Marcy Home Gym MWM-988 Vs. 990: Which is the Best Model for You?

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If you are looking for a quality home gym, you may be wondering if the Marcy MWM 988 or 990 is the right choice for you.

This article will compare and contrast these two models to help you make an informed decision.

Both the MWM 988 and 990 offer a wide range of features and provide a full-body workout, so it can be tough to decide which one is best for your needs.

We will look at each model’s specs and versatility and decide which one is the better buy.

Marcy Home Gym MWM-988 Vs. 990: Comparison

Beginners/Intermediate

Marcy MWM 988 Overview

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The Marcy MWM-989 is one of the best home gyms for people who are on a budget. It has a lot of features that you would find in more expensive models, but it is much more affordable.

This model has 36 different exercises to choose from, so you can target all of the different muscle groups in your body.

It also has a user capacity of 300 pounds, so it can accommodate most people. The warranty is only for two years, but this is still a great value for the price.

Pros:

  • Relatively affordable
  • Sturdy steel construction
  • Quiet while exercising
  • 36 exercises to choose from
  • Six workout stations
  • Include attachments: ankle strap, and a lat bar
  • Easy to maintain

Cons:

  • Non-adjustable seat
  • Non-upgradable Weight stack
  • Tools required for assembly are not included
  • Require multiple persons to assemble
  • It does not have a mid-pulley station
Beginners/Intermediate

Marcy MWM 990 Overview

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The Marcy MWM-990 is a slightly less expensive model, but it offers many of the same features as the MWM-989.

This model has 30 different exercises, which is still a good variety. It also has a weight stack of 150 pounds and a safety lock to make it easy to change weights quickly.

Also, The Marcy MWM-990 is very compact, so it won’t take up a lot of space in your home.

Pros:

  • 30 different exercises.
  • Very affordable full-body home gym.
  • Little maintenance required.
  • Change weights quickly with a safety lock.
  • High and low pulleys.
  • Six convenient workout stations.
  • A relatively compact design.
  • Removable/adjustable preacher curl pad.
  • Has nonslip rubber feet.
  • It comes with an overhead lat station.
  • It has dual-function press arms.

Cons:

  • You can’t upgrade the weight stack.
  • All tools required for assembly are not included.
  • Not suitable for people who are taller than 6 feet.
  • Only has a 150-pound weight stack
  • The seat is not adjustable.

Marcy Home Gym MWM 988 and 990: Similarities and Differences

Marcy MWM 988Marcy MWM 990
Total exercises36+30
Weight Stack150 lbs150 lbs
Leg DeveloperYesYes
Preacher Curl PadRemovableRemovable
Pulley SystemUpper & LowerUpper & Lower
User Capacity300 lbs300 lbs
Press Arm MotionsButterfly press and Chest pressButterfly press and Chest press
WarrantyTwo-yearsTwo-years
PriceCheck Latest PriceCheck Latest Price

Key Features & Specs

These two Marcy home gyms have a lot of similarities, both machines come with a weight stack and 150 lbs resistance level.

However, The MWM 988 provides 36 different exercise routines for various muscle groups, while the MWM-990 offers only 30.

The maximum user weight is 300 lbs on both machines. which is also great for larger individuals.

While both home gyms are designed for versatile exercise functions, they also feature a weight stack lock system to help prevent injuries.

There are 14 weight plates, each weighing in at 10 pounds with the Marcy MWM-978 and The MWM-990.

One thing that’s also important to mention is the upper & lower pulley system from these gym machines.

Overall, both these gyms come equipped with a lot of the same features, so it may come down to your personal preference in terms of exercise options.

Winner: Marcy MWM 988

Versatility

There’s a total of six workout stations with each machine – a high pulley station, low pulley station, chest press station, pec fly, curl pad, and leg developer.

This makes these machines perfect for a total-body workout. As mentioned earlier, both the Marcy MWM-998 and the Marcy MWM-990 offer the same variety of exercises.

Plus, the four rollers that are built with comfortable foam make it easier for you to move around the machine, especially if you’re working out your legs.

Below, I’ve listed some exercises you can do with the Marcy MWM 988 and MWM 990 Home Gym.

Marcy MWM 988 Possible Exercises

  • Legs — Leg curls, outer leg kick, Inner tight leg cross, kickbacks.
  • Chest — Vertical grip chest presses, fly presses.
  • Back — Lat pulldown, reverse flye.
  • Arms — Seated biceps curls, stand-up biceps curls, tricep pushdown.
  • Shoulders — Upright rows, front deltoid raise.
  • Abs — Ab Pulldowns.

Here’s a link to the workout chart for the Marcy MWM 988 Home Gym.

Marcy MWM 990 Possible Exercises

  • Legs — Leg extensions, hamstring curls.
  • Chest — Chest press, chest flye.
  • Back — Lat pulldown, reverse flye, standing row.
  • Arms — tricep pushdown, preacher curl, standing curl.
  • Shoulders — Delt raises (front, lateral, rear).
  • Abs — Cable crunch.

Here’s a link to the workout chart for the Marcy MWM 990 Home Gym.

Dimensions

The Marcy Home Gym MWM 988 and MWM 990 aren’t very space-consuming, and they each require the same about of space, 68 “L x 36 “W x 79 “H.

So if you are short on space, either of these machines will work well for you.

The only downside is if you’re over six feet tall, you may have a bit more trouble using this machine, as it is only seven feet tall.

Winner: Tie

Assembly & Maintenance

Both Home Gym comes unassembled but shouldn’t be too hard to put together. An assembly manual is included with both machines, which helps make the process less complicated.

One important thing to note is that it’s recommended that two persons do the assembly. Which is generally completed within roughly three to four hours

Now that we’ve covered assembly, it’s essential to know how to maintain your machine. Lubricate moving parts with WD-40 or light oil periodically. Inspect and tighten all parts before using the equipment.

Also, examine the equipment regularly for signs of damages or wear. You can expect these machines to last longer since it is constructed with a 14-gauge heavy-duty steel tube frame.

Winner: Tie

Price

The Marcy MWM 988 and 990 are excellent home gyms with an affordable price tag. Both offer the same features, and they both cost the same.

If you’re looking for a home gym, you should look at these two machines. They are both very versatile, and they will give you the results you want.

Click here to check the price of Marcy MWM 988.
Click here to check the price of Marcy MWM 990.

Warranty

Warranty coverage is a significant factor in purchasing any home gym equipment, and the Marcy Home Series Gym Machine offers a two-year warranty.

If there are any damages due to quality, the warranty period will cover it. Another thing you should keep in mind is that most warranties only cover manufacturer defects and not normal wear and tear from everyday use.

Be sure to ask about this before buying, so you know what is and isn’t covered. Knowing these things ahead of time can help you make a more informed decision about which home gym machine is suitable for you.

Winner: Tie

Winner: Bowflex PR3000

FAQs

What is the dimension of the Marcy Home Gym MWM 988 and 990?

The dimensions of the Marcy MWM 988 and 990 home gyms are both 68 “L x 36 “W x 79 “H. They each require the same size, making them a perfect fit for any room in your home.

Can you add weight to a Marcy MWM-988?

Adding plates to the weight stack on the Marcy MWM-989 will limit the range of motion, and it is not recommended to add weights to this machine.

If you are looking for extra weight resistance, you can improvise by attaching dumbbells plates on the outside of the stack, but this may cause damage to the plates.

Wrapping Up

Overall, both the Marcy MWM 988 and MWM 990 are great machines with many features to offer. They are both very versatile and will give you the results you want.

The main difference between the two machines is that the MWM990 offers six additional exercises. However, both machines come with a two-year warranty, making them excellent choices for your home gym.

So, it truly comes down to personal preference when choosing between these two home gyms.

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Chief Editor
Tonya McIntosh

Hello there! My name is Tonya McIntosh, and I’m the Founder and Chief Editor of TGFFitness. I’m also a NASM-certified Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer. With eight years of experience under my belt, I’ve found that one of the most common issues my clients struggle with is remaining consistent.

Finding your main motivator to keep going is easier said than done for Keep Reading.

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