| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight stack | Weight plates | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Body-Solid F500-3 Check Discounted Price | L:76" W:48" H:83" | 60+ | 310 lbs | Cast iron, 15lb/plate | Lifetime |
Although the Body-Solid Fusion 500 gym is labeled as a “personal gym trainer”, or in other words, a fitness machine for home use, it features an extremely solid construction, with many parts that offer commercial quality. Not only that, due to the multiple workout stations is offers a lot of versatility allowing you to perform more than 60 gym-quality exercises. These being said, it is definitely one of the best home gyms that you can find at the moment.
This home gym is also referred to as Body-Solid F500; there are actually two main versions for this home gym. The one we’re going to address here is the Body-Solid F500/3, the one that comes with a 310 lbs weight stack. The other version is the F500/2 and only has a weight stack of 210 lbs. Apart from the weight stack difference, the two models are identical in terms of features. Also, due to the lighter stack, the Body-Solid F500/2 is a bit cheaper.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 76L x 48W x 83H inches (193L x 122W x 211H cm)
- Assembled weight: 755 lbs (342.4 kg)
- Weight stack: 310 lbs (140.6 kg)
- Possible exercises: 60+
- Warranty: Lifetime
Frame construction and parts
The Body-Solid Fusion 500 home gym is a trainer made almost completely from steel tubing. Most bars in its construction are 50mm x 100mm 11 gauge oval tubing, while the support plates are 6mm thick. They have a 4-side precision welded construction instead of 2-side welds like 
many other gyms. This results in a much higher sturdiness.
Since it’s machine made almost completely of steel, along with its 310 lbs (140.6 kg) plate stack, it weighs approx. 755 lbs (342.4 kg). This means that it provides a lot of stability for most exercises, and also an improved overall sturdiness.
The unit’s bases have several rubberized pads. However, due to its weight, it’s recommended to assemble it and use it on a rubberized mat, in order to prevent any damage to the floor.
All the steel parts in its construction are coated with an electrostatically applied powder finish which is resistant to corrosion, chipping and scratching. It’s also extremely easy to maintain.
Without any of the optional attachments, this Body-Solid home gym is not extremely large compared to other cable machines. It’s 76″ (193 cm) long, and 48″ (122 cm) wide. However, in order to perform all the exercises correctly and without any hindrance, it’s recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance on each side and at the front.
The unit’s highest point reaches approx. 83″ (211 cm) above floor level. This being said, it should fit in a room with a 7′ ceiling if it’s the case.
The seat and backrest are adjustable. The seat has 7 upright adjustment positions, while the bar of the backrest offers 9 adjustment positions. Therefore, the machine should be able to 
accommodate users up to 6’6″ (198 cm) with no problem, allowing a correct execution and a complete range of motion for all exercises. Both the pads on the seat and backrest, as well as all the rollers on various workout stations integrate DuraFirm material. They’re tear-resistant, offer superior comfort and due to the high-density foam, they can offer a lifetime of support without bottoming out or changing shape, even with daily use.
The unit’s cables are coated with a sheet of polyurethane, providing a smooth gliding over the pulleys. All the pulleys integrate industrial grade, sealed ball bearings for a long lifespan and easy operation. They’re made of fiberglass reinforced nylon material, being highly resistant to wear and tear. They’re precision matched to the thickness of cables and provide a lifetime friction-free performance.
There are several accessories included with this home gym. Among them, we can count the lat pulldown bar, the two ergonomic handles for the side arms, and an ankle cuff. But on the other hand, there are several optional workout stations and other accessories available for this unit, but not included. These are the FLP Fusion Leg Press attachment, the FCFWA Fusion Weight-Assisted Dip & Pull-up Station, the FMH Fusion Multi-Hip Station, the FKR Fusion Vertical Knee-Raise Station, as well as 2.5 lbs and 5 lbs weight stack adapter plates.
Workout stations
The Body-Solid Fusion 500 home gym offers several workout stations. These are:
Lat pulldown station. The high pulley station along with the included, standard lat bar offers the possibility to perform lat pulldown exercises, and the training of triceps, shoulder, and back muscles. The lat bar is fully coated with a layer of rubber material for a secure grip.
Adjustable side arm station. This is a feature that not many other home gyms have. This 
workout station consists of two adjustable side arms with pivoting pulleys. It’s similar to the arm station of the BodyCraft Xpress Pro. The side arms offer 9 adjustment positions while their cables are equipped with standard D-type handgrips. Although the machine doesn’t have a conventional butterfly station, these two side arms allow you to perform cable fly exercises, stand-up curls, shoulder presses, trunk rotations, baseball swings etc.
Adjustable chest press. To begin with, this workout station doesn’t double as a fly station such as for the Marcy MWM-6150 home gym. But on the other hand, it features six adjustment positions, two for seated rows and four for chest presses. Its arms are equipped with ergonomic, multi-grip handles featuring a layer of rubber-foam material to prevent hand slippage.
Leg developer. This element allows you to perform leg extensions and standing leg curls. It is equipped with 4″, high-density foam rollers to provide the optimal comfort for these exercises.
Low pulley station. The low pulley to which the leg developer requires being attached also permits the execution of a variety of exercises. With a short bar and chain attached to it, or simply the D-handles, this workout station allows you to perform stand-up curls, stand-up rows, seated rows etc.
Weight Resistance
As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Body-Solid Fusion F500/3, the one that comes with the 
310 lbs (140.6 kg) weight stack. The stack has 20 weight plates each one weighing 15 lbs (6.8 kg) while the top, stopper plate weighs 10 lbs (4.5 kg). There also are 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) and 5.0 lbs (2.26 kg) plate adapters available, but these accessories are not included with the machine.
One of the main pluses of the machine’s weight stack is that the plates are made of solid cast iron. They’re considerably more durable than cement/vinyl plates and with proper care, they can last a lifetime.
The weight stack glides on two parallel beams; this type of assembly adds stability to the motion of each exercise. Also, the weight stack is concealed by two metallic side guards, leaving only the selectorized section with the pop-pin available, in order to prevent any accidents.
Possible Exercises
Arm Exercises
- Triceps Pushdown
- French Press
- Standing French Press
- Triceps Press
- Triceps Extension
- Cross Triceps Extension
- Rope Pushdowns
- Standing Hammer Grip Curls
- Standing Biceps Curl
- Seated Biceps Curl
- Reverse Grip Tricep Pushdown
- Tricep Kickback
- Reverse Curl
- Biceps Curl
- Seated Wrist Extension
- Standing Wrist Curls
- Standing Wrist Extension
Abdominal Exercises
- Standing Trunk Rotation
- Trunk Rotation
- Standing Oblique Crunch
- Kneeling “Wood Chop”
- Kneeling Low to High Trunk Rotation
- Reverse Crunch
- Seated Abdominal Crunch
- Seated Oblique Abdominal Crunch
Back Exercises
- Standing Wide Angle Lat Row
- Narrow Pulldowns with Hand Grips
- Seated Lat Rows
- Stiff Arm Pulldown
- Standing Lat Row High Pulley
- Standing Lat Row Low Pulley
- Standing Lat Row Alternating Motion-Low Pulley
- Standing Single Arm Lat Row Low Pulley
- Standing Single Arm/ Single Leg Lat Row Low Pulley
- Seated Low Back Extension
- Standing Low Back Extension
- Shoulder Pullover
- Reverse Grip Lat Pulldown
- Wide Pulldowns
Chest Exercises
- Seated Press
- Cable Fly
- Cable press
- Resisted Punch
- Cable Crossover
- Standing Chest Press
- Standing Chest Fly
- Standing Single Arm Chest Fly
Leg Exercises
- Leg Extension
- Prone Leg Curls
- Standing Hip Flexion w/ Knee Flexion
- Standing Leg Kickback
- Standing Hip Extension
- Ankle Eversion
- Ankle Inversion
- Hip Abduction
- Hip Adduction
- Standing Hip Flexion
- Standing Hip Internal Rotation
- Standing Hip External Rotation
- Leg Press (optional)
Shoulder Exercises
- Rear Deltoid Rows
- Standing Lateral Shoulder Raise
- Seated Shoulder Press
- Standing Shoulder Press w/ Alternating Motion
- Standing Shoulder Press
- Front Shoulder Raise
- Standing Front Shoulder Raise
- Shoulder Extension
- Shoulder Shrug
- Scapular Protraction
- Scapular Retraction
- Scapular Depression
- Reverse Fly Cable Cross
- Seated Lateral Shoulder Raise
- Standing Rear Deltoid Row
- Standing Cable-cross Rear Deltoid Row
- Standing Shoulder Extension
Assembly and Maintenance
This Body-Solid home gym comes in four fairly large and heavy boxes; thus, it’s recommended to be transported and assembled by at least two people. The assembly process isn’t exactly the easiest and may take quite a few hours; there are many pieces to put together. However, the included manual provides pretty clear assembly instructions and schematics.
Once the unit is assembled, maintenance doesn’t require much. It’s recommended to periodically grease the metallic rods of the weight stack to ensure a smooth travel for the plates. Occasionally, pulleys may require lubrication. It’s also recommended to periodically check for loose parts and bolts.
The Pros
- Sturdy and heavy frame, offering excellent stability;
- Aesthetic design which can also serve as a motivation factor;
- Adjustable seat and backrest;
- DuraFirm upholstery and thick padding for optimal comfort;
- 5 workout stations including press station, adjustable arm station, lat pulldown station, low pulley station, and leg developer attachment;
- Multiple grip possibilities for the chest press;
- 4″ thick rollers for the leg developer element;
- 9 adjustment positions for the lateral pulley arms;
- 4 + 2 adjustment positions for the chest press;
- 180° rotating pulleys on the lateral pulley arms;
- Heavy duty pulleys and cables;
- Accessories included: two pulling handles, lat bar, and ankle strap;
- Highly-durable, cast iron weight plates;
- 310 lbs weight stack;
- Over 60 exercises available;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
-
- No conventional fly press;
- The assembly is not exactly easy;
- Heavy fitness machine.
Summary
The Body-Solid Fusion 500 is a home gym equipped with a 310 lbs metallic weight stack, offering 5 workout stations including lat pulldown station, press station, adjustable arm station, low pulley station, and leg developer. It has an extremely durable construction, similar to commercial-grade trainers. It excels in ergonomics featuring an adjustable seat and backrest with DuraFirm upholstery, and top-quality, 4″ foam rollers for the leg developer and knee stoppers. It’s one of the best home gyms that you can find at the moment; and finally, even though it’s not exactly an affordable machine, it does offer an excellent value and quality for the price.