A few months ago I decided it was time to invest in a push/pull sled for The Movement Minneapolis. Seeing that a “real Prowler” was over $500 with shipping, I decided to take the cheaper option that is recommended on several forums in a Christian’s Fitness Factory Prowler. Unfortunately, I will have to buy 2-3 of these per year instead of 1 real Prowler that would likely last a lifetime.
What’s good:
- Cheap – Under $200 with shipping
- Lightweight – You could easily simply carry it unloaded anywhere you wanted to go. Send it to school with your kids I guess.
There ends the good.
The bad:
The CFF Prowler can not be used for heavy strength & conditioning or frequent commercial facility use.
Problem #1:
This joint is bolted together. This joint bears almost all of the force of someone pushing on the uprights. If you have 270lbs loaded on the sled, you have (I never made it to college physics) A LOT lbs of force pushing on the uprights, thus flexing this joint, thus weakening it, thus it will eventually fail. Also, if the force is going into flexing this joint, it is NOT being transmitted into force to push the sled.
Problem #2:
The skids are made out of cheap, thin metal stock. It is only May and we have already worn them down to the point where they’re almost gone. You can tell by the uneven wear pattern as well that the sled is not traveling flat over the ground because of the flexing. I am already going to have to have my welder weld new skids on.
Problem #3:
You can see how thin the walls are on the uprights. The one cap already popped off because of how much they bend and flex, and frankly I think if you had enough weight loaded on the sled you could crimp the uprights right over.
Conclusion:
I see why they made it with such lightweight cheap materials. It keeps their fab cost low, and probably more importantly keeps the shipping cheap. Unfortunately it makes this piece of equipment nothing more than a toy for occasional lightweight use.
Go buy something from StrongerGrip instead. It will last forever.
{ 9 comments }
Adam, have you ever checked out the root hog from sorinex. It looks bad ass and can be used for pushing or pulling. $500 or so with shipping but I think its worth it.
Guys, look at what’s available, come up with what you want and send me some details. I’ll get one made and bring it up to you. Oh, and think of a cool name too.
Coincidentally, this was posted today:
http://rosstraining.com/blog/2011/05/20/the-mauler-sled/
Econo Prowler. $279.00 + shipping and it is just as sturdy as the Prowler. I push it with weight up my steep driveway and it doesnt flinch a bit.
Contact Chris Rice also. He makes sleds like the Prowler pretty cheap. Jedder has one he made.
Rick good to see you, how is your recovery been?
Rick,
It may be thicker stock which would help a lot, but the same flawed joint design exists on that one. In fact, the CFF Prowler looks like a copy, but they probably just make it with thinner metal.
Adam-
Recovery has been good. I am 3 weeks back to a steady lifting routine and I have been running and biking now for about 5 weeks. My heart function numbers have gone from 33%, essentially heart failure, to 50%. Anything over 40% is considered “normal”. I feel good physically, just doing battle mentally from time to time. Having a machine in my chest that can shock me when it isnt supposed to kind of scares me a bit, but I am not letting it hold me back. I just have to keep reminding myself that it is there to save my life if neccesary…
David: Not sure. I know I have loaded it to 5-45s a side and done smooth pushes on the concrete without an issue. I push it up my 40 yard bad ass driveway with 25s and it hasnt flinched at all. I am going on 4 years with it and no issues at all.
-Rick
Rick are you planning on make it over to Jedds for Strongest Hands Series this year?
I was, but now I dont know. I havent had much time to train grip lately due to family commitments. I just try and squeeze my regular lifting in from 5-6 pm and my cardio in at 4 am. The rest of the time is spent at workl or being a dad!
I will have to see.