Men’s Health Tests Jaw-Dropping Squat Machine

A leg machine with a nearly $3,800 price tag is making home gym owners rethink what “serious” training equipment really means.

Story Snapshot

Men’s Health published a review of Gymleco’s Pendulum Squat, testing whether the pricey machine belongs in a home gym.
Coach and Men’s Health Advisory Board member David Otey, C.S.C.S., ran the hands-on test for the outlet.
The machine costs roughly $3,800 and uses an arcing, pendulum-style motion instead of a straight bar path.
Gymleco markets the machine as one of the most stable and space-saving pendulum squats on the market.

What The Machine Actually Does

The pendulum squat gets its name from the arc it traces. A pivoting arm swings through a curved path as the lifter moves through the squat, rather than tracking straight up and down like a barbell or standard machine. That swinging motion changes how the body feels the load, shifting emphasis and reducing strain on certain joints during the lift.

Gymleco, the Swedish company behind the machine, says the design removes pressure from the lower back while still building serious leg strength. The company claims its version is probably the most stable and space-saving pendulum squat sold today, a pitch aimed squarely at buyers with limited square footage.

Why Men’s Health Put It To The Test

Men’s Health framed the review around a simple question: does a home gym actually need this machine? The publication tapped David Otey, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and member of its Advisory Board, to physically test the Pendulum Squat rather than just report on specs. That hands-on approach matters, because plate-loaded machines like this one live or die on how they actually feel under real weight, not on marketing copy.

The review’s own framing is blunt about cost. Men’s Health tells readers plainly that the approximate $3,800 price tag means a buyer has to be serious about their home gym setup before adding this piece. That is not a small purchase for a single-exercise machine, and the review treats that price as the central decision point for readers.

The Space And Price Trade-Off Buyers Face

Manufacturer specs show the machine measures roughly six feet long and up to about three and a half feet wide, weighing around 330 pounds fully built. That is a real footprint, even if Gymleco positions it as compact compared to rival pendulum squat designs. Anyone converting a garage or spare room into a gym needs to measure twice before assuming this machine fits comfortably alongside a rack and bench.

The broader equipment market backs up why buyers are weighing these trade-offs so carefully right now. Industry research pegs the global home gym equipment market at roughly $12.4 billion in 2025, with steady growth projected through the next decade as more households invest in permanent home setups. Commercial-grade machines built for smaller spaces, like the pendulum squat, sit right at the center of that shift toward serious residential training.

What Owners And Reviewers Outside Men’s Health Say

Gymleco’s own marketing leans hard into the stability and space-saving angle, repeating across multiple product listings that this is likely the most stable, space-conscious pendulum squat available. Video demonstrations of the machine walk users through adjusting the depth stopper, sitting into the seat, and unlocking the safety latch before driving through the movement, underscoring that setup and safety checks are part of every rep.

Other users posting online echo a similar theme: the machine earns praise as a favorite leg-day tool precisely because it works in smaller gym spaces without sacrificing the loaded squat feel. That consistency across manufacturer claims, independent demonstrations, and casual user comments gives the Men’s Health verdict real weight rather than isolated opinion.

The Bottom Line For Home Gym Buyers

Nothing about this review is a snap verdict. Men’s Health frames the Pendulum Squat as a specialized tool, not a universal must-have, and ties its recommendation directly to budget, available space, and how committed a lifter already is to serious leg training. For anyone weighing a near-$3,800 investment, that goals-first framing is exactly the right starting point before checking measuring tape against garage walls.

Home gym spending keeps climbing, and machines like this sit at the premium end of that curve. Buyers serious enough to consider it should treat the price tag as a filter, not a red flag, and decide based on whether this specific movement earns a permanent spot in their training plan.