opinions on Hammer-strength...

What kind of results have you guys gotten with Hammer-strength equipment? Just interested in hearing some opinions on whether or not y'all find it effective.

KR

I use them a lot due to the fact that I work out alone. I think they are very effective and i will continue to use them

I agree

I agree - great for pushing the limits without a spotter.

One thing that I ran into this year was a shoulder injury that came about when I used a slightly different machine at a gym while I was traveling. I did not realize it, but your body very much adapts to the arc and range of travel from a particular machine that you may use often. Then when you try something else that looks about the same but is a little different it can cause a strain. This is what happpened to me, even after several warm-up sets.

The moral of the story is if you use something like Hammer Strength a lot, either stick with it and stay away from other machines or occasionally use free weights for similar movements in order to give your muscles, tendons and joints a little variety of movement.

Even thought I was and still do use many free weight movements, the exercises were not giving me the range of motion and stretch that I needed to stay as flexible as possible. Now I intentionally do movements to maintain flexiblity and to emphasize variety.

Depends on the machine. I think the DY row rocks. Great feel and matches (my) strength curve well. The "flat" (vertical) bench press is much to tough near the lockout vs. at the start - not my favorite.

Overall, I dig HS. Can't say that I can tell exactly how much HS has contributed to my gains, though. For me, the training is always productive. ITs the nutrition that makes all the difference.

-Randy

I like the hammer strength machines. The only complaint I have is you can't load enough weight on some of the machines. 5 plates is about all you can get on the incline, decline and flat chest press or what ever they call it.

I'm with Saturn, can't get enough weight on the machines...
just kidding, I really dig the Hammer Strength line, especially their isolateral row, the angle works well for me.

They have there place. Not bad. What they don`t do is work your stabilizer muscles that you use with a "Free" weight.

I like some and hate others,lol, i geuss thats typical though, With me its becuase i have a bad shoulder and only some movements will feel natural and not hurt me while som eof the other hammer stuff just isnt natural feeling or in alignment with how I push or pull if that makes sense to any of you,lol

Most of the back hs equipment is fine for me its the chest hs stuff that i have trouble with , I am a cable man, i think i can pretty much cover all my bodyparts in some way or another using just cables from all heights and this enables me to move naturaly through the motions not hurting or burning out my joints like my bum shoulder,lol

Love most of them really love all their back machines, I dont care for their chest press the one you sit in it hurts my shoulders. I like how its all unilateral so your strong side doesnt over compensate for your weaker one.

not a big fan....but i am a free weights guy so that could be why

I like them, I usually switch between dumbells and HS machines.