Force USA G3 All-In-One Trainer Review

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.

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

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.