| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight range | Workout stations | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PowerLine PLM 180X Check Discounted Price | L:48" W:25" H:81" | 20+ | 250 lbs | High pulley, Low pulley | Frame: 10 years Parts: 1 year |
A lat machine offers the possibility to perform quite a few exercises for training various groups of core and arm muscles. Many home gym systems, such as the Body-Solid EXM1500S or Gold’s Gym XR 55 do integrate a lat workout station. But in case you already own a home gym machine that doesn’t have this type of attachment, nor the possibility to add it, opting for an independent lat machine is not a bad idea.
One of the most affordable, yet pretty versatile lat machines that you can find at the moment is the PLM180X. This particular model also includes a low pulley, offering the possibility to perform various related exercises, not only the ones specific to the lat-pull down station. Even though it’s a pretty basic machine, anyone interested in it may have at least one or two questions regarding it. Thus, in this review we’ll try to provide as much information as possible regarding each and every one of its features.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 48L x 25W x 81H inches (122L x 64W x 206H cm)
- Assembled weight: 72 lbs (32.6 kg)
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
- Possible exercises: 20+
- Warranty: Frame 10 years / Parts 1 year
Frame construction and parts
To begin with, the frame of the PowerLine PLM180X lat machine is made of 3″ x 2″, 11-ga steel, coated with corrosion resistant silver paint. However, the upright post of the gliding weight carriage element features a chrome finish. The frame has a rather small footprint, taking only 48″L x 25″W (122 x 64 cm) of floor space. Therefore, if you already have a home gym setup, finding the space for this machine shouldn’t be too much of a problem. The maximum width of the machine is actually given by the lat bar though, which is a few inches 
wider than the bases.
The machine’s bases feature rubber caps for stability, but these integrated stabilizers are not adjustable. Therefore, in case the floor where the machine will be placed has irregularities, it may be a good idea to place it on a rubberized mat.
When it comes to height, the highest point of the fully assembled lat machine is 81″ (206 cm) above the floor level. In other words it should fit with no problem in a room with a 7′ ceiling. But on the other hand, the machine may not be tall enough for users above 6’3″, and they might have to improvise in order to benefit from the full range of motion.
This PowerLine lat machine is not extremely heavy. When fully assembled, it weighs approx. 70 lbs. Thus, it can be assembled and transported by one person with no problem.
The seat supplied is pretty basic, approx. 14″ (35 cm) wide, with 2.5″ (6.3 cm) of padding. Upholstery on the seat is made of durable vinyl material. The seat is not adjustable, but it can easily be removed from the frame in case certain exercises require it. Also, in case you’re wondering, the top of the seat stands 18 ¾” above floor level.
The main post of the frame integrates a set of two foam rollers, to offer support for your 
knees in case you’re pulling a heavy weight load. Each roller is 8″ (20.3 cm) long, and 3″ (7.6 cm) thick.
This lat machine features three pulleys, two on the top bar of the frame, and a low one, on the seat frame bar. The pulleys are made of heavy-duty nylon material, integrate nylon bushings for smooth operation, and sealed ball bearings for a long life span.
The machine’s weight carriage element is equipped with 1″ (2.5 cm) sleeves, for Standard weight plates, each sleeve being 8.5″ (21.5 cm) long. Springs for weight plates and sleeve adapters for Olympic weight plates are not included.
This lat machine is rated for weight loads up to 250 lbs (113.3 kg). However, users have reported that it can actually hold up to 400 lbs (181 kg). The cables are after all steel ropes, rated for more than 1,000 lbs weight. The sleeves of the weight carriage element are very solid as well, and should be able to support heavier loads than 250 lbs without issues.
Accessories
There are three main accessories included with this PowerLine Body-Solid lat machine. These are: the lat pull-down bar, the low row bar, and the cable extension for the low pulley. The lat pull-down bar is a standard 44″ (112 cm) curved bar. The low row bar is shorter, approx. 22″ (56 cm). Both bars feature foam grips for extra comfort. The cable extension is 80″ (203 cm) long, and it’s required for the use of the low pulley for biceps curls, seated rows etc.
An important aspect to be mentioned here is that the machine does not come with a weight plate set. You’ll have to use the ones that you already own, or purchase a set separately. As we’ve mentioned above, the machine as it is requires Standard plates.
There are various other accessories available for this machine, including Olympic weight plate adapters, ankle straps for stand-up curls, ropes for ab exercises etc.
Possible Exercises
- Lat pull-downs
- Behind neck lat pull-downs
- Close grip lat pull-downs
- Reverse grip lat pull-downs
- One arm lat pull-downs
- Straight arm pull-downs
- Triceps press downs
- Seated rows
- Stand-up rows
- Biceps curls
- One-arm bices curls
- One-arm deltoid raises
- One-arm shoulder presses
- Cable crunches
- Cable front squats
- Cable forward lunges
- Cable reverse lunges
- Cable lateral lunges
- One leg stand-up curls
- Hip adductions
- Hip abductions
- … and more.
Evidently, for some of these exercises you’ll need various accessories. For example, for ab crunches you’ll need an ab rope, or for hip abductions you’ll need an ankle strap. But these are fairly cheap accessories, and widely available.
Assembly and Maintenance
First of all, this lat pull-down machine is shipped in two boxes: 77.56″L x 6.7″W x 4.3″H (40.4 lbs), and 48″L x 10.6″W x 7.5″H (34.3 lbs). Differently put, transport and unboxing can be done by a single person. Assembly is far from being complicated as well. It shouldn’t take more than one hour. You’ll basically have to set-up the base of the frame first, then add the upright posts, with the carriage, the seat frame and low pulley, and finally setup the top bar with the pulleys and main cable. The supplied manual offers all the information needed for assembly. Tools are not included, but two adjustable wrenches will suffice.
For maintenance, all you have to do is periodically check the machine’s joints to make sure they still hold tight in their places, and re-tighten them if it’s the case. Also, if the pulleys develop squeaking noises, some lubricant should solve the problem.
The Pros
- Sturdy steel frame;
- 250 lbs recommended weight load, but can support more;
- Small footprint;
- 8″ foam roller for knee support included;
- Easily removable seat;
- Low pulley station included;
- Heavy-duty nylon pulleys, with sealed ball bearings;
- Short bar for low pulley exercises included;
- Supports more than 20 exercises;
- Easy to assemble;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- Taller users, over 6’3″ may have to improvise for certain exercises.
- Olympic sleeve adapters not included.
Summary
The PowerLine PLM180X is a lat machine which offers a bit more than a basic model. That’s because it also integrates a low pulley station, and comes with a low row bar accessory, which other models don’t include. It has a 250 lbs weight load capacity. Its weight sleeves are made for 1″ plates, but Olympic adapters can be added. It offers the possibility to perform more than 20 exercises including lat pull-downs, biceps curls, triceps press downs, seated rows, upright rows and more.
Even though this lat machine model has been around for quite a few years, it still benefits of a wide number of 5-star reviews from most users. Also, it’s quite an affordable machine, and does make a great addition to any home gym.