thanks for the video. My thoughts are that Vendetta charges to much for the Rep ISO vendetta brackets almost as much as the ISO arms themselves and here’s what really pisses me off is that for the Rouge $1000 arms vendetta only charges $279 ! What is vendetta playing favorites to the Rouge company. To Expensive and to Long of a wait time.
It's b/c it's replacing the entire unit and giving you new rollers as well. The Rogue ones are just the side brackets and bolts.
the surplus strength Speed Pins XL should work for them
Appreciate the tip!
Britton sells nice substantial Vendetta magpins that have 5.5” of usable space now to pair up with the brackets. They are perfect.
@@stevenkoos yeah I heard he came out with some after these or when these came out he had already been working on some. I can’t remember the price but it wasn’t $15-$18 like these at the time last year. But I may have missed his since I am not really a lever arms guy.
I’ve always wondered why you keep them on your rack if you know you don’t use them.
The biggest reasons are they're annoying to take apart and remove and also I have the only pair of official white arms from Rogue, so they have some sentimental value to me.
Great video good sir
Thanks big Phil
Great video @BasementBrandon ! Anyone got any thoughts on this (these as they technically are a pair) v’s the version for the Rogue Monster version 2.0 that will be 5/8” despite the rack (obviously) being 1” ?! 🤔
I think the thought is here is if they use smaller holes, they can have more positions to lock or start in.
@@BasementBrandon yes exactly! Makes a lot of sense. Personally I’ve grown used the the perceived security of 1” pins but forget that so many racks use 5/8” perfectly successfully. Perhaps the choice of 1” would be nice but totally understand this is a small business and can’t cater for absolutely everyone!
"Proper boltage"is the correct gymbro vernacular.
F yea!
Hey Brandon - Any chance of brokering a coupon code for these?
I can ask
Thanks I’ve been considering these everyday. It breaks my heart you don’t like your lever arms, i use mine everyday from workouts to stretching
They don't have a ton of carry over for me for powerlifting. If I were doing more hypertrophy work I think I'd find more of a use for them.
FYI they sell their own pins too. Should solve the length issue!
Good call!
this is a way how rogue should have done it
the minute I saw the trolley, it was #1 idea
but, eventually you will dent your rollers or you need to make another 1in whole on the trolley in the top section and you need to loose the tension on trolley, so it will mount/sit to the rack using 2 pins ( not rollers ). The way how Rogue Velocidor is made; it will make it a bit loose though.
don't know why folks in Rogue have not done it. I'm in garage gym like 3month only and have better ideas :)
I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say.
Vendetta should include pins with it to eliminate the issues of finding something long enough, but not too long.
Or least suggest it as an add on!
I was hoping that Briton would’ve change your mind. Lol but good honest review always.
I'm stubborn :)
I agree with brandon Lover arms are a pain in the butt to set up
🫡
I have the short lever arms. Im a bodybuilding style lifter whos always loved hammer strength. These DO NOT feel like hammer strength! I hardly ever use my lever arms, i even bought add on knurled handle, both straight and angled grips. The problem is that most hammer strength chest machines come together slightly at the top. The do feel good for shoulder press... but do we really need more shoulder lifts?? Making a pendulum squat sounds fun but in a pain in the arse and not worth it. Lever arms are a total waste of money. I think ive paid over $2000 with the add on handles and shipping. Am i gonna get these add ons for $300 to make adjusting them easier? HELL NO. Someone buy my levers arms please. The beauty of a home gym is you realize how many machines in the gym are useless and you dont actually need. Lever arms is just another reminder that all you really need is the basics.
I think if you add bands and/or the gympin adapters you can replicate a lot of hammer strength stuff.
Which brand gym pin adaptor do you recommend?
@@moonskippy The Kaizen ones that let them move on the other plane as well.