Noob Power Tower?

[UpgradeFailure]

So, I've been running for the last year, and I'm getting in OK shape finally. I am looking to "tighten up", not really bulk up or anything like that. I was thinking of getting a basic power tower, and it really interests me.

I don't need anything amazing, and don't want to spend much at all. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on a cheap tower like this
http://www.amazon.com/Apex-TC1800-Po...5779506&sr=1-4

100 bucks, no tax, free shipping, kinda hard to beat. It might not be super stable, but I'd attach it down, or put some weights on the back, etc.

I'm mostly looking at using it for pull ups, and working lower ab area.

Any thoughts?

 

[katank]

Have you considered a doorway pullup bar? Much cheaper and you can do just as much on it. Add a pair of rings if you want to do dips.

 

[brikis98]

Any thoughts?

You should read the fat loss sticky.

Also, gymnastics rings would be a much better investment.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

Is running all you are doing? I would throw push ups in there in you are not already doing them. Standard, wide, and narrow grip. All 3 provide a great workout with no equipment. Also, there are several ways to work lower abs without a tower. Not trying to deter you from getting a tower, but you may want to have a better foundation before buying one.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I actually wouldn't mind having one of those myself, but you can do everything it allows you to do without one. I'd be wary of a cheap one though. Cheap exercise equipment doesn't last long in my experience.

 

[kalrith]

I had a power tower when I was in high school, and it was OK. If I were looking to buy one now, then I'd go with the others' recommendations of a pull-up bar and rings. My power tower had push-up handles too, which was nice but didn't allow for a variance in grip. Like Zooyuka said, adding push-ups to your routing would be a big plus. You can do them on your hands, on your fists, on hex dumbbells, with a perfect pushup, or with some parallettes that you can build for cheap with some PVC pipe.

In other words, I think you're better off buying a few separate pieces of equipment rather than the all-in-one power tower, which won't do as much as the others and won't do it as well either.

 

[Kitazawa]

I've had a pullup bar like the one below for a couple of years and it's held up fine and doesn't take up much space.

http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Total-Upp...m_cr_pr_sims_t