11 Best Cable Machines for Home Gyms

A cable machine is a versatile piece of equipment to have at home that complements your other fitness equipment like free weights. With a bit of creativity, you can perform various exercises that can target nearly every single muscle in the body.

The best cable machines for a home gym setup are:

1. Powerline Dual Stack Functional Trainer – Best Overall
2. REP Fitness Athena Plate-Loaded Side-Mount Functional Trainer – Best Budget Option
3. Spud Inc Pulley System – Best Cable Pulley Attachment for Squat Racks
4. Powerline Cable Crossover – Best for Beginners
5. Pro ClubLine Series 2 Cable Crossover Machine by Body-Solid – Best Premium Option
6. BodyCraft XFT Functional Trainer – Best Cable Machine To Replace All Other Equipment
7. Rogue Fitness CC-1 Cable Crossover – Best for Large Home Gyms
8. Rogue Fitness FT-1 Functional Trainer – Best for Home Gyms With High Ceilings
9. Rogue Fitness CT-1X2 Cable Tower – Best for Small Home Gyms
10. Rogue Fitness CT-1 Cable Tower – Best for Single-Sided Exercises
11. FreeMotion Dual Cable EXT Crossover – Best for Experienced Athletes

In this article, I’ll provide a clear and concise guide to finding the best cable machine and show you how to easily figure out which one is appropriate for your situation.

Featured Products

• Powerline Dual Stack Functional Trainer – Best Overall
• REP Fitness Athena Plate-Loaded Side-Mount Functional Trainer – Best Budget Option
• BodyCraft XFT Functional Trainer – Best Cable Machine To Replace All Other Equipment

4 Things To Consider When Buying a Cable Machine for Your Home Gym

To figure out which cable machine is appropriate for you, there are various things you need to consider:

• Budget
• Space available
• Training purpose
• Training experience

Budget

Budget is your primary determining factor in choosing a cable machine. It does not matter how perfectly suited a machine is if you cannot afford it. Home cable machines can cost between $400 to $4,000, so be prepared to spend a lot of money on one. But you can easily get a top-quality model for less than $1,500 on our list below.

Space Available

Space is your next determining factor about whether a machine suits you. Cable machines can be very wide and require a large floor space, or they can be adjustable and very compact, which is more suitable for home gyms and garages.

Training Purpose

You then must consider what you want to get out of the cable machine for your training. Consider what your training goal is and what exercises you may want to perform with a cable machine. 

As discussed above, cable machines come in different shapes and sizes and may influence what exercises you can or cannot do.

Training Experience

Your training experience may determine how strong you are, which may influence how much weight you can handle. If you are a more experienced trainer, you may want to consider buying a cable machine with a larger weight stack.

11 Best Cable Machines for Home Gyms

1. Powerline Dual Stack Functional Trainer – Best Overall

Rating: 4.8/5

Pros

• Affordable option for general training purposes
• Weight stack of 210 lbs on each side provides high resistance
• Compact build suitable for homes with smaller spaces

Cons

• Fixed distance between cable columns 
• Does not have multi-grip options for different pull-ups
• Does not have storage solutions for cable attachments

The Powerline Dual Stack Functional Trainer is my pick for the best cable machine for the home because it is a great all-rounder machine. It is made by Body-Solid, a company that has been making fitness machines for decades. It is reasonably priced in the low to mid-end compared to other cable machines on the market. 

It is a selectorized cable machine with independent weight stacks on each side of the cable pulley. It has a medium-width distance between the cable columns. This cable machine also comes with a simple straight pull-up bar, which doubles as a support to make the machine sturdier. 

This machine is sold with two 160 lb weight stacks but can be upgraded to 210 lb weight stacks at an extra cost. It has a 0.5:1 ratio for cable machine resistance. For every 10 lbs you select, it will feel like 20 lbs of force.

It does not necessarily do anything that other cable machines can’t do, but it is a reliable piece of equipment that doesn’t take up as much space as other options. For these reasons, it’s one of the best home cable machines you can buy.

Looking for a compact yet comprehensive workout solution? Check out also our recommendations for the best all in one gyms on the market.

2. REP Fitness Athena Plate-Loaded Side-Mount Functional Trainer – Best Budget Option

Rating: 4.7/5

Pros

• Sturdy frame with a supportive pull-up bar
• Provides storage pins for your weight discs
• High weight capacity of 540 lbs on each side (270 lbs of resistance)

Cons

• Requires your own stash of weight discs
• Does not have a wide distance cable column for taller people performing flies

The Athena Plate-Loaded Side-Mount Functional Trainer is a plate-loaded cable machine from REP Fitness. It is the best home cable machine for those with tight budgets because it is a more affordable option than other cable machines. 

When purchasing this machine, one prerequisite is having your own supply of Olympic-sized weight discs to load the machine. However, REP Fitness also offers a selectorized version of this machine if you do not have your own weight discs.

The Athena Functional trainer has a 2:1 cable machine resistance ratio, meaning 10 lbs feels like 5 lbs. Upon making a purchase, you can choose different dimensions options for this machine. The pulleys where the cable attachments go are adjustable from the top to bottom and have a 180-degree swivel angle for freedom of movement.

It also comes with a multi-grip pull-up bar with various handles at different angles and widths for doing pull-ups differently.

Looking for cable attachments to go with your cable machine? Check out our top picks for the best cable attachments for home gyms.

3. Spud Inc Pulley System – Best Cable Pulley Attachment for Squat Racks

Rating: 4/5

Pros

• Very affordable alternative to a traditional cable machine setup
• Takes up very little space when put away for storage
• Can be loaded with a high amount of weight

Cons

• Requires you to have your own stash of weight plates
• Limited in terms of cable pulley positioning and movement freedom
• Setting it up and putting it away takes time

The Spud Inc Pulley System is a unique product and solution for a cable machine setup at home. It is not a traditional cable machine but an attachment you can use on an existing squat rack or rig at home. It is the most affordable option and ideal for anyone who can’t fit a cable machine alongside a squat rack in their home gym.

Its lightweight and portable setup make it easy to move from storage to use and vice versa. For such a small object, it has a high weight tolerance of up to 550 lbs. 

One limitation of this product is that you can only set up the cable close to the ground or near the top of the rig or rack you attach it to. 

This product is also suitable for anyone looking for an affordable cable machine solution but not interested in performing many complex exercises.

4. Powerline Cable Crossover – Best for Beginners

Rating: 3.8/5

Pros

• Very affordable price
• Does not take as much time to assemble
• Weight stacks are independent on both sides

Cons

• Takes up a large amount of floor space
• Only two discrete options for cable attachment positions
• Requires your own Olympic-sized weight discs

The Powerline Cable Crossover is a plate-loaded, wide pulley separation cable machine priced towards the lower end compared with other models. Powerline is owned by Body-Solid and produces more affordable fitness equipment. 

This cable crossover machine provides a wide separation that enables you to perform popular exercises such as cable chest crossovers, which narrower machines cannot offer.

Some downfalls of this model are that it requires your own weight stack and takes up a large amount of floor space, including the space you need when training. You can also only connect the cable attachments near the top or at the bottom of the machine.

This model is best suited for beginners or people who are training with basic health and fitness goals. It is also suitable for those who do not plan to perform complex exercises requiring specific cable attachment positions that this model cannot offer.

If you prefer a cable machine that doesn’t allow you to do cable crossovers, check out these cable crossover alternatives.

5. Pro ClubLine Series 2 Cable Crossover Machine by Body-Solid – Best Premium Option

Rating: 4.6/5

Pros

• Can provide up to 310 lbs of weight on each cable column
• Premium build designed for high-frequency use
• Various pull-up bar handles

Cons

• Requires a huge floor space
• Extremely expensive

The Pro ClubLine Series 2 Cable Crossover Machine by Body-Solid is a commercial-level selectorized cable machine. It has a wide separation between the cable columns. As it is commercial standard, it is priced accordingly as one of the more expensive cable machine options.

But just because it is a commercial standard item does not mean that you cannot buy it for home use. You may be more serious about your training, or you may be an elite athlete. Commercial standard machines will be built for a high frequency of usage.

This model provides various pull-up grips, including one that is reminiscent of grips you may find on a rock climbing wall. It also has various handles around the cable column to help support your body positioning and posture when performing different exercises.

It comes with a standard 160 lb weight stack on each side, but you can upgrade that to 310 lbs worth of weight. This cable machine is most suited for you if you have a high budget, are more experienced with your training, and/or want a premium product with a durable build.

6. BodyCraft XFT Functional Trainer – Best Cable Machine To Replace All Other Equipment

Rating: 4.4/5

Pros

• Space-efficient
• Offers alternatives to barbell and other free-weight exercises
• High number of exercise options

Cons

• Expensive
• Not necessary for individuals who already have a barbell at home

The BodyCraft XFT Functional Trainer is a unique cable machine that is more than just a set of dual adjustable pulley cable columns. The defining feature is its substitute for barbell training, as a barbell-like attachment is connected to the weight stack. It is one of the more expensive cable machines on this list.

You can position this barbell attachment at various distances to and from the machine and at different heights up to 60 inches. Along with the freedom of positioning, the barbell attachment has a large freedom of movement because it can also rotate. 

The barbell attachment system allows you to do any exercises you can do with a barbell without as many safety risks as using free weights. This opens up many exercises you may want to do, such as squats and bench presses.

The machine also offers a uniquely-shaped pull-up bar that lets you do pull-ups with different hand angles.

This cable machine is also set up with a dual adjustable cable pulley column with a medium to narrow distance, making it suitable for small to medium spaces at home. It is most suited for people who want to have a space-efficient way to train the whole body without needing the space that barbells require.

7. Rogue Fitness CC-1 Cable Crossover – Best for Large Home Gyms

Rating: 4.5/5

Pros

• Heavy-duty build for stability and durability
• Foot pads for seated cable rows
• 250 lbs of weight on each side 

Cons

• Requires bolting to the floor
• Lack of default pull-up variation options (possible upon extra purchase)

The Rogue Fitness CC-1 Cable Crossover is another commercial standard cable machine that was built with professional, collegiate, and high school training setups in mind.

If you have the space and budget, this can easily be a valuable addition to your home gym. As it is made by Rogue Fitness, a reputable company known for its high-quality products, the price tag will match accordingly.

This cable machine is built with heavy-duty steel rods and aluminum pulleys. Each weight stack has up to 250 lbs of weight but has a 2:1 cable machine resistance ratio. This means the max weight you’ll feel is 125 lbs of force. 

A unique feature of this cable crossover machine is that it provides foot pads at the bottom of the cable columns. This is useful for anyone who wants to perform seated cable rows, one of the most popular back exercises to perform on a cable machine.

However, it does not come with multi-grip options for different pull-up variations. You can buy them for a separate price, though. The machine does come with holes in the frame suitable for bolting into the ground to stabilize it, which is mandatory.

This cable machine model is suitable for anyone who has a large budget for a premium cable machine and also has the floor space for it.

8. Rogue FT-1 Functional Trainer – Best for Home Gyms With High Ceilings

Rating: 4.6/5

Pros

• Modular storage solutions and pull-up bar variations
• Foot pads for seated cable rows
• Can be attached to a pre-existing Monster Rack by Rogue Fitness

Cons

• Expensive price tag
• Extremely heavy machine

The Rogue FT-1 Functional Trainer is a space-efficient alternative to the Rogue CC-1 Cable Crossover. The main difference is the width and separation between the two cable columns. However, like the CC-1 Cable Crossover, it comes with a high price tag. 

The benefit of this functional trainer is that it has options for modular attachments at an extra cost. So this machine can be as expensive as you want it to be.

Examples of modular expansions are storage solutions for free weights and cable attachments and different types of pull-up bars. These add-ons make it great for individualizing this product for your use case and needs. It also comes with foot pads for bracing against the machine for the seated cable row exercise. 

The FT-1 can come as a standalone unit or be attached to a Rogue Fitness Monster squat rack if you already have a rack. 

This machine is relatively tall, and you will need extra height if you do pull-ups on it. Ensure that you have a high enough ceiling height for this machine.

9. Rogue CT-1X2 Cable Tower – Best for Small Home Gyms

Rating: 4.6/5

Pros

• Space-efficient option for smaller home gyms
• High 300 lb weight stack resistance with a 1:1 cable machine resistance ratio
• Can also choose a 2:1 resistance ratio, depending on whether you attach pulleys together

Cons

• Stronger arm can take over in some exercises
• Cannot perform exercises such as cable crossover

The Rogue CT-1X2 Cable Tower is a compact but premium option for an at-home cable machine. Its defining feature is the single cable column with two pulleys for two separate cable attachments to latch onto. 

It is also made by Rogue Fitness and features the brand’s signature 3×3 inch 11-gauge steel construction with a medium gloss black powder-coat finish. It is about half the price of the CC-1 and FT-1 but still falls into the medium to high price category. 

It comes with a 300 lb weight stack that is selectorized and has a 1:1 cable machine resistance ratio, meaning 300 lbs of weight will produce an equal amount of resistance. Each of the two handles can load up to 150 lbs of resistance unless they are both attached to a single cable attachment.

The single column makes it very compact and suitable for narrow spaces. It is ideal for someone who does not have a lot of room at home but wants a premium build for their cable machine.

10. Rogue CT-1 Cable Tower – Best for Single-Sided Exercises

Rating: 4.2/5

Pros

• Small footprint suitable for smaller spaces
• Footpad makes seated cable row exercise convenient
• Sturdy and strong cable and frame build

Cons

• Only provides a maximum of 125 lbs of force
• Requires bolting and does not come with mounting hardware

The Rogue CT-1 Cable Tower is another compact and premium single cable machine from Rogue Fitness. It is similar to the CT-1X2 but comes with only one pulley with one cable attachment. It is priced in the mid-range among this list of the best cable machines for a home gym.

It is made with ¼” cables built to US military specifications for aircraft cables, so you can trust the cable’s strength. The home gym cables on other cable machines tend to snap more frequently than you would like.

The CT-1 comes with a slightly lighter stack of weights compared to the CT-1X2. It has 250 lbs and a 2:1 cable machine resistance ratio. This means that the most amount of resistance you’ll feel is 125 lbs of force.

This model also comes with a very small footprint, but it must be bolted to the floor. This model is best suited for people who like to perform single-sided exercises, like single-arm cable rows or single-leg hamstring curls.

11. FreeMotion Dual Cable EXT Crossover – Best for Experienced Athletes

Rating: 4.5/5

Pros

• Reasonable weight stack of 210 lbs on each side
• Freedom of movement for a precise cable angle allowing comfortable movement
• Weight stacks are independent of each other, so two people can train together

Cons

• Expensive
• Use is limited to how much space you have for the arms

The FreeMotion Dual Cable EXT Crossover is a less common type of cable machine where the cable attachments stem from an adjustable arm as opposed to a vertical column. It is made by a company called Freemotion. It comes with its own weight stack, so it is selectorized. 

What makes this model unique is that the cable attachments are not only adjustable in height but also adjustable in separation distance. This is a feature that no other cable machines have. It makes it easy to position the machine in the corner of rooms and adjust it, so it does not take up as much room.

This machine is laborious to put together but is worth it with all of its advantages. With the freedom of movement that the cable attachment gives, advanced athletes can really adjust the arm angles to get the perfect position to train each exercise.

How We Ranked and Compared the Cable Machines in This List

We reviewed the essential features of each machine on this list and picked out the defining qualities that we considered the most important for various individuals. 

We had first-hand experience with some of these machines or spoke to people we knew who had them. We also read through reviews on forums and other websites to cover the blindspots our first-hand experience did not cover.

Cable Machine Buying Guide

There are five important features to look for when choosing the best cable machine for a home gym setup. They are:

• Number of cable columns and handles
• Cable column distance
• Weight stack 
• Adjustability
• Footprint

Number of Cable Columns and Handles

The number of cable columns will greatly influence what kind of exercises you can or cannot do. If you are limited to a single cable machine, you will likely be restricted to primarily single-side exercises. However, you can do some bilateral exercises with a single cable column, such as a seated cable row.

Single cable columns may also come with either one single pulley and cable attachment or two. So that is worth considering as well.

Cable Column Distance

The column distance on your cable exercise machine can also influence what exercises you can or cannot do. It’s also important to note that wider is not necessarily better.

For example, it may be easier to perform cable crossovers with a wide cable column separation. But with a narrow cable column, you may be able to do a dual pulley cable row with a hand on each cable.

Weight Stack

Cable machines can either be selectorized with a preloaded stack of weights for you to choose with a pin or plate-loaded with your own weight discs.

If your cable weight machine has a selectorized weight stack, you need to consider the cable machine resistance ratio, which determines your resistance level. You also need to consider how much weight comes with the machines.

With plate-loaded variations, consider the dimensions for where you load the plates. This is important because if you have thick bumper plates, you may potentially be limited with how many you can fit.

Also, it is worth finding out what the maximum weight tolerance is.

Adjustability

Adjustability refers to how adjustable the cable pulleys are in terms of height and width. You may also want to consider the increment distance at which you can adjust the cable pulley height.

Footprint

The footprint of your cable gym machine is a large consideration when figuring out which one you can realistically fit in the area you have.

You should also consider the footprint of the area in which you will train. For example, if you step forward in front of the machine to do cable crossovers, how far forward do you need to step, and will other equipment be in your way?

4 Benefits of Using a Cable Machine

There are various benefits to using a cable machine in your training:

• Beginner-friendly
• Safer than free weights
• Increased time under constant tension
• Challenge stability

Beginner-Friendly

Cable machines are beginner-friendly pieces of fitness equipment because you can often start with low loads. This makes it possible for beginners to practice exercise techniques and increase weight in small increments.

Safer Than Free Weights

Cable machines are often safer than free weights, particularly if you train by yourself and push yourself close to or at muscular failure. If you lose balance or fatigue too soon, you can just let go of the weight stack.

Increased Time Under Constant Tension

Because the direction of the cables is not exclusively vertical, it is very common to find that many cable variations of common exercises become harder. This is because there is an increase in time under constant tension.

For example, the bicep curl with free weights is the hardest at the top, but the tension disappears near the bottom. With cables, there is constant tension with your bicep curls, even at the bottom of the movement.

Challenge Stability

Cable machines can offer a similar lack of stability to free weights, which challenge your stabilizer muscles to focus on controlling the weights. This is an added training stimulus within the exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Build Muscle With Cable Machines?

Yes, cable machines are sufficient to help you build muscle, as the cable machines can offer various exercises that target most large muscle groups. However, a limiting factor may be the weight stack, limiting how much weight you can use if you are advanced.

Are Cable Machines Good for Working Out?

Yes, cable machines are good for working out, as you can perform simple exercises while training multiple muscle groups to build muscle mass. You can also use cable machines in a circuit training fashion to build up muscular or cardiovascular fitness.

Why Do Some Cable Machines Feel Heavier?

Some cable machines may feel heavier because of the way the machine is manufactured. If there is more resistance in the cables and pulleys, this may add to the experience of feeling a heavier weight. The cable handles can also determine whether a weight stack feels heavier or lighter.

Are Cable Machine Weights Accurate?

Most cable machine weights are accurate, but you need to consider the weight of the cable handle attachments, and the resistance felt in the machine's moving parts. Cable machines may be manufactured in a way that produces more resistance than the weight stack actually produces by itself.

What Is Cable Machine Resistance Ratio?

The cable machine resistance ratio is the ratio between the resistance you feel and the resistance of the selected weight stack. For example, a cable machine resistance ratio of 1:1 means that 1 lb on the weight stack produces 1 lb of force when exercising. A cable machine ratio of 2:1 means that 2 lbs on the weight stack produce 1 lb of force when exercising.

About The Author: Norman Cheung ASCC, British Powerlifting Team Coach

Norman Cheung is a powerlifting and accredited strength and conditioning coach under the UKSCA. He has been coaching powerlifting since 2012 and has been an IPF Team GB coach since 2016. He has experience coaching various lifters, from novices to international medallists and international university teams. Alongside coaching, he takes an interest in helping powerlifters take their first step into coaching. He currently runs his coaching services at strongambitionscoaching.com.