Comparison Kettler Universal vs Marbo MH-L104

The maximum weight of the user for which the equipment is designed. Usually, only the weight of a person’s body is meant here, without taking into account the barbell, dumbbells or other weights that he holds during the training. However, manufacturers take into account that athletes often use various weights (the weight of which is often comparable to the weight of the athlete himself), and put an appropriate margin of safety into the design. So this parameter is rather arbitrary and is not a strict limitation: in fact, this is the maximum weight of the athlete, at which the structure is guaranteed not to break when working with any additional weight (within reason). If the weight is relatively small, the excess weight of the athlete is also quite acceptable. For example, a bench with a limit of 100 kg or less is unlikely to break under a user weighing 120 kg with 5 kg dumbbells.

It is worth paying attention to the maximum user weight when choosing if the machine is purchased for public use, or for professional athletes working with heavy weights. Here we note that the above-mentioned restriction to 100 kg is quite modest; 100 – 120 kg — also not an outstanding indicator; models for 120 – 150 kg are quite popular; and the most durable and reliable equipment have a weight limit of more than 150 kg.

A stop fixing the legs, contributing to comfortable abs training, calves and muscles in the gluteal region. The footrest will come in handy when doing strength exercises without a partner who can hold the legs.

Types of incline angles available for the bench. Note that a specific angle of inclination can also be adjusted within the same type — for example, a bench with a negative angle can be made steeper or flatter.

— Positive. The angles of inclination are called positive, at which the upper part of the backrest (the side where the athlete's head is in the normal position) looks up. The exception is the vertical arrangement, which is specified separately. Simply put, this is the position of the back for being reclining on the bench. This position is used in many types of exercises.

— Vertical. The strictly vertical position of the backrest. In most exercises where such a backrest is used, it is not necessary. However, additional support can provide comfort and increase the overall effectiveness of the exercise.

— Horizontal. The horizontal (for an athlete — lying) position is classic for the chest press (see "Types of exercises"), but can also be used in other types of training.

— Negative. The angle of inclination at which the head and torso of the athlete, when supported on the back, are directed downward; in other words, the angle at which the head is lower than in the horizontal position. This position is known to many primarily from abs exercises — it allows you to provide a fairly intense load...on the abs. However, its use is not limited to this: for example, some types of chest press also involve a low head position.

Types of exercises for which the machine is designed.

Power benches and racks can be used for quite a wide variety of exercises: vertical traction, deadlift, bent-over rows, pullover, chest press, shoulder press, barbell squat, arm curl, arm extension, arm abduction, crunches, back extension, curl/extension of the legs, push-ups, dips and pull-ups. Here are the main features of each of these options:

- Vertical traction. An exercise that imitates pull-ups on the horizontal bar: a seated athlete pulls down a bar loaded through a system of blocks. Such an exercise is more flexible than traditional pull-ups, because it allows you to vary the load in almost any range. The specific muscle groups involved can vary depending on the grip. On the other hand, vertical traction requires rather complex equipment, which significantly affects the dimensions, weight and price of the entire structure. Therefore, this possibility is...typical mainly for complex strength training machines, and it is extremely rare in benches and racks.

- Deadlift. One of the fundamental, most famous and popular exercises for working with heavy weights. Initially performed with a barbell. The general essence of the exercise is to lift the weight from the floor to the level of the pelvis. There are several techniques for performing such exercise, but in any case, it is a complex exercise, it puts a load on most of the muscles of the body, and also has a noticeable developmental and strengthening effect on the body as a whole.

- Bent-over rows. Exercise for the muscles of the upper back, performed on a power bench. The pull to the belt can be performed with a barbell or dumbbell, standing in an inclined or horizontal position and resting your knee on the bench. The exercise strengthens the back and helps improve posture and arm strength.

— Pullover. Exercise, the basis of which is lifting the load from behind the head. One of the advantages of this technique is that it allows you to simultaneously work out three muscle groups at once: pectoral, lats and triceps. However, the degree of load on each of these groups may be different, depending on the technique for performing pullovers. So, when performing an exercise lying on a horizontal bench, the triceps are mainly worked out, the pectoral muscles are less involved, and the lats do not strain at all to the degree necessary for training; to work out the latissimus dorsi, the position on an inclined bench is better with your head down, etc.

- Chest press. Bench press from the chest in a lying position — usually horizontal, allowing you to work out the triceps, pectoralis major and deltoid muscles. However, racks/benches may offer other variations of the bench press, for example, with a positive or negative angle, which allows you to shift the load to the upper or lower chest, respectively.

- Shoulder press. An exercise that is kind of the opposite of pulling up: a barbell (or other load, such as dumbbells) needs to be “pushed” up from shoulder level. Promotes the development of the muscles of the shoulder girdle, in particular, the deltoid and trapezius. In fact, the shoulder press can be performed on any bench that allows you to sit securely with your back upright.

- Squats. Squats with a barbell, which plays the role of additional weights. Squats develop mainly the muscles of the thighs and buttocks; in general, this is one of the most important types of exercises not only in bodybuilding but also in general training. To safely perform such exercises with a barbell, you need a barbell rack located at a high enough height so that the athlete can sit under it and take the barbell on his shoulders, straightening up. Such a rack is an indispensable element of equipment in machines for squats with a barbell.

- Arm curl. Exercise for bending the arms in the elbow joints. The main load in this case goes to the biceps and shoulder muscles; in addition, depending on the technique of execution, other muscles can be trained. Arm curls can be performed on both weight benches and Scott benches (see "Product type").

-Arm extension. This category includes various exercises for the development of triceps. This can be either a French bench press (lifting weight from behind the head in a lying or semi-lying position), or other exercises in which the main load is provided by extending the arms.

- Arm abduction. In this case, as a rule, it means spreading the arms to the sides in a lying or sitting position, with weights. The main emphasis in the first case is on the pectoral muscles. However, certain types of lying arm abduction are complex exercises that load a fairly extensive set of core muscles. The "sitting" version of the exercise is used to work out the deltoid muscles. For arm abduction with weights, it is necessary to have a reliable foothold on the floor, which puts forward certain requirements for the height of the bench.

- Crunches. Standard exercises for the press; the ability to perform crunches is mandatory for machines of the corresponding type. The load is provided by bending in the back — raising the upper part of the torso towards the pelvis. Crunches can be performed both directly and with rotation, in the second case, the load on the oblique abdominal muscles increases. It is also possible to perform with weights, on some machines, for the convenience of such work, special devices may be provided.

- Back extension. The standard type of exercise in training for hyperextension (see "Product type"); in fact, the terms "hyperextension" and "back extension" are often used interchangeably. The exercise is a kind of opposite of crunches: the athlete is in a face-down position, and the load is generated by lifting the torso back and up. In this case, the extensor muscles of the back, as well as the gluteal muscles and hip flexors, work primarily. The back extension is considered to be a fairly gentle and at the same time effective exercise, well suited even for people with no experience or with a weakened back.

- Curl/extension of the legs. Exercises that work specific thigh muscles. Usually, in this case, the athlete sits on a bench, while the fixed pair of support rollers is under the knees, and the movable one is above the ankles. The exercise itself is performed due to the work of the knee joints, weights are usually used.

- Push-ups. Push-ups with a horizontal position of the body. The support for the hands when performing such exercises is usually a pair of horizontal handles mounted on the same supports that play the role of a barbell rack.

- Dips. According to the execution technique, such exercises are similar to push-ups on uneven bars, and the main study in them goes to the triceps and pectoral muscles.

- Pull-ups. Classic pull-ups on the horizontal bar (see above). The load goes both on several arm muscles (biceps, forearms) and on the latissimus dorsi; while the ratio of the load on different muscle groups will depend on the grip used. It is worth noting here that in some power benches and racks, the horizontal bar looks like a pair of separate handles and allows you to pull up only with a wide grip when the main load goes to your back. In other models, a full-fledged crossbar may also be provided, allowing the use of other types of grip, and sometimes supplemented with perpendicular handles.

The ability to adjust the seat of the machine at the request of the athlete.

Note that in this case we are talking only directly about the "seat". As for the possibilities, the seat adjustment allows you to adjust it at least in height — this allows you to choose the optimal position, taking into account the height of the user.

Ability to fold compactly. This feature will be convenient for storage and transportation: in different models, the compactness when folding can also be different. However, the folded machine will take up less space than the unfolded one. At the same time, foldable models can be noticeably more expensive than non-foldable counterparts with the same load restrictions; this is due not only to the complexity of the design but also to the fact that it is more difficult to provide the required level of strength in a foldable product. Therefore, for permanent installation in one place (for example, in a gym), clumsy machines are still recommended.

Country of origin of the brand under which the equipment is presented on the market. It usually refers to the country in which the brand was originally registered, or in which the company's headquarters are located. By this parameter, the overall quality of the equipment and the brand as a whole is often assessed. However, such assessments are rather conditional. Thus, the "homeland" of the brand often does not coincide with the place of actual production: many large companies use factories in regions with cheap labour to reduce costs. At the same time, the quality depends not so much on the manufacturing country, but on how carefully the company monitors its reputation and controls the goods leaving the factories. In addition, companies originating from one state may register brands in another to look more prestigious in the eyes of the manufacturer. Simply put, it is worth looking not so much at the origin of a particular brand, but at its overall reputation.

The dimensions of the equipment in the assembled and ready-to-work state. It is important to note that more space is needed for the comfortable and proper operation of the machine. This is due to the need to have space for the person himself, the removal of arms and legs when performing exercises and using additional equipment. If we are talking about a gym, then people working nearby or placed equipment, etc., can become an obstacle. Therefore, it is recommended when choosing to calculate that in addition to the dimensions of the machine, you may need an additional metre of free space on each side.