Cable/Pulley Stations

Simple but effective home gym systems

Most home gyms brag about the number of exercise they offer, and the numbers are so high it’s hard to tell if you’ll actually be able to do that many, or for that matter if the number includes several exercises that vary only slightly from each other. Single arm bicep curls, double arm bicep curls and reverse options for both…it wouldn’t sound like a lot of variation if they put it that way.

A good way to tell if a home gym is really going to allow you to do those 50 to 100 exercises is if it has pulley stations. Pulley stations attach by cable to the resistance method and originate from the bottom, middle or top of the machine. Better gyms will have a pulley station with adjustable height for even more versatility. All you have to do is attach different handles, bars or straps to the pulley so you can use it for different exercises.

A few cable attachments

• Ankle straps
• Straight bar
• Rope
  

The right pulley systems

Look for a sturdy pulley that swivels so you can target muscles from a variety of angles. Whether your gym is a cable crossover machine or a home gym with pulley stations, make sure it offers a range of attachments that will allow you to do  all the exercises you want to, because extra attachments can cost up to $70 each.

Exercises you can do with a pulley

Lower cable

• Seated rows
• Kickbacks
  

Middle cable

• Weighted ball crunch
• Squat rows
  

Upper cable

• Woodchoppers
• Triceps pushdowns
  

The most important thing to consider when buying a home gym with a cable/pulley system is quality. The better the pulley system, the smoother the workout will be and the longer the machine will last. A good way to find out if the system is up to par is by reading user reviews and finding out what the manufacturer has to say about its system. If the company brags about the product’s durability and backs it up with a decent warranty it does offer some reassurance.