I originally used a the old helmet as pictured. I did a great job. Now I use this four way neck machine in my basement. A cheap effective solution is the apparatus in the link I'm putting in here. Having a built body and a skinny neck or soft looking neck is a bad look. Having a built neck makes you look masculine. If you want to train the neck on the cheap just fold up a towel and put a plate on your forehead lying on a bench and do neck curls. Get a neck strap off amazon and while sitting do neck extensions with a plate connected to the chain. For the sides you can use hand pressure and even twists resisting your hands. https://thestrongneck.com/products/the-strong-neck?variant=39916656230493¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrJKD4OmrggMVrfPICh0dKQdWEAQYASABEgI70PD_BwE
That Helmet looks wicked but i use a neck harness & as you wrote plate wrapped in a towel lying face up off a bench. I have also tried other methods such as bands but a weight plate works fine.In the Gyms here i have never seen a direct neck machine but in the USA American Football is a sport where a powerful neck is important also wrestling so you have these machines.Having said that on German TV we are now getting more American football shown.