Best buy on a Glute-ham raise bench?

[latinus_spicticus]

Okay, I have all but completed my garage gym. I have a power rack, 2 benches, dumbells from 15lbs to 120lbs, a hyperextension bench, a reverse hyper, a vertical leg press, and a pulldown machine. The only thing I am missing is a Glute-ham bench. I can't seem to find a cheap one on the net, and the best deal I can get locally is 500 dollars which is way over my budget.

Basically, I am looking at the Yukon Hyperextension/glute-ham bench which retails for around 200 incl shipping. The only flaw I see on the piece of equipment is that the toeplates are not long enough to dig your toes into. Does anyone have hands-on experience with the Yukon hyper/Glute-ham bench? Sorinex sells an "old school" style glute-ham bench, and I was going to buy it until they told me it would be 400 dollars. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a cheap GHR machine? I don't really care about extreme sturdiness, as I usually (at my old gym) would only use BW and do 3 sets at the beginning of my WO and 2 sets at the end of my WO. So the elitefitness model is unnecisarily built for my needs. Anyway, thank you for the help if I get any responses.

 

[teen1216]

You could always just do them on the floor without a bench. Pad under your knees and something for your feet.

 

[Jagermeister]

Yukon Conversion to Glute Ham Bench

How to alter your Yukon Hyperextension Bench so it can be used as a Glute Ham Bench
Big Dog and The Game have these and I am able to use one, Yukon GHB, on a regular basis. Out of the box, it's not a Glute Ham Bench at all, but rather, a hyperextension bench. The pad is not solid at all.

Rebuild the pad by taking two 12" circle 3/4" plywood and cutting it in half. You will end up with 4 half moon shaped pieces. Attach those to the plywood base of the pad, one on each end, the other two evenly spaced out in the center. Use 1"x1"'s and screw them across the plywood “half moon’s” to form the underlying hump. Visit a foam store and get some hi-density 2" foam cut for cushioning. Pick up some vinyl for the cover.

The toe plate is also too small, weld steel plates onto the existing structure so it is about 13" or so long. The toe plate needs to be bigger than your foot to allow for maximal calf recruitment from this movement

It's an ok setup, and works (quite well really) if you want to put the work into it.

If you do not want to (or are unable to) put the work, or really like professionally made machines, check out www.sarden.com. He just came out with a GHB which is well made.


originaly posted by Ermantroudt