Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Super Squat Press

The Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Super Squat Press is a strength machine for heavy leg training, in which each leg has its own working arm and so has to press independently. That way you train quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings along a guided path that follows the biomechanics of the Cybex Squat Press, without having to balance a barbell on your back. Intended for the serious home gym, the personal training studio and the semi-professional space where the squat or the leg press is the heaviest part of the week.

Super Squat Press at a glance

• Independent working arms: each leg moves separately from the other, which brings a left to right difference into view instead of letting your strong leg quietly take up the slack.
• Tilting foot platforms: the platforms follow the position of your ankle throughout the movement, so your heel keeps contact instead of lifting at the bottom.
• Four-bar mechanism: keeps the ankle position consistent and the path smooth, even when there is a lot of weight on the arms.
• Adjustable range of motion: a fold-over mechanism increases the depth by 9.5 cm, so you choose how low you go.
• Double handles: you change grip without letting go of the load, so a long set stays unbroken.
• Three racking positions: you rack the weight at the height that suits your leg length and your exercise.
• Starting resistance of 29 kg per arm: a realistic starting point for a leg exercise, so even training unloaded already amounts to something.
• Maximum of eight 20 kg plates per arm: room to keep building for years without running into the ceiling of the machine.

Two legs each doing their own work

On an ordinary leg press with a single continuous platform, your strong leg often presses more than you think. You do not notice it, because the platform simply comes up. Here each leg has its own working arm, so the moment your left leg falls behind in the last reps of a heavy set you see and feel it straight away. And you can act on it: an extra set for the weaker side, or a different weight on each arm. Over a training block of a few months, that stops a difference from settling into your squat and your sprint work.

Depth, ankle position and the path of the movement

The four-bar mechanism keeps your ankle in a fixed relationship to the rest of the movement, even under heavy load. Combined with the tilting foot platforms, your heel keeps contact at the bottom, exactly where in a free squat your heels often lift or your back rounds. If you want to go deeper, you flip over the mechanism under the working arm and the movement gains 9.5 cm. That is enough to make the difference between half and full depth, and it is a setting you can change per user or per training block.

Building the resistance

The starting resistance is 29 kg per arm and you load a maximum of eight 20 kg plates per arm on the extended loading pegs. At the top end that puts you well beyond what most people move on a squat press, so the machine grows with you for years. Because you load on both sides, the weight arrives evenly and you can work with an uneven load when you are targeting a weaker side. The three racking positions mean you set the arms at a height that suits your leg length, so getting in and out under load does not become a struggle.

Construction and finish

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 seat has several adjustment positions, so the angle matches your build and you can shift the emphasis between the quadriceps and the back of the legs. The feet have holes for floor anchoring. The machine itself weighs 258 kg, which means it will not shift during a heavy set even without anchoring.

Space and placement

The machine measures 224 cm long, 175 cm wide and 157 cm high. On top of that, allow clear space on both sides to slide plates on and off, because with eight plates per arm you are regularly at the loading pegs between sets. The height of 157 cm stays under most ceilings, in a basement or garage as well. At 258 kg unit weight this is a machine for a permanent set-up: choose a final spot in advance on a level, load-bearing floor and take the floor load into account once there is another 320 kg of plates on it.

Worth knowing

Weight plates are not supplied, and because you load on both sides you need them twice over. If you want to train seriously heavy, the plate set is a significant separate investment. Beyond that, this is a machine for the lower body: for your upper body you will need other equipment. And although the movement is guided, it remains an exercise in which you work with a lot of weight; build the load up gradually and set the racking position properly before you start a heavy set.

Frequently asked questions about the Super Squat Press

What is the difference with an ordinary leg press?

The biggest difference is that each leg here has its own working arm instead of a shared platform. That means your strong leg cannot take over the work of your weaker one and you train more symmetrically. On top of that, the tilting foot platforms and the four-bar mechanism keep your ankle in position throughout the movement. The path follows the biomechanics of the Cybex Squat Press, which gives a more upright, more squat-like feel than a classic angled leg press.

How much weight can I load on it?

You load a maximum of eight 20 kg plates per arm, on top of a starting resistance of 29 kg per arm. That takes you well beyond what most advanced lifters use on this exercise. Plates are not included, so you buy those separately, and because you load on both sides you need the weight twice over. The extended loading pegs are made to take that quantity of plates.

How much space and height do I need?

The machine is 224 x 175 x 157 cm. The length of 224 cm is usually the limiting factor, because the working arms move forwards and you keep room at the front. On both sides you need extra room to change plates and to get in and out. At 157 cm build height the machine fits under virtually any ceiling, in a basement as well.

What is the range of motion adjustment for?

With it you increase the depth of the movement by 9.5 cm. You operate it with your foot, so you do not have to step out of the machine to switch. Training deeper means more stretch and more work for the glutes and hamstrings, while a shorter range is more comfortable when you work heavy and with a lot of reps. In a shared space it is handy that every user can set their own preference without tools.

Is this machine suitable for beginners?

Yes, a guided movement is more accessible for beginners than a free squat, because you do not have to balance the bar and the path is fixed. The seat adjusts to several positions and the racking positions give a safe start and end point. Start with the starting resistance of 29 kg per arm and only add plates once you have the full depth under control. That said, this is professional equipment, so it is a substantial investment 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 258 kg unit weight plus the loaded plates, the machine already stands stable on a level surface without anchoring. Anchoring is mainly worth it in a studio where the machine is used heavily all day long. More important than the anchoring is that the floor is level and strong enough for the total weight of machine plus plates.