Amazon is selling a Major Fitness all-in-one home gym for $1,700 – thestreet.com

?Would you actually buy a $1,700 all-in-one home gym from Amazon and expect it to change the way you move through the world?

Amazon is selling a Major Fitness all-in-one home gym for $1,700 – thestreet.com

You read the headline and felt something uncomplicated: a price tag, a product promise, a possible shortcut to consistent training without a gym membership. You should be skeptical and curious at the same time. This piece walks you through what an all-in-one home gym typically offers, how to evaluate this particular purchase, and how to decide if the investment fits your body, goals, and life.

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What “all-in-one” usually means — and why language matters

When a manufacturer calls a machine “all-in-one,” they’re making a marketing promise: that the unit can replace several pieces of equipment, delivering breadth of movement and exercise options in a single footprint. But marketing words are not a warranty. You should understand what functions are included, what’s absent, and where compromises often live.

Most all-in-one home gyms combine the following elements: cable columns for rows and pulleys, an adjustable bench, a press or chest station, squat or smith features, a lat tower or pull-up bar, and attachment options for leg work. The machine is meant to enable full-body training, but the quality of each function varies. You’ll get a lot of “almost” solutions: nearly as good as separate pieces, sometimes better for convenience, sometimes worse for load capacity or movement fidelity.

Who benefits most from a home gym like this

You should consider an all-in-one if any of these lines land on your life:

• You have limited time and want fewer transitions between exercises.
• You prefer training at home because the gym culture or commute is a barrier.
• You want a machine that supports basic strength training, conditioning, and flexibility work.
• You need a durable central piece that multiple household members can use.

But if you’re a competitive powerlifter, an Olympic lifter, or someone who needs very high loads and specialized bars, you may find compromises unacceptable. The equipment is usually optimized for versatility and space efficiency rather than maximal loading or sports specificity.

What to check on the Amazon listing before you click Buy

The listing will be full of photos, specs, and marketing copy. Here’s how to read it with rigor:

• Weight capacity and weight system: Is it a selectorized weight stack, plate-loaded system, or resistance bands? If a weight stack, how many pounds? If plate-loaded, what plates are required, and are they included? If bands, treat this differently as they degrade over time.
• Footprint and ceiling height: How much floor space and vertical clearance do you need? Don’t assume your ceiling will accommodate pull-up or overhead work.
• Assembly and tools: Is professional assembly available or required? How many hours and how many people are recommended for setup?
• Materials and warranty: What materials are used for frame, pulleys, cables, and hardware? What does the warranty cover, and for how long?
• Return policy and shipping: Does Amazon handle returns directly for this item? Is there a white-glove delivery or partial assembly included?
• Customer reviews: Read negative and positive reviews for patterns. Look for issues with machining tolerances, squeaks, cable stretch, and long-term customer support problems.

Quick reference table: key listing elements to verify

Practical features to prioritize

You might want to rank the following by importance to you. Not everything is equally critical, and your priorities should match your goals.

• Stability and frame rigidity: Wobble ruins technique and confidence. You want a stout frame.
• Smoothness of pulleys and cables: Jerky movement increases injury risk and decreases training quality.
• Adjustable bench angles and seat settings: More adjustments = more usable exercises.
• Range of attachments: Lat bars, EZ curl, ankle straps, tricep rope, landmine adapters — check what’s included and what’s optional.
• Load capacity: If progression is important, ensure resistance options meet your future needs.
• Space efficiency: Can the machine handle multiple users? Does it fold or adjust for smaller rooms?

The typical compromises in an all-in-one unit

You should expect trade-offs:

• Load limit: Many all-in-ones limit how much resistance you can use, which can bottleneck strength gains later.
• Range of motion constraints: Built-in frames may force your body into mechanical paths that differ from free-weight movements.
• Component wear: Cables, pulleys, and selectorized weights are subject to wear and require periodic maintenance.
• Cost-to-performance ratio: You pay for convenience, and some pieces of standalone equipment outperform the equivalent module on a combined unit.

Comparing price: $1,700 in context

One thousand seven hundred dollars positions this machine in the middle-to-upper tier of consumer home gyms. Here’s how it stacks up against alternatives.

Price and feature comparison

In plain terms, $1,700 buys you more than a basic piece but less than a commercial-grade unit or some premium, tech-enabled systems. Whether that’s fair depends on build quality, warranty, and how long you plan to keep it.

Space, installation, and home logistics

You need to think beyond the machine. Your purchase will affect your space, your household rhythm, and your future mobility.

• Space planning: Measure. Then measure again. Consider doorways, staircases, and storage. You may need to hoist pieces through a window or disassemble an entryway.
• Flooring: Rigid frames transmit force. A rubber mat reduces noise and protects floors. If you have wood or tile, plan for impact dispersion.
• Noise: Cable towers can be quieter than dropping plates, but metal-on-metal noise still exists. If you live with others, consider timings and noise mitigation.
• Assembly: Expect assembly time to be significant. Even with clear instructions, alignment and bolt torques matter. When in doubt, use professional assembly. It’s worth the peace of mind.

Assembly checklist (table)

Safety and maintenance

Machines require care. If you buy this, you become partly responsible for its longevity and your safety.

• Daily: Check cables visually before sessions. Worn cables or frayed bits are urgent hazards.
• Weekly: Inspect bolts and fasteners for tightness. With heavy repetition, parts loosening is common.
• Monthly: Lubricate guides, check pulley bearings, and look for unusual noises that suggest wear.
• Annually: Replace cables if showing wear. Re-torque fasteners and inspect frame for signs of stress.

You should also know how to access replacement parts. Many consumer brands offer replacement cables, pulleys, and pins — but there can be wait times. Ask the seller how long parts are available and whether they carry spares.

Programming with an all-in-one

A machine like this can support strength, hypertrophy, and conditioning. Here are sample program ideas you can adapt.

Beginner full-body split (3 days/week)

You want movement variety and progressive overload. Use the machine’s press, row, leg and pulley functions.

• Day 1: Squat pattern, chest press, lat pulldown/row, core (planks)
• Day 2: Accessory and mobility (single-leg work, banded hip work, light conditioning)
• Day 3: Hinge pattern (RDL or cable pull-through), overhead press, horizontal row, loaded carry or farmer variation (if possible)

Keep reps in 8–12 for hypertrophy, 4–6 for strength-focused sets. Use 48–72 hours rest between hard sessions.

Intermediate split (4 days/week)

You can divide by push/pull:

• Day 1: Push (bench/press, tricep work, shoulders)
• Day 2: Pull (rows, lat-focused work, biceps)
• Day 3: Lower (squat, lunges, hamstring emphasis)
• Day 4: Mixed/conditioning (circuit using lighter resistance, higher reps)

You can use the cable system for unilateral work to address imbalances and for time-efficient circuits.

Exercise substitutions and ingenuity

One of the machine’s strengths is that you can replicate big, compound movements with safety and control.

• Bench press alternative: Chest press with fixed path reduces the need for a spotter.
• Squat alternative: Smith-style or guided squats allow safer heavy reps if you don’t have a spotter, as long as the frame supports it.
• Pull-up alternative: If your unit has a lat tower, lat pulldowns approximate the pull-up pattern. Add rows to balance.
• Deadlift alternative: Use cable or plate-loaded hip-hinge movements; nothing beats a real deadlift for barbell specificity, but you can still get posterior chain development.

The social and psychological dimension

You should be honest with yourself: a machine doesn’t change behavior. Buying a gym is easier than building consistent habits. If you need external accountability, pair the machine with programming, a coach, or a training partner. If you thrive on solitude, this could be your sanctuary.

There’s also the quiet satisfaction of claiming a corner of your life for strength. You may find yourself protecting that time like a hard-earned ritual. The risk is that the machine becomes a clothes rack or a purchase that symbolizes intention rather than producing results.

Customer service, warranty, and long-term support

This is where purchases live or die. A $1,700 machine should come with reasonable warranty terms. You’ll want to know:

• Length of warranty for frame versus moving parts: Expect longer coverage for frames (often 5–10 years) and shorter for cables/pulleys (1–2 years).
• Responsiveness: Does the seller respond quickly to claims? Are replacement parts readily available through Amazon or the manufacturer?
• Shipping and handling of replacements: Are there restocking fees? Will you pay for return shipping for defective parts?

Document everything. Photograph serial numbers and take pictures of issues. Amazon’s buyer protections can help, but manufacturer responsiveness is the long-term arbiter of your satisfaction.

Common complaints and how to spot them early

From the reviews you’ll read, watch for repeated themes:

• Cables that fray or snap: Safety risk — avoid heavy use if you see consistent cable failures.
• Poorly machined holes or misalignments: Can make assembly unbearable and cause early wear.
• Missing parts or unclear instructions: More common than you’d expect. Block time for assembly and have extra tools on hand.
• Noise and squeaks: Sometimes fixable with lubrication, sometimes a sign of poor bearings or alignment.

If the first wave of customer feedback is overwhelmingly negative on these core items, that’s a red flag.

Alternatives you should consider before committing

Before you click buy, think about other options that might offer better longevity, value, or satisfaction:

• Modular purchases: Buy a good rack, adjustable bench, and a barbell—these components will probably outlast any all-in-one for serious strength work.
• Used commercial racks and plates: Often available at a discount and far more durable.
• Compact smart trainers: If guided programs matter more than heavy loading, tech-driven options could be better.
• Personal training packages: Sometimes, especially if you’re new, investment in coaching yields stronger, faster results than an expensive machine.

Cost breakdown and total ownership cost

You can’t think only of the sticker price. Factor in:

• Shipping/white-glove setup: $0–$300+ depending on service.
• Assembly (DIY time or pro cost): $0–$200+.
• Accessories (mats, extra attachments, plates): $100–$500.
• Maintenance and replacement parts (over years): $50–$300/year depending on usage.
• Potential subscription (if you buy associated programming): $10–$50/month.

This total-cost approach helps you see if $1,700 is actually $1,700, or the start of more spending.

Sample maintenance plan

Realistic expectations and outcomes

You should plan for slow, consistent progress. This machine can be a powerful tool if you use it properly: progressive overload, consistent frequency, and adequate recovery. It won’t make you into a different person overnight. It will offer structure and, if the build is sound, years of training.

If your goal is general health, strength, and convenience, an all-in-one can produce great results. If you aim for elite performance in a specific lifting sport, you’ll likely need specialized equipment too.

Final verdict: Is the Major Fitness all-in-one for you?

You should buy this if:

• You value convenience and breadth of exercise options in one footprint.
• You want a durable piece to anchor long-term home training and you’ve verified materials and warranty.
• You have the space and the discipline to use it regularly.

You should pause if:

• You need the maximum possible load or highly specific training modalities.
• Reviews show repeated structural or safety problems.
• The total ownership cost exceeds your budget without delivering clear advantages over alternatives.

A machine is an instrument. It does not create change without your consistent effort. If you can imagine a year of steady, focused work on this device — and if the listing and reviews confirm sound build quality and support — this $1,700 purchase could be a practical way to own your fitness. If the purchase feels like an attempt to buy accountability, you should rethink.

Frequently asked questions

Will this replace free weights?

It can replace many barbell and dumbbell exercises for general strength, but it may not match the loading profile and bar path of traditional barbells for advanced lifters. It’s about trade-offs: convenience versus specificity.

How much space do I need?

Check the listing for exact dimensions. Plan for clearance for overhead work and movement around the unit. If you have a small room, measure doorways and any obstacles.

Is professional assembly necessary?

Not always, but recommended if you lack the tools or someone to help. Professional assembly reduces the risk of misalignment and ensures safety.

How long will it last?

A well-built unit with proper maintenance can last many years. The longevity depends on build quality, frequency of use, and maintenance habits.

What if a part breaks?

Contact the manufacturer and Amazon if you purchased there. Keep all documentation and images. Manufacturer response time varies; check reviews for real-life accounts of parts availability.

Closing thoughts

Buying a substantial piece of equipment is not just a financial choice — it’s an emotional one. You will be investing in a corner of your home, in your routine, and in the possibility of becoming stronger. Treat that with seriousness. Read the listing carefully, scrutinize the reviews for patterns, prepare your space, and make an honest plan for how you will use the machine. If the machine is solid and you are committed, $1,700 can be the beginning of a meaningful relationship with strength. If either element is lacking, keep looking.

You don’t owe anyone a dramatic transformation from a single purchase. You owe yourself steady work, patience, and the right tools for the work you intend to do.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxQeW12YmVaandzVkZFdnFkb19JYjBuY1pPV2toZnI2NGxVU3h0M1lQa2F5NzZFQXFjX3NKOS1ySXFrMUNSN2p2clpyU0ZxbTlHNVc4YzdpTkg5aGNQUDI5aEloWkEzUl9tWVNkckUzeVllbjk3bUc1c2xhMkhxbXZrc2JXY21GVjRCeXc?oc=5