How does Hammer Strength compare to actual weight?

[[email protected]]

I use the Seated-Standing Shrug machine and load it with 12 plates for an estimated 550 pounds. I use the shoulder press and use 3 plates on each side for I would guess 290. There is a fulcrum with these so how can I gauge weight?

I used the seated bar shoulder press (free weight) and noticed that 175 was heavy but stabilizing was the biggest issue. Thing kept on swimming all over on me.

My question is; is Hammer real weight or because of the fulcrum design not what it seems?

 

[rjl296]

im way stronger on those machines, but i havent used them in well over 1.5 years

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Hammer is good but can't be compared to free weights. It's like apples and oranges. Both have their purposes.

 

[argent]

It also depends on the machine in question.

 

[XBiker]

How does it compare to free weight?

It Doesn't.

I agree. However, they are good machines.

They are generally anatomically correct for the body and they're also great if you're lifting alone.

 

[The_Eviscerator]

I generally only use Hammer equipment towards the end of a workout. Since it reduces my need to stabilize the weight, it is a nice way to squeeze some volume in without risking injury.

How does it compare to free weight?

It Doesn't.

 

[endpoint]

can you hold onto 550 lbs on a normal free weight bar?

can you even get 290 to your shoulders to press it?

 

[Bullit]

I think that works out to about a billion pounds in free weight terms.

Thats some 'big-boy' weight there, broly.

 

[WODIN]

Hammer strength systems are great for compounded work. The 45% lever gives you a near free weight load. I use the vertical press and row machines. They make great stuff.

 

[kronk]

I like them, I can flat bench 540+ on those. For shrugs, I use the smith as I can isolate my traps better, I can go 540 on that as well. 12 plates seems to be my magic number.

 

[biogeared]

I generally only use Hammer equipment towards the end of a workout. Since it reduces my need to stabilize the weight, it is a nice way to squeeze some volume in without risking injury.

How does it compare to free weight?

It Doesn't.

this man said it perfect.

 

[Liftbig]

imo nothing compares to free weights.

 

[[email protected]]

I like them, I can flat bench 540+ on those.

I think that answered my question.

I can shrug about 400 on a bar without problems. 290 on a shoulder press free weight? Not in my wet dream. At 180 I am wobbly and have dropped it on bad days.

The Hammer does not give the full range which may also account for some of the higher weights alone with no stabilizing.

It feels like its working : ) and without a spot... Well, I guess I can go lighter and safer on free weights.

 

[kronk]

I think that answered my question.

I can shrug about 400 on a bar without problems. 290 on a shoulder press free weight? Not in my wet dream. At 180 I am wobbly and have dropped it on bad days.

The Hammer does not give the full range which may also account for some of the higher weights alone with no stabilizing.

It feels like its working : ) and without a spot... Well, I guess I can go lighter and safer on free weights.

I think the difference is between 100 and 150lbs between the machines and free weights.

I can bench 400 on a normal flat and 540+ on the hammer. I tested this once when PolishHammer asked me.

What I like about the machines is that I can isolates my pecs better. I really don't give a flying shit what people say about machines vs free weights. I use them both for different reasons and franky I do not give a shit how strong I am...I care about how big I am. I am a bodybuilder, you know?

 

[b fold the truth]

You guys use machines?




B True

 

[anabolicmd]

The thing of it is, if you have time and energy to use machines, you arent hitting the free weights hard enough.

 

[[email protected]]

The thing of it is, if you have time and energy to use machines, you arent hitting the free weights hard enough.

Dude, shoulders I don't have a spot. I have no choice...

Back is not a worry, tris, bis, and legs. Chest I have to pay someone to stand over me. The guy is pretty cool and cheap. But I do shoulders when I am at work on weekends.

I can go light free weight and safe or use Hammer and push it as far as I can. I’ve broken bones working out and I know that injury is NOT something to shoot for. I was 165 and 26% BF. Pretty pathetic. Now I am 225 and 25% bf. Now I am trying to lose weight. Fat! I know…

Since I really have not done shoulders free weight to an extent where I can gauge strength I asked for a comparison.

They do work. I can say that. From a 41 inch jacket to a 48/49 but there was substantial weight gain in there too. From past experience even with the weight gain without working out it would have been a 42/43, so they do work.

 

[kronk]

The thing of it is, if you have time and energy to use machines, you arent hitting the free weights hard enough.

Forgive me for being candid, but that is an ignorant thing to say. Any true bodybuilder (remember I am a bodybuilder, not a powerlifter, strongman or weightlifter) knows the significance of using a machine. I use free weights everyday I train, squats, deads, bench, etc. But I also incorporate machines and cables as I can isolate my individual muscles. You need to understand how to use everything available to you to better your physique.

To make a blanket statement that people who use machines are not hitting the free weights hard enough is asinine.

 

[b fold the truth]

Dude, shoulders I don't have a spot. I have no choice...

I don't either...and I don't have any machines.

Kronk: I agree with you to an extent. I hate to hear people argue in black and white...when the truth is somewhere in the middle. Not saying that you are doing that...but sometimes arguements are based that way...don't want to see it turn into one.

I really feel that one can get big, strong, and lean without the use of machines. I train in my garage with bars and weights. Could I be a little better with a machine or two...probably so but it would not be worth it ($$, space, body adapts to machines very quickly, etc...). I'd love to use a leg press every now and then...but I really don't think that it is going to make me much bigger or stronger.

Most people who use machines, especially the types like the Hammer Strength, are not like you Kronk. They use ONLY those machines and little to no free weights. You are for sure the exception.

Not sure what my point was...maybe someone can find one in here somewhere...lol.

B True

 

[kronk]

I agree with you B Fold and you are my brother man you cant offend me We are Friends and I value everything you say!

My point is in what the guy said "The thing of it is, if you have time and energy to use machines, you aren't hitting the free weights hard enough." that is totally ignorant.

While you are correct that people can get big and strong by using just free weights, getting striations and extreme muscle definition is different. While you can get these also by just using free weights, machines and cables will totally do things to your definition that others will not.

As for the people that use just machines, I don't know what to say about them. Seems as if they do not care about gaining any mass. IMO, w/o free weights and heavy barbells and dumbbells you can not really gain a tremendous amount of mass. I use all free weights for my mass, and the machines and cables for taking that mass and making it look better

Again, I speak as a bodybuilder, not anything else.

 

[Naeem]

Yeah same, I try to only use machines near the end of the workout, to make sure whatever bodypart is blasted good.

The difference is huge personally, like a normal deadlift for multiple reps and sets I will do 300ish. Go to the assisted romanian deadlift, and I can easily push 600. Makes me look like a monster, but its like cheating heh.

 

[[email protected]]

They use ONLY those machines and little to no free weights. You are for sure the exception.

Whoa, this wasn't supposed to be a punching match between everyone.

If I had to estimate my use of free weights to machines I would say machines are about 20% of my total. If you count the smith as a machine then up it to 30-35%.

 

[totti28]

I think the difference is between 100 and 150lbs between the machines and free weights.

I can bench 400 on a normal flat and 540+ on the hammer. I tested this once when PolishHammer asked me.

What I like about the machines is that I can isolates my pecs better. I really don't give a flying shit what people say about machines vs free weights. I use them both for different reasons and franky I do not give a shit how strong I am...I care about how big I am. I am a bodybuilder, you know?

No offense bro but I have seen your pics and you are probably 180-185lbs with fairly high bodyfat. Are you sure about these numbers? I just cannot picture you being able to bench 400lbs.

 

[kronk]

No offense bro but I have seen your pics and you are probably 180-185lbs with fairly high bodyfat. Are you sure about these numbers? I just cannot picture you being able to bench 400lbs.

ROFL! You must be a troll. Considering I don't post pictures, ROFL!!!!

I don't even need to talk about this with you. Why don't you talk to people who have actually seen me, met me, and/or have seen videos of my training or have trained with me in person. LOL! When you get over 240, come talk to me, until then, go back to the other boards.

 

[b fold the truth]

kronk: Glad I did not offend you...and I agree with you. Make use of every single thing that might help you reach your goals. Me and some friends were talking one day in St. Louis after squatting HEAVY and we started mentioning things that we would do if it would make us stronger. I listed things like drinking infamil, and eating large tirds... He said that if it worked he'd be asking me to pass the mustard...lol.

Just FYI...I think that I have had cross striated quads since I was about 12-13. Crazy huh?

[email protected]: My post was not directed at you at all...sorry if you took it in a negative way.

B True

 

[[email protected]]

[email protected]: My post was not directed at you at all...sorry if you took it in a negative way.

It didn't even cross my mind that it was a negative statement. No harm done at all.

Even when someone does say something negative you can usually find something of value in it if it was thought out and not just a lashing.

 

[E23]

it's prob. just my genetics but 80% of all my sets are not done using free weights, and for the weight some of you pull you are tiny....this is not an insult.....just an observation.


No offense

 

[Mandinka2]

I think it depends very much on the muscle group concerned. For lats in particular I think machines help to overcome the problems with premature weak muscle exhaustion (biceps) and balancing (bent over barbell rows with > 350lbs are a total bitch). When you throw in super heavy low cable rows and pullovers on a well designed machine u are just gonna barbecue those suckers!

 

[[email protected]]

There was a dude on this thread benching 400! That's not tiny and far beyond my 275 that I can push up with both eyeballs ready to blow out of my head.

Even the smaller guys who are pushing up or have a goal for 225 is not that bad considering that the average Joe walking down the street can push up about 135. 225 is not lightweight for the average gym rat.

Unlike most people I believe that juice is not the reason why people get big and strong. Juice like protein, creatine, or whatever it is only a supplement. You can shove 50 spikes in your ass; if you don’t eat right and lift you’ll get nothing out of it. So it is NOT a magic bullet.

I understand that there was no ill intent with your post but I think that weight and size is very subjective. I am amazed that some tiny thin scraggly guys can lift amazing amounts of weight while some large guys are lifting lower weights and having problems holding it.

I think free weight machines (Hammer not Cybex shit) are an excellent way to safely isolate the muscle and test your limits without the risk of serious injury by dropping it.

Specifically incline bench. Without a spot, I have had more than once almost scared myself to death as 225 started coming back down on me ready to lay across my throat. Struggled like a bastard to recover and got the worst leg cramps from it. I never could figure where the leg cramps come from when you are struggling. : )