If you are looking for a full-body workout, a functional trainer is worth serious consideration.  Often referred to as cable crossover gyms, or cable pulley machines, functional trainers enable an infinite variety of exercises for all fitness levels.  Few machines can match the versatility of a cable-based functional trainer.  Like a Swiss Army Knife, a functional trainer is beneficial regardless of whether you’re training for power, hypertrophy, or endurance.  Whatever your fitness goal, adding a quality functional trainer to your home gym can help you achieve it.

What is a Functional Training?

The purpose of functional training is to improve your ability to perform everyday activities.

As TRX explains, “Functional training helps provide you with the strength, stability, and mobility you need to thrive in your life and sports.  You use basic functional movement patterns like pushing, pulling, hinging, squatting, rotating, carrying and gait patterns—walking and running—every day.  Functional training utilizes exercises that improve your movement proficiency in these primary patterns to give you an edge so you can achieve your goals safely and with good health.  Seems smart, right?”

It’s helpful to think of it as training for the entire movement—not just a specific muscle.  When you run, you’re not just using your leg muscles.  It requires a coordinated effort between your nervous, respiratory, skeletal, and muscular systems. “By breaking down the movements needed to function as a runner (think: hip flexion and extension, single-leg and oblique stability), you begin to see some basic functional exercises that can promote those specific patterns and muscle needs,” explains Dr. Rachel Tavel of Runner’s World.

Many strength training machines have a fixed range of motion and a defined purpose.  Often they are only designed to isolate and train specific muscles.  For this reason, it’s difficult to adapt them to perform functional everyday movements.  However, cable-based functional trainers are different.  Highly adjustable with extended cable travel, functional trainers enable users to isolate single muscle groups, or train with full body functional movements via compound exercises like squats, lunges, and deadlifts.  Users can perform numerous directional movements such as flys, throws, pulls, extensions, curls and everything in between. When performed regularly, functional exercises help to prevent injuries, improve flexibility, and help the body heal after injuries.

Get functional exercise training tips from Sheamus the Celtic Warrior and Jeff Cavaliere >

Functional Trainer Benefits

1. Exercise Variety: A functional trainer’s potential is limited only by your imagination.  Perform dozens of cable-based exercises and change up your routine to improve your core, build strength, and increase your endurance.

2. Attachments: There are many universal attachments for functional trainers available.  Tricep Ropes, Lat pulldown bars, V-shaped bars, ect.  Seamlessly change the cable machine’s attachment to get a total body workout across a full range of different exercises.

3. Safety: Unlike free weights, you can safely workout on a functional trainer without a spotter. Most functional trainers include full length weight-shrouds to keep hands and clothing free from the weight stack.

4. Rehab: Functional trainers are a great tool for rehabbing injuries.  Physical therapists like them because the adjustable pulleys offer pretty much unlimited range of motion.  This enables a ton of options when trying to safely strengthen or improve certain tasks.

5. Cost Effective: While more expensive than free weight equipment, functional trainers are highly cost effective. With one single machine, you can train nearly every muscle in your body.

Top 5: Best Functional Trainers for Home Use

The best functional trainer is one that gives you a great full body workout, while fitting your space, goals, and budget.  There are many variations of cable pulley machines available online.  However, we strongly encourage you to try functional trainers in person before buying.  While two machines may look alike and have the same amount of weight, in person they may feel entirely different.  The quality of the cable pulley system differs greatly from one brand to the next.  With that said, here’s five functional trainers you should consider for home use, and why we like each:

1. Evolution Corner Multi-Functional Trainer (CXT-200)

TuffStuff’s Evolution Corner Multi-Functional Trainer (CXT-200) is great for maximizing space.  The machine fits perfectly in corner, and includes a built-in storage rack to keep your attachments off the floor. Featuring three separate cable pulley stations, the CXT-200 offers unlimited exercise options in one space saving, patented and compact corner machine.

• Space-efficient corner design
• Three (3) separate cable stations
• Quick change trigger-style adjustments
• Includes fixed lat pulldown and low row stations
• Solid steel rotating accessory storage rack
• Wide base of the frame is easily accessible for rehabilitation equipment, workout benches and stability balls
• Two (150 lbs) weight stacks (optional upgrade to 200 lbs.)
• Optional Add-On: Smith Press Attachment CXT-225
• Home Lifetime Warranty* and Light Commercial Warranty

Learn more about the CXT-200 >

2. Six-Pak Functional Trainer (SPT-6X)

TuffStuff’s #1 selling, patented Six-Pak Functional Trainer (SPT-6X) has changed the shape of home functional training.  Featuring European-style cable motion technology, the Six-Pak Functional Trainer is an extremely compact all-frontal work station.  Equipped with six (6) cable pulleys (low, mid, high) and a lay-flat 360º rotating bench, transitions between exercises are quick and easy.

• Equipped with six (6) cable pulleys (low, mid, high)
• 360º rotating lay-flat bench for quick transitions
• Compact, space efficient – fits on a 3ft x 4ft mat
• Durable high density pads in black premium grade naugahyde
• EXERFLEX PRO® high performance fitness cable
• 200 lbs steel weight stack
• Winner of Fitness Prof Best-Buy Home Gym
• Home Lifetime Warranty*

Learn more about the SPT-6X >

3. Evolution Dual Stack Multi Functional Trainer (MFT-2700)

TuffStuff’s Evolution Series includes the versatile Dual Stack Functional Trainer (MFT-2700).  Designed for residential or light commercial use, the MFT-2700 is highly adjustable.  The extension arms offer 150º (14 positions) of high-to-low vertical adjustments and 165º (5 positions) of side-to-side horizontal adjustments.  With rotating swivel pulley brackets, the MFT-2700 provides 360º of unrestricted vertical, horizontal, diagonal and rotational resistance trajectories.

• Compact functional trainer design with small footprint
• Extreme versatility supports numerous exercises
• 360 degrees rotating swivel pulleys
• Hydraulically supported pivot arms enable safe adjustments
• 14-positions (150º) of vertical adjustments
• 5-positions (165º) of horizontal adjustments
• 96 inches of extended cable travel per handle
• 1/4 ratio delivers 2.5 lbs resistance increments
• Quick change trigger-style adjustments
• Open frame design is accessible for benches, wheelchairs, and stability balls
• Includes two (2) 200 lbs weight stacks
• Home Lifetime Warranty* and Light Commercial Warranty

Learn more about the MFT-2700 >

4. Hybrid Home Gym (SXT-550)

TuffStuff’s Hybrid Home Gym (SXT-550) combines popular functional training with a traditional arm press and leg station, offering the best of both worlds.  With six preset pulleys in three separate training zones (high, mid, and low), the hybrid home gym is fully adjustable, includes a 200 lb. center-drilled steel weight stack, and may be upgraded to include the SXT-LP leg press station.

• Space efficient forward-facing design
• 6 preset pulleys in three separate training zones
• Adjustable seat height and telescopic seat back pad adjustment
• Combination seated leg extension/ seated leg curl station
• Unique cable ratio for enhanced cable travel
• Unique “Radius” frame design
• 200lbs. center-drilled steel weight stack
• Full length protective steel weight shields
• BEST HOME GYM – 3X Winner
• Home Lifetime Warranty*  and Light Commercial Warranty
• Optional: Leg Press Attachment SXT-LP

Learn more about the SXT-550 >

5. Evolution Dual Adjustable Pulley System (CDP-300)

TuffStuff’s Evolution Dual Adjustable Pulley System (CDP-300) features a compact, open frame design that fits easily in a corner.  Easily perform dozens of exercises with two 16-position dual adjustable high/low pulley cable stations, a welded nickel-plated pull-up bar for wide, narrow, reverse and neutral grips.

• Space-efficient corner design
• Three (3) separate cable stations
• 16-position dual adjustable high/low pulley cable stations
• Quick change trigger-style adjustments
• Two (150 lbs) weight stacks (optional upgrade to 200 lbs.)
• Full length steel protective weight stack enclosures
• Commercial-grade welded construction
• Home Lifetime Warranty* and Light Commercial Warranty

Learn more about the CDP-300 >

Top 3: Functional Trainers for Commercial Use

Learn why 4X WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Sheamus Chose TuffStuff’s PPMS-245 to Complete Brave Change Gym.  Follow Sheamus on Instagram to see more photos and exercises on the PPMS-245 functional trainer in his Celtic Warrior Workouts.

1. Proformance Plus Functional Trainer (PPMS-245)

TuffStuff’s Proformance Plus Functional Trainer (PPMS-245) is full-commercial quality, designed and manufactured in Chino, CA.  Each hydraulically supported extension arm offers safe and easy adjustments: 13-positions (150º) of vertical adjustments and 5-positions (165º) of horizontal adjustments.  The Proformance Plus Functional Trainer is designed for speed, functional and ballistic training. The open frame design saves space, and is accessible for wheelchairs, rehab equipment, workout benches and stability balls.

• Made in the USA at TuffStuff’s Headquarters in Chino, California
• Hydraulically supported arms for safe and easy adjustments
• 86-inch cable travel per handle
• 13-positions (150º) of vertical adjustments
• 5-positions (165º) of horizontal adjustments
• Full length protective steel weight shrouds
• Swivel handles provide multi-directional, free and natural movements
• EXERFLEX PRO® high performance fitness cable rated at 4200 lbs. tensile strength
• Two (2) 300 lbs weight stacks: resistance at handle is 1/4 of weight selected
• Custom color options available
• Full commercial warranty

Learn more about the PPMS-245 >

2. Proformance Plus Compact Cable Crossover (PPMS-255)

TuffStuff’s Proformance Plus Compact Cable Crossover (PPMS-255) includes dual independent 15-position pulley columns for unilateral and bilateral exercise.  The compact size uses less floor space than traditional dual stack cable crossovers.  While the swivel cable ends and handles allow natural wrist movements without cable twisting.  Backed by an extensive warranty, the Proformance Plus Compact Cable Crossover (PPMS-255) is ideal for outfitting any commercial weight room, recreation center, apartment complex or professional gym.

• Engineered and Manufactured in the USA
• Independent 15-position pulley columns
• Swivel handles for multi-directional, free and natural movements
• Two (2) 150 lbs weight stacks (optional 200 lbs available)
• Multi-grip chin-up bar for wide, narrow, reverse and neutral grips
• Extended cable travel: weight resistance 1 : 1/2 or (50%) at the handle
• Full length steel protective rear weight enclosures
• EXERFLEX PRO® high performance fitness cable rated at 4200 lbs. tensile strength
• Factory option to convert the resistance ratio to 1:1/4 or 25% of weight selected
• Custom color options available
• Full Commercial Warranty

Learn more about the PPMS-255 >

3. Proformance Plus 4-Station Jungle Gym (PPMS-4000)

TuffStuff’s Proformance Plus 4-Station Jungle Gym (PPMS-4000) is not a conventional functional trainer, but the customizable modular system provides the same cable based functionality.  TuffStuff’s Jungle Gym offers the flexibility to choose the exercise stations and positioning that best suits your facility.  Full commercial quality, it is designed, engineered and manufactured in Chino, California, USA.  The entire Proformance Plus Series of equipment is crafted from quality materials, an ideal option for outfitting any professional weight room, recreation center, apartment complex or commercial fitness facility.

• Made in the USA at TuffStuff’s Headquarters
• Four (4) 200 lbs steel weight stacks (optional 300 lbs available)
• Swivel handles for multi-directional, free and natural movements
• Customizable modular system: choose your exercise stations
• Solid aluminum pulleys with sealed bearings for smooth, friction-free movement
• Full length protective steel weight shrouds
• Includes four exercise stations (shown with Lat Pulldown, Low Row, Tricep Pressdown, & Adjustable High/Low)
• Steel plate corner braces reinforce the main frame for maximum structural stability
• EXERFLEX PRO® high performance fitness cable rated at 4200 lbs. tensile strength
• Full Commercial Warranty

Learn more about the PPMS-4000 >