Some background:

My mom is about 5'4 and really into fitness. She has a treadmill and walks/joggs all over the place. She is thin, but not very tone.

My dad loves bike riding and running except recently hurt his knee and can only bike. He's 5'10, about 200-210 lbs. He works early mornings and goes on long bike rides 2-3 days a week.

Anyways, I've been preaching to them that the reason they're not making progress is that they need to lift to get some tone. They live in the sticks so a gym membership isn't feasable.

Mom mom is sold on the idea of lifting -- READY TO BUY! I gave her some links(Including JSF Equipment link) and she visited some stores....

The guy (and I kinda agree) says that a barbell / olympic weight set isn't right for them -- could hurt themselves, especially since they've never lifted and may be lifting without spotters.

So he recommended this thing -- The Hoist V2. It's going to run her $1500-1800. I guess it has over 150 lifts, unexposed cables, and etc, etc, etc.

Here's a picture...

http://store1.yimg.com/I/usfitnessproducts_1822_902800

Have you heard of this thing?
What do you think of the price for something like it?
Any recommendations? Alternatives?

That's a nice unit. I believe I had seen something similar for sale on craigslist. (probably Boston)

Oh, and I might add that this is ALL they are planning on getting.

Is this sufficent for their lift program?

Oh, and I might add that this is ALL they are planning on getting.

Is this sufficent for their lift program?

I don't know how much you can do from that. The Hoist Fitness website (http://www.hoistfitness.com) has a much bigger picture with a description, but I ca't see the list of exercises.

Does it just have a single pulley handle at the top? It looks like they could do leg extensions, pulldowns, rows, presses, curls, tricep work... So, its not terrible. But, its really expensive and not a lot of weight. I have a feeling they will both outgrow the 150 lbs.

If they want a set machine, a Bowflex or Crossbar would be better, and cheaper for them. If it was me, I'd go crazy w/ the 1500 and get a rack, adjustable bench (w/ leg and preacher attachments), pulley system, olympic weight set, and dumbbell set. You could do everything.

I'd go nuts as well -- but heres the thing km, they've never lifted EVER.

They're like 45-50 years old and an olympic bar seems like it would be intimidating and crush them.

As far as your question, it looks like there is a couple of pulleys down at the bottom so they could do bench press, etc...

I'm going to call the guy today and see if I can get a list of exercises, but I guess the thing has 150 exercises you can do and comes with a HUGE poster -- but I wonder if those are quality lifts...

I'd like to see the poster before they went out and bought it.

Do you have any links or suggestions for a crossbar or bowflex that would have more of a variety of stuff?

Some background:

My mom is about 5'4 and really into fitness. She has a treadmill and walks/joggs all over the place. She is thin, but not very tone.

My dad loves bike riding and running except recently hurt his knee and can only bike. He's 5'10, about 200-210 lbs. He works early mornings and goes on long bike rides 2-3 days a week.

Anyways, I've been preaching to them that the reason they're not making progress is that they need to lift to get some tone. They live in the sticks so a gym membership isn't feasable.

Mom mom is sold on the idea of lifting -- READY TO BUY! I gave her some links(Including JSF Equipment link) and she visited some stores....

The guy (and I kinda agree) says that a barbell / olympic weight set isn't right for them -- could hurt themselves, especially since they've never lifted and may be lifting without spotters.

So he recommended this thing -- The Hoist V2. It's going to run her $1500-1800. I guess it has over 150 lifts, unexposed cables, and etc, etc, etc.

Here's a picture...

http://store1.yimg.com/I/usfitnessproducts_1822_902800

Have you heard of this thing?
What do you think of the price for something like it?
Any recommendations? Alternatives?

The V2 is an awesome homegym. I have owned one for the past 6 months and it is great. Don't worry about your parents outgrowing it, especially if they get the upgraded 200 lb weight stack. Remember that this machine is a "functional training" type machine. It is not the same as lifting a fixed bar. As a former competitive bodybuilder and occasional powerlifter, I can assure you that the 200 lb stack is adequate for what they are looking for. The machine is super smooth and has one of the best leg extention movements I've used. Rest assured, they will be happy with this machine. Comparing it to a crossbow or bowflex is like comparing a Lexus to a Kia.

I'm going to call the guy today and see if I can get a list of exercises, but I guess the thing has 150 exercises you can do and comes with a HUGE poster -- but I wonder if those are quality lifts...

Could somebody define quality lifts too me?

Remember that this machine is a "functional training" type machine.

Be careful with that kind of wording. You might just jinx the machine in here for all eternity... :lol: