| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight capacity | Weight stack | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marcy MKM-81010 Check Discounted Price | L:52" W:39" H:84" | 30+ | 300 lbs | Vinyl & concrete, ~216 lbs | 2 years limited |
The Marcy MKM-81010 is not much different than the MWM-990 model but does offer several extra features. For example, its main press offers two positions, its backrest is adjustable, and it includes a heavier weight stack. It’s definitely not a commercial-grade machine, but for home use, it can be just perfect as it offers the possibility to perform more than 30 exercises. Also, since its weight stack is a concrete/vinyl combo, it’s considerably cheaper than other similar machines with a cast iron stack, such as the Powerline P1X, for example.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 52L x 39W x 84H inches (132L x 99W x 213H cm)
- Assembled weight: 374 lbs (170 kg)
- Max. user capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Stack weight: Vinyl/cement, 216 lbs (98 kg)
- Max. weight resistance: 291 lbs (132 kg) back press
- Possible exercises: 30+
- Warranty: 2 years limited
Frame construction, parts, and accessories
Although the Marcy MKM-81010 is not a commercial gym machine, it definitely offers a superior durability. Its frame is made
of heavy-duty, 2×2.5″, 14-gauge steel tubing. The base frame structure features rectangular tubing, while the press arms and several other parts are cylindrical.
Compared to other gym systems, such as the Marcy SM-4008, this home gym is smaller. It’s assembled footprint is approx. 52″L x 39″W (132 x 99 cm); however, it is recommended to assign a usage area of at least 90″ x 70″ (228 x 178 cm) for the unit, to be able to perform all the exercises correctly. Also, the height of the fully assembled unit is approx. 84″ (213 cm). Therefore, it will be a very tight fit in a room with a 7′ ceiling height.
Considering that the machine comes with a weight stack that weighs more than 200 lbs, the fully assembled unit is quite heavy. Its overall weight is approx. 374 lbs (170 kg). Therefore, it’s not recommended to be moved from its place once it is assembled.
The unit doesn’t have adjustable stabilizers but does rest on several rubber pads. Therefore, it has an excellent grip on the floor, and due to its weight, it doesn’t move or wobble during exercising.
The Marcy MKM-81010 home gym is equipped with a fairly large seat, featuring approx. 2″ (5 cm) of foam padding for optimal comfort. It also has a durable vinyl upholstery. The leg developer unit features a similar cushioning for its rollers. They’re 4″ (10 cm) thick, providing the required comfort for leg extensions or stand-up leg curls.
Only the backrest is adjustable, offering several front-back adjustment positions. In case you’re wondering, the distance of the seat from the floor is approx. 23″ (58 cm), while the distance from the floor to the handles of the press is approx. 37″ (94 cm). These being said, the machine may not be the best choice for users over 6’0″ (183 cm), as they may not benefit from a full range of motion for certain exercises, such as front press or fly press. Also, the seat assembly is rated for a user weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg).
The unit integrates 14 pulleys made of heavy-duty nylon material and equipped with sealed ball bearings for prolonged use. The cables are steel ropes covered by a thin sheet of PVC material. They’re rated for a much higher tension than the maximum 291 lbs tension that this machine can provide. Cable tension can be adjusted by moving up or down the lower pulley in the double pulley bracket situated behind the main vertical tube of the machine.
In terms of accessories, this Marcy home gym includes a short, curved curl bar, an ankle cuff, a standard D-handle with a rubberized grip, an extension chain, and the lat pulldown bar.
Workout stations and attachments
The Marcy MKM-81010 features five main workout stations and attachments. These are:
Press/fly station. This is the main workout station of the machine. It has double functionality and two adjustment positions.
It can be used for front presses and seated mid rows, and pec fly exercises. It features two large cushioning pads for extra comfort during fly presses and a set of simple grips for the standard horizontal press. The maximum weight resistance generated by the front press is approx. 270 lbs (122 kg), while if set to back position, due to the extra leverage, the maximum resistance reaches 291 lbs (132 kg).
High pulley station. This workout station allows the execution of lat pulldown exercises, ab crunches, triceps press downs and others. It uses only one pulley; the lat pulldown bar is included, as well as an extension chain.
Low pulley station. This workout station allows the execution of various exercises including seated rows, standing up biceps curls, stand up rows and many more. The front part of the frame features a stepping platform to help with your balance during the standing up exercises.
Leg developer attachment. This is a standard home gym attachment for leg extensions. However, you can also execute standing up leg curls while using only one leg at the time.
Preacher pad attachment. The included preacher pad features a thick layer of padding especially at the top, similar to the seat and the backrest. It offers the possibility to perform seated preacher curls, and the small curved bar for this type of exercises is included.
Weight Stack and Resistance System
The Marcy MKM-81010 features a classic cable gym machine resistance system and includes a weight stack composed of 13 main weight plates, and the top selector plate. Most sites and sources specify a total weight of the stack of 200 lbs (90.7 kg), but each plate has an approx. weight of 16 lbs (7.2 kg), while the top selector plate weighs approx. 8 lbs (3.6 kg). Therefore, the total approximate weight of the stack is 216 lbs (98 kg).
Each workout station delivers different results in terms of weight resistance. As we’ve mentioned above, the maximum weight resistance is 291 lbs (132 kg), provided by the press when it’s set up on the back position. The chart below shows the resistance for each one of the main workout stations.
The included weight plates are made of concrete material, each plate being encased in a durable vinyl shell. Evidently, they’re less durable than standard cast iron plates, but since this is a home gym system, they won’t come close to the wear and tear of the plates from a commercial gym machine, so they can last a lifetime even with daily use. The two main benefits with regards to this type of weight stack are the fact that the machine is considerably cheaper, while the contact of the plates doesn’t generate too much noise when the machine is in use.
Possible Exercises
- Seated Biceps Curls
- Stand-up Biceps Curls
- Preacher Curls
- Concentration Curls
- Tricep Pressdowns
- Tricep Extensions
- Triceps Kickbacks
- Ab Pulldowns
- Low Pulley Trunk Rotations
- Deltoid Raises
- Seated Rows
- Upright Rows
- Mid Rows
- Chest Presses
- Fly presses
- High Cable Cross-Overs
- Lat Pulldowns
- Leg Curls
- Leg Abductions
- Leg Extensions
- Leg Adductions
- Kickbacks
- Squats
- … and more.
Assembly and Maintenance
The Marcy MKM-81010 home gym comes packaged in several boxes and does require full assembly. Due to the weight of the full unit, and the multitude of parts, two persons are recommended for the assembly. Also, the assembly task may take more than 3-4 hours, but the manual provides all the necessary instructions, in a step-by-step manner, while the schematics are very clearly represented. The only tools required for the assembly are three Allen wrenches. You will also need a Phillips screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and a rubber mallet.
Maintenance doesn’t require much, once the unit is assembled. The pulleys may need periodic lubrication, and for it, light oil is recommended. If lubricated during the assembly, the pulleys may not require further lubrication for a long time.
The Pros
- Sturdy construction, elegant frame design;
- Thick and durable vinyl upholstery, with consistent padding for maximum comfort;
- Foam roller padding on the chest press bars and leg developer attachment;
- A relatively small footprint for a home gym system;
- Adjustable backrest;
- Several workout stations and attachments, including press/fly station, high pulley, low pulley, preacher pad, and leg developer;
- Up to 291 lbs weight resistance;
- Short curl bar included;
- Ankle strap included;
- D-handle included;
- Lat bar included;
- Extension chain included
- Over 30 exercises available;
- Exercise chart included;
- Quiet operation, a suitable machine for apartment use;
- Little maintenance required;
- Fairly easy to assemble.
The Cons
- The included weight stack is not upgradable;
- The seat is not adjustable (only the backrest);
- Not for users taller than 6’0″ (183 cm).
Summary
The Marcy MKM-81010 is a home gym system featuring a 216 lbs vinyl/concrete weight stack, and 5 main workout stations. It provides a maximum weight resistance of 291 lbs, and the possibility to execute more than 30 exercises involving multiple muscle groups. It’s a great machine for beginners and intermediate users, and also an affordable one, offering an excellent value for the price.