Plate Loaded Machines

Plate Loaded Machines for Commercial and Home Gyms

Plate loaded machines use standard Olympic weight plates for resistance, combining the feel of free-weight training with a guided, supported movement path. Unlike pin-loaded machines, the same plates can be shared across every machine and your barbells, and load can be added in small, visible steps. The BLK BOX range covers leg press, squat, posterior chain and upper body machines for home gyms, PT studios, sports clubs and commercial facilities.

Plate Loaded Leg Machines

Plate Loaded Leg Press Machines

The Plate Loaded Leg Press has four chrome weight sleeves, four plate storage pegs, 47kg of resistance before any plates are added and a 450kg maximum load. The 45 Degree Leg Press runs on linear self-aligning bearings, delivers around 70% of the loaded weight as resistance, and takes up to 490kg from a 45kg carriage, with the ISO Leg Press and Bilateral Leg Press completing the range. Our leg press buying guide compares bilateral and unilateral setups.

Hack Squat, Pendulum Squat and V Squat Machines

The Plate Loaded Hack Squat has an adjustable footplate mounted on a pivot for different stances, while the Plate Loaded Pendulum Squat uses an arcing working arm, a pull-pin adjustable footplate and an adjustable safety stop for a deep, supported squat pattern. The Plate Loaded V Squat and the Standing Calf Raise and Leverage Squat add further lower-body options.

Belt Squat Machine

The Belt Squat Machine is manufactured at our Belfast HQ from 80mm x 80mm laser-cut steel and comes complete with a Spud Inc belt squat belt. It loads the legs heavily through the hips, keeping load off the shoulders and spine, on a 1.2m x 0.7m footplate.

Posterior Chain, Glute and Calf Machines

The Reverse Hyper, Back Extension and Sissy Squat target the hamstrings, lower back and quads. For glute training, the Plate Loaded Hip Thrust Machine and Myothrusta sit in our hip thrust machines range, and seated calf raise machines are in our plate loaded seated calf collection.

Plate Loaded Upper Body Machines

The Plate Loaded Chest Press and Plate Loaded Shoulder Press use independent pressing arms, so each side moves naturally and imbalances are easier to spot. The Plate Loaded Row adds a padded chest support to stabilise the torso, with neutral and overhand grip options to shift emphasis across the back.

Plate Loaded vs Pin Loaded Machines

Because plate loading is familiar to anyone who trains with free weights, these machines tend to feel more intuitive for experienced lifters, while still offering the guided movement that makes a machine a safer choice than its free-weight equivalent for certain exercises. Pin-loaded machines change weight quickly for circuits, while plate loaded machines suit heavier loads and progressive overload, with many facilities using both. They pair well with a facility's existing weight plate stock, and complement the wider strength machines range for facilities building out a full machine-based training area.