This Marcy MWM-989 review covers a compact stack home gym: a 150 lb shrouded weight stack, dual-action press arms, upper and lower pulleys, a leg developer and a preacher pad in one frame.
The Marcy MWM-989 ranks #1 in our best compact home gym guide and makes the top 5 of 2 more.
Marcy MWM-989 Review: The Short Answer
Our verdict
FitScore 57.8/100
Marcy MWM-989
Buy it if you want a full-body circuit in a spare room without buying plates. Skip it if you already lift heavy or stand well over 6 ft.
- 150 lb weight stack, lat pulldown, low row, leg station
- 36 x 68 in footprint, 79 in tall
- 2 years frame warranty, bench not included
Best Usage
- Lat pulldowns and seated rows
- Leg extensions and curls
- Quick circuit training between stations
Best For
- Users who do not want to buy plates
- Owners of rooms with low ceilings
- Beginners building strength at home
Not For
- Lifters who want heavy barbell squats
- Lifters who need heavy stacks
- Renters who move often
Key Specs
- Type: Stack home gym
- Resistance: 150 lb weight stack
- Footprint: 36 x 68 in
- Height: 79 in
- Warranty: 2 years frame
Pros
- Fits under low ceilings (79 in)
- Selector pin changes the load in seconds
- Stations: lat pulldown, low row, leg station
Cons
- Few attachments included
- 150 lb stack limits heavy work
- Bench sold separately
Marcy MWM-989 Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Marcy MWM-989 | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Stack home gym | A stack home gym: every station runs on the same weight stack. |
| Resistance | 150 lb weight stack | A 150 lb stack behind a shroud with a selector pin; enough for beginners and intermediate users. |
| Stations | Lat pulldown, low row, leg station | Press arms, a lat pulldown with a high pulley, a low pulley for rows and curls, and a leg developer. |
| Pulley positions | Not stated | Fixed high and low pulleys rather than an adjustable column. |
| Footprint (width × depth) | 36 × 68 in | 36 by 68 inches: about the floor of a single bed. |
| Height | 79 in | 79 inches, which clears a standard 8 ft ceiling. |
| Assembled weight | 283 lb | 283 lb assembled; check the floor of an upstairs room. |
| Bench | Not included | A padded seat and back pad are part of the frame; there is no separate bench. |
| Safety | Safety catches, spotter arms or shroud | The stack sits behind a shroud with a lock. |
| Attachments | 3 | 3 attachments come in the box for pulldowns, rows and curls. |
| Extras | None listed | No landmine, storage, dip handles or app. |
| Warranty | 2 years frame | A 2-year limited warranty from the maker. |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
Check the warranty terms before you order: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty.
The CDC recommends muscle-strengthening activity that works all major muscle groups at least twice a week for adults. Harvard Health Publishing explains how strength training helps adults keep muscle mass as they age.
Marcy MWM-989 FitScore
FitScore rates each home gym on its published specs, weighted for one buying intent (how we score). This review uses the weights of our best home gym guide, where the Marcy MWM-989 ranks #2 with the same score. Performance (30%) counts most, then durability and comfort (20% each), practicality (15%), affordability (10%) and features (5%). A buyer of an all-in-one home gym wants training range first, then durability and ease of use, with space and price behind.
FitScore for All-in-One Home Gyms
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines 6 category scores using the weights of the buying intent above.
- Practicality (92): 36 x 68 in footprint, 79 in tall and resistance included.
- Durability (62): 2 years frame warranty, a steel weight stack and the brand reliability score.
- Comfort (55): no bench in the box, load set with a pin and safety catches or a shroud.
- Performance (37): 150 lb weight stack and lat pulldown, low row, leg station.
- Features (14): 3 attachments and few extras.
- Affordability (88): one of the highest affordability scores in the guide.
Stations and Resistance
The MWM-989 covers the core of a full-body plan: chest and shoulder presses on the press arms, pulldowns on the high pulley, rows and curls on the low pulley, and leg extensions and curls on the leg developer. The 150 lb stack is shared by every station.
Owners find the frame solid for the money, but a tall couple returned theirs because presses ran out of range before the end of the rep.
Bottom line: a complete circuit, capped by the stack.
Ease of Use
A selector pin changes the load in seconds, which keeps circuits short, and the shroud keeps hands away from the stack.
Owners mention plastic pulley wheels and a narrow preacher pad, and one saw a cable come apart after a few months of light use.
Bottom line: quick to use; check the cables early.
Footprint and Height
At 36 by 68 inches and 79 inches tall, it fits a spare bedroom or a corner of a garage, and it needs no plate storage.
Bottom line: fits a spare room.
Build and Warranty
The frame weighs 283 lb assembled and carries a 2-year limited warranty, short for a machine meant to last years.
One owner who received a bent part praised a quick and helpful answer from support.
Bottom line: solid frame, short coverage.
Marcy MWM-989 vs Rivals
Here is how the Marcy MWM-989 compares with three other home gyms from our best home gym guide, using the same FitScore weights.
| Comparehead to head | THIS REVIEW | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 | Alternative 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance | 150 lb weight stack | 256 lb weight stack | 330 lb weight stack | 250 lb digital resistance |
| Stations | Lat pulldown, low row, leg station | Smith bar, dual pulleys, lat pulldown, low row, leg station, pull-up bar | Smith bar, dual pulleys, pull-up bar | Dual pulleys |
| Footprint (width × depth) | 36 × 68 in | 56 × 68 in | 75 × 61 in | 21.5 × 5.5 in |
| Height | 79 in | 87 in | 87 in | 50.9 in |
| Attachments | 3 | Not stated | 6 | 7 |
| Warranty | 2 years frame | Not stated | Lifetime frame | 2 years frame |
| Check Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Alternatives to the Marcy MWM-989
Guided Smith bar: Choose the Mikolo HORUS Smith Machine with Weight Stacks if you want a guided Smith bar for heavy squats and presses and Smith bar, dual pulleys, lat pulldown, low row, leg station, pull-up bar. It ranks #1 in our best home gym guide.
Longer frame warranty: Choose the Inspire Fitness SCS Smith Cage if you want lifetime frame warranty and 6 attachments. It ranks #3 in our best home gym guide.
Smaller footprint: Choose the Tonal 2 if you want a 21.5 x 5.5 in footprint and a bench in the box. It ranks #4 in our best home gym guide.
Final Verdict
The Marcy MWM-989 is a compact 150 lb stack home gym with press arms, pulleys and a leg developer. Its small footprint and quick pin changes are the draw; the limits are the stack ceiling, the range for tall users and a 2-year warranty. If you would rather have a guided Smith bar for heavy squats and presses, the Mikolo HORUS Smith Machine with Weight Stacks is the closer fit.
Marcy MWM-989 FAQ
It ranks in 3 of our home gym guides: #1 in best compact home gym, #2 in best home gym, #4 in best budget home gym. With the weights of our best home gym guide it scores 57.8 out of 100, with performance 37, durability 62, comfort 55, practicality 92, features 14.
It stands on a 36 x 68 in footprint and is 79 in tall; leave about 2 ft around the working sides.
150 lb weight stack.
The frame warranty is 2 years.
Users over about 6 ft report a short range of motion on presses; try a machine with adjustable press arms or a cable trainer.
Yes for beginners and intermediate users: the 150 lb stack covers progressive presses, pulls and leg work; strong lifters outgrow it.
If you want a full-body machine in a small room and train two or three times a week, yes; if you lift heavy, look at a Smith machine or a dual-stack trainer.
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