Garage Gym Essentials - The Rep Fitness Ares 2.0 Functional Trainer, Lat pulldown, Power Rack Review

[@markhalstead2386]

I sold my Ares 1.0 and ordered the Ares 2.0. It actually gives me more gym space. I had safety spotter arms on the front of my rack that just stayed there and did all my benching off the front since I couldn't incline bench inside the rack. With the 2.0, I don't need the safety spotter arms on the front and will bench inside the rack since I can also incline bench inside the rack. That is about a 24" gain of space in front of the rack!

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@markhalstead2386 Now you’re tempting me to do the same thing…!!

[@john82324]

Looks a must have

[@seanlin97]

That was great info out of all the videos I seen on this you hit points no one else has. Thanks so much I'm sold!

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@seanlin97 Yay!! Glad you liked the review .

[@cvealjr3811]

Just found your channel - great find for anyone who built a serious home gym during Covid and want to maximize the experience with the RIGHT gear. You’re knowledgeable and helpful. Hope the channel grows - keep it up and thank you 🙏🏾

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@cvealjr3811 That means so much to me!! I appreciate the feedback!!

[@markhalstead2386]

@@ashleytheamazing As Nike says, Just Do It.

[@esivs3]

nice to see both side by side! great video! have my 2.0 on pre-order for Oct.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@esivs3 Ohhh that’s exciting! You will love it

[@selfmadelen]

such a great video to compare the two Ares. Thanks for sharing! Now we all wait for the 2.0 to ship. :D

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@selfmadelen ohh that’s exciting you are getting one!! You will love it I’m sure 👍🏻

[@cs1375]

You can order the leg rollers separately l think they are 50 bucks each. Also the J Cups be bought separately. They also give you the option when building a rack. I like the L shaped ones more and they are better if you ever use a specialty bar. Some bars won't fit into the smaller J cups.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@cs1375 yes you can order leg rollers separately!!

[@KetchyKech]

great comparisons-- thanks for making the vid!

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@KetchyKech You are welcome and thank you for watching 🤩

[@anthonyspringman7609]

Either one looks fantastic for a home/garage gym set up. I own the rep fitness trap bar and could not be happier, so I know that they make solid bang for your buck equipment. Thanks for posting the video Ashley!

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@anthonyspringman7609 I have lots of rep stuff. They are solid equipment. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@Tlevy2]

Awesome comparison. I have the Ares 1.0 and it’s great. I don’t think I’ll upgrade to the 2.0. Besides the cost, I’m scared of the idea of having to take my ares apart and rebuild it! And I love your point that there will always be new stuff being released. The Ares 1.0 is more than good enough to get you strong.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@Tlevy2 I use my Ares and love it too! I won’t be upgrading either, but Rep did a great job making the 2.0 better. I love seeing companies level up

[@carps_gym]

The Ares is a nice piece of equipment. It was nice to see the 2.0 at Home Gym Con

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@carps_gym And it’s crazy to see side by side how the little upgraded details between 1.0 and 2.0 make it that much better. I’m already excited for HGC 2025!

[@stonehouse]

Can't wait for them to release this in the UK.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@stonehouse When will that be? Do you know?

[@kylewilliamson9946]

What pad did you use to sit on during the low row?

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@kylewilliamson9946 It a soft rep pad I found in their show room.

[@trevorbostwick3475]

In your opinion is the 30” spacing on the squat rack is enough for squats and benching or do you think ppl need the 41” spacing? Love the video!

[@herdfreak2]

I follow you on all your social media platforms!

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@herdfreak2 Awww Thank you 😊

[@kyles8391]

Sucks that the Limited Edition Ares 2.0 that was supposed to ship tomorrow was delayed 4 months due to a manufacturing issue and we were only notified about it yesterday. Not great customer service. Every 2.0 order has now been delayed by at least a month and many of us placed those orders 4 months ago.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@kyles8391 wow, that is a huge bummer for those that ordered it.

[@UnitedStates.]

Can I please ask you what series (4k or 5k) and rack depth it was? I am trying to order one, but have no idea which to order. I plan on doing squats though.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@UnitedStates. Check this out to help: www.garagegymreviews.com/rep-pr-4000-vs-rep-pr-5000-power-rack

[@UnitedStates.]

@@ashleytheamazing Thank you for the link!

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@UnitedStates. you are welcome! Gives all the info side by side.

[@TheXILLR]

What box are you sitting on while doing the low row?

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@TheXILLR It was a rep soft plyo box

[@AmorFati777X]

Is it even possible to set up 30-45 degree incline inside of the ares 1.0 rack?

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@AmorFati777X 30-45 deg incline bench?

[@AmorFati777X]

@@ashleytheamazing Yes. From what I understand the center stack and the low row foot plate in 1.0 interferes with getting the bench in place so you can get under the bar properly to take it off the Jcups. 30° to 45° is standard for incline benching

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@AmorFati777X Gotcha . When you said 30-45 deg incline, I was not sure if you were referring to bench and what exercise. Wanted to make sure I understood what you meant . You would be surprised at the random things people ask. I have an ares 1.0, I will check it out this evening and find out.

[@AmorFati777X]

@@ashleytheamazing thanks that would be extremely appreciated to know how that works and if removing the foot plate makes enough difference.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@AmorFati777X Nope, removing foot plate still didn’t allow bench to sit back far enough to do incline bench using j cups on back uprights

[@jikkyosun]

Hey what colour is the rack that your Ares 1.0 is attacked to? Clear coat?

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@jikkyosun yes

[@richt5986]

Is that rep in PA? I was there last year it did not have as much equipment as it does now.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@richt5986 yes !! that’s rep showroom in PA!

[@richt5986]

@@ashleytheamazing nice 👌 👍

[@richt5986]

@@ashleytheamazing ever go to York barbell. Very cool place to visit. Just for the history museum

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@richt5986 No but it’s on my list! I have an old school set 10-50 of york round head dumbbells and old barbells .

[@richt5986]

@@ashleytheamazing I'm collecting them. I have 60s to 95s. Need the 100s

[@killerkhatiby009]

Any chance you could review the MAXUM Fitness SX2 anytime soon? On paper it seems like one of the best options on the market but there isn't much coverage of it! Especially comparing value with all the attachments and features it includes over something like this Rep Ares if you include the rack and all the attachments for a more apple-to-apples comparison. I believe the MAXUM costs less and does things that wouldn't even be possible with the Rep (or many other options) due to the unique features like articulating functional trainer arms and smith machine w/vertical leg press plate. The SX2 still uses standard 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel and 5/8" holes as well.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@killerkhatiby009 I’m not familiar with the Maxium Fitness SX3, who makes it?

[@killerkhatiby009]

@@ashleytheamazing You gotta check it out!! Really unique features. MAXUM Fitness is the brand (not a typo, i.e. like maximum but no "i" nor middle "m"). SX2 is the model of their best all-in-one rack (they call them "Strength Machines" and have a few other models, but the SX2 is the only one that uses standard 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel). They're based in Canada, although they've always shipped to the US as well, and this year they opened a dedicated US based online store too. I would post a link but KZbin doesn't like links usually.

[@auaigi]

Hey Awesome video as usual and nice home gym. My dream setup. Would you like to outsource your editing part? I have a professional team of video editors and a lot of previous work samples. Best of luck.

[@ashleytheamazing]

@@auaigi I’m not sure about this.

[@auaigi]

​@@ashleytheamazing Thank you for your honesty. I want to make sure you feel confident in your decision. To help ease any concerns, I'd be happy to offer you a complimentary first video and thumbnail. this way you can see the quality of my work firsthand, with no obligation. My goal is to ensure you are fully satisfied with the results before making any commitment. Looking forward to your thoughts