RitFit BLP01 vs Gazelle: The Ultimate Leg Press Showdown

When most people think about building a home gym, they picture the usual suspects: dumbbells, a treadmill, maybe a barbell with a squat rack and some plates. With that combination alone, you can already train hard and cover a lot of ground.

What often gets left out of the conversation is dedicated leg machinery. Leg press and hack squat combos are still seen as “advanced” or “luxury” pieces that only hardcore leg-day fans or commercial gyms invest in.

We strongly disagree.

From a lower-body strength, hypertrophy, and joint-friendliness standpoint, a well-designed leg press machine can be one of the smartest upgrades you make to your home gym. In this guide, we put two of our most popular 3-in-1 options under the microscope: the RitFit BLP01 and the RitFit Gazelle.

Both combine leg press, hack squat, and calf raise in one frame. Both are designed for serious home lifters. But they do not feel the same, they don’t fit the same spaces, and they are not aimed at the exact same lifter.

By the end of this comparison, you’ll know which machine fits your training style, your space, and your budget – and you’ll be much less tempted to skip leg day.

RitFit BLP01

There is more to the BLP01 than meets the eye.

On paper, it is a 45-degree, 3-in-1 leg press, hack squat, and calf raise machine. In practice, it is a compact lower-body training station that lets you load your quads, hamstrings, and glutes hard without beating up your lower back.

Key training functions

• 45-degree leg press
• Forward-facing hack squat
• Calf raise variations using the footplate and sled

Because leg press and hack squat are heavy compound movements, and calf raises directly target your calves, you effectively cover the entire lower body with one machine. For home lifters who want maximum training value per square foot, that matters.

Fast, simple adjustability

One of the most underrated strengths of the BLP01 is how quickly you can move between exercises:

• You can switch from leg press to hack squat by relocating the back pad to the upper position and changing your body position on the sled.
• The main footplate offers multiple angle and height settings so you can dial in knee and hip angles that feel natural for your anatomy.

Once you understand the setup, these changes take seconds, not minutes, which makes it realistic to use the machine in supersets or higher-volume leg sessions without killing your flow.

Comfort, grip, and safety details

The BLP01 uses a solid, diamond-plated footboard and steel pedals to give you a firm, non-slip surface under load. Multiple foot positions help you emphasize quads, glutes, or posterior chain depending on where you place your feet.

Paired with thick pads and a stable 45-degree frame, the result is a machine that feels reassuring under heavy plates while still being friendly to newer lifters who are learning how to handle loaded leg work.

Space-efficient, budget-friendly design

From a footprint and price perspective, the BLP01 is intentionally approachable:

• Footprint is roughly a little over 6 feet long and around 3.5 feet wide, so it fits in most single-bay garages or shared home-gym corners.
• It is one of the most affordable 3-in-1 leg press machines in its class, giving you multiple heavy lower-body patterns without the premium price tag of higher-end commercial-style units.

That combination of compact size, versatile movement options, and accessible price is why the BLP01 has built up a long track record of positive reviews across our site and partner platforms.

RitFit Gazelle

If the BLP01 is the “workhorse” 3-in-1, the Gazelle is its more heavily armored, feature-packed sibling.

The Gazelle takes the same basic idea – leg press, hack squat, and calf raise in one – and layers on higher load capacity, more premium hardware, and extra adjustability for lifters who want a truly heavy-duty leg machine at home.

Premium load and safety features

The Gazelle is built from thicker, high-tensile steel and is rated for significantly higher loads:

• Static capacity up to 2000 pounds
• Robust frame and carriage with commercial-style guide rods and linear bearings

On top of sheer capacity, it adds thoughtful safety mechanisms:

• A multi-level height limiter lets you set different racking points so you can bail safely if a rep stalls.
• Integrated handles and safety rails give you more control when getting in and out or when pushing near your limit.

For lifters who routinely train heavy or push close to failure, those details translate directly into more confidence on solo leg days.

Reverse hack squats and banded work

The Gazelle offers everything the BLP01 does – leg press, hack squat, calf raise – and then adds extra options:

Reverse hack squats become comfortable and repeatable thanks to the shape and height of the shoulder rests and the adjustable footboard.
Upper and lower band pegs on the frame allow you to loop resistance bands to either assist the movement (by off-loading part of the sled weight) or increase resistance in specific parts of the range of motion.

This makes the Gazelle especially appealing to lifters who enjoy more advanced programming strategies like accommodating resistance or who want to fine-tune the strength curve of the leg press and hack squat.

Ergonomic shoulder and back support

The Gazelle’s shoulder and back pads are designed to contour more closely to the upper back and shoulders, spreading the load comfortably when the sled is heavy.

That might sound like a small comfort upgrade, but anyone who has spent time under a loaded hack squat knows how much difference pad shape and spacing can make to both comfort and perceived stability.

Bigger footprint and more “premium” positioning

The trade-off for all of this is that the Gazelle is physically larger and positioned as a more premium piece:

Length is closer to 7 feet and width is nearer to 4 feet, so it takes up more floor space than the BLP01.
It typically sits at a higher price point, reflecting its heavier frame, higher capacity, and upgraded features.

If you have the room and want a machine that feels close to a commercial gym leg press and hack squat station, the Gazelle is built with that experience in mind.

The RitFit BLP01 vs Gazelle – Who is Each Machine Best For?

Choosing between two strong options is not easy, especially when both cover the main leg press, hack squat, and calf raise patterns. This section focuses on who each machine is really built for.

Who the RitFit BLP01 is best for

The BLP01 is likely your best choice if:

• You want a 3-in-1 machine at a more accessible price.
  It delivers leg press, hack squat, and calf raise in a single frame without the higher cost of a fully “premium” setup, making it ideal if you are building a home gym step by step.
• You need to protect floor space.
  With a footprint of roughly just over 6 feet by about 3.5 feet, the BLP01 fits more easily into tight garage or basement layouts. If your gym shares space with storage, a car, or laundry, this matters.
• You like choosing proven, long-running models.
  The BLP01 has been part of our lineup for years and has accumulated a large number of positive customer reviews. If you prefer tried-and-tested equipment with a long track record, it is the safer bet.
• Your height falls in the mid range.
  The BLP01 is optimized for users roughly between 5'3" and 6'4". If you fall inside that range, you can expect a straightforward fit with minimal adjustment compromises.

However, if you are working with an extremely tight space and want to understand how 45-degree machines compare to vertical alternatives, check out our guide on the Best Compact Leg Press for Small Spaces: Vertical vs. 45-Degree.

Who the RitFit Gazelle is best for

The Gazelle will make more sense if:

• You prioritize premium build and high load capacity.
  Thicker steel, heavier overall weight, and a significantly higher listed capacity make it the better choice for lifters who plan to load up the sled for years and push heavy.
• You want reverse hack squats in your regular rotation.
  Thanks to the shoulder rest design and footplate adjustments, reverse hack squats feel natural and secure. If these are a cornerstone of your program, the Gazelle is the more suitable machine.
• You love banded and advanced training setups.
  With band pegs on the upper and lower frame, the Gazelle lets you fine-tune the resistance curve by adding bands for overload or assistance. This appeals to lifters who enjoy more creative, progression-focused programming.
• You are shorter or taller than average.
  The Gazelle is tuned for a wider ideal height range, roughly from 4'9" to 6'8". If you are on the shorter or taller end of the spectrum, you will likely find the Gazelle offers more comfortable leverages and racking positions.

Quick decision guide

If you want a simple rule of thumb:

• Choose the BLP01 if you are building a compact home gym, want a solid 3-in-1 machine at a more accessible price, and fit in the average height range.
• Choose the Gazelle if you have extra space, plan to lift heavier over time, want reverse hack squats and banded options, or need a machine that suits a wider range of body heights.

Key Specs Comparison: RitFit BLP01 vs Gazelle

Here is a side-by-side view of the most important physical differences. Use this when you want to compare “hard” numbers rather than just features.

The RitFit BLP01 vs Gazelle…

As hyperbolic as it sounds, it truly feels like a “golden age” of home gym leg press machines. The best part about this is, you’ve just taken a deep dive into two of the best ones out there.

Even better, the RitFit BLP01 and the Gazelle share enough positive qualities in common to make them solid options for anyone in the market for a 3-in-1 machine, while having very unique and specific advantages that separate them from each other.

Ultimately, it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong with either choice, with the BLP01 being a very affordable option and the Gazelle being a very premium option.

If you want a deep dive into leg press machine features, benefits, and buyer considerations, check out this comprehensive RitFit leg press review.

…and whichever way you decide to go, one thing is for certain: you’ll never want to skip leg day again!