Question for Tall Guys - machines too small?

[dantelis]

Do any other of your tall guys find that bodybuilding machines, cable and benches are made for shorter guys?  At almost 6'4", I find that I often have problems with machines that don't work with my longer body and range of motion.  Cable pulldowns are especially problematic.  I either end up hitting the top of the rack when I pull down or am unable to allow the cable go down far enough to stretch my back without the weights hitting the bottom and relaxing the cable tension.

[Triple-H_2005]

I'm 6'2", and sometimes the Hammer Strength machines are a little bit of a challenge.  Particularly the pulldown machines.  Some cable setups are a little problematic. 

I try to use free weights as much a possible for that very reason.

[The Squadfather]

Do any other of your tall guys find that bodybuilding machines, cable and benches are made for shorter guys?  At almost 6'4", I find that I often have problems with machines that don't work with my longer body and range of motion.  Cable pulldowns are especially problematic.  I either end up hitting the top of the rack when I pull down or am unable to allow the cable go down far enough to stretch my back without the weights hitting the bottom and relaxing the cable tension.

another clown who's on the very bottom of the "tall" scale who thinks he's too big for the machines, let me guess your hands are too big to fit into the top of protein containers and your fingers are too big to type as well, right?

[Pollux]

I don't think in Squadfather's case the problem isn't too tall, but too wide...

Is this where I say BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM? 

[Radical Plato]

another clown who's on the very bottom of the "tall" scale who thinks he's too big for the machines, let me guess your hands are too big to fit into the top of protein containers and your fingers are too big to type as well, right?

Another Short Man pissed off because he isn't tall.

[The Squadfather]

Another Short Man pissed off because he isn't tall.

i'm right at 6 feet genius.

[WhiteCastle]

Wouldn't cable pulldowns be less likely to hit the top of the rack if you are taller?  

[MisterMagoo]

Wouldn't cable pulldowns be less likely to hit the top of the rack if you are taller? 

nope, I run into it too. on a few pulldown stations i can easily sit myself down and get my legs under the pad, then just reach up and grab the bar. i have to be careful because if i go to full extension, the weights clack together. and hell, i'm just 6'2". a buddy of mine who's around 6'6" can't use most machines.

i also have long femurs which, aside from making my squat ROM stupidly long, means that some leg curl/extension machines are a little off for me unless they have a very adjustable back pad.

[Radical Plato]

i'm right at 6 feet genius.

I thought we were talking height, rather than width.
I am 6 Ft 4, and if I had a dollar for every so called 6Ft guy looking at me, saying gee your tall, you must be at least 6 Ft 6'.  I always looked puzzled until i realise they are saying that because they have added 2 inches to their own height and are trying to tell me they are 6 Foot.  Little men always make me smile.  And yes, the world isn't designed for taller Men, everything is too small, bench heights in kitchens and bathrooms, clotheslines, seats in cinemas and airplanes, the list goes on and on.

[WhiteCastle]

nope, I run into it too. on a few pulldown stations i can easily sit myself down and get my legs under the pad, then just reach up and grab the bar. i have to be careful because if i go to full extension, the weights clack together. and hell, i'm just 6'2". a buddy of mine who's around 6'6" can't use most machines.

i also have long femurs which, aside from making my squat ROM stupidly long, means that some leg curl/extension machines are a little off for me unless they have a very adjustable back pad.

I just don't get it.  I'm 6'1" and I never have this problem.  If you are taller, that means that your torso is higher up, right?  So doesn't this also mean that you have to pull down the bar to a position that is higher up than someone shorter? 

Now if you were a midget, you would probably have trouble with this because the bar has so much longer to travel.

[The Squadfather]

I just don't get it.  I'm 6'1" and I never have this problem.  If you are taller, that means that your torso is higher up, right?  So doesn't this also mean that you have to pull down the bar to a position that is higher up than someone shorter? 

Now if you were a midget, you would probably have trouble with this because the bar has so much longer to travel.

in most gyms the pulldown seats are adjustable up and down and should accomodate even the tallest people.

[Radical Plato]

Wouldn't cable pulldowns be less likely to hit the top of the rack if you are taller?  

Taller people = longer arms = greater length of cable travel = hitting the tops of the racks with the weight stack.

[Triple-H_2005]

I just don't get it.  I'm 6'1" and I never have this problem.  If you are taller, that means that your torso is higher up, right?  So doesn't this also mean that you have to pull down the bar to a position that is higher up than someone shorter? 

No man, I've got some long-ass monkey arms!
Not Goodrum-long, but pretty freakin' long.
Helps on deadlifts, not so good for presses or pulldowns!

[Triple-H_2005]

in most gyms the pulldown seats are adjustable up and down and should accomodate even the tallest people.

Most of the cable setups I come across have adjustable thigh pad, and the seat isn't close enough to the ground.

[warchild]

I'm 6'6 and have no problems with most equipment....what kinda gyms are you guys training in, fuckin YMCA??

[kh300]

im 6'4 and dont have a problem.. only thing i cant use is a machine preacher curl.. the motion of the bar is just too short, but i dont do them anyways.

[mass 04]

I'm 6'2" and do'nt have a problem except for leg extensions, those can be a problem. I can't imagine being like 7 feet tall. I'm not that tall and i'm uncomfortable in some places.

[dragonheart]

im 6'3 and havent noticed any problems besides with the tricep pressdown machine.  I do hit the top of the stack with the weights on that and cant get a full range of motion.

granted i dont use very many machines.

[dantelis]

in most gyms the pulldown seats are adjustable up and down and should accomodate even the tallest people.

Not my gym.  The machine has adjustable knee pads (which I lock out at the top heigth), but the seat is static.

I've done what others suggest, using free weights more than machines.  Worst is trying to find home gym equipment (unless top of the line expensive stuff) that fits.  I swear that all weight benches are made for guys the height of Joe Weider!

Just a frustration.  I live with it and do alright making gains.

[dantelis]

I'm 6'6 and have no problems with most equipment....what kinda gyms are you guys training in, fuckin YMCA??

Are you doing full range of motion or just 4-6 inch partials on your pulldowns? 

I work out in a small gym my work provides with LifeCycle machines. 

Where do you workout Warchild?

[MisterMagoo]

I just don't get it.  I'm 6'1" and I never have this problem.  If you are taller, that means that your torso is higher up, right?  So doesn't this also mean that you have to pull down the bar to a position that is higher up than someone shorter? 

Now if you were a midget, you would probably have trouble with this because the bar has so much longer to travel.

no no no, you're thinking at the end of the movement. i mean at the beginning. when your arms are fully extended. on quite a few pulldown stations, when i sit down, the pulldown handle is right where my arms reach to. meaning, i don't need to grab the bar, then sit down while holding it. thus, when i fully extend between reps, the weight stack clanks together sometimes.

this isn't so much when i use the wide handle, but when i use the v-handle, definitely.