Back Extension to GHR conversion

[Notrhwoods]

I have been interested in getting a GHR for my home gym for a while now and have been discouraged by the price for new ones. I have looked for a used one on CL with no luck. However, I have seen several horizontal back extensions (without the foot plate) available for cheap. I am wondering if I could buy one of these and simply mount a wooden foot plate to my wall (my gym is in an unfinished basement with framed walls) and then set the back extension bench in front of it.

I would basically be lying on a horizontal back extension bench and be pushing my feet against a wall mounted board for my foot plate. Is there any reason this wouldn't work? I have only used GHRs a couple of times in the past and am by no means an expert. Thanks for the help.

[Adam Skillin]

I have been interested in getting a GHR for my home gym for a while now and have been discouraged by the price for new ones. I have looked for a used one on CL with no luck. However, I have seen several horizontal back extensions (without the foot plate) available for cheap. I am wondering if I could buy one of these and simply mount a wooden foot plate to my wall (my gym is in an unfinished basement with framed walls) and then set the back extension bench in front of it.

I would basically be lying on a horizontal back extension bench and be pushing my feet against a wall mounted board for my foot plate. Is there any reason this wouldn't work? I have only used GHRs a couple of times in the past and am by no means an expert. Thanks for the help.

Probably not, can you take a picture of your back extension device?

[Notrhwoods]

I haven't bought one yet but there are a couple available on CL now as shown in the links below:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...946919468.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...969488870.html

It doesn't look like either one of these would be a great deal, but I have seen similar ones going for $100 or less in the past.

[Adam Skillin]

I think you need the two sets of roller pads, a better pad for your thighs than that design, the pad needs to be movable relative to the foot rollers, and the foot plate needs to be attached to the unit.

Just save your pennies and buy a real GHD if you want one.

[Notrhwoods]

I think you need the two sets of roller pads, a better pad for your thighs than that design, the pad needs to be movable relative to the foot rollers, and the foot plate needs to be attached to the unit.

Just save your pennies and buy a real GHD if you want one.

Thanks for the input. I probably would end up regretting a jimmy-rigged set up in the end.

[Dildo Bolt]

I'm pretty weary of the glute ham. I don't know why you'd ever need to train that unnatural movement pattern unless you're actually trying to tear your hamstrings. My hunch is that it's probably not great for your knees either, YMMV.

Great way to get joocy hams though. DOMS too if that's what you're looking for.

[Notrhwoods]

I'm pretty weary of the glute ham. I don't know why you'd ever need to train that unnatural movement pattern unless you're actually trying to tear your hamstrings. My hunch is that it's probably not great for your knees either, YMMV.

Great way to get joocy hams though. DOMS too if that's what you're looking for.

My reasons for wanting one are fourfold. One, it is a way to train the hamstrings on light days without putting a bunch of extra stress on the low back. Two, on days I train the front squat it provides a way to balance my leg training. Three, it is a body-weight movement so I can superset it with barbell movements (ex. on light days I will superset my presses with chins and GHRs after my squat sets). Four, it trains the lower part of the hamstring well and contributes to healthy knees.