The Best Cable Machines for Home Gyms Put to the Test (2025)

At a Glance 

• Functional trainer cable rack attachment
• Above average maximum resistance
• Pricier cable machine compared to the average
• Lifetime warranty higher than the standard

Editor’s note: This cable crossover attachment only works with REP Fitness PR-4000 and PR-5000 series racks, which are high-quality racks that we’ve recommended in other roundups. If you don’t have a REP Fitness rack, this crossover attachment will probably not work.

Most home gym owners have some sort of squat rack, as these can be a versatile piece of equipment with the addition of power rack attachments. If you have a power rack, particularly from REP Fitness, and you want a cable machine that won’t take up too much of your gym space, the REP Ares 2.0 Cable Attachment is a perfect choice for your home. With a 5-out-of-5 score for its durability and construction, this is a premium product with a quality build.

Smoothness: 5/5

Accessories: 4/5

Construction & Durability: 5/5

Why We Like The REP Ares 2.0

An upgrade from the original REP Ares Cable Attachment, the REP Ares 2.0 attaches around your PR-4000 or PR-5000 rack, only adding a few inches in height, width, and depth to your power rack. That keeps this cable attachment fairly compact for your gym space, earning the Ares 2.0 a 4 out of 5 for its footprint. 

You can feel the quality with how sturdy the REP Ares attachment is. Our tester, GGR founder Coop Mitchell, told me, “The durability gets top marks from me. This feels solid, and the cables were smooth and quiet. I didn’t notice any catching during my pull or release.” The smoothness gets a 5 out of 5, as the aluminum pulleys make for an incredibly smooth feel during your workouts.

Boasting six terminals for cable attachments and dual 260-pound weight stacks, the REP Ares 2.0 grants tons of versatility. The narrower rack profile means you don’t get quite as good of a stretch from a chest fly when compared to a functional trainer, but outside of that, the cable attachment shines, with the lat pulldown really being its shining achievement. You can use a banana hook to attach the knurled lat pulldown bar to both weight stacks, allowing for heavy weights on pulldowns and low rows.

Alternatives

While it’s a well-engineered piece of gym equipment, building out the Ares around your rack can be pricey. The cable attachment starts at around $3,000, and can increase due to the size and build of your power rack. If you don’t have a REP power rack already, you’ll have to buy one with it, as well, which will get expensive, fast.

The dual weight stacks also take up a bit of the inside of the rack space, so you may be a little cramped using the inside of a four-post power rack for squats. With a six-post rack, you’ll still have plenty of room inside the cage. “If you squat on the outside of your rack, it’ll be a non-issue, too,” Coop let me know.

If you prefer American-made products, be sure to check out the Rogue FM-6 Functional Trainer, the company’s take on a rack-integrated cable system. Although the pulleys are imported, the rest of the machine is made in the United States.

Testing Breakdown

It’s a bit expensive, but the Ares 2.0 rated well in many factors we tested. Here’s how it scored.

Vs. The Average

Although it’s a bit pricier than the average cable machine, the REP Ares 2.0 has a minimal footprint, adding only a few inches to the footprint of your current REP power rack.

You can check out our thoughts on this updated cable machine in our REP Ares 2.0 review.

At a Glance 

• Power rack and plate-loaded pulldown/low row combo
• Below-average pricing
• Compact footprint for a squat rack
• Below average steel

The Giant Lifting Garage Gym Power Rack 2.0 with Lat/Low Row gets our pick for those in small spaces because it combines two machines in one: a plate-loaded lat pulldown/low row attachment and a squat rack. This isn’t the only squat rack and cable machine combo, but based on our many years of testing, it’s one of the most compact options available at 54 inches deep and 47 inches wide (shy of 18 square feet), earning a 4 out of 5 for its footprint.

Footprint: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Construction & Durability: 3/5

Why We Like the Giant Lifting Garage Gym Power Rack 2.0

I tested out the Giant Lifting power rack and the lat and low row attachment, and I think it’s a pretty solid budget option. This may not be the option for powerlifters or strength athletes (like me) needing a higher weight capacity or stronger steel, but this still has great value for a budget-priced starter rack. I rate the value at 5 out of 5.

Since the cable machine attachment is plate-loaded, you can load it with up to 450 pounds of weight plates. Plus, it has a 1:1 ratio, so 100 pounds really feels like 100 pounds. There’s also a multi-grip pull-up bar, padded J-cups, and 2-inch spaced holes on the uprights for your power rack attachments. It comes with many of the essential attachments, so I give the accessories a 4-out-of-5 score.

Alternatives

The 85-inch height won’t be ideal for everyone, especially taller athletes like me. I’m over 6 feet tall, so I’d have to bend my legs a lot to get a full range of motion on pull-ups. I also had to sit on the floor for my lat pulldowns. It’s still very possible for larger athletes to use this machine, but you might have to skip using a weight bench on some cable movements.

The one area where Giant gets a low score is durability: a 3 out of 5. The 14-gauge steel is pretty thin, and the nylon pulleys—though smooth—aren’t as tough as aluminum. The rack’s 700-pound weight capacity and the cable’s 450-pound capacity should cover most home gym owners, though.

If you need a heavy-duty squat rack, we suggest the REP Fitness PR-4000 Power Rack. The 11-gauge steel makes it able to handle some heavy barbells, and you can also add a lat pulldown and low row machine—or even the Ares 2.0—to the back of the rack.

Testing Breakdown

The Giant Garage Gym Power Rack 2.0 has great value at a budget price, although it uses some budget materials. Here’s how we scored it.

Vs. The Average

The Giant Lifting Power Rack is one of the cheaper options on our list. When compared to the average cable machine, those savings are present, as well.

At a Glance

• Budget-priced cable crossover rack attachment
• Above average footprint when connected to a squat rack
• Below average weight capacity
• Limited lifetime warranty on frame is above standard

Editor’s note: This cable crossover attachment only works with Bells of Steel racks, which are high-quality racks that we’ve recommended in other roundups. If you don’t have a BoS rack, this crossover attachment will probably not work.

Although it’s only compatible with Bells of Steel racks, the Cable Crossover Power Rack Attachment is a solid pick for a cable rack attachment because of its low price and decent versatility, earning the rack a 4.5 out of 5 for value. Simply attach the cable machines on the front sides of your rack and get to pulling.

Smoothness: 4/5

Value: 4.5/5

Footprint: 3/5

Why We Like the Bells of Steel Cable Crossover Power Rack Attachment

While we have yet to test out this cable machine ourselves, we’re big fans of this being a plate-loaded cable machine, meaning the resistance comes from weight plates you most likely have lying around your home gym (especially if you’re attaching this to a power rack). The 160-pound weight capacity may not be enough for strength athletes like myself, but it should handle most workouts for your average home gym owner. 

I should let you know the pulleys only work on the top and bottom positions, so it won’t have the same versatility as a functional trainer with adjustable pulleys. That’ll be fine for some folks, though, as there are countless exercises you can do from these positions that can’t be done with a squat rack alone. Customer reviewers have noted, however, that the weight needs to be evenly distributed across the weight horns or the pulleys may catch, earning them a 4 out of 5 for smoothness.

Another plus is that this item ships free, which is nice for this heavier 110-pound piece of equipment.

Alternatives

The biggest drawback to this cable crossover is that it’s only compatible with Bells of Steel racks—particularly the 2.3-inch-by-2.3-inch power racks. It won’t work for racks outside of that, including the Bells of Steel Hydra Rack.

Another issue is its footprint. One attachment is 24 inches wide and 40 inches long, but there will be two of these attached to an already large squat rack. You’ll probably need about 10 feet across to effectively use this cable crossover. Because of this, the attachment gets a 3 out of 5 for its footprint.

For another rack with cable crossover functionality, check out the Force USA MyRack. This modular rack can be customized for your exact needs with accessories such as a cable crossover and other rack attachments.

Testing Breakdown

Despite a below-average weight capacity for this plate-loaded cable crossover attachment, we still think this unit has good value. Here’s a breakdown of its ratings.

Vs. The Average

While the footprint looks comparable to your average cable machine, remember that you’ll have two of these attachments, doubling the space needed.

At a Glance 

• Functional trainer with dual 200-lb weight stacks
• Above average price for cable machines
• Smooth cable travel and good construction
• Warranty is below average

The Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is just like the cable machine at your local commercial gym, just without having to wait for other people to finish their working sets on it. The real star is its versatility and weight stacks, which got a 4 out of 5. There are more than 1,000 adjustable positions, dual 200-pound weight stacks with a 2:1 ratio (20 pounds feels like 10), swiveling pulleys, and six accessory hooks. The sky’s the limit for what you can do with this machine.

Accessories: 4/5

Construction & Durability: 4/5

Delivery & Assembly: 3.5/5

Why We Like the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer

We like the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer for its build and quality. The dual weight stacks provide a decent weight range that should be able to give beginners and home gym veterans alike a decent challenge on most movements. “I wouldn’t expect to see people, in most training instances, maxing out the stacks,” GGR founder Coop Mitchell said when I asked him about the weight limit. “I think the weight that’s here is good for most people.”

The aluminum guide rods needed to be lubricated, though once they were, the smoothness earned a 4 out of 5. The red anodized aluminum pulleys add to the smoothness—and they make for a sharp look on the functional trainer.

The Titan Functional Trainer comes with a short bar, long bar, ankle strap, dual stirrup handles, rope handles, and single and double D-handles so you can do countless strength-based movements. I asked Coop for his thoughts on the attachments and he replied, “The quality isn’t anything to write home about, but that’s a lot to be included with the machine.” He rated the accessories at 4 out of 5.

Alternatives

Functional trainers can take up a lot of space in a home gym, and the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is no different. It is one of the more compact traditional trainers (the 64-inch width is narrower than the industry standard 72 inches for double-stack cable machines), but you’ll still need a good amount of dedicated space for it. At 672 pounds, it’s not moving once you build it, either. We rate the footprint at 3.5 out of 5.

The shorter 82-inch height also means that taller people won’t be able to do pull-ups well on it, which is a shame because the trainer comes with a multi-grip pull-up bar that has a nice-feeling powder coat that provides excellent grip.

For a more compact solution, check out the Torque Anker 7, a wall-mounted functional trainer that sits just a few inches off the wall.

Testing Breakdown

The Titan Fitness Functional Trainer scored pretty well in most categories, although its footprint and assembly dropped its score slightly. Below is the full breakdown.

Vs. The Average

Although it’s a pricier cable machine, as a functional trainer, this machine is probably priced mid-range. Additionally, the footprint is compact for a functional trainer, but well above the average cable machine’s dimensions.

For more, check out our in-depth Titan Fitness Functional Trainer review.

At a Glance 

• Wall-mounted smart home gym
• Expensive compared to most cable machines
• Above average construction
• Below average warranty

The Tonal 2 isn’t what most people think of when they hear “cable machine,” but if you’re looking for a piece of smart equipment that can do it all, you can’t do much better than this. We have personally used Tonal for years and recently tested out the upgraded Tonal 2. We’ve enjoyed almost every aspect of it. It gets a perfect 5-out-of-5 score on its smart features, and it’s built well—especially when you compare it to the original model. 

RELATED: Tonal Coupons and Discounts

Construction: 4.5/5

Footprint: 4/5

Smart Features: 5/5

Why We Like the Tonal 2

The versatility of the Tonal 2 is quite impressive, which we rate at 4 out of 5. “It’s basically made to be an all-in-one home gym,” Coop Mitchell, GGR founder, told me. “You pretty much wouldn’t need anything else.” The cable arms, attached to a wall-mounted touchscreen, can be adjusted to work out just about any muscle group, and the digital resistance offers a unique stimulus that causes some lifelong trainees to quiver halfway through their set—even with the modest 250 pounds of maximum resistance.

Don’t stress too much about the weight, though. One of Tonal’s best features is the auto-powered weight suggestions, which are done through a full-body assessment you take when setting up your machine. This is great because it takes a lot of the guesswork out of resistance training, and customizes the experience to each user. This feature can be disabled, though, if you want to enter your own data.

The customization doesn’t end there, as you can choose from different workout styles from strength training to kickboxing, and even yoga and meditation classes. An on-screen personal trainer will guide you through each workout and show you how moves are supposed to be performed.

The construction earns a 4.5 out of 5 from us, as well, as the cables—previously an issue—have been replaced with a more durable material. Tonal switched the pulleys to nylon, too, to help reduce the wear and tear on the cables. “Although aluminum pulleys are a smoother, more premium component, the nylon won’t wear the cables down as much,” Coop explained when I asked, “So it seems like a smart move to me.”

Alternatives

At close to $4,300, on top of a $59 monthly class membership fee, the Tonal 2 isn’t a piece of budget home gym equipment. Professional installation is required, as well, which is an additional charge. We still think there’s good value here, scoring it at a 4 out of 5 for the category, but Tonal 2 won’t fit everyone’s budget.

Also, keep in mind you need a good amount of space—at least 7 feet deep and 7 feet wide around your machine—so depending on your home gym setup, this may require more space than you have available.

Don’t want your smart home gym on the wall? Try out the Vitruvian Trainer+, a smart cable machine that rests on your floor and also provides up to 440 pounds of resistance.

Testing Breakdown

While the Tonal 2 does have customer reviews, there’s no rating for them, so we didn’t include it in the score. Here’s how the smart gym equipment fared in our testing.

Vs. The Average

Using smart features like digital resistance as opposed to traditional weight stacks or plate-loaded machines, the Tonal 2 is expensive compared to your average cable machines. 

To learn more about the original model, read our Tonal Smart Home Gym review. 

At a Glance 

• Lightweight, portable cable trainer
• Close to the average price for cable machines
• Smaller footprint than most cable machines
• Below average warranty

The Beyond Power Voltra I’s standout feature is that it’s portable and can attach to just about any squat rack, but we love it because of its versatility, which earns 5 out of 5 stars. GGR founder Coop Mitchell has been using it for cable machine workouts every day for several months and told me, “I’ve done deadlifts, lateral raises, Nordic curls, lat pulldowns, and just about every other move included in my regular personal training sessions, all on this machine.”

Versatility: 5/5

Footprint: 5/5

Value: 3/5

Why We Like the Beyond Power Voltra I

“I’m considering simplifying my home gym setup and using the Voltra to replace a few machines,” Coop continued to tell me after I asked him about the versatility of the Beyond Power Voltra I. It creates up to 200 pounds of resistance, and the motor allows for smooth movement every time. As such, it gets a 4.5 out of 5 for its resistance.

Another thing that makes it versatile are the three modes that can be accessed on the screen—weight training, resistance band, and damper. Coop mostly stuck with weight training, which allows you to change the eccentric and concentric weight (think the down and up movements of a back squat) and adapts based on your range of motion. It also has a “chain” feature to simulate heavier weight during lockout, similar to using a chain on a barbell.

Although typically mounted onto a power rack, there are multiple mounting devices available, including a floor mount you can stand on for deadlifts, and adding to its portability.

Even better, Coop rates the durability of the cable machine at 5 out of 5, being very impressed with the quality of the build. I asked Coop which aspect stood out to him and he told me, “The cable that comes with it is very sturdy, too. It’s a synthetic cable that’s supposed to be stronger than steel.”

Alternatives

You might be tempted to buy two of these machines for even further versatility, though I advise against that. Just one Voltra is pricey at over $2,000, even before ordering your mounting device. The value gets a middle-of-the-road 3 out of 5 from us. Two trainers would be costly, plus Coop told me that it’s hard to sync the machines together, making two-handed movements feel awkward and clunky.

Looking for a compact cable solution that’s (quite) a bit cheaper? Try out the Spud Inc. Pulley System, which is a simple pulley cable strapped onto a rack. Though it’s small, it can still hold up to 550 pounds of weights.

Testing Breakdown

Although highly versatile, we felt the Beyond Power Voltra I is a tad overpriced, and possesses a lackluster warranty. Here’s how it scored.

Vs. The Average

With a price comparable to your average cable machine, this trainer shines with its compactness and lightweight design.

Learn more in our in-depth Beyond Power Voltra review.

At a Glance 

• Functional trainer with dual 200-lb weight stacks
• Above average price for cable machines
• Very smooth cable travel
• Above-average warranty

The Super Bowl champ (and Tom Brady BFF) Rob Gronkowski scored a touchdown with the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer due to its excellent versatility, multiple attachments, and solid price point. 

“It reminds me of the high-end cable pulley systems from Life Fitness that you commonly see in commercial and hotel gyms,” GGR founder Coop Mitchell told me while testing the Gronk Functional Trainer. What really won us over, though, was the aluminum pulleys that scored a 5 out of 5 on the smoothness rating (plus the trainer’s swiveling handles).

Smoothness: 5/5

Accessories: 4.5/5

Footprint: 4/5

Why We Like the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer 

I asked Coop about the durability of the Gronk Functional Trainer, and he replied, “Commercial-grade machines are designed to handle a lot of use from trainees, who, let’s face it, don’t care for the equipment. It says a lot that I can compare the Gronk Trainer to them.” He rates the construction and durability at 4 out of 5.

The 61-inch-by-41-inch footprint means it’ll take up quite a bit of space in your home gym, but it can be converted into a half-rack with J-cups and safety arms to act as a second (or primary) squat rack if needed. To be honest, I’d recommend a squat rack with functional trainer capabilities over a trainer with squat rack capabilities, as the former will be a sturdier solution, but this will still get the job done. 

There’s also a low-row foot plate, lat pulldown seat, and multi-grip pull-up bar, among other attachments, so it has plenty of versatility, earning a 4.5 out of 5 for the accessories.

Alternatives

While we like the value of the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer, its listed price of $3,299 is a steep cost. It’s commonly marked down for less, a common sales tactic with gym equipment, but even at a few hundred dollars cheaper, it’ll still be out of some folks’ budgets.

Another callout Coop had to tell me was that the multi-grip pull-up bar wasn’t the best he’s worked with due to the thin and smooth powder coat that fails to provide any real grip.

For a more compact functional trainer, check out the REP Arcadia Functional Trainer with its smaller footprint and shorter height.

Testing Breakdown

There’s not a lot to dislike about the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer, and our scoring below reflected that.

Vs. The Average

With a higher cost and larger footprint than your average cable machine, we still think there’s value in this piece from Gronk Fitness, particularly due to the aluminum pulleys and smooth travel.

To learn more, check out our full Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer review.

At a Glance 

• Smart cable trainer with compatible app
• Above average resistance
• Compact footprint and lightweight design
• Average warranty of 2 years

The MAXPRO Smart Connect Cable Machine is great for people on the go, or even those in small apartments who want the benefits of a cable machine. GGR founder and fitness equipment guru Coop Mitchell has personally used this machine countless times and gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 for its portability. “It’s essentially a gym membership in a backpack,” he told me. “I’d definitely recommend it for frequent travellers.”

Portability: 5/5

Versatility: 4.5/5

Value: 3.5/5

Why We Like the MAXPRO Smart Connect Cable Machine

At 16 inches long and 7 inches in width while folded, and weighing only 9 pounds, it’s easy to bring the MAXPRO Smart Connect with you wherever you want to workout. And even though it’s small, this machine is capable of going up to 300 pounds in resistance with just a turn of a dial. Trust me, you’ll be feeling the burn on this one. That’s plenty of weight for most users, earning this machine a 4.5 out of 5 for versatility.

There’s quite a bit you can do with just the MAXPRO Smart Connect, but you’ll need a wall mount or certain accessories that aren’t included in the base purchase price for some lower body and upper body movements.

I asked Coop how the machine was built, and he told me it was solid, rating the construction and durability at 4 out of 5. He adds, “The cables do have a break-in period, but once you’ve used the machine for a while, you’ll see that they move so, so smoothly.”

Alternatives

I’m a fan of smart home gym equipment like anyone else. And though it’s great you can sync the MAXPRO via Bluetooth to an app that tracks your workouts, Coop found himself not using it too much. “The app was pretty clunky to use, and sometimes it didn’t connect to my machine,” he explained to me. The app does come with a free workout library, but as stated before, some of the movements are dependent on purchasing accessories not included with the basic machine.

If you’d rather use free weights instead of cables with your smart home gym, take a look at Tempo Studio, a workout mirror that focuses on resistance training with dumbbells, barbells, and other free weights.

Testing Breakdown

The MAXPRO scored best in its footprint and portability, being great for people on a literal fitness journey. Here’s a breakdown of our testing scores.

Vs. The Average

While it’s much cheaper than your average cable machine, the MAXPRO Smart Connect Cable Machine is still a pricier machine at nearly $1,000. Its compact footprint and above average resistance may make the price worth it for some, though.

Read our full MaxPro Smart Connect Cable Machine review to learn more.