Customer Reviews

Powertec L-SC Leverage Squat / Calf

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very happy with this product! Walking around like a sore stick man today, and those of you that do squats know what Im talking about. :) Very sturdy, easy to assemble, but I need to quantify. At a minimum you will need a decent wrench set and prefferably a 1/2 in ratchet with SAE sockets. 3/8 ths would work but these are some BIG bolts on this thing! Another person is absolutely neccessary for one small part, but not a bruiser needed, wife or kid or girlfriend can do it. As far as the excercise, its wonderful! Im too old, 53 to be playing with as heavy of weights as I need for free squats anymore. I can do them, but I worry about an injury and healing time now. I loaded this bear up with 360 pounds and got busy, knocking out a couple of sets of eight....Smooth, felt very secure, confidence helped me to push myself harder than I can anymore with free squats. Did calves also; no problem here, but went heavy enough, that I may put a towel or something between me and the pads, for extra cushion until the pads get broken in a bit. Great machine, will let me do things I always wanted to be able to do at home. If you want a big chest, back or arms, and I mean truly big, You MUST do squats, they are the foundation for any truly serious bodybuilder.

I just got one of these used from another weightlifter, because I wanted a good standing calf machine. It seems really solid and stable in use, and it does take up a bit of space. The only real complaint I have is that I'm 6'3", and it doesn't have a height setting high enough for the starting point...I have to squat way down to get under the shoulder pads, which isn't so bad, but I'm used to calf machines I just barely had to bend to get under. I guess it's the compromise for it being a squat machine, too. It would've made more sense for Powertec to make the main upright stand post taller, with more holes for height selection. Oh, well. Still a great piece of equipment.

UPDATE 11/17/07: I just used it in a proper workout for the first time, and even though it's still hard to get under, I really liked the way it controlled my form for the squats...way, *way* better than having a barbell across your shoulder. It didn't give my lower back any problems at all (I have a permanent injury), and the calf bar was a good height and seemed really sturdy. Overall, great machine!

I've been weight training since I was in the 7th grade, and I'm now almost 30. I have trained for strength (Powerlifting) and I have trained for beauty (bodybuilding). I decided to quit paying the astronomical prices at my local gym which I was a member of for 7+ years when they were going to jump my monthly fee to $90 from $55. I have plenty of equipment to safely train at home and work with heavy weights, but I usually stop just shy of failure out of fear of getting hurt since I don't have a spotter. This machine allows me to push myself... dare I say even harder than I did when I was using a spotter. I don't fret over not being able to get the last rep because I know I'm not going to get trapped under the bar. I just got off of this thing like an hour ago and my legs feel like balloons. I can tell that my legs are going to explode probably far beyond anything they've ever reached before. I was skeptical of this machine at first because of my height, but I must say this was a great investment!

P.S. I have had knee and back problems and this does not seem to aggravate either condition. A++ in my book

UPDATE!!!: This machine is still every bit as good as I stated above; however, I have many Powertec products. Four months ago part of the frame on my Shape System (which has a lifetime guarantee) broke. This was my fault and I assumed responsibility, but despite offering to pay for the part I have been unable to get a replacement part. I've gone round and round with Powertec...even through the Better Business Bureau. My claim with the BBB has been closed and is now moving to their Dispute Resolution Department and could even in up in Arbitration. I love the equipment, but will NEVER DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY AGAIN! If you're going to buy this product do yourself a favor and go with Body Solid's version.

I bought this machine to work my legs, my core and hip flexors in a safe way. I have a trap bar but no matter how strict my form, it is very tough on my knees. So, based on reviews and relative price, I went with this machine versus a squat cage, Smith machine or leg sled. I procured it for $400 new, from a health club supplier. When I asked why the price was so low, he said that he could no longer sell this type of specialty machine, and it had been sitting around for 2 years. He assembled it for me and we took the leverage upper part off with a single pin, loaded it in a pickup truck, and lugged it up a narrow staircase in my house to my workout room.
The positives: The machine provides a leg and core workout very similar to squats, except you won't get killed or break your floor if you fail a rep. Just like squats, the slightest change in foot placement, or where you push off on the soles of your feet (heels or balls) make a huge difference. The leveraging changes the center of gravity away from the knees and more to the mid-section and lower back. Just like barbell squats, you will have to squeeze your glutes and tighten your abs. Also, you will need to watch the position of your lower back to avoid strain. And like squats, poor form, i.e. moving your knees forward on the squat rather than sitting straight back, will put pressure on the knees - I learned that the hard way. The machine also provides a good workout of the hip flexors. One of the main arguments against machines is that the peripheral muscles and the core don't get a good workout. That is fortunately not the case with this machine. It provides an excellent all around workout. The price is low compared to other types of machines, though higher than just using a bar and rack, doing dumbbell squats or deadlifts with a trap bar. It is also safer, IMHO, than using a cage.
The negatives: You will need to make two awkward movements with this machine. You will need to squat down to get your shoulders hunched down to about 42" and swing into position. If you are stiff (like I am), it takes some practice and is unpleasant. The second difficult move is to get your shoulders in the right position, lift the lever off the ground, and take a step forward onto the tilted platform. I find it awkward with very modest weight, and taking a step with a very heavy weight will definitely take practice. I found stepping out also takes some technique, but I found that as the weight gets heavier, it is easier to dismount than mount. It would be a shame to injure oneself with the mount and dismount. This machine is a little like a race car with doors that don't open, and you have to swing in and out of the window. There were no instructions with this machine, and maybe they have some tips on doing this more comfortably, I just haven't figured it out yet. You may also need to add weights to the machine to keep from tipping forward slightly when you mount it with plates as shown in the photo, adding expense. I also don't use the calf raise, as the bar at the bottom, in my opinion, should be rounded or angled to take pressure of the balls of the feet when lowering the heels below parallel to the floor.
Summary: Nice, sturdy, inexpensive machine, you will get a great, safe workout of your glutes, hamstrings, abs and hips with the caveats of being careful with the mount and dismount. Start with low weights until you feel comfortable and master the form.

For what I paid ($380 including shipping) this is a very good squat machine. My only complaints are that it only supports olympic plates (not the type with the 1" holes...which I already had), and the "rubber weight rest" isn't designed very well and prone to ripping unless you carefully reposition the piece after each use. I was initially worried about the center of gravity being a bit far back (for tipping reasons), but it seems very stable in all situations.

My son & I are happy and getting really strong on an ergonomic easy to use machine that's much safer than barbell squatting.

I hate doing squats with free rates and use to have skinny legs. This machine make doing squats enjoyable and I've packed on some nice muscle on my legs since buying it. I only gave 4 stars become of missing screws in the packaging. I recommend this machine to anyone. It looks nice, its sturdy and the price is right. What else do you need?

easy to put together,targets the muscles it was designed for.Great price and the free shipping was great also.

I really like this machine for squats and calf raises. It works great for me, but I am 6'6" 240lbs. My wife is much smaller 5'4" and she can't really use it. Her shoulders are to narrow such that the shoulder rests dig and hit her in uncomfortable places.

I like using free weights to go as far as I can in weight, usually around 180 (I am 56 years old, so I don't feel I need to go too heavy) then I add more weight to this beast and can almost double my weight. No fear of dropping weights, I just go for it. Also great for calf raises too, which I can add some insane weight that I would never be able to do otherwise.

The only thing I have to complain about is the service from Powertec. Getting return emails and help is great, no problems there, but I had a crack develop in the rubber sleeve that supports the weight bar. I don't think it will totally split open, but I thought I would replace it. Powertec had one in stock, it cost $2.75 + $9.35 for UPS shipping. Over 9 bucks to ship a small rubber sleeve. So I said no, seemed a little ridiculous to pay that much for shipping.

In the past, if I needed a spare part, it was either sent free or at minimal charge. They should look into USPS; cheaper.

But all that aside, I like the machine. I wish I could have tried others on the market to do a thorough review, and there seems to be more of them coming out now than before.

Awesome squat machine. I would reccommend this product. Only took me about 45 minutes to put together. Assembly was easy.