All-in-One Rack Buying Guide
Your ideal gym, even in a limited space.
Why choose an "all-in-one rack" for your home gym.
Amidst the recent fitness boom, an increasing number of people in Japan are installing home gyms.
Previously, equipping a home with gym-like facilities meant either filling a large space with multiple large machines or acquiring small, limited-function equipment, leaving very few options.
However, in recent years, an innovative machine that solves this problem has gained popularity: the "all-in-one rack."
This article will provide a thorough explanation of the currently highly popular all-in-one rack.
Furthermore, all-in-one racks are not only becoming established as main machines for home gyms but also for "personal gyms." Therefore, we hope this article will be helpful for those who operate personal gyms or are considering opening one.
1. What is an all-in-one rack?
An all-in-one rack is a rack-style machine that combines three or more functions, such as:
・Half rack
・Smith machine
・Multi-cable machine
(While there's no strict definition, here we'll primarily discuss machines with these three functions.)
Until recently, home gyms and personal gyms typically centered around power racks, or power racks with added cable functions, with free weights being the main focus of training.
However, with the rise of all-in-one racks, the situation is gradually changing. More people are choosing all-in-one racks, which offer significantly more versatility than power racks while occupying roughly the same footprint.
2. Advantages of an all-in-one rack
All-in-one racks offer three main advantages.
① Tremendous space saving
In the context of Japanese housing conditions, "space" is the biggest hurdle.
Ordinarily, acquiring three separate machines—① a power rack, ② a Smith machine, and ③ a multi-cable machine—would require a considerable amount of space.
However, an all-in-one rack consolidates these three functions into a single unit. It can be installed in a space as small as six tatami mats (approximately 100 sq ft). The greatest advantage of an all-in-one rack is its ability to be installed in a limited space while still offering a wide variety of training options.
In foreign countries like America, land is vast, so the space allocated for home gyms is also extensive. Many people have seen images of entire large garages converted into gyms, a truly aspirational environment for any trainee.
However, the reality of Japanese housing conditions is different. Japan does not have as much land as America, and very few people can implement the kind of sprawling home gyms seen there. Therefore, home gyms in Japan require ingenuity to be installed within limited spaces.
All-in-one racks solve this space problem. Considering Japanese housing conditions, an all-in-one rack can be said to be one of the best choices for a home gym.
② Wide variety of training options
For home gyms and personal gyms, the key is "how to expand the variety" of training. In other words, how to maximize the types of training that can be performed within a limited space is extremely important.
In this regard, an all-in-one rack offers a rich variety of training options in a single unit. You can complete a wide range of full-body workouts with just one machine.
・Free weights
→ Classic and versatile free weight training
Infinite training variations
・Smith machine
→ Safe, secure, and efficient Smith machine training with a fixed path
Safe for beginners
・Multi-cable machine
→ Cable training that allows you to freely work even smaller muscles
Control the load range unique to cables
Furthermore, some models allow for even more extensive training (leg extension/curl, leg press, etc.) by adding a dedicated bench.
③ Excellent cost performance
Since it is a single, self-contained unit, there is no need to purchase multiple machines of various types, resulting in excellent cost performance. When it comes to the richness of what can be accomplished relative to the cost, no machine can rival an all-in-one rack.
From this perspective, the all-in-one rack can be an extremely superior choice for home gyms and personal gyms in Japan, where space is limited.
3. Recommended Models
①Force USA C20 All-in-One Trainer
￥770,000 (tax included)
The C20 is Force USA's flagship model, the ultimate all-in-one rack.
It boasts overwhelming rigidity with 3x3 inch uprights and 11-gauge (approx. 3.06mm thick steel) frame, and offers exceptionally high quality across its half rack, Smith machine, and multi-cable functions.
Its cable system is particularly noteworthy. The left and right cable columns can be adjusted vertically and horizontally, allowing for cable exercises like cable crossovers with a very wide range of motion.
Furthermore, when combined with the optional sliding bench, it enables leg press, hack squat, leg extension/curl, and preacher curl, offering an overwhelming variety of exercises.
If your budget and space allow, it's safe to say that choosing this model is almost certainly the right decision. It's a true masterpiece.
②Force USA C10 All-in-One Trainer
￥539,000 (tax included)
The C10 is a cost-effective model and is very popular alongside the C20.
It features a half rack, Smith machine, and multi-cable, providing more than enough functionality. The cables can be adjusted horizontally and vertically, allowing for a wide range of motion.
The main appeal of the C10 is its outstanding cost performance.
When considering "what it can do" and "cost" comprehensively, the C10 stands out as exceptionally good.
Similar to the C20, the C10 can also perform leg presses, hack squats, leg extensions/curls, and preacher curls when combined with the optional sliding bench.
This model is highly recommended for those who can't stretch their budget to the C20 but don't want to compromise on functionality.
③Force USA G15 All-in-One Trainer
￥748,000 (tax included)
The G15 is a high-quality all-in-one rack with a wide variety of functions.
Its greatest feature is the "Smith machine with counterweight." It has a weight system that counterbalances the weight of the Smith machine bar, making the bar's actual weight almost zero. This makes it ideal for beginners and women's training.
The Smith machine with counterweight is highly praised, and this model is popular not only for home gyms but also as a training machine for personal gyms.
Furthermore, it is designed with a total height of 212cm for the Japanese market, making it an excellent choice for those who want to install it in a room with limited ceiling height.
④Force USA G4 All-in-One Rack
￥319,000 (tax included)
This is a compact and cost-effective all-in-one rack.
Its strength is its low cost. While it has the basic functions of an all-in-one rack, its price is in the 300,000 yen range, allowing for a very low initial cost.
Although its cable functions are more limited compared to other models, the rack and Smith machine functions are more than sufficient. For those who primarily train with free weights, this presents no problem.
In fact, if your training style is "primarily free weights, with cables used only supplementally," then the cost performance is arguably top-tier.
Thus, low cost does not necessarily mean poor quality; the best model varies for each individual when considering it in light of their own training style.
4. Points to Note
While all-in-one racks are highly functional and excellent machines, their multi-functionality means there are several points to consider before introducing one.
① Effective load of the cable
This is the most important point to be aware of when considering an all-in-one rack.
In machines with complex cable structures like all-in-one racks, a large number of pulleys are used, so the actual load (effective load) when moving the cable is often 1/2 or 1/4 of the set weight.
【 Example 】
・If the effective load is 1/2
If you select a 40kg weight stack → the effective load is 20kg
Thus, it is important to note the structure where the selected weight stack's weight does not match the actual load applied to the trainee.
Please pay particular attention to "what is the effective load of the cable?" for the machine you are considering.
② Weight of the weight stack
If the effective load of the cable changes to 1/2 or 1/4, it is naturally necessary to pay attention to the weight of the weight stack.
This is because you might think, "This machine has a 100kg weight stack, so I can do heavy cable training!", but in reality, the load applied might only be half, or 50kg.
It's too late once you realize this after delivery. Be sure to check the weight of the weight stack and the cable's effective load from point ① beforehand,
"How many kilograms of cable training can I do 'as an effective load'?"
Please consider this point carefully when choosing a machine.
③ Installation space and operating space
It's not enough to just look at the machine's dimensions. Consider various factors such as barbell length, plate changes, and actual training movement paths when carefully determining the size.
・Width
In addition to the machine's width, you need space for the free weight bar and for changing plates. When using a typical 220cm barbell, you will generally need approximately 280cm to 300cm of width.
・Depth
Consider not only the depth of the machine itself but also the overall depth when a bench is placed. Furthermore, you will need space not only for training but also for moving the bench in and out.
・Height
In addition to the machine's height, you need to consider whether your head will hit the ceiling when doing pull-ups. Also, don't forget to check the thickness of any mats you lay on the floor. Be careful not to find yourself unable to install it because of the mat's thickness.
④ Experience the actual product.
At Fitness Shop, we have display models of popular all-in-one racks. We invite you to try out the actual machines at Fitness Shop.
There's absolutely no need to worry about "maybe I won't buy it." Feel free to try out the display models even during the conceptual stage. By trying the actual machine, you can thoroughly examine its real-world feel, size, advantages, and disadvantages. Our specialized staff will provide a detailed explanation.
We list the machines on display at each store's page, so please feel free to consult with your nearest Fitness Shop.
Many customers, even from afar, visit Fitness Shop to touch and feel the actual machines before purchasing. When building a gym that costs hundreds of thousands to millions of yen, please thoroughly test the actual equipment until you are satisfied!
