Force USA FTR Functional Trainer Rack Review
This product was tested by Michael at The Jungle Gym Reviews.
Force USA has been steadily pushing toward more premium, integrated home-gym solutions, and the FTR Functional Trainer Rack is the clearest example yet of where they’re headed. I’m here at their headquarters in Draper, Utah, getting hands-on with the brand-new FTR—a machine that blends a true 3x3 power rack with a dual-stack functional trainer body, wrapped into a compact, corner-friendly footprint.
This isn’t just a functional trainer with uprights bolted on. It’s a deliberate attempt to merge two categories into a single centerpiece machine that can anchor an entire home gym.
Quick Specs
Price: ~$3,400–$3,500
Uprights: 3x3, 11-gauge steel
Hole Size: 1 inch
Weight Stacks: 200 lb standard (upgradeable to 250 or 300)
Cable Ratio: 2:1
Arms: Dual articulating, height-adjustable, angle-adjustable, free-swivel mode
Footprint Width: ~49 inches
Height: ~87–88 inches (arms raise overall height to ~90–91 inches when vertical)
Where to Buy the Force USA FTR
Check current price from Force USA (Use code "JUNGLEGYM" for 5% Off):
A True 3x3 Functional Trainer Rack
The biggest deal here is that this is not a proprietary rack size. The FTR uses standard 3x3 uprights with 1-inch holes, meaning it plays nicely with the wider home-gym ecosystem. J-cups, spotter arms, storage pegs, specialty attachments—if it fits 3x3, it fits here.
The rack itself uses a curved functional-trainer profile, similar to what you’d see on a commercial dual-stack machine. That curve allows the unit to:
Sit tighter into a corner
Maintain a narrower overall footprint
Still give you full front-facing rack functionality for squats, benching, and pulls
You lift off the front uprights like a normal rack, while everything behind you is cable-driven.
Dual Weight Stacks with Upgrade Paths
Out of the box, the FTR comes with dual 200-lb selectorized stacks. These can be upgraded to 250 or 300 lb stacks if you need more loading.
Because the system runs at a 2:1 ratio, effective resistance works out to:
200 lb stack → 100 lb effective
250 lb stack → 125 lb effective
300 lb stack → 150 lb effective
For most people, that’s plenty. Heavier pullers will want either the 300-lb upgrade or a weight-stack adder pin, which Force USA supports.
You also get:
Magnetic selector pins
Integrated 5-lb half-stack adders
Clean, smooth pulley routing consistent with their CORNERSTONE line
Articulating Arms: The Real Star
The articulating arms are what elevate this beyond a normal rack-trainer combo.
Each arm:
Adjusts vertically along the uprights
Rotates in and out up to 180°
Locks into five angle positions
Can be switched into free-swivel mode for dynamic movement patterns
That last feature is big. With the arms unlocked, you’re no longer locked into fixed cable paths. You can experiment with:
Sport-style rotational pulls
Angled presses
Asymmetrical or offset cable movements
Creative unilateral work you simply can’t do on a standard functional trainer
The arms are light enough to move without rollers, and while they do benefit from two-handed adjustment, it’s a non-issue in real use.
Fit, Finish, and Cornerstone Details
Force USA clearly leaned into premium execution here:
Flat black finish that allows smooth trolley travel
Laser-cut height numbers visible through the upright window
Knurled adjustment handles
Heavy-duty pulleys and cables
Magnetic pins throughout
The new secondary-lock J-cup and spotter arm design is especially well thought out. Once mounted, the attachment physically locks into the upright lip, eliminating side-to-side play. It’s subtle, but it makes the rack feel rock solid under load.
Storage and Expandability
The FTR includes built-in storage that actually makes sense:
Rear 3x3 plate storage posts
Pegboard-style keyhole storage for attachments
A small integrated shelf for handles, accessories, or light gear
More importantly, because this is 3x3, you’re not locked into Force USA’s attachment lineup. You can:
Add third-party lat seats
Use aftermarket low-row footplates
Mix in storage or specialty attachments from other brands
Force USA has also confirmed a growing attachment ecosystem is coming, including things like jammer arms and lat pulldown seating.
Real-World Training Notes
Lat pulldowns felt excellent here. I had plenty of headroom and didn’t come close to bottoming out the stack. Low rows were easy to set up with a bench acting as a temporary foot brace.
One limitation to be aware of—common to all 2:1 systems—is absolute loading. Strong pullers may outgrow a 200-lb stack quickly. If that’s you, budget for the heavier stacks or a plate-loaded adder early.
Size and Space Considerations
Measured dimensions:
Width: ~49 inches
Height: ~87–88 inches (arms vertical bring it closer to ~90–91 inches)
This makes it far more space-efficient than most rack-plus-functional-trainer setups. It genuinely works well in corners and tighter rooms without feeling cramped during use.
Price and Positioning
At $3,400–$3,500, this is not entry-level equipment. It also doesn’t include J-cups or spotter arms by default.
What you are paying for is:
A combined rack + functional trainer
Dual articulating arms
Upgradeable selectorized stacks
Full 3x3 compatibility
A machine that can realistically replace multiple standalone pieces
This is designed to be the centerpiece of a serious home gym—not a budget option.
Final Verdict
The Force USA FTR fills a gap that honestly shouldn’t have existed this long. A true 3x3 rack built into a functional trainer body—without proprietary limitations—just makes sense.
If you want:
One machine instead of three
Full barbell training
Advanced cable versatility
A compact footprint without sacrificing capability
…the FTR is one of the most compelling all-in-one solutions available right now.
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