If you are a home gym owner, having a high-quality and multi-functional pulley system is a must.
The home gym pulley system will allow you to diversify your workouts, make them more interesting, and target different muscle groups.
I conducted thorough research, 20 hours in total, to find the best home gym pulley system.
In this post, I single out what I believe are the best pulley systems.
After reading this article, you will hopefully know how to choose the most suitable pulley system for your home gym.
Our Top Pulley Systems for Home Gym (September 2023)
1 - Rogue Spud Inc. Pulley Systems (Editor's Choice)
The Rogue Spud Inc. home gym pulley system is super affordable, and you only need a simple power rack to attach it and some weights to load on.
It is straightforward to install and compatible with all attachments, including original or other manufacturers'.
I completely switched from resistance-based workouts to exercising with this home gym pulley system since it is far superior and offers better resistance [1]. It takes no space, and you can easily store it in a small bag or box.
The only thing I would consider as a downside is the fixed cable length of 6'3″, which may not be enough for some people.
Product Facts:
- Triceps & Lat Pulley Set
- Low Pulley Set
- 550 lbs Weight Capacity
- Compatible with all types of attachments
- Offers killer triceps and rear delt progress
- Super affordable
- Highly durable and doesn't easily wear off
- When attaching, you need to position yourself further from weights to keep your body clear
2 - Titan Fitness Short Wall Mounted Pulley Tower V3
Titan Fitness's short wall-mounted pulley tower V3 offers high exercise versatility [2].
It is a rare home gym pulley system that allows you to use a weight you already own to load the lifts.
In addition, a unique two-pulley system allows you to accomplish certain moves a single pulley wouldn't.
I enjoyed bilateral rows on this home gym pulley system since you can choose various angles to hit different muscles [3].
However, one of the downsides is the plastic pulley wheels, which cause the implement to have a fraction.
Product Facts:
- Spring Clips
- Dual Stirrup Handles
- Rubber Feet
- High exercise versatility due to the two-pulley system
- You can use your weights to load the pulley
- Two of these pulleys build a fully functional trainer for a much lower price
- Pulley wheels can only handle up to 350 lbs
3 - Rep Fitness FT-5000 Functional Trainer
Rep Fitness FT-5000 Functional Trainer is built from heavy-duty 11-gauge steel to ensure maximal durability.
It has very smooth-acting pulleys with 16 height adjustments for each of them.
Also, I liked that this pulley has magnetic tipped weight pins that require the least effort to change the load during your workouts.
It also has attached storage to keep your home gym floor clear and functional.
However, not many attachments are included with this functional trainer, and you may need to buy some extra ones.
Product Facts:
- 11-gauge Steel Constructed Frame
- 6 Hooks
- Multiple Pull-Up Grip Options
- Two-Layer Electrostatic Powder Coating
- Backed by a lifetime frame warranty
- Included multi-grip pull-up handles for better back workout
- It comes with a built-in exercise chart
- Tough to assemble alone and takes a significant portion of the time
4 - Mikolo Fitness LAT and Lift Pulley System
Mikolo Fitness LAT and lift pulley system is a simple equipment piece that fits any home gym setup.
It is built from heavy-duty alloy steel to ensure a long-lasting piece of fitness equipment [4].
What I like the most about this pulley system is it comes with two cables, including 70-inch and 90-inch, to allow more adjustability and strength-building options.
It is extremely portable and easy to assemble. However, the cable motion isn't so smooth since there is more friction between the cable and the wheel.
Product Facts:
- 70-inch and 90-inch High-Strength Sheathed Cables
- Straight Bar and Tricep Rope
- Up to 280 lbs Weight Capacity
- It comes with different attachment options
- You can use both standard and Olympic weight plates
- Loads up to 280 lbs of weight without breaking or losing functionality
- The 90-inch cable breaks earlier than the 70-inch one
5 - Sunny Health and Fitness Lat Pulldown Pulley System
Sunny Health and Fitness lat pulldown pulley system offers a variety of strength-building exercises with multiple angles to hit different muscle groups.
The cables are built from a high-strength nylon coat to ensure durability and a smooth exercise experience.
The counterweight at your feet allows for a more versatile upper-body workout. My favorite thing about this pulley system is that you can use your weights to load it up without spending money on new weight plates.
However, it takes a significant portion of space and won't fit in most of quality compact home gyms.
Product Facts:
- 200 lbs Maximum Weight
- Nylon-Coated Cables
- Lat Bar Included
- Highly versatile for pulling exercises such as rows and lat-pull-down variations
- The pulley system is solid and offers stability
- One-year structural frame warranty
- It collects dust and needs to be maintained and cleaned frequently
6 - Sertt Home Gym Pulley System
In my opinion, the Sertt home gym pulley system is the best option for beginners since it includes a variety of attachments, and you can easily install it anywhere since it doesn't take up much space.
In addition, it can handle up to 330 lbs, which will be enough for most people and all beginners.
Furthermore, you can shorten or make your cable longer using adjusting tools to further diversify your workouts and maximal resistance.
However, one downside is that this pulley system doesn't include the flat bar.
Product Facts:
- 2 Pulleys
- Set of Adjustable Tools
- Additional Barbell Clamp
- 2 loading pin designs make the weights stay in place
- Easily shorten or make your cables longer
- Excellent for beginners due to weight capacity and variety of attachments
- There is no option for ceiling or wall mounting
7 - FitPartner Weight Cable Pulley System Gym
FitPartner weight cable pulley system is affordable and has various attachments to allow for more versatile workouts.
Each piece of equipment is made according to the standards of gym accessories to ensure durability.
I was able to connect this pulley system to different equipment, including a power rack, pull-up bars, cable machines, etc.
However, it is mostly compatible with Olympic weights, and you may need to spend extra money if you don't have them.
Product Facts:
- Lat Pulldown Bar
- Tricep Pushdown Rope
- Heavy-Duty Exercise Handles
- The pulleys are very sturdy and track amazingly
- Easy to set up
- Includes an extra cable to use a second pulley with dial grips
- The Lat pulldown bar is on the short end
8 - Elikliv Weight Cable Pulley System
Elikliv weight cable pulley system is a complete wall-mounted system built from a stainless steel frame to ensure maximal longevity.
It has three cables to ensure exercise versatility and a backup option if one of the cables wears off.
Attachments with the system have unique grips preventing slipping, calluses, or abrasions on your hands. It is compatible with standard and Olympic weight plates.
One downside I noticed is that it can only be wall-mounted and not mounted into the wood.
Product Facts:
- Tricep Rope
- Hanging Strap
- Carabiners
- Loading Pin
- Has all the tools needed to install it
- Works with both one and two-inch plates
- Fast delivery with no issues
- Changing the carabiner from the handle is not extremely smooth
9 - Trendbox Pulley System Gym Cable Machine
Trendbox pulley system gym cable machines can be easily mounted to the cement, brick, or marble wall.
The steel frame is stable and compact, allowing you to fit it easily in your functional home gym setup. Also, different attachment options included enable you to perform total body workouts.
I tried mounting this cable pulley system to different wall types, and it worked without problems.
However, cables are made of nylon rope, not steel, ensuring durability.
Product Facts:
- Nylon Ropes
- Maximum Load of 160 lbs
- Lat Pull Bar
- Triceps Rope
- Anti-dropping positioning ball will make your reps smoother
- It can be attached to various wall types
- Very easy to install
- The lower pulley operation interferes with the weights as they are moving upward
10 - LFJ LAT Pulldown Pulley System
The LFJ LAT pulldown pulley system includes a pulley, triceps rope, straight bar, and a peg to place your weight on, making it ideal for beginners.
It is very practical, inexpensive, and doesn't take up much space in the home gym. It has a total capacity of 220 lbs, which will be enough for most people.
In addition, the gravity rubber balls increase safety when exercising.
However, I didn't like the fact that the cable is built from nylon, which isn't durable.
Product Facts:
- Tricep Rope
- Wear-Resistant Strap
- Hoist Buckles
- Loading Pin
- Easy to put together
- All parts seem solid, including the carabiners
- The plastic-coated cable is smooth and noise-free
- The mounting pin should be thicker
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Pulley System?
When choosing the best pulley system, consider factors like your personal goals, budget, and weight capacity.
Not all home gym pulley systems are created equal.
Some are better for quick and on-the-go workouts, and some for a full-body 2-hour workout. It mostly depends on pulley features, size, attachments included, and more.
Below is the guide on buying the perfect pulley system for your home gym if you are still unsure which one will suit you the best.
"Reps of air squats and push-ups won't grant you a 500-pound back squat or increase your bench press. But bodyweight training (also known as calisthenics) has its perks — and, yes, even the iron-dedicated should heed what follows."
- Andrew Gutman, Certified Personal Trainer
How We Chose the Best Home Gym Pulley Systems
We chose the best pulley system, considering factors like budget, weight capacity, footprint, and attachment options.
Below you can find the most important factors for buying the best pulley system for your home gym.
Setup
Deciding how to set up your brand-new pulley system depends largely on your space.
Some home gym pulley systems include power rack-mounted, wall-mounted, and portable pulley systems.
Wall-mounted pulleys are generally more stable since they are anchored into the wall, allowing no movement.
Also, they are excellent if you don't have enough space in your home gym.
Power Rack-mounted home gym pulley systems are stable and usually have a higher weight capacity.
Lastly, portable cable pulley systems allow you to easily relocate them anywhere you want or have space in your home gym.
In addition, they tend to be on the more affordable side and come with multiple attachment options.
Related: Joe Rogan Home Gym: Equipment and Setup
Footprint
How the cables are mounted will dictate the necessary footprint for the pulley system.
If you plan to attach your pulley system to an existing power rack, you may need additional height to accommodate the attachment.
Portable and wall-mounted pulleys don't take up any of the floor space.
However, you will need plenty of open space in front of it to perform most cable exercises. Most of the time, allowing for a 6 x 7-foot space for cable exercises will be enough.
Related: Small Home Gym Ideas: Turning Tiny Spaces Into Huge Results
Weight Capacity
Maximum weight capacity is one of the main things to consider when buying a pulley for your home gym.
Maximum weight capacity doesn't determine the maximum amount of weight you can lift but is an awesome indicator of the durability and strength of the components and overall construction.
Bodybuilders and advanced athletes usually seek a higher maximum weight capacity [5].
On the contrary, beginners can easily start with cable pulley systems with a lower weight capacity.
From my experience, choosing the pulley system with a weight capacity 50% higher than your maximum lifting capacity is best.
This will allow you to have enough space for progression without worrying about the pulley system being able to handle the heavy weight.
Cables
The quality of the cables will play a significant role in pulley selection since it is essential for performing exercises without any issues.
Picking the right cables will play a major role in its durability, functional performance, and the equipment's feel.
In addition, the biggest difference between commercial and home gym pulley systems is the quality of the cables.
You should always aim to choose thick, aircraft-grade, or military-grade cables or even steel-coated sables to ensure they last longer and don't get damaged easily.
These materials can handle a higher weight capacity than nylon rope cables and feel much smoother while performing different exercises.
Always avoid nylon cables since they are cheap, built from a material that won't last, and create more friction as the cable passes over the pulley.
Cable length is another important factor, where longer cables are better for taller people since they allow for a greater range of motion. Short cables restrict the range of motion and limit exercise selection [6].
Always aim to choose pulley systems with multiple cables and lengths.
Attachment Options
Having more cable attachments will allow for more versatile workouts.
The essential equipment you should look for is a lat pulldown bar and triceps pushdown rope. However, most pulley systems don't include attachments, meaning you must spend extra money to buy them.
Your fitness goals will also determine what kind of attachments you need.
A good piece of advice is to buy attachments at checkout since there is usually some discount, and you can save money.
"Cable exercises offer an incredibly diverse range of benefits to every lifter. They are potent tools to optimize hypertrophy training and offer a joint-stabilizing option between rigid machines and free weights."
- Eric Bugera, Certified Personal Trainer
Cost
Expect to spend anywhere between $100-400 for these pulley systems. Home gym pulley systems are more affordable than commercial ones, which cost $5000.
Who Should Buy a Pulley System for Home Gym?
Everybody looking to add versatility to their workouts and have more muscle-building options should buy a pulley system for a home gym.
Ideally, you will use a pulley multiple times a week.
Also, if you are looking for equipment that can replace free weights, such as barbells, dumbbells or kettlebells, the pulley system is just for you.
Furthermore, choosing a pulley system over other fitness equipment can save significant space in your home gym.
Related posts:
- How to Tighten Cables on a Home Gym Equipment
- 10 Best Cable Machines
- Best At-Home Cable Crossover Equipment
Who Shouldn't Buy a Pulley System for Home Gym?
Everybody who uses it several times a month shouldn't buy a pulley system for a home gym.
It isn't worth paying hundreds of dollars for something you will use a few times a month.
Also, if you are a complete beginner without prior experience in any type of training, maybe you should skip buying a pulley system until you get more experience.
FAQs
Is a Pulley System Worth It for Home Gym?
Yes, the pulley system is worth it for a home gym. The pulley system can make your workouts more versatile, enabling different muscle-building options.
Is Double Pulley Better Than Single Pulley?
Yes, a double pulley is better than a single pulley. Double pulleys allow you to add more bilateral exercises to your workout regimen.
Which Pulley System Is the Most Efficient?
The most efficient pulley system is the compound pulley system. This is because a compound pulley makes 50% less effort to pull the entire weight of the plate.
What Is the Best Pulley System for Home Gym?
The best pulley system for a home gym is the Rogue Spud Inc. pulley system.
This pulley model is compatible with various attachments and is very affordable. In addition, I experienced the best triceps and rear delt workouts with this pulley system.
Lastly, it is durable and doesn't break easily or wear off, making it a long-lasting exercise equipment.
Let us know which cable pulley system is your favorite and why.
Our #1 Recommendation
Rogue Spud Inc. Pulley Systems
- Compatible with all types of attachments
- Offers killer triceps and rear delt progress
- Super affordable
- Highly durable and doesn't easily wear off
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
- When attaching, you need to position yourself further from weights to keep your body clear
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