Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Iso-Lateral Chest/Back

The Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Iso-Lateral Chest/Back is a strength machine that combines two exercises in one frame: a chest press and a lat pulldown. You train chest and back on the same machine, with an independent arm movement on each side so your strong side cannot take over the work of your weaker one. Intended for the serious home gym, the personal training studio or the semi-professional space where floor space is tight but you do not want to compromise on the quality of the movement.

Iso-Lateral Chest/Back at a glance

• Two exercises, one frame: chest press and lat pulldown in a single machine, so you cover upper body pushing and pulling in the footprint of one machine.
• Iso-lateral movement path: each arm works independently of the other, which brings left to right differences into view and lets you address them directly.
• 11-gauge steel frame with powder coating: heavy gauge steel with an electrostatically applied layer, built for intensive use by several people.
• Six storage pegs for plates: your weight sits on the machine rather than around the room, so changing between sets is quick.
• Starting resistance of 3.2 kg: unloaded, the machine moves almost weightlessly, which makes light warm-up sets worthwhile too.
• Adjustable seats for each movement: you set the pushing and the pulling exercise up separately, so the angle matches your build.
• Fold-down thigh pad: it holds you down during pulldown work and folds out of the way when you train the pushing side.
• Anchor holes in the feet: you can bolt the machine to the floor for a completely quiet, stable set-up.

Why iso-lateral makes a difference

On a standard chest machine with a single connected handle, your strong arm quietly takes over part of the work. Here each side moves separately, so you notice immediately that your left arm is falling behind in the last reps of a heavy set. And you can act on it: an extra set for the weaker side, or a different weight on each side. Over a training block of a few months, that stops a difference from becoming permanent.

Pushing and pulling on the same machine

The chest press targets the chest, front shoulder and triceps, the lat pulldown the lats and upper back. Because both sit in the same frame, you can run supersets without moving anywhere: a set of pressing, straight into a set of pulling, then back again. For anyone who wants to run a complete upper body schedule in a limited footprint, that is the main argument for this machine.

Construction and finish

The frame is built from 11-gauge steel with an electrostatically applied powder coating, a combination 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 feet have holes so you can anchor the machine to the floor. The whole thing weighs 177 kg, which means it will not wander during a heavy set even when it is not bolted down.

Space and set-up

The machine measures 136 cm long, 191 cm wide and 212 cm high. That height is the thing to check in advance: in a garage or basement with a lowered ceiling you will run into it sooner than you will run out of width. Also allow clear space on both sides to slide plates on and off and to get in and out. Six storage pegs means your weight hangs on the machine instead of on a separate rack.

Worth knowing

Weight plates are not included. So budget for a separate investment in plates, and bear in mind that with two sides per movement you are buying the weight twice over. Beyond that, this is an upper body machine: for leg work you will need something else. And at 212 cm high it is not a choice for a room with a low ceiling.

Frequently asked questions about the Iso-Lateral Chest/Back

Which exercises can I do on this machine?

Two: a chest press and a lat pulldown. Both have their own seat and their own adjustment, so you do not have to improvise to make the second movement workable. That covers the pushing and pulling work for your upper body in the space of a single machine. For legs and for shoulder pressing you will need additional equipment.

Are weight plates included?

No, plates are not included. The machine has six storage pegs to hold your own plates. Because each side is loaded separately, you are effectively buying the weight twice: if you want 60 kg per arm, you need 120 kg of plates. Take that into account in your budget and in your choice of plate set.

How much space and height do I need?

The machine is 136 x 191 x 212 cm. The height of 212 cm is usually the limiting factor, so measure your ceiling before you order. At the sides you need extra room to change plates and to get in and out. Allow around half a metre of clear space all round.

Is this machine suitable for beginners?

Yes, a guided movement is actually friendlier for beginners than free weights, because you do not have to stabilise the movement path yourself. The starting resistance is 3.2 kg, so you can practise unloaded and then build up in small steps. The adjustable seats make sure the angle matches your height. That said, this is a machine from the professional segment, so the investment is substantial for someone just starting out.

Do I have to anchor the machine to the floor?

You do not have to, but you can: the feet have holes for floor anchoring. At 177 kg unit weight plus the loaded plates, the machine stands stable on a level surface without being bolted down. Anchoring is mainly worth it in a studio or shared space where the machine is used intensively and by a lot of people. On a wooden upper floor, a solid and even surface matters more than the anchoring itself.

How does this differ from a standard chest or back machine?

Two things: the combination of two exercises in one frame and the iso-lateral movement. On a standard machine with a single connected handle, your strong arm compensates for the weaker one; here each side moves independently. On top of that, this machine is loaded with plates rather than a weight stack, which gives a more direct feel for the resistance but does mean changing plates.