Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded 4 Way Neck

The Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded 4 Way Neck is a strength machine that lets you load the neck in four directions: forward flexion, backward extension and lateral flexion to the left and to the right. The head pad rotates with the movement, so your position stays the same across the whole range instead of your head sliding away. Intended for the serious home gym, the personal training studio or the semi-professional space where strength sport, wrestling or contact sport is on the programme and the neck is not skipped.

Plate-Loaded 4 Way Neck at a glance

• Four training directions in one machine: forwards, backwards and both sides, so you cover the neck all round without separate accessories.
• Rotating head pad: the pad follows the movement and holds your head in position across the whole range of movement.
• Twin pad with an opening in the middle: room for your ear, mouth or nose, depending on the direction you are training in.
• Ratchet adjustable seat: you set the height quickly and securely with a ratchet, so changing between users takes very little time.
• Handles around the frame: you find something to hold in every training position, so your torso stays still and the neck does the work.
• Starting resistance of 0.9 kg per arm: unloaded the machine moves almost weightlessly, which is the logical starting point for neck training.
• Four storage pegs for plates: your weight hangs on the machine rather than on a separate rack.
• Compact footprint of 153 by 91 cm: heavily built but sparing with floor space.

Neck training in four directions

Most strength programmes leave the neck alone, simply because there is no kit for it. With a barbell or a cable the movement is hard to steer and the load hard to keep small. This machine is built for exactly those four movements: you flex forwards, extend backwards and bend to the left and to the right. You set the seat, choose the direction and work through the four planes in one session. For wrestlers, combat athletes and strength athletes that is a targeted addition which otherwise has to come from improvising.

Holding position during the movement

The tricky thing about neck work is that the contact point shifts as soon as you move. Here the head pad rotates with you, so the pressure stays in the same place and you do not have to reposition your head halfway through. The pad is made up of two parts with an opening in the middle, so your ear, mouth or nose stays clear depending on the direction you are sitting in. There are handles around the frame so you have something to hold in every position and can keep your torso still. Only then does the neck actually do the work rather than your upper body.

Setting up and choosing resistance

The seat is height adjustable with a ratchet, which means you lock it in place in a couple of seconds without fiddling with a pin. In a studio where several people train one after another that saves noticeable time, and between two directions you change the height just as easily. The starting resistance is 0.9 kg per arm, so unloaded the machine moves almost weightlessly. With neck training that is the starting point: you begin light and build up in small steps. The machine has four storage pegs for your plates.

Construction and placement

The frame is built from 11-gauge steel with an electrostatically applied powder coating, chosen for adhesion and wear resistance in daily use. The pads are moulded foam, so there is no wrapped filling that starts to shift over time. The machine measures 153 cm long, 91 cm wide and 176 cm high, and weighs 112 kg. That footprint is compact for a machine from this segment, so it also fits into a smaller space alongside other equipment. At 112 kg it stands stable on a level surface.

Worth knowing

Weight plates are not included, so you buy those separately. On top of that this is a machine for one specific muscle group: if you only have room for one or two machines, a multi gym or a chest and back machine gives you more exercises per square metre. Neck training is mainly interesting when your sport calls for it, such as wrestling or contact sport, or when you want to round out a complete strength programme. Start light and only add weight once the movement runs under control across the whole range.

Frequently asked questions about the Plate-Loaded 4 Way Neck

Which movements can I train on this machine?

Four: forward flexion, backward extension and lateral flexion to the left and to the right. You change direction by taking a different position on the seat, after which the head pad lands on the right contact point. That covers the neck all round in one session. For other muscle groups you will need additional equipment, because this machine is built for the neck.

How much space do I need?

The machine measures 153 x 91 x 176 cm and weighs 112 kg. At 91 cm wide the footprint is compact for equipment from this segment, so it fits into a smaller space alongside other machines as well. The height of 176 cm goes under almost any ceiling, including in a basement or garage. Do allow some clear space to get in and out and to load plates.

Is this machine suitable for beginners?

Yes, provided you start light. The starting resistance is 0.9 kg per arm, so you can go through the movement unloaded first before you add plates. The rotating head pad and the handles all round keep your position stable, which makes the execution easier to control than with separate accessories. Build the weight up in small steps and stay within a range that feels comfortable across the whole movement.

How do I set the machine up?

The seat is height adjustable with a ratchet mechanism, so you lock it in place in a couple of seconds. You set it so the head pad lands in the right place against your head for the direction you are training in. If you change direction, you adjust the height again if needed. Because it goes quickly, the machine is pleasant to use when several people train on it.

Are any weight plates included?

No, plates are not supplied. The machine has four storage pegs to take your own plates, so the weight stays within reach. With neck training you work with a relatively light load, so you generally need fewer plates here than on a pressing or pulling machine. Do keep the purchase of plates separate in your budget.

Why is there an opening in the head pad?

The head pad is made up of two parts with space in between. Depending on the direction you are training in, your ear, mouth or nose sits in that opening, so no pressure lands on it. Without that cut-out the pad would press on your face or ear and you would end the set because of the contact point rather than fatigue. That way the movement stays workable across the full range.