Force USA G3

Quick Summary

When building out a home gym there are several ways to go, but as one gets more serious about their training, a set of dumbbells and workout bench aren’t going to cut it. Enter the Force USA G3. The G3 is one of several extremely versatile rigs from the company, combining a power rack, Smith machine, and cable pulley system into a single set of equipment. Sporting maximum weight capacities between 772 and 2,000 pounds, this rig won’t be for everyone. Measuring 80 inches wide by 55 deep and 87 high, at the outside, the unit takes up some space. But it does bring a solid 43-inch by 34-inch interior, which is great for strength training. As one can see in our comprehensive review below, it’s a smart buy for those seeking heavy weight training options through at-home training.

Specifications

Model	Force USA G3
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the Home Gym's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	92.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$2,199.99
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$2199
Type There are a few different types of Home Gyms. There are weight stack, power rod and body weight.	Weight Rack
Max. Weight Home Gym Max Weight is the maximum amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that can be lifted on the machine.	2,000 lbs
Exercises Home Gym exercises is the number of exercises you can do on the machine.	100+
Seat The seat on a Home Gym can be adjustable, padded, or detached.	no
User Weight Home Gym User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this Home Gym will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	Length: 80" Width: 55" Height: 87"
Workout Area Home Gym Workout Area is the amount of space needed to use the Home Gym (Length x Width)	10' x 10' (approx.)
Legs This field lets you know if this Home Gym has the option to do leg workouts or not.
Abs This field lets you know if this Home Gym has abdominal workouts or not.
Curls This field lets you know if this Home Gym has the option to do arm curls or not.
Pulldown This field lets you know if this Home Gym has the option to do pulldown workouts or not.
Rows This field lets you know if this Home Gym has the option to do rows or not.
Accessories Many Home Gyms have optional accessories you can purchase separately.	- chin up bar - leg press attachment - stabilizer attachment - lat pulldown seat
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Rack: Lifetime Cables and Pulleys: 2 Years Wear and Tear Items: 90 days

Our Rating

92.5/100

As noted above, versatility and value are the biggest selling features at hand with the Force USA G3. Not only can one tackle a comprehensive full-body workout from this rig, but they’re are also free to grow and build up their lifting potential without running out of weight stack. Want to try heavy rack pulls? Absolutely. Resistance-band Smith Machine press? No problem. The G3 lets one perform just about any exercise they would at a commercial gym in their own garage.

Pros:

High weight capacity (772 lbs – Smith Machine, 2,000 lbs – Cables, 992 lbs – complete unit)
Range of workout options
Plate-loaded resistance
Good value
Compact size (given range of workout/functions)
Smooth gliding of Smith Machine bar
Easy switching between different workout configurations
Customizable design

Cons:

Weight plates not included
Complex assembly
Requires tall ceilings if optional pull-up station installed
Requires sufficient flooring to support

Introduction

When shopping around a home gym, it’s easy to find lower-cost cable-based rigs with weight stack, or equivalents like the Bowflex Extreme 2 SE we reviewed here. While those setups are good for those wanting to improve or maintain their general fitness and strength levels, the Force USA G3 All-In-One Trainer is geared towards longer term goals. The company offers a number of additional add-ons for extra purchase, meaning one can upgrade this to suit. While a bench isn’t needed unless one wants it, if added, there really isn’t a muscle group left out by this machine. And from a cost standpoint it’s not going to set one back all that much more than a lesser unit.

Working Out on The Force USA G3

The Force USA G3, at a basic level, can be broken out into five 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 G3 effectively. This rig breaks down into five separate machines, so to speak. Here’s a look at how each element of the machine works, and how it can be used to build/suit your workout routine.

Power Rack

A power rack is basically a new best friend when it comes to working out solo. On the front of the G3 is a pair of J-Hooks, designed to hold the barbell, as well as two safety spotter arms. Each can be moved up and down the uprights by way of slots, to nearly the full height of the rack. The slots utilize the Westside spacing method associated with powerlifting. This allows one to work on squats, overhead press, bench press, and even calf raises. Simply set the correct starting height for the workout in question, load up the bar with weight, and get to work. For those interested in rack pulls, this is really the only way to go. Set the J-Hooks right now below the knee, and use that to work the top half of a deadlift.

The key here with the G3 is a 772-pound weight capacity on the Smith Machine, and a 992-pound max on the complete unit. This means that unless they’re repping out 700-900 pounds, barbell users are good to go. The chances of outgrowing this machine are just slim to none.

Functional Trainer

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a functional trainer is the adjustable height cable rig you always see in commercial gyms. Here with the G3 is presented a plate-loaded trainer, with which they can take on virtually any range of chest, bicep, triceps, and core exercises. With a 2,000-pound weight capacity, there’s just no realistic thought of one outgrowing the machine, as might be the case with a stack. This machine offers a 2:1 pulley ratio, meaning if 100 pounds is put on the trainer, the user will feel 50 pounds of resistance. Triceps press-downs, curls, and chest flyes are all part of the plan with the trainer.

Smith Machine

While the primary function of a Smith Machine is all about squatting, there are a few additional uses to consider if one is available at home. 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.

Chin Up Station

The built-in overhead chin-up bar on the G3 is designed for a range of grip types. The 771-pound weight rating means lifters can attach belts and cables, chains and plates, or use vests, to increase their own body weight when performing pull-ups. Again, the G3 won’t be easily outgrown. That said, be mindful of ceiling height. The unit itself stands at 7’3″ tall, so if the ceilings are 8 feet, one might crack their head when using the pull-up station. There’s no question among lifters that pull-ups, irrespective of the grip used, are among the best upper back movements around. And with the functional trainer immediately below, it’s easy to super-set pull-ups with one-arm cable rows, high-pulls, or bent-over rows with a barbell, for a full-on back blitz.

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 G3 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.

Included G3 Attachments:

Multi-grip Chin-up Bar
J-Hooks
Safety Spotter Arms
Land Mine + Handle
Cambered Bar
Functional Training + Lat Pull Down Bar
Small Grip Frame Bar
Close Grip Handle
Adjustable Nylon Stirrup Handles
Ankle Strap
Pull-down Rope
Barbell Storage
Attachment Storage
4 x Band Pegs
6 x Weight Plate Holders
12 x Olympic Spring Clips
12 x Standard Spring Clips
1 x Extension Chain
4 x Spring Snap Clips

Optional Attachments

Leg Press
Stability Bar
Straight Chin-up Bar
Lat Pulldown Seat

Other Costs

Similarly to how some of the treadmills and exercise bikes we’ve covered also come with additional costs beyond getting inside the door of your workout space, there are other costs to consider alongside the sticker price of the Force USA G3 All-in-one Trainer. Here’s what one needs to know.

Weight Plates: These are not included with the machine, and depending on how heavy you lift, one is looking at between $450 and $1,300 to load this thing up with Olympic or bumper plates.
Barbell: While the fixed bar for the Smith Machine is obviously included, one will need a separate bar for the power rack and landmine station. Through Force USA, a good barbell starts at $179.99.
Leg Press Attachment: Currently priced at $199.99, it can be purchased with the G3.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Force USA G3 All-in-one Trainer warranty includes:

Frame: Lifetime
Cables and pulleys: 2 years
Wear and tear on rack accessories: 90 days

Conclusion

This really couldn’t be easier. If you have the space, budget, and motivation, we definitely recommend the Force USA G3. It’s a beast of a workout rig that only eats up a five by seven footprint when not in use, and with it you’ll never have to set foot in a commercial gym again. For between $2,000 and $3,000, one can have as hard-core a workout as they want inside their own garage or home.

Additional Resources