You've Never Seen This Bench Before

Gray Matter Lifting

We just finished the review on the MERACH NovaRow R50. The team was really on the idea of comparing it side-by-side the Concept2, so we did just that.

Cardio videos and reviews don’t get as much play, which I get, I literally opened the video up talking how we’ll add a 10th barbell before we add cardio. But this comment really stood out for me

“Really appreciate the honest review despite the affiliate link. You're one of the most informative (and honest) reviewers in this space. Well done.”

The MERACH NovaRow R50 is a very well built piece of cardio equipment. Except for one glaring flaw. The monitor. The end result here for the rower is that if you want something that can do all the metrics, measurements, and even just the simple stuff like time, distance, reps, etc… You NEED to get the Concept2. If you don’t care at all, then the MERACH is half the price for the same thing (basically).

MERACH commented and said they are working on something based on feedback from the community, which aligns to an email I got from them this past week as well. So fingers crossed we see them tick the box on the monitor in the future.

NoCo Belt Review

I’ve had a few reviews that have been on the Pipeline for WAYYYY too long. This is one of them. I kept having my thoughts “finished” and then trying something else. I finally wrote a good chunk of it down on the plane ride back from HomeGymCon, and then finalized it last week.

This is a pretty simple review that goes into how I use (and don’t use) this belt in conjunction with the other belts I have in the garage.

Freak Athlete ABX

This is an exclusive Sneak Peak for Newsletter Subscribers… We have a pre-release version of the new Freak Athlete ABX Adjustable Bench. This is so exclusive, that Benji drove up to my house to get his first look at it this week.

The bench has a few unique features and attachments.

First up is the Leg Developer, which has the Belt Squat integrated into it. It has wheels for easy transport, has some awesome upper pads and even has handles like I wanted for the Hyper Pro. And of course, has cable integration as well.

We’ve got Decline Sit-Ups, of course, but we also have Dips. This is a feature you see on the Ironmaster Super Bench, and I think it is a simple addition to a quality bench line-up.

The bench also has a No Gap feature for flat benching. The cool thing here? It does it automatically. No adjustments necessary.

And, it has the back-seat pad that folds down and out of the way. This opens up seated dumbbell press, triceps extensions, and more options.

This should be the final bench for the adjustable bench showdown.

Keep in mind, this bench is currently a prototype. They plan to have some improved powder-coating, padding, and some finishing touches that I think will finish this bad boy off quite nicely.

Now excuse me, it is time for some testing.

If you have questions, comments, or requests (ideas?) for this bench, fire away. I can talk directly to Freak Athlete to help them build an even better bench.

Whats New In The Community?

This was the most interesting thing I saw this week by a LONG shot. RepOne, makers of VBT devices, just dropped a teaser for a rack integrated Smart Cable Systems (a la VOLTRA), that goes up to 500lbs PER SIDE for a total of 1000lbs.

They appear to be trying to work with companies to integrate into established rack systems. I could see an ARES 3.0 with this being RIDICULOUS! Downside compared to the VOLTRA or ATOM, is that it is built into the rack. So no adding to other pieces in the gym. Certainly interesting.

Speaking of the ARES

REP just made a Pre-Order available for the Wall Mount ARES 2.0 system. This is essentially an ARES that you bolt to the wall, which saves some space (But not a TON), and has the storage flared out to the side.

Do YOU Need That?

Tim dropped a good video on machines, but really it is about programming tied to making decisions around equipment choices in your home gym. This is a topic I plan to cover in the early parts of 2026.

I 100% agree with Tim on this stance, even if I also don’t agree with his choices for his gym, because that is actually the entire point. Pick pieces that work for YOU.

Garage Gym Competition

11 Weeks To Go for the Fall GGC. If you registered for a Local Meet, I’ll be getting back to you very shortly. If you haven’t and want to you, make sure to hit the link.

Sponsor Highlight

What do you get when you take a group of guys who spent years making one of the most well recognized brands in the fitness space, and have them put together a company with the single goal of making fitness accessible for the masses? You get Living.Fit. And since I first talked to them, their offerings, programs, and more have probably quadrupled, with their sites set on more. If you want to build out a well rounded home gym, including bars, plates, bands, balls, cardio equipment, and other accessories, they might just be your one and only stop.

Prize Announcement

Living.Fit handed out 4 barbells in the Spring, but they surprised us and did it with their BRAND NEW barbell lineup. So new that you can’t even get them on their site yet. This includes Power Bars and other awesome offerings, made specifically for home gym owners.

For the Fall, it’ll be the same thing. Four people are walking away with a brand new barbell from their brand new offerings.

Mastering Technique

Last week we covered some tips and tricks around lifting technique. This week we are dropping a full article to help you handle the same thing.

r/HomeGym

We’ve got ForceUSA doing an AMA this week.

Upcoming AMA

REP Fitness is coming. I talked with Ryan last week, and his AMA Warm-Up will be on YouTube this Saturday. Their AMA is likely going to be the BIGGEST AMA of the year.

One Last Thing…

The next video coming is on barbells for powerlifting. I think this should be an insightful video for a lot of people. Looking forward to sharing it with everyone.

• Joe