Hyper-Extension Bench Old School Mentality

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Do Hyper Extension Benches hold any true value in a strength routine that cannot already be provided by a GHD? I see these were highly praised in a lot of old school workout routines (Including Reg Park's 5x5) and this was before the GHD/GHR were ever really mentioned (Or maybe they didn't exist back then???). I'm basically asking if these types of benches are something really worth adding to a home gym, or if a GHD would be enough as far as posterior chain health/work.

[Hardgains88]

Deep, I think the hyper extension itself still has relevance even when performing GHR movement. The GHD dies a good job with this movement though as well as GHD sit-ups and of coarse GHR. So though the movement is great, you don't need both to perform all of them, that's why the GHD is so much more popular today. I have a body solid hyper and a rogue Abrams (old school) GHD and I almost never use the BS hyper even when doing hypers

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Thanks Gains, I always wondered why they seemed so economical and not really picked up by the bigger name companies and that explains it well (It's extinct in it's popularity cause of what the GHD/GHR can provide including the movement a hyper can, so why have one movement when you can have them all in one piece!). Good answer...Now to get me that GHD I've been itchin' to get hopefully soon. Reps!

[Mech6]

I like back extensions, but I much prefer the 45deg version because it's easier to get in and setup with a weight (bar on back for example).

[Wildtim]

A hyperextension bench is much cheaper and has a smaller footprint than a GHD. Yes they pre-exist the GHD by decades.

[Hardgains88]

I like back extensions, but I much prefer the 45deg version because it's easier to get in and setup with a weight (bar on back for example).

That would be the only advantage in a hyper to a GHD, easier to do weighted hypers with a bar, but that's only a 45 degree hyper wich is a true "one trick pony" at least the standard hyper can do sit ups also. (Not that there aren't other ways to do this, but they are nice on this type of equipment) I do weighted hypers with plates (so obviously it is cumbersome past 45 pound plate but you could hold a dumbel. My point mostly to deep is that of the exercises possible on this equipment, the GHR is probably the most important, and the GHD allows all of the exercises possible to be done, so if you can only have one (assuming your not rich or a master fabricator who can literally make anything &#128515 the GHD is definitely the go to piece of equipment!

[Mech6]

That would be the only advantage in a hyper to a GHD, easier to do weighted hypers with a bar, but that's only a 45 degree hyper wich is a true "one trick pony" at least the standard hyper can do sit ups also. (Not that there aren't other ways to do this, but they are nice on this type of equipment) I do weighted hypers with plates (so obviously it is cumbersome past 45 pound plate but you could hold a dumbel. My point mostly to deep is that of the exercises possible on this equipment, the GHR is probably the most important, and the GHD allows all of the exercises possible to be done, so if you can only have one (assuming your not rich or a master fabricator who can literally make anything ��) the GHD is definitely the go to piece of equipment!

A good use for the 45deg, which no one seems to mention, is to use it as a progressive way to get better/used to natural GHRs. Pretty much anyone can do a few reps at 45degrees. Then you start raising the back of your machine. Eventually when it's close to horizontal (it'll be quite a sight to see, you'll be jacked pretty high), you can move on to a real natural GHR on the floor/flat setup.
You NEED to have a machine with long pads for this. The elitefts model is a good example. Knees must be on the pads. Otherwise forget it, won't work.

[Stasher1]

A hyperextension bench is much cheaper and has a smaller footprint than a GHD. Yes they pre-exist the GHD by decades.

Fwiw, my Cybex 45° hyper had nearly the same footprint as my GHD.

Someone, maybe Hoist or Powertec, makes an adjustable hyper that can go from 45° to 90° so it can also be used for sit-ups as well.

Edit: It turns out that both Hoist and Powertec offer one...

http://www.hoistfitness.com/consumer...ck-roman-hyper

http://www.powertecfitness.com/p-27-...ch-p-hc10.aspx

[Synthetickiller]

I currently own a GHR & 45° hyper. I don't view them the way everyone else does.

My GHR has only been used for 2 things:
1. GHR hamstring work
2. Elevated crunches (have not been doing them recently, but might do them again)

The 45° hyper has been mainly used for core work. I stopped doing heavy oblique raises (might start again, who cares if my core stays thick, lol) & static core work.
Because of too many reasons, I really never do back raises. I just get pain & an intense, painful pump in my left spinal erectors. I'd love to do back work with it, but have no clue how to fix that one, yet.

If I had to pick, GHR for days; but I won't be selling my hyper either. I think both have their place, if you have the room.

[daniel327]

Edit: It turns out that both Hoist and Powertec offer one...

http://www.hoistfitness.com/consumer...ck-roman-hyper

http://www.powertecfitness.com/p-27-...ch-p-hc10.aspx

I use my PT hyper (in the flat position) for chest unsupported prone barbell rows. It really gives my lower back something to think about.

[urbanlifter]

Bodycraft, Tuff Stuff, and TKO all make adjustable hypers. Having owned a GHD now I would be tempted to recommend a good 45° hyper over a GHD starting out. Main reasons being: the movement will help prepare you for GHR's, a good hyper can be had for half the price (GHYP345), GHR's are not the end all for hamstring development, and they simply take up less space. Haha, except for the Cybex version, that one is enormous.

[Mech6]

and they simply take up less space. Haha, except for the Cybex version, that one is enormous.

I also made one on the large side.

[dragon360]

I also made one on the large side.

I still love that one. More so every time I see it!

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Lol gotta leave it to the equipment thread to make ya think...Now I'm thinking if I should get the hyper first cause it's cheaper than the GHD and a smaller footprint which always works out well, then if I needed to sell it and outgrew it for a GHD I could probably break even selling it to a friend at close to what I would pay for it.

Which hyper is the best quality one out there that has a reasonable footprint?

[Synthetickiller]

I also made one on the large side.

Every time I see this unit, it brings a smile to my face. The yellow is strangely good looking on the unit & yellow is a color I usually stay away from with lifting gear.
This would be one of the two options I'd jump on to upgrade my current 45 degree hyper.


This is the other model I'd like, (my number one pick if I could source a used one).

[C123C]

I'm a big fan of the 45 degree hyper as it allows a greater range of motion and traction at the bottom of the movement vs. a 90 degree which is what a GHD simulates. Think of a total loaded range of 90+45 with the deloaded angle much more significant vs. simply 90 as that's the range of motion each allows your trunk to go through.

I have the Abrams 2.0 GHD. If I had the room and funds, I'd own a 45 degree hyper also. I like the movement enough that the 90 degree on the GHD doesn't fully cut it for me - I was hoping it would have but didn't work out that way. That said, GHD for most people gives you a lot more than a 90 degree hyper so in almost every case it's the better buy/prioritization. I didn't find cheap 45 degree hypers out there and Craigslist in my area is unimpressive so the GHD (Black Friday!) is what I went with.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Thought I'd some what continue this thread on the hyperextension. Which one(s) would you recommend and why?

[Stasher1]

Thought I'd some what continue this thread on the hyperextension. Which one(s) would you recommend and why?

Did you not see this thing?




Simply beautiful.

If it were black with red upholstery, I'd have to go change my drawers.

[Mech6]

Thought I'd some what continue this thread on the hyperextension. Which one(s) would you recommend and why?

Well, I haven't had a 45deg one for a while now, and I miss it. I don't miss the horizontal one. I have a GHR and I never use it for extensions. But a 45deg I would use often.

[Mech6]

Did you not see this thing?




Simply beautiful.


If it were black with red upholstery, I'd have to go change my drawers.

It's nice, but for me, I don't like the fact it's so high. I like to do my extensions with a bar on my back (cambered is even better). But I wouldn't be able to climb in and setup on this thing with the bar in place. Much too high. I need the foot plate just above the ground. So I just stand there and lean in to get my thighs on the pads. Then set my heels. Same reason I need a long pad. A short one wouldn't work either. Need to be able to put my knees on them to setup.

[julces]

Nautilus multiadjustable hyper is my choice

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Did you not see this thing?




Simply beautiful.

If it were black with red upholstery, I'd have to go change my drawers.

Indeed I did, but what's the damage on one of those?

[C123C]

Well, I haven't had a 45deg one for a while now, and I miss it. I don't miss the horizontal one. I have a GHR and I never use it for extensions. But a 45deg I would use often.

I ended up with a GHD because I wanted a hyper option and they were large and decently expensive...so why not get the GHD. While I get a lot out of the GHD I sure realize the difference between a 90 degree and 45 degree hyper now (range of motion, passive traction at the bottom). I'll add a 45 degree at some point almost certainly.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

In the light commercial market which would you say between the Powertec, or Body Solid? I noticed the Powertec hyper is actually heavier than the BS hyper.

Any thoughts on the solidity of these when in use? Pros/cons? Thanks.

[urbanlifter]

Bodysolid Hyper was excellent IMO opinion, would buy again / 10 ! Very solid unit, comfortable pads, nice footplate, pretty affordable if you can find a refurbed one on Fitness Factory. Here is something similair, although I have seen the pricing cheaper (like $260 range).

https://www.fitnessfactory.com/Home/...yperextension/

Now here is what I bought!!!

http://www.fitnessfactoryoutlet.com/...Extension.html

[Rottweiler59]

I have a 45 Nautlius hyper with massive rock solid footplate. I also have the powerlift ghr and actually I feel my hams more on the 45. Especially if you do single leg back extensions. Really burns.

[harrisg83]

Indeed I did, but what's the damage on one of those?

I think around $1,800 new, delivered. I purchased mine used from Healthnut (in essentially new condition) so I received a better deal...

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Bodysolid Hyper was excellent IMO opinion, would buy again / 10 ! Very solid unit, comfortable pads, nice footplate, pretty affordable if you can find a refurbed one on Fitness Factory. Here is something similair, although I have seen the pricing cheaper (like $260 range).

https://www.fitnessfactory.com/Home/...yperextension/

Now here is what I bought!!!

http://www.fitnessfactoryoutlet.com/...Extension.html

Thanks for the info Urban, I'm about 5'8" so I hope that piece fits my height well if I get it. Looks to be perfect for my space situation.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

I wanted to bump this thread with a question, Has anyone tried, or do they own this piece by Strength Equipment's site? http://strengthequipment.net/plateload/

It's listed as No. 225 on that page, appears to be a plate loaded hybrid type of piece, Any thoughts on it? Does it live up to it's name?

[TunaGill]

It's nice, but for me, I don't like the fact it's so high. I like to do my extensions with a bar on my back (cambered is even better). But I wouldn't be able to climb in and setup on this thing with the bar in place. Much too high. I need the foot plate just above the ground. So I just stand there and lean in to get my thighs on the pads. Then set my heels. Same reason I need a long pad. A short one wouldn't work either. Need to be able to put my knees on them to setup.

Mech,

Check this out from Edge Fitness Systems:

http://www.edgefitnessystems.com/ima...crc=3917025761

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPVt-tQg...18073548372752