Calculation for Hammer machines vs. free?

[##spiderbaby##]

Anyone know the calculations for converting Hammer strength lever type machines to actual free weight poundages?

I know it would be an aproximation because of other muscles involved with free weights. I know a 225 bench on hammer type equipment is not equivelent to 225 barbell bench.

Anyone know?


##spiderbaby##

 

[FISHTALES]

bump...curious myself.

 

[SynergyJim]

Well when i do Hammer MAchine I always calculate 15lbs on to the actual I put on it. I believe 15 lbs is what the machine is when there are no plates on it. For example Inc Press, flat press

 

[##spiderbaby##]

So you subtract 15 pounds from your free weight number? What do you mean by it weighs 15 pounds?

Hammer strength equipment poundages are usually higher than free weights.

I can dead more with the hammer strength than with the actual bar, same with bench, same with everything. I dont use them that much but I like the hammer strength dead lift piece.


##spiderbaby##

 

[malhavoc]

I think he means that without any plates on the machine the resistance is equivalent to 15 pounds.

 

[FBI]

so the hammer is 30 pounds less than free weights

 

[##spiderbaby##]

Yea thats what I thought but most people can do signifagantly more weight with a machine vs free weights. That why a 225 bench on a hammer is not a 225 bench with a barbell. If you had a 225 bench with machines you couldnt add 15 ponds, if you did you would have a 240 pound barbell bench, it doesnt work that way.

I did find this in the search but was hoping to get something of a calculation for my own interest. Seems as though there isnt one for all the reading Ive done.

http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=79104&highlight=hammer+strength

There are some good articles hyperlinked at the end of the thread.


##spiderbaby##

 

[big e 75]

Just do the freeweights!

IMO Machines do do anything!

 

[big e 75]

*dont do anything..sorry

 

[SynergyJim]

Big E machines dont BUT HAMMER DOES!

 

[Bigsatan13]

First off, don't try to calculate the weight on the Hammer Strength machine. It is totaly different then free weight. These machines are great and designed to isolate the muscle being trained. Just start out with a weight and keep track of your progress from there. If I load 270 on the machine, that's it, don't figure any more or less. Remember the stabilzer muscles are not going to come into play and you'll be able to pound your pecs. Switch back to free weights from time to time to keep the stabilizers developed.
Big E, GOOD machines are not useless. There are some shit machines out there that are. This isnot the case with HS.

 

[Zeke_B]

Dude, if you really have to know, I could take a tape measure
to the gym and figure it out. It's a simple statics problem for
any given position. Because the weight moves along an arc,
the machine adds or subtracts a slight amount of weight as
you lift the weight. This is probably designed in to give you
more resistance where you are strongest. I would say,
however, who cares what you lift on any given machine?
Once you get away from free weights, the numbers are just
there to tell you how much to put on next time. Since we are
on the subject, I don't even listen when people talk about
what they do with free weights. Cheating and range of motion
make so much difference in most exercises, it is impossible to
compare apples to apples.

zeke

 

[big e 75]

Zeke...this is true.

But using statics will not give you the same weight.

Free weights make you use stablizer muscles. The machines are nice and smooth.

No comparasion to free weights!

 

[Bobber]

I love using hammer strenghts to "supplement" my free weight work out routines.

 

[Zeke_B]

Good point Big E 75. I think machines and frees have
their place. I mix the two. I will say this though, I
favor machines over freeweights for pulling exercises.
Most pulling exercises are self stabilizing (stabilized by
gravity) and so there is little contribution required by
other muscles (except perhaps lower back which I don't
want to be involved in the movement). I use almost
exclusively hammer strenght and cable stuff for lats.

 

[##spiderbaby##]

Truth be known, I was just interested in the math behind the calculation if there was such a calculation. Upon further reading and searching I do not think there is anyway to correctly calculate because each individual is different to a certain degree.

While I am a firm beleiver in free weights I do like certain hammer exercises better.


##spiderbaby##

 

[O'Stanozol]

Depend on the products, the one at my gym for benh press and squat equivalent
the handle and stuffs are 45lbs and more so equivalent for the bar.
so if you put 2 plates each sides you will have a 225lbs bench press.


thats the one I uses, for hammer, I think they are more into the movement of the exercise than poundages