We don’t blame you if you’re currently suffering from “leg press machine analysis paralysis”.
When you’re staring down the Gazelle Pro and the Gazelle, it can be a little difficult to differentiate between the two very solid options.
While both 3-in-1 machines allow you to execute leg presses, hack squats, and reverse hacks, we assume you’d like to know more about these options before pulling the trigger.
Let’s take a look at the 8 most important attributes and areas of consideration you should have in mind when selecting your first home leg press machine. Chances are, by the time we finish, you’ll be ready to get your hands on either the “next gen” option or the leg press machine that started it all…
Dynamic Load Capacity
Arguably, the most important leg machine characteristic, dynamic load capacity, refers to how much weight each machine can handle when in use. This score is almost always lower than static load capacity, but better represents the top-end limit of how much weight you can work with during your workouts.
The Gazelle Pro’s 1300-pound dynamic load capacity significantly exceeds the Gazelle’s 900-pound capacity. This doesn’t mean that Gazelle’s capacity is by any means “low”. The vast majority of lifters will be able to work really hard, get really strong, and build a lot of muscle without surpassing the Gazelle’s 900-pound capacity.
A 900-pound leg press is not unattainable, though. With dedicated training, you can reach and even exceed this total. The Gazelle Pro is the “safer” option if you are highly motivated, love a good challenge, and have a half-ton leg press PR in your sights.
Static Load Capacity
The total amount of weight your machine can safely hold at any time, static load capacity, is particularly important if you plan to use either of your Gazelle’s 4 plate horns to store your plates.
The Gazelle Pro’s 2000-pound capacity ensures that you will be able to store all of your plates on it. No additional storage is required.
Depending on the extent of your plate collection, the Gazelle’s 1500-pound static load capacity will also likely be sufficient for storage purposes.
Steel Thickness
Steel thickness is closely associated with machine stability and durability. The lower the steel gauge rating, the thicker the steel is. For reference, most of the leg press machines you see in commercial gyms are comprised of 11-gauge steel.
The Gazelle Pro lives up to its commercial-grade moniker here; it boasts an 11-gauge steel rating. The Gazelle is no slouch either, as it also boasts an 11-gauge steel rating.
Tldr: With either Gazelle, you can count on a solidly constructed, commercial-grade machine.
Back Pad Thickness
This refers directly to the thickness of the back and seat pads, qualities that go a long way in determining your training comfort. When you’re pushing really hard, the last thing you want to be thinking about is how hard and cold the steel feels against your body!
The Gazelle Pro’s back cushion is 3.15 inches, more than thick enough to keep you comfortable during hack squats. The Gazelle’s back cushion clocks in at a more than respectable 2.8 inches.
If you prioritize comfortable lifting, the Gazelles’ back pads are definitely up to the task.
Dimensions/Footprint
In the world of home gym gear, bigger is rarely better. Nobody wants a piece of equipment to take up their entire garage, basement…or living room.
Thankfully, at just over 7 feet long and 4 feet wide, the Gazelle Pro’s overall footprint is only 29 square feet. At 26 square feet (83 inches by 45 inches), the Gazelle has an even more compact and home gym-friendly footprint.
Height-wise, both machines are within a half inch of each other (57.8 inches for the Pro, 57.5 inches for the Gazelle). In either case, height will never be a problem.
Safety Stop Levels
Getting pinned at the bottom of a hack squat is never fun and can potentially be very dangerous. The Gazelles’ multiple safety stop levels go a long way in preventing this lifting disaster, ensuring that the weight is caught and secured long before it happens.
The Gazelle offers 5 different height levels where its safety stops can be implemented. The Gazelle Pro offers 4, although this should be more than sufficient for you, especially if you do some quick tests before getting started to determine the best places to activate them.
Ultimately, both machines support injury-free training. The O.G. Gazelle is a better option if you prioritize additional safety levels.
Bearing System
A leg press machine’s bearing system may not be the first thing that you think about. However, it is directly linked to two things you probably care a lot about:
Noise levels and “smoothness.”
The industrial-grade roller bearing system that both Gazelle iterations are equipped with ensures that these areas are maximized in the right ways. Their rail systems both move in a perfectly consistent and unimpeded manner, and excess machine noise is minimized.
Like the “Steel” category above, this is another area where we can definitively say that both options are equal, both employing high-quality systems.
Lifter Height Range
Nothing is worse than psyching yourself up for a lifting session only to find out that your machine of choice doesn’t quite accommodate your stature. Thankfully, the Gazelle and the Gazelle Pro are both very accommodating of lifters of all heights.
Depending on the exercise, the Gazelle Pro’s recommended height range is between a little under 5 feet to a little over 6-and-a-half feet. The Gazelle’s range is slightly larger, accommodating lifters who are slightly taller than four-and-a-half feet tall to users who are 6 feet, 11 inches tall.
The differences in these areas between these machines aren’t much, but if you are between 4’5” and 4’7” or between 6’8” and 6’11”, the Gazelle is going to be the better option for you.
The RitFit Gazelle Pro vs The RitFit Gazelle: Post-Game
Let’s finish things up with a quick and easy recap:
Are more numerous safety stop levels, a wider user height range, a smaller footprint, and a lower price point your main priorities? If so, the Gazelle makes a strong case.
If you’re most interested in higher load capacities and thicker, more comfortable pads, the Gazelle Pro is calling your name.
…and if you’re still suffering from “leg press machine analysis paralysis”, rest assured that you can’t really go wrong with either option.
No excuse to skip “leg day” now!
