| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight range | Workout stations | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EXM1 Check Discounted Price | L:71" W:37" H:83" | 35+ | 10-160 lbs | Lat station, Chest press, Mid pulley, Low pulley, Leg developer, Leg press | Lifetime |
The EXM1 is a home gym system built by Body-Solid exclusively for Fitness Factory. That’s one of the main reasons it features a construction almost identical to the PowerLine P2X with the leg press attachment. However, this machine has several fewer pulleys as it doesn’t have a cable fly station, and is a bit smaller. But nonetheless, it’s still quite a versatile home gym and offers the possibility to perform more than 35 gym-grade exercises.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 71L x 37W x 83H inches (180L x 94W x 211H cm)
- Assembled weight: 340 lbs (154.2 kg)
- Resistance system: Weight stack
- Standard weight resistance: 160 lbs (72.5 kg)
- Possible exercises: 35+
- Warranty: Lifetime
Frame construction, parts, and accessories
The EXM1 home gym features a sturdy frame, made of high tensile strength 1.5″ x 3.25″ oval steel tubing, with continuously weld and factory assembled components. All the main frame parts are double coated with a highly-durable, corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant powder
finish. As opposed to the PowerLine P2X model, the color used for this model is red. However, the adjustment bars of the seats and backrests, as well as the guide bars of the weight stack, and several other components feature a chrome finish.
Needless to say, with the weight stack attached this fitness machine is fairly heavy. It weighs over 340 lbs, that’s why it’s recommended to assemble it in the room and on the place you’ll be using it. The frame doesn’t have any transport wheels and once it is assembled, it’s going to be difficult to relocate. Also, the bases don’t have adjustable stabilizers, nor do they have pads, so it’s recommended to place it on a rubberized mat, in order to prevent floor damage.
This fitness machine is not extremely large compared to others, such as the Body-Solid SBL460P4, for example. Its footprint is only 71″L x 37″W (180 x 94 cm). However, in order to move freely around it, and perform all the exercises without any hindrance, it is recommended to assign a usage area for it to at least 9′ x 7′ (274 x 213 cm). Its height is 83″ (211 cm). This means that the machine won’t fit well in a room with a 7′ (213 cm) ceiling.
The EXM1 home gym is equipped with an adjustable seat and backrest for the main workout station, while for the leg press only the backrest is adjustable, the seat is not. Both seats and backrests integrate a nice layer of padding and have a highly durable, vinyl upholstery, which is also moisture resistant. The multiple levels of adjustments allow users up to 6’5″ (195 cm) to perform most of the exercises correctly.
The machine’s pulleys are made of fiberglass reinforced nylon. They’re designed to last for many years and they integrate industrial quality ball bearings. All the moving joints of the machine 
also integrate high-quality, stainless steel, sealed ball bearings for smooth operation.
The cables are 4.8 mm dia. highly durable steel ropes. They’re built to withstand a much greater weight than the 160 lbs stack. They’re actually 2,200 lbs rated aircraft cables. They’re also coated with a layer of nylon, in order to provide a smooth glide over the pulleys and prevent the scratching of the pulleys.
The machine is equipped with several 4″ foam rollers, four on the leg developer station and two under the main backrest, to serve as knee stoppers in case you use the lat pulldown station with a heavy load.
One last aspect to mention here regards the included accessories with this home gym machine. These are a standard 48″ (122 cm) curved lat bar with rubber-foam grips, a short bar with an extension chain for curls and seated rows, and an ankle strap.
Workout stations
The Body-Solid EXM1 home gym features 6 main workout stations. These are:
Lat pulldown station. This is an important element in the construction of a home gym machine of this sort; it allows you to perform exercises for the development of shoulder, triceps and back muscles. It integrates a standard, curved, detachable lat bar, with rubberized grips. Also, in case you’re wondering, the pulley of this station is high enough to allow users up to 6’5″ (195 cm) to perform a complete range of motion during lat pulldowns, if the seat is adjusted to 
the lowest position.
Chest press station. This workout station features a multi-grip design, offering the possibility to perform presses with three types of grips. It’s designed for the development of the pectoral and shoulder muscles. It also has several adjustment positions, a feature that other machines do not have.
Mid pulley station. The mid pulley is incorporated into the main upright bar of the machine, right above the backrest. It allows you to perform exercises such as ab crunches, trunk rotations or triceps extensions. However, an ab harness or triceps rope is not included.
Low pulley station. The low pulley opens quite an array of exercises, including seated rows, biceps curls, or leg abductions.
Leg developer station. This workout station allows the execution of exercises such as leg extensions, leg cable curls, or standing biceps curls. Evidently, the attachment features consistently padded rollers, to offer the required comfort for leg extensions.
Leg press station. The leg press attachment features a steel frame similar to the rest of the machine, and a seat with an adjustable backrest. Its weight ratio is 2:1, which means that with the included 160 lbs (72.5 kg) weight stack it will generate a weight resistance of 320 lbs (145 kg). As we’ve mentioned above, its backrest is adjustable, but its seat isn’t. The seat does feature a set of handlebars to hold on to during presses, similar to the handlebars of a recumbent bike seat such as the Schwinn M17 270, for example.
Weight Resistance
One of the best aspects with regards to the EXM1 home gym by Body-Solid is that it comes with a selectorized weight plate stack, with the weight plates made of metallic alloy. These plates are 
more durable than the vinyl/concrete combo plates, such as for the Gold’s Gym XR 55 model. That’s actually one of the reasons this machine is a bit more expensive than the Gold’s Gym model or other models with vinyl plates.
The weight stack integrates 15 weight plates plus the top stopper plate, 10 lbs (4.5 kg) each, with a total of 160 lbs (72.5 kg). The weight ratios are not specified, but it is certain that the leg press provides a 2:1 ratio. In other words, it provides a weight resistance of 320 lbs (145 kg).
The machine’s weight stack leaves room for upgrades, though. It can be upgraded with an additional set of 5 weight plates, in order to provide a total weight of 210 lbs (95.2 kg).
Possible Exercises
- Vertical grip chest presses
- Horizontal grip chest presses
- Incline chest presses
- Trunk rotations
- Lat pulldowns
- Seated rows
- Shrugs
- Seated triceps extensions
- Triceps press downs
- Triceps extensions
- Kneeling triceps extensions
- Standing biceps curls
- Concentration curls
- Deltoid raises
- Upright rows
- Ab crunches
- Oblique crunches
- Standing leg curls
- Leg extensions
- Leg abductions
- Leg adductions
- Leg presses
- Glute kickbacks
- … and more.
Assembly and Maintenance
Like most of the other similar machines, the assembly of the EXM1 home gym isn’t exactly easy. It may take up to 4-5 hours. However, the included manual provides pretty clear assembly instructions. Due to its weight and multitude of parts, it’s recommended to be assembled by two people.
For maintenance, a periodic check for loose bolts and parts is recommended. The guide rods, linear rods, and pulleys may require lubrication. It’s recommended to apply a bit of multi-purpose lubricant on them during this assembly. And finally, if any parts show visible damage, they should be replaced before re-using the machine, to avoid accidents.
The Pros
- Sturdy and heavy frame, offering excellent stability;
- Adjustable seat and backrest for the main workout station;
- Adjustable backrest for the leg press;
- Durable upholstery and thick padding for optimal comfort;
- 6 workout stations, including multi-press station, lat pulldown station, mid pulley station, low pulley station, leg developer attachment, and leg press station;
- Multiple adjustment positions for the press station;
- Heavy duty pulleys and cables;
- Accessories included: lat bar, and short row bar, ankle strap;
- Metallic alloy, highly-durable weight plates;
- Upgradable weight stack;
- Over 35 exercises available;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- Ab harness not included;
- Tools for assembly are not included.
Bottom Line
The EXM1 home gym offers 6 workout stations including chest press, leg press, leg developer, lat pulldown station, mid pulley and low pulley stations. It comes with a metallic alloy weight stack including 15 weight plates, plus the top, with a total weight of 160 lbs. This being said, it’s a perfect home gym for beginners and intermediate level users. It offers the possibility to perform more than 35 exercises. In all, it’s an excellent fitness machine for the price.