Buying a cable station or functional trainer: 1:1 or 2:1 and what to look out for?
Written by Thibaud Martens, fitness advisor at Fitnessdepot
A cable station or functional trainer is a machine with two adjustable pulleys and weight stacks that allows you to train your entire body from any angle; the most important choice is the cable ratio: 1:1 for heavy pulling, 2:1 for fine increments and long movements. At Fitnessdepot, a functional trainer starts from € 1,999 with the Martech FT90. If you want cables and a power rack in a single machine, the Martech M8 starts from € 2,900. Below, you can read about the different types, what that ratio means in practice, and what to watch out for during installation.
Cable station, functional trainer, cable crossover, or rack with cables?
The names are often used interchangeably. Here is how we distinguish them:
- Functional trainer (cable station): a compact frame with two weight stacks and two height-adjustable pulleys. Example: the Martech FT90 with 2 x 90 kg, 216 cm high, and a footprint of 1.7 m².
- Cable crossover: two separate cable towers connected by a bridge, usually with a pull-up bar in the middle. More spacious and wider. Examples: the Body-Solid GDCC250 and the professional Marbo MP-U204.
- Rack with cables: a power rack with integrated cables and weight stacks. You squat and bench press inside the rack and train on the cables next to it. Examples: the Martech M8 series.
- Digital resistance: no weight stack, but motors instead. The Sole Fitness SVRO simulates 1.5 to 60 kg in 0.5 kg increments using two servo motors.
1:1 or 2:1 cable ratio: what does that mean?
The cable ratio determines how much of the stack weight you feel at the handle and how far the cable extends. It is the most important technical choice when selecting a cable machine, and also the one least explained in stores.
1:1: what you select is what you pull
With a 1:1 ratio, the cable runs directly from the handle to the weight stack. If you set it to 50 kg, you pull 50 kg. If you pull the handle out by 1 meter, the stack moves up by 1 meter. As a result, the cable travel is limited to the height the stack can cover. This is ideal for heavy exercises such as lat pulldowns, low rows, and heavy triceps pushdowns, and your progress is measured in real kilograms. The downside: the increments are coarse, with 5 kg plates meaning you go up by 5 kg each time. The Martech M8 Precision rack operates on a 1:1 ratio with 180-degree swivelling cable arms.
2:1: half the weight, double the cable length
With a 2:1 ratio, the cable runs via an extra pulley, functioning much like a block and tackle. At the handle, you feel half of the set weight, but the cable extends twice as far. On the Martech FT90, this means a 90 kg stack in 5 kg plates feels like a maximum of 45 kg in 2.5 kg increments per handle. This is ideal for flyes, cable lunges, rotations, rehabilitation, and single-arm work, where you need a wide range of motion and smaller weight increments. The downside: for heavy lat pulldowns or rows, you may sometimes lack resistance. According to the manufacturer, the Body-Solid GDCC250 also operates on a 2:1 ratio.
Both: TwinRatio and combination systems
If you do not want to choose, opt for a machine that offers both. The Martech M8 TwinRatio rack features four pulleys and two 90 kg stacks: using a single pulley gives you a 2:1 ratio, while using both pulleys together provides a 1:1 ratio. On the Martech M8 2.0 Ace cable rack, the swing arms operate at a 2:1 ratio, and you can connect the central pulleys with a connector to train at a 1:1 ratio with the full 2 x 100 kg.
| Ratio | Feel at the handle | Cable travel | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 100% of the stack | Shorter | Lat pulldown, low row, heavy isolation, progression in real kilograms |
| 2:1 | 50% of the stack, finer increments | Twice as long | Flyes, rotations, lunges, rehabilitation, single-arm work |
| 1:1 and 2:1 | Selectable per exercise | Selectable | For those who want heavy and functional training on a single machine |
What else should you look out for?
1. Adjustment positions and swivel pulleys
The more heights, the better you can adjust each exercise to your own body. The Martech FT90 has 21 positions, the Body-Solid GDCC250 20, the M8 TwinRatio 32, and the M8 Precision 34 in steps of about 5 cm. Pulleys that rotate 180 degrees follow your line of motion so the cable does not rub.
2. Pulleys and cables
Aluminum pulleys run quieter and do not break like cheap plastic alternatives. The Martech FT90 has cables tested up to 800 kg, and the M8 Precision has 3 mm cables tested up to 750 kg. You feel this especially during slow, single-arm repetitions.
3. Space: width and ceiling height
This is where the types differ the most. A functional trainer like the FT90 only needs 1.7 m² of floor space, plus room in front of it to step out during flyes and lunges. A cable crossover is a different story: according to the manufacturer, the Body-Solid GDCC250 is about 4.17 m wide. Also measure the ceiling height, especially if there is a pull-up bar at the top: your head needs to be able to go above it.
4. Would you also like a rack?
If you only have space for one large piece of equipment and want to squat and bench press, a rack with cables is often the smartest choice. The Martech M8 features a 75 by 75 mm frame in 3 mm steel and is tested up to 500 kg on J-cups and spotter arms. Read more about this in our power rack buying guide and in the Martech M8 TwinRatio vs Precision comparison.
Prices: what does a cable station or functional trainer cost?
Prices include VAT, as of October 30, 2026.
- Functional trainer or crossover (€ 1,999 to € 3,300): the Martech FT90 at € 1,999, the Body-Solid GDCC250 at € 2,195 and the Marbo MP-U204 at € 3,259. The latter is a class S piece of equipment for commercial fitness clubs, compliant with EN 957-4 and with a total weight of 415 kg.
- Rack with cables (€ 2,900 to € 4,750): the Martech M8 Precision rack at € 2,900, the Martech M8 TwinRatio rack at € 3,250, the Martech M8 2.0 Ace cable rack at € 3,750 and the M8 2.0 Ace with smith machine at € 4,750.
- Digital resistance: the Sole Fitness SVRO at € 2,695 and the DKN Smart Functional Trainer at € 11,995.
Comparison table: cable machines side by side
| Model | Price | Ratio | Resistance | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martech FT90 | € 1.999 | 2:1 | 2 x 90 kg | Home gym, PT studio, compact space |
| Body-Solid GDCC250 | € 2.195 | 2:1 | 2 x 75 kg | Wide space, two users simultaneously |
| Sole Fitness SVRO | € 2.695 | Motor | 1.5 to 60 kg per 0.5 kg | Small space, roll-away |
| Martech M8 Precision rack | € 2.900 | 1:1 | Stacks per 5 kg, arms 180° | Rack plus heavy cable work, hypertrophy |
| Martech M8 TwinRatio rack | € 3.250 | 1:1 and 2:1 | 2 x 90 kg | Rack plus heavy and functional cable work |
| Marbo MP-U204 | € 3.259 | See product page | Weight stack, class S | Fitness club, corporate gym |
| Martech M8 2.0 Ace cable rack | € 3.750 | 2:1 and 1:1 | 2 x 100 kg | Demanding home gym, PT studio |
Practical tip: do not be tempted by the highest number on the stack. A 90 kg stack at 2:1 feels like 45 kg per handle. For flyes and face pulls that is plenty, but anyone doing heavy lat pulldowns is better off choosing a machine that can also do 1:1.
Also read: combine your cable machine with a good bench via our weight bench buying guide, compare the racks in Martech M8 vs M10, or plan your entire space with the guide setting up a home gym by budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a 1:1 and 2:1 cable ratio?
With 1:1 you feel the full weight of the stack at the handle and the cable travel is shorter; with 2:1 you feel half the weight, but the cable extends twice as far and you build up in smaller increments. 1:1 is better for heavy pulldowns and rows, 2:1 for flyes, rotations and rehabilitation.
What is the difference between a functional trainer and a cable crossover?
A functional trainer is a compact frame with two weight stacks next to each other, whereas a cable crossover consists of two separate cable towers positioned further apart. A crossover offers more freedom of movement, but requires significantly more width: the Body-Solid GDCC250 is approximately 4.17 m wide.
How much does a good functional trainer cost?
A reliable functional trainer starts at € 1,999 with us for the Martech FT90 featuring 2 x 90 kg. A power rack with integrated cables, such as the Martech M8, starts from € 2,900.
How much space do you need for a cable machine?
A compact functional trainer like the Martech FT90 has a footprint of 1.7 m² and is 216 cm high. Make sure to account for free space around the machine, as you step forward during flyes and lunges.
Can I train my entire body with a single cable machine?
Yes, with adjustable pulleys you can train your chest, back, shoulders, arms, core and legs, ranging from cable flyes and rows to woodchops and kickbacks. For heavy squats and bench presses, however, you will need a rack, or a machine that combines both such as the Martech M8.
Ready to choose? View all cable stations and functional trainers or plan a visit to the showroom. If you want to know what fits in your space, request a custom proposal with a free 3D design.
