GMWD Adjustable Seated Calf Raise Machine with Band Pegs for Leg Training and Exercise - Home Gym Equipment

Great piece of equipment! Worth every penny! I added it to my home gym a couple of months ago and use it frequently. Built strong and sturdy to last. The makers of this item should be proud. Shipped quickly and packed securely. Easy to understand instructions. The machine is a great addition to my gym and I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.

Works great, nice machine

Pretty good piece for the home gym. Feels like it could be a bit more robust, but you can't beat it for the price.

I've been holding off on writing this review because I wanted to first make sure it is great for strengthening calves at home (it is) and because I wanted to find the time to give this piece the accolades it deserves (I don't have time to write everything). Basically, this piece of equipment is perfect for training calves at home it holds large and small weights and can even attach rubber bands for added resistance. I personally, just throw on a couple 45s on each side and go to work. It is sturdy enough while being affordable and light weight, like others have mentioned, I would have liked a larger knee pad as I can see this one flattening over time. But, I also think it will be easy to get new pads or reinforce these when they break down. I hope I find time to update this review and give it the attention it deserves. for now, lets give it 6 stars at the price

This review is to augment other excellent reviews found here. I will make two (minor) suggestions, one for the home user, and a second for the manufacturer (GMWD). BTW, I don't suggest overkill upgrades (e.g. ball bearings) when price is a factor. This machine came quickly, and arrived same day I was set for "leg" day. Needless to say, anxious to try it out.Please view photos for descriptions (better than my writing): 1(A). Assembly is super easy. Although it came with tools, I recommend a 17mm ratcheted wrench and a 17mm fixed wrench* (or adjustable wrench) as well as a 14mm wrench. *The included wrench works here. You also need a 4mm Allen wrench: The included 4mm Allen wrench is more than adequate. 1(B) I used masking tape to ensure centering of the bar (adding the 2" adapters first won't do this because there will still be excess room on one end). Photo 2(D) shows a cardboard damper, but I later added a thin, dense rubber square here to avoid metal-to-metal contact (this is 1 of 2 recommendations). This offers two advantages: 1) Longevity, and 2) the rubber (white cardboard shown) will also keep the vertical rest from swinging out too far.Photo 2(E) I like the 2" (DIA) weight adapters, as I'm more of a "plate" guy than rubber band person. The adapters (included) work with Olympic (2" hole) plates. You can also see the 4mm Allen head screws. Photo 3: My modest home gym. I used to compete in weightlifting (with one World Championship), but now stay at home for medical-personal reasons. Can't stop lifting, though! Note the GMWD calf machine fits nicely within the space of two rubber floor mats. 3(F) detail of pegs for rubber bands users.Photo 4(G): The bar-rest pivots in both directions. As a recommendation (to GMWD), it would be nice to extend the stop plate on the handle side so it's taller. This extension would prevent "overshoot" when returning handle/rest to its rest position. Sometimes you move this handle quickly, e.g. when your calves are about to cease up! The lip on the opposite side is a perfect height, making it easy to release the weights (for performing calf raises). Adding the rubber (as described above) limits how far the post can pivot, which helps some. These are minor suggestions, and this machine great bang for the buck = 5 stars. Customer help was also 5-star (thanks to GMWD Irene). I didn't have questions regarding this machine, but she helped when ordering GMWD's leg extension / hamstring curl machine. That hasn't arrived (yet), but looking forward to this addition to me gym. I'll take photos. Cheers! ELC

This is a good machine for the price however you must be aware of one major issue which can affect your decision to purchase. The range of motion is very limited of you use anything more than a standard 35lb Olympic plate. Even if you use the standard size 35 lb plate it gets close to touching the ground if you really go for that calf stretch on the negative. Other than that the machine is a slight improvement upon the Titan Brand machine (also much cheaper) in that it does have band pegs and wheels for easy repositioning around your home gym which can possibly get cluttered. I actually stand mine up against the wall and brace it with a heavy kettle bell when not in use. If your looking for bands that fit I use the mini-bands from Elite FTS. Also one other thing to note is that it does wobble slightly in use which can lead to the feeling of sturdiness which can be annoying for some people. However as long as you tightened all the screws I dont think this calls into question its safety. If this sounds like it may bother you and you have the space and money I might go with the XMark seated calf machine which I considered but opted for this just based on price. BUT now that I have this for me its sufficient and it gets the job done well enough that I will stick with this. I also know the XMark product cant be stored the same way I store this machine.

Really like it for the price. Complete instructions to put it together. Only issue I have is the lever to rest the weight, it doesn’t rotate in place to the exact spot you have to rotate it and hold it straight to anchor it properly

I’ve had this for eight months. It works great. I would recommend it.