One Booth Wouldn’t Let Me Film Their Digital Resistance Machine. Here’s What I Saw at the World’s Biggest Gym Equipment Show Anyway

Coop Mitchell from Garage Gym Reviews recently attended the HFA trade show in San Diego, one of the biggest gym equipment exhibitions in the world.

What he found there reveals where the fitness industry is heading—and why home gym owners should pay attention.

From revolutionary multi-function machines to nostalgia-driven chain drives, manufacturers are pushing boundaries in unexpected ways.

Here’s what stood out most from miles of exhibition floor packed with cutting-edge equipment.

Torque Fitness Unveils Tank SX and Accessibility-Focused Trainer

Torque Fitness showcased their new Tank SX, a four-wheeled sled with swiveling rear wheels designed for enhanced maneuverability and resistance.

According to Nick from Torque, the Tank SX offers higher top-end resistance than their MX model while maintaining similar turning radius. Mitchell noted the added weight and traction make it feel substantially more robust than previous versions.

Sweet. Why four wheels? Like, is it producing more resistance than the M3?

So, yes, you are going to get more resistance out of it as well. It’s going to be more on par with the MX. Your top end is actually going to be higher than the MX.

Perhaps more impressive was Torque’s All Access Trainer, specifically engineered for wheelchair users and individuals with varying mobility levels.

The machine features three handle heights to accommodate different reach capabilities, plus mounting points for additional attachments like the Ripper and Relentless Rope.

Compact Cable Solutions for Home Gyms

Torque also introduced three new cable modules: standing hip thrust, squat and calf raise, and deadlift variations.

Mitchell was particularly excited about the seated hip thrust module, noting its slim profile makes it ideal for space-conscious home gym owners.

So, for me, this is a piece I’m waiting to get in my home gym, something like this. This would replace a lot of deadlifts for me.

The counterweighted design helps with starting resistance, while the rear-mounted stack configuration saves valuable floor space compared to side-mounted alternatives like the Booty Builder.

Hammer Strength’s Pendulum Squat Steals the Show

Life Fitness brought their Hammer Strength line, featuring what Mitchell called “a beast” of a pendulum squat.

The machine offers variable resistance that tapers as users descend, with heaviest loading at the top of the movement. Dual-sided arms eliminate the lateral deviation common in traditional pendulum squats when loaded heavily.

It’s really not fully a pendulum. It’s more like a swing squat almost. It’s like a combo, but because there is arms on both sides, there’s no deviation like you see when you go heavy on a true pendulum.

Hammer Strength also displayed an independent Cybex squat press, allowing each leg to work separately.

Mitchell suggested the addition of a connecting rod would provide users the option for bilateral training, increasing versatility.

Panatta’s Four-Way Row: The Most Anticipated Equipment

Mitchell described Panatta’s four-way row machine as potentially the most exciting piece at the entire show.

This hydraulic system seamlessly transitions between lat pulldown, high row, mid row, and low row positions—all with adjustable handles on stainless guide rods.

Out of everything at the show, this may be the thing I’m most excited to try.

For home gym enthusiasts struggling with space limitations, this represents four machines in one footprint.

When Mitchell asked whether future versions might incorporate pressing movements to create an eight-function machine, the Panatta representative offered a careful non-denial that strongly hinted at development in that direction.

Man, if this could do eight different movements, yaoza. That is the second time I’ve ever signed a piece of gym equipment.

Chain Drive Revival

Panatta also showcased their chain-driven equipment line, representing a deliberate return to analog resistance mechanisms.

The company representative explained the appeal in terms familiar to audiophiles who prefer vinyl records.

Everything is so digitized. So it’s almost like a hearken back to analog kind of like with audio files where they love vinyl, you know, because there’s just something about the analog feel that you can’t replicate with digital.

Mitchell agreed, emphasizing that training involves more than optimization—it’s about the complete sensory experience.

That’s part of training is it’s not just about like optimal results. It’s about the experience you get while you use the equipment.

The chain-driven leg extension featured bicycle-style cog wheels, knurled handles, and construction details that evoke classic bodybuilding dungeons.

Innovation Meets Home Gym Practicality

JW Sport, a Korean manufacturer, demonstrated how commercial innovations can translate to residential applications.

Their team specifically mentioned studying Mitchell’s content to understand American home gym preferences.

I watch a lot of your videos. I got a lot of your opinions from like what you like about the product and also the American customer, what they think is more important about like a home use rack.

JW Sport’s equipment features thoughtful details often absent from budget options:

• Knurled handles on nearly all grip surfaces
• Wood accents on rack exteriors for aesthetic appeal
• Adjustable Smith machine angles integrated with weight stacks
• Multi-function pulley systems that accommodate low rows, kickbacks, and more

Mitchell suggested they consider independent handles for their Smith machine to allow unilateral movements—advice he offered freely to support their home gym development.

Space Efficiency as Priority

Throughout the show, Mitchell repeatedly emphasized that home gym buyers face two constraints: budget and square footage.

It’s just home gym owners. It’s like, how much versatility can I pack per square footage because that’s what they’re running out of. Biggest constraints are money and then after money is space.

Equipment that maximizes function per footprint holds significant appeal, explaining why multi-purpose machines like Panatta’s four-way row generated such excitement.

Rep Fitness Launches Dual-Purpose Treadmill

Rep Fitness unveiled their new runner/sled combination treadmill, offering both traditional running and sled push capabilities in one unit.

The magnetic resistance system provides adjustable loading equivalent to 600 pounds at maximum setting, with clearly marked 100-pound increments and finer 25-pound adjustments.

Additional features include:

• Two incline positions plus flat option
• Display positioned low for visibility during sled work
• Mountain motif matching Rep’s popular air bike
• $3,799 price point (production beginning next month)

The spacious deck accommodates various sled pushing techniques while the locking pin system securely holds resistance settings.

Remembering Tom Erman’s Legacy

Mitchell paused at the TKO booth to honor Tom Erman, the late designer behind Nebula and the Defiant line.

Erman’s signature design elements—including perforated plates reducing machine weight while creating Star Trek-inspired aesthetics—remain visible in TKO’s current offerings.

The guy is an absolute—I mean he’s one of the designing goats in the industry. Rest in peace. We lost a good one.

Equipment bearing Erman’s influence includes vertical leg presses, T-bar rows, and the adjustable bench design later licensed to Rogue Fitness as the AB3000.

Rogers Athletic’s Pendulum Line Evolution

Rogers Athletic showcased equipment from their Pendulum line, engineered by Tyler Hopson before he sold the brand to Rogers.

The new lat pulldown features removable grip attachments stored in side pockets, allowing quick transitions between traditional wide-grip and closer iliac-style pulls.

Rogers also introduced the Hip Press XT, a split isolateral version of their popular hip press that can function bilaterally or unilaterally via simple pin adjustment.

I love the Squat Pro. Squat Pro XT. If it wasn’t the size of a car, I’d put one in my garage.

Mitchell praised Pendulum’s leverage systems for exceptional comfort and biomechanics, while acknowledging their commercial focus limits home gym applicability.

Commercial Brands Notice Home Gym Market

A recurring theme throughout Mitchell’s show coverage was commercial manufacturers increasingly consulting home gym content for design inspiration.

It’s pretty funny how many commercial gym guys have said they watch our content for ideas, inspiration. It’s pretty amazing.

Multiple booth representatives mentioned following Garage Gym Reviews, with some requesting photos and autographs—unusual for a trade show traditionally focused on commercial gym operators.

This shift suggests manufacturers recognize the growing home fitness market represents significant opportunity, particularly for equipment offering versatility within limited space.

Access Restrictions and Industry Resistance

Not all manufacturers welcomed Mitchell’s documentation. EGM, producing digital resistance equipment, declined to allow filming despite staff members expressing familiarity with his work.

I don’t understand what the issue is. I just want to see the equipment, tell other people about it. It’s so frustrating.

Mitchell hoped to examine how EGM’s commercial digital resistance compared to home-market alternatives like Beyond Power, but was unable to share those insights with his audience.

What This Means for Home Gym Owners

Several trends from HFA signal what home gym enthusiasts can expect:

• Multi-function equipment will increasingly replace single-purpose machines
• Commercial innovations trickle down to residential markets within 1-2 years
• Nostalgia-driven designs like chain drives may appear in home versions
• Accessibility features from commercial lines inform inclusive home equipment
• Space efficiency becomes a primary consideration even for commercial manufacturers

Mitchell emphasized that while commercial shows showcase impressive equipment, Home Gym Con offers more concentrated value for residential buyers.

Home Gym Con is basically a concentrate of what this is for Home Gym owners. You would come to this show and you’d probably be disappointed because you’d be walking all over and find like 20 pieces you’d like. Whereas Home Gym Con, every single booth is stacked.

For those building or expanding home gyms, the message is clear: prioritize versatility, demand quality details like knurling and smooth operation, and watch for commercial innovations that manufacturers will eventually adapt for residential use.

The future of home fitness equipment looks increasingly sophisticated, space-efficient, and influenced by feedback from the very community it serves.