Does anyone here own the Bodymax CF375 Power Rack?

[Squirrelofwoe]

As per the title!

This is going to sound a bit silly but I am trying to find out the width of it- as in the the dimensions from one side of the rack to the other, if looking face-on from the front.

I've found the quoted dimensions online- 117cm x 130cm x 217cm (L x W x H), but other places list it 117cm x 130cm x 217cm (W x L x H)... Obviously different places are using different meanings of length & width!

I've also seen the CF375 with lat-pull down pulley (which will obviously be 'deeper' than the normal rack as the pulley is on the back) listed as 117cm x 143cm x 217cm (L x W x H) and 117cm x 143cm x 217cm (W x L x H) - this makes me think the measurement of either 130cm/143cm must in fact be referring to the 'depth' from front to back...

Still with me?

I just wondered whether someone here might own it- and if so, whether they might be so kind as to confirm the width (as in side-to-side) for me!

Summary: Basically I have an existing 6ft barbell that is 121cm between collars, so if the 'width' of the CF375 rack is 117cm this barbell will fit- this is what I need to confirm.

Ta!

[chris watton]

Squirrelofwoe said:

As per the title!

This is going to sound a bit silly but I am trying to find out the width of it- as in the the dimensions from one side of the rack to the other, if looking face-on from the front.

I've found the quoted dimensions online- 117cm x 130cm x 217cm (L x W x H), but other places list it 117cm x 130cm x 217cm (W x L x H)... Obviously different places are using different meanings of length & width!

I've also seen the CF375 with lat-pull down pulley (which will obviously be 'deeper' than the normal rack as the pulley is on the back) listed as 117cm x 143cm x 217cm (L x W x H) and 117cm x 143cm x 217cm (W x L x H) - this makes me think the measurement of either 130cm/143cm must in fact be referring to the 'depth' from front to back...

Still with me?

I just wondered whether someone here might own it- and if so, whether they might be so kind as to confirm the width (as in side-to-side) for me!

Summary: Basically I have an existing 6ft barbell that is 121cm between collars, so if the 'width' of the CF375 rack is 117cm this barbell will fit- this is what I need to confirm.

Ta!

I have the CF275 Bodymax cage, I think they are more or less the same dimensions. I don't think a 6" barbell is long enough. The shortest I could use with mine was a York 1" bar at 6'6" long (now have a 7' Oly BB)

[oddman]

Dimensions you have are right for the CF375 - Although the frame is wider than it is deep, the feet make the footprint deeper than wide

Your 6ft barbell might not fit if it's an olympic type bar - designed for standard 7ft bar. I've just measured mine at 115cm wide between the uprights but there is only 3.5 inches to spare on either side before the collars of my 7 foot bar.

Some of the reviews on http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk mention that they were advised to purchase 7 ft bar

Don't forget that you pull out your bench when you're doing squats So with the width of the bar and bench you will need a lot of room. It's a great set up for strength training. If you have the space I'd recommend it and buy a 7ft bar if yours doesn't fit.

If you get one, the assembly instructions are ste. Make sure the uprights with extra holes at the top are at the front.

[Squirrelofwoe]

chris watton said:

I have the CF275 Bodymax cage, I think they are more or less the same dimensions. I don't think a 6" barbell is long enough. The shortest I could use with mine was a York 1" bar at 6'6" long (now have a 7' Oly BB)

The thing is different barbells have different 'internal' lengths depending on the length of the collars (my 6ft bar has very short collars hence the longer internal length, where-as Powerhouse sell a longer collared 6ft bar which has a much shorter internal length). Looking online I've found some people using 6ft bars with the CF375 no problem, and others saying their doesn't fit- hence I figured finding out the dimensions is the only way I will know for sure!

If it's the 117cm quoted, I know my bar will fit as it's 121 between collars.

[Squirrelofwoe]

oddman said:

Dimensions you have are right for the CF375 - Although the frame is wider than it is deep, the feet make the footprint deeper than wide

Your 6ft barbell might not fit if it's an olympic type bar - designed for standard 7ft bar. I've just measured mine at 115cm wide between the uprights but there is only 3.5 inches to spare on either side before the collars of my 7 foot bar.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

My short-collar 6ft bar is 121cm between collars so if the cage is 115cm between uprights technically this means mine will fit.

Edit: I would have loved to have gone for a new 7ft barbell to go with the rack, but the space I have for it in my spare room would mean I would only have 2 inches between either side of the bar and the walls- not really enough to be usable!

[chris watton]

Squirrelofwoe said:

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

My short-collar 6ft bar is 121cm between collars so if the cage is 115cm between uprights technically this means mine will fit.

I would personally want more space between collars, when the weight gets heavy with Squats and Bench Press, you may find the plates banging into the side of the rack uprights rather than the bar hooks - that could be dangerous depending how tired you are when finishing a set (heavy Bench Press especially).

ETA - Just realised, it is the 375 I have, with the pulley attachment!

Edited by chris watton on Wednesday 15th June 22:59

[Squirrelofwoe]

chris watton said:

Squirrelofwoe said:

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

My short-collar 6ft bar is 121cm between collars so if the cage is 115cm between uprights technically this means mine will fit.

I would personally want more space between collars, when the weight gets heavy with Squats and Bench Press, you may find the plates banging into the side of the rack uprights rather than the bar hooks - that could be dangerous depending how tired you are when finishing a set (heavy Bench Press especially).

Yeah I get what you are saying completely- I've got a DIY power cage that I've used for the last 18 months in my old place and that was something I considered when I built that. However the collar rings on my bar are almost 3.5 cm thick so the distance between the weight plates is technically closer to 128cm. Still not as much as I'd get with a longer bar obviously, but should be fine for the moment.

If it turns up and I really can't get on with it, I'll have to re-think the room so that the cage can go the other way around- meaning I could use a 7ft bar.

Edit- yeah it's the 375 with pulley attachment that I am looking at!

[MikeGoodwin]

Still need this info? Ive got the 475 with cable attachment, 7 foot bar, bought the powerhouse fitness package along with extra weights and stuff. Wanted 5 footer but worked out it wouldn't sit on the pegs - my garage is only 7 feet wide so needed to turn the thing on its side taking up half the garage. No big deal...

If you've not already purchased it can I suggest you consider something different. Half rack or one of those BODYMAX CF484/CF680T smith machines would be my choice looking back, with a separate 7 foot bar for squats and dead lifts. Plus the bench that came with mine is dreadful - the base where your arse sits is too wide and gets in the way when benching. Leg curl attachment is absolutely useless. Metal plates are irritating; get rubber...

I will say I was and still am quite pleased with the cable attachment as it is smooth and doesn't bounce atall and may get the square weight attachment with the peg (cant remember its name)

Some day I might sell my squat rack and get the smith machine above.

[Squirrelofwoe]

MikeGoodwin said:

Still need this info? Ive got the 475 with cable attachment, 7 foot bar, bought the powerhouse fitness package along with extra weights and stuff. Wanted 5 footer but worked out it wouldn't sit on the pegs - my garage is only 7 feet wide so needed to turn the thing on its side taking up half the garage. No big deal...

If you've not already purchased it can I suggest you consider something different. Half rack or one of those BODYMAX CF484/CF680T smith machines would be my choice looking back, with a separate 7 foot bar for squats and dead lifts. Plus the bench that came with mine is dreadful - the base where your arse sits is too wide and gets in the way when benching. Leg curl attachment is absolutely useless. Metal plates are irritating; get rubber...

I will say I was and still am quite pleased with the cable attachment as it is smooth and doesn't bounce atall and may get the square weight attachment with the peg (cant remember its name)

Some day I might sell my squat rack and get the smith machine above.

Cheers for the info Mike. I did indeed go for the CF375 with pulley attachment, plus their CF328 wight bench (specifically went for that one as I wanted one that allowed decline as well as incline and I had no interest in one with leg-curling ability as in my experience these tend to be pants).

I've had it setup just over a week and so far I'm very impressed. The pulley attachment is incredibly smooth, and my fears over the fitment of my existing 6ft bar was unfounded- I've got plenty of clearance on both sides when it's racked.

It also feels good and solid- not as much as the commercial squat racks you find in the gyms, but it's still way overkill for me- being a genetically limited, super slight 70kg, 5-foot 10 waif!

To be honest I gave up on smith machines very early on, whilst I can see their benefit for those working without a spotter or who are concerned over achieving correct form, I always found they felt too unnatural- I much prefer using free weights and full length mirrors to monitor form. The one piece of equipment I would absolutely love however, is one of the Cybex cable machines- but I don't even normally spend that kind of money on my cars so sadly that will have to remain a pipe dream!

[chris watton]

Squirrelofwoe said:

Cheers for the info Mike. I did indeed go for the CF375 with pulley attachment, plus their CF328 wight bench (specifically went for that one as I wanted one that allowed decline as well as incline and I had no interest in one with leg-curling ability as in my experience these tend to be pants).

I've had it setup just over a week and so far I'm very impressed. The pulley attachment is incredibly smooth, and my fears over the fitment of my existing 6ft bar was unfounded- I've got plenty of clearance on both sides when it's racked.

It also feels good and solid- not as much as the commercial squat racks you find in the gyms, but it's still way overkill for me- being a genetically limited, super slight 70kg, 5-foot 10 waif!

To be honest I gave up on smith machines very early on, whilst I can see their benefit for those working without a spotter or who are concerned over achieving correct form, I always found they felt too unnatural- I much prefer using free weights and full length mirrors to monitor form. The one piece of equipment I would absolutely love however, is one of the Cybex cable machines- but I don't even normally spend that kind of money on my cars so sadly that will have to remain a pipe dream!

Good for you! I have had mine (with cable attachment) for almost two years now, and is used almost every day. Love it. I now have two benches, one for Incline Bench (it does decline too, but I prefer chest dips rather than Decline Bench), and a more heavy duty basic bench for Bench Press, which has a much higher max weight rating.

I learnt that, although lat pull downs are fun, I never got stretch marks on my lats (under my arm pits) until I started doing wide grip pull ups. I usually use the pulley attachment for just seated pulley rows, lat raises and triceps rope push downs now..

[Squirrelofwoe]

chris watton said:

Good for you! I have had mine (with cable attachment) for almost two years now, and is used almost every day. Love it. I now have two benches, one for Incline Bench (it does decline too, but I prefer chest dips rather than Decline Bench), and a more heavy duty basic bench for Bench Press, which has a much higher max weight rating.

I learnt that, although lat pull downs are fun, I never got stretch marks on my lats (under my arm pits) until I started doing wide grip pull ups. I usually use the pulley attachment for just seated pulley rows, lat raises and triceps rope push downs now..

I agree 100% on that, I did lat pull-downs extensively back when I was a member of a gym a couple of years ago- funnily enough with the principal intention of helping improve my wide-grip pull up! Whilst they always gave me crippling DOMS I never found they produced any notable development, nor made the wide pull up any easier. I then set up a bar in my DIY gym which allowed me to do wide grip pull-ups at home and found this much more effective for lat development, along with bent-over dumbell rows.

Having moved into my new place this is now even easier as the CF375 is in my spare room so I can squeeze in a set of wide grip pull-ups whenever I walk past the door!

Like you, I mainly wanted the cable attachment for doing tricep rope pull-downs, seated rows, and lat raises. I've personally never found anything that kills my triceps like rope pull-downs (even counting dips / overhead tricep extensions etc), and with triceps currently my weakest area in terms of development the cable attachment was a must have.

[chris watton]

Squirrelofwoe said:

I agree 100% on that, I did lat pull-downs extensively back when I was a member of a gym a couple of years ago- funnily enough with the principal intention of helping improve my wide-grip pull up! Whilst they always gave me crippling DOMS I never found they produced any notable development, nor made the wide pull up any easier. I then set up a bar in my DIY gym which allowed me to do wide grip pull-ups at home and found this much more effective for lat development, along with bent-over dumbell rows.

Having moved into my new place this is now even easier as the CF375 is in my spare room so I can squeeze in a set of wide grip pull-ups whenever I walk past the door!

Like you, I mainly wanted the cable attachment for doing tricep rope pull-downs, seated rows, and lat raises. I've personally never found anything that kills my triceps like rope pull-downs (even counting dips / overhead tricep extensions etc), and with triceps currently my weakest area in terms of development the cable attachment was a must have.

Yeah, I like the rope push downs, but for me CG Bench is the king of the triceps exercises - this is always my first tri exercise.

[Squirrelofwoe]

chris watton said:

Yeah, I like the rope push downs, but for me CG Bench is the king of the triceps exercises - this is always my first tri exercise.

That's a good shout, I had completely forgot about that one- I incorporated it into my chest & arms session on Tuesday and this morning they are aching like hell

[chris watton]

Squirrelofwoe said:

chris watton said:

Yeah, I like the rope push downs, but for me CG Bench is the king of the triceps exercises - this is always my first tri exercise.

That's a good shout, I had completely forgot about that one- I incorporated it into my chest & arms session on Tuesday and this morning they are aching like hell

I like it for two reasons - you can go heavy, and it's a compound exercise.

For the first 5 months of this year, I did a 3 day, twice weekly split which consisted of chest/back Sunday and Wednesday, shoulders/arms Monday and Thursday and legs/lower back Tuesday and Friday. I did Bench on the one day, and CG bench the next day, and it was never a problem, as you have to go lighter with the CG Bench anyway - but it certainly gave the Triceps a proper blast.

[Squirrelofwoe]

chris watton said:

For the first 5 months of this year, I did a 3 day, twice weekly split which consisted of chest/back Sunday and Wednesday, shoulders/arms Monday and Thursday and legs/lower back Tuesday and Friday. I did Bench on the one day, and CG bench the next day, and it was never a problem, as you have to go lighter with the CG Bench anyway - but it certainly gave the Triceps a proper blast.

I like the idea of the 3 day, twice weekly split. I am currently doing just one session per group, per week- so chest/arms Tuesday, back/shoulders Thursday, legs Saturday.

I'd like to fit more in, particularly now that I don't have to travel to workout. However I play football on Mondays which not only takes away an available day, it also takes me a few days for my body (particularly lower) to recover from- hence doing legs on a Saturday!

Because of that, and effective rest days in between, I try and get the absolute most out of my sessions by doing super sets and finishing most exercises with drop sets so that by the end of the workout it's a struggle just to re-rack the empty bar.

Having now got the new gym up & running though I might look to change it up- I'd done 6 months on my last routine and I definitely feel like I'd plateaued again by the time I moved.

I decided 2 years ago (at just over 10 stone) that I was determined to make it to (a healthy) 12 stone. Being someone with a ridiculously small frame, poor genetics, and who had maxed out my beginner gains about 5 years previously, this was quite the challenge. Anyways, a year later and I am sat at just over 11 stone- the heaviest I've been, so progress has definitely been made, and that included 3 months missed with a shoulder injury.

I figured having got over the injury, and having a new gym setup which is now in my spare room, the next six months are going to be a determined push to at least get past 11.5 stone. So I am definitely open to ideas for this next stage!

[chris watton]

Squirrelofwoe said:

I like the idea of the 3 day, twice weekly split. I am currently doing just one session per group, per week- so chest/arms Tuesday, back/shoulders Thursday, legs Saturday.

I'd like to fit more in, particularly now that I don't have to travel to workout. However I play football on Mondays which not only takes away an available day, it also takes me a few days for my body (particularly lower) to recover from- hence doing legs on a Saturday!

Because of that, and effective rest days in between, I try and get the absolute most out of my sessions by doing super sets and finishing most exercises with drop sets so that by the end of the workout it's a struggle just to re-rack the empty bar.

Having now got the new gym up & running though I might look to change it up- I'd done 6 months on my last routine and I definitely feel like I'd plateaued again by the time I moved.

I decided 2 years ago (at just over 10 stone) that I was determined to make it to (a healthy) 12 stone. Being someone with a ridiculously small frame, poor genetics, and who had maxed out my beginner gains about 5 years previously, this was quite the challenge. Anyways, a year later and I am sat at just over 11 stone- the heaviest I've been, so progress has definitely been made, and that included 3 months missed with a shoulder injury.

I figured having got over the injury, and having a new gym setup which is now in my spare room, the next six months are going to be a determined push to at least get past 11.5 stone. So I am definitely open to ideas for this next stage!

Well done! I was the opposite, over 15 stone and 5'7". Now just over 11 stone (around 70kg)

I did my own thread about my particular journey from fattie to not so fattie, I updated it last month, after two years of diet and training:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Squirrelofwoe]

chris watton said:

Well done! I was the opposite, over 15 stone and 5'7". Now just over 11 stone (around 70kg)

I did my own thread about my particular journey from fattie to not so fattie, I updated it last month, after two years of diet and training:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

That's amazing! I actually remember seeing the start of that thread when you first created it, not sure how I missed it all the way through though!

Your max bench figure is extremely impressive for your weight

[chris watton]

Squirrelofwoe said:

That's amazing! I actually remember seeing the start of that thread when you first created it, not sure how I missed it all the way through though!

Your max bench figure is extremely impressive for your weight

Thank you! Hoping for a 140 Bench by the end of the year, but I think I will need to increase my diet.

One exercise I did for the first time this year is BB Clean and Press (not jerk),rather than just overhead press. It is exhausting, but is a fantastic full body exercise for adding mass and overall strength. I get my 20 year old step son to do these in his 5x5 instead of the easier Press (he is over 6' and weighs around 60kg)!

[Squirrelofwoe]

chris watton said:

One exercise I did for the first time this year is BB Clean and Press (not jerk),rather than just overhead press. It is exhausting, but is a fantastic full body exercise for adding mass and overall strength. I get my 20 year old step son to do these in his 5x5 instead of the easier Press (he is over 6' and weighs around 60kg)!

I was doing those until my shoulder injury back in Feb, very hard work but that's obviously the point!

My limiting factor with my bench I believe is my arms, hence putting so much more work into my triceps. I am currently maxing out just above my bodyweight on flat bench press which at 71kg is pretty frustrating!

[MrChips]

Bit of a thread bump...

Does anyone know if you fit a weight stack onto the cf375 pulley system?
I’m reassembling mine after a couple of years break but using plates on the pulley stack is taking up too much room. Powerhouse fitness sell a stack for the cf475 but cannot be 100% sure it fits the cf375 so I’d be buying at my own risk!