1:1 or 2:1 cable ratio: which cable ratio should I choose?

Written by Thibaud Martens, fitness advisor at Fitnessdepot

With a 1:1 cable ratio you pull the full weight of the stack, while with a 2:1 cable ratio you feel half the weight, combined with twice the cable travel. Only 1:1 feels heavy, especially with smaller exercises, because you go up in steps of 5 kg. Only 2:1 tends to feel light, meaning strong athletes quickly reach the end of the stack with rows and pulldowns. That is why in practice we almost always recommend a machine that combines both, such as the Martech M8 Twinratio, M6, M8 2.0 Ace, M10 or M14.

In this guide we explain how a cable ratio works, when to use which ratio, and which Martech machines feature 1:1, 2:1 or both.

What does cable ratio mean?

The cable ratio (or pulley ratio) describes how the weight you feel at the handle relates to the weight you set on the stack.

• 1:1. What you set is what you feel. If you set the pin to 50 kg, you pull 50 kg.
• 2:1. You feel half. If you set the pin to 50 kg, it feels like 25 kg at the handle.

The difference lies in the pulley system. With 2:1, the cable runs over an extra moving pulley. This halves the force you need, but as a result the cable has to travel twice as far to lift the stack by the same height. A 2:1 machine therefore always has a longer cable travel than a 1:1 machine.

Calculation example: what do you actually feel?

With a stack of 5 kg plates, a 1:1 ratio means you increase in 5 kg increments, while a 2:1 ratio means 2.5 kg increments.

1:1 cable ratio: pros and cons

A 1:1 cable ratio is the best choice for heavy cable exercises targeting large muscle groups.

• Direct resistance. You feel the actual weight, much closer to the feel of a barbell.
• Plenty of resistance for heavy exercises. Perform lat pulldowns, low rows, and heavy pushdowns using the entire weight stack.
• Simple. What is on the stack is what you lift. You track your progress in real kilos.

The downside: a 1:1 ratio alone feels heavy. For lateral raises, face pulls, rear delt flyes, or rehabilitation, 5 kg increments are large, and the first plate can already be too heavy for certain exercises. Additionally, the cable travel is shorter, which can be limiting during long movements such as cable flyes or cable lunges.

2:1 cable ratio: pros and cons

A 2:1 cable ratio is the best choice for isolation exercises, functional training, and fine progress.

• Smaller increments. Every 5 kg plate feels like 2.5 kg. Ideal for small muscle groups, beginners, and rehabilitation.
• Longer cable travel. More freedom of movement during flyes, crossovers, rotations, and unilateral work.
• Smooth feel. Explosive and functional movements feel smoother.

The downside: a 2:1 ratio alone feels relatively light, because you only feel half the weight. On a 90 kg stack, you pull a maximum of 45 kg. For a trained athlete, that quickly becomes too little for a lat pulldown or seated row.

Why a combination of 1:1 and 2:1 works best

In the showroom, we notice that almost everyone needs both. You prefer to do your heavy back exercises in 1:1, and your shoulders, arms, and functional exercises in 2:1. With only one ratio, you always have to compromise: either it is too heavy for your smaller exercises, or you reach your limit on your major exercises.

Equipment that combines both ratios solves this issue. This is done in two ways:

• Switch or link. With the M8 Twinratio, the M8 2.0 Ace, and the M14, you work with a single pulley in 2:1. If you connect a second pulley, you train in 1:1 with the full stack. On the M6, the pulley system is interchangeable between 1:1 and 2:1.
• Fixed assignment. On the M10, the lat pulley operates in 1:1 for heavy pulldowns, and the 4-way functional trainer operates in 2:1 for all other cable exercises.

In our view, that is the greatest advantage of these units: you do not have to choose.

Which Martech equipment has 1:1, 2:1, or both?

Prices incl. VAT, checked on October 31, 2026.

If you are hesitating between the two M8 variants with cables, read our comparison Martech M8 Twinratio or Precision.

Which cable ratio suits you?

• You mainly lift heavy with large muscle groups (rows, pulldowns): at least 1:1 on your central pulleys. A machine with only 2:1 will quickly become too light.
• You do a lot of isolation, functional training, or rehabilitation: 2:1, for small increments and the long cable travel. A separate FT90 next to your rack is a good choice in that case.
• You do both, or you share the machine with others: choose a machine that combines both. In a home gym with multiple users or in a PT studio, this is almost always the best choice.

If you want to know more about other selection criteria, such as stack weight, number of cable attachment points, and pulley material, read our guide on buying a cable station or functional trainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 1:1 and a 2:1 cable ratio?

At 1:1 you feel the full weight of the stack, at 2:1 half of it, with a cable travel that is twice as long.

Is 2:1 worse than 1:1?

No, 2:1 is not worse but different: it is better for isolation exercises and fine progression, while 1:1 is better for heavy exercises such as lat pulldowns and rows.

Why does a cable machine feel lighter than the stack indicates?

The machine likely operates with a 2:1 cable ratio, which means you feel half of the set weight at the handle.

Which cable ratio is best for beginners?

For beginners, 2:1 is the easiest because you build up in small steps of 2.5 kg. Those who get stronger quickly will eventually also need 1:1 for back and major exercises.

Which Martech equipment features both 1:1 and 2:1?

The Martech M8 Twinratio, M6, M8 2.0 Ace (cable and smith), M10 and M14 all combine 1:1 and 2:1 in a single piece of equipment.

Read also: buy cable station or functional trainer, buy an all-in-one rack and Martech M8 or M10.

Want to feel the difference yourself? All equipment can be found under cable stations and functional trainers. Plan a visit to the showroom in Ranst and try 1:1 and 2:1 side by side.

Updated on November 1, 2026.