Customer Reviews

THERACK® Workout Station

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

--The Rack Workout Station--

PROS: I'm highly critical of workout gadgets, but I'm very impressed with THERACK! Unlike many other workout products, THERACK promotes real exercises that are time-tested and truly work (generally if it's hard to do and requires balance, you're on the right track). It's elegantly simple, seems to be of good quality construction, and despite my height of 6'1'' I was able to comfortably do dips and other exercises as advertised. Never mind the feeling I sometimes have--when it's set up for dips--that I now own a beefed-up walker. It folds very compact and fits under my bed, just as advertised. While there is NO substitute for weight training at a gym, this product will at the very least get you training with the right kinds of body-weight movements--even if it's in your small apartment.

CONS: ah, if only THERACK included a means of training legs--then it might be closer to the perfect training machine. Also, I find it much more difficult to use THERACK to properly hold your feet in place for sit ups (it's simply not heavy enough to act as a solid foot brace), and VERY difficult to use for seated ab work as it advertises as part of its training use (it's too difficult to sit on THERACK's "seated" area). Curls with THERACK are also not so great--bicep training is a bit awkward. My concern is that ultimately this is a dips/abs/triceps machine--other exercises seem more like just movements the company discovered you COULD do, but not particularly comfortably. Nonetheless, I'm glad to have THERACK get me training at home while I prep myself to begin getting my sorry ass to the gym =)

Ordered the Rack two weeks ago - the saleslady on the telephone told me it would take three weeks for delivery. Perfect since I was coming off a serious illness. Wouldn't you know it, the thing arrived exactly one week later. Assembly required me to completely remove the two bolts (instructions call for loosening) in order to fit the hardware. Took some effort to do that, but upon final tightening, I have a solid unit. I watched the Starter video and wondered if the routine would be enough (I am an accomplished runner). The next day I found out. It wore me out!

Recommendations:

Get the reinforced model - this is the one that weighs 30 lbs. The ones
I saw in stores weigh twenty-three lbs. Guess you will have to mail
order if you want the better model.

If you are going to toss the Rack - do it on a matted surface. Face it,
plastic wheels are not designed to withstand rough impact on a hard
surface. Besides, equipment should not be carelessly tossed
regardless.

Get a matted surface to work on. (Sports Authority)

Get a decent chinup bar (one that is removable) (once again, Sports
Authority)

If you get one used, make sure it comes with the exercise videos.
The videos are key to the success of the device.

If you are over six feet two, this may not work for you. At five six,
this thing works great for me. There should be a size for tall people.

The Rack is not for weight lifters, although it could serve for flexibility training on the lifters off days. The Rack offers me an ideal device for core training (I am training for a fast mile). It is a well designed calisthenics machine and nothing more. Using it within its designed purpose will offer excellent results - if you use it properly.

I bought this directly from the website, ordered the more expensive stronger tubing and it's seemed to work out fine until I shattered the cheap wheels when tossing it to ground has he constantly instructs in his videos. I called their customer service (India) and got the run around, call=busy signal, call=busy signal, when I actually got through, I was put on hold and hung up on. I reviewed the warranty, and you have to pay $30 to have them ship the product back, how about they just ship me the 3 dollar wheels and we'll call it even. Overall I'm fairly happy with the product, I'm working out, seeing results, but beware, there is no service with this product.

2/3s of the way through winter and I was looking for something to supplement my stationary bike and weights. Caught the infomercial on 'The Rack' went to the website and was sold when they offered free shipping.

Arrived ahead of schedule. Relatively easy to put together although the stem on the allen wrench is really too small. I stripped out one of the bolts reassembling one of the sides. Other than the inconvenience of using other tools I got it together and it works as advertised. Although pulling the pins up to rearrange the frame isn't as smooth as I'd hoped.

Impressed with both the video and print content that comes with the rack. The video and audio on the DVDs is well done, informative and like any good coach he pushes you to go beyond what you'd normally do. In addition to the exercises there's plenty of info on stretching including yoga poses and the nutrition guide offers vegetarian and vegan alternatives.

If you're a 'stay at home' gym rat this device works as advertised and is a welcome addition to my other routines.

I saw an infomercial about the Rack Workout Station. I was intrigued but mistrust infomercials. I did my research on the Web. I found great and terrible reviews. I liked the concept, so I ordered it. I am completely satisfied with the Rack, and I have made progress since I started using it.

I would like to address some of the complaints. Most of the comments regarded poor quality. I weigh 300 pounds, and I spent an extra $40 ordered the premium model. When I use the Rack, it neither creaks nor shifts. It is stable. A few people wrote the wheels broke. I think that they used the Rack with the wheels down for all the exercises. The wheels should only be used for the abs exercises. If I had the wheels down doing a pushup, they would quickly snap off. The instructions do not state so, but common sense should prevail.

The assembly took me 20 minutes, and I read everything twice before I start.

There was a claim of dishonesty due to their selling a protein powder for $30 a month. There is an option for the monthly protein powder and it is in the open. However, you have to opt out. It would be good if they had you opt in. That is typical for this industry so caveat emptor.

The good:
I have lost 2 inches off my waist and have added muscle. When I started this, I struggled mightily with the rack. I made enough progress that I added 10 pounds of weight to the Rack to increase the resistance. It only works if you work it.

This is a circuit training concept. Using your own body weight, along with some weight-bearing exercises, you move from exercise to exercise without a rest. It is a combination strength and cardio workout. You add lean muscle and strengthen your heart and circulatory system.

It comes with six workout DVDs along with a schedule for the different workouts. You are always doing something different. You avoid workout malaise by adding variety to your workouts

It folds up and I tuck it in a corner when I am done. When using the Rack it has a small footprint, and I use a 4'x4' mat.

The difficult:
Being a large man and definitely out of shape, I could not do their exercises exactly as they showed. For example, you do dips by standing on the floor and pushing up with my arms. I could not get my body off the floor. But I was able to adapt the exercises to my limitations and still get an excellent heart-pumping, muscle building workout.

My recommendation:
I paid $285 for the package. That included the premium version, the optional weights, and the expedited shipping. It is the best $285 I ever spent. If you have priced quality workout equipment, $285 is cheap. If you want to do something good for yourself, buy the Rack Workout Station.

If you think this is a planted review by the company, it is not. I am customer who they never met and never will. It is how I feel.

My experience has to do with the so called metabolism product they send you for the next few months after recieving the product. They charge you $29.90 (per month) for a box of stuff you don't order and don't want. Then when you call the number on the statement to complain you are not connected with a "real person" instead you get a round robin telephone menu. Finally I called my Credit Card Company and they confirmed the BS Phone system and took the additional prouct off my bill.If I could I would sent back Therack as a protest of piss poor sales practices. I was so mad I didn't care how well it worked... and still pissed!!!!

I am a road bike fanatic. Problem is that I'm in good shape, dont have alot of extra body fat but dont really look the part of a guy that bikes 110 miles a week. And I dont want to lift alot of weight due to the added weight on the bike that bulky muscles bring. So I ordered the rack.

This thing blew away my expectations. Not only do you get a terrific upper and lower body workout, but you do it while getting a great cardio workout. I've been doing it for 3 weeks and have already lost 5 pounds and can really see a difference in the mirror. My chest is getting smaller, but it really tones you. But by far the best thing about the Rack is the unique ab workout that it offers. It is easily the best ab workout I've ever done.

The cons have been mentioned, it's not really heavy enough to build muscle, but in order to get a burn, you do so many reps on the dvd's that it really tones all your muscles. It's not going to make you look like an NFL safety, but more like a competitive swimmer.

Plus it's light enough that the woman in your life can use it as well, though it is much more of a struggle. Everyone needs one of these things. It's not a gimmick exercise machine at all. You will sweat and work your ass off.

I am on my third week with "The Rack" and am HIGHLY impressed at it's simplicity and functionality. This piece of equipment is never going to make you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger because it's not meant to. However if you're out of shape and want to combine a good basic bodyweight workout conducted at a cardio pace this machine is perfect. It folds flat and takes NO space at all. Believe it or not it's possible to excercise just about every muscle in your body on this elgantly simple workout solution. The rack can be purchased with an optional pad that can be used to kneel on when doing your ab roll-outs and also to sit on when doing some other ab excercises but if you're like me you probably already have a board or pillow around the house you can use for this instead. If you are skeptical just go on Youtube and checkout the videos of people using this and you can see all the possibilites of this machine. The excercises require balance from other assiting muscle groups and as such help you build supporting core muscles in addition to the obvious muscles being used. Also the workouts cause muscle confusion unlike what you would be getting on a weight machine or even when doing a specific free weight excercise.

This is just what I wanted. A while back, I found a similar device at a local sporting goods store. It was not as well built and had a tendency to wobble when used. It was also a bit lower to the ground. So, I didn't buy it. I've been looking for something similar, and better, ever since.

I was a little hesitant buying this product sight unseen. However, I watched the video, didn't notice any wobbling, and decided to make the purchase. I'm glad I did.

The package arrived in a about four days. The outside of the packaging was a little roughed up, but the was unscathed. Assemble was very easy and straigh-forward.

For me, the ground clearance is perfect. I'm about 5'10" and there is plenty of space beneath my knees when when I dip. The machine is solid and I feel very confident using it. Even my wife and daughters have started using this machine.

In summary, the shipping was quick, the product works as advertised, and I love it. If space is at a premium, this is a good addition to your exercise routine -- if you are not too tall. : )

Great product that can propell you to a fantastic chest, arms, and back by doing parallel bar dips. Excellent for trapezius dips. When folded up and leaning against the wall, it has a very pleasantly, small footprint.

If limited space is an issue, I would also recommend buying: an Iron Gym pullup bar, dumbells for squats, curls,etc... Getting a "Dip Belt" for added weight/resistance, is also a rewarding purchase.

All in all, a wonderful product that can be instrumental in amassing muscle, and raising your "metabolism/calorie burning" through the roof. Very conveinient and space saving. Gotta love the ability to work out at home and watch movies or TV channels of your own choice. =)

*** Research (on the internet) on how to properly perform any exercise, without causing lifelong injuries. Poor form = Bad idea.