This is the Economical Version
Written: Feb 26 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Priced very well; has bar holders
Cons: Using weight plates is not for everyone
The Bottom Line: This is a decent machine and it is priced well. It is versatile and works most if not all body parts.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Yukon Fitness Economy Lat Pulldown Machine |
One of the hallmark exercises in the world of weight lifting is called a lat pulldown. The Yukon line is not seen in many large gyms. I have had experience with the Yukon line in a couple of small gyms. The Yukon line has two very different types of Lat Pulldown Machines. I have reviewed the Yukon Fitness Competitor which I will compare during this review so you can more easily make a decision.
Exercise machines basically come in two types. One has a stack like the Competitor. That means the weights are stacked on top of each other and move together. You do not have to pick them up. If I want 50 pounds I put a pin in what says 50 pounds in the stack. All the weights above it get lifted at the same time combining to make 50 pounds.
The other type of machine that is more common to the Yukon line is very similar to the Hammer Strength Line. Plates or Weights that you carry and put on the machine are what makes you lift 50 pounds. If I want 50 pounds on this type of machine I could put a 25 pound plate on each side or any other combination that adds up to 50. Some of these machines only have one place on which to put the two 25 pound plates. The Yukon Lat Economy machine is plate loaded.
About this machine:
Like the Competitor this is much more than just a lat machine. On any lat machine other exercises can be done but if you belong to a gym you probably only the lat machine for one exercise. However if you buy it for home you can work your back in different areas, with different exercises. In addition if you are not familiar with lat pull down machines they work with a cable. The attachments go on a metal pin which attaches to this cable. It is the cable that pulls up the plates. I have used lat machines for other body parts because I know how. Many do not. I wish this machine had a different name. For those looking to work more than just this backs, this does does. The reason for the versatility is the addition of a bottom cable that is not seen on all lat machines.
The Economy is 83 inches high by 22 inches wide by 67 inches long making it an inch wider and 2 inches higher than the Competitor. It weighs 80 pounds. This is much less than the Competitor because there are no weights on it until you put the weights on. You will get two free lat bars which are similar but may not be made by Cap. One is a 48 inch bar and one is an 18 inch bar. Not only can you do a lat pull down but you can do what is called a narrow Dickerson and wide Dickerson, tricep pushdowns, seated rows as well as bicep curls and upright rows so this really is a versatile piece.
The seat is a short seat rather than a bench. It is soft and nicely cushioned. What differs in the Economy is that it is the seat that is easily adjusted with a knob rather then the knee pads. The knee pads are fixed on the Economy.
A really nice feature is the built in bar storage. Since there is no stack behind the pole there is room for hooks that hold the 48 inch upper bar and the 18 inch lower bar. One goes above the knee pads and one below it. Although they do not take up a lot of room it is nice that they are not lying on your floor. The Competitor does not have this feature.
Like the Competitor the Economy has a foot plate that you just lift when you want to do seated rows. You can keep it in the upright position if you want. You just have to be careful and remember that the two plates are up or you can trip over them. The foot plate is ribbed so when you are standing on it the grip of your foot will be sturdy. Of course you can lift up the plates if you would rather not stand on them. I prefer not to stand on them but I think if you are just starting out is helps to get your positioning right. In a sense it gives you an idea of where to stand.
I found this machine to work really nicely as I found the Competitor. The bars that hold the weights called a weight slider move without any friction. The pulldown and raising back up of the bars is nice and smooth.
It takes a couple of seconds to take the short bar off the lower cable and attach it to the upper cable after taking off the long bar. This is really a simple process.
My final thoughts:
I like the Lat Economy as well as I do the Competitor so the question will be which one and why? They both work similarly. They both have a foot pad, a nice seat and cushioned knee pads. Neither machine folds.
• The Economy has the bar holder which is a really nice feature.
• There are pros and cons to a stack machine like the Competitor versus a plate loaded machine like the Economy. You cannot go wrong with either machine but I would suggest that women will be happier with the Competitor than they will with the Economy. That does not mean men will automatically like the Economy. You will have to determine that for yourself. I say that because many women can lift 50 pounds on a stack machine but putting 2, 25 pound plates on a machine or one 50 pound plate may not be easy.
• If you already have a bench to do chest presses then you have weights so the Economy would well for you. You could use the weights on both machines. If you have a hard time lifting 10 pounds or 25 pounds then the Economy will be out of the question unless you are working with someone who will put the weights on.
• Since weights have to go on and off, at least they do when I am working out it takes more time than the Competitor to do the same workout. For example I would perhaps start with 25 pounds, and then add 10 more, then 15 more, etc. I might also start with the heaviest weight I can lift and then take off weights for each set. This will be annoying for some.
• In addition you will have to stack the weights somewhere unless you have equipment that holds them. Then again you will have to put the bars somewhere if you go with the Competitor.
• The Competitor is a heavier machine but only by 20 pounds however with the stack it is significantly heavier seems a bit sturdier. If you are a heavier person you might want to go with the Competitor. However, the Competitor is limiting in terms of how much weight you will be able to lift. You have unlimited lifting capabilities on the Economy making it a better choice for the power lifter or body builder.
•I have given you some pros and cons. It may just boil down to personal preference. They are both decent machines and are made well. A major difference which might be the selling point for the Economy is that it is less than half the price of the Competitor. For $200 you can pick this one up! I may have just made the decision for you but again, you have to like working with weights to want this machine.
Please feel free to leave me a question or comment. You may e-mail me privately as well if you have other questions about weight training.
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Recommended:
Yes
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