Force USA G20 All-In-One Trainer Review

Working Out on The Force USA G20

The Force USA G20, at a basic level, can be broken out into 11 different machines that take up a single footprint. Depending on what sort of routine you’re looking to do, you’ll need to pick up an Olympic barbell and perhaps an adjustable workout bench to use the G20 to its maximum potential. The G20 contains a: Power Rack, Functional Trainer, Smith Machine, Vertical Leg Press, Pull-Up station, Suspension Trainer, Core Trainer/Landmine station, Lat Pulldown Machine, Low Row, Calf Raise, VersaPad.

Power Rack

The base structure of the machine is the power rack, a modified squat cage constructed of 11-gauge steel. With two front uprights spotted with 51 different holes for the J-Hook attachments, Westside spacing is utilized here. Th J-Hooks are designed to hold the barbell in place at any level of the uprights, whether for upper body presses or squats. The power rack also comes with safety spotter arms, which are also moveable, and can augment the squats or perhaps rack pulls, or various pressing motions.

The key here is the 992-pound weight max on the machine, which also features six weight plate holders for storage. The chances of outgrowing this machine are pretty slim, even for the most competitive of lifters. Meanwhile, one doesn’t have to purchase much additional plate storage with that kind of capacity.

Functional Trainer

For those used to other machines, a functional trainer here is the adjustable height cable rig connected two weight stacks on either side. With the G20, two separate 298-pound stacks are included, as well as  you always see in commercial gyms. The cable pulley system affords a 1:1 ratio, which means 100 pounds of resistance on the stack feels like 100 pounds when pulled. The pulleys raise and lower into 21 different positions vertically.

Purchase of the machine includes 29 attachments, which include a V-bar, close-grip handle, and rope. Whether for triceps, pulldowns, or as part of the Vertical Leg Press, the stacks help afford many of the 400 exercises available on the machine.

Smith Machine

Most people think the Smith Machine is all about squatting, but there are additional uses to consider, especially for heavy lifters. The Smith Machine can be used as a stabilized bench press, for Bulgarian split squats, and even for single arm press when used with a flat bench. With the ability to flip the bar into motion using the wrist, lifters can also perform negatives, or lifts where one slowly lowers a supra-maximal load downward to condition themselves to the heavier weight. Negatives are great for strength training, and are virtually impossible to perform without spotters or a solid Smith Machine. The safety spotter arms also assist in users ability to lift with heavy weights in negative fashion. And with a weight max of 794 pounds, it’s unlikely that even advanced lifters would outgrow this machine.

Chin-Up Station

The built-in overhead chin-up bar on the G20 is designed for a range of grip types. The functional trainer associated with the machine means users can attach weights by way of chain or belt for extra resistance. At 91 inches in height, one has to consider the ceilings of the room in which the unit would be placed as their heads are going to go up over the machine. The value of the multiple grips afforded here is the diversity of angles from which one can work their back and arm muscles. If combined in a super- or giant-set with low rows or presses, there’s no question the unit can be used to fully develop the upper body’s posterior and anterior sides.

Core Trainer

Built to function as a landmine station, users attach a barbell into the pivot for an Olympic bar-long lever for a range of core, shoulder, and back exercises. Once again consider space here—the landmine station is positioned at the front corner of the G20 rack, and one will need over 7 feet of space to accommodate the length of the barbell. Among some of the best unilateral movements out there, landmine-style one-arm thrusters offer a full body workout unrivaled.

Vertical Leg Press

The oversized leg plate attachment which hooks into the Smith Machine affords users a chance to vertically drive up and down the bar in a pressing motion. While lying on one’s back, the lifter places their feet against the plate and simply pushes. And given the 794-pound weight max of the Smith Machine, there’s little chance of outgrowing the machine. This option is one though that customers might want to reconsider if price is an option. The reality is, the G20 offers a whole host of lower body opportunity by way of the squat rack and Smith Machine. Other models of the Force USA All-In-One series lack the leg press, and are respectively lower in price.

Suspension Trainer

Designed to work with a resistance system like TRX, the component comes with a stirrup and is also compatible with a heavy bag. For those unfamiliar, these suspension trainers allow users to perform bodyweight exercises like push-ups or pull-ups utilizing a cable and strap. Whether as a warm-up for stretching, or as a workout in their own right, these bodyweight drills are a favorite among many. Again, if cost is a consideration, this might be where customers consider another model where it’s not offered and the unit is respectively lower priced.

Lat Pulldown

The cable-based system brings three different attachments: A straight bar, multi-grip, and saw-tooth. The lat pulldown option works in conjunct with the functional trainer and allows the user up to 298 pounds of resistance. This would be considered a fairly significant piece, that said, one could probably replicate it on a lower-priced model by simply buying the attachments separately.

Low Row

The Vertical Leg Press attachment converts readily into a low row station foot pad. When used, users seat themselves on the ground, place their feet against the plate, and then pull horizontally an attachment hooked to the functional trainer. The low row hits the back’s midsection, while the lat pulldown works the upper back. The challenge here is that without the Vertical Leg Press, the low row plate disappears too, so these two machines go together.

Calf Raise

The included calf block attachment allows users to convert a squat bar or the Smith Machine into a calf raise. By placing the bar on one’s shoulders and their toes on the block, they can flex up and down to isolate the calves. A valuable exercise for sure, but again, if one is price-conscious, the of the Force USA models lacking this can also be used to perform this exercise by simply replacing the block with Olympic plates beneath the toes.

VersaPad

A padded bar which attaches horizontally across the Smith Machine, this can be used for weighted hip thrusts, elevated push-ups, or split squats. Made of high-density foam and coated in rip-resistant material, this is a neat item which replaces the utility bench in a lot of respects. That said, if one is planning to have a utility bench in addition to the machine, it’s also a nicety that might be reconsidered in terms of value.