| Unit | Dimensions | Workout stations | Weight stack | Weight plates | Possible exercises |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Fitness BFMG30 Check Discounted Price | L:71.6" W:46.6" H:83" | High-pulley, Mid-pulley, Low-pulley, Multi-press, Leg developer | 145 lbs | Cement & nylon, 15 lbs (ea) | 35+ |
The Best Fitness BFMG30 home gym is pretty similar to the Best Fitness BFMG20 that we’ve already covered here. However, its front press does not have the fly press function; you cannot perform fly press exercises on it. But on the other hand, the press element has multiple adjustment positions, while the seat and the backrest of the machine are also adjustable.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 71.6L x 46.6W x 83H inches (182L x 118W x 211H cm)
- Assembled weight: 336.7 lbs (153 kg)
- Stack weight: 145 lbs (65.7 kg)
- Possible exercises: 35+
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 1 year
Frame construction
The Body-Solid BFMG30 features a pretty sturdy frame made mostly of 1.5″ x 3.25″ oval steel tubing. There are some
exceptions, though. The bars of the arm press and the guide rods of the weight stack are cylindrical, while the adjustment post of the seat is rectangular.
The main frame tubes feature a thick double-coating finish red in color. The front frame section with the footplate is painted black. The seat post and the guide rods on which the weight stack slides have a chrome plating finish.
The BFMG30 home gym is not too large. With all the parts assembled, it is approx. 71.6″ (182 cm) long, and 46.6″ (118 cm) wide. It is recommended, though, to allow at least two feet of clearance on each side of the unit, and at least three feet of clearance at its front, so you can perform all the exercises correctly and without any hindrance. The highest point of the unit is approx. 83″ (211 cm). This being said, it should fit in a room with a 7-foot ceiling, but it would be a pretty tight fit.
Since it’s a home gym with an included weight stack, the Best Fitness BFGM30 is quite heavy. Its net, assembled weight is approx. 337 lbs (153 kg). Its base bars do not have pre-drilled holes for anchoring it to the floor, but stability shouldn’t be an issue for it. It is recommended, though, to place and use the machine on a rubber mat.
Other parts and accessories
The Body-Solid BFMG30 strength training machine is equipped with 17 pulleys, 13 of them are 4 1/4 (10.7 cm) in
diameter, and the other 4 are 3 1/2 (8.9 cm) in diameter. They’re all made from a durable nylon material. They’re equipped with sealed bearings for a long lifespan and for a smooth cable usage.
The machine has a “no cable-change” design. In other words, once you have assembled it, you won’t have to detach and re-attach cables to any parts. The exact tensile strength of the cables is not specified, but they should withstand way more than the included stack. They’re steel-made and have PVC sleeves to prevent the scratching of the pulleys.
As we’ve mentioned above, both the seat and the backrest of the machine are adjustable. Their posts have several adjustment positions so the unit should be able to accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’4″ (153 – 193 cm) with no problem. Taller users may not benefit from a complete range of motion, at least for the machine’s press.
Both the seat and the backrest pads integrate a thick layer of foam padding with a durable vinyl cover, black in color. The machine is also equipped with three pairs of 4″ (10 cm) thick foam rollers. Two pairs are part of the leg developer attachment, the other pair attaches to the backrest tube of the machine; these rollers can serve as knee stoppers for lat pulldown exercises.
In terms of accessories, the machine includes an ab harness, a short row bar with an extension chain, and a lat pulldown bar.
Workout stations and attachments
As opposed to the Best Fitness BFMG20, the BFMG30 features five workout stations. These are the high-pulley
station, the multi-press station, the mid-pulley station, the low pulley station, and the leg developer.
High-pulley station. This Body-Solid home gym features only one terminal pulley on its top bar. This particular workout station allows the execution of lat pulldown exercises, triceps press downs, and other exercises. The only accessory included for this station is the standard, curved lat bar. Its length is 48″ (122 cm). Its grips have PVC foam sleeves for improved contact.
Multi-press station. This workout station is equipped with a 7-position adjustment plate. It offers the possibility to perform various front and back press exercises. As we’ve mentioned above, it doesn’t double-up as a fly press, so you cannot perform pec fly exercises on this machine. The arms of the press have three grips each placed at different angles with PVC foam covers.
Mid-pulley station. Similar to the Body-Solid G3S model, this home gym is equipped with a mid-pulley which is integrated into the main pillar of the machine, above the backrest. It offers the possibility to execute a variety of exercises, such as wood chops, resistance punches, standing cable rows, and ab crunches. An ab harness accessory is included with the machine.
Low-pulley station. The unit’s front low pulley offers the possibility to execute seated rows, bicep curls, or leg abductions. A short bar with an extension chain for low rows is included. However, this home gym does not include an ankle cuff.
Leg developer. This Best Fitness home gym is equipped with a leg developer attachment which has 4″ foam rollers for extra comfort during leg extensions. The leg developer attachment produces the highest weight resistance of all the workout stations. However, the exact maximum load for it is not specified.
Weight resistance
The Best Fitness BFMG30 is equipped with a weight stack of 145 lbs (65.7 kg). However, unlike other Body-Solid
strength training cable machines, the plates are not made of cast iron. They are nylon-covered cement plates. Needless to say, they are not as durable as cast iron plates, but the machine is for home-use only, so they should last a lifetime if used accordingly. They also come with an advantage over cast iron plates. This type of plate construction reduces the noise generated by the plates’ contact when you use the machine.
The weight stack consists of 9 weight plates plus the top, selector plate. Each plate weighs 15 lbs (6.8 kg). The top selector plate weighs approx. 10 lbs (4.5 kg). The exact weight ratio for each workout station is not specified. But as a general idea, the low pulley offers the highest weight resistance.
The weight stack features a pretty standard adjustment system. It comes with a pin that you can insert into the desired weight plate. The plates slide on two chrome-plated rods for extra stability. It’s also important to mention here that the weight stack is not meant to be upgraded. The unit’s cables can withstand more weight than 145 lbs (65.7 kg), but improvisations are not recommended. You can add a 5 lbs (2.2 kg) adapter plate for extra micro-adjustment. This accessory is not included, though.
Possible Exercises
- Seated Biceps Curls
- Stand-up Biceps Curls
- Concentration Curls
- Triceps Press-downs
- Triceps Extensions
- Triceps Kickbacks
- Ab Pulldowns
- Ab crunches
- Low Pulley Trunk Rotations
- High Pulley Trunk Rotations
- Woodchops
- Resistance punches
- Deltoid Raises
- Seated Rows
- Upright Rows
- Shoulder Presses
- Vertical Grip Chest Presses
- Horizontal Grip Chest Presses
- High Cable Cross-Overs
- Lat Pulldowns
- High Pulley Ab Crunches
- Standing One-Leg Curls
- Leg Extensions
- Leg Abductions
- Leg Adductions
- Kickbacks
- Squats
- … and more.
Of course, some of these exercises require extra accessories. For example, in order to perform leg abductions or kickbacks, you will need an ankle cuff. Also, for the correct execution of woodchops or baseball swings, you may need a special handle.
Assembly and Maintenance
Similar to other weight stack strength training machines, the Best Fitness BFMG30 requires complete assembly. The task is not extremely difficult but due to the many parts that you’ll have to put together, it will take at least a few hours. As a general idea, first, you’ll have to put together the base of the frame, then the upright pillars, the weight stack, the top frame parts, the pulleys, the cables, and the rest of the accessories. The manual provides clear assembly instructions accompanied by schematics. Tools for the assembly are not included; you will need adjustable wrenches (or a set of fixed wrenches), a Phillips screwdriver, and a set of hex wrenches.
For maintenance, it is recommended to periodically grease the guide rods of the weight stack. The pulleys may also need some oiling from time to time. Other than this, you only have to keep the machine clean and periodically inspect it to make sure that all the parts function correctly and all the bolts still hold tight in their places.
The Pros
- Durable construction, compact frame;
- Relatively small footprint for a home gym system;
- Four workout stations plus leg developer attachment;
- Thick and durable vinyl upholstery, with consistent padding for maximum comfort;
- Adjustable seat and backrest;
- Multiple adjustment positions for the chest press;
- Over 35 exercises available;
- Quiet operation, a suitable machine for apartment use;
- Lat bar included;
- Short row bar included;
- Ab harness included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Fairly easy to assemble.
The Cons
- The weight stack is not upgradable;
- The nylon/cement plates are not as sturdy as cast iron plates.
Summary
The Body-Solid BFMG30 is a home gym system featuring four workout stations (high/mid/low pulley and multi-press) and a leg developer attachment. It integrates a nylon/cement weight stack of 145 lbs. It comes with a lat pulldown bar, a short row bar, and an ab harness. Also, both its seat and backrest are adjustable. It’s a strength-training system for beginners and intermediate users offering the possibility to execute more than 35 exercises.