If you were to walk into any modern gym, you would no doubt see that the most used piece of equipment on the floor is the functional trainer machine. Many athletes, physical therapy clients, and even regular gym goers utilize this machine for a variety of training. Functional trainers are designed to lock the body into place and challenge the user in different planes of motion by mimicking real-life actions such as pushing, pulling, twisting, and lifting.
These qualities account for the growing popularity of functional trainer machines with gym owners. A great functional trainer can provide as much value to a physical therapy clinic as it can to a high-end training facility or even to serious home gym owners looking to get the most out of their space.
Extreme Training Equipment serves customers from the commercial gym and Physical Therapy market as well as serious home gym owners. We have found that the biggest question our customers have is that they wish to know which of the functional trainers on the market will best serve their purpose in terms of space required by the piece, the type of training that will be done on the machine, and, of course, price. In this article, we will go over the features of the functional trainer in terms of space required and types of training done, and then go over the features of the machines currently in Extreme Training Equipment’s functional trainer collection.
What Makes a Functional Trainer Machine Different
Unlike most strength training machines, which isolate a single muscle group and allow you to train within a single plane of motion, Functional Trainer Machines allow users to work within a variety of angles while activating multiple muscles within each movement. Essentially, they allow you to work within a variety of scenarios, providing you with a more functional form of training that can translate well to your daily activities and your sports.
When using a functional trainer as opposed to traditional strength training equipment, you will save a lot of space in your gym or fitness studio because one piece of equipment can do the job of 12 isolated pieces of training equipment. With so many gyms and fitness studios these days popping up all over the place and usually in small rented spaces, it is essential that the equipment used takes up as little space as possible. At Extreme Training Equipment, we supply a variety of different functional trainers, and with so many different machines on the market, it can get very confusing when it comes to choosing the right equipment for your gym. Not only will you save a lot of space with a functional trainer, but you will also save a lot of money that you would have spent on purchasing 12 separate machines.
Key Features to Look for in a Functional Trainer Machine
A Functional Trainer can be a very versatile piece of equipment and can be utilized for many different types of training and rehab. However, some key features to look for when comparing Functional Trainers. These are the features of a good Functional Trainer are the weight stack capacity and the cable system, the amount of adjustability of the pulleys, the height of the pulleys, and the space that the machine will take up in your gym or home gym.
Weight Stack: Commercial functional trainers can include higher weight stacks. Additionally, the cable system and pulleys must be smooth and quiet to support heavy use throughout the day.
Pulley Height: The functional trainer must have the ability to adjust for the different clients and varying rep ranges. The machine should have the ability to allow for low pulley heights for users who perform reps on the ground and high pulley heights for users who perform reps.
Space: Machines are offered in a range of frames and are ideal for use in all types of fitness studios. Even very small studios can easily house the Space SFX Space Saver functional trainer. A double-sided Functional Trainer version of the Squat Rack is perfect for larger gym spaces as it also provides a range of rack-based lifts.
Commercial Functionality: Look for Quality Construction, Heavy-gauge Steel, Sealed Bearings, and Durable Cabling: A machine that will last rep after rep of training and allow for the variety of users and their various training regimens that a Gym or Home Facility sees on a regular basis.
Why Fitness Equipment Stores Are Rethinking Their Functional Trainer Lineup
Demand for Functional Training in the Gym has been on the rise in the last few years, and it’s clear to see why, with the rise of boutique studios and group training sessions, Functional Trainers are perfect for physical therapy clinics to offer a variety of different training programs to rehab clients. The number of different exercises that can be completed with a Functional Trainer means that home gym users can get rid of all the space-consuming accessories and equipment that take up a lot of room and are rarely used.
Buying commercial functional training equipment also means that, compared to other forms of strength training equipment, you will be scrutinizing stores more to compare the features of the functional trainer machine(s) you’re interested in. After all, price is only one component that you must take into account when buying such equipment. The best way to start would be to pay close attention to the following: the warranty, the terms of which must provide sufficient coverage; the ability to quickly and affordably replace cables, the machine’s cables. Last but not least, you need to check the store’s pre-order policy on the most popular types of training equipment for commercial gyms and CrossFit boxes to avoid waiting too long for your purchase to be delivered.
Choosing the Right Functional Trainer Machine for Your Space
When choosing the functional trainer for your gym, take into consideration the available space as well as the typical users of your equipment. Small studios with very little square footage to work with may benefit from a single-stack functional trainer for a compact space. However, large commercial gyms with various programs will greatly benefit from a dual-cable functional trainer or even a half-rack style that will allow for free-weight as well as cable training. Below are some functional trainers that we offer in our collection.
Functional Trainer Space Saver
Space Saver Functional Trainer- This unit is perfect for the small studio or home gym. We have designed this Functional Trainer to fit in a very narrow space while delivering full dual-pulley cable training with plenty of weight stack capacity.
The Dual-Arm Functional Trainer is a true dual-cable functional trainer machine for commercial use, which means two users can train at the same time using independent arm movement. The Dual-Arm Functional Trainer is perfect for a gym that runs group strength sessions.
All-in-1 Half Rack with Functional Trainer
Half Rack Functional Trainer: This is the ultimate space saving solution for any gym or facility. The Half Rack provides the means for users to perform back and front squats, as well as bench press and other overhead lifts, while the integrated cable system of the Functional Trainer allows for a multitude of exercises including chest presses, rows, lateral raises, and many more.
Whether you decide to go with a space-saving single-stack Functional Trainer for your studio or a bigger half rack with a Functional Trainer for your commercial gym, Extreme Training Equipment can assist you with choosing the right machine for you. We have a large selection of high-quality commercial Functional Trainers to suit your needs, whether it is for your home gym or boutique fitness studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is a functional trainer machine used for?
A functional trainer machine is used for cable-based strength training, including presses, rows, pulldowns, and rotational core work, allowing a wide variety of exercises from one station.
2. Is a functional trainer machine good for beginners?
Yes, a functional trainer machine suits beginners because pulley height and resistance can be adjusted to match ability level, and movements can be scaled from simple to advanced.
3. What is the difference between a functional trainer machine and a cable crossover machine?
A functional trainer machine typically includes independently adjustable arms and a more compact frame, while a cable crossover is often larger and built primarily for chest-focused pressing and fly movements.
4. Can a functional trainer machine replace free weights?
A functional trainer machine complements free weights rather than fully replacing them, since it offers constant cable tension that free weights cannot always provide through a full range of motion.
5. How much floor space does a functional trainer machine need?
Space requirements vary by model; a space-saving functional trainer machine can fit in a corner of a home gym, while dual-cable commercial versions need a larger dedicated footprint.
6. What should I check before buying from fitness equipment stores?
When comparing fitness equipment stores, check weight stack capacity, warranty coverage, cable and pulley quality, and whether replacement parts are readily available.
7. Are functional trainer machines suitable for physical therapy or rehab settings?
Yes, many clinics use a functional trainer machine for rehab because resistance and pulley height can be finely adjusted to support controlled, progressive movement patterns.
8. What weight stack size is recommended for a commercial functional trainer machine?
Commercial settings generally benefit from higher stack weights, often 200 pounds or more per side, to accommodate a wide range of user strength levels.
9. Can two people use a functional trainer machine at the same time?
Dual-arm functional trainer machines are designed so that two users can train independently at once, which is useful for gyms running partner or group workouts.
10. How do I maintain a functional trainer machine for long-term use?
Routine maintenance includes checking cable tension, lubricating pulleys, inspecting for fraying, and tightening hardware regularly to keep the functional trainer machine operating smoothly.