WB-LS Powertec Workbench Leverage Gym – Basic Training

I thought I would write a review on our time spent training on the Powertec Workbench Leverage Gym doing Basic Training. Hopefully this review will help if you are looking at buying some home gym equipment.

We started Brad Turnbull’s famous “Fat Burning Diet” after coming back from the IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Grand Prix in Melbourne. Both Matt and I were pumped up after the show and wanted to get into some serious weight training. Initially we were only going stay on the Basic Training program on the Powertec Leverage Gym for a couple of weeks but we both liked the program and were feeling good – if it aint broke don’t fix it. We ended up staying on the program for 6 weeks.

The weight training program was really simple:

Bench Press – 3 x 15reps

Squats – 3 x 15reps

Lat Pull downs – 3 x 15reps

Shoulder Press – 3 x 15reps

Arm Curls – 3 x 10reps

Tricep Pressdowns – 3 x 10resp

We started out doing this weight training program 3 times a week but after a while we switched back to only 2 times per week. This was partly because we were busy at nights installing home gyms but also too because as we built intensity the extra recovery came in handy.

It does not look like much work but when you start getting into it and building intensity the workout is really grueling. Even more so on the Fat Burning Diet where our carb intake was way down. Initially we were struggling to gain strength but once we started tapping into our plentiful fat reserves we were right and started pushing heavier weights.

As we progressed through our weight training we started finding different tricks that isolated muscle groups on different exercises. On the bench press we worked in the flat position, which due to the arc of the lever arm engages the lower pec like doing a decline bench press. I also started gripping the bench press much wider and really found the outer pec getting isolated. By using these subtle variations I was able to work the chest to complete failure.

Working the shoulders is usually a nightmare for me. I have had a reconstruction on the right shoulder and the left shoulder has been dislocated twice and needs a reconstruction. The end result is one shoulder is really tight and the other shoulder is as loose as a goose. So it is hard for me to get an exercise that will isolate the muscles in the shoulder without stressing the joint.

This time on shoulder press I found gripping the lever arm really close in worked the best. I performed the exercise by only taking the weight down until my upper arm was parallel to the floor, pausing at the bottom and pressing right up. The hand position and slow controlled rep really isolated shoulder muscles. The groove we were working in was spot on and we needed minimal weight which really helped protect my dodgy shoulders.

One disadvantage with the Powertec Leverage Gym is that the squat bar is only rated to 135kgs. For most weight trainers this will be more than enough but since we were only doing 3 sets of 15 reps we could have pushed close to this weight. Performing the reps at a quicker pace but still with perfect form really isolated and fatigued the muscle quickly. The end result we worked with 115kgs and that left us both with burning thighs.

When we move to a more advanced program we will perform leg extensions and leg curls prior to doing squats which will mean that we won’t be maxing out on squats. So even though the limit for the squats is only 135kgs I don’t think we will reach that when are working in the high rep range.

Now that I have crapped on about how good the program was and how the Powertec Leverage Gym performed you probably want to know what the end result was. Well I can’t give an exact answer but I started the program at about 97-98kgs and now I am about 99-100kgs and my waist has come in a notch & a half on the belt. Not bad for 6 weeks training.

During the week I have been strict with the Fat Burning Diet but on the weekend I have been getting stuck into the sherbets. My wife is dropping our first bub in June so I have been making hay while the sun shines and catching up with as many mates as possible which always involves having a good feed and plenty of beers.

I wish I had of taken photos or measurements but I honestly didn’t think at the start I was going to stay on the weight training program as long or get as good results as I did. I am going to try and rope someone in to do the program and diet to show what can be done with photos this time.

Matt and I are about to start a more advanced program on the Powertec Leverage Gym and will definitely take photos this time. Brad will tweak our diet and most importantly after this weekend there will be no more beers. I am hoping on getting as much sleep before bub arrives which will help recovery and muscle growth.

We could easily move on to a more advanced piece of gym equipment like the Powertec Power Rack System or Powertec Multi System but after seeing what can be done on the Powertec Leverage Gym we are keen to see how we go on a more advanced program. Plus I reckon it is pretty cool since we are only using $1,700 worth of gym equipment and getting great results. I know my opinion is highly biased on this but I reckon this is the best value home gym in Australia. I welcome anyone to give us a call or come into the warehouse and have a go to see for yourself.

Anyway I hope this article has helped. Unless you are loaded and have got heaps of space you are never going to replicate a commercial gym in a home gym environment. I am no world champion powerlifter or Mr Universe, just a bloke who likes his weight training but I can honestly tell you the Powertec Leverage Gym will not disappoint you if you are after some good quality home gym equipment.

Tags: arm curls, bench press, gym equipment, home gym, lat pulldowns, Powertec Leverage Gym, shouder press, squats, weight training

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 pm and is filed under Gym Equipment Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.