The Best Cable Machines at Even Better Prices

Cable machines and functional trainers can provide you with the ability to tackle strength moves and accessory lifts. These versatile pieces of equipment are typically found in commercial gym settings, however if you have the space and budget to bring one home it's a worthwhile investment.

With REP®'s Black November fast approaching — we celebrate with discounts on equipment all month long rather than just on Black Friday or Cyber Monday — you can score yourself one of the best cable machines with one of the best prices. We'll touch on the best REP® Fitness functional trainers based on goals, space, budget, and more, so you'll be armed with knowing the right equipment to snag when the sales hit.

[Read More: What Is a Functional Trainer]

Black Friday Cyber Monday: Cable Week's Here!

It's the best time of year to score sweet deals on the gear you want from REP! This week (November 10-13) take 10% off all cable machines and systems. Simply add to your cart and the discount will be automatically applied. Plus, you'll also find 30% off apparel for the entire month, from November 3rd-December 1st.

Best REP® Fitness Cable Machines

No matter your budget, floorspace, or goals, we've got the right REP® Fitness cable machine for you — from cable attachments you hook onto your rack to stand-alone functional trainers.

• Best Cable Machine for Home Gym: ARES™ 2.0
• Best Discounted Cable Machine: ARES™ Builder
• Best Cable Machine for Small Spaces: ARES™ 2.0 Wall-Mounted
• Best Value Cable Machine: Athena® Side-Mount Functional Trainer Builder
• Best Cable Machine for Low Ceilings: Arcadia™ Functional Trainer
• Best Cable Machine with Storage: Arcadia™ Max Functional Trainer
• Best Single Tower Cable Machine: Adonis™ Cable Tower
• Best Cable Machine for Partner Workouts: Hyperiod® Series 1 Cable Crossover

Best Cable Machine for Home Gym: ARES™ 2.0

The ARES™ 2.0 cable attachment hooks up onto the back of your compatible rack, giving you the freedom to tackle rack work like back squats, chest press, and also dual-sided cable work. Plus, with the 2 to 1 bar connector attachment, you can also tap in for heavy lat pulldowns and low rows.

This cable attachment features 260 pound selectorized weight stacks with a 2:1 ratio (feels like 130 pounds) that provides a faster-traveling cable, ideal for explosive moves, functional training, and strength work. Plus, you can upgrade your weight stacks to 310 pounds each, allowing for both unilateral and bilateral training and supporting your progress when progressive overload makes you ready for more of a challenge.

Best Discounted Cable Machine: ARES™ Builder

Save boo koo bucks with the OG best-in-class ARES™ cable attachment. While the upgraded ARES™ 2.0 made adjustments to the original ARES™, if you're on a budget (or don't care about the ergonomic and functionality updates) you can score a sweet deal on this heavily discounted machine.

At the time of this writing, even outside of a Black November sale, the ARES™ attachment (not including the rack) is marked down from $2,799.99 to $1,959.99. Bring home the versatility of a cable system with 260 pound weight stacks (with a 2:1 ration, so the weight feels like 130 pounds), lat pull down and low row functionality, and 180-degree swivel front pulleys to support versatile strength work and functional training.

Best Cable Machine for Small Spaces: ARES™ 2.0 Wall-Mounted

Okay okay okay, the ARES™ 2.0 cable system made our list twice, but the wall-mounted version makes this premier cable system available for those with limited space! You get the full functionality of the ARES™ 2.0 cable system — dual weight stacks and lat pulldown and low row functionality — but it all fits into as little as 33-inches by 55.5-inches (if you choose the 80-inch base without storage) and sticks out only 29-inches from the wall.

If you want to keep your gear organized and off the floor, opt for vertical winged-out storage. Options include the wing add-on which provides plate storage and two barbell holders, and/or pegboard storage, which provides you with 12 peg hooks and a lat bar hook to keep all of your gear organized without adding depth to your setup.

Best Value Cable Machine: Athena® Side-Mount Functional Trainer Builder

The Athena™ cable system transforms your rack into a functional trainer, allowing you to tackle barbell lifts then tap in with cable work to round our your routine. What's best about the Athena™ is that, depending on your goals or budget, you can choose to go with a dual setup or only opt for either the left or right pulleys with 170 pounds (feels like 85 pounds with the 2:1 ratio) per weight stack.

If on the fence between the Athena™ and the Ares™ cable attachments, the Athena™'s your best option if you want to save some money and you don't need lat pulldown and low row functionality. Unlike the Ares™, you'll also have the freedom to choose between plate-loaded (a lower cost option) or selectorized resistance. It's the best value cable system if you don't need lat pulldown or low row capabilitites or the heaviest individual weight stacks.

Best Cable Machine for Low Ceilings: Arcadia™ Functional Trainer

When your ceiling's low or you've got storage, shelves, or design features sticking out overhead, standard cable machines may not fit the bill. However, the Arcadia™ Functional Trainer stands at only 6.5 feet tall when the pull-up bar is inverted, allowing you to squeeze this cable machine in when space is tight.

This functional trainer provides 170 pounds on each weight stack, with a 2:1 cable ratio which supports explosive lifts and longer cable pulls (and means when you've chosen to work with, say, 40 pounds, it'll feel like 20). There are 32 different cable positions so you can tackle a total-body workout, and built-in peg board storage to keep your handles, attachments, and accessories within reach and organized.

Best Cable Machine with Storage: Arcadia™ Max Functional Trainer

This full-sized cable machine offers what you need to tackle your workout, with a built-in peg board to keep your handles, attachments, and other accessories organized and accessible. You'll get 14 storage pegs that can be moved around the peg board, wherever you see fit for a fully customizable storage solution.

This cable machine's weight stacks use a 2:1 ratio, which allows for the longer cable travel typically needed for functional training. With 36 cable positions and 220 pound weight stacks (these feel like 110 pounds each due to the 2:1 ration), you can tackle a total body workout.

Best Single Tower Cable Machine: Adonis™ Cable Tower

This single tower cable machine features smooth trolleys with easy to adjust pop-pins, a 180-degree swiveling front pulley, a telescoping footplate for up to seven low row starting positions, and built-in storage to keep all of your accessories and attachments organized. For low row and lat pulldown work, you'll find a 1:1 ratio, meaning the weight you choose is the weight you're working with. When adjusted for functional training, you'll work with a 2:1 ratio, allowing a faster-traveling cable which is ideal for more explosive exercises.

For those looking to build out their home gym further, its modular design allows it to be attached to storage systems or a 4000 or 5000-Series power rack or rig. Plus, choose between plate-loaded and selectorized options.

Best Cable Machine for Partner Workouts: Hyperion® Series 1 Cable Crossover

Tackle partner workouts with ease with the Hyperion® Series 1 Cable Crossover. With a cable crossover (the Athena™ dual side-mount functional trainer attachments), a half rack for barbell workouts, a lat pulldown and low row attachment, and two pull-up bars, you and your gym-buddy, roommate, or partner can hit a butt-kicking total-body workout together.

This setup centers around the PR-5000 power rack, which is customizable with a wide range of attachments. Plus, it comes with the 5000-Series Weight Storage Horn Set so you can keep your weight plates stowed outside of your rack.

REP® Functional Trainer Black November Deals

Here at REP®, we don't just celebrate with Cyber Monday and Black Friday gym deals, we turn all of November into a month-long savings event. Each week REP offers a new deal — from discounts on adjustable dumbells, apparel, benches, racks, and more. 

As the cable machine and function trainer sale goes live, we'll share with you here and on the site. Celebrate Black November with REP, from November 3rd until December 1st.

Cyber Monday and Black Friday Gym Deals at REP

Home gym deals are coming down the pipeline. And we'll keep you in the know of when the best time is to get the best prices on fitness equipment.

If you're interested in the best fitness Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals from REP, check back here between November 3rd and December 1st for updates to the current sales available on REP Fitness apparel and equipment. Find the best prices on fitness equipment all November long.

This week:

• 10% off all cable machines and systems from November 10-13.
• 30% off all apparel from November 2-December 1.

Takeaway

Whether you're looking for a rack and cable system build or a dedicated functional trainer, REP has you covered with options for a variety of budgets, space constraints, and desired training functionality. Choose the cable machine you're looking to bring home, then check back here throughout November for updates on when the equipment you're eyeing goes on sale.

FAQs

What's the best functional trainer for home gym use?

The best functional trainer will be different for each person — it depends on what you're looking for from your equipment. However, the REP ARES™ 2.0 is a popular choice and well regarded for it's versatility, functionality, and ability to tackle the work you want to do.

When does REP® offer Black Friday functional trainer discounts?

REP celebrates Black Friday and Cyber Monday with Black November, a full month of savings. Starting November 3rd, new weekly deals will pop up on the site. While these discounts won't be revealed until the week of the sale, we'll keep you posted here on what discounts are currently live.

What are the best Cyber Monday fitness deals from REP?

REP offers discounts all month long, not just on Cyber Monday. Check the site or this blog post weekly from November 3rd until December 1st to see what deals and discounts are released.

Rosie Borchert is a NASM-CPT, former Nike Volleyball coach, and fitness writer whose work has appeared on BarBend and Tonal. If anyone would like to hire her to play beach volleyball, snowboard, binge watch TV, or go climbing, please get in touch.

This article was reviewed by Ashley Boyer, ACE-CPT, for accuracy.