Are cable towers useful?

[hector]

Does anyone here like cable towers?

Any exercises you especially like?

I see one on fb market and am kind of intrigued, but have zero experience with them. I don’t even know what I don’t know.

[Hardartery]

They can be useful, especially training around injuries or fatigue. Better for constant tension on some movements or for adjusting WHERE you experience the tension.

[mgil]

They are nice but I’ve done some clever workarounds with my power rack.

[James]

I don't have a tower but it can't be much different from two pulleys straped to a rack. I'd probably use a tower more since I wouldn't have to move stuff or set up a loading pin.

I find it useful. Nothing you can't also do with weights or body weight but it gives you some variety. If you're too fat for pull ups then pull downs are kind of your only option.

One I really like is triceps extensions where you sit in front of the pulley facing away. It's kind of like an LTE/pullover but on a cable.

[TimK]

I got two of the Bells of Steel cable towers about a year ago and they have been a great addition to my gym. Having two is great for various reasons but you can do like 85% of everything you would want with just one and even more depending on how far you want to go with DIY or aftermarket add ons for modifying it to do more exercises.

The biggest thing for me is that they're insanely versatile because you can move the pulley to whatever height you want for different movements and with the BoS or similar tower where you have two cable ends you can use just one for a 2:1 ratio or both for 1:1. I do all my pulldowns/high rows/rows with the cable tower now (requires some modifications however) and I converted my old Powertec lat pulldown into a dedicated belt squat/cable RDL station.

A newer, and as far as I can tell better option is the RX3 from GetRXD, it's the same basic 2:1 / 1:1 design like BoS but with 3x3 1" hole uprights so you have a lot more options to add attachments like a lat pulldown seat, etc.

Not sure what you're seeing on FBMP but if it's something like the Titan plate loaded one I think it would only be worth getting at this point if you aren't really sure and just want to test the waters for a cheap price. If you really think it's something you'll use a lot though I would say at least go for the BoS plate loaded, or maybe this one if you want to stick with plate loaded (can do more with it because of the arms, has been positively reviewed by a few people now outside of Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/EONFITOmni-Machi ... 0CV5TSZ8T/

But if you have the budget for one of the stack loaded options I really think it's worth it because it can streamline your workouts a lot not having to load plates all the time especially if you're supersetting or just doing alternating sets of different exercises.

I have a ton of videos over the last year on my IG showing some of the ways I use mine if you're curious, let me know if you have any questions:

www.instagram.com/tim_kamppinen

[Michiganian]

I don't have a cable tower, but a functional trainer. I wouldn't be without it in my gym, honestly.

[mgil]

I don't have a cable tower, but a functional trainer. I wouldn't be without it in my gym, honestly.

This is a good note…

What’s also not terrible for cable work is finding an old school Bowflex machine. These have a nonlinear resistance curve (like a bow…), can usually be found cheap on FB marketplace, and have a small footprint. I had one for about 15 years.

Some of the movements suck, but the pull down functionality is fine.

[hector]

Thank you all for responses!

[hector]

I got two of the Bells of Steel cable towers about a year ago and they have been a great addition to my gym. Having two is great for various reasons but you can do like 85% of everything you would want with just one and even more depending on how far you want to go with DIY or aftermarket add ons for modifying it to do more exercises.

The biggest thing for me is that they're insanely versatile because you can move the pulley to whatever height you want for different movements and with the BoS or similar tower where you have two cable ends you can use just one for a 2:1 ratio or both for 1:1. I do all my pulldowns/high rows/rows with the cable tower now (requires some modifications however) and I converted my old Powertec lat pulldown into a dedicated belt squat/cable RDL station.

A newer, and as far as I can tell better option is the RX3 from GetRXD, it's the same basic 2:1 / 1:1 design like BoS but with 3x3 1" hole uprights so you have a lot more options to add attachments like a lat pulldown seat, etc.

Not sure what you're seeing on FBMP but if it's something like the Titan plate loaded one I think it would only be worth getting at this point if you aren't really sure and just want to test the waters for a cheap price. If you really think it's something you'll use a lot though I would say at least go for the BoS plate loaded, or maybe this one if you want to stick with plate loaded (can do more with it because of the arms, has been positively reviewed by a few people now outside of Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/EONFITOmni-Machi ... 0CV5TSZ8T/

But if you have the budget for one of the stack loaded options I really think it's worth it because it can streamline your workouts a lot not having to load plates all the time especially if you're supersetting or just doing alternating sets of different exercises.

I have a ton of videos over the last year on my IG showing some of the ways I use mine if you're curious, let me know if you have any questions:

www.instagram.com/tim_kamppinen

It was actually your IG that sparked my interest a little while ago! Thank you!

[hector]

I got two of the Bells of Steel cable towers about a year ago and they have been a great addition to my gym. Having two is great for various reasons but you can do like 85% of everything you would want with just one and even more depending on how far you want to go with DIY or aftermarket add ons for modifying it to do more exercises.

The biggest thing for me is that they're insanely versatile because you can move the pulley to whatever height you want for different movements and with the BoS or similar tower where you have two cable ends you can use just one for a 2:1 ratio or both for 1:1. I do all my pulldowns/high rows/rows with the cable tower now (requires some modifications however) and I converted my old Powertec lat pulldown into a dedicated belt squat/cable RDL station.

A newer, and as far as I can tell better option is the RX3 from GetRXD, it's the same basic 2:1 / 1:1 design like BoS but with 3x3 1" hole uprights so you have a lot more options to add attachments like a lat pulldown seat, etc.

Not sure what you're seeing on FBMP but if it's something like the Titan plate loaded one I think it would only be worth getting at this point if you aren't really sure and just want to test the waters for a cheap price. If you really think it's something you'll use a lot though I would say at least go for the BoS plate loaded, or maybe this one if you want to stick with plate loaded (can do more with it because of the arms, has been positively reviewed by a few people now outside of Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/EONFITOmni-Machi ... 0CV5TSZ8T/

But if you have the budget for one of the stack loaded options I really think it's worth it because it can streamline your workouts a lot not having to load plates all the time especially if you're supersetting or just doing alternating sets of different exercises.

I have a ton of videos over the last year on my IG showing some of the ways I use mine if you're curious, let me know if you have any questions:

www.instagram.com/tim_kamppinen

@TimK ,

RX3 looks insane. Watched the video.

The RX-3, to me, if you spring for the attachable seat, seems functionally identifiable to the Rep Adonis or the soon-to-be-released Rogue CTM-1. But at half the price.

F. Might have to save my pennys for a minute and get this instead.

Thank you for turning me on to this great machine!

[TimK]

@TimK ,

RX3 looks insane. Watched the video.

The RX-3, to me, if you spring for the attachable seat, seems functionally identifiable to the Rep Adonis or the soon-to-be-released Rogue CTM-1. But at half the price.

F. Might have to save my pennys for a minute and get this instead.

Thank you for turning me on to this great machine!

No problem! Can’t say anything with certainty about the build quality, possibly Rep and probably Rogue have the edge there, but in terms of functionality the RX3 has one big advantage IMO in that you can have 1:1 at any height (not just pulldown and low row) and the dual cables allow you to use independent attachments which actually feels great for a lot of movements. It doesn’t have the 300lb stack of the rogue or the built in weight horns of the adonis to go over 210 but you can always add weight with a gympin which still comes out way cheaper as you noted.

[hector]

@TimK ,

RX3 looks insane. Watched the video.

The RX-3, to me, if you spring for the attachable seat, seems functionally identifiable to the Rep Adonis or the soon-to-be-released Rogue CTM-1. But at half the price.

F. Might have to save my pennys for a minute and get this instead.

Thank you for turning me on to this great machine!

No problem! Can’t say anything with certainty about the build quality, possibly Rep and probably Rogue have the edge there, but in terms of functionality the RX3 has one big advantage IMO in that you can have 1:1 at any height (not just pulldown and low row) and the dual cables allow you to use independent attachments which actually feels great for a lot of movements. It doesn’t have the 300lb stack of the rogue or the built in weight horns of the adonis to go over 210 but you can always add weight with a gympin which still comes out way cheaper as you noted.

On the company’s webpage they have a 100lb upgrade to bring their lat pull-down from 200lb to 300lb.
I wonder if it could be used on the lat tower also?
Maybe not. Maybe if the stack is too tall then you lost some of the range when you’re doing a movement utilizing the 1:2 ratio since the stack can’t travel as far?
I emailed the company and asked. Will let you know if they respond.

[Skid]

I have 2 plate loaded towers that I made myself. They only have high and a low pulleys. However these two pulley heights cover just about every exercise. Mine's a 2:1 system so I have to load a lot of plates on for certain exercises. Well worth it in the gym. I use mine just about every workout.

[murphyreedus]

I have 2 Titan plate-loaded pulley towers (they work, but not exactly a refined product) connected to my rack with some extra crossmembers, so I can duplicate a cable crossover. I also have a stand-alone lat pulldown/low row machine. Covers everything I need cable-wise, but 3 separate machines takes up a lot of space.

I've been looking at stuff like the Ares, RX3 with Tornado arms, Maxum X2, but they all have quirks or design choices that make me not want to pull the trigger on any of them.

[hector]

I have 2 Titan plate-loaded pulley towers (they work, but not exactly a refined product) connected to my rack with some extra crossmembers, so I can duplicate a cable crossover. I also have a stand-alone lat pulldown/low row machine. Covers everything I need cable-wise, but 3 separate machines takes up a lot of space.

I've been looking at stuff like the Ares, RX3 with Tornado arms, Maxum X2, but they all have quirks or design choices that make me not want to pull the trigger on any of them.

Strongly identify with this
I was leaning toward the RX3, but I saw a YouTube review that said it wasn’t good for tall people or people with long arms. I am both.

Trying to determine now if that’s a deal breaker or not. (Also, maybe if I just put it on a 6 inch platform then that would solve everything? Idk.)

It’s hard when you have a home gym bc there usually aren’t stores to try this stuff out in, cost is high, and returns are difficult, expensive, or impossible.

[Michiganian]

I was leaning toward the RX3, but I saw a YouTube review that said it wasn’t good for tall people or people with long arms. I am both.

So send them a message, tell them "I'm such-and-such tall with such-and-such an arm length. Would this machine be suitable for me? Would I be able to get full ROM with it?"

That's what I did with Powertec when I was considering their Compact Leg Sled. I'd seen comments that it might not be suitable for taller guys with longer legs. They assured me it would be, and they were right. (Except for straight-leg calf raises using the calf raise block, but that turned out not to be an issue.)

It’s hard when you have a home gym bc there usually aren’t stores to try this stuff out in, cost is high, and returns are difficult, expensive, or impossible.

Yup. Which is why it pays to read every last review you can find, ask lots of questions, and do a lot of pondering before pulling the trigger.

I've yet to have regretted a single purchase I've made—knock on wood. But I have come close to making the wrong choice once or twice.

[hector]

I was leaning toward the RX3, but I saw a YouTube review that said it wasn’t good for tall people or people with long arms. I am both.

So send them a message, tell them "I'm such-and-such tall with such-and-such an arm length. Would this machine be suitable for me? Would I be able to get full ROM with it?"

That's what I did with Powertec when I was considering their Compact Leg Sled. I'd seen comments that it might not be suitable for taller guys with longer legs. They assured me it would be, and they were right. (Except for straight-leg calf raises using the calf raise block, but that turned out not to be an issue.)

It’s hard when you have a home gym bc there usually aren’t stores to try this stuff out in, cost is high, and returns are difficult, expensive, or impossible.

Yup. Which is why it pays to read every last review you can find, ask lots of questions, and do a lot of pondering before pulling the trigger.

I've yet to have regretted a single purchase I've made—knock on wood. But I have come close to making the wrong choice once or twice.

Great idea. Reached out today. Thank you.

[hector]

I was leaning toward the RX3, but I saw a YouTube review that said it wasn’t good for tall people or people with long arms. I am both.

So send them a message, tell them "I'm such-and-such tall with such-and-such an arm length. Would this machine be suitable for me? Would I be able to get full ROM with it?"

That's what I did with Powertec when I was considering their Compact Leg Sled. I'd seen comments that it might not be suitable for taller guys with longer legs. They assured me it would be, and they were right. (Except for straight-leg calf raises using the calf raise block, but that turned out not to be an issue.)

It’s hard when you have a home gym bc there usually aren’t stores to try this stuff out in, cost is high, and returns are difficult, expensive, or impossible.

Yup. Which is why it pays to read every last review you can find, ask lots of questions, and do a lot of pondering before pulling the trigger.

I've yet to have regretted a single purchase I've made—knock on wood. But I have come close to making the wrong choice once or twice.

Great idea. Reached out today. Thank you.

Company has no guidance on user height compatibility. Will wait for another YouTube review.