Ex-Gym: ATX Beast 45-Degree Leg Press/ Hack Squat BPR-790

Check out our video of the BPR-790 here:

Fancy trying out the BPR-790 Leg Press and Hack Squat?

Visit our gym store at BS48 4DJ. You can try this item, as well as many other machines. At the time of writing, we have it situated right next to our BPR-650 leg press and the SQM-700 lever squat. Fancy a legs session?

Tell me about the leg press specifically:

You can go deep, the foot plate is a decent size, you can go heavy, it's comfortable! About all you need to know really. I'd love an even bigger footplate, although it's not necessary, but it'd make the sled too heavy for hack squats, so I can understand why it hasn't. My one small niggle is a bit of plate movement in the pick-up of the first rep (due to deliberate play in the pin locking mechanism), but this is a minor quibble, as its strong and stable.

Tell me about the hack squat specifically:

Incredibly wide footplate and super-deep. The angle adjustment of the plate, and it being wide, means many seem to be able to get more comfortable on this than I've known on any other hack squat. Certainly, the hack squat is the best element. The one thing I would say is where the plate is industrial for a decent leg press, it's bloody heavy for a starting weight for hack squat. We recommend buying a strong power band and making use of the "assisted" hack squat feature, particularly if you're training clients on this machine. On our own unit, we tend to leave a strong power band with the hack squat.

How easy is it to switch between a hack squat and a leg press?

Incredibly easy. I've done it single-handed, while holding a cup of tea; although, I do recommend you use both hands. Perhaps the most awkward thing of a switch, is you'll likely then have an awkward height adjustment for the next exercise. Converting from a leg press to a hack squat, you'll probably find the pads too low...and, when switching from a hack squat to a leg press, you'll probably find the plate too high. You'll get in your grove and work it out soon enough though, but that's perhaps the most awkward part for you or your client. The other thing to remember is the weights - don't switch from a leg press to a hack squat and leave weights loaded!

Are the calf raises in both positions a gimmick?

Certainly not. People have favoured calf raises on leg presses for years. This is better, as its purpose-made for it. That said, the donkey calf raise (the other way around) is better still. Love this machine for calves!

What does Sam say about the leg press and hack squat?

We recommend visiting our Australian counterpart's lowdown on the ATX BPR-790, as Sam from Sam's Fitness covers it in detail. Here's their video:

Specific details of the ATX Beast Leg Press/ Hack Squat BPR-780:

Here's a video from ATX presenting the main exercises on the BPR-790 machine: