Hammer Strength single stations

Why choose a Hammer Strength single station?

Hammer Strength was started by Gary Jones and grew in a short time into the market leader in plate-loaded strength machines. The brand is trusted by the absolute top of the sport: all American football and baseball teams in the US and the vast majority of NBA teams train on Hammer Strength. That athletic reputation is in every single station: heavily built, stable and made to be used hard for years. Take a look at the other fitness equipment from Hammer Strength as well.

The trademark of Hammer Strength is the iso-lateral technique: with these plate-loaded machines each side moves independently of the other. Your left and right side work separately, so your stronger side cannot take over from your weaker side. That helps you to detect imbalance and correct it, and it follows the natural arc of your movement. Besides the iso-lateral leg press, bench press and lateral row, the plate-loaded line also offers a linear leg press with a guided sledge.

Besides the plate-loaded machines there is the Select line with a built-in weight stack that you set with a pin. That changes lightning-fast and is ideal for environments where several people train one after another. Several Select machines, such as the chest press and shoulder press, have a converging path: the arms come towards each other during the pushing, exactly as your chest and shoulder muscles naturally work.

What to look out for when buying a Hammer Strength single station?

Muscle group and range of motion

First determine which muscle group you want to train specifically and choose the matching machine for it. Check whether the seat setting and the range of motion suit your body build; small adjustments in seat height and arm length make a big difference in effectiveness and safety. The iso-lateral and converging paths of Hammer Strength are designed to follow a natural movement, but a good personal adjustment remains important.

Plate loaded or weight stack

Hammer Strength carries two systems. You load the plate-loaded machines yourself with loose weight plates, which gives maximum load freedom and delivers the characteristic, direct strength feel that serious strength athletes look for; you do need your own plates for it. You change the Select machines with a weight stack with a pin, which is faster and more user-friendly with several users.

Maximum load and room to grow

Look at the maximum load capacity in relation to your current and expected training weight. With the plate-loaded machines you determine yourself how heavy you go; with the Select machines with a weight stack the maximum is fixed on the stack, so check whether it comes well above your starting level.

Space and footprint

These are commercial machines with a substantial format, and each single station in principle trains one movement. Therefore measure your available space carefully and count in the room for movement around the machine. Always place a sturdy surface or mat under the machine for floor protection and stability.

Frame and finish

Hammer Strength is known for heavy, commercial steel and a finish that can handle years of intensive use. When choosing, pay attention to the steel thickness of the frame, the quality of the upholstery and the guides, and take into account periodic maintenance so that a machine keeps running smoothly.

Our advice: Choose a Hammer Strength single station if you deliberately go for athletic, commercial top quality and want to make that investment. The iso-lateral machines are ideal for anyone who trains heavy and finds left-right balance important, while the Select line with a weight stack is handier with changing users. If you are mainly looking for one compact machine for your whole body, then look at a strength station instead of loose machines.

Who is a Hammer Strength single station suitable for?

• Gyms and performance centres that want to offer an athletic, heavily loadable machine range of top quality.
• Strength and team athletes who want to train heavily and specifically per muscle group, with attention to left-right balance via iso-lateral machines.
• Physiotherapy practices and rehabilitation centres that want to strengthen a specific side in a targeted way with independent, controlled movements.
• Serious home athletes with space and budget who want the exact quality of a professional strength gym at home.
• Hotels and wellness centres that are looking for reliable, high-quality strength equipment that can handle intensive use.

A Hammer Strength single station is less suitable if you have a small budget or are mainly looking for a compact, simple home solution: these are heavy commercial machines with a corresponding price and footprint. For a more affordable or more compact start, you are better off looking at a more affordable brand, a strength station or training freely with dumbbells and a barbell.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy a Hammer Strength single station but are not quite sure which machine best fits your wishes and needs? We are happy to help. You can reach our fitness specialists by phone on +31 85 773 00 57, through our customer service, or visit our fitness store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about Hammer Strength single stations

Is Hammer Strength the same as Hammer?

No. Hammer Strength is an American performance strength brand, started by Gary Jones and part of Life Fitness since 1997. That is a different brand from the German Hammer (known for Finnlo by Hammer). This page is about the professional, athletic strength machines of Hammer Strength.

What is iso-lateral technique?

With iso-lateral machines each side moves independently of the other. Your left and right side work separately, so your stronger side cannot take over the work from your weaker side. This way you train both sides equally hard, detect imbalance and follow a natural movement arc. It is the trademark of Hammer Strength and is on the plate-loaded machines.

What is the difference between plate loaded and the Select line?

You load the plate-loaded machines yourself with loose weight plates, for maximum load freedom and a direct strength feel; many of these are iso-lateral. The Select line has a built-in weight stack that you set with a pin, which is faster and more user-friendly with several users.

Are Hammer Strength single stations suitable for home use?

Yes, provided you have sufficient space and budget. They are heavy commercial machines, so they are larger and higher-quality than an average home machine. Serious strength athletes who want the quality of a professional strength gym at home get a lot of enjoyment out of them; for a simple or budget-friendly start there are more suitable options.

Why are Hammer Strength single stations priced so high-end?

They are commercial machines of athletic top quality, built with heavy steel and a finish that can handle daily, intensive use. You pay for the durability, the iso-lateral technique and the proven quality that the brand has built up on the floor of top sports teams.

Which single station do I choose first?

Start with the muscle groups that you find hardest to train well with free weights. For most athletes those are the hamstrings on a leg curl, the chest on a chest press and the back on a seated row. These machines complement a set-up with dumbbells, barbells and a fitness bench most directly.