eventually im planning on buying a real solid hack squat for my home setup but i want to know what you guys think is actually the "best" one out there. basically looking for something thats super super smooth and lets me go full ATG even though im on the shorter side- also needs a really good grippy footplate so i dont feel like im sliding around
same thing for a leg press too. im looking for one of those with the angled foot plates where you can keep your feet low and the way its angled stops your feet from slipping off. also gotta be able to go deep on it
let me know what brands or specific models u guys have used that actually feel good and arent just clunky pieces of junk thanks!
i feel you, a lot of hack squats feel like you’re pushing a brick, smoothness is everything
for home setups i ended up going with a hammer strength style one and it’s way better than most cheap ones, smooth as butter
footplate grip is underrated, if it’s not solid you’re not even trusting your squats and it kills confidence
same with the leg press, i love the angled plates that let you keep feet low, feels way more natural and you can actually go deep
Honestly if you want the gold standard for a hack squat it is basically impossible to beat the Rogue Rhino or the Arsenal Strength ones. They are expensive as hell but the movement is butter and the footplates are massive. If you're shorter u definitely want something with adjustable safety stops so u can actually hit that ATG depth without getting pinned
For the leg press check out the Cybex Squat Press if u can find one for a home gym setup. The way the footplate pivots is a lifter saver for your ankles and it feels way more natural than those old clunky sleds. plus u can keep your feet low and it just locks u in.
i have a prime fitness hybrid squat in my garage and it is literally the smoothest thing i have ever used. it is a bit of a footprint hog but man it feels like a commercial machine. the footplate is like sandpaper too so u aint sliding anywhere lol. definitely worth the investment if u got the cash.
dont sleep on the titan fitness hack squat/leg press combo if u are trying to save some space- but if u want "the best" then arsenal strength is the way to go. their footplates are angled perfect for those deep reps. just be ready to sell a kidney to pay for shipping lol.
man i hate those machines where the footplate feels like ice. whatever u get just make sure it has a linear bearing system and not just wheels on a track or it’s gonna feel choppy after a month. also if u are on the shorter side maybe look into adding some grip tape to the bottom of the plate just in case
