Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

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BgBmBoo

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Jul 8, 2008
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Redding, CA. USA
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#1
Seeking some input/advise on leverage bench press machines.

I workout at home. I have a pretty complete home gym setup... elliptical machine, treadmill, pull up bar, good assortment of free weights (dumbbells,curling bar,etc.) and bench press.

But...since I am working out by myself, I find that I really can not push myself on the bench. I am 40 and am not looking for "body building" type lifting, but would like to add 30-50 lbs. to my bench press workout.
I work out on weights 3-4 times a week and the other days I do push ups, pull ups,and alternate between the elliptical machine and treadmill for cardio.

My goals are to maintain a healthy "build" and strength level.

This is the machine I was looking at: http://www.bodysolid.com/Commercial/item.cfm?id=909

Take care,Stan
 
#5
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

Don't know about body solid but I just bought a rack from a company called Pro Maxima Fitness. Some of the best equipment that I have seen. Built incredibly strong but does not cost alot. They are located in Houston, Tx. Very good equipment. If you want to gain around 30-40 lbs in the bench, you might look up a guy named Ed Coan or maybe Dave Tate from Elite fitness. I am 43 yrs old and put on a little more to my bench in the past couple of months. Make sure you take care of your shoulders.
 
#6
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

Body solid alright, hammer strength is better. Try to find a gym that is either upgrading or shutting down if you are looking to buy machines. but for bench press I prefer free weight benching inclined, flat, and declined. Trying to maintain your build can be easily done that way. The free weight bench drops my usual straight bar bench weight by about 30% but I get the same pump and it works the inner shoulder chest really well.
 
#7
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

Use dumbbells. They're easy to use at home without a spotter, they take up the least space of all, and they will not only build your chest, but will also strengthen the ancillary muscles as well. You give you a clue, no one can bench press the same weight with dumbbells as they can with a traditional straight bar bench.

Plus, it's less expensive, even with multiple weights, then a machine.

Hammer Strengths do kick ass though. I've put up sick numbers using one of those.
 
#10
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Use dumbbells. They're easy to use at home without a spotter, they take up the least space of all, and they will not only build your chest, but will also strengthen the ancillary muscles as well. You give you a clue, no one can bench press the same weight with dumbbells as they can with a traditional straight bar bench.
</div></div>

Very good advice and your far less likely to cause damage to your shoulder with dumbells because of the reduced weight and not having a solid bar locking you into a tight position.
You can add some serious power using dumbells also , use a slight incline in the bench (to further reduce bad stress on the joint) Start your rep from the top , do a 3 second negitive then explode the weight to the top then again with the negitive.
Use a weight you can do 9-10 reps with no more 10 reps is what you would fail with , do a set of ten reps , set the weight to your knees , take a 20-30 seond break then hit it agin to failure , 20-30 second break then last set to failure , should be about 5-6 reps for second set , 2-3 reps for third
 
#11
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

If you really want a leverage system, I would look at Powertech Fitness. You can get a machine with a small footprint that will accomplish several exercises for just a bit more than the Body Solid. More exercises, less money overall, and equipment is solid.
 
#12
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

If you want to add to your bench, don't change to a machine. Use the bar or preferably dumbbells. If you are trying to add strength do sets of 5x5's of 4x6's. High weight x low reps for strength. Check out the Bill Starr program. Great for adding strength.
 
#13
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

What about a weight rack / smith machine? Dumb bells are awesome, but for building mass nothing beats a barbell. A guided barbell is the closest thing to free weights and you can go big without the spotter.

Keep us posted on what you decide.
-Chris

Oh and I've been stuck under a heavy bar more than once. It's better than wondering if I could have done one more rep.
 
#14
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

Ever consider using a bench with a rack? That way you dont need a spotter if its to heavy and you drop it comes down on the rack and not on you. Or you could get a Smith machine and bench on that. If you needed to stop all you would have to do is twist the bar and set it in the stops every 6-8 inches or so and you would be fine. Or you can always do weighted pushups with the weight on your back. If things get to heavy, just go down roll to one side and the weights fall off. Just a couple of options.
 
#17
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

stan ,
saw something the other day one of the guys ran what looked like a bungee cord under the bench to both ends of the bar and it
gives quiet a bit more resistance hey its something to try
and it wont cost as much as a new machine ..
 
#18
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jeff 03</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ever consider using a bench with a rack?</div></div>

Thats what I would do if I didn't have a spotter. Get a power rack and an adjustable bench, then you will be able to push your limits. Doing pos / negative incline along with the regular benchpress will help you to make progress, dumbells are good as well. Get enough rest, benchpress 3-4 times a week sounds a little too much to me.

Do not use machines for core exercises, I personally wouldn't even use a smith machine for anything. It's so much less extensive than free weights. Plus, if you get a rack you can do squats also and it probably still costs you less than that benchpress machine.
 
#19
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

i always use my first movement as my power/builder movement....so lets say i start with flat bench...i start out with 50 reps with the bar and just keep adding plates, on a good day i might squeak out 495 for 1....but i always use a machine afterwards purely as a pumping movement...i use less than ideal form on my movement, and make sure the muscle is worked totally...the best leverage chest machine i ever used was a older nautilus incline machine...

you actually do a lot more for body composition if you do more incline over flat...

http://www.ahpequipment.com/products/nautilus_xpload_incline_chest_press.shtml

^^^
it looked like this one but the handles were wider....i picked one up for $500 off of craigslist one time...

bench
 
#21
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crazy Horse</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When are you going to lay on your back and push something up. never. dont do bench press. olympic lifts are the only thing that is going to help you out. screw it i dont care </div></div>

Uhh...ok...I have no clue on what your point is. Care to elaborate a bit???
 
#22
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

I would stay away from that machine Stan.....

My dad has the Hammer Strength model in his gym. It is extremely awkward to get off the ground when lifting as you seem to sit to high up. Bringing your arms almost level with the top of your belly. I bench, a lot of weight when I want but I can only do half in that machine because of the pain and strain it puts on my elbows and wrists. Id go with dumbells or plate weights and a bar. Stay traditional, its proven.
 
#23
Re: Looking for input on leverage bench press machine

I have powertec and love it. Small footprint, uses olympic weights and you can lift without a spotter. I had a soloflex before this. This machine is very easy to move from one exercise to the next. I actually use it for my P90x routine. I sub in alot more lifting execises on the weight training days. I think I bought mine right from the company, but I've seen them at dick's if you want to look at and try one. This is a link to the one I got. They have a bigger one but this fits my needs. I think I picked up the bench and 500 lbs of weight for ~$1000. The only downside I found is you start your lifts (bench, military, etc) from the down position. If that's a problem you might want to go with a smith machine. The problem with the smith is it's a straight upand down movement as compared to an arching movement with the powertec. To me the powertec is very close the a hammerstrength in movement except it resembles a bar lift (not independent) as compared to a durmbell lift.
http://www.powertecfitness.com/product.php?id=workbench-levergym
 
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