Shortlist · Cable Machines
Functional trainers and cable towers that state their pulley ratio
Cable towers and functional trainers in our index whose brands publish the pulley ratio, so you can work out the resistance at the handle, with stacks, sizes and fixing.
4 of 15 machines in our index qualify · Checked against published specifications · Updated
By IRONINDEX · How we research
How this list is chosen
Every functional trainer or cable tower in our index whose brand states the pulley ratio at the main cables.
The list is not ranked: products with photographs come first, then each group is in name order. We haven't tested these products; every figure comes from a checked product page, linked from each product profile. How we build shortlists.
The shortlist
- Machine type
- Functional trainer
- Pulley ratio (published)
- 2:1
- Stack
- 91 kg
- At handle
- 45.5 kg (calc.)
- Height
- 2.27 m
- Width
- 1.37 m
- Mounting
- Not published
- Price band
- Over £2,000
- Machine type
- Functional trainer
- Pulley ratio (published)
- 2:1
- Stack
- 91 kg
- At handle
- 45.5 kg (calc.)
- Height
- Sources disagree
- Width
- 1.37 m
- Mounting
- Not published
- Price band
- Over £2,000
- Machine type
- Functional trainer
- Pulley ratio (published)
- 2:1
- Stack
- 100 kg
- At handle
- 50 kg (calc.)
- Height
- 2.34 m
- Width
- 1.7 m
- Mounting
- Not published
- Price band
- Over £2,000
- Machine type
- Functional trainer
- Pulley ratio (published)
- 2:1
- Stack
- 63.5 kg
- At handle
- 31.75 kg (calc.)
- Height
- Not published
- Width
- Not published
- Mounting
- Not published
- Price band
- Over £2,000
"Not published" means the checked product page doesn't state the value. Compare every product in the cable machines table to sort, add your own measurements or compare products side by side.
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About this list
The stack weight tells you little on its own. On a 2:1 cable you feel half the stack at the handle, and on 3:1 a third. Without the ratio you can't say what the machine will feel like.
This list includes every functional trainer or cable tower in our index whose brand states the ratio at the main cables. Handle resistance is our calculation, stack weight divided by the ratio, and friction in the pulleys means you feel a little less.
Before you buy
- The pulley ratio tells you what you'll feel at the handle. On 2:1, a 90 kg stack gives about 45 kg at the handle.
- A 2:1 ratio also doubles the cable travel, which suits long movements such as presses and lunges with a handle.
- Two independent stacks let you train each side separately or use both handles together.
- Functional trainers are wide and tall. Floor width, ceiling height and room in front for exercises are worth measuring first.
Notes on the list
- Gym Gear Perform Series Dual Adjustable Pulley
Two 91 kg stacks at 2:1: about 45.5 kg at each handle. 137 cm wide, 227 cm tall.
- Gym Gear Platinum Series Dual Adjustable Pulley
Two 91 kg stacks at 2:1: about 45.5 kg at each handle. Gym Gear gives its height as 1492 mm and as 227 cm.
- Gym Gear Pro Series Dual Adjustable Pulley (Full Shroud)
Two 100 kg stacks at 2:1: about 50 kg at each handle. 170 cm wide, 234 cm tall.
- Gym Gear Rhino Compact Dual Adjustable Pulley and Folding Half Rack
Two 63.5 kg stacks at 2:1: about 31.75 kg at each handle by our calculation.
Couldn't confirm
These may qualify, but a figure the rule needs isn't published or sources disagree. Ask the seller before relying on them.
- Body Power Multi-Function Smith Machine with Half Rack & Dual Adjustable Pulley
Pulley ratio not published.
- Gym Gear Pro Series Dual Adjustable Pulley Plus
Pulley ratio not published. Two 91 kg stacks, but Gym Gear doesn't state the ratio.
- Gym Gear Rhino Pro Strength Machine
Pulley ratio not published.
- Gym Gear Rhino Strength Machine
Pulley ratio not published.
Ruled out
- Marcy HG9000 Deluxe Multi Gym with Leg Press
Machine type: Multi-gym
- BodyMax MG5 Multi Gym
Machine type: Multi-gym
- vidaXL Multi Gym Utility Fitness Machine
Machine type: Multi-gym
- Gym Gear Pro Series Plate Loaded Lat Pulldown/Seated Row Attachment
Machine type: Rack attachment
- Gym Gear Spartan Rig, Red
Machine type: Multi-gym
- Gym Gear Spartan Studio Rig, Black
Machine type: Multi-gym
- Gym Gear Spartan Studio Rig, Red
Machine type: Multi-gym
What this list doesn't check
- Handle resistance is our calculation: stack ÷ ratio. Friction in the pulleys means you feel a little less.
- Where a brand lists stacks without saying whether the figure is each or combined, we don't calculate a handle figure.
- None of the four states its fixing requirements. Check floor width and ceiling height against your room before ordering.
Related guides
- Cable Machines and Functional Trainers for Home Use
The single most versatile machine you can add to a home gym, and also one of the most space-hungry. Here's how to think about it.
- How Much Space Do You Need for a Home Gym?
Measure the equipment, the room and the space required to use it. A footprint alone does not tell you whether a setup works.