Why a Shrug Machine Belongs in a Home Gym
A shrug machine trains the trapezius — you stand or sit, grip the handles at your sides, and lift your shoulders straight up against plates. 🏋️
It is not a barbell shrug. A barbell hangs in front of your thighs and pulls you forward — and the machine fixes the path, so the shoulders move straight up every rep.
It is not a dumbbell shrug either. Dumbbells need balance and grip through every rep — and the machine holds the load, so the traps do the work. Our best adjustable dumbbells guide covers the free-weight route.
This guide follows our best glute kickback machines guide — the previous guide in the series — and the same rules apply: every pick researched, every conflict printed, nothing settled for you.
The stated prices run from $1,995 for the Muscle D to $4,486 for the Hoist — about 2.2 times — and the Atlantis states no price in the records checked.
The stated footprints run from 2,400 square inches for the Hammer Strength, by the maker length, to 5,280.5 for the Hoist — about 2.2 times — and all six picks state dimensions.
The stated machine weights run from 220 lb for the TKO to 533 lb for the Hoist — about 2.4 times — and the Legend’s 387 lb is a ship weight, not a machine weight.
How We Picked
We read maker pages, dealer pages and listing records for sixteen shrug machines — and kept the six that earned a slot.
A pick had to be a dedicated shrug machine or a station that names the shrug, sold in 2026, with a genuine photo of the named product — and a price, a size and a weight in the records checked, or a stated reason the figure is missing.
This category disagrees on the basics. The Hammer Strength carries two prices and two lengths, the TKO carries two prices, the Legend carries two prices and two plate counts, and the Hoist carries two prices and two sizes.
Every conflict below is printed, not settled. Where two records disagree, both figures appear — and the table marks the conflicted figures with a dagger.
Every pick figure is a real photo of the named machine — the maker’s photo or the dealer photo — and the section figures show the same machines from other angles or in use, captioned as what they show.
The Hammer Strength figures share one gym shoot — the same man, the same red-lit room, different frames — except the empty studio shot, which is a separate shoot. The Muscle D figures share one dealer shoot. The Hoist pick figure is cropped from the maker’s spec sheet.
The men and the woman in the action photos wear ordinary training kit — and no figure here is presented as a machine it is not.
- Price: the maker or dealer price as sourced, with the date or the record named.
- Size: the stated inches long and wide, and the floor area in square inches.
- Weight: the stated pounds of the machine itself.
- Load: the stated pounds it is rated to carry, where any record states one.
- Extras: the handles, the horns, the pads and the warranty stated in the box.
Also considered: the Dynamic Fitness Pro Dead Lift 713021 — commercial, designed by Rae Crowther, deadlift, shrug and row variations.
It was set aside because no price or dimensions were found in the records checked.
Also considered: the Yanre 82027 Plate Loaded Shrug Machine — 3,470 AED, about $945, at a UAE dealer.
It was set aside because no US dealer or USD price was found in the records checked.
Also considered: the Mango deadlift shrug machine — $719 to $739 wholesale.
It was set aside because it is a B2B wholesale listing, with no retail price in the records checked.
Also considered: the Synergy SYN2 Deadlift/Lunge/Shrug — 1,510 by 1,490 by 850 mm, 89 kg, Australian.
It was set aside because it is Australian-priced and no USD figure was found in the records checked.
Also considered: Body-Solid — no dedicated shrug machine, only a shrug bar at $264.99.
It was set aside because a bar is not a machine.
Also considered: the Rogue Donkey — $2,275, a reverse-hyper and GHD hybrid.
It was set aside because it is not a shrug machine.
Also considered: the Watson Shrug Bar — £236, a trap bar.
It was set aside because a bar is not a machine.
Also considered: the LPG Muscle Shrug Pro — about $270 to $300, a pair of free-weight handles.
It was set aside because handles are not a machine.
Also considered: Titan Fitness and Valor Fitness — no dedicated shrug machine found for either brand.
They were set aside because no such machine was found in the records checked.
Comparison
| Pick | Price | Size | Weight | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded Seated/Standing Shrug | $2,702 † | 40 × 60 in † | 235 lb | Best Overall, smallest footprint |
| Muscle D Seated Standing Shrug PL-P-SH | $1,995 | 60 × 60 in | 276 lb | Best Budget, cheapest pick |
| TKO 718LD Lunge Deadlift Shrug Machine | $2,160 † | 68 × 61 in | 220 lb | Best Value Multi-Exercise, lightest pick |
| Legend LeverEDGE 6008 Unilateral Trap Shrug/Lunge/Deadlift | $4,299 † | 78.25 × 67 in | 387 lb (ship weight) | Best for Heavy Loading, 7–9 plates per arm |
| Hoist ROC-IT Hack Squat/Dead Lift/Shrug RPL-5356 | $4,486 † | 89.5 × 59 in † | 533 lb | Best Premium, dearest pick |
| Atlantis Shrug and Deadlift Machine Pro PW335 | Not stated | 63.9 × 57.1 in | 275 lb | Best Commercial, 3-in-1 |
Read the table honestly: the price column is in because five picks state a price — and the Atlantis states none in the records checked, so its cell says so.
The daggers mark the conflicted table figures. The Hammer Strength’s $2,702 is the maker price — FitnessZone lists $2,573. Its 40 inches is the maker length — two US dealers list 42 inches.
The TKO’s $2,160 is Gtech’s price — Johnson Fitness lists $2,380.
The Legend’s $4,299 is the US dealer price — Johnson Fitness lists $3,359, and the Canadian store lists $6,097 CAD, the same price in Canadian dollars.
The Hoist’s $4,486 is the 360 Fitness and Hamilton price — Johnson Fitness lists $4,985.
The Hoist’s 89.5 by 59 inches is the maker sheet size — 360 Fitness lists 93 by 58.75 by 74.5 inches, and Hamilton lists 89.75 by 58.5 inches.
The stated prices run from $1,995 for the Muscle D to $4,486 for the Hoist — about 2.2 times — and the Atlantis states no price at all.
The stated machine weights run from 220 lb for the TKO to 533 lb for the Hoist — about 2.4 times — and the Legend’s 387 lb is a ship weight, not a machine weight.
Only two picks state a load figure in pounds — the Hammer Strength at 475 lb max and the Hoist at 450 lb base, 800 lb with the add-on — and the Legend states plates per arm instead, seven to nine.
All six picks state dimensions — the Hammer Strength is smallest at 2,400 sq in by the maker length and the Hoist is largest at 5,280.5 sq in.
All six picks are plate-loaded — no pick here has a weight stack — and no pick’s records list plates in the box.
Three picks state a frame warranty term — the Muscle D at 10 years, the TKO at 10 years, and the Legend at lifetime by Johnson Fitness — and the other three state no term in the records checked.
No pick here states a star rating — so none is printed.
Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded Seated/Standing Shrug — Best Overall
The Hammer Strength is the overall pick — $2,702, the smallest stated footprint and the only pick the maker positions for home exercisers. 🏆
The price is $2,702 on the Life Fitness shop — and FitnessZone lists $2,573, so both are printed and the table carries a dagger.
The size is 40 inches by 60 inches, the maker length — two US dealers list 42 inches — so both are printed and the table carries a dagger.
The weight is 235 lb, with a 25 lb starting resistance per arm — the only stated starting resistance here.
The max load is five 45 lb plates per arm, a 475 lb max training capacity by the maker.
It is a seated-or-standing machine, with an adjustable seat and side handles — and the maker says it is designed to allow home exercisers to train seated or standing.
The featured photo shows the seated shrug — the man sitting upright, hands on the side handles, loaded with 45 lb plates.
Pros
- Best overall — $2,702, the smallest stated footprint here.
- Seated or standing — shrugs from two positions.
- 475 lb max training capacity — stated by the maker.
Cons
- Price unsettled — $2,702 against $2,573.
- Length unsettled — 40 in against 42 in.
- Five plates per arm — below the Legend’s seven to nine.
Listing check: confirm the Plate-Loaded Seated/Standing Shrug, the $2,702 price — and check the Life Fitness shop first, because Hammer Strength sells direct.
Best for: a buyer who wants the overall pick — the smallest stated footprint with a seated and a standing shrug.
May not fit: anyone who wants a settled price or length, anyone who wants nine plates per arm, or anyone who wants the cheapest pick here.
Muscle D Seated Standing Shrug PL-P-SH — Best Budget
The Muscle D is the budget pick — $1,995, the cheapest stated price here, with free shipping in the contiguous US. 💰
The price is $1,995 on Competitors Outlet, an authorized dealer, with free shipping — and the machine ships in 3 to 4 weeks by freight.
The size is 60 inches by 60 inches, 276 lb — 3,600 square inches, the second-smallest stated footprint here.
The arms move independently on pillow block bearings, with a neutral grip — and two handle choices for the pre-stretch.
The seat is gas-assisted — and the frame is 11-gauge tube steel, with a 10-year frame warranty.
No capacity is stated in the records checked — so none is printed, and the table has no load figure for this pick.
Pros
- Best budget — $1,995, the cheapest stated price here.
- Free shipping — in the contiguous US, by freight.
- 10-year frame warranty — with 1-year moving parts.
Cons
- No capacity stated — in the records checked.
- 3 to 4 week ship time — by freight, by appointment.
- Seated or standing only — no deadlift or lunge work stated.
Listing check: confirm the Seated Standing Shrug PL-P-SH, the 60-by-60-inch size, the $1,995 price — and check Competitors Outlet first, because Muscle D sells through dealers.
Best for: a buyer who wants the cheapest stated price — with free shipping and a 10-year frame warranty.
May not fit: anyone who wants a stated capacity, anyone who wants deadlift or lunge work, or anyone who wants it this week.
TKO 718LD Lunge Deadlift Shrug Machine — Best Value Multi-Exercise
The TKO is the value multi-exercise pick — $2,160, four lifts on one station, the cheapest multi-exercise pick with a stated price. 🔄
The price is $2,160 on Gtech Fitness, with free shipping — and Johnson Fitness lists $2,380, so both are printed and the table carries a dagger.
The size is 68 inches by 61 inches, 220 lb — 4,148 square inches, the lightest machine here.
The four lifts are deadlift, lunge, squat and shrug — on independent arms, with height-adjustable and rotating handles.
The lunge pad adjusts for height, two storage horns keep plates close — and the plates are not included.
No capacity is stated in the records checked — so none is printed, and the table has no load figure for this pick.
Pros
- Best value multi-exercise — $2,160, four lifts in one.
- Lightest machine here — 220 lb, the easiest to place.
- 10-year frame warranty — with 5-year parts.
Cons
- Price unsettled — $2,160 against $2,380.
- No capacity stated — in the records checked.
- Plates not included — and assembly is required.
Listing check: confirm the 718LD Lunge Deadlift Shrug Machine, the 68-by-61-inch size, the $2,160 price — and check Gtech Fitness first, because TKO sells through dealers.
Best for: a buyer who wants four lifts on one station — at the cheapest multi-exercise price here.
May not fit: anyone who wants a settled price, anyone who wants a stated capacity, or anyone who wants a dedicated shrug machine.
Legend LeverEDGE 6008 Unilateral Trap Shrug/Lunge/Deadlift — Best for Heavy Loading
The Legend is the heavy-loading pick — $4,299, seven to nine plates per arm, the most plates per arm here. 💪
The price is $4,299 on isellfitness — and Johnson Fitness lists $3,359, so both are printed and the table carries a dagger.
The size is 78.25 inches by 67 inches — 5,242.75 square inches, the second-largest stated footprint here.
The plates per arm are unsettled — the maker page says at least seven, the maker blog and a dealer say nine — so the range is printed, never flattened.
Each lever arm weighs 30 lb without plates — and four chrome storage pegs keep Olympic plates close.
The handles adjust for height and angle, with narrow and wide grips — and the ankle rollers support split squats, lunges and dips.
The ship weight is 387 lb — a ship weight, not a machine weight — so the table says so, and the weight range here excludes it.
It is made to order in the USA, with a 15 to 20 week lead time — and the frame warranty is lifetime by Johnson Fitness.
Pros
- Best for heavy loading — seven to nine plates per arm.
- Most named movements here — shrugs, deadlifts, squats, lunges and more.
- Lifetime frame warranty — by Johnson Fitness.
Cons
- Price unsettled — $4,299 against $3,359.
- Plates per arm unsettled — seven against nine.
- 15 to 20 week lead time — made to order.
Listing check: confirm the LeverEDGE 6008, the 78.25-by-67-inch size, the $4,299 price — and check isellfitness first, because Legend sells through dealers.
Best for: a buyer who wants the heaviest loading — seven to nine plates on each lever arm.
May not fit: anyone who wants a settled price, anyone who wants it this month, or anyone who wants the smallest footprint.
Hoist ROC-IT Hack Squat/Dead Lift/Shrug RPL-5356 — Best Premium
The Hoist is the premium pick — $4,486, the dearest stated price here, and the heaviest machine at 533 lb. 👑
The price is $4,486 on 360 Fitness and Hamilton — and Johnson Fitness lists $4,985, so both are printed and the table carries a dagger.
The size is 89.5 inches by 59 inches, the maker sheet size — 360 Fitness lists 93 by 58.75 by 74.5 inches — so both are printed and the table carries a dagger.
The load is 450 lb at the base exercise ceiling — and 800 lb with the add-on, by the maker sheet — so both are printed.
It is three machines in one — hack squat, deadlift and shrug — with self-aligning rotating grips and an oversized foot plate.
The seat drops away during the movement — and the frame is counter-balanced to reduce the starting weight.
The owner’s manual says to bolt it to the floor with minimum 4.5-inch bolts, to prevent tipping — and the maker sheet states 720 lb of max storage.
Pros
- Best premium — $4,486, the dearest stated price here.
- Heaviest machine here — 533 lb, the most stated weight.
- 800 lb max with the add-on — the highest stated load here.
Cons
- Price unsettled — $4,486 against $4,985.
- Size unsettled — 89.5 in against 93 in.
- Largest stated footprint — 5,280.5 sq in by the maker size.
Listing check: confirm the ROC-IT Hack Squat/Dead Lift/Shrug RPL-5356, the 89.5-by-59-inch size, the $4,486 price — and check 360 Fitness first, because Hoist sells through dealers.
Best for: a buyer who wants the premium pick — the dearest machine with the highest stated load.
May not fit: anyone who wants a settled price or size, anyone short on floor space, or anyone who wants the cheapest pick here.
Atlantis Shrug and Deadlift Machine Pro PW335 — Best Commercial
The Atlantis is the commercial pick — a 3-in-1 station, made in Canada, with independent lever arms and no USD price in the records checked. 🏭
No USD price was found — the maker sells by quote and prices differ by country — so no price is printed.
The size is 63.9 inches wide by 57.1 inches long, 275 lb — 3,648.7 square inches, the third-smallest stated footprint here.
It is a 3-in-1 station — shrugs, deadlifts and Bulgarian split squats — on independent lever arms, so each side works on its own.
The grips are pronated and neutral, with an optional detachable footrest — and custom colours and logos are available.
No capacity is stated in the records checked — so none is printed, and the table has no load figure for this pick.
Pros
- Best commercial — commercial-grade, made in Canada.
- 3-in-1 station — shrugs, deadlifts and split squats.
- Independent lever arms — each side works on its own.
Cons
- No USD price found — dealers quote on request.
- No capacity stated — in the records checked.
- Optional detachable footrest — not included by default.
Listing check: confirm the Shrug and Deadlift Machine Pro PW335, the 63.9-by-57.1-inch size — and ask the dealer for the USD price, because none was found in the records checked.
Best for: a buyer who wants the commercial pick — a 3-in-1 station with independent arms.
May not fit: anyone who wants a stated USD price, anyone who wants a stated capacity, or anyone who wants a dedicated shrug machine.
How to Choose
Start with the price. The stated prices run from $1,995 for the Muscle D to $4,486 for the Hoist — about 2.2 times — and the Atlantis states no price at all.
Then check the type. Two picks are dedicated shrug machines — the Hammer Strength and the Muscle D — and four are multi-exercise stations that name the shrug.
Then check the load. Only two picks state a load in pounds — the Hammer Strength at 475 lb max and the Hoist at 450 lb base, 800 lb with the add-on — so train to the lowest figure your listing states.
Then check the size. All six picks state dimensions — the Hoist is largest at 5,280.5 sq in by the maker size and the Hammer Strength smallest at 2,400 by the maker length.
Then check the weight. The stated machine weights run from 220 lb for the TKO to 533 lb for the Hoist — about 2.4 times — and the Legend’s 387 lb is a ship weight.
Then check the bar alternative. A trap bar does shrugs with free weights — and our best trap bars guide covers the bars — while a machine fixes the path the bar leaves free.
Then check the plates. Bumper plates spread the load on the horn — our best bumper plates guide covers them — and all six picks need plates you already own.
Then check the warranty. Three picks state a frame term — the Muscle D and the TKO at 10 years, the Legend at lifetime by Johnson Fitness — and the other three state no term in the records checked.
Choose Your Type
Dedicated means one job — the Hammer Strength and the Muscle D do seated and standing shrugs, and nothing else is stated.
Multi-exercise means the shrug plus more — the TKO does four lifts, the Legend names eight movements, the Hoist does three, and the Atlantis does three.
A cable shrug is the third route — the load hangs from a pulley — and our best cable machines guide covers that route too.
A band shrug is the cheapest route of all — our best resistance bands guide covers the bands — and a machine fixes the path the bands leave free.
Seated or standing is the choice inside the dedicated pair — seated isolates the traps, standing adds the full posterior chain.
Choose Your Load
The loads stated here run from 450 lb for the Hoist at the base ceiling to 800 lb with the add-on — and the Hammer Strength sits at 475 lb max.
The Legend states plates per arm instead — seven to nine, by the maker’s own pages — and the Hammer Strength states five 45 lb plates per arm.
Three picks state no capacity at all — the Muscle D, the TKO and the Atlantis — so check the listing before you buy, and train to what it states.
The plates you load matter as much as the machine — our best weight plates guide covers the plates — so check which plates your pick takes before you buy.
Start light. Learn the path with an empty arm first, add plates a little at a time — and do not chase the 800 lb figure on day one.
Choose Your Footprint
The footprints stated here run from 2,400 sq in for the Hammer Strength, by the maker length, to 5,280.5 for the Hoist — about 2.2 times.
The Hoist diagram above prints the dealer size — 93 by 58.75 inches — while the table uses the maker sheet’s 89.5 by 59, and both are printed.
The Legend is 5,242.75 sq in — second-largest here — and its 387 lb is a ship weight, not a machine weight.
The Muscle D is 3,600 sq in and the Atlantis is 3,648.7 — near-identical footprints, 48.7 sq in apart.
Measure the floor before you buy. A shrug machine needs room beside it to load the plates — and room behind it for the standing position.
Choose Your Extras
The extras are what separate near-identical frames. The Hammer Strength’s adjustable seat, the Muscle D’s gas-assist seat, the Legend’s ankle rollers, the TKO’s rotating handles.
The collar is the small part that matters most — our best barbell collars guide covers the collars — and a missing collar stops a plate-loaded session cold.
The Hoist’s oversized foot plate takes multiple foot positions — and the Atlantis offers an optional detachable footrest.
Handles matter when the load gets heavy — the Hammer Strength’s side handles, the Legend’s dual narrow and wide grips, the TKO’s rotating handles.
Check the small parts before you buy — the collar most of all — because a missing collar stops a plate-loaded session cold.
Safety
A shrug machine loads the neck, the shoulders and your back — the traps, the spine and your grip all need care. The seven steps below are the safety baseline — and the medical note at the end is the clinician’s part.
1. See a clinician first if you have a neck, shoulder, back or heart condition — or if you are recovering from surgery. A shrug machine is not a treatment, and the clinician’s word comes before the buy.
2. Check the machine before every session. Look for a loose pivot, a worn pad, and a plate that slides on the horn — and retire a part that no longer holds.
3. Anchor the machine if the maker says so. The Hoist manual requires bolting to the floor with minimum 4.5-inch bolts, to prevent tipping — and the Hammer Strength has holes in the feet for the same job.
4. Train to the lowest stated load on your listing. The Hoist’s records say 450 lb base and 800 lb with the add-on — and the Hammer Strength’s say 475 lb max — so take the lowest figure, not the highest.
5. Load the plates with the arm at rest, collar on. A plate that slides off a moving arm is the most common plate-loaded accident — and the collar is the cheapest insurance.
6. Start light and slow. Learn the path with an empty arm first, add plates a little at a time — and do not roll the shoulders or bounce the load.
7. A neck or shoulder condition is a clinician’s question. See a clinician before buying a shrug machine to help it — and do not use any pick here as treatment for a neck, shoulder or other health condition.
This guide is general information only, not medical advice. Shrug machines are general fitness tools and are not intended to treat or cure any health condition. If you have a neck problem, a shoulder condition, or are recovering from surgery, talk to a clinician before training with a shrug machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a shrug machine fix my neck or shoulder pain?
No — this guide makes no treatment claim for any pick here. A shrug machine is a general fitness tool for healthy users, not a treatment for neck pain, shoulder pain or any health condition.
A neck that keeps hurting, a shoulder that is getting worse, or an injury that is not healing is a clinician’s question, not a shopping question. See a clinician first, and buy a shrug machine only for general fitness, not for fixing.
Can I just do dumbbell shrugs instead?
Yes — the movement is the same, shoulders straight up against the load, and dumbbells cost far less than any pick here.
The machine fixes the path and holds the load, so the traps do the work without balance demands — and dumbbells need grip and balance through every rep.
Plate-loaded or selectorised?
All six picks here are plate-loaded — the load grows with the plates you own — and no pick here has a weight stack.
Plate-loaded suits a lifter who already owns plates — and a stack suits a lifter who wants a pin and no loading, but no stack pick was found for this guide.
What size do I need?
The footprints stated here run from 2,400 sq in for the Hammer Strength, by the maker length, to 5,280.5 for the Hoist — so measure your floor before you buy.
The Legend is second-largest at 5,242.75 sq in — so leave room beside the machine to load the plates, and room behind it for the standing position.
How much load do I need?
Only two picks state a load in pounds — the Hammer Strength at 475 lb max and the Hoist at 450 lb base, 800 lb with the add-on. The Legend states seven to nine plates per arm, and the other three state none.
Start light either way — learn the path with an empty arm, add plates a little at a time, and train to the lowest figure your listing states.
Do I need plates as well?
All six picks here are plate-loaded and the plates are not included — the TKO’s records say so outright, and no other pick’s records list plates in the box.
The Legend states four chrome storage pegs, the Hoist figure shows plates on the horns, and the Atlantis render shows plate horns.
Check which plates you already own before you pick — the TKO takes Olympic plates and the Legend’s storage pegs are Olympic.
Our Pick: Start Here
Start with the Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded Seated/Standing Shrug if you want the overall pick — the smallest stated footprint with a seated and a standing shrug.
Start with the Muscle D Seated Standing Shrug PL-P-SH if you want the budget pick — $1,995, the cheapest stated price here, with free shipping.
Start with the TKO 718LD Lunge Deadlift Shrug Machine if you want the value multi-exercise pick — four lifts on one station at $2,160.
Start with the Legend LeverEDGE 6008 if you want the heavy-loading pick — seven to nine plates on each lever arm.
Start with the Hoist ROC-IT Hack Squat/Dead Lift/Shrug RPL-5356 if you want the premium pick — the dearest machine with the highest stated load.
Start with the Atlantis Shrug and Deadlift Machine Pro PW335 if you want the commercial pick — a 3-in-1 station with independent arms.
Whichever you start with, train to the lowest stated load, check the listing is live, and do not train through pain.
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Specs in this guide come from maker and listing records checked during research; where records conflict, the conflict is printed in the guide rather than resolved by picking one figure.