opinions of the Hack Squat Machine

[tres_taco_combo]

I do them since my coach has me do them. I am indifferent to the movement.


but curious to many plates guys you are using? how low you are going? any knee issues 

[TTfit]

One of the hardest machines there is. I go 90%. I won't comment on the weight I use as it's simply embarrassing. Hack Squat Machine is NOT for the ego.

[IroNat]

Front squats with a barbell might be more effective for sports.

Power cleans.

Squat cleans.

I'd like to have a hack machine in my home gym but they are pricey and take up space.

[trapz101]

Front squats with a barbell might be more effective for sports.

Power cleans.

Squat cleans.

I'd like to have a hack machine in my home gym but they are pricey and take up space.

for sports performance,yes those you mentioned are better options,but in bodybuilding where gaining muscle is priority,hack squat can do much better

[tres_taco_combo]

for sports performance,yes those you mentioned are better options,but in bodybuilding where gaining muscle is priority,hack squat can do much better

for pure bodybuilder/growth : sports are pointless this is getbig 

[AbrahamG]

I do them since my coach has me do them. I am indifferent to the movement.


but curious to many plates guys you are using? how low you are going? any knee issues 

Probably the best quad exercise there is.  Sadly, they are no longer a staple in most gyms.  In my 20's I went rock bottom and I think at my strongest I did 6 plates for 5 or 6 reps.

[The Scott]

Never thought much of Hack Squats even after being told they were pioneered by the great George Hackenschmidt.   I much preferred the regular squat and the inverted (read: REAL) leg press.

So I never did them. Not even once.   But that doesn't mean they are worthless.  Except to me.

[Obvious Gimmick]

I like them. If people are curling in the squat rack, I'll slide over to the hack squat. I go A2G. No knee issues. I'll go 4 plates a side. Not impressive but none of the other tards  in the gym even know what the thing is, so I get style points

[harmankardon1]

I never like them much, didn't feel it great in the quads and they put pressure on my patella tendons where I have had some issues so I didn't do them much.

[BlackMetallic]

I find hacks target the tear drop above the knee

[joswift]

I have low back issues so hacks are my main leg excercise

[kreator]

Never go heavy on this machine. Use it for the „feel“ of the muscle and go slow with higher rep count.

[harmankardon1]

Never go heavy on this machine. Use it for the „feel“ of the muscle and go slow with higher rep count.

We have seen many a tendon rupture on them.... Very nasty painful injury from all accounts I've heard.

[Coffeed]

C'mon Dorian! Hack squaaaatin!

[G_Thang]

I do them since my coach has me do them. I am indifferent to the movement.


but curious to many plates guys you are using? how low you are going? any knee issues 

I never use more than 4x45s, always keep my hands on knees to keep them stable and maintain proper form.  Goblet Squats are better.

[MAXX]

Great machine. Platz swears by it.

But terrible for my knees so not for me.

[Disgusted]

Never got much out of them. Platz must have knees made of titanium.

[oldtimer1]

Great movement for the quads. Having said that it does have problems. One is guys love piling on the plates and doing half hack squats. You can get more activation of the quads by going deep using less weight. Another problem of piling on the plates to do a limited range of motion is that this machine compresses the disks in your back. Many have had back problems stemming from this machine. If you ever had a compressed nerve in your back you know the chaos and world of hurt you can be in.

[IroNat]

for pure bodybuilder/growth : sports are pointless this is getbig  

Your mention of a coach made me think you were doing sports.

[funk51]

depends on the individual machine. sometimes it's better to just use a barbell.

[funk51]

i used to use mid 400's in the style wahring is doing in pic for a couple of reps. years back when i was young and stupid.

[oldtimer1]

Funk, how many Jubinville units do you have?  I have three still to this day that I use.

[deadz]

My go to for quads. I’ve gone as heavy as 5 plates per side for 8. Now I go 3 plates per side with a 25lb plate per side for 6-8. Hacks, leg press and exts, quads are done.

[harmankardon1]

depends on the individual machine. sometimes it's better to just use a barbell.

I'm working out at my home gym at the moment and have actually been doing these, not bad, pretty easy on the knees too...

[funk51]

Funk, how many Jubinville units do you have?  I have three still to this day that I use.

          i had three a preacher curl the hack squat and safety spotters. only have the safety spotters left, changed out several things as time went by.