Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Glute Drive

The Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Glute Drive is a hip thrust machine that lets you load hip extension heavily without a barbell, a bench or loose padding. You step in, clip the hip belt shut and push: no settings, no set-up beforehand. With a training load of up to 265.4 kg, this machine is intended for the serious home gym, the personal training studio or the semi-professional space where the hip thrust is a fixed, heavy exercise in the schedule.

Glute Drive at a glance

• Nothing to set up beforehand: the machine is built for one movement, so you start straight away and lose no time adjusting between users.
• Two-sided loading up to 265.4 kg: you spread the plates across both sides, so the load arrives evenly and there is room to keep building for years.
• Band pegs on both sides: hang resistance bands on the machine for variable resistance, so the movement gets harder at the top instead of easier.
• Dual loop in the hip belt: the belt suits different builds and sits higher, which spreads the pressure across your hips more evenly.
• Semi-circular back pads with room for the spine: moulded foam with a cut-out in the middle, so your back does not rest on a hard edge during heavy sets.
• Foot platform at 15 degrees with Line-X coating: your feet grip and the angle helps you drive through your heels.
• Four storage pegs for plates: your weight sits on the machine, so changing between sets is quick.
• Maximum user weight of 159 kg: heavier users can make full use of the load as well.

Hip thrusts without the faff

A heavy barbell hip thrust costs time: bench in position, plates loaded, barbell rolled over your hips, a pad in between. All of that falls away here. You sit down, rest your back against the pads, clip the belt around your hips and drive through your heels. In a studio where several people train one after another in particular, that saves a quarter of an hour every session. And because there is nothing to adjust, adding one more set takes very little convincing.

Building resistance with plates and bands

The starting resistance is 20 kg per arm, and you can load a maximum of four 20 kg plates per arm. That takes you to a training load of 265.4 kg. On both sides there are also band pegs to hang resistance bands from. That makes the resistance progressive: the movement is lighter at the bottom and heavier at the top, where your glutes contract the hardest. For advanced lifters that is a way to load the top of the movement without making the starting point unachievable.

Comfort during heavy sets

With a barbell it is often the contact point that limits the set, not your strength. The Glute Drive uses semi-circular back pads in high density moulded foam with a cut-out for the spine, so the pressure lands beside your spine rather than on it. The hip belt has a dual loop that adapts to your build and sits higher, which spreads the weight more widely. The foot platform is angled at 15 degrees and finished with a Line-X coating, so your feet do not slip when you drive hard.

Space and placement

The machine measures 173 cm long, 149 cm wide and 102 cm high, and weighs 144 kg. Allow a clear working area of roughly 249 by 240 cm, so you can change plates on both sides and get in and out comfortably. The seat pad height is 41 cm. At 102 cm overall height this machine also fits a room with a lower ceiling, which makes it suitable for a basement or garage where taller strength machines will not go.

Worth knowing

Weight plates are not included, and because you load both sides you need them twice over. On top of that, the machine is built for a single movement: versatile it is not. It only becomes interesting once you train hip extension heavily several times a week. If you only have room for one or two machines, a multi gym gives you more exercises per square metre.

Frequently asked questions about the Glute Drive

How much weight can I load on the Glute Drive?

The maximum training load is 265.4 kg. You load a maximum of four 20 kg plates per side, on top of a starting resistance of 20 kg per arm. That is more than enough for almost everyone, even if you have been training hip extension heavily for years. Plates are not included, so you buy those separately.

How much space do I need?

The machine itself is 173 x 149 x 102 cm. The recommended clear working area is roughly 249 by 240 cm, including the room to change plates and to get in and out. At 102 cm the overall height is low for a strength machine, so a lowered ceiling is rarely a problem here. At 144 kg unit weight the machine stands stable without anchoring, although the feet do have holes so you can bolt it down.

What are the band pegs for?

You hang resistance bands on the band pegs, on both sides of the machine. That makes the resistance progressive: the band stretches as you rise, so the top of the movement is harder. That is exactly where your glutes contract most strongly, so you load that phase more specifically. Beginners do not need this; for advanced lifters it is a way to add variation without stacking on more plates every time.

Is this machine suitable for beginners?

Yes, the movement is easy to learn and there is nothing to adjust. You sit down, put the belt around your hips and drive through your heels. The fixed path takes away the balancing a barbell demands, so you can focus on your technique. That said, this is professional equipment for a single exercise, so for someone just starting out it is a big investment.

What user weight is the Glute Drive suitable for?

The maximum user weight is 159 kg. That is separate from the 265.4 kg training load, so a heavier user can still load the machine fully. The dual loop in the hip belt is designed to support different builds properly. The frame is built from 11-gauge steel with a powder coating.

Can I do other exercises on this as well?

No, the machine is purpose built for hip extension. That is exactly where its strength lies: no settings, no compromises in the movement. If you are after a machine for several muscle groups, a multi gym or cable station is a more logical choice. The Glute Drive is an addition for anyone who has glute training as a fixed and heavy part of the schedule.