Mine doesn't have one nor do most of the high end units I've seen. I haven't found myself wishing I had one, but then again, I've never used one with a knee pad (so I can't say I wouldn't like/use it). Either way, it's definitely not necessary.
My GHD (a used Power Lift) has roller pads, so a knee pad is very helpful, but I doubt a knee pad is that important to other types of GHD. Knee pad makes it easier to get into position and prevents my knees from sliding off the roller pad.
My GHD is the red version of this one: (you can see the knee pad right next to the roller pad)
The Power Lift fixed pad version of the glute ham bench has no knee pad:
The support pad is big enough to prevent knees from dropping. My guess you only need for GHRs without step up plate and/or small support pad, otherwise it's just getting in a way.
My GHD (a used Power Lift) has roller pads, so a knee pad is very helpful, but I doubt a knee pad is that important to other types of GHD. Knee pad makes it easier to get into position and prevents my knees from sliding off the roller pad.
I agree with your post. I have the same PL one with rollers + pad and had a half-moon one before w/o pad.
So, there is really no need for it. Thanks, guys, for the input.
I narrowed my choice down to these two models. They have similar design ( two horizontal travel tubes). I like that a lot. And priced about the same ( roughly $800):
1. Promaxima PL-41
it weighs 250 lbs, has a knee pad, but no roller pads. I think this one is of a better quality.
I think its a matter of whether its necessary for the design of the pad. I've had 4 GHR's that I've used and half of them had the knee pad.
York with rollers & knee pad. This is the first one I had with a knee pad. I didn't know anything about them when I got it. I assumed it was just an added feature they'd put on their model. After using it I loved it because it was a nice comfortable place to steady your body as you prepared for the exercise. Now that I've used one with a bigger, larger half moon pad, I can see how it wasn't necessarily just a nice addition to the York. Because of the rotation of the rollers, your knees would uncomfortably roll down without it...obviously the rollers can't be elongated, so the knee pad was put into place.
My first "Edge" GHR. It had a half moon, stationary pad, but it was small compared to most. I'm not sure if Rick at Edge put the knee pad in because of this or because he'd seen it on other designs, but he got it right. I don't think it would have been as comfortable without it:
Samson (without) See how the pad comes back toward the user:
Current Edge GHR (Without) When I got it, I asked about the knee pad because my previous two had it and I thought it was necessary for comfort/ease of use. The fabricator said because of the size of the pad it wasn't necessary. I was skeptical, but I've had it for over a year and he was right, the pad is extremely comfortable and I've never once missed the knee pad:
Just for kicks, I've also included the Yukon GHR piece of crap that I hated. It had a lot of things wrong with it, but I think one of the problems I missed was that it has no knee pad and a short base pad....which is the worst of all worlds. Just one more reason for me to dislike this crappy product:
So..... hope that gives you some insight on whether it is necessary or not. Personally, of all the ones I've owned, the one I have with the oversized half moon and no knee pad is the most comfortable unit I've had. I don't need the knee pad and it would probably take away from the useable space inside the GHR because the pad is so big. The York was fine and I'd say any GHR with roller pads definitely needs the knee pad. There might be some out there with rollers that don't have it, but my gut feeling is they could be made better with it. It seems like the farther back the pad goes, the less need there is for the knee pad because the base pad serves the exact same purpose.
So, there is really no need for it. Thanks, guys, for the input.
I narrowed my choice down to these two models. They have similar design ( two horizontal travel tubes). I like that a lot. And priced about the same ( roughly $800):
1. Promaxima PL-41
it weighs 250 lbs, has a knee pad, but no roller pads. I think this one is of a better quality.
I don't know if 50 lbs difference in weight is that important when GHD is in use, I mean specically these two models.
The travel mechanism of Valor Fitness GHD:
I haven't used either one of these, but I think the Promaxima would be better. Like Keetman said, having a knee pad is not necessary with half-moon, stationary pad. But not having it with a roller pad is just ... risky business. What would happen if your knees slide off the roller?
The other issue is price. GetRxD (http://www.getrxd.net/index.php/rack...ghd-s/ghd.html) has the Valor version for $500 (you can add it to cart to check shipping). There are also other GHDs in the $500 range that looks better than the Valor/GetRxD/ForceUSA one. Again Faster has one at $500 too (https://www.againfaster.com/shop/pro...ain-faster-ghd). If you're looking at the $800 range, you may as well look at the ones offered by Rogue, Edge Fitness, EliteFTS or Sorinex.
So, there is really no need for it. Thanks, guys, for the input.
I narrowed my choice down to these two models. They have similar design ( two horizontal travel tubes). I like that a lot. And priced about the same ( roughly $800):
1. Promaxima PL-41
it weighs 250 lbs, has a knee pad, but no roller pads. I think this one is of a better quality.
I don't know if 50 lbs difference in weight is that important when GHD is in use, I mean specically these two models.
The travel mechanism of Valor Fitness GHD:
I have that Promaxima and it is a great value for the money. It is solid and well made.
I would be hesitant to get that Valor Fitness one without using it 1st. I have one other piece of their line and I'm not terribly happy with it. The quality is lacking.
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[]---[] Equipment Crew #28 []---[]
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I hear alot of people say dont buy a GHR w/ roller pads.
Might want to keep that in mind
It surprises me how many people refuse to buy equipment from Elitefts because its too expensive but they will buy equipment from their competitors, then continue to go on EFS website regulary to educate themselves for FREE
I think this is extremely user dependent. I MUCH prefer the large half moon I have now over the York rollers, but I've seen some people on here swear by them and there are still some really high end manufacturers providing them.
Lot of money to risk unless you can try them out. The rollers on my York weren't a deal breaker, I just had some issues with them and I like the new one better. If you don't buy things the way I do though.....flipping and waiting for the next chance to upgrade.....it would be prudent to do your homework.
On the Valor GHR..... I have my reservations on that one myself. I've heard sketchy things about them, but never seen anything in person made by them. That footplate seems small, there is no knee pad, and the handles don't come out far (although that may not be a big deal). It doesn't "look" poorly made though, so who knows.
I bought mine second hand so I didn't have a choice, but if I were to buy new, I'd get a half moon split pad style. With the one Ive got I need to tuck everything out of the way the way that guy did in 'Silence of The Lambs' before I can do back extensions.
My new training log:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=153596291&p=1062453741#post1062453741
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()---() York Barbell Club #4 ()---()
I bought mine second hand so I didn't have a choice, but if I were to buy new, I'd get a half moon split pad style. With the one Ive got I need to tuck everything out of the way the way that guy did in 'Silence of The Lambs' before I can do back extensions.
Thanks for providing that mental image......
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You can develop great muscles with this just don't listen to meat heads.
So..... hope that gives you some insight on whether it is necessary or not. Personally, of all the ones I've owned, the one I have with the oversized half moon and no knee pad is the most comfortable unit I've had. I don't need the knee pad and it would probably take away from the useable space inside the GHR because the pad is so big. The York was fine and I'd say any GHR with roller pads definitely needs the knee pad. There might be some out there with rollers that don't have it, but my gut feeling is they could be made better with it. It seems like the farther back the pad goes, the less need there is for the knee pad because the base pad serves the exact same purpose.
Before reading your post, I was leaning more toward the roller padded design. Experience always trumps book logic. Gotta go with your advice.
Strange that the weight is specified at 170lbs. Overstock states it as 201 lbs. Might be a different version or something.
Originally Posted by pumping4life
I have that Promaxima and it is a great value for the money. It is solid and well made.
I concur. I own Promaxima prone leg curl machine. It’s made of heavy gauge steel. Promaxima is in the same league with names like BodyMasters, Cybex, Hammer Strength, etc.
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Originally Posted by Keetman
On the Valor GHR..... I have my reservations on that one myself. I've heard sketchy things about them, but never seen anything in person made by them. That footplate seems small, there is no knee pad, and the handles don't come out far (although that may not be a big deal). It doesn't "look" poorly made though, so who knows.
Originally Posted by pumping4life
I would be hesitant to get that Valor Fitness one without using it 1st. I have one other piece of their line and I'm not terribly happy with it. The quality is lacking.
I am kinda open-minded and not demanding, but I know what you mean by “lacking”. Well, I bought several Valor products. Two leg curl/extension machines, standing arm curl and a weight tree. Overall I am pretty happy, but of course they are nowhere close to Promaxima. Here is my leg machine conversion project based on Valor:
That Valor is the worst designed GHD I have ever seen! I cant believe they are even selling it since they have to know by now its dangerous. I myself have one with a knee pad and probably always will. For one, I do feel safer since I can never fall off. Plus, you can pause in the middle of your set if you need to for whatever reason. Heres an assisted version I use with clients sometimes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyETbqa55Fk
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.....I do feel safer since I can never fall off. Plus, you can pause in the middle of your set if you need to for whatever reason. .......
Obviously, like I said earlier, this is going to be up to the individual, so I'm not bashing you at all....but just for clarification, I can't fall off mine either and it comes back far enough that I can comfortably rest if needed as well.
That was the cool thing about the large half moon that I didn't expect after I'd been using a knee pad....it wasn't necessary on my model.
I really do think that its a must have on a roller pad design though....I'm not sure what you'd do if you needed to stop for a second....those rollers don't have brakes!
Overstock has just lowered the 200lbs Valor model to $600 shipped. It's tempting. With the money saved I can get Valor CA-53 2" Speed Bag Platform. I've been wanting it for a while for my speed bag training. It's a beast.
That Valor is the worst designed GHD I have ever seen! I cant believe they are even selling it since they have to know by now its dangerous. I myself have one with a knee pad and probably always will. For one, I do feel safer since I can never fall off.
You made me think about possibility of falling off when feet are in position on GHDs with rollers and without knee padding. To me it looks like the distance between the rollers and the footplate and the fact that your feet are resting against the plate would mechanically prevent falling off or sliding down. Look at the video below. I know it's on a half moon pad, but still shows what I mean. Can somebody confirm it?
Originally Posted by Keetman
Obviously, like I said earlier, this is going to be up to the individual, so I'm not bashing you at all....but just for clarification, I can't fall off mine either and it comes back far enough that I can comfortably rest if needed as well.
I uploaded to youtube an example of a GHD with half moon padding in actual use to show what Keetman means.
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