| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight capacity | Workout stations | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stamina X Fortress Check Discounted Price | L:58" W:48.5" H:85" | 30+ | 250 lbs | Pull-up station, Dip station, Plyobox station, Ab straps, Ball grips, Rock climb grips, | Frame: 3 years Parts: 90 days |
The Stamina X Fortress power tower is not exactly one of the most affordable models available at the moment. However, it has much more to offer than a basic model, as it integrates multiple workout stations and accessories, providing support for a much broader spectrum of exercises.
Now, before we proceed with the presentation of each and every feature of this item of fitness equipment, there’s one aspect to be specified. There are actually several Stamina X power towers available, but this post addresses to the X Fortress model, the one with the 50-1755 item model number.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 58L x 48.5W x 85H inches (147L x 123W x 216H cm)
- Assembled weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Possible exercises: 30+
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 90 days
Frame and parts
Like most other similar items of fitness equipment, the Stamina X Fortress power tower features a steel frame, made of 2″ x 2″ steel tubing. Although it doesn’t have an extremely large footprint, due to the engineering behind its construction, it offers excellent stability.
Thus, it’s not necessary to anchor it to the ground. The main upright posts of the power tower feature long “backbone” bars, aspect reflected into the overall sturdiness of the tower. Also, the fully assembled frame weighs itself approx. 150 lbs (68 kg), weight that considerably improves its stability and sturdiness.
This power tower doesn’t have an extremely wide footprint, like other fitness machines, such as ellipticals, for example. It takes only 58″L x 31″W (147 x 79 cm) of floor space. However, the widest point of the tower is 48.5″ (123 cm), given by its outer pull-up handles.
The base of the frame features an H shape, reinforced by two transversal bars for extra sturdiness. The ends of the main base bars are finished with rubberized caps to also enhance stability.
When it comes to height, the highest point of the frame stands at approx. 85″ (216 cm) above floor level, so the tower won’t fit in a room with a 7′ ceiling. Also, it goes without saying that it requires at least 7-8 inches of clearance above, so that you can perform pull-ups safely.
All steel parts of the frame feature a corrosion-resistant paint finish, red for the upright tubes, gray for the base, dip arms, pull-up handles and plyometric station frame. Grips are covered by a sheet of rubber-foam to provide maximum comfort. Also, the back support bar of the dip station features an extra thick roller pad, not a backrest such as the XMark Powerbase or Gold’s Gym XR 10.9 models.
Last but not least, although the frame of this power tower is well-engineered and sturdy, it’s only rated for 250 lbs (113.3 kg) of user weight. However, several users reported that it can actually withstand at least 10-20 lbs more, without any issues.
Workout stations and accessories
Pull-up station. The Stamina X Fortress power tower features a pull-up station including two external handles for wide grip pull-ups, but also also two inner handles. The inner handles are parallel though, and only offer the possibility to perform parallel grip pull-ups or chin-ups.
Rock climbing grips. This is a set of accessories that most power towers don’t have. These grips are similar to the ones attached to rock climbing walls. On this power tower, they’re attached to the upper ends of the vertical bars, offering the possibility to diversify the spectrum of pull-ups, and of course to fortify your grip.
Ball grips. These accessories are attached to the inner grips of the pull-up station. They offer support for various pull-up exercises, and just as the rock climbing grips, they offer the possibility to put more focus on your forearm and hand muscles during pull-ups.
Plyometric training station. Out of all power tower models out there, this is the only one (at least for now) to include this accessory. The plyobox offers support for jumps, step-ups and one-leg squats and several other accessories. It’s built on a sturdy steel frame, features a non-slip surface, and 5 adjustment positions, for 16-18-20-22-24 inches (40-45.7-50.8-55.8-60.9 cm). Although it may not offer extreme height settings as a commercial plyobox, it still provides the means to train your lower body, expanding the versatility of this particular tower.
Dip station. The dip bars supplied with the Stamina X Fortress power tower are pretty simple. They’re approx. 20″ (51 cm) long and they don’t have cushions on top for assisted knee raises. There are 7 height settings for the dip bars, with a distance of approx. 5″ (13 cm) in between. The dip station does not integrate a backrest like other models. However, the middle transversal bar of the frame is covered by an extra thick, cushioned roller, in order to offer the required comfort for various exercises.
Ab straps. Although the dip bars on this Stamina power tower don’t have cushions on top of them to offer support for knee or leg raises, the ab straps supplied do offer the possibility to perform all kinds of variations of these exercises, in order to tone and strengthen your core.
Possible Exercises
- Pull-ups
- Wide grip pull-ups
- Muscle pull-ups
- Behind head pull-ups
- Around the world pull-ups
- One arm pull-ups
- Parallel grip pull-ups
- Cliffhangers
- Weighted pull-ups
- Chin-ups
- Parallel grip chin-ups
- Wide grip chin-ups
- One hand chin-ups
- Weighted chin-ups
- Rock climber grip pull-ups
- Stronghold grip chin-ups
- Stronghold grip pull-ups
- Stronghold grip cliffhangers
- Stronghold grip one-handed cliffhangers
- Dips
- Weighted dips
- Dip to leg raise
- Side-to-side dips
- Gironda dips
- Reverse Gironda dips
- Hanging knee raises
- Hanging leg raises
- Push-ups
- Push-ups with feet elevated
- Jump training
- Step-ups
- One-leg squats
- Rows
- … and more
Assembly and Maintenance
The assembly of this power tower is far from being difficult, but it may take up to 2 hours, due to the many parts that you have to attach together. The hard copy of the user’s manual included offers comprehensive, step-by-step assembly instructions. Also, all the tools required for assembly are included.
Maintenance doesn’t require much. The only maintenance required for this power tower is the periodic check of its joints.
The Pros
- Sturdy, steel frame;
- Pull-up station with wide grips and parallel grips;
- Stronghold grips for pull-ups included;
- Rock climber grips for pull-ups included;
- Ab straps for knee / leg raises included;
- Dip station, with 7 adjustment positions for the dip handles;
- Plyometric station included, offering the possibility to perform jumps, step-ups and one-leg squats;
- Offers the possibility to perform more than 30 exercises;
- Easy to assemble;
- Virtually no maintenance required;
- Excellent price / quality ratio.
The Cons
- No transversal bar for close grip chin ups, so for this exercise you have to use the ball grips.
Summary
The Stamina X Fortress is a power tower that comes with several extra accessories than other models, including ball grips, rock climber grips, and a plyometric workout station. It features a sturdy frame, with a weight capacity of 250 lbs. It offers the possibility to perform more than 30 gym quality exercises, for the arms, core and lower body. It’s not exactly the most affordable power tower, but so far it benefits from a wide array of 5-star reviews. Therefore, quality definitely matches its price.