Weider 2980 Home Gym Review – Is It Worth Buying?

Our Review of the Weider 2980 Home Gym

Specifications

Weider is known for budget home gym equipment, and their home gym system is thousands of dollars cheaper than some other brands.

It's always tempting to look at the cheap gym equipment first, but if you're an experienced lifter, let me save you some time and tell you this gym isn't for you.

I've been using this home gym for over a year now, and it is 100% an entry-level home gym - not for serious strength training. 

However, there's a lot to like about this product, and I'll give you all the information you need in this home gym review. 

If you need a machine that is better-suited to strength training and building muscle, head on over to our guide on the best all-in-one home gym machines!

Our Experience Using This Home Gym

It uses vinyl-covered weights, which are lower quality than true iron weights - but quieter. They also give a more authentic lifting experience than the power rods used on Bowflex models.

I also found it fairly comfortable compared to other budget models, and the handles and seat cushions are good quality.

The cables and pulleys seem to move well, but the resistance levels were slightly confusing.

For example, the weight stack itself only goes to 80lbs, but the pulleys go up to 214lbs for some movements.

I found this difficult to track, and it took a lot of work to know what I was actually lifting.

I also found the range of motion quite limiting. The Weider 2980 X home gym is clearly designed to be compact, but if you’re tall (like me), then the movement can be quite tight.

I found this most noticeable while doing a chest fly movement and other substitutes, and I think larger users will struggle to work all the major muscle groups with the proper form.

The 2980 X home gym is definitely a budget option, and you won't get the same experience as you would with premium models.

However, it's a simple way for inexperienced lifters to get a full-body workout without needing any other equipment.  

Size & Dimensions In The Home

The Weider 2980 X home gym is extremely compact. Its footprint is just 37" by 65", with a height of 76".

Unlike some other models, there's no space consuming bench, and the integrated leg developer barely takes up any room. The slim weight stack also keeps the overall footprint small.

For larger users, the small dimensions can impact your ability to do effective strength training, but the Weider 2980 X home gym is great for a small home or apartment gym where space is at a premium.

Design & Build Quality

The Weirder 2980 X home gym is of average quality at best.

The design itself is ok, and I liked how simple Weider has kept it.

However, the connections for various attachments, like the leg developer, don’t seem to be very secure and need to be tightened regularly.

The whole machine is light too, and the frame isn't made from heavy gauge steel like many other models. This is good for portability, but the lighter frame makes it more susceptible to damage. 

The cushioning on the seats and handles seems good enough, though, and I haven't noticed any visible damage there.

I have yet to experience any specific problems with the Weider 2980 X home gym, but it isn't built to last as long as some other models.

Workout Stations & Versatility

For a budget model, the Weider 2980 X home gym offers a reasonable amount of versatility with six workout stations.

It has a high and low pulley system which can be used for rows or pull-down exercises. In addition, there's a lat bar with multiple grips and a chest press and fly station for upper body work.

There’s also an adjustable preacher pad workout station for a more comprehensive cable workout on your arms. 

What I like about the Weider 2980 X home gym is that it has a leg developer included. This allows you to do leg extensions and other alternative lower-body workouts without relying on the ankle strap.

However, while the Weider 2980 X home gym does offer some versatility, it didn't exactly blow me away.

There are limited core exercises you can do with the machine and no specific ab workout station. It can also be hard to fully engage your chest muscles because of the size of the machine.

Other budget models, like the Marcy 988, offer you a greater variety of upper-body and lower-body exercises to choose from, which can give you a better overall results.  

Weight Range

The Weider 2980 X home gym has a low weight range, even compared to other budget models.

The Weirder 2980 X weight system uses a single weight stack of only 80lbs, and unlike some other models, you can't add more to the weight system.

The pulleys themselves add resistance, so for some exercises, you can get a maximum of 214lbs.

This is generally ok, but more is needed for some compound lifts.

The Weider 2980 X weight system is only really for beginners looking to target specific muscle groups, and it won’t be enough for any experienced lifter.

See Also - Can You Add Weight To A Home Gym?

Assembling This Product

This machine is fairly easy to assemble.

You will receive complete instructions from the manufacturer, which are easy enough to follow, and a parts list to help you find each component.

I would recommend having a socket wrench handy to speed up the assembly, though.

You should allow 2-3 hours to build this machine, and it’s worth asking a friend for help.

Price Guide

The Weider 2890 X home gym is one of the cheapest home gym systems on the market.

You can pick it up for under $500, and to put that in perspective, some other home gyms cost over $5000 - so it's a budget option for home gym owners.

At this price point, it offers decent value for money. However, there are some other budget options out there that offer better value for money.

The Marcy MWM-988 home gym costs roughly the same, but has more weight, more versatility, and more training options.

This effectively gives you more for the same amount of money - so it’s worth checking out.

Shipping & Warranty

You can buy the Weider 2980 X home gym from a few fitness equipment retailers and stores like Walmart, but you generally get the best prices from online marketplaces.

I bought mine from Amazon, and it only took a week to arrive, which is good.

It came in 4 different boxes, but none of them had too much weight, so you should be able to carry them inside on your own.

Weider only covers their gym equipment with a 90-day warranty, which is very short, considering some manufacturers offer lifetime cover.

This short warranty is a bit disappointing, so my advice would be to build it and test everything out quickly so you can report an issue within that timeframe.

Also, make sure you register your home gym with Weider to get full warranty coverage.[1]

Pros and Cons Of The Weider 2980

Who Should Buy Weider 2980?

The Weider 2980 X home gym is only really suitable for beginners.

It’s best for those looking to tone up, get in better shape, and improve their fitness by working out regularly from the comfort of their own home.

Other people who would benefit from the Weider 2980 X home gym include:

Who Should Not Buy Weider 2980?

The Weider 2980 X home gym is not well suited for those with fitness experience.

The limited weight stack can help with some muscle strengthening, but it could be better for serious muscle building or those looking to bulk up.

It’s also not ideal for larger users because the small dimensions can make it difficult to use the 2980 X home gym system properly.

This equipment won't replace a commercial gym membership.

If you're looking for a serious muscle-strengthening solution, you should consider one of the higher-end models like the Force USA G9.

This has multiple weight stacks, a power cage, and a range of other accessories to give you full-body workouts - offering serious lifters great value for money.

If you're a beginner with some experience, or an intermediate lifter, then it's worth exploring other options too.

Home gyms like the Marcy 988 are better for helping you build muscle because they have a higher weight capacity.

You can also find some budget models with more workout stations and versatility - giving better value for money to those who know a bit about lifting.

Unique Features of the Weider 2980 Home Gym

6 Workout Stations

80 Lb. Vinyl Weight Stack

The vinyl-coated weight plates aren't as good of quality as iron, but they are quieter.

This makes them useful for home gym owners with small homes because you won't disturb everyone while you train.

214 Lbs. Of Total Resistance

Despite only having 80lbs of total weight, this machine has a pulley system that provides additional resistance up to 214 pounds.

This resistance should be enough for beginners and give you some challenging workouts.

This increased resistance can't be used for every exercise, so make sure you consult the weight system assembly instructions carefully to find out more.

Comparing the Weider 2980 With Alternative Gyms

Weider 2980 Vs Marcy MWM-988

The Marcy MWM is better suited for those looking to build muscle.

Both home gyms have a low and high pulley, chest fly stations, a lat pulldown bar, and a preacher curl pad.

However, the Marcy home gym has over twice as much weight and more exercise options to choose from. It's also slightly more durable and made from higher-quality materials.

The downside of the Marcy home gym equipment is that it’s slightly more expensive and larger, so it won’t fit in every home gym.

They are similar machines, but the Marcy model offers better value for money and can support more intense workouts.

Also Check Out - Marcy MWM-988 Tested & Reviewed

Weider 2980 Vs Weider Pro 6900

The Weider 2980 and Weird Pro 6900 are two very similar machines.

The design is almost identical, and they both have six different workout stations to train your whole body, including an integrated preacher curl pad for biceps and a leg developer for leg extensions.

The main difference is the weight stacks. The Weider 6900 comes with a 125lb weight stack, which can be combined with your body weight to give you slightly more resistance.

This makes it better for those looking to lift heavier, though it's still a lot less resistance than some other home gyms offer.

The other difference is that the Weider Pro 6900 is slightly larger, so it won’t fit as easily in a small gym.

If space is at a premium, you're better off with the Weider 2980, but otherwise, the Weider 6900 offers a bit more for a similar price.

Find Out More - Weider Pro 6900 Complete Review

Weider 2980 Vs Gold's Gym XRS 50

Both of these home gym machines are great introductory-level gym systems.

Gold’s Gym XRS 50 has a very similar design to the Weider 2980, with different workout stations designed to hit your upper and lower body.

There’s a wide lat bar, leg developer station, chest and fly station, and low and high pulley systems to use.

The XRS is slightly less versatile because it doesn’t have a preacher pad as standard, so it’s harder to train your arms/biceps. However, it can handle more weight, with a 112lb weight stack.

The XRS is bigger, heavier, and slightly better quality, but these are very similar machines. Either should work well for those just starting out training at home.

Weider 2980 Workout Programs & Exercises

The Weider 2980 comes with an exercise chart to help get you started.[2]

The exercise chart itself isn’t bad, but it’s not specifically for this model, so it does include some exercises you can’t do.

To help get you started, here are some of the key exercises I incorporated into my routine:

Chest/Pectoral Muscles

Back

Rotator Cuffs/Shoulder Muscles

Arms

Legs

Core

This home gym is better for losing weight and toning up than building lean muscle, so I'd recommend going for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts.

Pick 4 or 5 exercises above and do them intensely for 30-60 seconds. Rest for 30 seconds, and then move on to the next one.

This should get your heart rate up and burn a lot of calories quickly.

Just be sure to do controlled reps and focus on engaging the right muscle groups.

Common Questions About The Weider 2980 Home Gym

Where can you buy replacement parts for the Weider 2980 home gym?

The Weider parent company is Active Nutrition, and they no longer produce replacement parts, so the easiest place to pick up replacement parts cheaply is through Amazon.

How long does it take to assemble a Weider 2980 home gym?

It will take 2-3 hours to assemble this machine, potentially longer if you don’t have any experience.

How do I find the model number of my Weider home gym?

The model number can be found on the attached weight system.

Is Weider made in the USA?

No, Weider production is outsourced to Asia.

Conclusion

The Weider 2890 is a good piece of gym equipment for novices looking to get a full-body workout at home.

It's not suitable for serious strength training and doesn't have as much versatility as other models, but it's affordable - and useful for home gym owners with limited space.

Overall, this home gym isn't bad, but it doesn't offer a lot of value for money. I recommend going with a model like the Marcy MWM-988.

This is my favorite budget home gym since you get 150 lb weight stacks and much better quality for only slightly more money. You're unlikely to grow out of this machine as quickly as the Weider model.

Hopefully, this Weider 2980 home gym (with 214 lbs of resistance) review has given you everything you need, and you now know if this machine is right for you. 

References: 

1. https://my.weiderfitness.com/
2. https://www.iconsupport.eu/sites/default/files/242447-WEEVSY.pdf