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Functional trainers may not be at the top of everyone’s home gym shopping list, mostly due to their size and cost, but there’s a place for them in everyone’s setup. Yup, that includes people looking for the best compact exercise equipment, those in apartments, people who are always on-the-go, or those who are on a tight budget.
Don’t believe us? We’ve picked the best functional trainers on the market today, and we’re willing to bet there’s one on this list that works for you. We’ll go over what makes each one so special, why a functional trainer is a great addition to your home gym, and what you should look for when shopping for one.
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Our team of certified personal trainers, competitive weightlifters, and home gym equipment experts have assembled dozens of functional trainers, performed tens of thousands of reps to test cable pulleys, and tested attachments for durability and versatility.
After testing each functional trainer, we rate them based on an important set of factors including:
- Footprint: How much room does it take up?
- Stability: Does it stay still during use? Can you perform pull-ups (if it has a pull-up bar) without it shaking?
- Attachment versatility: Are the attachments of good quality? Are they included or do you have to purchase them separately?
- Pulleys: Are the cables smooth?
The 10 Best Functional Trainers in 2024
- Best Functional Trainer Overall: REP Fitness FT-5000
- Best Commercial Functional Trainer: Titan Fitness Functional Trainer
- Best Budget Functional Trainer: Bells of Steel Functional Trainer
- Most Versatile Functional Trainer: Major Fitness All-in-One Home Gym
- Best Compact Functional Trainer: Torque F9 Fold-Away Strength Trainer
- Best Value Functional Trainer: Beyond Power Voltra I
- Best Smart Functional Trainer: Tonal
- Best Functional Trainer for Attachments: Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
- Best Portable Functional Trainer: X3 Bar
- Best Functional Trainer on Amazon: XMark Functional Trainer
Best Functional Trainers Video Review
Compare Side By Side
REP FT-5000 | Titan Fitness | Bells of Steel | Major Fitness | Torque F9 | Beyond Power Voltra I | Tonal | Gronk Functional Trainer | X3 Bar | XMark Functional Trainer | |
Rating Our expert product testers, who include certified personal trainers and coaches, use a multi-point testing methodology to determine average ratings out of 5 stars. | ||||||||||
Type | Functional trainer | Functional trainer | Functional trainer | Power rack | Functional trainer | Portable cable trainer | Functional trainer | Functional trainer | Portable functional trainer | Functional trainer |
Footprint | 36” L x 68” W x 85.5” H | 44” L x 64” W x 82” H | 30″ L x 53″ W x 81″ H | 55.5″ L x 68.9″ W x 82.5″ H | 61.2” L x 69.7” W x 83.8” H | 12.71″ L x 5.49″ W x 3.94″ H | 5.25” L x 21.50″ W x 50.9″ H | 41″ L x 61″ W x 83″ H | 10” L x 19” W x 1” H | 43.5″ L x 65″ W x 83″ H |
Resistance | Weight stack (max 224 lbs) | Weight stack (max 200 lbs) | Weight stack (max 160 lbs) | Plate loaded (max 700 lbs on spotter arms) | Weight stack (max 150 or 225 lbs) | Magnetic resistance (max 200 lbs) | Digital resistance (max 200 lbs) | Weight stack (max 200 lbs) | Band resistance (max 300 lbs) | Weight stack (max 200 lbs) |
Subscription? | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Accessories | D-handles, storage pegs, 4 incremental weights, mountable exercise diagram | Short bar, long bar, ankle strap, dual stirrup handles, rope handles, and single and double D-handles | N/A | Dual pulley system, multi-grip pull-up bar, landmine attachment, band pegs | T-grip handles, chin-up/push-up assist strap, leg boot, squat harness, snap hooks | N/A | Handles, bar, rope, bench, roller, mat | Multi-grip pull-up bar, storage hooks, D handles, straight bar, triceps bar | Layered latex resistance bands, steel bar | Revolving seated row/ chinning triangle, single-grip handles, triceps rope, multi-grip revolving curl bar, triceps bar |
Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Limited lifetime | 1 year, 35-day money back | 10-year frame/welds, 1-year parts | 1 year | 1 year | Lifetime frame/parts | 1 year on bands | Not listed |
Best Functional Trainer Overall: REP Fitness FT-5000
Good for: Anyone who wants a top-of-the-line functional trainer for a reasonable price
Best Overall
REP FT-5000 Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
- Frame constructed with 11-guage steel
- Chip-resistant powder coating
- Dual 224-pound weight stacks
- Multi-grip pullup/chin-up options
- Ships partially assembled
- Lifetime frame warranty
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multi-grip pullup/chin-up grip options
- Ships partially assembled
- Lifetime frame warranty
- Dual 224-lb weight stacks
Cons
- There have been some complaints of inconsistent craftsmanship
- Starting weight may be too heavy for some isolation exercises
Bottom Line
The REP FT-5000 is a great choice for anyone looking for a functional trainer in their home gym.
Best Commercial Functional Trainer: Titan Fitness Functional Trainer
Good for: Those who want a budget-friendly product that still delivers on quality
Best Commercial
Titan Fitness Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
- Smooth guide rods
- Dual 200-pound weight stacks
- 2:1 pulley ratio
- Multi-grip pull-up bar
- Free shipping
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Heavy 200-pound stacks (100-pound working weight) with a 2:1 ratio
- Aluminum pulleys
- Low starting weight of 20 pounds (10 lb working weight)
- Competitive price point
Cons
- Would’ve preferred a taller option (but the 82-inch height allows it to fit in home gyms with low ceilings)
- The unit can shake when using the top end of the stack, but not enough to be concerned
- Only comes with 1-year warranty
Bottom Line
The Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is much like the functional trainer you’d find in a commercial gym, in that it uses commercial-grade materials, but comes in a home gym footprint.
Best Budget Functional Trainer: Bells of Steel Functional Trainer
Good for: Those who want to a sturdy and well-built functional trainer for under $2,000
Best Budget
Bells of Steel Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
- Dual 160-lb weight stacks
- 2:1 ratio (so 20 pounds is really 10 pounds of force)
- Hooks for easy storage
- Under $2,000
- Customers say assembly is easy and straightforward
- Smooth aluminum pulleys
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Smooth aluminum pulleys
- Hooks for easy attachment storage
- 160-lb weight stacks (2: ratio)
- Comes with a multi-grip pullup bar
- More affordable than most functional trainers
Cons
- Attachments cost extra
- 14-gauge steel is pretty thin for a functional trainer
- Only one height/depth option
Bottom Line
A relatively inexpensive functional trainer that's easy and straightforward to assemble.
Most Versatile Functional Trainer: Major Fitness All-in-One Home Gym
Good for: Those who want their functional trainer to do just about everything
Most Versatile
Major Fitness All-in-One Home Gym
Product Highlights
- 4-in-1 power rack (power rack, cable pulley system, multi-grip pull-up bar, and 360° landmine attachment)
- 1,000-pound weight rating
- Dual pulley system with a 2:1 ratio (20 pounds feels like 10)
- 14 adjustment positions
- J-hooks and safety arms
- Band pegs
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 4-in-1 power rack
- 1,000-pound weight rating
- Spotter arms and J-cups included
- 35-day money back policy
- Free shipping
Cons
- Holes are not numbered
Bottom Line
The Major Fitness All-in-One Home Gym combines four pieces of equipment in one, giving you a power rack, dual pulley system, multi-grip pull-up bar, and landmine attachment all at a reasonable price.
Best Compact Functional Trainer: Torque F9 Fold-Away Strength Trainer
Good for: Home gym owners who don’t have a lot of space but still want a functional trainer
Compact Option
Torque F9 Fold-Away Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
- Compact functional trainer
- Fits in a 3-foot-by-3-foot corner
- Comes with fold-away doors
- Available in 3 different weight stack sizes
- 6 different accessories available
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact and easy to store
- Well-designed and versatile
- Perfect for a gym looking for a space-saver
Cons
- Reviews show that assembly is difficult for some
- Expensive (especially the 225 LB stack)
Bottom Line
The F9 Fold-Away Functional Trainer is a full trainer with a small footprint that can be easily stored. Its design is sturdy and versatile, it even comes with a handful of accessories to help you customize your workouts.
Best Value Functional Trainer: Beyond Power Voltra I
Good for: Those who want to get the most bang for their buck
Best Value
Beyond Power Voltra I
Product Highlights
- Portable cable trainer
- Up to 200 pounds of resistance
- Easy to attach and detach
- Data tracking
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Portable
- Up to 200 pounds of resistance
- Can be brought through airport security
- Real-time data tracking
Cons
- Expensive
- Only has a one-year warranty
Bottom Line
The Beyond Power Voltra I packs all the benefits of a cable machine into a portable design, though it comes with a high price tag.
Best Smart Functional Trainer: Tonal
Good for: Anyone who likes or is curious about AI resistance training
Smart Trainer
Tonal Smart Home Gym
Product Highlights
- AI gets to know you and makes weight adjustments for you
- Up to 200 pounds in digital resistance
- All-in-one gym that takes up minimal space
- Access to on-demand and live classes
- 30-day trial period
Pros & Cons
Pros
- AI gets to know you and makes weight adjustments for you
- Lift up to 200 pounds in digital resistance (much different from free weights)
- All-in-one gym that takes up minimal space
- AI assesses your form and gives real-time cuing
- Access to on-demand and live classes
- 30-day trial period
Cons
- High initial price tag
- Accessories cost extra and are pretty crucial to your workouts
- 12-month initial subscription required (and an additional cost)
- 200 pounds in resistance might not be enough for heavy lifters
Bottom Line
A complete smart home gym that offers versatility in a compact piece of equipment, but at a high price.
Best Functional Trainer for Attachments: Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
Good for: Anyone wanting some unique front-end attachments on their functional trainer
Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
- Aluminum pulleys
- Can be converted into a half rack
- Multi-grip pull-up bar
- 2:1 resistance ratio (100 pounds is actually 50 pounds of resistance)
- 21 height adjustments
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Made with durable parts
- Smooth pulleys
- Can be converted into a half rack
- Dual 200-pound weight stacks
- Compact footprint
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-up bar is plastic
Bottom Line
The Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer surprised our product testers with smooth cable pulleys, a stable foundation, and quality attachments.
Best Portable Functional Trainer: X3 Bar
Good for: People who are constantly on-the-go
Best Portable
X3 Bar
Product Highlights
- Up to 300 lbs of force
- Upgrade to up to 600 lbs
- Free workout program included
- No assembly necessary
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Can create up to 300 pounds of force (up to 600 if you get the Elite Band, sold separately)
- Free 12-week workout program with high-quality workout and nutrition advice
- Bar has great knurling
- No assembly necessary
- Bands are dipped in layered latex, making them thick and durable
Cons
- Platform’s embedded rollers don’t allow bands to roll during lift, but that's nitpicky
- Quite pricey at around $550 (financing available)
- Only 1-year warranty for the bands
- Some complaints of the bands wearing down after only a few weeks
Bottom Line
A compact piece of strength training equipment that combines the best parts of resistance bands and barbells into one.
Best Functional Trainer on Amazon: XMark Functional Trainer
Good for: Anyone who prefers to do all their shopping on Amazon
Prime Option
XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine
Product Highlights
- Dual 200-lb weight stacks
- 19 adjustment positions
- 2:1 pulley ratio
- Split-grip pull-up bar
- High-quality construction
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 2:1 pulley ratio
- Split-grip pull-up bar
- Made with high-quality materials
- 19 adjustment positions
Cons
- Complicated assembly process
- Not budget-friendly
Bottom Line
The XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine is a great choice for people who want to buy their home gym equipment on Amazon, or need a machine with a lot of accessories.
Other Functional Trainers We Researched
Body-Solid Functional Trainer: We saw this model, along with the Body-Solid Powerline, come up often during our research, but the resistance was too light, and the materials weren’t up to our standards. They may appear to be great budget-friendly picks, but looking at the construction, we expect it will cause more headaches than anything else.
Inspire Fitness FT2: If you’re looking for a high-end functional trainer, the Inspire Fitness FT2 is a brand durable enough for commercial gyms. This particular model doubles as a Smith machine, which makes for an expensive machine at nearly $5,000. Check out our Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer review for our complete breakdown
What is a Functional Trainer?
Functional training has become a fitness buzzword in recent years, to the point where some companies and Instagram influencers are slapping the term on just about everything.
A functional trainer, as a noun, refers to any type of machine that helps train your body for everyday movements. So that could be shoulder rotations (reaching around to grab something on your desk), proper squatting (sitting down on something), hinging our hips (bending down), and much more.
RELATED: What Is Functional Fitness?
Functional trainers often provide full-body workouts, so we can train every muscle group to keep our bones and muscles healthy as we age.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Functional Trainers
We had quite a number of functional trainers to choose from, so here’s how we were able to narrow down our final list to just 10.
Size
Functional trainers are often quite big, but we wanted to find machines that could fit in most people’s home gyms. Obviously some people have more space than others, which is why we gave different options that work for garages and even apartments.
Design
A functional trainer should not only look nice (such as having a smooth powder coat and chip-resistant coating), but it should also be designed in a way that makes it…well, functional. That means not having parts that can get in the way of certain exercises, or that using it is difficult at any time.
Resistance
Although people’s resistance needs can vary greatly, we wanted to make sure each machine had a variety that could work for beginners as well as lifetime lifters.
Attachments
Attachments aren’t necessarily a vital part of a functional trainer, but they do increase their versatility by quite a lot. We tried to find models that either came with attachments or accessories, or had options at a budget-friendly price range.
Versatility
A functional trainer is inherently versatile, but we tried to find ones that offered even more bang for your buck than the average machine out there.
Pulley Ratio
As we mentioned before, some functional trainers can have pulley ratios as large as 4:1, which would mean that pulling 100 pounds only gives you 25 pounds of effective resistance. We kept our options at 1:1 or 2:1, but that means the cables may not travel as far as a 4:1 pulley ratio (you win some, you lose some).
Benefits of Having a Functional Trainer
If you’re still not sure whether you should purchase a functional trainer, here are some reasons why we think you should.
Convenience
For one, you have a complete full-body workout system at your disposal at any time. Full-body resistance training has been suggested to be an ideal method of training for maximal strength gains, according to a randomized trial from 20211. Plus, there’s no waiting in line behind the guy who’s been looking at his phone for 30 minutes while you’re trying to do some quick cable raises.
RELATED: Full-Body Workout vs Split Workout
Versatility
We’ve used this word a lot throughout this piece, but it can’t be understated just how many different movements can be done with a functional trainer. Besides the almighty Olympic barbell, dumbbells, and kettlebells, there are very few pieces of equipment that can work every part of the body the way a functional trainer can.
Cable machines (much like free weight) can mimic functional daily activities2 and may help you train specific movement patterns and ranges of motion better than other gym machines.
Save Money
This might be hard to believe when you look at the price of some of these, but consider how much you spend on monthly membership fees, the cost of gas and the amount of time you spend getting to and from the gym, and other expenses that rack up during commuting. A functional trainer can pay for itself in as little as two years, especially if you finance it.
What to Look for in a Functional Trainer
Think you’re ready to purchase your first functional trainer? Here’s a quick buyer’s guide to make sure you’re taking all important factors into account.
Size
Bust out the tape measure and find out if the functional trainer you have your eye on can fit in your home gym, and also check to see what the cable travel distance is (this is how far the cables can go to get maximum tension).
Cables/Pulleys
Cables and pulleys on functional trainers are made with different materials, with aluminum (the best choice, but also the most expensive) and fiberglass being the most common. Each manufacturers’ website should disclose what their cables and pulleys are made of, but if you can’t find it, you can always reach out to customer service and ask them.
Durability
You’ll also want to look at what the frame is made of. If it has a lot of plastic parts (some is fine), odds are it won’t be as durable as something that’s mostly made with 11-gauge steel (the lower the number, the stronger the steel).
Attachments/Accessories
Most functional trainers will come with a pair of short handles, and for some that may be all you get. Others come with included accessories such as a straight bar, long bar, short bar, ankle cuff, ankle straps, curl bar, triceps rope, D-handles, or a push-down bar. These attachments make the machine much more versatile than it already is, and if they’re not included with your trainer, are often sold on the manufacturers’ website.
Resistance
As with any piece of strength training equipment, you’ll want to make sure the resistance is light enough that you’re not constantly struggling with it, but also heavy enough that it’s not a constant cakewalk. The one thing that might complicate that is the pulley ratio.
Pulley Ratio
Most machines will have a 2:1 pulley ratio, which means that pulling 50 pounds gives you 25 pounds of effective resistance. As we’ve said, some machines on the market go as high as 4:1. It should be noted that even functional trainers that work with weight plates, or plate-loaded trainers, also have pulley ratios, so that 45-pound plate may not give you 45 pounds of resistance.
Price
Listen, most functional trainers worth buying are going to be at least $2,000. The good news is most companies allow you to finance your order, and the monthly payments can sometimes equal or be less than a gym membership.
Warranty
With very few exceptions, most functional trainers will have a lifetime warranty for the frame. You’ll want to see what type of coverage you get for the other parts, including the pulleys, cables, and attachments.
Best Functional Trainer: FAQs
What is the best functional trainer?
That depends on your fitness goals, the amount of space you have in your home gym, and budget. Here are our top 10 recommendations.
Best Functional Trainer Overall: Titan Fitness Functional Trainer
Best Budget Functional Trainer: Bells of Steel Functional Trainer
Best Value Functional Trainer: Beyond Power Voltra I
Most Versatile Functional Trainer: Major Fitness All-in-One Home Gym
Best Compact Functional Trainer: Torque F9 Fold-Away Strength Trainer
Best Smart Functional Trainer: Tonal
Best Commercial Functional Trainer: REP Fitness FT-5000
Best Functional Trainer for Attachments: Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
Best Portable Functional Trainer: X3 Bar
Best Functional Trainer on Amazon: XMark Functional Trainer
Is a functional trainer worth it?
A functional trainer may be expensive, but at the end of the day you’ll be able to do a full-body workout anytime you want, without having to wait in line behind someone else. So if you have the budget and space for one, it’s a great addition to any home gym.
What should I look for in a functional trainer?
When shopping for a functional trainer, you should consider the machine’s size, how good the cables and pulleys are, how durable it is, what resistance it offers, the pulley ratio, price, and warranty.
Can you build muscle with a functional trainer?
Yup! Functional trainers are a form of resistance training, which means they can induce muscle hypertrophy and help with muscle gain. In fact, some studies suggest they’re better for muscle growth than free weights because they provide constant tension throughout a movement.
References
- Bartolomei, S., Nigro, F., Malagoli Lanzoni, I., Masina, F., Di Michele, R., & Hoffman, J. R. (2021). A Comparison Between Total Body and Split Routine Resistance Training Programs in Trained Men. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 35(6), 1520–1526. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003573
- Signorile, J. F., Rendos, N. K., Heredia Vargas, H. H., Alipio, T. C., Regis, R. C., Eltoukhy, M. M., Nargund, R. S., & Romero, M. A. (2017). Differences in Muscle Activation and Kinematics Between Cable-Based and Selectorized Weight Training. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 31(2), 313–322. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001493
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