Home Gym Cable Machine – Introduction
What is the best cable machine for your home gym in 2025?
A cable machine can add a lot to your home gym.
These versatile workout tools help you strengthen and build all your major muscle groups, including your chest, arms, and even your legs.
They’re especially useful for core training.
But, because buying a cable machine often requires a significant investment, it makes sense to do some research and get the best possible product for your money.
This article reveals what to look for in a home cable machine and six of our favorite models.
Table of Contents
- Best Cable Machine for Home Gym – Introduction
- What are the benefits of a cable machine?
- What to Look for in a Home Cable Machine
- Top Home Gym Cable Machine List
- Equipment Descriptions
- Best Home Gym Cable Machine – Wrapping Up
Home Gym Cable Machine Benefits
You may be wondering if you really need a cable machine for your home gym.
After all, they’re often big, can be expensive, and you can get a great workout without one.
However, home gym cable machines offer several benefits.
#1. Ideal for all fitness levels & training goals
Most cable machines offer a wide range of weight increments and, as such, are suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced exercisers.
This means you can use a home cable machine to build muscle mass, endurance, or strength.
In short, home cable machines are very versatile.
#2. You can do a vast array of exercises
You can use a cable machine to replicate most free weight and bodyweight exercises.
In many cases, you do those exercises while standing, and no bench is required.
However, using a bench with your cable machine will increase the number of exercises you can perform.
Because of this, you can keep your workouts varied and avoid the boredom of doing the same exercises over and over.
#3. Hit your muscles from a range of angles
Most cable machines offer variable heights and freely moving pulleys.
This means you can alter the position of your limbs and hit your muscles from numerous angles.
For example, you can do wide, narrow, incline, horizontal, and decline chest presses.
Bodybuilders train their muscles from various angles to maximize growth, and with your own home cable machine, you can too.
#4. Very safe
Cable machines are very safe to use.
The weights are guided by rods, and you can train to failure without the worry of getting crushed under a heavy load.
This makes them ideal for home exercisers who work out alone.
#5. More efficient workouts
Training on a cable machine may be more efficient than working out with free weights or bodyweight exercises.
First, it takes no more than a few seconds to transition from one exercise to the next, and changing weights is quick and easy, too.
In addition, cable exercises keep your muscles under near-constant tension, which makes every rep you perform that much more effective.
This all means that cable machine workouts make better use of your time and could produce better results than other types of training.
What to Look for In a Home Cable Machine
So, you’re interested in buying a cable machine for your home gym.
Good for you!
These are the things you need to consider before you part with your hard-earned cash.
#1. Number of weight columns
Some cable machines have a single weight column, while others have two.
Single-weight column machines are usually cheaper and more compact but are not as versatile.
For example, you won’t be able to do as many bilateral or two-limbed exercises.
However, if you only have a small space to train in, a single-weight column may be preferable.
#2. Amount of weight available
While some home cable machines have relatively lightweight columns, others are considerably heavier.
Once you start training with your cable machine, you will get stronger, so it’s crucial to ensure that you won’t outgrow your purchase.
Similarly, there is no need to buy the heaviest cable machine available if you have no interest in lifting big weights.
Check the specs to make sure your prospective purchase has the right amount of weight for your needs.
Also, note that some cable machines use free-weight plates for resistance, which need to be purchased separately.
However, if you already have a home gym, you may have all the weights you need.
Machines that use weight plates for resistance are generally cheaper than those with a built-in weight stack.
#3. What attachments are included
Most cable machines come with a few different handles and attachments.
The more you have, the more exercises you’ll be able to perform.
You can buy aftermarket handles if necessary, but ideally, your machine should come with enough attachments to make your workouts varied and interesting.
Useful handles and attachments include:
- D-shaped handles
- Straight bar
- Rope handle
- EZ bar
- Ankle cuffs
#4. Height, footprint, and weight
It is essential that, before buying, you make sure your cable machine will fit your training area.
This means you need to consider the footprint and height.
Also, remember that you also need to allow room to use the machine, and many cable exercises involve standing a couple of steps away from the weight stack.
Finally, you also need to consider the machine’s total weight and whether your floor is strong enough to support it.
#5. Budget
The last and arguably most important factor to consider when buying a cable machine for your home gym is your budget.
Cable machines are available at a wide range of prices, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.
While more expensive machines offer more resistance and are more versatile, they may be overkill for the average home exerciser.
So, set your budget and stick to it.
Don’t be tempted to spend more than you are comfortable with.
And remember, more expensive doesn’t always mean better, especially if you don’t need a heavy-duty cable machine with lots of features that you won’t use.
Top Home Gym Cable Machines List
Do you want to buy a cable machine but aren’t sure which model is right for your needs?
Here are six of our favorite models, all tried and tested just for you!
- Merax Wall Mount Cable Station
- Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover Machine
- Body-Solid BFFT10R Functional Trainer and Cable Machine
- Bowflex Blaze Home Gym
- Body-Solid Powerline PCCO90X Cable Crossover Machine
- XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine
Best Home Gym Cable Machine Descriptions
#1. Merax Wall Mount Cable Station
You don’t need an expensive cable machine to get a great workout.
Nor do you need a lot of space if you are happy with a single-weight column.
This product from Merax bolts to any suitable wall, so it’s very stable.
The pulley is height adjustable, so you can use it for a wide range of exercises.
However, best of all, the Merax cable machine doesn’t have a selectorized weight stack.
Instead, you load it with free-weight plates.
This helps reduce the cost and also means you can load the machine with as little or as much weight as you need.
This cable machine is an excellent option for budget-conscious home exercisers who don’t have space for a more expansive machine.
#2. Valor Fitness BD-61 Cable Crossover Machine
The Valor Fitness BD-61 cable machine is a very compact, versatile machine.
Despite being made for home use, it has two independent weight columns and four pulleys, so you can use it for a wide range of functional and muscle-building exercises, including lat pulldowns and low rows.
Like the Merax cable machine, this product does not have built-in selectorized weight stacks.
Instead, you load it with standard weight plates.
This helps keep the price down and means you have more control over how much weight you can use.
However, for stability, this machine must be bolted to the floor.
#3. Body-Solid BFFT10R Functional Trainer
Body-Solid makes some of the best home strength training equipment available.
Their machines are sturdy, hardwearing, and well-priced.
This compact cable machine has a 190lb selectorized weight stack and two independent pulleys that are fully height-adjustable.
In addition to a wide range of cable exercises, you can also use this machine for pull-ups and chin-ups, as it has a built-in overhead bar from which to hang.
It’s freestanding and doesn’t need to be bolted down, so it’s ideal for renters and anyone who doesn’t want to drill holes in their home.
On the downside, it only comes with two D-shaped handles, and additional attachments must be purchased separately.
Stronger exercisers may find the weight stack is too light.
#4. Bowflex Blaze Home Gym
Bowflex cable machines are truly unique.
Instead of using weights for resistance, they feature an array of flexible “power rods” to push and pull against.
You adjust the load by clipping your cable to more or fewer rods.
With no moving weights, the Bowflex Blaze cable machine is all but silent in use, and the movements tend to feel smoother and more joint-friendly.
The machine itself is very light and compact and ideal for smaller spaces.
The Blaze home gym has a built-in bench, leg extension, leg curl, leg press, and a cardio rowing option.
This machine has power rods equivalent to 210lb but can be upgraded to 310 or 410 – extra power rods are sold separately.
#5. Body-Solid Powerline PCCO90X Cable Crossover Machine
When it comes to cable machines, most people tend to imagine cable crossovers.
Most gyms have them, and they allow you to perform a wide range of exercises.
That said, they’re usually not as versatile as a functional cable machine.
This cable crossover from Body-Solid is plate loaded, so you can use your own standard weight plates for resistance.
It’s quite long but has a slim profile, so it is ideal for garage gym setups.
However, it needs to be bolted to the floor for stability.
Unfortunately, none of the four pulley attachments is adjustable, so you are limited to high and low settings only.
#6. XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine
The XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine with Dual 200lb weight stacks is one the most versatile cable machines on the market.
It is top-quality, commercial-grade gym equipment with smooth pulley action and sturdy construction.
Because this XMark Functional Trainer offers a vast array of adjustments, you can perform a huge number of functional and bodybuilding exercises.
The two independent weight stacks are semi-enclosed, so this machine is 100% safe, and it comes with several handles and attachments.
However, this IS a heavy machine, with a total weight of over 800 lbs.
Because of this, it won’t be easy to install or move.
It’s also the most expensive cable machine on review, nevertheless, many exercisers feel that it is a great investment and worth every penny.
Note: Save yourself a ton of time – instead of relying on the written instructions, use XMark’s installation video available on Youtube to guide you through the assembly.
Best Home Cable Machine – Wrapping Up
Adding a cable machine to your home gym will add a new dimension to your strength training workouts, and there are a lot of great options to choose from.
Some cable machines are small and compact and use free-weight plates for resistance, which helps keep the cost down.
Others have selectorized weight stacks and offer more height and angle adjustments.
Still, these machines are usually bigger and more expensive.
So, which cable machine should you choose?
Use our buyer’s guide to help you decide, and then check our reviews!
That way, you’ll get the best cable machine for your home gym.
