The M2B Pro’s Crowd Point blank, the M2B Pro is intended to be the centerpiece item of more “intentional” home gyms. Lifters interested in transforming their garages, basements, or spare rooms into legitimate training areas are the M2B Pro’s people.
As a Smith machine and power rack combination, it is also an excellent option for enthusiasts with limited space who want to combine the capabilities of multiple machines into one.
These multifunctional capabilities extend to the M2B Pro’s pulley system which has the unique ability to provide both a 2:1 cable pulley ratio (the weight feels like 50 pounds when it is set to 100 pounds which is ideal for high-rep sets) and a 1:1 cable pulley ratio (the weight feels like 100 pounds when set to 100 pounds. This is made possible by its articulating pulley arms, which allow users to bring both sides together and is ideal for dedicated strength training).
Those who prioritize accessibility will also find the M2B Pro to be an attractive option with its 24 different rack upright height levels and 23 different pulley levels. Racks with far fewer levels oftentimes require trainees to extend onto their tiptoes to rack a barbell or to perform crossovers from odd angles. More height levels minimize this awkwardness as they increase accessibility.
It’s understandable that not all home gym trainees prioritize these attributes. There are certainly populations who the M2B Pro is not the best option for.
Those who prefer a more minimalist approach to training, whether because they prefer to incorporate less complex movements into their routines or because they simply lack the space for a rack, may not have the need nor the floorspace for the M2B Pro.
At the other end of the spectrum, the home gym version of “gadget guys” (who nerd out over belt squat machines instead of iPhones and have to have the “brand new thing”) can still find a lot of utility in the M2B Pro…they’ll probably just keep buying new gym “toys” once they’ve got one!
For the vast majority of home gym enthusiasts who fall somewhere between these two extremes, the M2B Pro is a very suitable candidate for their training needs.
A Rare and Useful Attachment: The Vertical Leg Press A lot of multifunctional racks come with the same array of attachments and accessories.
Others come with more niche attachments…that oftentimes, nobody really wants.
Increased functionality is beneficial, but useful “extras” are always preferable.
The M2B Pro isn’t the only all-in-one Smith Machine to sport a vertical leg press attachment, but this inclusion is rare enough to place it in very select company. Few non-specialty machines provide this functionality, yet just about all lifters can picture themselves leg pressing at home.
For many, leg pressing is the most effective quad-building supplementary exercise. For others, the complete back support it provides makes it preferable to back squats for lower body development. In either case, the benefits of vertical leg pressing are both extensive and difficult to replicate with other exercises.
Leg pressing is possible without this attachment, but it requires purchasing a large, heavy, expensive, and ultimately single-function piece of equipment. In this regard, opting for a more complete total-body training system like the M2B is an easy space-saving and money-saving decision.
A Commercial-grade Training Experience A lot of trainees who decide to shift to exclusively at-home workouts accept that their equipment is not likely to be of the same quality as what they’re accustomed to at their local commercial gym.
Others unbox their first Smith Machine and are equal parts surprised and disappointed in the drop-off in its structural integrity.
The truth is, there are a lot of perfectly functional home gym rack options. Unfortunately, the vast majority of them are constructed of thin, mildly corrosive powder-coated steel.
These racks look and feel…like home gym racks.
In contrast, the M2B Pro’s thicker, stainless-steel construction looks and feels like a commercial machine.
In practice, this translates into a more stable rack and an overall safer lifting experience. The M2B Pro’s 12-gauge steel front uprights remain perfectly rigid when re-racking the barbell. They also hold up when 700 pounds of weight are dropped on their adjustable safety arms. Less durable, 14-gauge steel rack options don’t handle these situations as well, or last nearly as long.
On the topic of durability, the M2B Pro’s stainless steel is both more corrosion-resistant and scratch-resistant than less premium powder-coated racks.
When deciding on a permanent, home gym all-in-one machine centerpiece item, “commercial-grade” is almost always preferable to “less premium”. More importantly, avoiding the quality drop off makes getting started with and sticking to home gym lifting a lot easier.
Ownership Practicalities Pulling the trigger on an integrated training system like the M2B Pro is a bit more involved than buying a kettlebell. Less “sexy” but very real practicalities like space requirements and storage aren’t as interesting to discuss as leg press attachments. As such, it makes sense to discuss them before FedEx drops those six boxes off at the house.
Footprint With a 19.4 square foot footprint, the M2B Pro isn’t the most compact Smith Machine/power rack combination piece, but its space requirements are modest as far as complete home gym platforms go. Additionally, at just under 7 feet tall, it provides enough clearance for pull-ups while ensuring that taller trainees avoid feeling claustrophobic.
Storage As the home gym “centerpiece” item, the M2B Pro’s secondary purpose is to serve as the central storage location for all gym gear. Its fully integrated pegboard provides a convenient space to mount clips, attachments, bands, and other smaller accessory items.
A dedicated barbell holder leaves no excuse for leaving the bar racked between workouts. Side and rear Olympic plate horns promote an organized training environment and can be loaded to add even more stability to the rack.
Ultimately, the M2B Pro’s extensive storage features alleviate any concerns of the training space becoming a “mess”…which should calm the fears of more skeptical significant others!
Assembly Whether someone considers themselves to be “handy” or not, the rack assembly process is always an elephant in the corner. However, while very large pieces of equipment take time and a bit of patience to put together, some items go a lot further in preserving sanity than others.
To be honest, the M2B Pro assembly process isn’t “fast”, but it also isn’t “frustrating”. Rather than relying solely on a standard paper assembly manual, Evolpow has developed a dedicated installation video to accentuate the hard copy instructions.
Having access to a power drill and a somewhat capable friend to assist is always preferable. However, the more advanced assembly media removes the uncertainty that arises from the vague and seemingly non-linear directives that are all too common with rack assembly guides.
Ultimately, these may not be the first factors that come to mind when contemplating home gym gear ownership. Thankfully, the M2B Pro’s status as an “easy to own” machine ensures that none of these areas needs to receive a second thought.
Closing Thoughts on the Evolpow M2B Pro The bodybuilder who appreciates being able to switch from a 2:1 cable pulley ratio for his hypertrophy work to a 1:1 ratio for his dedicated strength work.
The powerlifter who knows she can put another 30 pounds on her squat max this year by working vertical leg pressing into her routine.
The married couple who enjoys training together, but also appreciates a durable, organized, and visually appealing machine that easily fits in their spare bedroom.
Each of these trainees can find a lot of value in the M2B for their own personal reasons. It’s highly likely that all of them get some value out of the qualities that others prioritize the most, as well.
With legitimate commercial-grade components, rare and desirable attachments, and a general design that confidently addresses the all-too-common “real world” home gym concerns, the Evolpow M2B Pro is an integrated home gym platform to keep a close eye on.
