Top 5 Underrated Gym Equipment You Should Be Using at Hammer’s Gym

When most people walk into the gym, they go straight for the squat rack, treadmill, or dumbbells. But Hammer’s Gym is packed with powerful equipment that often gets overlooked despite offering huge benefits for strength, conditioning, and mobility.

Here are the top 5 underrated machines you should start using to level up your training.

1. Precor Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT)

If you’ve walked past the AMT thinking it’s “just another cardio machine,” think again. The Precor AMT is one of the most versatile conditioning tools in the gym. Unlike an elliptical or stepper, the AMT allows completely fluid motion stride shorter, longer, step vertically, or move forward in a run-like motion, all without pressing buttons.

Why it’s underrated:

• Trains multiple movement patterns in one machine (stepping, striding, running)

• Low impact on joints perfect for recovery days

• Engages more muscles than most cardio equipment

• Great for HIIT, steady-state, or warm-ups before heavy lifting

Who it’s for:
Anyone wanting joint-friendly cardio, athletes needing movement variety, or lifters warming up hips and glutes.

2. Hyper Back Extension (Roman Chair)

Often tucked away in a corner, the Roman Chair is one of the most powerful tools for building a strong and resilient posterior chain but many people overlook it in favor of machines with pins and cables.

Why it’s underrated:

• Builds the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings with perfect alignment

• Helps protect against lower-back pain by strengthening spinal stabilisers

• Teaches proper hip-hinge mechanics (great carryover to deadlifts)

• Easy to scale with bodyweight or added resistance (plates, dumbbells, bands)

Best uses:

• Back extensions for lower-back endurance

• Glute-focused hip-hinge variations

• Side bends or rotational holds for oblique strength

• Controlled reps for posture correction

If you want a strong back that supports your lifting and your daily life the Roman Chair is non-negotiable.

3. Cable Rack + Smith Machine Combo

This dual-function setup is one of the most efficient and versatile pieces of equipment in Hammer’s Gym but many members underuse it because they don’t realise how much it can do.

Why it’s underrated:

• Two machines in one: a full cable station plus a Smith machine

• Perfect for supersets without moving stations (e.g., rows → squats, presses → core work)

• Great for time-poor lifters who still want a complete workout

• Cables allow endless movement options push, pull, hinge, rotate

• Smith machine offers stability for beginners and control for isolation work

Best uses:

• Cable chest flies, face pulls, lat pulldowns, tricep/rope work

• Smith machine squats, presses, lunges, Romanian deadlifts

• Strength circuits or efficient full-body sessions

4. Seated Row Machine (Multiple Handles)

The seated row machine gives you pure back isolation without the stability demands of free weights.

Why it’s underrated:

• Clean, consistent pulling angle for better mind–muscle connection

• Adjustable grips help target lats, rhomboids, and mid-back

• Great for posture and upper-back strength

• Ideal for beginners or those coming back from injury

5. Pec Deck / Rear Delt Machine

Often mistaken as a “bodybuilder-only” machine, this is actually one of the most valuable tools for shoulder health and upper-body balance.

Why it deserves more use:

• Rear-delt flies prevent shoulder injuries and boost pressing stability

• Pec deck isolates chest without wrist or shoulder strain

• Great finisher for any upper-body day

• Helps correct imbalances from too much pressing or desk work

So make sure to give these a go with your next visit to the gym! Not sure how to use one? Ask one of our friendly personal trainers for some guidance.