ECHO Strength Depot 3-in-1 Leg Extension & Curl
Lying leg curl, seated leg curl, and leg extension -- all in one machine. 220 lb or 300 lb stack options. Use code LUKESGARAGEGYM for 15% off + free shipping.
Shop ECHO Strength Depot →3-in-1 Leg Extension Leg Curl
I know what you’re thinking. LUKE, Another leg extension leg curl review??? Yeah, I get it. But hear me out -- this one's different, and I'm going to tell you why.
The ECHO Strength Depot 3-in-1 does something I haven't seen from any other home gym leg piece: it handles lying leg curls, seated leg curls, AND leg extensions -- all in one machine, on a real 3x3 12-gauge steel frame, with a near-1:1 pulley ratio. This thing was one of the most talked-about pieces at Home Gym Con, and after having it in the garage for a few weeks, I can tell you the hype is earned.
This is the best leg piece I've ever had in this gym. Let me break down exactly why.
Lying Curl, Seated Curl, and Leg Extension
The layout is clever. For lying leg curls, you swing the arm out, hop in, and do your thing. For seated leg curls, you swivel that same arm in and lock yourself into position -- like getting strapped into a ride. For leg extensions, the arm swivels back out so it's not in your way, and you drop the roller down onto your quads. That's it. Three movements, one footprint.
The swivel design is the key detail here. You've seen machines where the arm just sticks straight up and gets in your way -- this isn't that. It pops out, rotates, locks. Once you figure out your settings, the transitions between movements are seamless.
How Much Space Does the ECHO 3-in-1 Leg Extension Machine Need?
I'll say what I always say: measure your space before you buy. The most important dimension on this machine is depth. When the arm is swung out for lying leg curls, you need about 68.5 to 69 inches of clearance -- call it 5'9". From the machine itself back to where you'd have a door or wall.
In my garage, it fits perfectly in a corner with room to spare. If you're tighter than that, we're actually working on something -- me and Brandon thought of an idea where the arm could rotate up parallel to the machine rather than straight out, which could cut that depth requirement down to around 40 inches. We sent that to Jason, the owner. So if space is really tight, that might be an option down the road. For now, if you've got 69 inches, you're good.
Build Quality: 3x3 12-Gauge Steel Frame With 1-Inch Attachment Holes
This is light commercial grade steel on a home gym machine, and it shows. 3x3 12-gauge frame, powder coat finish, 1-inch holes. The 3x3 frame with 1-inch holes means you can actually run attachments on this thing -- I threw my Mutant Metal dip attachment on the backside and it fit snug. If you want to add a dip attachment, a belt squat anchor, whatever -- the frame supports it.
One note on the powder coat: if you're in a garage, get a dehumidifier. Powder coat can chip over time, and once it does, rust is faster to form than you'd want in a humid garage setting. Basements are usually fine. Just keep the environment controlled.
Range of Motion and Adjustability
This is where the 3-in-1 really earns its grade. Seat position: 16 adjustments. Pad height: 9 adjustments. The leg roller pad itself has a 3-position angle adjustment -- I've never seen that on a machine in this category before, and it matters more than you'd think. The back pad adjusts forward and back so shorter lifters don't have to stack yoga blocks under themselves to use the machine.
At 6 foot, I had plenty of range of motion on leg extensions -- the crossmember in back is not so low that it limits your heel travel, which was a question a lot of people had. I had 3 more adjustment positions I could have gone to and didn't need them. The stretch was there.
Brandon Tested It Too -- He's 5'6"
I brought in my boy Brandon (Uncle Brando Fit on Instagram) specifically because reviews done by one person at one height miss half the audience. He's 5'6" and runs his own coaching.
For lying leg curls at 5'6", he dialed in his settings and had zero complaints -- plenty of adjustments to get the pad where it needed to be for his leg length. For leg extension, he set the back pad to the last-forward position and was locked in. His words: "Buttery smooth. I'm not used to feeling the weight immediately at the start, but I can feel it from the first inch. I've never seen this pad angle adjustment before -- that's something I've wanted on every other machine I've used."
If you're shorter than 6 foot, this machine has the adjustments to fit you. The back pad range goes far enough that Brandon said people down to 5'2"-5'4" should be fine.
The Pulley Ratio: Nearly 1:1
I did the luggage scale test so you don't have to wonder. Pinned at 33 lbs, I measured resistance at the start and end of the pull. It starts at about 27-28 lbs and finishes at 33. That puts the ratio at roughly 1.2:1 -- not a full 1:1, but really, really close.
The previous Echo leg machine I tested came in around 1.75:1. This cam design is a major improvement over that. For most people, 1.2:1 is going to feel like true 1:1, especially compared to anything else you've used in this price range. The resistance profile is consistent and the cam design makes it feel user-friendly from the first rep to the last.
On leg extensions I worked up to 187 lbs and that's where I tapped out -- still had 33 lbs on the stack I didn't touch. For the 220 lb stack, that's plenty for most home gym users. If you're seriously strong and you need more headroom, the 300 lb option is there.
The Hip Thrust Bonus (Technically)
Okay, yes, you can do hip thrusts on this. Does that make it a 4-in-1? Technically. Would I personally use it for that? Probably not -- I like using machines for what they're built for. But Brandon tried it, got comfortable in the position with some fine-tuning, and said he'd actually use it. So if you're someone who wants to get that range out of the machine, it's doable. Your mileage may vary on the setup.
How Would I Grade This Machine?
Performance: A. It does all three movements well. The motion is smooth -- "butter" was the word both me and Brandon kept coming back to, because it genuinely is. Best leg piece I've had in this gym, full stop.
Versatility / Functionality: A. Three movements in one machine with a 300 lb stack option that grows with you. The 3x3 frame means you can add attachments. The adjustability covers a wide range of body types.
Value: A. With code LUKESGARAGEGYM (all caps, 15% off), the 220 lb stack comes in around $1,834 with free freight shipping. The 300 lb stack is around $2,209. For a 3x3 12-gauge 3-in-1 system with this many adjustments and a near-1:1 ratio, that's a legitimate deal.
Overall: A. If you're building a home gym and you want to cover leg extension and leg curl work without buying two separate machines or sacrificing build quality, this is the one I'd point you to.
| Spec | ECHO Strength Depot 3-in-1 |
|---|---|
| Price (220 lb) | $2,159 (Save 15% with code LUKESGARAGEGYM) |
| Price (300 lb) | $2,599 (Save 15% with code LUKESGARAGEGYM) |
| Frame Steel | 3x3" 12-gauge |
| Hole Size | 1" holes |
| Weight Stack Options | 220 lb or 300 lb |
| Pulley Ratio | ~1.2:1 (near true 1:1) |
| Movements | Lying leg curl, seated leg curl, leg extension |
| Finish | Powder coat |
| Space Required | ~68.5-69" depth (lying curl position) |
| Adjustments (seat) | 16 positions |
| Adjustments (pad) | 9 positions |
| Back pad adjustments | Yes (adjustable forward/back) |
| Leg roller pad | 3-position angle adjustment |
| Shipping | Free (freight) |
| Discount Code | LUKESGARGEGYM — 15% off |
Ready to Add This to Your Garage?
Use code LUKESGARGEGYM at checkout for 15% off + free shipping. Supports the channe, too! NOTE: Now through end of November, save 20% with code LUKESGARAGEGYM20
Shop ECHO Strength Depot →Bottom Line
The ECHO Strength Depot 3-in-1 is the most complete leg machine I've had in the garage. Three movements, near-1:1 ratio, 3x3 12-gauge steel, adjustability that covers 5'2" to 6' and beyond, and pricing that actually makes sense for what you get.
Use code LUKESGARAGEGYM at checkout for 15% off and free shipping. If this is the piece you've been waiting for, the link below takes you straight there.
