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The Weider 8630 is a versatile and affordable home gym that packs a muscular punch. With over 200 pounds of resistance, a wide range of exercises, and a space-saving design, this machine brings serious strength training capabilities right to your house. This in-depth review will cover everything you need to know about the home gym, from its features and specs to real customer reviews. By the end, you’ll know whether this home gym has the power to meet your fitness goals.
Overview of the Weider Home Gym
Weider is a multi-station home gym designed to offer a complete strength training experience in a compact footprint. Though affordable, it does not compromise on quality or performance.
Key Features
Here are some of the most notable features of the Weider Pro 8630 home gym:
- 214 pounds of weight resistance with a weight stack and pulley system
- Up to 75 different exercises for a full-body workout
- Chest press station and butterfly station
- Leg developer and preacher curl stations
- Lat tower and low pulley station
- 6 foam roller pads for comfort during exercises
- Dual function press arm
- Removable leg hold-down brace
- Dimensions when assembled: 55” L x 46” W x 82” H
- Weighs 159 lbs
In short, the Weider combines sturdy construction, versatile exercise options, and convenient space-saving design all for under $500. Compared to gym memberships and more elaborate home gym systems, it offers exceptional value.
| Specifications | Description |
| Resistance | Up to 214 lbs (from weight stacks) |
| Number of Exercises | Over 75 |
| Weight Stack | 2 stacks using 5 lbs and 10 lbs weights |
| Dimensions | 55” x 46” x 82” |
| Assembled Weight | 159 lbs |
| Frame | Heavy gauge steel |
| Pads | 6 foam roller pads |
| Cable and Pulley System | Nylon-coated aircraft cables, up to 86” length |
| Warranty | 10 years on frame, 3 years parts |
Exercise Options on the Weider 8630
One major advantage of the Weider 8630 is the multitude of strength training options. With over 75 exercises across its various stations, it works all the major muscle groups for a complete workout.
Upper Body Exercises
Weider allows you to push, pull, and curl for sculpted arms, shoulders, back and chest:
Chest Press Station
- Barbell bench press
- Incline bench press
- Decline bench press
- Butterfly chest fly
- And more
Preacher Curl Station
- Barbell curls
- Concentration curls
- Seated bicep curls
Dual Function Press Arms
- Shoulder press
- Lateral pulldowns
- Tricep pushdowns
Low Pulley Station
- Seated rows
- Straight arm pulldowns
- Reverse flys
- Upright rows
Lower Body Exercises
Don’t skip leg day! Tone your lower body with:
Leg Developer Station
- Leg extension
- Leg curl
- Calf raises
- Hip abduction
Leg Hold Down Brace
- Leg squats
- Lunges
- Single leg squats
You can work your core too for complete ab development:
Butterfly Station
- Crunches
- Reverse crunches
- Oblique crunches
Easy Assembly with Clear Instructions
Considering its large size and weight, the Weider 8630 home gym actually assembles quite smoothly. It takes 2 people about 90 minutes to fully put together.
All the parts are numbered for easy identification. Weider includes an illustrated instruction manual that guides you step-by-step. As you build, pay special attention to bolt tightness and cable and pulley alignment.
Just be prepared to handle some heavy lifting. The box with all the components weighs over 300 pounds! You’ll need ratchet sets, hex keys and adjustable wrenches too.
Overall though, buyers found the assembly much less frustrating than expected. Taking your time to do it right ensures years of proper performance.
Assembly Tips
Follow these tips for painless assembly:
- Read the instructions fully before starting
- Clear out space and unwrap all components beforehand
- Separate and identify parts to make them easy to grab
- Hand-tighten bolts first before fully tightening to ensure alignment
- Have 2 people to ease bulky parts together
- Double-check cables and pulleys before use
While assembly takes effort, owners say it’s completely worthwhile once you start working out on the smooth-running machine.
Space Needed
Make sure you have enough space for this substantial unit before purchasing. It has a footprint of 55’’ long by 46’’ wide when fully put together.
Height clearance is important too – consider the 82’’ height plus extra space for pull-ups overhead. Most buyers are able to fit it in a spare room or basement.
Just remember to account for room to move around safely between stations. You’ll need clearance of at least one foot all around.
Sturdy Construction for Intense Training
This is not a flimsy machine by any means. At 159 pounds fully assembled, the Weider offers a rock solid build designed for hardcore strength training.
It won’t wiggle or tip over even when pushing near the maximum resistance limits or performing explosive power moves. The oversized steel tubing frame provides sheer durability and stability.
The 11 and 14 gauge steel tension rods and solid metal pulleys also assure smooth performance under pressure. This lets you lift as aggressively as you want without worrying about structural failure.
Bearings enclosed in heavy plastic housings result in whisper quiet operation. So you can blast music instead of hearing annoying squeaks and creaks.
Despite the rugged construction, the machine still looks sleek thanks to the red enamel paint job. It will nicely fill up a corner of any room without being an eyesore.
For even more stability, consider bolting it down onto a platform or rubber gym mat. This prevents any sliding or marking of floors from extensive use.
Just watch out for scratches on the paint job when moving parts around. Touch up paint ensures it stays looking pristine.
Customizable Resistance System
The core of any home gym is the resistance system. This determines the overall weight capacity and range of intensities you can load up.
Weider features a dual weight stack using a combination of 10 pound and 5 pound metal plates. This allows incremental adjustments in resistance from 10 to 214 pounds.
Depending on the exercise, you can shift the pin to your desired weight then start lifting. Smooth pulleys and aircraft cables transfer the resistance for challenging stimulation with lower impact than free weights.
You’ll feel that trademark Weider resistance right from low weights upwards. Even a simple bicep curl produces noticeable tension, allowing mind muscle connection even for isolation moves.
For lower body moves like the leg press, you can further increase resistance by adding standard weight plates. This expands possibilities for strength gains when you are ready to train at higher intensities.
The flexible weight loading caters to all strength levels. Beginners can gradually progress by small increments as they gain power and confidence. Advanced lifters have enough resistance for their heavy training demands.
Workout Chart to Maximize Gains
Like having your own personal trainer, the 8630 comes with a printed workout chart to guide you. It demonstrates proper exercise form across all the stations along with suggested weight and set schemes.
This prevents wasted effort by showing you how to train smart. Follow the proven programming designed specifically for this machine.
The chart divides body parts across different days for hitting the full body. Or take your own approach to split up the over 75 possible exercises.
Use the reference as needed when learning new movements on the machine. Proper technique is vital – avoid injury and joint strain by not overextending ranges of motion.
Advanced lifters may modify with drop sets, supersets, pyramids and other methods. Just remember not to overlook the chart’s balanced recommendations.
User Reviews and Ratings
The Weider consistently earns high ratings and reviews across major retailers and fitness equipment sites:
Average Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Owners praise the quality construction, smooth operation on pulleys/cables, and versatility across strength training exercises. The ability to perform both isolation and compound movements makes it easy to target specific muscles or get a complete full body workout.
Negative feedback focuses mostly around the complicated initial assembly. The many heavy parts and hardware can prove challenging to put together correctly.
Pros vs Cons Breakdown
Pros
- All-in-one multi gym saves space
- 300 lbs of total resistance
- Smooth pulley system
- Fully adjustable bench inclines
- 25+ dumbbell exercises
- situps, leg raises, and stretches possible
Cons
- Assembly can be tricky
- Leg station is basic
- Only comes in one color option
FAQ
What is the weight capacity and height capacity?
The maximum user weight is 300 lbs. The tallest setting on the bench accommodates users up to 6’5”.
What is the frame made of?
The main frame and pulley towers are made from heavy duty steel while nylon belts are used inside the pulley system. Padding includes both EVA foam and vinyl.
What is the warranty?
Weider offers a 10-year limited warranty on the steel frame and a 2-year parts warranty on the cables/pulleys.
Where is this machine made?
Designed in the USA, the Weider 8630 Home Gym is assembled in China.
Does this come with a workout guide?
Yes, an exercise chart is included listing proper form/technique across 30+ different exercises along with suggested rep ranges.
The Bottom Line
The Weider 8630 earns its reputation as a top home gym system for its durability, exercise variety, long warranty, and full-body training capabilities. While the assembly and price tag may deter some buyers, owners praise the quality and enjoy the long-term value of having everything needed for complete strength training in a single machine.
If you have limited space but want barbell, dumbbell, and bodyweight training options along with cables and pulleys without the premium price of commercial gym memberships, the Weider 8630 delivers on its promise of bringing a complete, compact home gym to your personal space.
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