Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I recently purchased this system through Amazon. I work out at home in the AM before work. I was looking for a Smith machine so that I could lift heavy in the basement without the danger presented by free weights w/o a spotter. You'll find Smith machines cheaper than the Caribou, but they fit in the category of "home gym" equipment. Commercial machines are generally a lot more expensive than the Caribou. I settled on Caribou because of the solid construction and flexibility to add on features later as my needs demand (such as a pec deck, cable cross, dip station).
The system delivers in 5 boxes weighing 485# (2 or 3 are more than 100#). I broke the heavy boxes down before taking the equipment to the basement. There are a lot of parts. This is not a hard machine to assemble, but it took me 2.5 hours by myself. (I'm handy. Two people would have made the job a little easier, but this is not hard to put together alone.)
The system is solid. 300# is easily handled. I don't have need for more, but I'd bet another 200# is well within the range of this system.
My only complaint is that the system is a little small. You cannot use the supplied bench with the back upright to support shoulder presses (the bench cannot slide deeply enough into the rack to do that). I do shoulder presses without the bench back raised. The lat pull down and chinning bar are also lower than I'd like (I'm 6'2"). But I compensate by doing pull downs kneeling on the floor and chinning with legs bent 90 degrees at the knees. Frankly, a bigger machine would have a hard time fitting into a home, so I think this is why the dimensions are what they are. (This is the reason for four vice five stars.) However, for bench presses and squats, this is a full sized olympic system.
Finally, this system doesn't come with weights. I recommend you either buy these used off eBay/Craigs List or look for a deal at Sports Authority. The money you pay to deliver the weights will probably exceed the cost of the weights themselves. (I got a 300# set including an olympic bar for $140 from Sports Authority. Beat that if you can!)
If you're serious about getting/staying in shape at home, you cannot go wrong with this system.
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Caribou III System - Includes Caribou Power / Smith Rack / Lat Attachment / Workout BenchIncludes Gym, Fid Bench, Dual Lat Station with Foot Plate & Leg Curl / Extension. Our new Caribou III gym combines the best features of a free-weight gym with a built-in premium Smith machine. The new Caribou III is one of the safest self-spotting home gyms on the market. The gym enables you to experience the feel of free weights with the safety of a Smith machine. The Caribou III contains the most advanced smith carriage available today. Oilite bushings glide over solid chrome rods providing a piston-like action unmatched by any square carriage. This special carriage is locked instantly into any of the safety catches by a quick turn of the wrist. The new Caribou III features dual bar holders and safety rail spotter arms. Our new professional design enables the lifter to perform Smith machine lifting as well as all the free weight exercises. Our equipment continues to be the industry's leader in innovation and affordability in home gyms.
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