Hammer Strength Machines: A Buyer’s Guide to Iso-Lateral, MTS and More

Walk into a serious strength gym, a college weight room or a pro team facility and you'll almost certainly see Hammer Strength machines. Known for their heavy-duty plate-loaded designs, they're some of the most sought-after commercial machines — new or used. Here's what makes them popular and what to know before you buy.

Quick answer: Hammer Strength is best known for plate-loaded Iso-Lateral machines, where each arm or leg moves independently along a natural path. They're extremely durable and hold their value well, which makes used Hammer Strength one of the safest buys in commercial strength equipment.

About Hammer Strength

Hammer Strength has been part of Life Fitness since 1997, and its equipment is used in commercial gyms, schools and professional sports facilities. You can read more about the parent company on Wikipedia.

What Is Iso-Lateral?

On an Iso-Lateral machine, the two arms (or legs) move on separate levers. You can train both sides together or one at a time. Because each side has to do its own work, strength differences between your left and right sides become obvious — and easier to correct. The lever paths are designed to follow the body's natural movement, which many lifters find closer to free weights than a typical cable machine.

The Main Hammer Strength Lines

• Plate-Loaded Iso-Lateral: the classic line — chest presses, rows, pulldowns, shoulder presses and leg presses. Examples include the DY Row, Iso Lat Pulldown and Iso Vertical Press.
• Plate-loaded leg machines: leg presses, hack squats and squat machines built for heavy loading.
• MTS: selectorized machines with independent arms, combining iso-lateral movement with the convenience of a weight stack.
• Select: a selectorized line for full circuits.
• Racks and benches: heavy-duty racks, platforms and benches.

Not sure whether you want plate-loaded or selectorized? Read plate-loaded vs selectorized machines.

Why Buy Used Hammer Strength?

• Durability: plate-loaded machines have no cables or weight stacks, so there's little to wear out.
• Value: used machines cost much less than new while offering the same frame and movement.
• Resale: the brand is in demand, so it tends to hold its value if you sell later.

What to Check

• Pivot points and bearings: the arms should move smoothly with no clunking or side-to-side play.
• Weight horns: straight, with intact end caps.
• Frame and welds: no cracks or bends.
• Upholstery: tears are cosmetic and easy to fix.
• Adjustments: seat and pad pop-pins should lock firmly.

See our full used gym equipment buying guide for the complete checklist, and remember you'll need weight plates — see cast iron vs rubber plates.

Browse our Hammer Strength machines, including the brand-new Hammer Strength Shoulder Press, or ask us about a specific model.