The NEW Powertec Compact Leg Sled
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- 3 years ago, I purchased my first Powertec Compact Leg Sled. At the time, I said the CLS was one of the most effective and lower-back-friendly leg machines I’ve ever used. However, I had a couple critiques in order to make the machine even better. Check out the video to see if Powertec knocked it out of the park with their updated Compact Leg Sled.
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Its always good to see a company using consumer feedback to improve their designs.
I agree!
One last question … are you aware if leaving weights on the machine while not in use will damage the equipment? Thanks again!
@@DaletheCasualGamer I don’t leave plates loaded on the machine. On one of the older models, it was reported that the wheels became out of round when someone left it loaded heavy for an extended period of time, but I think the wheels have changed as I haven’t heard that report in a number of years. I will say, at Powertec HQ, plates are always left on the machines.
Thanks so much for the review! I think this may only be the second time I have every commented on your videos. I think you do great work. I am definitely more pumped about eventually buying the Powertec Compact Leg Sled. Before, I was fairly tentative and I am thankful that I waited. The improved design and your review gives me greater confidence that it will be a good fit for me and worth investing in. Thanks again HGHR!
Thank you! I really appreciate that! I think it was worth the wait!
Great review good sir! I would really like a machine like this one day as a leg accessory option. This looks like a great piece with quite a few improvements. Great review as always, and well wishes to Mrs. HGHR on a speedy recovery!
Greatly appreciated and thanks so much, BGB! It’d be interesting to see how many reps you could get at 700 pounds.
@lalalal8111 I am an affiliate, but not a sponsored athlete. I was under no obligation to review the machine or bumpers.
@lalalal8111 thanks so much, lala. Good to hear from you again!
Thanks to this video I canceled the older version and ordered the new one! Thanks again!
Good to hear the video was helpful. I hope you like the Sled as much as I do.
I just put mine together last week. Just learning what I can do with it. Thanks for the video.
Thank you. I hope you like it as much as I do.
I just saw powertec post about the new machine yesterday on Instagram. I did not expect a review so fast but I’m glad it’s here! :)
Thanks so much! Hopefully it’s helpful.
Hi, had the bodysolid one but was super noisy with the linear bushings , still a good machine but couldn't get it to run without grinding noise .Sounds like the nylon wheels are gliding without a lot of unwanted noise , does that remain the same under a heavy load ?
I think it sounds quiet and smooth at heavier loads.
This was a very good review. It was thorough, very well explained and expressed. I would definitely buy this sled machine based on it's quality but especially on the review.
I really appreciate that. Thank you.
I thought I saw the sled had re-appeared in the background of your last video lol .
I miss the leg sled but it just didn’t have enough weight capacity for my liking . I’ve finally had my pendulum squat delivered all the way from Lithuania to the Uk .
It was your purchase and review of the pendulum that inspired me to bite the bullet and I can truly say I’m over the moon with it .
It has to be the most humbling machine I’ve ever used and the range of motion is insane !
Keep up the good work and It’s good to see the new updated leg sled back in the game .
Hey SL! Yeah, it was in the background of the Hip Thrust Machine video…good eye…you’re the first person to mention it.
I may get a couple 100 pound plates and leave them on the machine, which will be super helpful as I get strong on this machine again. I don’t think I ever went over 600 on my last one and I doubt I get that strong again.
I am really glad to hear you’re happy with the Pendulum. That is awesome!
Did you get the pendulum squat from gymequipeu? I'm curious
@@david61136 yes I did David . 👍
Looks like a great piece of equipment. I was waiting for Powertec to update the Leg Sled before I pulled the trigger, but ended up getting the latest Force USA Compact Leg Press a couple of months back instead. Don't regret it as it's a cool machine, but I love Powertec stuff. Thanks for the excellent review!
Thanks so much! I’ve heard from a couple people it’s difficult to get a full ROM with the hack squat shoulder pads; is this the case for you?
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Yep, that's true. I find with the shoulder pads removed and the seat position forward, (similar to the Powetec Leg Sled), the range of motion is great and the machine feels really smooth. I can also keep my legs close together which effectively targets the quads. With the seat pushed back in the Hack Squat setting and the shoulder pads on I find it more difficult to get a comfortable position for my feet and I end up going wider and higher up on the foot plate. In addition to this, the shoulder pads dig into my shoulders so much that I end up with red marks there which last a few hours! I dunno, maybe I'm not doing it right, haha.
@@goldencloudds thanks for providing that information for others. Good to hear you find the sled effective!
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews no problem! Love your channel. Keep doing what you're doing
@@goldencloudds thank you!
I know you're thrilled to have this back! Nice improvements too.
Definitely!
Great review and agree the calf block and storage of it is cool. How does this feel compared to gym leg presses? I never really liked them too much as I needed to put a ton of weight on, even 450lbs could do 15-20 reps so it was a pain to load up all the weight.
I now at home switch between Rogue Kabukki Transformer squats using their 15 degree squat block and Titan Squat Max MD. I sometimes think one of these would be a nice addition for calves and also to finish quads put not sure how much 180-250 on and do 20-30 reps to torch quads.
I'm curious your opinion if I was squatting 185x10 for a few sets or 200lbs on titan squat max md for sets of 10 what weight on this would be similar? I really like the different leg angles to hit different areas of quads you did great job explaining that and one reason I'm considering this. I like how if I'm tired on this after 10-15 reps I can probably use my hands to force a few more reps!
@@chrisdonnell2575 this machine does take more weight than a 45 degree leg press or other leg machines, but so does the Cybex Squat Press (the greatest leg machine of all time in my opinion).
I have a new review for the new Powertec Leg Press. In that review, I briefly compare these two machines.
I normally tell people to take the Powertec Leg Press over this machine because it has a higher weight capacity and doesn’t take as much weight, but I like this better because I find it more lower back friendly.
I also have a review for the Powertec Leg Press attachment where I load this machine super heavy to compare the two.
Good news: both are on sale at the moment.
You made me to decide to buy this machine, Thanks.
Very cool! I hope you like it.
As always, very informative and entertaining, glad to know that the Compact Leg Sled is easy on the lower back, cause believe me, I know all about that. On a side note, I hope your wife takes it easy on that knee, I am sure she knows not to rush things. Thanks again for a enjoyable video, and happy training!
Thanks so much! All the best with your lower back; I do everything I can to keep mine happy.
She’s had a tough stretch with 2 back-to-back surgeries, but she’s been good with PT and we are doing our best to keep her resting. Thanks again!
thanks for the review. If you place your feet at the _very_ top of the platform (toes in the curled portion) are you able to keep your knees at 90 degrees to the platform? I'm concerned about putting stress on my knees, it looks like your knee was forward at the bottom of the movement.
Thank you. Yes, I can put my feet at the top of the platform and still get a 90 degree bend. Also, I am fine with my knees traveling over my toes…I have 0 concern it will cause injury to my knees.
There is someone selling a body solid copy locally. It looks similar to your old compact leg sled. They are asking $500.
Are the updates worth buying a new one?
I’ve never used the Body Solid so I don’t know how well it compares. I like the updated features and couldn’t be happier with it.
I just got the Force USA leg sled / hack squat. It seems more solid than the gen 1 Powertec Sled I had years ago. Would you consider making a comparison video of the Force USA sled vs the latest Powertec?
At some point, maybe if Force asked me and sent me the Sled for free. Good to hear you’re happy with the Sled. I think the newest model Powertec is more solid than my older model too.
Ahhh. Why did I get this last year. You nailed all the upgrades.
It’s tough to predict when upgrades are coming; the model you have was basically the same design for maybe 10 years or more.
Great review! I enjoy all of your reviews and I’m going to my local dealer tomorrow and purchase this leg sled. Thank you again!
Very cool and thank you! Please let me know what you think.
Will do Sir. You should do product reviews full time. I enjoy your objectivity, production and meticulous reviews. Do you have a News Letter? Thank you.
@@BoBojeff1 this is really awesome to hear and sincerely appreciated. At this point, I am a long way away from being able to go full-time.
No, I don’t have a newsletter: TH-cam and I G take most of my free time.
Big Fan here Brother! God Bless You!!
@@BoBojeff1 means the world to me.
The calf raise function is nice.
Agreed. Love the versatility. At one point, I considered getting a used Cybex Plate Loaded 45 Degree Calf Press, but this replicates that exercise pretty closely.
Your channel is great...ive watched back through most of your library today and well done on the audio and visual improvements... love your content... keep it up man
Thank you! I really appreciate that. Although the information was decent, I wish I would have gotten the audio and lighting in check earlier on.
Great review! I’m still trying to decide between this and the leg press
Thank you! I’ve always liked this better, but I think most people will prefer the Leg Press because of the higher weight capacity.
Any opinions on the build quality between the '23 Powertec CLS and the Force USA CLS? I know you don't have a review comparing them, but was curious if you have seen, heard, or know if one seems more rigid than the other. Thanks.
The Powertec has a slightly greater weight capacity. Visually, I think the Powertec looks to be a bit more robust too.
Thanks. When compared to the previous model you had, is the wobbliness of the seat still there when adding plates? Looks like it would be unavoidable based on the design, but was curious.@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
@@ReyLatham76 it is, and as you mentioned, that’s going to happen due to its design, but once balanced, it’s a non-issue.
Hi,is comparable the leg sled with the hack squat ?Thanks so much
I like it better and find it easier on the knees and back.
How much do you barbell squat? I train in a powerlifting style and often use leg press as an accessory lift. Really thinking about getting this for my home gym but I just want to make sure that it will be able to have enough resistance to keep using it to progress my quads/squats without feeling like I’m maxing out the machine’s weight cap too quickly as I typically wouldn’t ever do anything for more than 15 reps even on accessories. That’s really my only concern. Appreciate it!
For reference, my squat max is around 450 lbs-ish. The leg press I use at my gym is 45 degrees I believe and I usually load up around 300-350 lbs on it, plus 160 lbs for the sled for sets of 10-12 reps. So 460-510 lbs total of weight I’m moving at that 45 degree. Assuming I keep progressing from there, do you think this sled would still last me awhile before I potentially max out on it? Appreciate it and any input!
@@joeythedietitian my days of barbell squatting are over, but when I had the Rhino, I could squat over 400. The max weight capacity for this machine is 700 pounds. To determine the actual weight lifted you divide by 2. However, I usually use bands on this machine in addition to plates and bands greatly reduce how heavy I can load the machine. If you’re worried about maxing out the machine, Powertec also has the Leg Press with a 1,000 pound weight capacity. The LP is 75% of the actual weight loaded on the machine.
Sweat treat to beat the heat, sliding away in a powertec open sleigh makes me say hey
You still got it!
Big fan. Great video.
I hope you don't mind me asking your opinion.
I have similar lower back issues to yourself and don't squat anymore. I did have a BOS belt squat machine but it never felt right when squatting. I'm looking at either the compact sled or a leverage squat machine. I see you don't have your leverage squat machine anymore. Space is limited.
Thank you. If you have lower back issues, go with the Compact Leg Sled so that you don’t have any spinal loading.
As for the belt squat, it’s always made my back feel good. I’m not sure if your issue with the belt squat is because it’s a lever-based belt squat which lacks a true vertical line of drive. You could try elevating your heels with squat wedges to see if that makes the exercise feel better.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Thanks for the reply. The issues with the belt squat was definitely the lever arm. It felt like an unnatural movement. I've sold that now. In addition to my levergym, GHD, bench and dumbbells, I have 2 spots for equipment left.
How does it feel compared to a horizontal leg press like the ones with a selectorized stack? The new improvements are nice.
I haven’t used one of those selectorized horizontal presses in a long time. I like both because I like variety, but I think this style is easier to get into position; for example, on the Life Fitness model, I had to lower the seat all the way until my knees were in my chest to get the right seat setting.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Thanks for the response. The upright seat position reminded me of a horizontal leg press. I think the the leg sled would have been a better fit for me than the leg press. Do you know if the 700 lb weight capacity also includes the users weight?
@@jkadf293 I’ve always taken that spec to mean 700 pounds in plates.
Thanks for the review! Ive been enjoying watching your videos. I have a question, if I were to get the compact leg sled for homegym, would the leg press attachment for the FID bench still be a useful purchase?
Thanks so much! The pressing action is slightly different. However, if you have the space and are relatively strong, I suggest the stand-alone Leg Press over the attachment.
i ordered this last night..just curious, do you think the nylon bearing rollers will last with max weight? i cant seem to find the type used on the new version online in case they break. does powertec sell replacement rollers? just after i ordered, i found out that body solid makes a simillar leg sled with linear bearings and a 1000 pound max...but you cant adjust things like this one to your preference. its actually cheaper too..kind of debating on canceling and ordering the body solid one. do you like this one so much and believe it will last to say i should not cancel my order? thanks in advance for any info
Powertec will stand behind their products and if the rollers have an issue, Powertec will replace them. All of these things are tested and I think companies err on the side of caution (so all these machines can likely handle more than the listed capacity). I haven’t seen the Body Solid so it’s not fair for me to say anything definitely, but if you look at the fit and finish in pictures, to me, it looks like Powertec’s is nicer.
i will take your word for it that the rollers will last. thanks for the quick reply. you are awesome for taking the time to do that. look forward to seeing more content
@@alexmarison4085 glad to help.
Nice video as it appears Powertec did a nice upgrade to their leg sled. I owned one in 2012. This one is a vast improvement to the model I once owned as you don’t need to fiddle with the spring that came with the old unit.
Thanks so much! Powertec definitely listened to their customers about the spring being difficult to assemble.
Do you have long femurs? I ask because the widened foot plate has steep lip on the top edge which doesn't allow the toes to be placed even an inch further if needed for correct leg angle and foot placement. I wish they could have at least kept the non-lipped edge when they widened the foot plate which of course was necessary.
No. I don’t have long femurs. With my previous model, I assumed a high-wide stance. With this model, I place my feet as low as possible (and fairly narrow) for greater knee flexion. I personally find the low-narrow stance to be a much better leg exercise. With that being said, if / when I rotate a high wide stance back into my routine, I like the lip because it provides greater stability. I definitely see what you’re saying though for anyone who wants a really high stance.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Thanks so much for your reply since I am hesitating to pull the trigger based on this one possible "issue." What's your height? Leg length perhaps? I am just over 6ft with a 35 inch sleeve and pants length - not the best leverages for strength training/ bodybuilding. I happen to own one of the "famous" True Squat machines (by the now defunct Souther Exercise) that supplement my love for the down and dirty king: the barbell squat. The True squat has enough room for a 7ft8" athlete all the way down to a 4ft6" one. But many "home" leg presses have such a limited height (ad width) on their foot plate. Sadly the nearest dealer for me to try the Powertec is too far. Heck, I remember that even the True Squat which is a bit of a monster of a commercial piece of equipment I arranged to try out at the late great Dr Ken Leistner's Iron Island gym, not even a retailer. I may just get the Powertec Leg Sled for my mom however. I set up a home gym at her house 25 years ago- she's in her mid eighties now and she barbell squats, deadlifts, and is not on one single med.
Just found your page , really enjoying your content , very relatable. Tossing up on whether to add either a leverage squat or compact leg sled to my home gym, apologies if you have previously compared the two pieces but in your opinion which is the best bang for your buck? Maximum knee flexion is a priority for me .
(Im Australian and we don’t have powertec I believe armortec is our version here)
I’m glad you found my page and thank you. I’ve always liked the sled better because it’s more lower back friendly. I think both machines allow for a full range of motion and ample knee flexion. I have an old review for the Lever Squat where I show maximum depth.
Been binging your training series too, I train very similar to fit in around my kids and work . Your videos are fantastic .
Thanks for the reply .
@@ryansummerfield8419 thanks so much! I sincerely appreciate that. I wish you the best in your training. Please let me know if you ever have any additional questions.
I need this machine in my life!
lol! I think everyone should 🤓
Thank you for the review, does this give a good workout to your Abs?
Thank you. No, I wouldn’t say this machine does anything for the abs
After a few weeks of ownership, I’m very satisfied with the new leg sled compared to my 2008 model year it replaced. But I do have to say, I preferred the lever with the spring.
Very good to hear and thank you for the update. It was nice to have that spring disengage on lift off, but after all the trouble I had with the last one, I can’t say I miss it too much.
i believe there an attachment you can add to this compact sled to load up the spine for hak squats which adds more versatility as well. i want this piece in my garage but no more unless my wife parks her car outside. lol
That attachment is for the Force, but hopefully Powertec will add something similar too. That is a tall ask of the wife lol!
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews ooh I got them both mixed up. I hope powertec adds the same feature. I'm also interested in the levertec arm.
good machine and good they got rid of the spring. You know my issues if you seen my assembly video of my Titan version. I eventually just took the spring off which is what i recommend to everyone. Its not even needed..I wish you would have bought mine. Ive been trying to sell it for a few weeks with no bites. IM focusing on only squats at this point. Have a good video and enjoy the machine..
Thanks so much, BBD! You like many others I’ve talked to left the spring off and I completely understand that.
Why the recommendation of removing the spring?
Lot of problems metal on metal grinding along the beams plus hard to install , the new model got rid of it @@MurphGymExperiment
I recommend checking out the new 2023 Force USA Compact Leg Press. Both products would be great for a comparison video with both having recent significant updates.
The force USA now has a hack Squat feature by having removal shoulder pads. The removable calf block feature works great also.
Just received mine and i’ve been happy with my purchase. The versatility of having the 3 featured exercises at that price point is unmatched.
A comparison would be cool! Really good to hear you’re happy with your purchase. I love how these companies are updating and making their products better.
@isayuhXD Do you notice a big difference between the hack squat and leg press positions? (eg. hack squat targeting the hamstrings and the press targeting the quads more?) I am on the fence between the ForceUSA and the Powertec. The '23 Powertec while it does not have the true hack squat conversion does seem to be a more rigid build and less wobbly.
Hello, I like the shoes you're wearing in this video. What are they?
Nike Metcon 3. I’ve had 2-3 pair but they’re hard to find now because Nike is now on 9 or so.
I am thinking about buying this piece of equipment. Can you tell me what is the exact width up front? Is it the width of the platform? Thank you in advance for your help.
@@noeldelpozo8413 I just went out to the garage and measured to make sure you had the correct measurements: at its widest point, the platform is 34” and from weight horn to weight horn, the width of the machine is 47”
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews thank you so much.
Thank you for this review. Great stuff you keep putting out.
How effective is the compact leg sled for targeting posterior chain muscles?
I really appreciate it! I could put my feet higher on the last sled (probably because it didn’t have the lip), and I included it on my posterior chain emphasis days…with this one, I feel it all in my quads. So, I don’t think it hits the posterior chain much at all.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews I've got the previous version, and have to say that the lip at the top of the new platform would be an issue for me. I like the addition of the adjustable depth stopper, I've been using Fat Gripz around the guide rods for this purpose - which actually work well!
@@exercise-eq6vi the fat grip addition is a good idea. I could see lip being an issue if a higher stance is desired.
Love to see a MFG. increase quality and features rather than decrease for economic reasons. That is rare. Those plates are awesome too.
I agree. Best way to lose customers is to start cutting corners. Glad Powertec is going in the right direction.
If I remove the spring from my older model will it affect the operation other than having to manually release it?
I would leave the spring if it’s installed. Without the spring, the hook might move during the middle of the set. With that said, I know quite a few people never installed the spring on the old model and it seems to function fine.
On the new model, the hook has some additional hardware that keeps it from moving.
Wondering if u could help me. Just bought this powertec sled. Can u tell me if thr bolts that go to the wheels are tight or loose. My wife accidently tightened them and I'm not sure if the four bolts that go to the wheels should be loose or tight. Thanks.
Snug but not as tight as the other bolts.
Thanks for the reply. One more . The lever that keeps the seat up higher, it keeps snagging sometimes as I go up and down. Any suggestions? Not sure why it is doing this.
@@ethanmiller3734 mine doesn’t have that issue and this is the first time I’ve heard of it. I’m wondering if something was slightly off during assembly.
Nice review. If I didn't just blow my money on a Rogue Rhino per your earlier videos, this would be a great consideration. The leg press is one of my favorite quad exercises, but price and size always had me ignore it for my home gym. This looks to solve both of those issues.
Quick question though. You have a lot of equipment sitting directly on wood floors, and while having built-in rubber pads is great, do you do anything for those that don't have built in padding? I'm a bit worried about metal-on-wood sliding and scratching, so since you don't seem to have any additional rubber flooring, do you use anything in particular to protect the wood?
Thank you! You’ve got a great machine with the Rhino.
Luckily, all the equipment that is on my floors has some type of rubber making contact with the floor rather than metal.
At one point the IM 2000 was in the Powertec gym (metal on floor), but there is no indication of any damage after a year of use.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Thanks for the reply, just to be safe I may look for something anyway, but it's good to know that the risk may not actually be too high.
@@rogueshadow1933 it also may depend on the type of floor you have. While I say hardwood floors, they are actually laminate so they are pretty scratch resistant.
Hey! I`m having a hard time deciding between the old and the new model, the current prices where I live are 1000$ for the old one and 1450$ for the new one...I think my question is: the metal-on-metal grinding is caused by that spring? So if i don`t put the spring, the whole machine is smooth? and another question: is there any difference in stability between them? i mean the foot plate, or any other wobble
I can’t guarantee it won’t grind even without the spring. Some people say their older model grinds but it doesn’t grind for others. I’ve even seen other brands that aren’t Powertec grind.
I really like the updated features and the no-lip bottom portion of the platform for calf raises, but that is a substantial amount of savings.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews i`m leaning towards the new one for the wider foot plate too, i`m 6'4 and that sure helps. Buying it for long-term use kinda justifies the extra 450$ i think. Thanks!
@@n0name1450 I agree.
i just got the 2023 leg sled and i love it! super smooth and good quality. I remember you said in a video that you keep a 45 plate on each side at all times, do you still do that? i`d like to do that too, if it`s safe long term for the rollers
@@n0name1450 really good to hear. I leave 2 45s on the Sled at all times. It doesn’t appear to be an issue and I only heard of it being an issue on one of the older Leg Press models where the rollers became out-of-round (but who knows how much weight was loaded and how long it stayed loaded).
I love my gen1 powertec leg sled. This additions look great. Not enough to change to the gen2 but nevertheless it’s great to see equipment being updated. Just wish powertec would do some more compact machines.
Btw I must the only gen1 with a perfect working spring hook!
That is awesome to hear and a good testament to the durability of the equipment.
Also, great to hear you have a smooth working hook and spring. I’ve heard from a few people who also lucked up on the older models.
It's 1000 bucks right now, however I have heard that the white bearings wear out fast....What do you think about this potential problem?
I had the previous model for a few years and 2 of the Leg Press machines; all which are made with the same components. I never had an issue with the nylon wheels. I sold the 3 machines to people I stay in touch with and they haven’t reported any problems.
Can the footplate be folded up against the machine when not in use so it doesn’t stick out? That would make it much more manageable in the tight space where I would potentially be cramming it.
I just went out and tried for you. I have the footplate as close to the seat as possible, so if I fold the plate back against the machine, it only saves a couple of inches. I found it to be a pain to adjust because I have everything tightened down now that I have my preferred settings so I had to loosen bolts to make the adjustment.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Thanks, appreciate it!
@@timk8258 glad to help. With my preferred settings, the Sled is 57” long.
Great review. Ya hit the most important stuff too (feel on low back and knees). I'm same as you - did myself in going too crazy heavy back in the day. Low back and knees need to be in a safe position now. This is my next purchase I think. Been lusting for it since I watched Lee priest use in on Sam's. Your review is the best (most robust) on the internet tho. ;)
I really appreciate that, thank you. I hope you like it as much as I do. I recently posted a Short where I tested the Sled with 660 pounds. It was still smooth and joint friendly.
I also uploaded a new review for the New Leg Press and compare the two new models of each machine.
how would you compare this to the leg press attachment? I know they are different movements but how would you compare them?
At the moment, Powertec is not selling the Leg Press Attachment. I believe they are redesigning it, so I can only compare the Sled to their old design. I like the Sled much better than their old-style attachment…especially if you’re extremely strong (greater weight capacity and greater adjustability). I think a stand-alone machine will almost always outperform an attachment, but if space is an issue and saving money is preferred, attachments have their advantages.
Great review! Where did you get those long resistance bands?
Thanks so much. They are from EliteFTS
Snagged a garage kept one on offer up for $500 what a steal. My question is, is it harmful to leave weights on the horns?
If it’s the new model, that’s a very good deal…if it’s the old model, it’s still a good deal.
I don’t; however, it should not be an issue to leave a couple 45s on the weight horns.
Many years ago, on one of the old leg presses, someone commented their nylon wheels became out-of-round when it stayed loaded really heavy for an extended period of time.
With that said, on my first Powertec Leg Press, I kept (6) 45s on the machine at all times and never had an issue.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews it was the new one I’m so happy to have something in a garage for legs that doesn’t require a barbell, kettlebell or dumbbells.
@@MrJose021292 nice! When I started this home gym, the old Compact Leg Sled was my only compound leg machine for about a year, and like you said, it was so nice to have something other than dumbbells and barbells for the lower body. I hope it brings you many years of excellent training.
Tks for the info...btw, what is the weight of this machine and what is the max capacity
About 200 pounds with a 700 pound max weight capacity.
Awesome review. Between this and the Fettle Fitness pendulum squat, which would you say is the better buy?
Tough call. This is about 1/2 the price with more versatility, but the Fettle hits my quads like nothing I’ve experienced.
Figures, the pendulum is hard to beat. Thank you for your perspective! @@HomeGymHacksandReviews
@@cheyennem9218 glad to help.
Awesome review. Now that you have the new Compact Leg Sled, what do you still prefere, the Pendulum squat, the Leg Sled or Belt squat? I got a herniated disc after using a Hack Squat & Leg press combo machine, that rounding of the back and spine pressure is not god at all, and I want to get a new leg maquine, what would you recomend from thouse three options if someone has back issues, disc issues etc.??? Also I have very poor ankle mobility, my knee does not go past the tip of the foot.
Thank you! That is a very tough call with your injury history. I don’t feel comfortable picking any for you; rather, if at all possible, I think you need to try each machine. Did you hurt your back on the leg press or hack squat exercise?
For me, for overall versatility, the belt squat wins. To hit the quads as hard as possible with as little weight as possible, the pendulum wins. For a nice combo of the pendulum and leg press combined, the sled wins.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews it is really hard to pinpoint if I hurt myself with the hack squats or the leg press, I did them the same day two times a week, but if I had to put money on it, I would say the hack squat. By the way I got the Powertec Multipress this month, for the price I'm really happy with the purchase, woud love a video about some hacks for the machine, how to do calf raises, chest supported rows etc... specially the setting you use. Cheers.
@@mandonga1200 the hack squat is how I originally injured my back…since then I’ve had to be incredibly careful with leg exercise selection. If the seat is too angled on a Leg Press, that will hurt my back too.
Really good to hear you are happy with the Multipress. I have a review for the Multipress and feature it again in my video, Building My Powertec Spare Bedroom Gym. I think I showed most of my hacks for that machine in those two videos.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews One has to be really carefull with certain excercises. I'm trying to get some quoates for a pendulum squat, unfortunately here in Spain there is not a Fetlle equivalent, there is only one Pendulum option and its a pre-order, so you have to wait up to 6 weeks, and also quite expensive. I will have to see what I do, but its good to explore some option.
@@mandonga1200 luckily, the pendulum doesn’t bother my back at all…especially with how little weight is needed. Some of these machines are so user specific. I know some people who hate the Rhino and I love it. Similarly, there are some who love hack squats and I don’t like them at all.
just used your affiliate link. thanks for the info..love the channel
Greatly appreciated and thank you!
2 questions A) leg sled v 45 def leg press . which works the quads hardest iyo ? Also when going really deep , as far as your butt coming off the pad and putting lower back at risk , which is better . it seems your butt wasn't coming off the pad at all in this video and you were going really deep
B) in l.a fitness gym this is called a linear hack squat. Is a leg sled and linear hack squat basically the same thing ?
I have an older video comparing the Sled to the 45. I like the sled better because I find it to be more lower back friendly and no, no issue coming off the seat. As for the better quad builder, pretty close to the same with the right foot position.
With a hack squat, there are shoulder pads and some spinal compression is experienced, not the case here.
Did they ever respond to the band peg question? Would love to use Elite fts short bands on this
They did; the hole is for a band peg that is planned to be released by the end of the year.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews sounds great thanks!
Purchased ours Feb of 2020. I had to, partially, remove one end of guide rods to install spring hook attachment but has worked well so far. I regularly put 450-500 lbs on with no structural issues. Only complaint is that dumb lower lip, on ours, where I have been planning to buy a piece of padding from Tractor Supply to help calf raises on bottom of plate. Has anyone heard if all weight should be removed in between use? Wondering if I should not be leaving 2 -45 lb plates on each horn .
I have heard if the machine is left loaded with a lot of weight over an extended period of time, the rollers may become out-of-round. I leave 2 45s on at all times. I used pre-cut stall mats to make performing calf raises more comfortable with my original model (I show what I’m talking about in my old video comparing this to the leg press).
Good to hear you’re happy with the original.
you are the king of the home gym man 😃
You are too kind. Thanks so much!
Great video! Do you really think this machine feels more like a leg press than a hack squat? I have the Titan version and it doesn’t feel like a leg press at all to me, but in function they seem/look identical.
Also, thanks for listing the weight you used. Now I have something to shoot for! 😂
Thank you! I think it feels more like a hack squat than a leg press…but more lower back friendly than any hack squat I’ve ever used (largely because the weight is under the lifter rather than on the lifter’s shoulders).
great review. thinking of seriously buying it. What is the width from one end of the weight horns to the other? Thanks!
Thank you! It’s right at 4’.
got it. thanks for the quick response. @@HomeGymHacksandReviews
I just received mine on 9/8 believe it or not no back rest or seat! Of all the parts missing how could these be missing?
That is very odd and I’m sorry to hear that. The only time I’ve had missing pieces from Powertec is when the box got damaged by FedEx and the pieces fell out. I am certain Powertec will take care of this for you quickly.
it would be cool to see a comparaison with the bodysolid equivalent of the leg sled. I think it has a bigger load capacity but i don't know if build quality compares.
That would be cool. I’ve talked with Body Solid a couple times about working together so we are on each other’s radars. You’re correct, the load capacity is greater, but with fewer features.
Really an outstanding review video
Thank you! That is awesome to hear.
Do you think the machine can handle more than 700lb with thinner plates?
I don’t recommend going over a machine’s listed weight capacity, but I have seen and heard of others going over the 700 pound mark. In one of my HIT Training Series Videos, I loaded the sled with well over 500 pounds and I had complete confidence in the integrity of the machine.
Great review as always. Your hack on the Titan Leg Extension has been great for me. On this machine (the new leg sled), and perhaps I'm being a bit naive, but I just don't see a meaningful difference between this and the titan vertical leg press in terms of the movement. Am I missing something? I have the vertical press, but would like to replace it with this unit (which would allow me to also get rid of my calf raise machine) as I sometimes feel weird with the weight directly above me on the vertical press. Is there any real difference or should I think of them (leg sled and vertical press) as able to do the exact same movement?? Helpful channel, as always!
Thank you! I am not a fan of the vertical leg press. If someone offered to give me one, I would politely decline. I do not think they are good for the lower back and when I tried to use the leg press plate on the IM 2000 for a vertical leg press, I immediately knew it was an exercise my back wouldn’t tolerate.
This machine is on a whole different level. The build quality and quality of the exercise between the two machines is night and day.
Thank you for the (very) prompt response! I read response to mean that it would be a good alternative to my current leg press AND it's simply a much better piece of equipment from multiple angles. Fair? Thank you!@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
@@hopper7547 glad to help. Exactly. A better quad builder, a better movement, and a higher quality machine.
Ordered!@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
@@hopper7547 nice. Please let me and others know what you think and if you find it to be a lot better than the vertical leg press.
I have the first version of this machine. I wish the foot plate was angled at the bottom to elevate heels for quad dominant leg presses.
I’ve seen some people set up wedges using something like stall mats on the platform. I’ve never tried it, but it’s doable.
Great video!! What is the actual length of the machine? Powertec has 67.1" and you said 5 ft. In my tiny home gym, I'm thinking I may be able to squeeze this in but I really need an exact number lol
With the settings I have the machine set on, the machine is 59” long. If I changed the angle of the footplate it would add a couple inches.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Thanks so much! I appreciate it!
@@hobbesab glad to help!
So I guess you made a great case for the compact leg sled with this video which, by the way is another great video that you have done. But the lever squat I can also do shoulder presses, lunges, and calf raises as well as a squat.
Thank you! Calf raises and single leg squats can also be done on the compact leg sled without spinal loading. So, the only one you’re missing is the shoulder press.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews yes, so shoulder press is a big one for me considering I do not have a shoulder press machine.
@@drethebarber700 in my old review for the Lever Squat, I did mention it was one of the most rock-solid machines I’ve owned. Very sturdy machine.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews in your opinion, is that still the case?
@@drethebarber700 I sold it to make room for more equipment to review, but I still think the LeverSquat is one of Powertec’s best built machines and one of the most heavy-duty machines I’ve had. But, I’d take the Sled and Leg Press over the LeverSquat.
Which is your preference between the leverage squat and the compact leg sled. I know you don’t like squats but preferred the leverage squat to squats in the levergym. Would also be interested to hear how your HIT workouts are going on!
I prefer the Compact Leg Sled. HIT workouts are going well. I got up to 195, but started having blood sugar issues. I dropped down to 160 (probably too quickly), but got my blood sugar back in check. I’m now in the process of putting weight back on, but trying to be more careful with calories. I post quite a few of my HIT workouts as TH-cam Shorts. Thanks so much!
me too, I have to keep bodyfat in check to keep blood sugar down also. right now I'm 'bulked' a bit lol and it's back higher like it was years go.
Great review btw, I have an older version of this machine and love it, the newer version looks even better! @@HomeGymHacksandReviews
@@ronpfid thanks so much and sorry to hear you’ve got some blood sugar issues too. If I can find a protocol that works really well for me, I’ll share it.
man yeah, a lot of people have this, most don't even know it. For me, just getting bodyfat down normalizes things. When BF is higher then it's pre-D levels for me. Thanks!@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
Fantastic review as always. Have you tried the sissy squat. I’d be interested to hear what you think about it. I don’t have much room and can’t really put such heavy weights in my tiny home gym.
Thank you! The Sissy Squat It is extremely well made and highly adjustable. However, I haven’t spent a lot of time using it as it’s not an exercise I keep in my regular exercise rotation.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Appreciate it!
@@Reuprecht1986 absolutely!
Is the sled superior to the press for single leg work?
I think it’s a toss up. In my old video comparing the two machines, I show what each machine looks like for single leg work.
What is the length of this machine? The site says 67. But it looks shorter than that.
It depends on the plate and seat settings. With the settings I use, it’s 57”
I have been curious about this one since it's a leg press and can perform as a hack... I definitely look forward to hearing your review on this
Thanks so much! I hope it’s helpful.
What do you mean its a leg press and can perform as a hack squat ? In l.a fitness they call this machine a linear hack squat . exactly what is the difference between a press and hack squat
The angle of your upper body to your legs bent forward u do a leg press upper body more erect hack squat u can adjust the back pad
Does the seat still wobble side to side like the older one?
@@SMS38i I never noticed the seat wobbling on the previous model or this one. Did you try to tighten all the bolts?
Ive seen other reviews where it wobbles side to side. And if you put weight on one side it leans to that side. I dont have it, debating between this, and similar body solid, force usa, etc. thanks for replying.
@@SMS38i in my one of my old videos for this machine, I showed that it leans to one side when the weight is loaded unevenly, but that isn’t unusual for this style machine and I never leg press on the machine without the weight being balanced.
Hey Hacks, I should of got this one, instead I went with a cheap brand cuz I wanted to see how these feel for the legs (Never tried one) but the one I got has some bad rollers for the seat carriage and already one wore out after one workout. Can you do me a solid and tell me what the width is on your roller area inside the frame, might want to see if I can just get rollers from Powertec to add to my cheap one.
Hey MC! Mine has 8 wheels at 1 3/4”
If you want, please share the brand name of the sled you got.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews .
Thanks Hacks! I tried out a couple walmart items and both have been disasters. I get the sydnee one for about 600
@@ShawntreezyBreezy MC, one other measurement that may be important is the diameter of the guide rod, which is 1.25”
Each wheel is contoured and fits around the guide rod.
Thanks for sharing the name of the other sled. People have asked me to review products from that company and I think they’ve reached out to me, but I’ve stayed away from them.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews
Ya my 1st rodeo has me on the ground getting stomped out by these cheaper brands 🤣. The Sydnee sled has these square rails the wheels glide on or in my case would stick to and cause friction where it felt like a mini earthquake. Im trying to find a solution but these walmart sellers are cheap AF and say anything to keep from refunding you without trying more crappy parts/design flaws
@@ShawntreezyBreezy I’m sorry to hear that. If you haven’t already tried, dry silicone spray helps quite a bit.
Hey man, great channel. Could you comment on pros/cons between Belt Squat and Hack Squat? Can't decide. Thank!
Thanks so much! I think the belt squat is more true to a barbell squat and depending on which Belt Squat you get, for example, the Rhino or Squatmax, you are getting a 1:1 ratio.
Almost all Leg Presses, Hack Squats, Sleds, etc. have a reduction in weight and they travel on a set path…unlike a belt squat. If I could only pick one, I’d pick a Belt Squat but that’s mainly because my back won’t allow me to barbell squat.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews Thanks for the quick response! I can back squat, but don't think the risk of injury is worth it. Would you consider a belt squat as your only squat movement if you were in this position? Thank you 🙏
@@jakobkristensen2390 oh yeah, a belt squat could be your only squat movement. Depending on the design, it offers a lot of versatility. I have a couple Rhino videos showing all the different stuff I do with mine.
How does this compare to a hack squat? Thank you.
My original lower back injury came on a hack squat machine and of the models I’ve used, including Cybex, they always hurt my knees. So, my issue with the hack squat is all personal…I know there are some people who swear by them…but it’s doubtful I’ll ever own a hack squat or leg press / hack squat combo. 3 years ago, when I got the old model of this machine, I immediately liked it better than any hack I ever used.
Does this Maschine feel like a traditionell Hack Squat?
@@Felix2389 I think it feels better and with less stress on the knees and back.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews ok thank you:-)
Looks and sounds much better than the original, however I cringed while watching you do those lunges without the safety pin in the bottom hole. Love to see a comparison between this one and the Force USA model that comes with a hack squat attachment.
That would make for a good review. Powertec’s Sled has a slightly greater weight capacity and looks more robust, but it would be cool to see them side-by-side.
How long are the weight horns?
I’m not at home to double check, but I think I mention it in the specs portion of this video.
Is there slight wobble of the foot plate when shifting ur feet around
A little. If you don’t plan on using the different foot plate settings, the bolt can be tightened a little further to reduce it.
@@HomeGymHacksandReviews I noticed a movement from where the foot plate pivots where the hex bolt is I found if I tightened it too much it was stiffer to move maybe I should tighten it a little bit more but I guess it doesn’t really matter as long as it’s secured in
I had the v1 ages ago. It felt weird to be bracing a load with my back, vs pressing thru my feet as with a conventional leg press.
I like that aspect of it better; I am over the weight rather than having the weight over me. Even with 500+ pounds on the machine, it never feels like my back is experiencing too much pressure.
If a person who weighes 200 pounds is on the sled doing reps with no weight on the horns how much weight is being lifed?
@@rexpeckinpaugh4307 on Powertec’s webpage, they have the unloaded starting weight of the machine listed at 30 pounds.
I swear to god this guy always has a video he just put out when i go to look up a review.
Timing is everything! Hopefully it was helpful.
Does the company offer assembly help that you can pay for?
I don’t think so, but this really is a pretty easy assembly if you have a socket set and some fixed wrenches. If you have an extra person to help, it makes it even easier.
I have the titan version, love these machines. To combat the weight horn capacity, I lifted the back up and put wood blocks underneath so the sled angle is steeper, making the felt weight higher
Really good to hear and that is a cool idea!
What is the price incl the shipping?
Normally it’s 1099, but Powertec is running a sale, so the price is 989. Free shipping.
Hope they fixed the rollers the early ones would fall apart.
I had the model before this one for a couple years and used it 1-2 times a week without issue. These rollers look similar to the ones on my other model and so far, so good.
can you store the weights on the machine?
There’s no dedicated storage. I don’t leave plates on the machine when not in use, but I did on my previous model without issue. I never left 500+ pounds on it, but 2-4 45s was fine.
I’m 6’4” and have a 38” inseam
Will I fit on this machine
I can’t be certain. I will say, Powertec regularly features one of their athletes who is 6’3” or 6’4” using their equipment…including this machine. If you check out some of the videos on their various platforms, you will see him, his name is Diego.
I've never liked loading up my spine with weight, I had the leverage squat for almost a year but it still didn't feel great to me, so i sold it. I've been thinking about the CLS for a while now. I have the workbench levergtm too and its great. Powertec build quality is great. They are 20% off right now so I'm trying to work it into my current gym floorplan...well and convince the wife lol😂
The Levergym and CLS make a great combo. I’ve said it for about 3 years now: this is the most lower back friendly leg machine I’ve ever used.
@HomeGymHacksandReviews thank you for the reply! I guess I'm going to have to do some rearranging in the gym.
@@pearlharbor8065 lol! If…or I should say, when you get it, please let me know what you think.
@HomeGymHacksandReviews absolutely and I will definitely use your affiliate link!
@@pearlharbor8065 you have no idea how much I appreciate that. Thank you.
Nice, looks like they made some good improvements. I have an older model which I still use. I also had trouble with the spring back when I put mine together 🙂
The good ol’ spring. Once I found out a guide rod needed to be removed to install the spring it was easy, but without that information it was impossible for me.
Thanks for this review. I've been eyeballing this machine for some clients and it seems to be a very good home-gym option. Curious: Four sets of 12? That seems like an unnecessary volume of exercise, and "12" just seems like a number plucked out of thin air (as does 4 sets). I can understand a warm-up sub-max set if you have orthopedic issues, and even an occasional breakdown set, but it's that single maximum effort set to physical failure that triggers the survival mechanism which strengthens ✌️
Great to hear the review was helpful. I just finished up a year of HIT / Single Set Training to failure. I had to take a break from failure training, but I’m sure I’ll be back soon.
My concerns are I don’t have enough weights at home to load that machine heavy enough
@@dertrendtrader if you check out a couple of my recent TH-cam Shorts for this machine, I added a squat wedge to the platform and the Powertec Ab Mat behind my back. This has significantly increased my range of motion; making the exercise more difficult and I’m using about 1/2 the weight I used to. There is also the option to use bands to make the exercise more difficult.
If you are extremely strong, you might want to go with the new Powertec Leg Press, which I have a review for. I added a squat wedge and the Powertec Ab Mat on the Leg Press too.
Thanks
Thank you.