How to choose a bodyweight station

Bodyweight stations fall into two groups: back extension machines for the lower back, glutes and hamstrings, and chin-up and dip towers for the upper body and abs. Within each group, the choice comes down to how the machine will be used and how much room you have.

Back extension: roman chair, 45° hyperextension or glute-ham developer?

A 45° hyperextension sets you at an angle, so it is easier to learn and gentler on the lower back; you can also turn side-on to work the obliques. The Powerline PHYP200X is the home and light-commercial option, and the Body-Solid GHYP345B is the commercial build on 2″×3″ steel with a lifetime frame warranty. A roman chair sets you close to horizontal, face-down across the hip pad, so each rep works through a bigger range: choose the Powerline PCH24X for home or the Body-Solid GRCH322B for a commercial gym. The Body-Solid SGH500 glute-ham developer does back and hip extensions plus glute-ham raises and GHD sit-ups, the most complete posterior-chain machine we sell.

Chin-up, dip and knee raise towers

A tower (also called a power tower or VKR) gives you pull-ups, dips and vertical knee raises in one frame. Check your ceiling height first. The Best Fitness BFVK10R is the compact home option, rated to 102 kg. The Powerline PVKC83X steps up to 112 kg and a 10-year frame warranty. The Body-Solid GVKR82B takes 130 kg and tilts the back pad 10° to ease strain on the lower back during knee raises. For commercial gyms, the Body-Solid Pro ClubLine SVKR1000B is a 150 kg full-commercial tower rated to 160 kg users.

Compare our back extension machines

MachineTypeSize (L × W × H)Rated forFrame warranty
Powerline PHYP200X45° hyperextension107 × 69 × 79 cmLight commercial10 years
Body-Solid GHYP345B45° hyperextension127 × 66 × 91 cmHeavy commercialLifetime
Powerline PCH24XRoman chair117 × 64 × 102 cmLight commercial10 years
Body-Solid GRCH322BRoman chair130 × 69 × 109 cmHeavy commercialLifetime
Body-Solid SGH500Glute-ham developer196 × 83 × 126 cmHeavy commercialLifetime

Compare our chin-up and dip towers

TowerStationsUser capacityHeightRated forFrame warranty
Best Fitness BFVK10RKnee raise, chin-up, dip, push-up102 kg211 cmHome3 years
Powerline PVKC83XKnee raise, chin-up, dip, push-up112 kg211 cmLight commercial10 years
Body-Solid GVKR82BKnee raise, pull-up, dip, push-up130 kg208 cmLight commercialLifetime
Body-Solid SVKR1000BKnee raise, pull-up, chin-up, dip160 kg262 cmHeavy commercialLifetime

Bodyweight station FAQs

Roman chair or 45° hyperextension: which is better?

Both train the same muscles. A 45° hyperextension is easier to learn and to get on and off, which suits most home gyms and beginners. A roman chair sets you close to horizontal, so each rep covers a bigger range and is harder, which suits stronger lifters. Add a weight plate or dumbbell to either as you get stronger.

What does a back extension machine work?

The lower-back muscles along the spine, plus the glutes and hamstrings. Rounding your back works the lower back more; keeping it flat and hinging at the hips shifts the work to the glutes and hamstrings.

Is a roman chair good for abs?

Mostly it trains the back of the body: lower back, glutes and hamstrings. Turning side-on for side bends works the obliques, but for the front abs an ab bench or the knee-raise station on a chin-up tower does more.

What does a chin-up and dip station work?

Pull-ups and chin-ups train the back and biceps, dips the chest, shoulders and triceps, and vertical knee raises the abs and hip flexors. Most towers also have push-up handles near the floor. Together that covers the whole upper body and core with no weights.

How much ceiling height do I need for a chin-up tower?

Allow the tower's height plus room for your head at the top of a pull-up. The BFVK10R and PVKC83X stand 211 cm tall and the GVKR82B 208 cm, so they fit most rooms. The SVKR1000B stands 262 cm and needs a ceiling of at least 270 cm.

Is delivery included?

Yes. Every bodyweight station ships free Australia-wide from our Adelaide warehouse.