| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Workout stations | Weight stack | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Body-Solid G2B Check Discounted Price | L:71" W:63" H:83.5" | 40+ | Lat station, Mid station, Low station, Leg developer, Hip developer, Bi-angular press | 160 lbs | Lifetime |
Body Solid offers a wide array of home gyms and commercial gym weight stack machines. The Body Solid G2B is one of the weight stack machines made for home use (as it doesn’t include a commercial warranty), but does have a very sturdy construction, similar to the gym-grade units. It has several workout stations including a multi-hip station with several start positions, a feature that many other home gyms don’t have. It’s a well-built trainer and provides support for the execution of more than 40 exercises.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 71L x 63W x 83.5H inches (180L x 160W x 212H cm)
- Assembled weight: 438 lbs (198.6 kg)
- Weight stack: 160 lbs (72.5 kg)
- Possible exercises: 40+
- Warranty: Lifetime
Frame construction & parts
The Body-Solid G2B weight stack gym machine features a very sturdy construction, made of 12-gauge steel tubing providing superior durability and support. All the steel bars within the unit’s 
construction have a tough, electrostatically applied powder finish, which is resistant to corrosion and abrasion. The colors used are black for most of the frame, and gray for the Bi-Angular press and weight stack covers. These are the only colors available for this unit.
Like most home gyms, the Body Solid G2B is quite a heavy unit. With the frame fully assembled it weighs over 400 lbs. All this weight enhances its stability and sturdiness. The base bars do not have adjustable stabilizers but rest on large rubberized pads in order to protect your flooring and prevent the unit from slipping. Despite these pads, though, it’s recommended to place and use the machine on a rubberized mat.
Compared to other home gyms such as the Marcy MWM-988 or Inspire M1, the G2B is slightly larger, especially widthwise. It’s 71″ (180 cm) long, and 63″ (160 cm) wide, while its highest point reaches approx. 83.5″ (212 cm) above floor level. This being said, it won’t fit well in a room with a 7′ (213 cm) ceiling. It’s also recommended to assign a usage area of at least two feet on the side of the Hip Station and at the front, to be able to execute all the exercises properly.
The machine’s seat and backrest are adjustable. Each one has several positions on its post. They’re equipped with DuraFirm™ which provide the optimal combination of cushioning and support. Their upholstery is also highly-durable, and with the proper care, it can last a lifetime. There is no weight capacity specified for the seat; it’s durable enough to support users of all sizes.
The unit also integrates several 4″ foam rollers. Two of them are attached under the backrest to 
provide support for your knees during lat pulldown exercises. Needless to say, the unit’s leg developer has four rollers while the included Hip Station is also equipped with one.
The machine is equipped with 2,200 lbs (998 kg) tension strength, military spec, steel cables. They have swivel elements on their ends in order to eliminate any hindrance for all exercises. They’re coated with a sheet of polyurethane material to deliver a smooth glide over the pulleys. Also, one important aspect to mention here regards the fact that you don’t have to swap or adjust cables if you want to alternate exercises. Each workout station has its own cable, so all you need to do is attach a handle or cuff if needed.
There are multiple pulleys within the unit’s construction. They’re 4 1/4″ in diameter; they’re made of fiberglass reinforced nylon material and integrate precision-machined ball bearings for smooth operation and maximum durability.
In terms of accessories, the Body-Solid G2B includes a revolving lat bar, a revolving straight bar, an ankle strap, an ab crunch strap, a full-size exercise chart, and the Body Workout™ DVD.
Workout stations
The Body Solid G2B integrates six main workout stations. These are:
Bi-Angular press station. The press station of the G2B is quite different than for other home
gyms. Its side arms converge during a press exercise simulating a free weight dumbbell press, guiding you through the optimal range of motion. It delivers resistance from two direction (rear and lateral), and due to this fact, it generates 25% more muscle interaction, which results in a more consistent workout. Its arms are equipped with pivoting handles which provide multiple grips. Also, the press has several adjustment positions, offering support for various exercises, including standard seated press, incline press, shoulder press, mid row etc.
Lat pulldown station. This is a standard, one-point high-pulley and lat pulldown station. It offers the possibility to perform all the high pulley exercises. It includes a 48″ curved lat bar with a rubberized cover.
Mid pulley station. This workout station consists of a pulley placed above the unit’s backrest. This pulley allows you to perform a variety or mid-core and arm exercises such as trunk rotations, baseball swings or ab crunches. An ab harness is included for it.
Low pulley station. Just as for any home gym, the low pulley gives you the possibility to perform various exercises, such as seated rows, stand up rows, bicep curls etc. The front of the machine has a folding foot plate to provide a better support for standing up exercises. Also, a short bar is included for this pulley.
Leg developer station. Needless to say, this attachment requires being connected to the low pulley. It allows the execution of leg extensions, one leg curls, and others. It integrates the SmoothGlide Bearing System™ with biomechanically accurate pivot point. Self-lubricating bronze bushings are used in all other pivot points for friction-free shaft rotation. Its large foam rollers provide superior comfort for all the exercises.
Multi-hip developer station. This is a workout station that not all gym machines include. This
attachment allows the execution of various lower body exercises, but mostly exercises for the inner thigh, outer thigh, exercises for the hips and leg muscles. Its adjustment disc has 11 positions for the pop-pin, offering quite a bit of versatility for the start-up of each exercise.
Now that we’ve covered the included workout stations of the Body Solid G2B, it’s also important to mention that there are several other attachments optionally available for it.
Among them, we can count the GLP G Series leg press station, which features a frame essentially similar to the main machine, with the same DuraFirm cushioning on its seat, the GCCA G Series cable column attachment which can be used for various cable exercises, and a weight stack upgrade.
Weight Resistance System
The first aspect to mention here is that the Body-Solid G2B includes an all-metal selectorized 
weight stack. The weight plates are made of heavy-duty cast iron and can take a lot of abuse before breaking. This is actually one of the reasons this machine is a bit more expensive than the ones with vinyl/concrete weight stacks.
The total weight of the included stack is 160 lbs (72.5 kg). It integrates 15 weight plates 10 lbs (4.5 kg) each, plus the top stopper plate which also weighs 10 lbs. The plates glide on two durable rods with a chrome finish, providing a very smooth travel. They’re guarded from the bottom and all the way up by a metallic cover which also reduces some of the generated noise during exercises.
The weight stack is upgradeable. There are a 50 lbs (22.6 kg) stack option for it which includes 5 more plates (10 lbs each).
Possible Exercises
- Vertical grip chest press
- Horizontal grip chest press
- Incline grip chest press
- Shoulder press
- Inward shoulder press
- Deltoid raise
- Lateral deltoid raise
- Upright row
- Seated mid row
- Low pulley row
- Shrug
- Lat pulldown
- Good morning
- Ab crunch
- High pulley crossover
- Mid pulley crossover
- Oblique ab crunch
- Oblique bend
- Tricep pushdown
- Standing tricep extension
- Seated tricep extension
- Tricep kickback
- Bicep curl
- Reverse curl
- Concentration curl
- Leg extension
- Leg curl
- Leg abduction
- Leg adduction
- Glute kickback
- Deadlift
- Baseball swing
- Golf swing
- … and more
As we’ve mentioned above, the G2B from Body-Solid features a Bi-Angular press. This means its side arms can converge. However, it does not have a conventional pec fly station, so standard butterfly exercises cannot be performed. However, you can slightly close your arms in during a press exercise, in order to put some emphasis on the same muscles that are engaged during a fly.
Assembly and Maintenance
Just as for any weight stack machine, the assembly of the G2B can take up to several hours. The are many parts to put together, and some of them are heavy, that’s why it is recommended to be assembled by two people. But on the other hand, the manual provides very clear assembly instructions and schematics.
For maintenance, it is recommended to periodically check the integrity of all parts and look for loose bolts. The guides of the weight stack should be periodically lubricated, as well as the pulleys if they begin to squeak when in use.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction – can support users of all sizes;
- Adjustable seat;
- Adjustable backrest;
- DuraFirm™ seat and backrest;
- 4″ foam rollers for the knee stoppers and leg developer;
- 6 main workout stations: high pulley station, mid pulley station, press station, low pulley station, leg developer station, and hip developer station;
- The chest press has a bi-angular design and replicates free weight presses providing up to 25% more muscle interaction;
- Several adjustment positions on the press station;
- Pivoting handles for the press station;
- Several adjustment positions on the hip developer;
- SmoothGlide Bearing System™ with a biomechanically accurate pivot point for the leg developer attachment;
- Durable cast iron weight plates;
- 160 lbs weight stack;
- The weight stack is upgradable by up to 50 lbs;
- Lat bar included;
- Short bar included;
- Ankle strap included;
- Ab harness included;
- Total Body Workout™ DVD and exercise chart included;
- Over 40 exercises available;
- Little maintenance required;
- Lifetime warranty for home users.
The Cons
- Not exactly easy to assemble;
- No conventional fly press so the butterfly exercises require some improvisation.
Summary
The Body Solid G2B is a multi-gym machine featuring 6 workout station, a cast iron weight stack of 160 lbs, adjustable seat, and backrest, with a bi-angular press station which provides more muscle interaction than a regular one. It includes several accessories such as ankle cuff, lat bar, short bar and others. It offers the possibility to perform more than 40 exercises. It’s a sturdy piece of equipment, with a construction that is pretty close to commercial machines. It’s not exactly a cheap machine but does offer an outstanding quality for the price.