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Written by Michael Shafer, M.S., CSCS, USAW-L1, ACSM-EIMLast updated on September 25th, 2023 Free Weights
If you’ve ever been to a gym or fitness center, you’ve likely used some sort of functional trainer. Also known as cable machines, they are a staple in commercial gyms because they make isolating muscles much easier and have incredible versatility. These are also the reasons that people aspire to add them to their home gyms.
Functional trainers have many commonalities — they all feature two weight stacks connected by a cross-section, along with a series of pulleys and cables that travel up and down a track to achieve different workout angles. Similarities aside, manufacturers are constantly making innovations and introducing new functional trainer features. We scoured the web and tested a ton of machines to bring you this list of the best functional trainers for a variety of needs. No matter what your fitness goal is, there’s probably an excellent option here for you.
Functional trainers are incredibly versatile machines, especially when adding attachments like triceps ropes, wide-grip bars, and more. Force USA allows you to take care of all the essentials and more with this functional trainer and power rack combo.
This absolute unit from Force USA is an all-in-one home gym masquerading as a functional trainer, offering two 289-pound weight stacks and a full power rack. The cable pulleys have a 2:1 ratio, meaning for every two pounds on the stack, you’ll be working against one pound of resistance. They’re coupled with aircraft-grade cables that are rated for up to 2,000 pounds. There are also 17 included attachments to use with the weight stacks. If that’s not enough, you can purchase extras as well, like a lat pulldown bar.
This power rack doubles as a cable machine with two 289-pound stacks for each cable. The basic package features 12 attachments, while the upgraded kit will bring the total to 18. The X20 is rated to hold up to 990 pounds, so even the most elite-level athletes can confidently hit their heavy lifts.
The power rack portion of the X20 Pro is made from 3×3 inch 11-gauge steel rated to handle 992 pounds. It has a 70×87 inch footprint, and it’s 92 inches tall. Force USA says that this can replace 20 different machines, but that number could go higher with a bit of creativity. The one major downside, other than the size relative to other functional trainers, is the price of around $4,250. If that’s too steep, you may be able to finance it, depending on your credit.
Force USA’s X20 Pro is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment on the market, with options for over 400 exercise possibilities. If you want a functional trainer that allows you to use free weights, this is the one for you.
Functional trainers can be a large financial investment in your fitness. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up a quality trainer for a reasonable price — this option fits the bill and most people’s budget.
Unlike many functional trainers that can be rather cumbersome with massive weight stacks, Bowflex uses Power Rods® to provide resistance. This serves two purposes — it makes the machine more maneuverable (at only 185 pounds) if you need to move it around and helps keep the price down. You can pick this up for as low as about $1,499 or finance it for around $62 per month, pending credit approval.
The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE is an impressively versatile home exercise station, perfect for anyone who wants to train hard in their own space without taking up a ton of square footage.
You can perform over 70 exercises using the standard 210 pounds of resistance. If that’s not enough, you can upgrade the device to 310 or even 410 pounds. You’ll receive a squat bar, lat bar, leg extension, ab crunch shoulder harness, and more attachments with your purchase. This trainer stands out since you can train lower body movements with the included equipment.
Need more? You can add a preacher curl, triceps rope, or lumbar pad. It may take a little while to get used to how the resistance feels because it has a different strength curve (similar to resistance bands), which some folks may not like. It’s also on the bigger side at 52 inches long, 49 inches wide, and just over 83 inches tall.
The Bowflex Extreme 2 SE allows you to train your entire body with a squat bar and leg extension in addition to all the upper-body movements you can perform. Also, the affordable price and the ability to add up to 200 extra pounds of resistance make this a great choice.
A lot of functional trainers take up a ton of space, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for other home gym equipment. If you’re working with limited space, like a spare room or one-car garage, you’ll appreciate the huge functionality and small footprint of the REP FT-3000.
Big functionality and compact space are the names of the game with the FT-3000. REP built this functional trainer to fit in most home gym spaces — it can fit through a doorway with a depth of only 34 inches. It’s also only 53 inches wide and 78 inches tall, which is about the size of your average strongman competitor. REP makes the most of those dimensions, offering 15 different cable positions to utilize.
The Rep Fitness FT 3000 Compact Functional Trainer is true to its name. It’s incredibly compact and highly functional with 15 cable positions to choose from and twin 180lb weight stacks — pull up bar included.
Despite the compact stature, the FT-3000 isn’t meek. REP slapped in dual 180-pound weight stacks with a 2:1 ratio (every two pounds on the stack is one pound in hand). You can select the weight easily using the magnetic-tipped pin selector, then start lifting with a total cable travel of 81 inches. The price isn’t outrageous at around $2,150, and it comes with two high-quality urethane handles.
If you want a functional trainer to kick your workouts up to the next level but don’t think you have the room, you may be surprised by the FT-3000. REP kept the footprint to a minimum while still designing a highly practical and versatile machine at a fair price.
Many functional trainers keep things rather simple, while many others go all out. It may be almost inaccurate to call this a functional trainer since it has a built-in Smith machine, half rack, and two weight stacks. If you’re looking for a functional trainer that doubles as a squat rack, the Force USA G10 Pro may be just what you’re looking for.
The G10 Pro is an all-in-one complete home gym where all you need is a bar and some weights, and you’re ready to go. Not only does it feature a high-quality functional trainer, but it also has a Smith machine and a fully adjustable, commercial-grade half squat rack. The squat rack and Smith machine can hold up to 772 pounds with 60 adjustment points at one-inch intervals. Force USA also includes a plethora of attachments, including monolift hooks, triceps rope, D-handles, and more.
If you’re looking for a total home-gym solution that can take the place of virtually every piece of equipment you need, then look no further than the Force USA G10 Pro. This ultra-versatile workout station has the function of a power rack, smith machine, lat pulldown, functional trainer, and dip/pull-up station. Optional upgrade kits are available for leg press, jammer arms, and more.
If that’s not enough, the setup also functions as a lat pulldown, low row, dip station, suspension trainer, and multi-grip pull-up station with options to add on more kits. As far as the functional trainer portion of the G10 goes, it’s no slouch with dual 289-pound weight stacks with a variable 2:1 or 4:1 ratio. You have to pay for all this functionality, though, with the price of around $3,500 before add-ons. You may be able to finance the purchase depending on credit.
The G10 Pro is unrivaled when it comes to versatility, as it can accommodate nearly any discipline of lifting. The half rack and smith machine turn what would be a high-quality functional trainer on its own into a complete home gym. You receive a ton of functionality with this, but the price tag may scare people off.
When you’re starting out, it can be difficult to know exactly what equipment you’re going to find most useful and which you might not use as often. This functional trainer keeps things simple while still providing a wide range of useability so you can experiment without being overwhelmed.
Titan kept things simple while still making a high-quality product with their functional trainer, so that you can achieve a great workout regardless of your experience level. The high-contrast markings and brightly colored adjustment knobs make it easier to configure the trainer to your needs. Dual 200-pound stacks with a 2:1 pulley ratio offer from 10 pounds up to 100 pounds of actual resistance in hand. Beginners won’t have to figure out which attachments to buy either, as Titan includes seven different options.
The Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is a well-built home gym that comes standard with accessories that other home gyms would sell as extras, like dual stirrup handles and a long bar.
Another thing that more advanced athletes or those looking to get back into it after a long layoff will appreciate about this functional trainer is that it will feel familiar. Titan made this resemble cable machines that you may have used at the gym before, pulling inspiration from classic designs.
You can make one of these your own for about $2,599, which is a bit pricey for a residential-use functional trainer but still much cheaper than comparable commercial brands. This functional trainer is full-sized and does take quite a bit of space, so those with smaller spaces may want to measure to make sure it will fit.
Beginners can often find large machines such as functional trainers confusing and intimidating, but Titan Fitness did its best to make this one extremely approachable. The clear markings, high-contrast numbering, and red knobs are designed to keep things easier for beginners.
If you like to change things up often and crave an abundance of attachments, the Force USA X20 Pro might be just what the doctor ordered. It comes with over a dozen attachments included, with more to add on if you want.
If you want the title of Admiral of Attachments, the X20 Pro may be able to help you reach your goal. It comes standard with a whopping 17 different attachments, though you can acquire even more with upgrade kits. The 2:1 ratio pulleys are coupled with dual 289-pound weight stacks to which you can connect attachments like a V-bar, ankle strap, triceps rope, close-grip triangle, lat pulldown bar, D-ring handles, and more.
This power rack doubles as a cable machine with two 289-pound stacks for each cable. The basic package features 12 attachments, while the upgraded kit will bring the total to 18. The X20 is rated to hold up to 990 pounds, so even the most elite-level athletes can confidently hit their heavy lifts.
Those looking for more substantial peripherals will also like the included low row, full power rack, plate storage, and pull-up bar — all included standard — with optional lat pulldown and dip station. To house all those attachments, Force USA has to make the X20 Pro rather large at 70 inches wide, 86.5 inches deep, and 91 inches tall. You’ll also pay a premium for this all-in-one kit at about $4,249, though you can pay over time pending credit approval.
For the connoisseur of cable attachments, the Force USA X20 Pro is just what the doctor ordered. It’s extremely versatile, thanks to the included equipment and you can even add more should you need it.
Not everyone wants to design their own workout plans or figure out which weights to lift for each exercise. Tonal has the ability to adjust on the fly and still provides a ton of resistance along with expert trainer-led classes.
The market is flooded with smart trainers, but Tonal stands out in a crowded field. This smart gym features two easy-to-adjust pulleys, each of which provides up to 100 pounds of electromagnetic resistance. And all of this is located alongside a crisp 24-inch touchscreen display. The 1:1 ratio is nice since the weight you see is the actual weight you feel. This means you won’t have to do math in your head, which is always a win in our book.
The Tonal is an interactive home gym that delivers up to 200 lbs of total electromagnetic resistance with the use of two maneuverable pulleys. What's most impressive is that it adapts as you progresses, which means you'll always be pushing closer to your fitness goals.
Tonal is also interactive and adapts to your progress to push you close to your goals, with coaches to walk you through your workouts on screen. Arguably the best feature is that you don’t need a ton of space for this machine — it mounts to a wall like a folding squat rack. When in use, you only need seven feet of room and around eight feet of height — which should be an easy ask for most houses and apartments.
As far as safety is concerned, Tonal is smart there too. Utilizing the smart handles, you can activate and deactivate the resistance at any time, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck under a bar or finding yourself pinned under a weight you can’t control. All this tech does come at a cost of around $3,500, not to mention the required subscription of about $49 per month, which can be prohibitive for those on a budget.
Tonal has some exceptional technology and features, making it a great option if you’re in the market for a smart functional trainer. It’s compact, intuitive, and provides solid resistance for most people. If the price tag isn’t too much for you, it’s a smart choice.
Bodybuilders and others with higher-than-average strength may have difficulty finding machines that can accommodate their needs. The variety of 15 angles available with this functional trainer makes it easier to achieve the stimulus you need to grow.
The FT-3000 works both as a centerpiece of your gym and as a complement to the other equipment in it. It has 15 different cable positions for bodybuilders who want to focus on different muscle angles to target specific areas of the muscle. While the weight stacks aren’t the heaviest in the world, they are respectable, with each attached to 2:1 ratio pulleys and weighing 180 pounds, so you have a maximum of 90 pounds of resistance on each side.
The Rep Fitness FT 3000 Compact Functional Trainer is true to its name. It’s incredibly compact and highly functional with 15 cable positions to choose from and twin 180lb weight stacks — pull up bar included.
At 78 inches tall by 53 inches wide and 34 inches deep, the footprint of the FT-3000 is small enough for you to fit in the other machines and weights you need. The downside is that this doesn’t come with a bunch of attachments — only two D-ring handles — so you’ll have to purchase those separately. When you do snag some attachments, you can hang them on the included storage pegs. The price isn’t bad at around $2,149 though REP frequently runs sales, so you may be able to snag it for even cheaper.
Bodybuilders of all levels should be able to work up a nice pump with the FT-3000. The weight stacks are heavy enough to challenge most people without being so heavy that they drive the price up. Being able to train your muscles at 15 different angles also makes this machine an excellent option for anyone looking to develop muscular symmetry.
Functional trainers offer potential benefits you may not find with any other machine. Since they have two handles instead of the single one you find on cable towers, you can train bilaterally in addition to using a single cable. Also, most machines offer a variety of angles to aid in finding the optimal position for each exercise. On top of that, the amount of exercises you can perform with a functional trainer is essentially only limited by your imagination.
If safety is a priority (pro tip: it should be), functional trainers may be safer to use than free weights for some exercises. Since there isn’t a risk of dropping the weight on yourself unless you put your fingers in the weight stack (please don’t), it’s safer to exercise with these if you don’t have access to a spotter.
We took special care when selecting the best functional trainers, and a range of factors were taken into consideration. Among the factors that influenced which machines made it onto this curated list are the number of attachments included, the quality of the build, and the cable pulley ratio.
Functional trainers are highly versatile pieces of equipment, even those with only a small handful of attachments. Once you start adding more specialty pieces to your collection, the possibilities are practically endless. We often gave preference to options with a large number of attachments because it gives you a better starting point, adds value, and saves you from having to shop around for accessories too.
While most functional trainers come standard with D-ring handles or something similar, some come with more. You’ll commonly see triceps ropes, V-bars, close-grip triangles, ankle cuffs, and squat bars that attach to both sides of the machine. Some functional trainers even have other equipment attached to them, like squat racks, smith machines, and more.
Any piece of equipment we suggest will be high quality, but some functional trainers are simply built different. It’s common to see functional trainers made from steel with hard plastic and aluminum fittings, but some are made from tougher, 11-gauge steel. Trainers that are made with higher quality materials are usually ranked higher than those with less robust builds unless they’re exceptional in another way, such as being budget-friendly or loaded with features.
Another aspect of build quality that many people don’t take into account is the cables that are used. Often, the time people consider the type of cable and its weight capacity is after they’ve broken, but the cables on the machines in this list are all top-notch.
Warranties and build quality go hand-in-hand, and we also looked at the warranties of the products we reviewed. There are usually two separate warranties — one for the structural component and one for the parts. Most of the products on this list have long, sometimes lifetime, warranties on their structural aspects, like the frame and weight stack, while the parts usually have a shorter warranty period of one to three years.
The cable pulley ratio is extremely important when considering which functional trainer to buy. Not considering this would be like buying a set of weight plates without thinking about how much they weigh. As a quick primer, the cable pulley ratio determines the resistance you move against, with the first number being the weight on the stack and the second being the weight in hand.
For example, most machines come in 2:1 ratios, which means you’re actually feeling the resistance of one pound for every two pounds of weight on the stack. Some machines have variable ratios of 2:1 or 4:1, with few having 1:1 ratios. We gave better placement to those with variable ratios to give you more options to choose from.
Let’s address the elephant in the room — functional trainers are expensive pieces of equipment. We’ve broken down the prices here, but generally, the more expensive machines are those with heavier weight stacks, more versatile options, and all-in-one trainers.
We focused on the outright price for this breakdown, but you can pick up a functional trainer for a decent monthly price, assuming you’re approved based on credit. If you’re trying not to spend too much, you can snag a high-quality trainer for around $1,500 on the low end, while the higher-end all-in-ones can soar up to around $4,300 or more.
There are a lot of important factors to consider when making a large investment like a functional trainer. First, you’ll need to understand your budget and available space so you have a jumping-off point. After that, you can focus on the machine’s versatility, durability, assembly, warranty, and overall design.
Setting a realistic budget is key when it comes to deciding which functional trainer is right for you. If you go through all the steps of finding the perfect fit for your needs, but it’s double what you can afford, you’re going to be rather disappointed. Set your budget first and let the rest fall into place.
Functional trainers are some of the largest pieces of equipment you’ll likely be putting in your gym, aside from a leg press or power rack. After you sort out your budget, measure twice to ensure you know the space you have available to house your new shiny toy. It’s tough to imagine a worse scenario than finally putting together your brand new machine and having in not fit in the space you dedicated for it.
Some people become giddy when they have to break out the tools and assemble their new equipment, while others face a moment of existential dread. Functional trainers, and especially all-in-ones like those on this list, will require some assembly. Some products offer expert assembly for a cost, while others will require you to do it yourself (or find someone locally to put it together for you). Assembly should be at the forefront of your mind when deciding which functional trainer to purchase.
Functional trainers are inherently versatile and can allow you to perform many exercises, even on basic options. People interested in even more versatile options will want to consider the number of pulley positions, peripheral add-ons, and other extras each trainer has. Generally, more versatile options are more expensive, with machines that include big upgrades like a squat rack commanding nearly double the price of other options.
As with any major purchase, you’ll want to be able to use a functional trainer for as long as possible. Some upkeep will be necessary and is to be expected, similar to cleaning a barbell — lubricating pulleys, changing old cables, etc. — but you’ll want a machine that stands the test of time. Reading reviews is an excellent place to start to find common problems. Looking at the materials used and warranties offered can also glean information about how long the company expects its product to last.
Find out your purchase’s warranty before finalizing to know how long you’re covered. Generally, there are two warranties — one for the structural components like the frame and one for parts like pulleys and cables. Common lengths of these are usually around 10 years for the frame and one to three years for the parts.
Once you have everything else figured out, you may want to consider the design itself of the product. After all, you may want something that matches the color scheme or aesthetics of your iron paradise. Design can also refer to innovative features you might not find on other functional trainers, so keep this in mind while searching for the right match.
Adding a functional trainer to your home gym can completely change your workout routine and open up new avenues of gains that were out of reach before. These machines offer you the ability to perform hundreds of exercises with a single piece of equipment where only your own innovation is the limiting factor. You can also quickly and easily switch between exercises to blast through a workout quickly, potentially saving you time and effort.
While they are expensive, the utility functional trainers offer rivals power racks with the added benefit of being able to lift more safely without a spotter. Once you set your budget and figure out how much space you can dedicate to a functional trainer, most athletes will be able to find a great fit on this list.
That will depend on what type of lifting you do, what other equipment you have, and your reasoning for purchasing a functional trainer in the first place. In a perfect world, you’d opt for the heaviest stack you can afford so that you never outgrow it.
While that would be nice, realistically you can usually get away with somewhere between 80 and 100 pounds of real resistance. The actual weight stack needed to achieve that will depend on the pulley ratio.
With so many options, it can be challenging to nail down the best piece of equipment that will satisfy everyone’s needs. One option that we think you can’t go wrong with is the Force USA X20 Pro. If you can get past the price tag, you’ll receive what is essentially an entire gym in one machine with two heavy weight stacks, a full power rack, and over a dozen attachments.
Functional trainers can be costly, but many options are available that are cheaper outright, with the more expensive products usually offering financing based on credit. If you’re looking to make a one-time purchase, you can expect to spend anywhere from around $1,500 to about $4,300.
Mike is an all around strength sports enthusiast who holds a B.S. in Exercise Science, an M.S. in Exercise and Sport Physiology and is pursuing his Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance. In addition to academic credentials he also holds numerous certifications such as Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach, and ACSM Exercise is Medicine. He has competed at high levels in Powerlifting, Weightlifting, and now Strongman. He has a garage gym which he loves to workout in and try new equipment as well as experiment with different exercises. In his free time he is either playing with his dog Bernie, writing fiction, or playing video games. He is interested in the latest and greatest in fitness and gym equipment and technology and loves to try new things.
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