Let’s get functional! Did you sing that to the tune of “Let’s Get Physical?”
If so, you’re welcome for putting that song in your head.
In all seriousness, functional fitness is getting fit so that everyday life is a little bit easier.
Did you know that push-ups, jumping jacks, squats, and many other exercises contribute to being able to carry heavy groceries into the house or getting on the floor to play with our kids?
Likewise, a functional trainer allows us to perform many of these different activities with one piece of equipment in our home gym.
Here at The Fitness Tribe, we strive to give you the best research for your fitness goals.
We looked at the best plate-loaded functional trainers and found our favorites. With many benefits, a functional trainer might be your newest buy for this new year.
Benefits of Functional Trainers
Where do we start? The best functional trainers provide a range of benefits to get you fit and help you keep up with the stresses of everyday life.
By adding plates to your functional trainer, you can increase the intensity as you get more fit.
Sounds pretty awesome, right? Let’s take a look at all of the benefits.
Exercise Variety
The sky is the limit when it comes to the best functional trainers. Most of them offer over 50 different kinds of exercises that work muscle groups all over the body.
That’s a single machine encompassing a full-body workout. In addition, adding plates to those exercises increases that variety and works to build your fitness levels as you become more powerful.
Plus, removing the plates is another option for those just starting. Then, once you get used to working out with the functional trainer, add those plates into your workouts.
Attachments Galore
Not only do the best functional trainers come with various things like a pull-up bar, cable machine, and weight plates, but there are optional attachments that add more variety to your workouts.
Most functional trainers offer attachments that are easy to add onto the metal frame to increase the number of exercises you can perform. Winning!
Rehabilitation
Are you injured or recovering from surgery? A plate-loaded functional trainer is just what you need to regain your previous strength.
Because these functional trainers are so versatile, any injury can be slowly rehabilitated using different stations.
It also prevents you from overdoing it with intense workouts to regain the strength in that section of your body.
Excellent Home Gym Option for Value
When it comes to home gym equipment, it can be expensive. When buying machines, you want to spend enough for reliability and durability.
It’s beneficial to find something that has versatility if you’re spending a lot of money.
The great news is that a functional trainer machine is expensive, but all of the equipment you need for a full-body workout.
From cable machines to a pull-up bar to many attachments, a great functional trainer will work all of your muscle groups with added resistance from weight stacks.
Instead of buying multiple machines for your workouts and breaking the bank, a functional trainer is an excellent all-in-one choice.
Best Plate Loaded Functional Trainers
It’s time to bring you our list of excellent options for your home gym functional trainer.
We’ve narrowed it down to our top four, so get your pen and paper ready to take some notes.
1. Powertec Streamline Functional Trainer
The Powertec Streamline functional trainer is our more expensive option at $1799.
Despite that, the durability and versatility mean excellent value for your money. It features a pull-up bar, cable machine exercises, and a range of attachments to further your training sessions.
Buy additional weight stacks up to 190lbs to add resistance to your workouts.
This functional trainer has optional attachments like a leg curl machine, workbench for pec workouts, leg press, and workbench curl machine.
Once you have all of that, you are set for your home gym.
Powertec Fitness Functional Trainer Deluxe, Black
The System can be used with Olympic weight plates or upgraded to accept stacked weight plates.
- The new design allows for the functional trainer deluxe to be upgraded with two stacked weight systems (ws-190) and maximize its load capacity to an unparalleled 1000 lbs
- The combination of the cable System and the easy load slide rods provide for a precise gliding and smooth operation
- The featured ring stoppers are designed to stop the weight carriages from traveling to undesirable distances
- The System can be used with Olympic weight plates or upgraded to accept stacked weight plates
2. Titan Fitness Plate Loaded Functional Trainer
If you’re looking less expensive option, the Titan Fitness Plate Loaded functional trainer is only $999.99.
Even better, this functional trainer comes with weight stacks, so you can get right to adding some resistance to your workouts.
The heavy-duty metal frame provides a durable structure for your training.
This functional trainer works the entire body with a cable machine to work your lats and lower cables for your legs. Grab the pull-up bar for additional upper body work too.
The Titan functional trainer has free shipping and comes with a one-year warranty.
Plate Loaded Functional Trainer
The specialty machine comes with dual stirrup handles, a lat bar, and a low row handle so you can quickly move from one exercise to the next to maximize your workout.
- Comprehensive pulley options including lat pulldown and low row
- Includes dual stirrup handles, lat bar handle, and low-row handle
- Smooth cable with fiberglass reinforced pulleys
- Dual Olympic plate-loaded weight sleeves
- Pull-up bar installed at the top
- Rubber feet to protect the flooring
3. Evolution Corner Multi-Functional Trainer
This one comes with quite the price tag but is well worth the purchase. It will be your one expense for your home gym, and then you are done.
At $5,649, this machine is the ultimate product. It has three separate cable machines. You read that right.
Work every muscle from every different angle with this functional trainer.
It comes with two weight stacks of 150lbs each with the option to purchase 50lbs more. Made with a heavy-duty steel base, the Evolution functional trainer features a lifetime warranty.
One of the best features is that it fits into a corner. If you are worried about space in your home gym, this is a huge feature.
It means you can have all of the equipment you need in one place without having to sacrifice much-needed space in your home. Winning!
TuffStuff - FitnessEvolution Corner Multi-Functional Trainer (CXT-200)
TuffStuff’s Evolution Corner Multi-Functional Trainer (CXT-200) features three separate cable stations, offering unlimited exercise options in one space saving, patented and compact corner machine.
- Space-efficient corner design to fit any facility size
- Three (3) separate cable stations
- Fully adjustable high/low pulley system with swivel rotating handles
- Fixed Lat and Low Row stations for single or dual arm movements
- Quick change trigger-style adjustments
- Wide base of the frame accessible for workout benches and stability balls
- Two (150 lb) weight stacks (optional upgrade to 200 lb)
4. Powerline Cable PCCO90X
The Powerline Cable PCCO90X is another excellent functional trainer with a robust frame ready for all of your training needs.
It features a cable pulley system with a 180-degree extension for various exercises from squats to lat pulldowns. There are over 50 different exercises performed on this versatile, functional trainer.
Choose between Olympic weight plates with the standard 2-inch hole to standard weight plates with a 1-inch hole. Pick your favorite weight stack and add resistance to your workouts.
The Powerline Cable PCCO90X is one of the quietest machines to use. All in all, we like this one for the exercise variety, quiet, and durable structure.
Using A Functional Trainer with Weight Stacks
Like any piece of equipment, you must read the how-to guide for your functional trainer and understand how to use it before attempting any exercises.
If you are a beginner, go easy on your weight stack. It might be that you don’t use the weight stacks at all to start. Get used to the functional trainer without the weights first.
After you are more comfortable with your workouts and become more fit, add the weight stack to increase your resistance.
Doing so before you are ready can result in injuries or strains, derailing your training.
If you use a functional trainer for rehabilitation, you must ask your licensed professional, whether it’s a doctor or physical therapist, before attempting any exercises.
Functional trainers are known for their benefits for rehabilitation, but that should always be overseen by a professional.
Chances are, a physical therapist will have you using a functional trainer in your therapy for an injury or surgery recovery.
If so, ask them about using your functional trainer at home and the best way to do that.
Functional Trainers for the Win!
A functional trainer is one of the best investments you can make for your home gym.
It provides a durable, versatile resistance training apparatus that increases functional fitness. It’s excellent for all levels of fitness and has less intensity for those who need it.
Give the best plate loaded functional trainer a chance and get fit this year.
Kristen holds a bachelors in English from Louisianna university. With a longstanding passion for fitness, she owns and operate her own gym and is a certified jazzercise instructor.