Old School gym devices/set ups

Keto_Vampire

https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/7-old-school-strength-treasures-you-wish-your-gym-had.html

Can't say I've used many of these devices but have implemented alternative versions mostly using cables (iron cross - straight arm cable pulldowns, one of my favorite back exercises, swing squat - landmine hack squat/TRX Sissy squat are as close as it gets, pullover bench - using just a flatbench or decline with DB or barbell (lat pullover machine is hard to come by...only seen 2 out of like 15 or so gyms I've been to carry them, etc.).

What are some odd/unique/rare gym devices/set ups you guy/girls use regularly?

neugebauer52

You just triggered some bad, bad memories of those old school gym devises. There were those ropes with a huge knot at the bottom: I would sit on them, but climbing all the way up? You must be joking! And then 5 of us children having to lift up a bench and holding it up above our heads? What for? That stupid, huge leather ball we had to throw at each other? The "horse" which never looked like one? And afterwards those ice cold showers....The perfect life experience to avoid any exercise at any cost! Not quite, I did gain 80 kg to show for over the years...

Keto_Vampire

Probably the most unconventional piece of equipment I've seen @ a campus gym (4-way hammer neck machine); sure I guess it's practical for wrestling, boxers, & fighters (MMA, etc.). Sure as hell would not be able to find @ any commercial gyms

Chieflrg

My training is geared to specificity of the big three so I stay clear of machines or set ups.

Once or twice a year I'll pull with a deaflift bar.

I also use a old school SSB that doesn't have handles for a strength block every now and again. I was squatting 525 or something for reps and things felt dicey a couple of the sets without handles.

I have a few weeks of floor press currently which is about as old school as it gets.

Spadesheart

That squat machine looks really interesting, but also very fragile. Those rails look like you could snap them, if not easily warp them.

Phirrgus

I think the only machine the gyms I've used had that was even close non standard was a 45 degree leg press. Everything else was fairly standard equipment. That was the early 80s. Almost everything else was barbells/dumbbells. Some of the gyms on various bases had quite a few machines, but again nothing unusual.

I do remember one that I think they called a mountain climber? Basically a heavy duty stepper with hand grips that you moved along with the stepping, all pretty high resistance. It was a great workout. Nothing much to contribute lol.

Found it - very heavy duty version of this at a Golds Gym late 80s.