Hey Man, I ended up buying this because of this video. Everything is great but the pully you have to use with at least 10 pounds for it to move smoothly, I like that I don't need to load it up with a ton of wait to get a workout on, as I only have 300 pounds of weight. I made a how to assembly video on it if anyone buys it and needs help. ua-cam.com/video/haFemL5ohpU/v-deo.html I cant wait to see more videos on this machine so I can see some ideas of new workouts to do on it. Maybe you can PIN this comment so others can see the build video I did on it, that took a long time to do. Thank You, Jacob @ knightridershop
Congrats on the cage and thanks for watching and even more for the build video. I pinned the comment and I'm also going to plug the video in my next Mikolo M7 video. Thanks Jacob!
I am in love with this machine after searching ALL WEEK for the perfect system. BUT IT IS TOO HIGH! Can the pull up bar be installed upside down? I am not tall, so a lower bar won't hurt me. I just MUST be lower than 87" for my garage door. No choice!
Let me take a look at it and see if its structurally possible. I'm not really sure if it would actually work though. I'll get back to you later this morning.
Hi, thank you Sir. Mikolo wrote me yesterday to suggest the M3 or F4, as it cannot be inverted. This machine was the first one I wanted to buy right away too! But thank you very much
Nah the pullup bar is about the same. It's built different and the one on the M4 is actually a little more difficult because the m4 has handles that are kind of far apart so it's harder to do a pullup on that machine. That's till my favorite Smith Machine to date though. :-)
Is there a difference between the square upright on the M7 and the round uprights on the M4 in terms of smoothness and travel of the plate holders for the cable system?
Thanks for your reviews. I am just starting to look at this companies products. I have a question: On the smith machine how far down is the starting point when doing deadlifts on the Smith Machine? A lot of smith machines sit high at the lowest point so doing deadlifts isn’t really great, the lower the starting point the better it is to do deadlifts and I like a smith machine to act as a supporting mechanism to help with doing my regular deadlifts off the floor. Thanks.
Yes you're going to find the same kind of limitation on deadlifts with this machine that you find on others. It's higher then a free floating Olympic bar so I typically use a stepper when deadlifting with the fixed Smith machine barbell.
Ugh, my M4 is being shipped to me right now. Idk if i should cancel it and get the M7. When do you think you'll have the full review for the M7 out? You're videos are awesome by the way, thanks for helping!
I don't know if I would do that to be honest. I love this machine but that M4 has been my absolute work horse and giving up that 2:1 pulley system is HUGE. I'm going to really go into that a lot when I do the comparison video but aside from that vertical leg press I still like my M4 more.
Thanks for the advice. I'm upgrading from just a regular squat rack without cables and I don't lift heavy so it sounds like I should keep the m4 when it arrives. Answering comments even on Sunday's, you're awesome man!
Getting closer to an ideal budget all-in-one! One possible minor mistake in the video though: you mentioned having smaller hole spacing allowing more pulley positions, but it looks like the hole spacing on the sides (where the pulley trolley pop-pin goes) are spaced farther than the front holes so you don't get as many height choices for the pulleys. Seems like the J-hooks and spotter arms may use the side holes in the same way, so you have fewer height choices for those which is really unfortunate as you basically get no benefit from the smaller hole spacing to dial in the exact heights for benching and squatting and such. It'd be much better if they used the front holes to allow more height options. This is a MAJOR oversight in my opinion. Also, couple downsides I see: 1. Straight plate-horns on the cable system weight trolley means you may need collars to keep the weights from falling off, especially if you load it enough to get plates close to the end of the peg 2. 1:1 ratio cable travel makes some exercises harder or impossible to perform 3. Highest front pulley position seems lower due to the Mikolo nameplate taking up the full side of the machine now, this was already an issue on the M4 for full ROM on lat pulldowns if you were somewhat taller (around 6ft+) 4. Cable weight trolley switched to a single square tube design which may not be as smooth compared to dual guide rods on the M4 5. Leg press plate seems a bit small, needs more length and width to accommodate more people and foot stances. 6. Bring back the dual barbell storage that the M4 had Still, really like some of the other features they added to this one like aluminum pulleys, better spotter arms, the vertical leg press, and 4-way holes on the uprights. Hopefully they can release an updated M4 with just the improvements from this M7 without any of these downsides! Looking forward to the comparison 😁
Hmmm, now that I look again I think youre right about the spacing. Still it appears as if the m7 has 1 more height level from the side than the m4 does from the front.
Great to hear. I just purchased it over the M4 because it seems to take up much less space. I am a little concerned about the cable pull not being as smooth as the M4, but I read that people sprayed a little lubricant on the square poles and it helped it out a lot. I am not as concerned about it being 1:1 because my wife and I use dumbbells or bands for small isolated movements. Does my rationale make sense to you?
@@markvasquez1070 I'm going to be honest. It's my least favorite Smith Machine. It's not a bad machine it's just not on par with the M4. After having both I REALLY wish I had kept my M4. It's a much better Smith Machine and I didn't even have the latest model
I have been researching which home gym to get and I thought the M7 was going to be the best for the best price, but now after watching this and reading the comments, I am stuck. Is the M4 better because the pulley system? I liked the leg press and the 1:1 ratio on the M7 but from what I am reading the pulley system isnt good? which system do you suggest?
@@alleneevans Yes you get a leg Press with the M7 but I honestly feel like the M4 is superior to this Smith machine. The M4 is by far the best Smith Machine I've owned and if you're asking me which one to go with I'd roll with the M4.
I’m going back and forth between the M4 and the M7. Parts of me say to just go with the M7 as I have lighter weights I can use for the lower end movements. But what I’m reading from the comments suggests the pulley system isn’t as smooth as the M4. I’m not really understanding why a 1:1 in some cases worse than the 2:1. For example, If you need to lift 5 lbs - you can put on a 5lb plate - instead of a 10lbs plate on a 2:1. Is the feel different lifting that 5lbs between the 2 systems? Or is that same 5lbs actually heavier on the 1:1 system real feel?
@@UsawaFitnessTy a quick response. I saw that video. I guess I need to really just feel the difference of that same comparable weight on each system. Because I guess it does feel different.
I would take the m7 over the m4 any day. I hate the hole spacing on the m4. I don't use the Smith portion that much and love the spacing in the m7. Makes it much more usable for free bar squats and benching. The m7 isnt as smooth on the cables. This means there is more friction, so it feels a bit more hectic on pulls. But lube will take care of that. Also the uprights are way more sturdy on the m7. Overall I would take the m7 everyday over the m4.
I purchased the M7 and I am disappointed with it. First it came missing 10 parts, most of the parts are scratched, 2 are dented, but the most troubling issue is both middle risers have surface rust on the inside. Anyone have a solution for the rust?
@@southbay121 That's crazy! Contact them. I wouldn't have even built it had I seen those issue. I've owned 4 cages by them and I've never seen any of the issues that you're talking about.
@@UsawaFitness I did. They are sending the parts they have not said whet thet will do about the scratches dents or rust, they don’t seem interested in those issues. I have sent 10+ emails and made 4 calls
@@southbay121 We're you're boxes damaged? I'm trying to figure out how your machine got like that. People reach out to me about Mikolo stuff all the time and I've never heard any comments about things being like what you received. Let me know what they do. Did you send pictures?
@@southbay121 This is a really important issue. I'd stress the rust issue. I'm guessing that the cage got wet but it's still weird that it's showing rust. I can't understand that at all.
Hey Man, I ended up buying this because of this video. Everything is great but the pully you have to use with at least 10 pounds for it to move smoothly, I like that I don't need to load it up with a ton of wait to get a workout on, as I only have 300 pounds of weight. I made a how to assembly video on it if anyone buys it and needs help. ua-cam.com/video/haFemL5ohpU/v-deo.html I cant wait to see more videos on this machine so I can see some ideas of new workouts to do on it. Maybe you can PIN this comment so others can see the build video I did on it, that took a long time to do. Thank You, Jacob @ knightridershop
Congrats on the cage and thanks for watching and even more for the build video. I pinned the comment and I'm also going to plug the video in my next Mikolo M7 video. Thanks Jacob!
@@UsawaFitness Awsome thanks alot
@@UsawaFitness just built mines yesterday and pretty disappointed with how not smooth the pulley system is. Can't wait for your more thorough review!
@@n3verend I'm not the biggest fan of it either. I'll get my review out really soon but I wish they had kept the same pulley system as the M4.
I just ordered mine m7 can't wait to start pumping iron on it I like that it's a 1to1 ratio and the smith machine is definitely a bonus
@@nathannava6148 Congratulations! Home gym supreme! 💪🏾
I am in love with this machine after searching ALL WEEK for the perfect system.
BUT IT IS TOO HIGH!
Can the pull up bar be installed upside down? I am not tall, so a lower bar won't hurt me. I just MUST be lower than 87" for my garage door. No choice!
Let me take a look at it and see if its structurally possible. I'm not really sure if it would actually work though. I'll get back to you later this morning.
Hi, thank you Sir. Mikolo wrote me yesterday to suggest the M3 or F4, as it cannot be inverted. This machine was the first one I wanted to buy right away too! But thank you very much
@@kenm2504 I'm glad you figured out!
When are you dropping the review? I am waiting on it to decide which route I’m going
Possibly next week.
So I want to get this, but.. The pull up on this one looks a little more difficult than the M4. Am I wrong? Thanks for sharing this
Nah the pullup bar is about the same. It's built different and the one on the M4 is actually a little more difficult because the m4 has handles that are kind of far apart so it's harder to do a pullup on that machine. That's till my favorite Smith Machine to date though. :-)
Can the pull-up bar be flipped around on this? For lower ceilings
I didn't think so but another subscriber mentioned they could be.
You ever gonna review the Ironmaster Superbench?
Let me check in with them and see if I can get one!
Is there a difference between the square upright on the M7 and the round uprights on the M4 in terms of smoothness and travel of the plate holders for the cable system?
The M4 feels slightly smoother to me. I'm not sure if it's because it's been pushed so much more or if it's really a thing.
Great review. 💪🏻
Thank you!
Thanks for your reviews. I am just starting to look at this companies products. I have a question: On the smith machine how far down is the starting point when doing deadlifts on the Smith Machine? A lot of smith machines sit high at the lowest point so doing deadlifts isn’t really great, the lower the starting point the better it is to do deadlifts and I like a smith machine to act as a supporting mechanism to help with doing my regular deadlifts off the floor.
Thanks.
Yes you're going to find the same kind of limitation on deadlifts with this machine that you find on others. It's higher then a free floating Olympic bar so I typically use a stepper when deadlifting with the fixed Smith machine barbell.
Did you ever release your full review of the M7?
@@KevDHernandez Not yet
Did they rid of the leg holder attachment with this new model?
@@danaehill744 yes it's not on this one. 😢
Ugh, my M4 is being shipped to me right now. Idk if i should cancel it and get the M7. When do you think you'll have the full review for the M7 out? You're videos are awesome by the way, thanks for helping!
I don't know if I would do that to be honest. I love this machine but that M4 has been my absolute work horse and giving up that 2:1 pulley system is HUGE. I'm going to really go into that a lot when I do the comparison video but aside from that vertical leg press I still like my M4 more.
Thanks for the advice. I'm upgrading from just a regular squat rack without cables and I don't lift heavy so it sounds like I should keep the m4 when it arrives. Answering comments even on Sunday's, you're awesome man!
@@steveramos72 🤣 Thanks man. I'm glad choosing to keep that M4 based off of what you said I think you're doing the right thing!
@@UsawaFitnessReally? I actually prefer a 1:1 ratio. Most of the cable machines I use at the gym use that ratio.
@Superman-xr1oh That's why they call you Superman Superman-xr1oh! 💪🏾👍🏾
THANK YOU!! Your content is so helpful!!! 🎉
@@Shaunerific Thank you for watching!
Getting closer to an ideal budget all-in-one!
One possible minor mistake in the video though: you mentioned having smaller hole spacing allowing more pulley positions, but it looks like the hole spacing on the sides (where the pulley trolley pop-pin goes) are spaced farther than the front holes so you don't get as many height choices for the pulleys.
Seems like the J-hooks and spotter arms may use the side holes in the same way, so you have fewer height choices for those which is really unfortunate as you basically get no benefit from the smaller hole spacing to dial in the exact heights for benching and squatting and such. It'd be much better if they used the front holes to allow more height options. This is a MAJOR oversight in my opinion.
Also, couple downsides I see:
1. Straight plate-horns on the cable system weight trolley means you may need collars to keep the weights from falling off, especially if you load it enough to get plates close to the end of the peg
2. 1:1 ratio cable travel makes some exercises harder or impossible to perform
3. Highest front pulley position seems lower due to the Mikolo nameplate taking up the full side of the machine now, this was already an issue on the M4 for full ROM on lat pulldowns if you were somewhat taller (around 6ft+)
4. Cable weight trolley switched to a single square tube design which may not be as smooth compared to dual guide rods on the M4
5. Leg press plate seems a bit small, needs more length and width to accommodate more people and foot stances.
6. Bring back the dual barbell storage that the M4 had
Still, really like some of the other features they added to this one like aluminum pulleys, better spotter arms, the vertical leg press, and 4-way holes on the uprights. Hopefully they can release an updated M4 with just the improvements from this M7 without any of these downsides!
Looking forward to the comparison 😁
Thank you for watching and the detailed comment! I appreciate it. 🙏🏾
Hmmm, now that I look again I think youre right about the spacing. Still it appears as if the m7 has 1 more height level from the side than the m4 does from the front.
When are you releasing the full review of the M7?
Either tomorrow or Wednesday
Great to hear. I just purchased it over the M4 because it seems to take up much less space. I am a little concerned about the cable pull not being as smooth as the M4, but I read that people sprayed a little lubricant on the square poles and it helped it out a lot. I am not as concerned about it being 1:1 because my wife and I use dumbbells or bands for small isolated movements. Does my rationale make sense to you?
@@markvasquez1070 I'm going to be honest. It's my least favorite Smith Machine. It's not a bad machine it's just not on par with the M4. After having both I REALLY wish I had kept my M4. It's a much better Smith Machine and I didn't even have the latest model
I have been researching which home gym to get and I thought the M7 was going to be the best for the best price, but now after watching this and reading the comments, I am stuck. Is the M4 better because the pulley system? I liked the leg press and the 1:1 ratio on the M7 but from what I am reading the pulley system isnt good? which system do you suggest?
@@alleneevans Yes you get a leg Press with the M7 but I honestly feel like the M4 is superior to this Smith machine. The M4 is by far the best Smith Machine I've owned and if you're asking me which one to go with I'd roll with the M4.
Solid overview.
@@carps_gym Thank you! 🙏🏾
I’m going back and forth between the M4 and the M7. Parts of me say to just go with the M7 as I have lighter weights I can use for the lower end movements. But what I’m reading from the comments suggests the pulley system isn’t as smooth as the
M4.
I’m not really understanding why a 1:1 in some cases worse than the 2:1. For example, If you need to lift 5 lbs - you can put on a 5lb plate - instead of a 10lbs plate on a 2:1. Is the feel different lifting that 5lbs between the 2 systems? Or is that same 5lbs actually heavier on the 1:1 system real feel?
Get the M4.
ua-cam.com/video/-DQvHTj-TBU/v-deo.html
Watch that video and it will explain 2:1 vs 1:1
@@UsawaFitnessTy a quick response. I saw that video. I guess I need to really just feel the difference of that same comparable weight on each system. Because I guess it does feel different.
Because in my mind. If I need to move 10 lbs - I’m still moving 10lbs regardless if it’s a 2:1 (with 20lbs loaded) or just 10lbs on 1:1 system.
I would take the m7 over the m4 any day. I hate the hole spacing on the m4. I don't use the Smith portion that much and love the spacing in the m7. Makes it much more usable for free bar squats and benching.
The m7 isnt as smooth on the cables. This means there is more friction, so it feels a bit more hectic on pulls. But lube will take care of that.
Also the uprights are way more sturdy on the m7.
Overall I would take the m7 everyday over the m4.
@@theaverageguyNo Fantastic! Thanks for your thoughts.
That looks awesome! 😎
It is!
You always got the cool toys 😎💪
This is a review channel bro. I'm just blessed to have an audience that drives products my way. 🙏🏾
Man other than the leg press, is this any more better than the m4? Should I spend the extra $200?
@@MightbeThatoreo No. Get the M4 anyways.
I definitely prefer the M4 over the M7 after using it for awhile
@@UsawaFitness Thanks.
I purchased the M7 and I am disappointed with it. First it came missing 10 parts, most of the parts are scratched, 2 are dented, but the most troubling issue is both middle risers have surface rust on the inside. Anyone have a solution for the rust?
@@southbay121 That's crazy! Contact them. I wouldn't have even built it had I seen those issue. I've owned 4 cages by them and I've never seen any of the issues that you're talking about.
@@UsawaFitness I did. They are sending the parts they have not said whet thet will do about the scratches dents or rust, they don’t seem interested in those issues. I have sent 10+ emails and made 4 calls
@@southbay121 We're you're boxes damaged? I'm trying to figure out how your machine got like that. People reach out to me about Mikolo stuff all the time and I've never heard any comments about things being like what you received. Let me know what they do. Did you send pictures?
@@UsawaFitness Yes 2 boxes 1 badly
@@southbay121 This is a really important issue. I'd stress the rust issue. I'm guessing that the cage got wet but it's still weird that it's showing rust. I can't understand that at all.
It's unavailable on big A, hmm.
What about on Mikolo?
Let’s go!
Yes sir!
Amazing!!!
Thank you
Looks like a good rack.
So far so good!