Without doubt Stamina 1690 is one of the most popular workout stations available today. And for a good reason. Cheap and it does what it is made for: bodyweight training at home. It is an excellent price/value ratio equipment for home.
But, I have to say 1690 is not for heavy people and serious trainees, because it is lightweight, and as a result, it wobbles. Hence, if you are a power user, you need something more robust for sure. Wobbling also comes if the exercises are performed without control. I mean when you do fast “repetitions.”
In my opinion, for average home usage and light people, it will do. (Far better than a doorway pull up bar for sure.)
PROS
- Compact
- Acceptable pull up / dip / push up function
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to move around
- Each section is foam padded
CONS
- Not suitable for heavy people/usage
- Problems with the sit-up function
- No back and arm pad
Customer reviews/price
- Dimensions: 50 x 81.5 x 41.5 inches (W x H x D)
- Weight: 54 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
Video Overview
Best Features of Stamina 1690 Power Tower
Compact design & easy to move around
The footprint is 49L x 42.5W, so it does not take up much space. Hence, it is maybe a good option for a person living in an apartment or who has only a little space to store and use it. Although, keep in mind that you need a few feet around the equipment to use it comfortably.
Also, it is just 54 lbs so you can quickly take it where you want to store after usage. I think that weight is not that much even for women as well.
Well-functioning primary functions
The pull-up bar height is 81 inches, so Stamina 1690 is not short. However, you should bend your knees unless you are very short. But, this is true for any dip pull up station available today.
The pull-up bar is foam padded at the ends and the middle. So, you can grab it firmly.
The dip handle width is 21 inches, and they are 51 inches from the floor. Those measurements are OK for most of the people, although bigger guys may find the bars a bit narrow and low to do tricep dips. At the end of the bars, there are foam hand grips for safety and comfort.
The push-up station is a useful addition since with the help of it you can go deeper. This way the range of motion is longer so you can stimulate your chest better.
People under 150 lbs and those who control the motion and do not make quick reps, do not complain about serious wobbling. But, without a doubt, Stamina is not a rock solid tower.
Problems & Complains
You will see the problems come from the thinness of the Stamina 1690 power tower.
You can’t do sit-ups safely
While the sit-up section seems to be an excellent possibility to perform abdominal exercises because the equipment is light, that function is almost useless. When you put your feet under the bar and want to pull yourself up, the tower might fall on you. This problem can be solved by putting something heavy, maybe weight plates on the stabilizers on the other side.
No back and forearm padding
Well, this is only a problem for those trainees who cannot perform vertical knee or leg raises without assistance. You can do these powerful abs exercises just by using the standing pull up bar, but it will be hard to keep the proper form and to avoid swinging.
By putting your back against the pad and placing your forearm on the dip bars, it is much easier to perform the motion correctly. Unfortunately, this power tower does not have this feature.
It wobbles under heavy people and not correctly performed movements
While manufacturer says the maximum weight capacity is 250 lbs, people over 180-200 pounds complain about wobbling. Though, if they perform the moves slowly the wobbling is minimal.
The wobbling also appears when users want to execute the moves with the help of momentum or quickly.
These problems come from the lightness of Stamina pt 1690 power tower.
FAQ
How hard is the assembly?
It needs some time to put it together, but not complicated. Just follow the instructions.
Can it be used outdoor?
Well, it is made for indoor use, so not rust and sun resistant. Although, I think there will not be any problem if it is stored in a covered space. Stamina outdoor power tower is a better option.
Can it be used for muscle ups?
No. 1690 is not stable enough for that.
Verdict | Is it for you?
Well, buy Stamina 1690 power tower if you are not more than 180 lbs and can perform the bodyweight exercises the right way. I would not recommend it for big and pro guys. On the other hand for that price, it is a beneficial piece of home workout equipment to do pull ups, chin ups, dips, etc. for an ordinary guy or girl.
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Last update on 2022-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API