Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight range | Weight plates | Warranty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weider 2980 X Check Discounted Price | L:65" W:37" H:76" | 36+ | 11-214 lbs | Vinyl, 12.5 lbs (ea) | Parts: 90 days Labor: 90 days |
There are several home gym machines under the Weider name that are designed for beginners and intermediate users. The Weider 2980 X is one of them.
This home gym system offers the possibility to perform more than 36 exercises for arms, chest, abdominal and leg muscles. It has been around for quite a while, but it continues to receive a consistent amount of positive reviews from users all over the U.S. Over the years, several improvements have been brought to this model, and in this post we address the most recent version. Therefore, let’s see what this machine can offer.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 65L x 37W x 76H inches (165L x 94W x 193H cm)
- Assembled weight: 183 lbs (83 kg)
- Weight resistance system: Weight stack and pulleys
- Standard weight resistance: 81 lbs (36 kg)
- Max. weight resistance: 214 lbs (97 kg)
- Possible exercises: 36+
- Warranty: Parts 90 day / Labor 90 days
Frame construction and parts
The machine’s frame is made of steel tubing, featuring quite a sturdy construction. All steel parts are double coated with anti-corrosive paint, grey and silver colors. For a home gym system is not extremely heavy, but still, when fully assembled it weighs over 180 lbs, which means it’s not supposed to be moved once assembled. Also, even though its bases feature rubberized stabilizers, it’s best to place it on a mat, to prevent floor damage.
The machine is rated for a maximum user weight of 300 lbs (136 kg), however the frame is sturdy enough to support users at least 20-30 lbs heavier.
The Weider 2980 X home gym is not extremely large either, in comparison with other similar machines. When fully assembled, it takes 65″L x 37″W (165 x 94 cm) of floor space. Its height is only 76″ (193 cm), thus you can fit it with no problem in a room with a 7′ ceiling. On the other hand, due to its dimensions, the machine is not exactly suitable for users taller than 6’3″ (190 cm).
The seat, backrest and curl pad attachment feature 2″ (5 cm) padding and offer all the comfort necessary for the possible exercises. The upholstery on them is made of thick, durable vinyl material, in black / red colors. The seat’s and backrest’s position cannot be adjusted. However, the curl pad offers 3 height adjustment positions, within a span of 5″ (13 cm). Its angle is not adjustable though. Also, in case you’re wondering, it’s 16″ (40 cm) long, and 11″ (28 cm) wide.
The machine’s pulleys are made of heavy-duty nylon material, and integrate sealed, industrial quality ball bearings. Thus it will take a long time until they wear out. The machine’s cables are military duty steel ropes, which can withstand much more tension than the weight resistance supplied by the machine. In case you’re wondering, the cables don’t require to be relocated on the machine depending on the exercises you need to perform, once they have been installed, as for other similar machines. All you need to swap are the lat bar and the handles. A set of nicely padded handle straps, with ankle grips are also included.
Although the photos attached here do not include it, the machine does come with a lat bar. However, it’s recommended that this part is removed in case you don’t perform exercises that require its use. The leg attachment supports and the fly lateral bars integrate 1.25″ (3 cm) thick foam pads to provide maximum comfort during exercises.
Workout stations
The Weider 2980 X gym system includes 6 main workout stations. These are:
Chest fly station – which offers the possibility to perform exercises that interest pectoral and deltoid muscles;
Chest press station – also for pectorals and deltoids, station designed for seated chest press exercises;
High-pulley station (with lat bar) – for training shoulder, triceps and back muscles;
Low-pulley station – which can offer a wide variety of exercises such as squats, stand up curls, seated rows etc.
Leg attachment – which offers the possibility to perform leg extensions; however, the machine does not offers the possibility to perform leg presses, nor the possibility to add a station for leg presses;
Curl pad attachment – designed mainly for biceps exercises, carried out in seated position.
Weight Resistance System
This home gym machine features a classic weight stack resistance system. It uses cement weight plates encased in a vinyl shell, a.k.a vinyl plates. Now, in case you’re wondering, these are quite dense and durable plates, with a very low chance to crack or fail in any way.
One of the downsides regarding this machine is that the weight plate set cannot be upgraded. The only weight plates available for this machine feature the same 12.5 lbs weight as the one supplied with it, and the stack can only have 6 of them. They can be replaced in case they wear out, but you won’t be able to upgrade the total weight.
The weight stack includes 6 main plates, each one weighing 12.5 lbs (5.6 kg), plus the smaller top weight plate, which weighs 6 lbs (2.7 kg). Differently put, the total weight of the stack is 81 lbs (36 kg). However, the pulley system is designed to add more resistance. For example, even though the total weight is 81 lbs, for the low station you can have a total weight of 214 lbs (97 kg). The following chart describes the increments available for various exercises:
Possible Exercises
Although this fitness machine is far from being a complete one, such as the Body Solid EXM3000LPS model for example, it still offers an impressive array of exercises. Some of them are:
- Triceps Pressdowns
- Triceps Extensions
- Triceps Kickbacks
- Seated Biceps Curls
- Stand-up Biceps Curls
- Preacher Curls
- Concentration Curls
- Ab Pulldowns
- Low Pulley Trunk Rotations
- Deltoid Raises
- Upright Rows
- Seated Rows
- Vertical Grip Chest Presses
- Horizontal Grip Chest Presses
- Incline Chest Presses
- High Cable Cross-Overs
- Lat Pulldowns
- Leg Curls
- Leg Extensions
- Leg Abductions
- Leg Adductions
- Kickbacks
- Squats
- … and more.
As we’ve mentioned above, this machine does not include a leg press attachment, therefore leg presses are not possible. Also, there is no mid pulley station, thus related exercises are also not on the list.
Assembly and Maintenance
This fitness machine is not difficult to put together, but the process will take quite a few hours, since there are many parts. The manual supplied provides pretty clear, step-by-step assembly instructions. Not all tools are supplied though. The box only includes two hex keys, but you will also need an adjustable wrench and a Phillips screwdriver.
Maintenance requires the greasing of the pulleys, re-tightening the cables, bolts and screws if necessary, and overall, keeping the machine clean.
The Pros
- Excellent construction, extremely sturdy frame;
- Durable upholstery and thick padding for optimal comfort;
- Relatively small footprint for a home gym system;
- 6 workout stations, including: pec fly, chest press, low pulley, high pulley, curl pad and leg attachment;
- Thick foam padding on leg attachment and fly bars;
- Over 36 exercises available;
- Quiet operation, suitable machine for apartment use;
- Little maintenance required;
- Easy to setup.
The Cons
- Weight stack is not upgradable – you cannot add extra weight plates;
- Exercise chart supplied is not specific to this machine. It also includes exercises that are not possible to perform.
Bottom Line
The Weider 2980 X is one of the most affordable gym machines that you can find at the moment. One of the reasons for this matter is that it uses vinyl weight plates rather than cast iron. However, these plates are quite durable, and for a home gym system they can last for many years. This Weider home gym actually costs quite a $100s less than similar other machines. It integrates 6 workout stations and offers the possibility to perform more than 36 exercises, while the maximum weight resistance that it can produce is 214 lbs for the leg lever, and 173 lbs for the press arm. Differently put, it’s a great choice for beginners and intermediate users. All in all, this Weider home gym offers excellent value for the price.
Do you sell the Weider 2980 gym weights?
Unfortunately, we don’t.
Can you explain how the additional resistance on the pulleys works? Is there a setting to adjust for different people?
The weight stack of the machine connects to each workout station through a cable that goes through multiple pulleys. Now, depending on how those pulleys are attached, and their number, that particular workout station may generate more or less weight resistance than the amount selected on the stack, or less. For example, if you select all the 6 weight plates, the arm press of the machine will generate a weight resistance equivalent to 173 lbs, while the leg developer will generate a weight resistance equivalent to 214 lbs due to the different number of pulleys involved with each one of these workout stations.
On the Weider 2980 X, how much total weight could I get on 1) bench press 2) lat pulldown and 3) squat? Thank you.
1. Press – 173 lbs.
2. Lat pulldown – 101 lbs.
3. Squat – 187 lbs. (on machine’s like this, squats are done using the low pulley, so its maximum load is 187 lbs).
I’m 6.3 ft tall, big but not huge (I’m not obese). Do you think this Gym fits my body? I can’t see how the seat can be adjusted, this might make chest exercises impossible for me – except I’m aiming for an shoulder destruction…
Weight shouldn’t be a problem. The Weider 2980 X gym should support users up to 300 lbs. However, the seat and the backrest are non-adjustable. So, at 6’3″ the lat bar may be a bit low, so you may not benefit from a complete range of motion.
Can you use heavier weight plates?
The weight stack of the Weider 2980 X is not upgradable, and even though the cables should be able to withstand heavier weights than the 81 lbs (the weight of the included weight stack), it is not recommended to load the machine with a heavier stack or extra plates.
does anyone offer an actual workout program with pics/diagrams for beginners specific to this model?
I am 70, just purchased one of these, but not sure I’m using it to it’s full potential.
BTW, for the price, I am impressed with this unit.
Thanks
Lou
I have owned and used this machine for 2 months now and would like to add my review. I am 43 5’10 230 and have lifted in the past but not much, getting back into it to gain muscle get in shape and lose weight. I like this machine but at times wish I would have bought something else, however it can not be beat for the price. However a few simple modifications would make it a much better machine.
My problem is the weight stack, I like how the pulley work to add resistance and it works great. That pulley system is also part of the problem The main problem with the weight stack is the lower pulley with arm exercises. On this page you can see the resistance chart that comes with the machine, notice that the weight goes up around 30 pounds per plate, that is a huge difference for arm exercises especially isolation exercises like the preacher curl. So yesterday I did the preacher curl with one plate (55 pounds) 25 reps straight. Naturally I would like to advance up, however with 2 plates (86 pounds) I can move that stack about half an inch.
Now with the top pulley most exercises are good, the increments are much lower which is good. Even with the lesser resistance it is more than enough for me with most exercises however with lat pulldowns I can do the max weight over 30 times and there is no way to increase that weight.
I think a few modifications in the factory could easily fix this problem which make this machine many times better than it is. However it is still a good machine and a great value.
Will this help with your stomach area
Well, you can perform high pulley ab crunches and high to low trunk rotations…