Etenon R8506 Seated Leg Curl, Counterbalanced Arm, Split Seat and Eight Position Backrest

The Etenon R8506 is a seated leg curl with a counterbalanced arm, a split seat and a backrest adjustable through eight positions. Working the hamstrings seated rather than lying down suits a large part of a club’s membership better: the posture is more natural, getting on and off is straightforward, and hip flexion at 90 degrees increases recruitment of the long head of the biceps femoris compared with the prone version.

Positioning is where the machine earns its specification. The eight position backrest sets the seat angle for each user, and the correct angle varies with height and thigh length far more than most buyers expect. Get it wrong and the knee axis no longer aligns with the machine pivot, which is the single most common reason a leg curl produces poor results. The split seat, made of two independent sections, then adapts to the position without creating a pressure point under the thigh, which older members and rehabilitation patients notice immediately.

The lever arm is counterbalanced, so there is no resistance at the start of the movement. That protects the knee tendons at the point where they are least able to accept load and makes the machine usable in post-operative protocols and for beginners. The frame is welded steel with an epoxy powder coating, the machine weighs around 190 kg and it is declared compliant with EN ISO 20957.

Technical specification

Seated or prone, and who each one suits

Many clubs install both, because the two positions load the hamstring at different hip angles and members gravitate to one or the other. If you can only fit one, the seated version is the safer general choice for a mixed membership, a senior residence, a hotel or a rehabilitation centre, since entry and exit are simple and the position is stable. The prone version remains preferred in strength focused rooms. Place the R8506 alongside the leg extension so the front and back of the thigh sit together, and allow clear space in front of the seat for the lower legs to extend. Setting the backrest correctly is worth covering in member inductions, because the adjustment is only useful if it is used. Send us your floor plan and we will position the lower body zone free of charge before quoting.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the seated position change hamstring recruitment?

With the hip flexed to 90 degrees the hamstrings begin the movement in a lengthened position, which increases the contribution of the long head of the biceps femoris compared with a prone leg curl where the hip is extended.

What does the split seat achieve?

Two independent seat sections follow the backrest setting without creating a pressure point under the thigh. Older users and rehabilitation patients are the ones who feel the difference most.

Is the machine suitable after knee surgery?

The counterbalanced arm removes resistance at the start of the range, which is why the seated position is commonly used in post-operative knee and hamstring protocols. Programming remains the responsibility of the practitioner.