EXTREMELY Rare Hammer Strength H-Squat "Legasaurus"
Hammer Strength H-Squat “Legasaurus”: history, rarity, and how it actually feels
TL;DR: Donnie “Super D” Thompson shows the Hammer Strength H-Squat—nicknamed “Legasaurus.” It’s a moving-platform squat/press hybrid with huge ROM, no gut compression (vs. leg press), and band assist across the bottom. It’s extremely rare (rumored <400 units built; this one is #178) and sells used for $9–10k+ today. Donnie also runs through his inventions: Fatbells, Bowtie, Thompson Fat Pad, body tempering, and more.
What makes the H-Squat different
Moving platform + sled: Instead of your back being pinned like a leg press, the platform travels, creating a long, natural squat-like path.
No stomach/chest crush: On heavy leg presses you often get “gut compression” at the bottom. Not here—you can breathe and stay braced deeper.
Big range of motion: Feels like the rep “never ends”—long stroke, smooth travel.
Band assist + springs: Hammer spec’d springs; Donnie adds bands to help the return and tune the strength curve.
Foot placement tip: Lower feet = more knee extension and fuller lockout; higher feet reduce extension.
Setup cue: Hands behind you (not on the front bar), shoulders back—treat it like a squat.
Demo load in the video: ~70 lb on the carriage + band tension. You don’t need much—the machine multiplies the feel.
The “Legasaurus” origin story
Donnie bought this unit new in ~1996 (~$3,600 + ~$400 shipping).
He unveiled it at Powerhouse Gym with a full show: lights off, two guys hitting grinders for flying sparks, a lifter repping while Donnie announced “LEGASAURUS!” over the loudspeakers.
Nickname stuck. Years later it resurfaced online and turned into a cult classic.
How rare is it?
Rumor: Hammer Strength made ~400 total; this unit is serial #178.
15–20 years ago, gyms were basically giving them away. Now collectors and pros hunt them.
Current used prices: commonly $9–10k+ if you can even find one.
Fun note: Brian Shaw messaged Donnie that he wants one.
Why lifters love it
Post-surgery friendly: Donnie leaned on it after a knee surgery and plans to again.
Squat carryover: He programs it after squats—not “instead of.” It’s brutal volume with less trunk compression.
Consistency: In the 90s, the crew that used it… never stopped using it.
Donnie Thompson’s inventions (rapid tour)
Fat Bar (1999): OG thick bar; stamped “FAT BAR.”
Spud Inc. collabs (early 2000s):
Ab Strap, Reverse Hyper straps, sled straps, belt-squat belt, Rack Savers (Donnie ideation; Spud launched the brand).Fatbells (concept ’05–’06; launched by Rogue 2015): Spherical handled dumbbells that changed the DB landscape.
Bowtie: Shoulder positioning device born from Donnie’s frozen shoulder + Dick Hartzell band tricks—massively adopted.
Thompson Fat Pad (2006): Thicker/wider bench pad (measured >100 lifters to size), enabling better scapular movement & shoulder positioning. Rogue manufactures it.
Body Tempering: Heavy rollers/tools for soft-tissue loading. Donnie’s proudest contribution—daily messages from lifters/clinicians on pain relief and performance.
Should you hunt down an H-Squat?
Yes, if: you’re a collector, a specialty-machine gym, or a strength athlete who loves squat-specific volume with less trunk compression—and you’ve got the space and budget.
Maybe not, if: space is limited, or you need more versatile lower-body machines per square foot.