Turbo Tower/STS Push Pull Tower

[Trixoo]

Now I really want a turbo tower! I now have STS and finally bought a barbell and plates. All that's left is the tower! I am not planning to start STS for several months, so I am trying to decide on a suitable substitute for the turbo tower. My husband wants to get me a bench with a squat rack attached but I'm concerned I won't be able to use it to do modified pull ups.

Would it be best to get the valor squat rack and a separate bench? I thought about using my high step rather than a bench and just getting the valor, but that leads me to another question. I don't have the club step Cathe uses in her workouts--I use my Transfirmer. A club step looks more versatile tho. Cathe uses it at levels (10 and 12 inches) that the transfirmer doesn't support. It's also longer than the transfirmer. Any thoughts on the best combo?

Hi Jengollf -

I have the tower, and hope you'll have one, too, soon! It is great for chin ups and pull ups! In the meantime, I like having a separate bench not connected to my rack....that way I can move the bench around and use it for other things, like one arm rows, dips, etc,....it's more convenient than changing the height on my step, plus, the bench surface is more comfortable than the step surface, although I do have a little mat to put on the bench, but that's another thing I have to put on and put off. Guess I'm lazy! I also have a whole basement to work with, which can make a hipuge difference in what works for you. I also like how easily I can move my bench out of the way to do turbobarre. I even leave my barbell on the tower and that's what I usually hold on to (well, it was what I was holding on to... the fitness gods smiled upon me yesterday and a friend lent me her fluidity bar indefinitely! Totally dying to try it out...I'll be doing TB tomorrow for sure!)

Do you have a Play it Again Sports near you? You can sometimes find high quality benches there at much lower prices. I'm still kicking myself for one I didn't grab when I saw it over a year ago! I'm currently looking for a set of the valor stands or a good equivalent, because although I use the turbo tower to rack weights when I'm on my flat bench, I have a separate incline bench and I used to just lug my barbell over to it, but am to the point where it's probably not wise to lift the weights I'm using without a partner or a rack, so I'm stuck, progress-wise.

FYI, unless you don't care to purchase used goods, watch Craig's list for steps. I just picked up a second step that's in great shape for $25, so now I don't have to haul my step and risers from the basement up to the second floor whenever I want to do TTM.

Good luck. Not sure ifnthis has been at all helpful. It's so hard to know in advance what will work for you and your space.

 

[jengollf]

Thanks Trixoo,

It sounds like the valor might be even more useful than the turbo tower? I have a lot of room. We have a "den" that we use as my workout room--lots a free weights, select techs, stationary bike, treadmill, tv, transfirmer plus kettlebells, medicine balls, and various other small fitness equipment (and now a barbell) and I still have lots of floor space. So I have room for a bench. But I still don't want to acquire a lot of unnecessary equipment and start cluttering it up. Now that all I want to do is Cathe workouts, I feel like the club step would give me more options.

We do have a Play it Again sports but I've never been there. I always shop at Dicks, Academy or online. I should probably check it out and save some money!

 

[nckfitheart2009]

Weight bench versus club step+ valor squat

Now I really want a turbo tower! I now have STS and finally bought a barbell and plates. All that's left is the tower! I am not planning to start STS for several months, so I am trying to decide on a suitable substitute for the turbo tower. My husband wants to get me a bench with a squat rack attached but I'm concerned I won't be able to use it to do modified pull ups.

Would it be best to get the valor squat rack and a separate bench[/COLOR]? I thought about using my high step rather than a bench and just getting the valor, but that leads me to another question. I don't have the club step Cathe uses in her workouts--I use my Transfirmer. A club step looks more versatile tho. Cathe uses it at levels (10 and 12 inches) that the transfirmer doesn't support. It's also longer than the transfirmer. Any thoughts on the best combo?

To Jengollf,

To answer to your question Highlighted above, If you can get both bench and valor squat rack, get both. I can recall cathe's pointer while doing decline. She recommended the use of ankle attachment to keep better form. For this reason a weight bench would be a better in my opinion.

http://cathe.com/stuart-doing-a-decline-tricep-extension
xoxo

 

[Tahitia]

Hello Jen,

For me to use my step as a weight bench i would need to buy a pair of risers, $15, a pair of slanted risers, $50, and the mat for the step, $12. Walmart sells a decline/incline bench, Capbell i think is the brand, for $48. It's not big and so much cheaper than buying all that stuff separately. So I'm going with the bench when i get to the sts program. If the new turbo tower is not out by the time i need it i will purchase the valor bd-9, again because it's so versatile i know i won't regret it. I don't like the benches with the bench press rack attached, as is takes up more space and you cannot move just the bench. Also, i haven't found one that is versatile like the valor.

 

[jengollf]

Thanks everyone for your very helpful replies. The decision is made! I plan to get the valor BD-9 and an adjustable bench. I'll stick with my transfirmer for a while longer--it does the job well enough and she does spend most of her step time in 6, 8 or 14 inches, which the transfirmer accommodates. It just always drives me crazy when she has it at 10 or 12 inches and I can't make mine the same height! But I'll live!