Plate loaded, weight stack, or digital resistance: which strength machine do you choose?
How the weight is adjusted determines how quickly users switch and what the machine costs. There are three types:
- Plate loaded (€ 650 to € 2,995). You load 50 mm Olympic plates onto weight horns. Compact and robust, and you can reuse the plates from your rack. For example, the Steelflex PLHT-BR hip thrust.
- Weight stack or pin-select (€ 1,195 to € 3,290). You select the weight with a pin in a shielded stack and switch in seconds. For example, the Martech Dual Leg Extension / Leg Curl.
- Digital resistance (€ 5,995 to € 8,995). No weight plates or stack: you set the resistance on a screen and track your performance. For example, the DKN Smart Lat Pulldown.
In addition, you will find the Body-Solid GCEC340B leg extension and leg curl here for € 625, featuring both exercises from a single sitting position.
Strength machines compared
A selection per muscle group, from compact home equipment to digital resistance. Four of these machines can be tested in Ranst.
| Machine | Muscle group | Resistance | Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body-Solid GLM85B lat machine | Back | Plates, 1:1 | High and low pulley | € 650 |
| Steelflex PLLE-BR leg extension | Quadriceps | Plates | Legs together or separate | € 1,295 |
| Steelflex PLHT-BR hip thrust | Glutes | Plates | Adjustable hip belt | € 1,495 |
| Body-Solid Series 7 Smith GS348QB | Full body | Plates | 20 safety stops | € 1,495 |
| Martech Leg press / Hack Squat | Legs and calves | Plates | Load capacity up to 500 kg | € 1.499 |
| Martech 45° HD Leg press / Hack Squat | Legs | Plates | Loadable up to 440 kg | € 1,999 |
| Steelflex PL2200-BR lat pulldown and row | Back | Plates | Independent arms | € 2.995 |
| Martech Dual Lat Pulldown / Seated Row | Back | Weight stack 125 kg | Cables tested up to 1,000 kg | € 3.149 |
| Marbo MP-U216 | Quadriceps and hamstrings | Weight stack | Professional Line | € 3.290 |
| DKN Smart Seated Leg press | Legs | Digital, up to 240 kg | 10.1-inch touchscreen | € 8.995 |
If you are looking for multiple exercises on a single frame for multiple users, take a look at strength stations and multigyms.
What should you look out for?
Start with what is difficult to train with free weights
In addition to a rack, a leg press or lat machine usually adds the most value. Isolation machines for biceps, triceps, or calves come after that. With the Martech Leg press / Hack Squat, you can perform a leg press, hack squat, and calf press all in one place.
User weight, height, and load capacity
Consider who will be training on it and what the equipment can support. The Steelflex PLDP-BR leg press and PL2200-BR are designed for users up to 120 kg. The Martech 45° leg press is suitable for athletes from 150 to 200 cm tall. The Steelflex PLLP-BR leg press has a maximum load capacity of 225 kg, and the PLSP-BR shoulder press supports up to 150 kg per arm.
Starting weight and increments
A plate-loaded machine has its own starting weight: the empty sled of the Martech 45° leg press weighs about 40 kg. The smallest plate then determines your step size. A pin-selected stack goes up in fixed plates, the DKN Smart Seated Leg Press in 1 kg increments.
Combo machines save space
A dual machine performs two exercises in one spot. You can combine leg extension and leg curl on the Marbo MP-U216 or the Martech Dual. The Steelflex PL2100 to PL2600 series links two exercises each time, such as squat and deadlift or biceps and triceps.
Showroom tip: for every plate-loaded machine, plan a fixed spot for the corresponding plates, preferably on the machine itself. The Martech 45° leg press has 8 storage pins for this. Plates on the floor take up space and pose a tripping hazard.
Which strength machine for whom?
- At home: choose plate-loaded so you can reuse the plates from your rack. You can later expand the GLM85B lat machine with a stack; the 95 kg variant costs € 1,195. Also check out how we set up a home gym in a poolhouse.
- PT studio: with the Steelflex dual PL series, the arms move independently of each other, allowing you to immediately spot any imbalance between left and right. See also fitness equipment for personal trainers.
- Physiotherapy practice: the DKN Smart machines offer the most control over resistance without having to swap plates. More on our page about DKN Smart E-Gym and at fitness equipment for physiotherapists.
- Hotel and corporate gym: many people use it consecutively, so a pin-selected machine is faster to adjust. With the Martech Dual series, you can customize the pad covers with your own logo or color. See corporate fitness and hotel fitness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between plate-loaded and a weight stack?
With plate-loaded, you load Olympic plates onto the machine yourself, whereas with a weight stack, you select the weight using a pin. Plate-loaded is more compact and often more affordable, while a stack is faster to adjust when many people are training one after another.
Are the plates included with plate-loaded machines?
No, plates and collars are not included with the Steelflex plate-loaded machines and the Body-Solid Series 7 smith machine. You use Olympic plates with a 50 mm hole, which you can find under barbells and plates.
What does a DKN Smart machine do differently?
A DKN Smart machine uses digital resistance instead of plates or a stack. You can choose from standard, eccentric, isokinetic, and elastic modes, and track your resistance and performance on the screen.
How do you maintain a strength machine?
Wipe down pads and handles after use, lubricate the guide rods, and check the cables of stack machines at least once a year. If you hear an unusual noise, stop and have the machine inspected.
Is a strength machine delivered assembled?
Yes, if you request installation: the machine arrives in parts and our own team assembles it on-site, including the removal of packaging. This costs between € 75 and approximately € 350 per machine, depending on the size. Delivery in the Benelux is free from € 199 and you have a 30-day cooling-off period.
What warranty do you get on a strength machine?
Martech comes with a 3-year warranty and a lifetime warranty on the frame; Fitnessdepot is the exclusive distributor of Martech in the Benelux. A standard 2-year warranty applies to the other brands.
Can I test strength machines beforehand?
Yes. The Body-Solid GCEC340B and GLM85B, the Steelflex PLLE-BR, and the Martech 45° leg press are on display in our showroom in Ranst. You are welcome to drop in from Monday to Thursday between 8:00 AM and 6:30 PM, and on Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Saturdays, you can visit from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, or you can make an appointment.
Advice by Thibaud Martens, fitness advisor at Fitnessdepot. Prices updated on October 31, 2026.