The Best Cable Machines for Home Gym Enthusiasts 

Who says you need a gym membership to get lean, ripped, and fit? A cable machine could be your best investment if you work out from home. 

They’re one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can find, allow for a variety of exercises, and they have the extra bonus of keeping your muscles under constant tension, contributing to both muscle growth and strength. 

But not all machines are made equal. We’ve compiled this handy list of the best cable machines on the market, so you can find the one that makes your home gym complete. Check them out! 

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Why Trust BoxLife? 

Our team has years (decades, even!) of experience in fitness. We’ve trained and been personal trainers. We’ve tried all the workout options, diets, and new fads, and we know what works and what doesn’t.

Each one of us is actively involved in CrossFit and we’re always trying new equipment, exercises, and methods. Between us, we’ve all had experience with cable machines. 

Between our existing knowledge and our excitement to get out and test more stuff for you, know that the information in this article is backed up with real-world experience and testing. 

Who Should Get a Cable Machine? 

Buying a gym cable machine is a sign of dedication to your cause! You should consider investing in your own cable machine if you: 

• Want to improve your fitness level from home 
• Have limited space for a comprehensive home gym 
• Have a bit of extra money to spend on gym equipment 
• Want the convenience of an all-in-one trainer that can work every muscle in the body 

It’s probably not the best workout option for people on a tight budget, as these machines can get fairly pricey. It’s like having a full gym in a single piece of fitness equipment that provides a full-body workout, so it’s well worth it, but might not be suitable for everyone. 

How We Chose the Best Cable Machines 

We know a good cable machine from a bad one, so we already had a good idea of which machines were worthy of attention. But we went further than that and did all the in-depth research necessary. The cable machines you see on this list have passed our scrutiny so you can be confident they’re great options. 

We browsed through hundreds of reviews, spoke to sports retailers, checked Q&As on Reddit and Quora, and Googled everything we could find on each one of these cable machines. 

From there, we chose the ones that ticked our own boxes and were backed up by other real-life happy customers. We then went to work testing them out so we could bring you the best, most well-rounded view of each one. 

How We Tested Them 

We chose 7 criteria to test each cable machine to make sure they’re decent enough options for robust and convenient use. We checked: 

• Floor Space 
• Weight Capacity 
• Weight Increments 
• Resistance Ratio 
• Extras 
• Assembly 
• Warranty 

Cable Machines – Our Top Picks 

Without further ado, let’s get to our ranking of the 7 best cable machines :

1. Rogue Fitness FT-1 Functional Trainer – Best Overall 

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This Navy-veteran-designed cable machine is the perfect choice for home gyms, especially if you’re looking for something compact but still highly effective. 

Why We Like It 

The Rogue Fitness FT-1 Functional Trainer is a fantastic option for those who have a bit more to spend on a cable machine. For your money, you’ll be getting a superb machine that’s compact enough to fit into almost any garage or home gym setup. Check your ceiling height, though! 

The machine is equipped with two 250-lb integrated weight stacks with a resistance ratio of 2:1, so it’s got enough weight behind it for some serious workouts. With plates in 10-lb increments, it might be better for more experienced lifters who can up the weight in slightly bigger jumps. 

With a weight of 1,600 lbs, it’s a relief that this cable machine comes partially assembled. The finishing touches are pretty easy to do, thanks to some good instructions. 

It’s compatible with a wide range of Rogue accessories, including things like pull-up bars, storage panels and shelves, resistance bands, and plenty of different handle attachments. 

You’ll get a limited lifetime warranty on the frame and 5 years on the parts, which is a great reassurance and implies that the company is confident in the quality of their products. 

Pros	Cons
✅ 2 x 250 lb integrated weight stacks give you plenty to work with	❌ Higher than many others, so check your ceiling height carefully
✅ 10 lb increments with a 2:1 resistance ratio for a great workout	❌ Somewhat pricey
✅ Comes partially assembled, making it much easier to put together	❌
✅ Plenty of extras available to make your experience more convenient and versatile	❌

Key Specs 

Floor Space	47″ D x 90.5″ W x 107.5″ H
Weight Capacity	Two 250 lb integrated weight stacks
Weight Increments	10 lb increments
Resistance Ratio	2:1
Included/Optional Extras	Can add 43” Monster Rack Storage Panels,  Monster Crown Pull-Up Bar or Solo Mount Pull-Up Bar. It’s also compatible with Rogue’s Grip Triangle, Tricep Push Down Attachment, and Monster Resistance Bands.
Assembly	Tower comes pre-assembled and the rest is fairly easy to put together
Warranty	Limited lifetime warranty on the frame, 5 years on cables

2. Rep Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer – Runner-Up 

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The Rep Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer is a robust, well-rounded machine that’s also more affordable for most. It’s also a sleek machine with a modern design that fits well into almost any space. 

Why We Like It 

The FT 5000 2.0 is a versatile cable machine with a small footprint. It’s ideal for almost any space, whether you’re looking to add to a garage gym or turn the spare room into a gym. 

Each side features a weight stack of 224 lbs, with a resistance ratio of 2:1, so you’ll get a great workout. You can position the cable in any of the 21 different holes along the vertical bar, making this machine quite versatile and able to work almost any muscle. 

We love that the weights are adjustable in increments of 5.5 lbs, which means you can adjust up or down in smaller jumps, making it much more manageable for most users. It also comes with four extra 2.75-lb weights, so you can make those increments even smaller if you need to, which is a nice touch. 

You’ll also find multiple different pull-up bars installed at the top of this machine, a welcome feature that adds to the versatility of this machine. 

The machine comes partially assembled, but may take an extra person and a good bit of time to help finish it off. It’s topped off with a solid warranty—a limited lifetime on the frame and a year in cables and parts. 

Pros	Cons
✅ Excellent weight capacity for advanced lifters with a 2:1 resistance ratio	❌ May take 2 or more people to assemble
✅ 5.5 lb increments allow for fine-tuning of weight adjustments	❌
✅ 21 cable positions along the bar, making it easy to do almost any exercise	❌
✅ Comes with extra 2.75-lb weight plates, handles, and an easy-reference diagram	❌

Key Specs 

Floor Space	36” D x 58” W x 85.5” H
Weight Capacity	Two 224 lb weight stacks
Weight Increments	5.5 lb increments
Resistance Ratio	2:1
Included/Optional Extras	Comes with two durable, polymer D-handles, storage pegs for the attachments, four additional 2.75lb incremental weights so you can make smaller weight jumps, built-in pull-up bars, and a mountable diagram.
Assembly	Arrives partially assembled but may take more than one person to finish
Warranty	Limited lifetime on frame, 1 year on cables and pulleys

3. FreeMotion GENESIS Dual Cable Cross – Most Versatile