Merax Lat Pulldown Machine & Low Row (Home Gym Reviews)

All About The Merax Lat Pulldown & Low Cable Row

It’s suitable for beginners and advanced users and will challenge whoever steps up to the plate.  

If you want to put your body through its paces and work out your muscles from home, then the Merax lat pulldown machine is the perfect solution for you.  

Pros & Cons Of The Merax Lat Pulldown Machine

Unique Features Of The Merax Lat Pulldown Machine

Lat pulldown and low cable machines offer an excellent way for you to build strength in your lats (V-shaped muscle in your back) as well as working your biceps, triceps, shoulders, and middle Back.

By being able to hit your upper body with both horizontal and vertical movements, will help you develop a well-rounded physique compared to pullups. 

Due to the versatile nature of the Merax lat pulldown machine, it’s well suited for any home gym. 

Heavy-Gauge Steel Frame Construction

The Merax Lat Pulldown machine is made from high-quality 2” x 2” heavy-gauge steel. Unlike similar products of this price range, the Merax Lat Pulldown won't feel unstable and won't rattle while you're working out.

Its stability will make you feel reassured every time you sit down to crank out the next set, whether you're lifting 10lbs or 280lbs. 

42” Wide-Grip Lat & Low Bar 

The wide grip lat & low bar design is great for working the upper body in different ways. The wide grip allows you to hit a different part of your lats. The tapered handle lets you engage the back muscles without putting uncomfortable strain on the forearms and wrist joints. 

The wide design also allows you to get maximum muscle recruitment in the upper back, giving you more bang for your buck every time you workout. The low bar and wide grip bar are interchangeable, so whether you want to do wide or narrow gripped work, you can change the handles to suit your requirements.

Strongly Built Pulley System

The Merax lat pulldown machine has a well-designed pulley system. It utilizes industrial TPU coated steel wire that allows you to pull up to 286lbs of weight down in a smooth manner.

1” And 2” Weight Sleeves

As mentioned above, the Merax lat pulldown is compatible with both standard and Olympic plates. Its carefully designed weight sleeves support the use of either 1” or 2” weighted plates, the sleeves are easy to use, and you can swap them out anytime you need to. 

Multi-Exercise Options

Affordable Price Tag

Buying good quality gym equipment can soon add up, potentially setting you back thousands of dollars. However, the Merax lat pulldown machine is one of the most cost-effective home gym machines you’ll come across.

Even though the Merax lat pulldown machine has a low price, it doesn’t lack quality. It’s been well designed using high-grade materials that look and feel great while you work out.  

When it comes to lat pulldown machines, Merax’s offering is pretty awesome. One of the standout features is its ability to offer multiple positions for your back workout.

Functions such as the low row cable, the back pull (for your abs), and of course, the lat pulldown make up what is one of the best pieces of home gym equipment you’ll get for the price.  

Speaking of price, the Merax lat pulldown machine is excellent for those of you who’re on a budget but still want to have a high-quality piece of gym equipment in your arsenal.

At around $350-$400, it’ll be hard to find another that can compete with what Merax offers.   

Merax comes with a 38.2” wide grip bar that’s shaped to give you maximal comfort while targeting your lats thoroughly; this is ideal for your back development and will undoubtedly build up your overall strength. 

While the wide-grip bar is brilliant, it can be changed with the narrow bar to target your biceps and even your triceps. So whether you want to perform lat pulldowns, tricep pushdowns, cable curls, seated row, or upright row, the Merax lat pulldown will get the job done.   

The machine itself is light enough to move around (when it’s not loaded with weight), which is helpful if you decide to move your home gym around to fit in new equipment. Even though it’s only 65lbs, the Merax lat pulldown machine is super stable and is exceptionally well made.  

Unlike some other lat pulldown machines, Merax has used high-quality materials such as 2” x 2” heavy-gauge steel for the frame and has finished it off with a hard-wearing powder coating that looks pleasing to the eyes. I’m sure it’ll look great in your home or garage gym. 

Comparisons With Similar Lat Pulldown Brands 

Merax Vs Xmark 

Xmark is probably one of the nicest looking lat pulldowns I’ve seen in a while. It’s got a 2” x 3” heavy-duty steel construction and can lift up to 400lbs, which is over 100lbs more than what the Merax can handle.  

However, while it may be a heavier duty machine, it’s also double the Merax Lat Pulldown Machine price. It also doesn’t have the additional back pull function that Merax offers on their machine.  

If you feel you need to lift up to 400lbs, and you want to spend more of your hard-earned money, then Xmark is more suited for you. However, if you want a blend of high-quality machinery and a low price, then the Merax Lat Pulldown Machine is what you’re looking for.  

Take a look at our full Xmark lat pulldown machine review.

Merax Vs Vanswe Lat Pulldown 

The Vanswe lat pulldown machine is one of the lowest-priced machines you’ll find, coming in at under $225. However, it does lack the quality that the Merax Lat Pulldown Machine has.  

The machine can handle a maximum of 250lbs, which is just under what Merax can manage. Sometimes the instructions can confuse people when building the machine, and the seat is notoriously tricky to install correctly.  

While the Vanswe lat pulldown isn’t necessarily bad, the Merax comes out on top and would be best suited for your home gym.  

How To Assemble The Merax Lat Pulldown Machine 

The set-up process for the Merax lat pulldown machine is pretty straightforward; you don’t need to be a king (or queen) of DIY. All you need is a few basic tools and the instruction manual that came with your lat pulldown.  

Here’s a simple step by step guide on how to build your Merax lat pulldown: 

IMPORTANT: Please ensure you refer to the owner's manual for any safety advice or precautions regarding using the Merax lat pulldown machine.  

The machine is easy to use; attach the handle you wish to use to the carabiner clip (attached to the cable), add your weight plates, adjust the thigh support, and off you go.  

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What is the maximum distance from the seat to the lat bar when the seat is in the lowest position?  

When the seat is placed in the lowest position, it is roughly 53 inches away from the lat pulldown bar. This distance will become shorter once the seat is in any of the higher positions. 

Is the Merax Lat Pulldown a standalone unit?  

Yes, what you see is all you need to get a great workout. It’s a free-standing unit that doesn’t need to be fixed to any walls or additional framing. Simply build it, add your weights, and you’re good to go. 

Where can I buy cable replacements for this machine?  

If you need to replace the machine’s cable, contact Merax and order the part directly through them. This way, you know that you are ordering a high-quality replacement and not some cheap cable that’s not fit for purpose. 

Do you need to oil this machine before use?  

Once you’ve built the machine, you’ll need to use some oil to lubricate the machine’s moving parts. A quick spray of WD40 will go a long way, ensuring the machine’s movements are nice and smooth.  

Do you have to bolt the machine to the floor?  

No, you don’t need to at all; the Merax lat pulldown machine is designed to remain stable while you’re working out and won’t tip over while being used correctly. 

Conclusion