Force USA Solitude Leg Extension and Leg Curl Review: The Best Machine for Hamstring Curls?

This product was tested in house by Michael at The Jungle Gym Reviews.

The Force USA Solitude Leg Extension and Leg Curl is a selectorized combo machine with a 220 lb weight stack, center-driven cable design, and a build quality that feels more commercial than most home gym options in this price range. At $2,299, it sits right in the middle of the mid-tier selectorized leg extension/leg curl category. What sets it apart is the center cable drive, which distributes force evenly left to right and eliminates the arm deflection you get on side-mounted versions. The other thing that sets it apart is that the hamstring curl is genuinely the best movement on this machine — which is unusual for a combo machine where the leg extension usually feels better.

Quick Takeaway

The Force USA Solitude is a commercial-feeling leg extension and prone leg curl combo for $2,299. The center-driven cable design makes the force feel very even left to right, and the resistance curve is biased toward making hamstring curls feel outstanding. The leg extension is good but not the best in this category — the range of motion tops out at about 90 degrees, and the resistance curve is more linear than I prefer for extensions. The build quality, padding, grips, and overall design all feel like they belong in a commercial gym. If hamstring curls are a priority, this is one of the best options I have tried at any price.

Quick Specs

Price: $2,299
Weight Stack: 220 lbs (222 lbs marked on stack)
Type: Seated leg extension + prone (lying) leg curl
Cable Design: Center-driven
Leg Extension ROM: ~90 degrees
Leg Curl ROM: Full stretch to full contraction
Warranty: Lifetime (per Force USA website)
Features: Water bottle holder, phone slot, commercial-grade padding and grips

Where to Buy

You can check the current price directly through Force USA below. Use code JUNGLEGYM for 5% off:

My Real-World Experience

I have reviewed a handful of leg extension and leg curl combo machines — versions from Maxim, Nautilus, Bolt Fitness, Temple of Gains V2, Titan, and several bench-attached options. Every single one of those machines has the same tradeoff: one of the two movements feels inherently better than the other. The Force USA Solitude is the first machine I have tried where the hamstring curl is what I consider the primary movement. If I had to guess what this machine was designed to feel best for, it is the prone leg curl.

My working weight on this machine is significantly lower than on other machines I have tried. 160 lbs on the Solitude feels like 220+ on those other machines. The center-driven cable and the more linear resistance curve mean you actually feel every pound on the stack. This is humbling but also means the 220 lb stack goes a lot further than you would expect.

The Center-Driven Cable Design

The cable on the Solitude runs through the center of the machine, between the user's legs, rather than off to one side. This means the loading arm is centered and the force is distributed evenly left to right. On side-mounted designs, the longer loading arm can sometimes twist or deflect under heavy loads, creating an uneven feel. The Solitude eliminates that entirely.

The cable routes from the bottom of the weight stack, through the frame, down the center, and wraps around a small cam bracket at the bottom. This cam slightly shapes the resistance curve, but the overall feel is more linear than aggressive. That design choice is what makes the hamstring curl feel so good — you get consistent resistance through the entire range of motion rather than a drop-off at the top.

Hamstring Curl Feel

The prone (lying) leg curl is where this machine shines. You lay face down on the pad, which has a slight curve that aligns with your hip crease. The pad is dense, commercial-grade vinyl — it feels supportive without being too hard. Your knees hang just off the edge, and the ankle pad engages your hamstrings from a full stretch all the way through to full contraction.

The handles are positioned perfectly for someone my height (6'2") — slightly in front, angled so you can really lock in and grip hard during heavy sets. The rubber grip material is the same commercial-grade stuff you find on pull-up handles at commercial gyms. It does not feel cheap.

Because the resistance curve is even (not tapered), you feel your hamstrings working hard from the very first degree of movement all the way to the top. This is what makes it feel biased toward leg curls — the cam is designed to maintain resistance through the longer range of motion that a prone leg curl requires.

Leg Extension Feel

The leg extension is good but not the best I have used in this category. The range of motion tops out at about 90 degrees — your shin gets to roughly parallel with the floor. That is the same as most commercial gym machines, but some home gym options (Titan, Maxim LEC 2) give you more pre-stretch beyond 90 degrees.

The resistance curve on the extension is the same linear feel as the curl. I personally prefer a more aggressive cam on leg extensions that makes the stretched position harder and tapers off at the top — that matches the natural strength curve of the quadriceps better. The Solitude does not do this because the cam is optimized for the hamstring curl's longer range of motion.

A workaround: you can add aftermarket ankle pads (like the HUSLA lifting pads) to push the starting point back a few inches. This adds about 3 inches of range of motion and, in my experience, slightly improves the resistance curve feel for extensions. It costs about $70 extra and requires cutting the pad in half to fit around the center drive, but it makes a noticeable difference.

Build Quality and Design

Everything about the Solitude screams commercial use. The padding is thick, dense, and durable — the same feel as Precor or Life Fitness machines at a commercial gym. The vinyl will hold up to thousands of use cycles. The grips are commercial-grade rubber that does not stretch, tear, or feel cheap. There is a water bottle holder and phone slot built into the frame.

The weight stack is smooth and quiet. The pop pin for switching between leg extension and leg curl modes is easy to use. The overall footprint is compact for a selectorized machine. Force USA offers a lifetime warranty on this, which further supports the commercial durability angle.

One minor note: there is a rectangular joining bracket at the bottom of the frame that connects the arm to the weight stack. If you have size 12+ feet, your heels will slightly graze this bracket when getting in and out of the machine. Once you apply any pressure to the pad and start your set, you clear it by about an inch. It is not a dealbreaker — just something to be aware of on your first few uses.

Comparisons / Alternatives

Maxum LEC2: Better range of motion for leg extensions, more aggressive cam for extensions. The Solitude has better hamstring curl feel and more commercial build quality.
Titan Fitness Leg Extension/Curl: Better range of motion for extensions, lower price. Build quality and padding are not at the Solitude's level.
Nautilus / Bolt Fitness / Temple of Gains V2: Various options in the same price range. Most are biased toward leg extensions rather than curls. None have the center-driven cable design.
Bench-Attached Leg Extension/Curl Options: Much cheaper but significantly worse feel, less range of motion, and plate-loaded rather than selectorized.

Tradeoffs

Biased toward hamstring curls. If your priority is the absolute best leg extension feel, other machines (Maxim LEC 2, Titan) have more aggressive cams and more range of motion for extensions.
Leg extension ROM is only 90 degrees. Not the most pre-stretch available. Solvable with aftermarket ankle pads (~$70 extra).
$2,299 is mid-tier pricing. Not the cheapest option, though it is not the most expensive either. You are paying for commercial build quality.
Perceived weight is much higher. Your working numbers will be lower than on other machines. This is not a flaw — you are actually feeling the real weight — but it can be psychologically humbling.
Heel clearance on center bracket. Size 12+ feet will graze the bracket when getting in/out. Clears once weight is engaged.

Who Should Buy

Buy the Force USA Solitude if hamstring curls are a priority in your training, if you want commercial-grade build quality and durability in a home gym machine, and if you value even left-to-right force distribution. It is ideal for someone who trains posterior chain hard (glutes, hamstrings) and wants a machine that makes prone leg curls feel as good as possible. The lifetime warranty and commercial-grade materials make this a long-term investment piece.

Who Should Skip

Skip the Solitude if your primary goal is the best possible leg extension feel. If you want maximum pre-stretch, an aggressive resistance curve on extensions, and do not care as much about the hamstring curl, look at the Maxim LEC 2 or Titan options instead. Also skip if $2,299 is above your budget — there are plate-loaded and bench-attached options that cost significantly less, though they sacrifice feel and build quality.

Final Verdict

The Force USA Solitude is the best prone hamstring curl I have used on any combo machine at any price point in the home gym space. The center-driven cable, commercial-grade padding, and even resistance curve make lying leg curls feel outstanding. The leg extension is good but not the best — it is limited to 90 degrees of ROM and has a more linear curve than I prefer for quads. If you prioritize hamstring training and want a machine that feels like it belongs in a commercial gym, the Solitude delivers. If leg extensions are your priority, look elsewhere.

CHECK PRICE — FORCE USA SOLITUDE LEG EXTENSION / LEG CURL

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