GUIDE TO SQUAT MACHINES

Body Solid GSCL360 Leverage Squat Calf Machine

Manufacturer : Body-Solid
In Stock : 18

List Price:	$725.00
Price:	$566.56
You Save:	$158.44 (22%)

Features

Heavy gauge foot platform is set to a 20 degree pitch
3" x 3" 12 gauge steel mainframe
Thick contoured DuraFirm shoulder and back pads
Spring loaded lockouts handle
Body Solid In Home Lifetime Warranty that covers everything. Forever. Period.

Product Description

Body Solid Leverage Squat & Calf Raise. Ask any fitness professional what exercise is the best for developing explosive lower body power and the answer is always the same, the Squat. The Squat is the ultimate exercise for building mass and strength in the thighs, glutes, calves, and lower back. This Leverage Squat Calf Raise Machine is engineered to eliminate the risks of this essential exercise while enhancing the benefits and increasing the effectiveness. Go heavy. Perform squats with 300, 500, 800 pounds and more. The Leverage Squat Machine is the strongest machine in its class and can handle the heaviest loads with ease. This machine is built for those who want it all, power, mass, and performance.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating of 4.50 out of 7 reviews

Rating :
awesome - Brian, Apr 19, 2009

Years ago back in the late 80's early 90's competed in bodybuilding and now at age 38 working on getting back in that shape or better. One of my strongest parts was legs and did many squats to get my legs where they used to be. But over the years I kind of slacked off due to lower back pain due to straight bar squats not to mention it took 8 sets to feel much of anything. With being 6' tall it is hard to really isolate and get that perfect burn in the legs. I can honestly say that since I got this machine I absolutely love it. It only took 1 set to give me the burn I have been after all these years and absolutely no back pain. It helps put you in the exact perfect position.. Not only is this great for squat but also for calves and shrugs.. Extremely durable... It is commercial rated and I sure wish I would have had access to this when I was in my late teens and early 20's.. With Body Solid you get commercial quality at affordable prices..

Rating :
Great squat machine - fitnessbuff45, Apr 18, 2009

I don't have room for a squat rack, so this leverage squat machine is ideal for me. Very well constructed. Takes pressure off the knees and lower back when using the angled plate. I would definitely recommend this product!

Rating :
Body Solid Squat - Dan,, Jan 08, 2009

I looked around and read many reviews before I made the plunge & bought this machine.- Body Solid GSCL360 Leverage Squat Calf Machine
I'll start with the assembly,after all,this is the most daunting thing about this machine once it shows up at your door!
Fortunately, I read a reviewer's suggestion that all hardware be sorted and rebagged prior to construction of this machine. This I did before anything else. Considering how murky the enclosed instructions are, any and all good advice is welcome.
The machine is definitely (stout) quality built & the hardware is of a good quality.
Considering how cold it was outside, I drug the smaller of the 2 boxes inside. The support members are well packed so the use of small wire cutters to cut the cable ties is necessary.I reviewed the install instructions & separated the hardware.
I next opened the larger box and carried in some pieces of the main frame. I will mention here that you can actually download a clearer construction diagram from the internet than what is enclosed with the box. The diagram is actually no different except that it is more readable.

When I got enough of the main frame built,(didn't add the footplate yet;too heavy) I took it out to the garage to finish 'er up. It is a heavy and awkward load at this point (without the arm assembly);you;ll need help to move it.
It did take me about 4 hours to put this thing together but ,truthfully, I wasn't in a hurry. The average person can build this thing!

This machine works the way I'd hoped. I can't complain about the workout.I realized just how creaky my knees were during the test process. I know I'll get better with each workout. Want a lower body workout? This is the ticket! Most important, this machine is relatively SAFE to use. You will not get stranded with weights you can't offload.
Also,there is an ability to relocate a steel pin that allows for a deeper knee bend.

Except for the poor assembly instructions, I would have given this machine 5 stars.--also, don't expect any advice on lifting techniques or any other "how to"; none was included.
You will need a crescent wrench and some metric sockets to complete this project. 2 hex keys are included.You will also need Olympic weights.NOTE: Olympic weights can be had on the used market for less than 1/2 the price of new weights

Rating :
assembly a headache - sparky, Nov 19, 2008

Received the product quickly from Amazon but noticed that nuts, bolts and washers were spilling out of the small box all over the floor. Not a good sign. Called Body Solid and response was less than enthusiastic. Said that they could probably get me missing parts withing 7 days. Checked with Amazon to see if they wanted me to return it or attempt to set it up. They said set it up. Sure enough, parts were missing. Trip to hardware store was easiest. As a father of two, I have assembled my share of projects and the directions for this machine are by far the worst. Used weights for over thirty years and rate it three stars. Hard to get under, leg position for calves and squats not quite optimum. With very little effort all around they could have made this a better machine for use and assembly. With what I know now I would have saved $100 and gone with the other manufacturer.

Rating :
Build some legs - M. Emerson, Sep 05, 2008

I haven't had this long, enough for just a couple leg workouts and about 6 calf workouts, but I think I have enough experience with it to share my thoughts.

The first thing I noticed is that it takes a little getting used to. With plates on it there is a little work just to get under the pads and the feet into the proper spot on the angled foot plate. I'm not that tall (5'11") but I still have to squat way down to get into position but its not that terrible. I suppose if your very tall you might find that somewhat uncomfortable. Ive read reviews of the Powertec leverage squat and a taller reviewer said he had issues with it so maybe its just something you go through with these types of machines.

Now to the important part...the workout. First off the angled foot plate allows for multiple foot positions which is great because you can work your legs slightly differently depending on foot position. One thing that took some getting used to is leaning back into the pads that go behind your back. With your feet on the angled plate you almost have to lean back into those pads, which felt odd to me, but it makes for a comfortable lifting position. While lifting your back feels totally removed from the move which in a traditional squat the back is highly involved. There is an adjustable pin to determine how low you can go into the movement, I personally put it lower because I like to go deeper into the move. Its very comfortable though, Id almost compare it to more of a leg press or hack squat feeling than a squat because its that much easier on the back than a regular squat.

Calves are good to work with this. The calf block isnt quite high enough to get a really deep stretch at the bottom but its curved and doesnt dig into your foot like a square block would.

Okay there are a few quirks to this item that I should go into. The directions suck! Fortunately I bought this item from a local distributor and they did the assembly but go to the bodysolid site and look at the manual. Yep, no step by step instructions just an exploded view diagram. No usage instructions in the manual either although use isn't so complicated you cant figure it out. My main issue is with the locking pin. There's a lever that you move and I don't know if its just me but it seems that to get into the exercise I lift the weight then have to deal with that start-stop lever, rep out then deal with it yet again. Maybe I'm just not used to it but it seems sort of awkward to use with a few hundred pounds on your back.

Overall though its probably the best product for what it is for. Just be sure you have enough weights to use because I'm sure that you can build some big legs and calves with the help of this machine!

PS: shop around for the best price

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