This is quite solid. I built it in about 40 minutes. The instructions are unintentionally funny but you can work it all out. (The straps screw into the plate) If you unplug the cable from the base and thread it through from the top of the upright, using a temporary piece of sticky tape to stop it falling through, it will make it easier. If you've used a plate in a gym you will find this feels different, it has more of a rocking motion, exercises you may have done in the middle of the plate at the gym will be more effective standing at one side of this one (where the anti slip areas are). The handles are wide and may inhibit a few exercises if you want to stretch a leg sideways, but you could turn through 90 degrees. There is no dvd but there are lots of videos on youtube. I definitely feel it afterwards. All in all, a good purchase.