Mikolo M4 All-in-One Smith Machine Review

[@silentangel1011]

wow.. a channel with integrity and real reviews. Amazing! keep up the good work.

[@DesignBuildLift]

Thank you! I appreciate it. It looks great in the pictures- so I was very disappointed.😢

[@HughLeFitness]

Thanks for the honest review. All cons no pros. I don't why anyone would want to buy this...

[@DesignBuildLift]

Thanks, Hugh! I appreciate your support!

[@killerkhatiby009]

Solid review! I have the same machine and agree with a lot of the criticisms, although my smith machine is solid and does not have the slop shown here. It moves smoothly and works great. Nor do any of my weight horns/plate storage have any damage. Also have mine backed up against a wall so I never step under the storage hooks but can see that being a problem. I've had mine for a year and it shows minimal signs of wear and still works great despite 6x per week usage for 1-2hrs each time. But good to see someone pointing out the upright deception! It's for this reason alone I wouldn't recommend the M4 to anyone. Go with the RitFit M1 2.0 or the Mikolo M7, they are just generally better. Heads up though Mikolo has silently updated the photos on their AMZN/WLMRT listings to now state the front uprights are aluminum and only the rest of the frame is 14-gauge steel. It was not like this until recently. The old photos used to sneakily point to the rear uprights when stating they are steel, so it was technically correct but said nothing about the front ones.

[@DesignBuildLift]

That’s funny that they changed the Amazon listing. I emailed them right before I filmed this to confirm what the chrome front uprights are made of. They told me 14 gauge steel…and obviously that is not true.

[@killerkhatiby009]

@@DesignBuildLift Yea I am really against deceptive practices like this and disappointed they've done this because my experience with Mikolo and the M4 in general has otherwise been very positive. Like I said, I haven't experienced a few of the issues mentioned here and my unit actually seems to have come with slightly different spotter arms compared to what you have. I got the red color one but besides that it looks like your spotter arms might have UHMW on top of the safety zone, mine don't have any material on top so it's metal on metal contact. I immediately replaced them with the Titan T-2 spotter arms which are 11-gauge steel, longer, and much better but still fit perfectly, even lining up with the 2nd locking hole on the T-2 spotters if needed. Mikolo even fully reimbursed me for the cost of those Titan spotter arms because I complained about the quality and design of the included ones. So it could be they've made some minor changes because I bought mine day 1 when this latest revision was released (technically what I have is the M4 v2, @UsawaFitness covered the M4 v1 in an older review where you can see some differences/complaints he had that were addressed in this newer model). But I just found out about the front upright material deception within the past week (before this video was posted) and I've already had mine for a year and can't really do anything at this point. Would not have bought it had I known it was not 14-gauge steel. Overall though for about the $800 I paid my M4 has been great in terms of practical usage day to day with the weights I've used (low 200lbs for barbell exercises, 300lbs+ on the smith, just under 200lbs per side on the cables), no signs of warping or weakness or major wear on anything, but it doesn't give me much comfort going above 300lbs with barbell work on the front knowing now that it's extra thin aluminum not steel.

[@theorfander]

I had a cheap Marcy smith machine for years with all the same issues. Good review but these are budget machines and for a budget machine at the $800-$900 price range I think all these issues are fine and what you should expect. I also like that Mikolo seems to be taking all the critical feedback constructively and actively fixing/fixed a lot of the issues. I just ordered one and am excited to see if some or all of these issues have been resolved.

[@DesignBuildLift]

I hope that they fix the issues, too. Thanks for supporting the channel, I appreciate it!🤘🙏💪

[@theorfander]

@ I just saw your video comparing the Mikolo M4 to the RipFit M1 Pro and canceled my order for the M4. I didn’t realize there was a better competing product and for $100 more the RipFit seems like a no brainer if you can swing that little extra dough. Thank you!

[@WillCox_77]

I love how honest you are

[@DesignBuildLift]

Thank you, Willcox! I appreciate it!

[@guighee7310]

If there only more people like you to review stuff on youtube lol. Got my like

[@DesignBuildLift]

Thank you so much, Guighee! I appreciate it! 🤘🙏💪

[@mynameisprivate158]

Chat GPT : how much weight can a 2 x 2 16 gauge squat rack support ChatGPT said: The weight a 2x2 16-gauge steel squat rack can support depends on its design, the quality of materials, and how it's constructed. In general, 2x2 steel tubing with 16-gauge thickness is relatively strong and can usually support a considerable amount of weight. A typical squat rack made from this material can generally handle anywhere from 500 to 1,000 pounds of weight, depending on the specific rack design (e.g., the type of J-hooks, support beams, and stability features). For higher weight ratings, some premium or commercial racks use thicker steel or have additional reinforcements. To get an exact figure, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s specifications for the specific squat rack you are considering, as they often provide a maximum weight capacity rating.

[@DesignBuildLift]

I hope that it works out for you 🙏

[@GymCrafter]

Solid review, more people need to see the truth about all this budget stuff that's been flooding the market.

[@DesignBuildLift]

Thank you! I appreciate it! I personally have no problem with budget friendly equipment (different options for different consumers), but I know that for the same price I can get something else that is 10x better (e.g., Ritfit M1 v2.0). The M4 is just junk.

[@GymCrafter]

@@DesignBuildLift The M1 is pretty solid for the price, but everything else at those price points is turning out to be garbage. ARe you finding the same thing?

[@DesignBuildLift]

I never tried the Major Fitness version of this kind of thing (B52), but I did review their F22. I found the trolley for the functional trainer to have some degree of friction (with an audible rubbing sound between the trolley and the guide rods)and to not be as smooth as the Ritfit M1. So - RitFit is definitely my top pick for budget friendly options.

[@mynameisprivate158]

I can confirm the silver uprights are 16 gauge, a magnet will stick to mine on the corners but not on the flats so thats weird. No idea what is going on there. Still I got my Mikolo M4 on Temu for $500 so can't beat that!!! I have a power cage just wanted a smith machine and functional trainer so I will not be using the Mikolo for freeweights so it will get me the smith machine and cable options I am missing in my gym at a super great price! I looked at getting the Mikolo M3 because it doesn't have the silver uprights so that one is probably all 14 gauge steel but in the end I wanted the dual pulleys in the functional trainer so went with the M4. All in all kinda seem a bit extra harsh in the review and being YT I just figure the other team is paying more, the head injury is a eating the "do not eat" packet level of critique and I dont see the bent handles even looking at the video a couple times! Probably didn't lube the pulleys I am guessing! Grossly one sided the barbell to make it stick also. I can't say one way or the other as I just inspected the boxes for damage and haven't assembled one bolt yet. I just watched another reviewer that has both say Ritfit M! vs Mikolo M4 was an apples to apples comparison and they suggested buy whichever one you can get on sale cheaper! Weird how your take is so much more one sided!

[@DesignBuildLift]

Good luck!

[@NoFate247]

Kinking to one side is a no go.....seems like they went too budget. Appreciate you highlighting this

[@DesignBuildLift]

It's terrible. The fact is the RitFit M1 v2.0 is approximately the same price, and is significantly better in every substantial way. The M1 has a Smooth Smith that doesn't kink, very smooth functional trainer, TRULY 14 gauge steel, etc...

[@skeez15]

Great review!!!!! Thank you

[@DesignBuildLift]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you! 🤘💪🙏

[@JohnAlexanderICT]

Stainless steel isn't magnetic.

[@DesignBuildLift]

This has a very shiny chrome layer on the outside (mirror like). SS is dull. I have never heard of anyone covering stainless steel with chrome. Also SS is more expensive, and would not align with all the other cheap decisions they made here. 99.999 % sure this is not stainless steel (but I can’t prove it).

[@hashslasher2973]

Good critical review thanks

[@DesignBuildLift]

Glad it was helpful! I appreciate your support! 🙏🤘💪

[@lolitadg5444]

Hi. I'm a woman and I want to buy a machine like that, which one do you recommend? I'm new to your channel.

[@DesignBuildLift]

Welcome! My answer depends on your fitness goals, budget, and your gym space. Please email me at [e-mail] and we can get into the details. In the meantime, I do have a recent video where I compare another rack that is the same price, the RitFit M1 Version 2.0. Link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npu1fpKIo9l8mc0si=CTUMAgG6MlIG4WtJ

[@lolitadg5444]

@DesignBuildLift thank you ❤️

[@averytv2118]

I just put my mikolo together and has 0 issues this machine has by the looks of it they must of sent you an older version of the machine.

[@DesignBuildLift]

How specifically is yours different and... do you work for Mikolo or one of its affiliated companies?

[@stealthassasin1day291]

The life of a gym reviewer always ends having to expand to the garage lol.

[@DesignBuildLift]

Running out of space! 😂

[@LukesGarageGym]

my god it’s shaking like crazy going up and down. My Major fitness or ritfit ones aren’t like that

[@DesignBuildLift]

I haven’t tried the Major Fitness, But yes the RitFit M1 is waaaay better !

[@LukesGarageGym]

@ night and day bro

[@LukesGarageGym]

@ I don’t think they tested this at all and it’s disappointing bc some of their other items I did like

[@chewbacca7856]

Pass thanks

[@DesignBuildLift]

As you should. It sucks.

[@j86633]

I'm curious about the EONFIT OMNI products. Maybe they'll send you one, maybe not after this review lol 😂 too honest likely

[@DesignBuildLift]

I have not heard of that brand. Yes. I probably burned some bridges with this review, but that’s okay. If a company is worried about getting a bad review from me, then they probably already know that their stuff is 💩

[@j86633]

@@DesignBuildLift yeah their stuff is really cheap which is what worries me haha. they have one of these types of smith/all in one racks but the cable pulleys have radial arms (like a free motion machine, etc.) which is not something I've seen anyone else do and is something I want personally.

[@DesignBuildLift]

That sounds very interesting

[@j86633]

@@DesignBuildLift see if they'll send you one 😂 get rxed is coming out with a pricier version which i feel a little more comfortable about buying. uses 3x3 uprights which i think is the way to go these days. these eonfit omni ones have some weird 2.75 uprights.

[@DesignBuildLift]

@@j86633 Ah - the Get RXed RX3 Tornado Smith Machine Rack. Looks awesome!

[@EwokyBalboa]

Just fyi, some stainless steel isn't magnetic

[@DesignBuildLift]

Yes. I have no way to prove that it is or isn’t stainless steel- but I doubt it is. I doubt they would use a premium material when everything else about is so cheap. Either way it is is way too thin to be safe in my opinion.

[@j86633]

I have the wall mounted cable pulley from these guys. Started having an issue after about a month. I contacted them and they were initially responsive, then they just ghosted me lol. I just kept emailing them over and over. When I threatened to write a bad review they said "okay we'll get back to you soon we have updated the status to highest priority" ... never heard anything. Do not buy from these guys. I ended up just fixing the machine myself. It works but is nothing to write home about.

[@DesignBuildLift]

That sucks. I canceled my affiliate relationship with them yesterday.

[@j86633]

@@DesignBuildLift nice lol. very cool to have someone doing these types of reviews of budget products.

[@adamrowland8191]

I must’ve purchased a different Mikolo machine, or this guy did a crappy job of building his. The wobbliness of his machine build is suspect. I don’t have that issue. Blaming Mikolo for your head stitches, for your decision to go underneath. C’mon man.

[@DesignBuildLift]

🤣🤣🤣 If you like it, Awesome!

[@theorfander]

I just ordered one and am excited to see if I had a similar experience as you or the reviewer

[@jasonmckinney3876]

Man this machine is no bueno!

[@DesignBuildLift]

Very disappointing!