Hammer Strength has long been known for its durable, high-quality, athlete-focused gym equipment. They were originally founded over 30 years ago in 1989 by Gary Jones. With the advice of elite athletes as well as the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, he began to build what is now a household brand in the strength and conditioning world.
Hammer Strength has supplied weight rooms across the country. From Ohio State and Boston College to NC State and LSU, strength coaches and athletic departments trust Hammer Strength to not only help in building athletes but in order to build champions and championship teams. Designed for the needs of elite athletes, Hammer Strength has a wide variety of product offerings, essentially everything a college or professional weight room would need. From bumper plates and racks to dumbbells and plate-loaded machines, Hammer Strength has it all.
Having spent almost four years training with Hammer Strength equipment at NC State, I can attest to the durable, high-quality nature of their products. The equipment withstood everything our strength coaches could throw at it and then some.
So you may be thinking that Hammer Strength is not for the average commercial or home gym. However, Hammer Strength equipment is for not just elite athletes. Consider this, if the equipment is designed to handle the needs of elite athletes, it can certainly handle what you throw at it, elite athlete or not. High-quality, durable gym equipment is always a great idea. There are things to cut costs on, but I would argue this is not one of them.
Okay, great with all that taken care of, let's dive into the Top 5 Best Hammer Strength Equipment Pieces - in no particular order.
#1 Plate Loaded Belt Squat Machine
This machine is a tank. It's big, heavy, durable, and packs a punch.
Belt squats are essentially squats that, rather than using a barbell on your back or front rack position, use a weighted belt instead. The belt is connected to the machine and hundreds of pounds - how many hundreds is dependent on how many plates you load.
The reasons for using this machine instead of traditional squatting vary. One of the biggest reasons is for those dealing with shoulder or upper body issues preventing them from loading weight on their back or front rack as they usually would.
What makes this machine special? There are a few things. First, is the quality. Second, the machine has four rods for loading weight, so you don't have to worry about it not being able to be loaded heavy enough. Finally, you can adjust the belt anchor point to vary the load distribution.
Oh, and one last thing. There's an attachment you can add to do weighted dips on the same machine - one might say weighted upper body squats. Pretty cool, right?!
#2 Adjustable Bench
This one may not be as cool as some other options on the list. However, a good bench can make or break your workouts.
Okay, maybe not make or break, but you get the idea. Try doing incline press with a seat that doesn't adjust or shoulder press with a flat bench. The point is that a good bench can help set you up for success and allow you to add exercises to your workout routine.
Hammer Strength's adjustable bench certainly accomplishes that. Durable, heavy-duty materials - are you sensing a trend? - make for a great option for your next bench. With a max capacity of 765 pounds, this bench is ready for a bench press party.
#3 Half Rack
Every gym needs a rack. Racks give you the ability to squat, bench, overhead press, and so much more. Racks also provide a level of safety, especially if you don't have a spotter nearby.
However, most home gyms and even some commercial gyms don't have quite enough space for some of the larger full racks from Hammer Strength.
Enter the Half Rack.
Hammer Strength advertises this model as its "most space-conscious rack" and rightfully so. However, just because it isn't as large, doesn't mean you are losing out on functionality. This rack has five rods to store plates on each side. It features two safety bars for protection during squatting or for performing pin squats. There is also the option to add different add-ons and accessories to give you all the tools needed for your workouts.
Some of the more interesting ones include a dock n' lock, which is designed to ensure your bench is locked in and centered so you don't have to wiggle and adjust it often, and wood platform inserts, which can be especially helpful for squatting and Olympic lifts.
#4 Glute Hamstring Developer (GHD)
Chances are you've probably seen one of these but may never have used it. Glute hamstring developer machines or GHD machines, for short, do exactly what they advertise.
These machines have become more popular recently and for good reason. Exercises like glute-ham raises, back extensions, reverse hyperextensions, and many others can be performed using this machine. Oftentimes, the muscles being targeted by this machine - low back, hamstrings, and glutes - are neglected in our training. The GHD machine is a great way to ensure you are hitting your posterior chain.
GHD machines typically don't have a ton of unique features to separate them from the competition, so again we look to just the overall quality of this machine. Like everything else Hammer Strength makes, this machine is heavy-duty - and heavy, 411 pounds to be exact - meaning it can handle the wear and tear.
#5 Plate Loaded Iso-Lateral Chest/Back Machine
Talk about a two-for-one pump session - this machine has you covered.
Specifically designed with human movement in mind, this machine moves as you move. This can often be a problem with some machines - they simply don't move well or follow your body's natural path - but not this one.
With one machine you can begin to build that huge Arnold-like chest and back. This machine features two rods, one on each side to load plates for your resistance training. The chest press angle is very similar to a bench press and the back pull is essentially a lat pulldown. Each arm moves independently on the machine, meaning you can perform single-arm exercise variations as well.
Try super-setting the two exercises for an incredible pump.
Wrap Up
There you have it, the five best training tools from Hammer Strength. Whether you are looking for plate-loaded machines, barbells, or racks, Hammer Strength offers it. And whether you are looking for pieces for your home gym or outfitting an entire commercial gym, quality matters so considering brands like Hammer Strength is a great idea.
Remember, while their equipment is designed with elite athletes in mind, it is for not just elite athletes.
At Freedom Fitness we often carry used Hammer Strength equipment, so be sure to check out our Shop Now tab for some great options. Whatever equipment you need, we are here for you. Whether you are looking for a specific piece of equipment or brand, let us know so we can help you find the best option. Leave us a question or comment below, we'd love to hear from you!
Sources
Hammer Strength: Life Fitness. https://www.lifefitness.com/en-us/hammer-strength.