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Best Home Gym Cable Machines

A home cable machine must offer exercise versatility, quality construction, and adequate resistance. Our #1 pick is the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer.

Equipment
11 min readDecember 21st, 2023

OVERVIEW

Cable machines are a favorite of bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts alike, thanks to their constant tension and highly customizable workout options that make building muscle a breeze.

We compared the best home cable machines on price, resistance, versatility, footprint, and more.

Best Home Gym Cable Machines

Best for Building Muscle: Titan Fitness Functional Trainer

Best for Full Body Workout: Tonal Home Gym

Best for Strength Training: REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer

Best for Versatility: Force USA G20 Pro All-In-One Trainer

Best for Compact Spaces: Vitruvian Trainer+

Best for Home Gym Enthusiasts on a Budget: MAXPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine

How to Choose An At-Home Cable Machine

Cable machines vary widely in price and footprint, attachment options, and versatility. Below are the most important features to compare when shopping for a home cable machine.

Price

Price is one of the most important variables you must consider when shopping for anything, and cable machines are not cheap. A traditional machine that closely mimics what you would find in a commercial gym runs on average $2,000 to $4,000, while simpler options average $1,000 to $2,000.

Weight Range

You want to ensure your investment will offer enough resistance for many years of use as you get stronger and develop muscularly. Your cable machine should provide at least 120 pounds of resistance if you want to use it for upper and lower body exercises.

Exercise Versatility

Cable machines are most often used for upper-body muscular development. Still, there are some options on the market that will provide an effective total-body workout. Make sure you think about the functionality you need it to provide before making your purchase.

Handle attachments significantly increase the number of exercises you can perform, so opt for a model with many options if you want as much versatility as possible from your machine.

Space Requirements

Traditional cable machines are large, typically weighing over 500 pounds and taking up 4 feet X 6 feet X 7 feet of space.

There certainly are more space-efficient options on our list, but they typically do not come with enough resistance to provide challenging lower-body options and still require a 10-foot by 10-foot room, so be aware.

Shipping & Installation

Because home cable machines are so large and heavy, the shipping costs can be high, and they may require a skilled technician to install them. Thankfully, some companies offer white glove delivery and installation as standard, so you can save yourself the hassle and jump right into your workout.

A NASM-Certified Personal Trainer’s Best Practices for Maximizing Your At-Home Cable Machine Workouts

As a personal trainer, I absolutely love lifting in my commercial gym, but I know many of my clients don’t share my enthusiasm. So when I am coaching folks working out in their home gym, I always offer the following tips when selecting home gym equipment so we have maximum options and they get top value from their purchase.

1. Get clear on your goals.

Before you invest your hard-earned money in the latest fad equipment, what are you trying to accomplish today? Maybe everyone you know has a Peloton, but do you actually like cycling? Is cardio fitness and endurance training your primary goal? If not, let’s look at options that align with your goals.

2. More options are better.

Many home equipment options come with optional attachments that can add depth and flavor to your workout options du jour. If you’re on a tight budget, make sure the machine you buy comes with a decent number of attachments included.

3. Cable training isn’t just for bodybuilders.

While cable machines are a supreme favorite of bodybuilders and muscle heads, they also present a fantastic option for functional fitness, injury prevention, and general health. That’s because cable machines allow us to train one limb at a time–called unilateral training–which can help you correct muscle imbalances, build overall strength and coordination, and reduce injury risk. Check out this video for some of the best cable machine exercises.

4. Always tell your coach what equipment you have access to.

I may have programmed you the best workout in the world, but if you don’t have access to the required equipment, what good does that do you? By proactively letting me know which equipment pieces you have, it saves both you and your coach time and a headache. This goes for home gyms and commercial gyms if your coach is remote.

Home Gym Cable Machine Reviews and Descriptions

Each one of these home gym cable machines were compared and rated on price, weight range, attachment options, shipping, installation details, standout features, footprint, and portability where applicable.

Best Home Gym Cable Machines

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Individual Reviews
Starting at $2,500

Titan Fitness Functional Trainer

Best for building muscle

  • Includes 7 accessories
  • 200 lb resistance
  • Sturdy & durable

Whether you’re a bodybuilding pro or brand new to muscle building, this all-in-one cable system offers all the attachment and handle options you need to build your physique.

Overall, the Titan Functional Trainer is a workhorse and a fantastic option for bodybuilders training at home or anyone looking to build muscle.

Functional training machines are the gold standard for home gyms because they offer all the benefits of a cable machine, plus additional features that enable even more exercises, and this option from Titan Fitness doesn’t disappoint.

This functional trainer is priced at a reasonable $2,500 and features a dual-stack weight system with 200 lb resistance. The system has a pull-up bar with multiple grip types and includes a short and long bar, ankle strap, dual stirrup handles, rope handles, and single and double D handles.

The machine weighs 672 pounds and is not meant to be moved once installed.

For the price, you cannot go wrong with this option–though, I was disappointed by the 1-year warranty for such an expensive piece of equipment (you can opt for a 2 or 3-year warranty upgrade for an additional fee). It also requires a two-person assembly team, so plan for that.

The Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is a highly versatile and moderately priced home gym cable machine great for anyone with extra space who wants to build serious muscle.

Titan Fitness Functional Trainer Reviews

This functional trainer has a 4.5-star rating and 132 reviews on the Titan Fitness website. Customers love how well-built, sturdy, and versatile it is with all the included attachments. Some users did receive a machine missing or broken vital components.

Titan Fitness Functional Trainer Pros
  • 200 lb resistance
  • Quick pull-pin adjustment
  • 6 accessory hooks
  • Sturdy & durable
  • Pull-up bar included
  • 7 accessories included
  • Dual stack weights
Titan Fitness Functional Trainer Cons
  • Heavy
  • Large
  • 1-year warranty
  • Assembly required
Starting at $3,995

Tonal Home Gym

Best for full body workout

  • Compact design
  • 200 lb resistance
  • AI personal training

If you want a sleek and stylish cable machine option plus smart technology with AI-personal training, look no further than the Tonal Home Gym system.

The Tonal Home Gym is touted as the fitness experience of the future. This exercise mirror with cable arms and fitness app can replace an entire home gym with the right accessories and comes with a subscription service featuring AI-guided classes and personalized form feedback. Plus, white glove installation comes standard.

Priced at $3,995, this home gym system offers up to 200 lb in digital weight resistance and 170 different exercises. The machine itself weighs 150 pounds, but because it’s wall-mounted, it has a very small footprint.

Tonal requires a 12-month initial subscription at $49 per month to its AI-powered fitness programming, which is one of its standout features. Your subscription includes a fitness assessment and form feedback using sensors and AI technology.

You can access live and pre-recorded classes, including strength training, pilates, kickboxing, dance, cardio, HIIT, dance, and more.

Tonal also requires you to use their team to install it for another $250 to keep the warranty, which is 3 years for parts, 1 year for labor, and 1 year for accessories.

While customers rave about the experience and value their subscription brings, the price may make this a less-than-ideal option for some. The price isn’t outrageous for a traditional commercial gym cable machine, but the Tonal Gym doesn’t come with any attachments besides two standard handles, and you have to purchase their premium monthly subscription for another $50 monthly. If you want it to replace the many other machines as promised, you’ll need to drop another $500 on their accessory package.

If it’s in your price range, the Tonal Home Gym and fitness subscription delivers tremendous value, and their reviews are glowing. So it’s a good full-body at-home training option if you can swing the cost.

Tonal Home Gym Reviews

The company does not have a typical reviews section like most fitness brands, so additional feedback was hard to come by. Most Tonal customers rave about the smart fitness experience, including the weight adjustments and personalized AI-guided form feedback, while the main complaint is how expensive the system is.

Tonal Home Gym Pros
  • AI-guided workouts
  • 200 lb total resistance
  • Digital weights
  • Highly compact
  • White glove installation
Tonal Home Gym Cons
  • Expensive
  • Subscription required
  • Attachments cost extra
Starting at $2,499.99

REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer

Best for strength training

  • 448 lb resistance
  • Free shipping
  • Lifetime frame warranty

If you’re looking for serious strength training options at home, you need equipment that offers plenty of resistance and can take a beating: you’ll find both in the REP Fitness 2.0 Functional Trainer.

Priced at $2,500, this versatile, functional trainer is built to last and gives you 448 lbs of resistance, so you can build considerable strength at home. It’s quite large and heavy, like any traditional cable machine, weighing 875 lb and taking up about 5 feet by 7 feet of space.

This commercial-grade option has many helpful design features, such as a pull-up bar with multiple grips, 21 cable adjustment points, and seriously heavy weights. REP Fitness is known for producing high-quality and reliable fitness equipment, and the FT-5000 2.0 doesn’t disappoint.

Shipping is free on all REP Fitness orders, which is a huge plus, given its size. You can assemble the unit yourself or pay extra for their assembly service. In addition, the frame comes with a lifetime warranty plus 1-year for the parts.

My only downside with this functional trainer is how limited the included attachments are. For $2,500, I expect a lot more than a single set of handles.

Overall, the FT-500 2.0 Functional Trainer from REP Fitness is high quality, durable, and provides plenty of weight, so it’s a solid choice for anyone looking to lift heavy weights at home.

REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer Reviews

This functional trainer has a stellar 4.8-star rating and 77 reviews on the Rep Fitness website. Home gym owners love how easy the unit is to assemble and that it fits in their modest spaces. As with other brands, missing parts are rarely but sometimes a serious concern for customers.

REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer Pros
  • 448 lb total resistance
  • Pull-up bar included
  • Magnetic pull-pin change
  • Sturdy & durable
  • Dual D-handles
  • Additional 2.5 weights
  • 21 adjustment points
REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer Cons
  • Heavy
  • Large
  • Assembly required
Starting at $5,999

Force USA G20 Pro All-In-One Trainer

Best for versatility

  • 578 lb resistance
  • Replaces 14 machines
  • Many attachments

If you want to invest in a single piece of equipment that has everything you need for a complete gym experience, the Force USA all-in-one system is for you. This single machine replaces a cable machine, power rack, functional trainer, Smith machine, and lat pulldown, saving you loads of space and offering endless workout options.

The G20 All-in-one functional trainer from Force USA is a home gym versatility giant. You cannot beat this system for versatility and exercise choice, which are critical concerns for the home gym buyer.

This single training system offers a dual-weight stack cable machine, multiple exercise stations, and a smith machine–all with 578 lb total resistance–and includes 30 different handles and accessories. Best of all, this single system can easily accommodate two or more exercisers simultaneously.

All that value comes with a very high price tag, and the G20 retails at a whopping $6,000. But if you break down the price of each of the 14 exercise machines it replaces, you’ll understand its value—both in cash and space.

A standout feature of the G20 is its warranty, which includes lifetime coverage on the frame, 10 years on moving parts, and 1 year on upholstery and attachments.

Besides the price, which will undoubtedly be prohibitive for some, I honestly don’t have a bad thing to say about the G20 All-in-one trainer. It’s a fantastic option for any home gym owner seeking maximum cable machine versatility.

Force USA G20 Pro All-In-One Trainer Reviews

This functional trainer from Force USA also has an impressive 4.8-star rating and 47 reviews on their website. Customers love its versatility, its ability to easily accommodate multiple people at once, its quality, and its helpful customer service reps. Some customers complained about confusing assembly directions or missing parts.

Force USA G20 Pro All-In-One Trainer Pros
  • 578 lb total resistance
  • Dual stack weights
  • 50 adjustment points
  • 30 accessories included
  • Lifetime frame warranty
Force USA G20 Pro All-In-One Trainer Cons
  • Very expensive
  • Heavy
  • Large
  • Assembly required




Starting at $2,990

Vitruvian Trainer+

Best for compact spaces

  • 440 lb resistance
  • Compact & portable
  • Trainer+ Smart V App

The Vitruvian Trainer+ is another smart home gym that provides cable machine options using digital weights. This allows it to maintain a tiny footprint of just 4 feet by 2 feet but somehow delivers 440 lb total resistance.

The Trainer+ also only weighs 80 pounds, so it’s highly portable and perfect for most home gym settings, and at $2,990, it offers plenty of value.

The basic package includes their smart handles and ankle straps, but you can purchase additional attachment packages for a fee.

The Trainer+ is optimized to work best with their subscription plan, which costs an additional $39 monthly. Compared to other smart home gym machines, their workout selection is nothing special, and because the Vitruvian+ does not have a display screen, you must follow along on your phone or TV.

If you want a top-notch virtual training experience, the Vitruvian+ is a solid choice for the most compact home cable machine option.

Vitruvian Trainer+ Reviews

This is a very new company that’s only been around since 2020, so they also don’t have a ton of numerical rating data, but many, many people have published in-depth reviews. Customers love how portable and easy the system is to use. In contrast, some customers acknowledge that the digital weight system takes some getting used to.

Vitruvian Trainer+ Pros
  • Highly compact
  • Digital weight
  • Versatile
  • Total body workouts
  • 440 lb total resistance
Vitruvian Trainer+ Cons
  • Accessories cost extra
  • Fitness app is limited
  • No exercise demo display
Starting at $649

MAXPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine

Best for home gym enthusiasts on a budget

  • 300 lb resistance
  • Compact & portable
  • Bluetooth connectivity

More proof that good things come in small packages, the MAXPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable machine is the lowest-priced option on our list and offers significant value.

This small but mighty home cable machine weighs 17 pounds and is less than 3 feet wide. It folds in half and fits in a backpack included with your purchase. With that in mind, I was impressed by the 300 lb total resistance the unit creates.

This model features concentric resistance only, so it’s not the best for maximum muscle gain.

Like most other home fitness machine brands these days, MAXPRO has a fitness subscription, but unlike most other companies, it’s not mandatory.

I like that you can move the machine around the room, mount it on a wall, or wedge it in the doorway to perform a wide variety of exercises. I also like that it comes with traditional handles, a long bar, and ankle/wrist straps, unlike some companies that nickel and dime you for every little accessory.

Overall, I think the MAXPRO offers plenty of value and a reasonable price point for this expensive equipment category. It’s highly compact and portable and offers versatility and impressive resistance,

MAXPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine Reviews

The MAXPRO cable machine has a 4.7-star rating and 223 reviews, and customers really like its compact and lightweight design and the versatility it allows. Quite a few users did note that the pulley system can feel grindy out of the box, and a few customers did not realize the unit offered concentric resistance only, so they were unhappy.

MAXPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine Pros
  • Tiny footprint
  • 300 lb total resistance
  • Multiple accessories included
  • Affordable
MAXPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine Cons
  • Concentric resistance only

Compare Home Cable Machines

Cable Machine PriceWeight RangeMachine WeightIncluded AttachmentsDimensions
Titan Fitness Functional Trainer$2,500200 lb per stack672 lbShort & long bar, ankle strap, dual stirrup handles, rope, + D handles82 in H x 64 in W
Tonal Home Gym$3,995200 lb total150 lbBluetooth smart handles 50 in H x 22 in W x 5 in D
REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0$2,500224 lb per stack875 lbD handles58 in W x 85.5 in H
Force USA G20 Pro$6,000578 lb total992 lb25 different attachments 79 in W x 67 in D x 91 in H
Vitruvian Trainer+$2,990440 lb total80 lbSmart handles + ankle straps46 in L x 20 in W x 4.5 in H
MAXPRO SC Portable$1,200300 lb total17 lbHandles + long bar +ankle/wrist straps32 in L x 3.6 in W x 4 in H

Bottom Line

Our top choice for the best home cable machine is the Functional Trainer from Titan Fitness. This well-made and highly versatile jack-of-all-trades model offers 200 lb total resistance in a dual-stack cable system and various accessories at a reasonable price. You will never run out of exercises to build muscle and keep your home training fun and interesting.