MAXUM LEC3 Review
The MAXUM LEC3 selectorized combo leg extension/leg curl machine is best for home gym users who prioritize lying (prone) hamstring curls and want a smooth curl feel—even if you may need to add a pad and extra weight to make the seated leg extension useful for stronger lifters. Priced around $2,250—though it can drop to $1,800 when bundled with a rack—it sits firmly in the mid-tier category of home gym equipment. Like all combo machines, it has to make mechanical compromises to accommodate two different movements. In this case, MAXUM has biased the design toward the lying leg curl, which performs better than the extension out of the box.
Quick Takeaway
If your primary goal is a smooth, comfortable lying hamstring curl, the MAXUM LEC3 delivers. The Nautilus-inspired cam provides a natural resistance curve, and the padding is soft enough for home use without feeling overly firm. However, the seated leg extension is limited out of the box: the range of motion stops short of a full stretch, and the 264-pound weight stack feels lighter than expected due to the machine's leverage. To make the leg extension truly effective, plan on adding a back pad (like the Hustler Lifting Pad) to increase the range of motion and a weight stack adder pin to load extra plates.
Quick Specs
Price: ~$2,250 (often ~$1,800 in a rack bundle)
Movements: Seated leg extension, lying (prone) leg curl
Weight Stack: 264 lbs (plus two 2.5 lb adder weights)
Cam Design: Nautilus-inspired oval cam for fluid resistance
Adjustability: Multiple back pad angles, adjustable leg roller
Padding: Soft, comfortable vinyl/foam suitable for home use
Where to Buy
You can check the current price directly through MAXUM below.
My Real-World Experience
I tested the LEC3 directly and compared it to the LEC2 we reviewed previously. I worked through both movements—seated leg extensions and lying/prone hamstring curls—so my observations come from performing the exercises on the machine, not just inspecting it. The machine ships with a 264-pound weight stack plus two small 2.5 lb adder plates (bringing the practical max to ~270 lbs), which I noted during setup and while loading the stack.
Setup and adjustments are straightforward but require standing up to change the seat angle—I had to use the pop pin to reposition the seat each time because the pivot requires the seat to move freely. Switching between extension and curl is simple mechanically, but you can't tweak the seat while sitting, so expect to stand up and re-seat yourself between variants.
During lying hamstring curls I found the handles neutral and comfortable and the padding soft. The oval cam meaningfully changed the resistance as the cable wrapped—feeling lighter at the bottom, harder through the middle, and tapering slightly at full contraction. On the lying curl I was able to achieve a full range of motion, getting the pad to touch my glutes at the top of the movement, which is uncommon for many combo machines at this price point.
On the seated leg extension I tested multiple seat settings. I was able to move the entire 264 lb stack with relative ease in the extension setup, which confirmed my suspicion that the mechanical leverage on this configuration reduces perceived load for strong lifters. The starting angle in the most stretched position is slightly less than 90 degrees between tibia and femur, and the weight doesn't engage fully until at-or-above 90 degrees, so you miss the deeper bottom stretch that many people chase for quad hypertrophy.
The Lying Leg Curl (The Stronger Movement)
The lying hamstring curl is the better-feeling exercise on the LEC3. The machine positions you with the leg pad on a slight incline and the torso pad on a slight decline, which allowed for a deep stretch during my sets. The handles are positioned neutrally and comfortably, though taller users may prefer them a touch further forward. The cam provides a fluid resistance curve and I did not encounter sticking points during the movement.
The padding is on the softer side, which I prefer for home use; it avoids the hard pressure points you sometimes get with denser commercial pads. MAXUM has updated newer models to extend the padding down the leg pad, which should help users with larger calves.
The Seated Leg Extension (The Compromise)
Because the machine is optimized for the lying curl, the seated leg extension is the weaker of the two movements. When you adjust the seat for extensions, leverage changes and the 264-pound stack feels light. In my hands-on testing I could move the stack easily, and the movement does not give you a deep bottom stretch—the starting angle is slightly less than 90 degrees and meaningful resistance only comes into play around or above 90 degrees. That reduces the effectiveness of the exercise for people targeting quad hypertrophy without modification.
How to Fix the Leg Extension
If you buy this machine, two aftermarket additions will materially improve the seated extension:
1. The Hustla Lifting Pad (~$75): Placing this pad behind your back pushes you forward on the seat and increases the range of motion by several inches. With the pad installed the extension gets into a deeper stretch and the movement feels more effective.
2. A Weight Stack Adder Pin (~$50-$100): A 10mm adder pin (like the one from Bear Steel Equipment) lets you mount Olympic plates on the stack. That solves the issue of the stack feeling too light for heavy quad work.
With those two additions the LEC3 goes from about a 7/10 to a solid 8/10 for overall usefulness, but it does add roughly $125–$175 to the total cost.
Comparisons / Alternatives
MAXUM LEC2: The LEC2 is the exact same price but features a seated leg curl instead of a lying leg curl. The LEC2 is biased toward the leg extension, offering a better range of motion and resistance curve for quads. If you prioritize leg extensions, choose the LEC2.
Force USA Solitude: Another lying curl/seated extension combo machine. The Solitude uses denser, commercial-style padding that some may find less comfortable, but it's a strong competitor in this space.
Tradeoffs
Leg extension range of motion. Out of the box, you do not get a deep bottom stretch for quad work.
Weight stack feels light for extensions. The mechanical leverage makes the 264-pound stack feel easy for strong lifters on the leg extension.
Requires aftermarket parts for optimal use. To get a full extension experience you likely need a back pad and a weight stack pin.
Seat adjustment requires getting off. You cannot adjust the seat angle while sitting in the machine; use of the pop pin requires standing.
Who Should Buy
Buy the MAXUM LEC3 if your primary focus is the lying hamstring curl. The cam design and soft padding make it a very good prone curl for a home gym, and the bundle pricing with a MAXUM rack can make it an attractive add-on for people already buying a rack.
Who Should Skip
Skip the LEC3 if you prioritize the seated leg extension over the hamstring curl. The limited range of motion and light-feeling weight stack will be frustrating out of the box. If you want a machine that excels at extensions immediately, the MAXUM LEC2 is a better match at the same price.
Common Questions
Q: Is the 264 lb weight stack enough for heavy leg extensions?
A: The stack is enough logically, but in the extension setup the machine's leverage makes it feel lighter—so strong lifters should plan to add an adder pin and plates.
Q: Can you switch between exercises quickly?
A: Mechanically it's a quick swap, but you do have to stand up to adjust the seat angle via the pop pin, so expect a brief pause between movements.
Q: Is the lying curl actually better than on similar combo machines?
A: In my hands-on testing the lying curl offers a fuller stretch and smooth resistance curve thanks to the oval cam; I was able to get the pad to touch my glutes, which I don't always see on combos at this price.
Final Verdict
The MAXUM LEC3 is a tale of two exercises. It offers a smooth, comfortable lying hamstring curl thanks to its Nautilus-inspired cam and soft padding, and in my testing it delivered a full range of motion on curls. The seated leg extension feels like a compromise out of the box—limited starting angle and reduced perceived resistance due to leverage. If you're willing to add a back pad and a weight stack adder pin, the LEC3 becomes a very capable combo machine. If you want top-tier seated extensions straight away, look at the LEC2 or other dedicated extension-focused options instead.
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