GMWD Stretching Machine Review

The GMWD Stretching Machine is one of the unsung heroes in my garage gym that does a lot for my body.

Most of us don’t stretch enough (I’m guilty too) and this machine gives me a visual reminder to do so more often.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t take the time to do it and when I do, I feel less stiff and I move better when working out.

Let’s check it out!

Unboxing

Here’s how the machine came packaged.

Everything was well protected, covered in plastic and surrounded with foam.

I like how GMWD labeled each part to match the instructions manual.

This makes assembly so much easier and less time consuming.

What Is The GMWD Stretching Machine?

The GMWD stretching machine is used for stretching the upper and lower body leveraging my bodyweight.

It has a pivoting seat that goes back 90 degrees so I can lean into different stretching positions while holding on to handlebars.

I can stretch out most of my major muscle groups and I gotta tell you it feels really good.

Specs

• Dimensions: 55.1″L x 19.7″W x 41.3″ H

• Weight: 60 lbs

• Weight capacity: 260 lbs

• Material: 14″ gauge steel

• Padding: 2″ thick

• Foam roller: 1″ thick

• Handles: Rubber dipped for better grip

Top Benefits of the GMWD Stretching Machine

Full Body Stretch

Aside from getting a full body stretch, the biggest benefit for me is having a physical machine to stretch.

This gives me a visual reminder to stretch and having a machine makes it easy and it feels really good.

We all know we should be stretching more but let’s be honest…

How many times do you actually do it? If you’re like me, not very often so having a visual and physical cue helps me get it done.

Adjustable

The GMWD stretching machine has a few parts that are adjustable.

Starting with the slant board, I can change its angle to increase or decrease the amount of stretch I want on my calves.

It has 5 height settings that are easily changed by inserting a pin through the slant board and the frame of the machine.

Right above the slant board are the leg rollers.

The rollers can be adjusted vertically and horizontally which is neat because the higher I place it, the more of a stretch I can get in my legs.

There’s 7 height adjustments that are changed with a tension knob.

The other way I can adjust the rollers is by moving it closer or further away from the seat.

There’s only two settings for this so it doesn’t look like it would make much of a difference but…

I like to keep it on the closest setting to me so when I lean all the way back, my foot/leg stays on the rollers at all times.

Stable

The stretching machine is very stable and doesn’t wobble even when I lean back all the way back with all my weight.

It comes with rubber feet for added stability which doesn’t make a difference on my stall mats but…

I can see this being good for other types of flooring where the machine could shift.

Best Features of the Stretching Machine

90 Degrees Pivoting Chair

The magic with the GMWD stretching machine comes from the 90 degree swiveling chair.

In the picture above it’s upright which is the starting position.

And in this pic I have it set all way back where I can get the maximum stretch.

Here’s what it looks likes when I’m on the machine.

This gives me a great stretch on my lower back and lats…

Later on I’ll show you different stretches for different body parts.

Rubber Dipped Handles

The stretching machine has 4 rubber dipped handles (two on top and two on the bottom).

Most of the time I find myself using the bottom handles or the middle bar to get a deep stretch.

I can see the top handles being more useful for taller people with longer limbs.

Safety Straps

The center bar has two safety straps that I can wrap around my wrist just in case I happen to lose my grip.

I just insert my wrists through the loops and tighten them a little bit.

It’s good that they included this but I really don’t find myself using them much.

Stretches On The GMWD Stretching Machine

Back

This is one of my favorite stretches for the lower back and lats.

I hang on to the handles and lean back as far as I can.

To get a deeper stretch on each lat and really isolate each side, I reach across my body to the top handle and lean back and away from it.

In the pic above I have my right arm on the left handle and I’m leaning back and to my right.

To get more of my middle back, I cross my arms and grab the lower handle.

This opens up my shoulder blades and gives me a real good stretch on my rhomboids and mid to lower traps.

This stretch here helps to open up my thoracic spine, chest, and also helps my shoulder mobility.

I grab the bottom handles and let my hips sink while the seat gets closer to the floor.

Hips / Glutes

This figure 4 stretch is a good one to stretch each hip individually.

I can also do a butterfly stretch with both hips externally rotated at the same time.

Hamstrings

Here’s where the leg rollers come in handy.

I can either stretch each hamstring one at a time.

Or get both legs up on the rollers and do both legs at the same time.

Quads

Prior to getting this stretching machine, I was doing couch stretches on my Nordic Hyper GHD to loosen up my quads and hip flexors.

And it works but I like the set up on this machine more because I feel I can get a deeper stretch (I’ll show you in a sec).

GMWD demos their quad stretch like I’m doing it above but I do it inside the machine so I can have more arm support…

First thing I do is pivot the seat back.

Set my foot on the pad and use the knee pad as arm support.

This way I can control how much weight I put into it especially as I get deeper into the stretch.

Calves

The calf stretch is straight forward.

I set the slant board to the angle I want and step on it to feel that nice stretch on the back of my legs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Adjustable: Leg roller height and distance is adjustable, so are slant board angles

• Versatile: I can stretch multiple muscle groups with one machine

• Padding: Seat and knee pads feel good and have nice upholstery

• Handlebar: Rubber dipped handlebar makes it easy to hang on to and I like the multiple grips options on it

• Stability: It doesn’t wobble at all even when I lean back with all my bodyweight

• Safety straps: Just in case I lose my grip, the safety straps are there to catch me and make sure I don’t hit the floor

Cons

• Leg rollers: This needs to be improved either with better quality foam or covering it up with upholstery.

GMWD Discount Code

The GMWD stretching machine currently sells for $250 but you don’t have to pay full price.

Click the red button below to reveal my exclusive discount code that’ll give you a 5% dicount

GMWD Stretching Machine Alternatives

Stretching Cage

A stretching cage is a metal cage with a platform surround by bars.

With the bars set up in different angles, you can stretch any muscle you can think of.

You’ll need a lot of room for this machine though since it’s bulky and costs well over $2000.

Wall Bars / Stall Bars

Walls bars are a wall mounted, space saving option that can be used to stretch in many ways using my bodyweight.

These can also be used for different calisthenics and weight training exercises when you get one with accessories.

By grabbing different rungs on the ladder I can increase or decrease the amount of stretch my muscles get.

Although not as comfortable as just leaning back on a stretching machine’s chair, stall bars give me lots of stretching options as well.

My Experience With The Stretching Machine

Having the machine around forces me to stretch because I see it all the time.

So its presence alone holds me accountable and reminds me that I need to get on it, otherwise I wouldn’t stretch.

As for the machine itself, it’s simple but it gets the job done and has helped me to feel less stiff and move better.

Conclusion: Should You Buy The GMWD Stretching Machine?

If you’re constantly tight and don’t stretch as often as you should, this machine makes it easy to get it done in a comfortable way.

With a pivoting seat, multiple hand positions, and adjustable parts, I can get most of my body stretched out really well.

It’s sturdy, comfortable, and the majority of home gym owners can benefit from it.