The GHD machine or glute hamstring developer is a versatile home gym equipment for targeting and strengthening the posterior chain muscles.
A quick look at our top GHD machines
Best GHD Machines For Building And Strengthening Your Posterior Chain
A GHD machine may not be on top of the list of many athletes when planning their gym setup. But including one in their training regimen can help take their training to new levels, including strengthening their glutes, core, and hamstring muscles.
Including exercises that strengthen your posterior chain muscles in your training regimen can help improve posture, reduce back pain, and enhance athletic performance. And one of the most effective ways to do that is with a GHD machine.
The best GHD machines carry a high price tag. However, having one in your gym can help work some vital but hard-to-target muscles. Thus it is worth thoughtful consideration as part of any gym setup.
We will, in this guide, list and analyze some of the best GHD machines for home gym on the market based on our research.
We hope our research and analysis can help save you time and give you all the guidance you need.
We are confident it can stop you from making costly mistakes when planning to install one of these versatile pieces of fitness equipment in your gym.
Best GHD Machine Overall: Rogue Abram GHD 2.0
Rogue Fitness produces some of the best fitness equipment for home gyms and is known not to cut corners. Their products are durable, well-made, and have above-average reliability. Their customer service is also second to none.
The build quality of the Rogue Abram GHD 2.0 is hard to beat.
It is an updated version of the original Abram GHD, with some design innovations and enhancements to make it one of the best GHD machines.
It is a heavy-duty, well-built GHD machine steel that can fit into the home and commercial environments.
The high-quality 2×3-inch 11-gauge steel construction, combined with the heavy-duty bolts and nuts, makes it a robust and stable machine that can hold any weight.
It is heavy but not bulky and has handles and wheels for easy maneuvering.
The base design provides extra stability and protects your floor from damage.
The built-in adjustment plates allow you to adjust the settings to suit the exercise you wish to do.
Other features include altering the resistance levels to make your movements more or less challenging.
The design of the Rogue Abram GHD 2.0 allows plenty of space for different foot placements, making it possible for athletes of different sizes and heights to use.
The foot plate is large enough for any size of feet, and you can easily customize the space between the hip and foot pads for your convenience.
The Abram GHD 2.0 is one of the most stable and best GHD machines for home gyms.
The pads are well-stuffed and comfortable. Though some may find them too large for their liking, they do not affect the performance of the equipment whatsoever when you set them up suitably.
The price tag may put off some athletes, but it will be a worthwhile investment for any exerciser looking for durability and reliability.
Pros
- High-quality and well-built
- Versatile with easy-to-set adjustable features.
- Built-in front wheels and handle for easy transportation
- Made in USA
Cons
- High price tag
- It may not be suitable for small gyms
Product Weight: 222 pounds | Product Length: 73 inches | Product Width: 44.5 inches | Foot Print: 73 x 44.5 inches | Steel Notes: 2×3 inches 11-Gauge Steel
The Rogue Abram GHD 2.0 is available to buy directly from Rogue Fitness
Best Compact GHD Machine: Rogue 3×3 Echo GHD
The Rogue Echo GHD is one of the best compact and space-saving GHD machines, making it ideal for small garages and home gyms.
It is an affordable alternative to the more expensive free-standing machines with the option to expand its capabilities with such attachments as an Echo GHD Stabilizer Kit for better stability.
You can also expand its potential with a Rogue Games Box to improve usability and expand the possible number of exercises.
The Echo GHD attaches to a floor-mounted power rack or rig if you already have one installed in your gym. A handy detent pin allows you to adjust the height when mounted, making it usable for different athletes and exercises.
The pads are well-stuffed and comfortable, and the unit is not challenging to set up.
The Echo GHD is Rogue Fitness’s attempt to make glute ham developers available to those on a budget, and they seem to have done that well.
It is a space-efficient design that will work well for many beginners and those with small gym spaces. It is also a cost-saving option for those with a power rack or rig installed.
Pros
- AffordableSpace-saving design
- Well-padded for comfort
- Simple and easy to set up
Cons
- Requires additional equipment, such as a power rack or plyo box
Product Length: 30 inches | Product Width: 24 inches | Foot Print: 30 x 24 inches
The Rogue Echo GHD is obtainable directly from Roque Fitness.
Best Floor-Based GHD Machine: Rogue Floor Glute
The Rogue Floor Glute is a floor-based alternative to the traditional upright GHD machine.
It is well-built with 11-gauge steel components for durability. It is highly stable, and the wide footplates ensure it will not glide on the floor.
The well-stuffed 2.5-inch pad and rollers should give you all the comfort you need and allow you to do your glute ham raises and other exercises with a low risk of injury.
Set up is not very challenging, and most athletes should manage to do that in about 30 min.
It is compact, and the built-in front wheels make it conveniently portable, allowing you to wheel it wherever you want. Thus you can roll it out of the way to free up gym floor space for other activities.
The footpads are adjustable to six different heights for convenience.
The space-saving design makes it usable for gyms of all sizes, including small ones. You can also install it anywhere in your home without losing much space.
The Rogue Floor Glute should be on top of your list if a floor-based GHD machine is your preferred choice or list you want a compact alternative for a small space.
Pros
- Much more stable and sturdy
- Easy to set
- Compact and space-saving
- Built-in rollers make it possible to move it out of the way or to reposition it.
- Well-stuffed pads and rollersAdjustable foot pads
- Made in USA
Cons
- Not as versatile as the traditional GHD machines
- Bulky and heavy, making it less challenging for some to move around.
Product Weight: 108 pounds | Product Length: 62 inches | Product Width: 24 inches | Product Height: 15 – 20 inches | Foot Print: 62 x 24 inches | Steel Notes: 2×3 inches 11-Gauge Steel, 0.1875″ laser cut steel footplate
The Rogue Floor Glute is available for viewing and ordering from Rogue Fitness
Best Budget GHD Machine: Marcy Adjustable Hyper Extension Bench
The Marcy Hyper Extension Bench is simple and affordable, making it a good alternative for athletes on a budget.
The Marcy bench is not really a GHD machine in the traditional sense but a Roman chain that can help work the posterior chain.
It is lightweight but has a capacity of 300 pounds, making it usable for many beginner and intermediate athletes.
Its compact size makes it suitable for small gym spaces, while its low weight makes it less challenging to move around.
The adjustable high-density foam rollers are comfortable and allow you to do various exercises, including sit-ups and hyperextensions, without much strain on your muscles.
Being adjustable makes the equipment usable for different exercisers.
The build quality is acceptable and should cater to the needs of many, especially those on a budget.
Pros
- Low price point and a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive GHD machines
- Lightweight with a reasonable weight capacity
- Versatile for various exercises
- Adjustable high-density foam rollers
- Usable for many, from novices to intermediate athletes
Cons
- It may not be a good buy for tall athletes.
- Not as stable as others due to its light weightSome quality control issues
Product Weight: 42 pounds | Product Length: 27.5 inches | Product Width: 43.5 inches | Product Height: 37.5 inches | Weight Limit: 308 pounds
Visit Amazon Now to purchase the Marcy Hyper Extension Bench
Best GHD Machine – Highly Recommended: Rep Fitness V2 GHD
Rep Fitness V2 GHD machine is worth considering, especially for athletes not interested in Rohue Fitness products.
It is well-designed, and the build quality is acceptable, but various quality control issues let it down.
It weighs 150 pounds, making more for garage gyms than commercial environments. The heavy-duty steel construction makes it usable for many.
Fitted wheels make it easily movable, allowing you to move it around and reposition if necessary.
The performance is acceptable, but our research uncovered a few issues, including loosening bolts. These could make the equipment challenging to use at times.
The foot plate is adjustable, allowing athletes of different heights to use it.
You can use the two pegs at the front for resistance bands to help improve resistance and make the movements more challenging
The build quality of the Rep Fitness V2 GHD is not as high as those of Rogue Fitness. And the price is slightly lower, making it worth considering. It is also smaller and more compact. Thus it will suit those with small gym or training spaces.
Pros
- Small and compact
- Acceptable build quality
- Adjustable features
Cons
- Build quality and performance are much lower than the Rogue Abram.
- Expensive, taking it out of reach of many
Product Weight: 150 pounds | Product Length: 70 inches | Product Width: 36 inches | Product Height: 42 inches
The Rep Fitness V2 GHD is available on Amazon.
Best GHD Machine – Highly Recommended: Valor Fitness CB-29 Glute Ham Developer
The Valor Fitness CB-29 is a solidly built GHD machine with a 2×2-inch solid steel frame for sturdiness.
Rubber supports at the long base ensure extra stability and protection for your floor.
The high-density padding and rollers are well-stuffed for user comfort and to help relieve stress.
Built-in adjustable features make it usable for different exercises and users, while well-positioned long grip handles give extra support when necessary.
Two band pegs allow you to use resistance bands to help raise the challenge levels of the movements
The build quality is acceptable but not at par with the Rogue Abram.
It is an alternative worth considering, though we believe the price is high for what is on offer.
Pros
- Versatile and adjustable
- Acceptable build quality
- Rubber pads for extra stability
Cons
- Some quality control issues
- Not as durable as others
- Pricey
Product Weight: 122 pounds | Product Length: 82 inches | Product Width: 29.5 inches | Product Height: 49 inches | Weight Limit: 400 pounds
The Valor Fitness CB-29 Glute Ham Developer is available for purchase on Amazon.
Best GHD Machine – Highly Recommended: Body-Solid Glute Ham Machine
The Body-Solid Glute Ham Machine is another alternative worth considering.
Like many of the products on Amazon, the build quality is not exceptional but acceptable. The heavy-duty steel frame makes it sturdy.
Vertical and horizontal adjustable features allow different athletes to use the GHD machine.
The oversized pads are well stuffed, allowing you to work your posterior chain muscles without stress.
The high price may, however, put off some exercisers, but it is worth considering.
Pros
- Adjustable features
Cons
- Expensive
Product Length: 79 inches | Product Width: 33 inches | Product Height: 51 inches
Visit Amazon Now to view and buy the Body-Solid Glute Ham Machine
What to Look for in a GDH Machine
- Stability
One of the most notable features of a GDH machine is stability.
Without a stable machine, the possibility of injury will be exceptionally high. You don’t want a bench that will skid around or buckle under your weight. - Weight
Generally, the higher the weight of the GDH machine, the more stable it will be. Thus, opt for a heavier bench than a lighter one. Unless there is a good reason, I will not consider a machine weighing less than 100 pounds for my home gym. Go for the bulkiest or heaviest if looking for one for a commercial environment.
Look for a machine with weight pegs on the back if you opt for a lighter unit. That will allow you to load weight plates to help improve their stability. - Footprint
A machine with a broad base will usually be more stable. But such a unit will also require more floor area.
Consider a GDH machine with a triangular base if space is a premium. These can be compact but much more stable. - Rubber Feet
Aside from protecting your floor and stopping the machine from skidding, the rubber feet can help improve stability, even if you have an uneven floor. - Bolting into the Floor
Look for a GHD machine with holes for bolting into the floor if you can secure it.
That may not be the case for a home gym because you may have to move it around. However, take steps to secure a commercial unit into the floor for safety reasons. - Dimensions and Footprint
That depends on your gym floor space or how much room you can allocate for the GHD machine.
A compact unit may be a good option if space is limited. Ensure, however, that such an option is good enough for your needed full range of motion.
A unit with mobility features, such as fitted wheels that allow you to move it out of the way when not needed, is worth considering if that can help. - Adjustability
Adjustability features that make it possible to adjust the height or distance of the pad, footplate, or rollers can allow different exercisers to use the equipment. - Comfort
Well-stuffed pads and rollers will allow you to exercise comfortably and can reduce stress on your joints and body. - Band Pegs
These on a GDH machine will allow you to hook up and use resistance bands to help make the exercises more challenging.
Final Words from LiveLfe
A GHD machine may not be high on the required equipment for many home gyms. The high cost and space are some of the reasons.
Back extensions and glute-ham raises on a GHD machine can be intensive and demanding, even for experienced athletes.
Thus, a GHD machine will not be a worthwhile investment for most beginners.
But any exerciser or athlete willing to invest in such valuable equipment will create a platform that helps train their posterior muscles and improve their posture safely and effectively.
Getting the most requires a GHD machine that is well-built, sturdy, and not challenging to use. For such athletes, we recommend the Rogue Abram GHD 2.0.
Athletes looking for the best but have limited gym space or are interested in a floor-based unit will not go wrong with the Rogue Floor Glute.
That said, we believe one of the machines on the list could serve you well and help you achieve your immediate and long-term physical and fitness goals. We are confident you can make the correct choice from the options.