Vectra produces multi-station weight gyms and functional trainers for both home and commercial use, all manufactured in the United States. The multi-station gyms offer leverage-based movements. You select how much resistance to use by sliding a pin into the appropriate weight plate on the weight stack.
The functional trainers use adjustable pulley arms to accommodate movement in any plane of motion, allowing you to train functional movements such as golf swings, ball kicks and basic stabilization that you may be called upon to duplicate in sports or everyday life.
Founded by mechanical engineers in 1987, Vectra Fitness has generated approximately 30 patents for fitness equipment innovations. Fitness Professor credits the company as a leader in strength training equipment product design and aesthetic.
Types
The Vectra Fitness product line includes the On-line 1450 and 1650 multi-station gyms, leverage-only models meant to exercise every major muscle group in your body. The VFT100, VXFT1 and VXFT2 functional trainers offer cable-based resistance that, when combined with a bench that is standard on the VFT100 but optional on the other cable trainers, can also work every major muscle group.
The VX18, VX28, VX38 and VX48 trainers offer slightly different, more extensive exercise options for a full-body workout than the On-line models. The VX11 is a leg press that also accommodates preacher curls and triceps extensions, and the VXDC is an assisted dip and pull-up station.
Features
Vectra Fitness machines are built to offer the widest possible range of exercises, but not a lot of “fluff” features. The VX11, VX18, Vx38, VXFT1 and VXDC can be set up as free-standing equipment or attached to a support. The VFT100 offers 39 pulley positions, and the VXFT1 and 2 functional trainers offer 500 pulley positions, allowing you to perform an enormous variety of exercises and exercise variations. All functional trainers are also wheelchair accessible.
Other features you’ll find on Vector Fitness equipment include free-standing weight benches, contoured shoulder pads, multiple weight stack options, highly adjustable seat backs and swiveling pulleys.
Exercises
There is some variation among models, but functional trainers and dips/pull-ups station aside, all Vectra products offer basic exercises like biceps curls, triceps extensions and pushdowns, shoulder press, seated ab crunches, lat pulls, seated rows, bench press, leg extension, leg curl, squats and glute kickbacks.
Awards
Vectra Fitness products have received numerous awards, including Consumer Digest “Best Buy” ratings in 2004 and 2007 for the 1850 and VFT-100, respectively, and “Best Functional Trainer” for the VX-FT by Fitness Professor Review in 2008.
Cost
As of July 2010, Vectra Fitness home gyms range in cost from $3,000 for the On-line 1450 to about $11,000 for the VX-48. Optional components, such as a dumbbell rack or freestanding adjustable weight bench, can be purchased for $500 or less.
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