How to Add Cable Exercises to a Power Rack Without Buying a Full Machine

Body-Solid GPRFT functional trainer attachment mounted to a power rack

You don't need to buy a full standalone cable crossover machine just to add pulley-based exercises to your training. If you already own a compatible power rack, the fastest way to add a cable pulley system to your power rack is a rack-mounted functional trainer attachment — and Body-Solid makes two versions built for exactly that, at very different price points and capabilities.

Why Add a Cable Attachment Instead of Buying a Separate Machine?

A standalone functional trainer or cable crossover machine takes up its own dedicated floor space in addition to whatever rack you already own. A rack-mounted attachment instead uses your existing power rack as the structural frame, which is both a space and cost advantage if you already have a compatible rack sitting there.

GPRFT Functional Trainer Attachment

Price: $1,495 | Weight Capacity: 600 lbs. | Product Weight: 190 lbs. | Footprint: 77"L x 74"W x 81.25"H

The GPRFT Functional Trainer Attachment is the lower-cost entry point for adding cable exercises to a power rack, rated to a 600 lb. weight capacity. It's listed as a rack attachment rather than a standalone machine, which keeps both the price and footprint down compared to a full functional trainer station.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want cable functionality added to an existing rack without paying for a self-contained weight stack system.

GPRFTS Functional Trainer Attachment with Weight Stacks

Price: $2,795 | Two 210 lb. Weight Stacks, 2:1 Ratio | Product Weight: 625 lbs. | Footprint: 77"L x 74"W

The GPRFTS Functional Trainer Attachment with Weight Stacks is the step up from the GPRFT, adding two self-contained 210 lb. weight stacks on a documented 2:1 cable ratio, so you can load and use both sides independently without shuffling weight plates on and off manually. Both units share the same 77"L x 74"W footprint, which means the extra cost is going into the built-in weight stacks and hardware rather than a bigger overall footprint.

Best for: Lifters who want a self-contained, pin-loaded cable system rather than manually loading external weight plates.

GPRFT vs GPRFTS: What the Extra Cost Actually Buys

Both units mount to a power rack and occupy essentially the same 77"L x 74"W footprint, so the decision isn't about space — it's about how the resistance is loaded. The GPRFT is rated to a 600 lb. weight capacity without a documented self-contained stack in its spec sheet, while the GPRFTS ships with two 210 lb. weight stacks built in on a 2:1 ratio, meaning you get pin-selectable resistance on both sides without additional external plates to manage. That convenience is the real difference reflected in the roughly $1,300 price gap.

What Installing a Rack-Mounted Cable Attachment Typically Involves

Both the GPRFT and GPRFTS are engineered specifically as rack attachments, not standalone units, which means installation centers on securing the attachment hardware to your existing rack's uprights rather than assembling an entirely freestanding frame from scratch. That's generally a faster process than building a full standalone machine, though the GPRFTS's added weight stack hardware (625 lbs. vs. the GPRFT's 190 lbs.) means it's a bigger job to position and secure than the lighter GPRFT.

Quick Comparison Chart

Model Price Key Spec Best For
GPRFT $1,495 600 lb. weight capacity, 190 lbs. Lower-cost cable attachment
GPRFTS $2,795 Two 210 lb. stacks, 2:1 ratio, 625 lbs. Self-contained pin-loaded resistance

What to Check Before You Buy a Rack Attachment

  • Confirm your rack is compatible. Both the GPRFT and GPRFTS are designed as rack attachments, not standalone units, so they need a compatible existing power rack to mount to.
  • Decide if you want a self-contained weight stack. The GPRFT keeps cost down but doesn't include the built-in stacks the GPRFTS offers.
  • Factor in the extra weight. The GPRFTS's built-in weight stacks add substantial product weight (625 lbs. vs. 190 lbs.) — make sure your rack and floor can handle the added mass.

Why Buy From Everything Gyms?

Everything Gyms is an authorized Body-Solid dealer. Both attachments ship free nationwide from Body-Solid's warehouse near Chicago, backed by a price match guarantee and the full manufacturer warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a cheap alternative to a full functional trainer?
A rack-mounted cable attachment like the GPRFT adds cable exercise capability to an existing power rack at $1,495, which is significantly less than a standalone functional trainer machine.

What's the difference between a power rack cable attachment and a lat pulldown attachment?
A functional trainer attachment like the GPRFT or GPRFTS typically provides multiple cable positions for a range of exercises (presses, rows, curls, crossovers), rather than being limited to a single lat pulldown movement pattern.

Do I need weight plates for a power rack cable attachment?
It depends on the model. The GPRFT is rated to a 600 lb. weight capacity without a documented built-in stack, while the GPRFTS ships with two self-contained 210 lb. pin-loaded weight stacks, so you don't need to source external plates for it.

What's a high-low pulley rack attachment?
It's a cable attachment mounted to a power rack that allows the pulley position to be adjusted along the rack's uprights, enabling both high (like lat pulldowns) and low (like cable rows or crossovers) cable exercises from the same unit.

Which is better for a shared gym, the GPRFT or GPRFTS?
The GPRFTS's dual 210 lb. weight stacks let two people set independent resistance levels, which is more practical for a shared setup than the single-capacity GPRFT.

Add Cable Training to Your Power Rack

Whether you want the budget-friendly GPRFT Functional Trainer Attachment or the self-contained GPRFTS Functional Trainer Attachment with Weight Stacks, Everything Gyms has both ready to ship.