Dr. Darden or anyone else,
what do you think was the best nautilus equipment and why?..here is a list, not sure if it’s a complete list
Nautilus Generation I
Nautilus Generation II
Nautilus Generation III
Nautilus Next Generation
Nautilus Leverage
Nautilus 2st
Nautilus Powerplus
Nautilus Nitro
Nautilus Steel
Nautilus Xpload
Nautilus Nitro Plus
Nautilus EVO
Nautilus One
Nautilus Nova
Nautilus F3
I believe @strengthmaster may have great opionions about this.
Me I have only tried many 2ST and Nitro machines, a few Xpload series and like most of these machines. Particularly the 2ST Pullover and the Xpload horizontal leg press - great balanced leverage on these!
As for cons I find the 2ST leg curl to have a too short an arm to really make the movement full range, but maybe that is only me?
Which series had the best pullover machine?
I have only used the gen 1 and gen 2 and nitro
my fav were the double machines as i love pre-exhaustion method of training
Best Pullover: 1) Original Pullover with cable/pulleys (if your body fit the machine) (2) Super Pullover Series III (3) Power Plus Pullover. Take your pick. No particular order for the three. 2ST Pullover is pretty good also.
As to fitafter40 question: probably a matter of personal preference. There are great and good machines in most every line. There are also a few not-so-good ones in some lines.
(1) In 2022, Gen I and II (replace bushings with bearings) would be tough to beat.
(2) Series III “Low-friction” machines I liked a lot. (PO, TA, Row, BP, SD)
(3) Next Gen - Good line with bearings, some nice new designs. Some ok.
(4) 2ST - Great low friction line, only a couple machines I didn’t like.
(5) Power Plus - Very underrated line of plate loaders. Some machines just as good as selectorized.
(6) Nitro - some good ones and others are ok but not great.
(7) Nautilus One - some I like and others are ok. The dial is really great for “break-down” sets though.
(8) A couple really good ones in the “Leverage” and a few in the XPload line.
(9) Steel and Nova are crap. Cheap, and don’t live up to the Nautilus name.
Having used them all, that’s my opinion and preferences. fitafter40, what do you think?
`
I think you gave a fantastic response
Yes, you are the man when it comes to all things Nautilus. Were you by any means associated with the company back when?
pettersson, No, I was not employed by the company. I visited Lake Helen a number of times. Either on my own or for a seminar. I knew some of the people associated with the Nautilus Midwest franchise pretty well. I also knew some of those sales reps who stayed with Nautilus after Arthur sold it. I visited the factory in Independence VA a couple of times. So, sometimes it’s who you know that allows you to get to try things. Also attended the annual Club Industry trade show in Chicago for a number of years, which is where I tried some of the newer generations of machines. Have visited a lot of gyms and clubs over the years. I have trained on virtually all of the Hammer Strength, MedX, MedX Avenger, and Pendulum machines as well. When I was a high school strength coach, we at one time had 50 machines in our wt. room. Did that for 40+ years.
Well put! Totally in agreement with the pullovers. Your listings in order are spot on also!
Each line (except Next Gen) had a piece or pieces that were the best. Here is my list:
Hip Extension: 2ST
Seated Leg Curl: One
Leg Extension: Gen II/ Super
ABd/ADd: 2ST
Heel Raise: OME
Leg Press: Nitro
Pullover: Nitro
Pulldown: Gen II
Chest Flye: Nitro
Rowing Torso: Gen II
Chest Press: Power Plus
Upper Chest: Power Plus
Lateral Raise: One
Abdominal: One
Low Back: Nitro
Triceps: Gen I Compound Pos.
Biceps: Power Plus
I own, have owned or had access to every line. The pullover choice might surprise some, but I have owned 2 SPO-8, 2 Second Gen., a Power Plus, and trained for a year on an open cam and for several more on a chrome plateload piece, and for some reason the Nitro just fits and hits me best…
Disagree with many, but everyone has their preferences! Explain your pick for leg press, over the next gen. Next Gen has the dual cams which I think makes it the best of the leg presses. Having cams for both the positive and neg is fantastic
I like both the movement arc and resistance curve of the Nitro better, specifically as it provides load for the hips. I DONT like the flexible, bouncy feeling from the Nitro’s Kevlar belt, but the friction is much less than the Next Gen. The entire Next Gen line had way too many sprockets and the plastic inserts in the weight stacks caused excessive drag.