Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Iso-Lateral Wide Chest

The Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Iso-Lateral Wide Chest is a chest press machine built around a wide starting position and a downward pushing line from an upright seated posture. You start with the chest on stretch and push inwards together, which gives the chest muscle work across the whole range rather than only in the middle section. Intended for the serious home gym, the personal training studio or the semi-professional space where chest training is a fixed and heavy part of the schedule.

Iso-Lateral Wide Chest at a glance

• Wide starting position: you start with the chest on stretch, which makes the movement longer and the contraction at the end feel stronger.
• Converging arms: the work arms travel towards each other along the natural pushing line, so the chest gets more of the work than it would on a straight movement path.
• Iso-lateral on each arm: each side moves separately, so left to right differences come into view and you can address them directly.
• Upright seated posture: the pushing movement runs downwards from a controlled seat, which makes the machine easy to learn.
• Six storage pegs for plates: your weight hangs on the machine, so changing between sets takes very little time.
• Starting resistance of 0.9 kg per arm: unloaded the machine moves almost weightlessly, ideal for technique and warming up.
• Five 20 kg plates per arm: up to 100 kg a side, so there are years of progression in it.
• 11-gauge steel with powder coating: heavy gauge steel with an electrostatically applied layer, built for intensive use.

What a wide start does for your chest training

On an ordinary chest press you begin with the handles close to your torso and the movement stays fairly short. Here the starting point is deliberately wider, so the chest muscle comes onto stretch before you push. The result is a longer range of movement and more tension at the bottom of the movement, exactly where a lot of machines fall short. For anyone who has been pressing for years and feels the chest never really gets its share, that is often the difference.

Converging arms and independent sides

The work arms travel towards each other as you push. That follows the way the chest muscle actually contracts: not only forwards, but inwards as well. On top of that each arm moves independently of the other, so your strong side cannot quietly help the weaker one out. If you notice the left side falling behind in the last reps, you load that side separately or add an extra set to it. That way you straighten out a difference instead of magnifying it.

Resistance and building up

The starting resistance is 0.9 kg per arm, so unloaded the machine moves almost weightlessly. That makes the first warm-up set worthwhile and gives you room to go through the technique calmly. Per arm you load a maximum of five 20 kg plates, so 100 kg a side. Because you work with plates rather than a weight stack, the resistance feels direct from the first moment of the push. Six storage pegs keep the plates within reach so you do not have to walk anywhere between sets.

Construction, space and set-up

The frame is built from 11-gauge steel with an electrostatically applied powder coating, chosen for adhesion and wear resistance. The machine measures 195 cm long, 114 cm wide and 189 cm high, and weighs 139 kg. That 189 cm height is the thing to check in advance in a basement or garage with a lowered ceiling. You need room along its length, while at 114 cm the width is fairly modest. Also allow clear space on both sides to load plates.

Worth knowing

Weight plates are not included and because each side is loaded separately, you need the weight twice over. If you want 60 kg per arm, you buy 120 kg of plates. On top of that this is a machine for a single movement: for back, legs and shoulders you will need additional equipment. 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 Iso-Lateral Wide Chest

What is the difference from an ordinary chest press machine?

Two things: the wide starting position and the converging arms. Because you start further apart, the chest muscle comes onto stretch first and the range of movement is longer. The work arms travel towards each other during the push, which follows the way the chest actually contracts. On top of that each arm moves separately, where an ordinary machine often has a single connected handle.

How much weight can I load on it?

Per arm you load a maximum of five 20 kg plates, so 100 kg a side, on top of a starting resistance of 0.9 kg per arm. That is more than enough for almost everyone, even if you have been pressing heavy for years. Plates are not included and you need them twice over because both sides are loaded separately. The machine has six storage pegs to keep them on.

How much space and height do I need?

The machine measures 195 x 114 x 189 cm and weighs 139 kg. The height of 189 cm is usually the limiting factor, so measure your ceiling before you order. At 114 cm the width is fairly modest, but you need extra room on both sides to slide plates on and off. Allow around half a metre of clear space all round the machine.

Is this machine suitable for beginners?

Yes, the upright seated posture and the guided movement path make this pushing exercise easy to learn. You do not have to stabilise the bar yourself as you would on a free weight bench press. With a starting resistance of 0.9 kg per arm you can practise unloaded before you add plates. That said, this is equipment from the professional segment, so the investment is substantial for someone just starting out.

Can I do other exercises on it as well?

No, this machine is built for a downward pushing movement from a seated position. That is exactly where its strength lies: the movement path is optimised for that one movement without compromises. For pulling work, legs and shoulders you will need additional machines. If you are after a machine that covers several muscle groups, a multi gym or cable station is a more logical choice.

Why does it say the machine has room for a broader build?

The wide starting position means the work arms begin further apart than on a standard chest press. That stops you feeling boxed in if you have a broad set of shoulders and keeps the pushing line straight instead of putting your elbows into the frame. For a narrower build the machine works just as well, because the arms travel towards each other during the movement anyway. The seat is adjustable so the pushing height is right.