Choosing the Right All in One Gym Machine
Choosing the Right All in One Gym Machine 
All In One Gym Machines are all the rage in the gym equipment scene. With advances in design and manufacturing the options are mind boggling for the consumer. Also the market is flooded with cheap junk that looks great on your phone or computer monitor but will underperform in the gym where it counts.
The Basics are Still the Best
If you are new to training or the gym equipment scene and are currently in the research phase, let me tell you the truth that other fitness equipment sellers won’t.
You do not NEED one of these fancy All in One Gym Machines.
These high end gyms are for enthusiasts or people with plenty of money. For gym enthusiasts their gyms are their pride and joy. Just like blokes that are into cars. They are into Toyota Supras not Toyota Camrys. But for the vast majority of people the Toyota Camry is by far the best choice.
Weight training is simply about pushing (eg push up/bench press), pulling (eg chin up/lateral pulldown) and legs (eg bodyweight squat/leg press). As you can see you don’t need any gym equipment from these examples. You could actually build a better body using those bodyweight examples. If you trained consistently, increased intensity, ate properly and got sleep. Versus training half assed in a flash gym with poor habits.
General Gym Equipment Advice
- Don’t buy cheap or poor quality – there is nothing worse than a cheap All in One Trainer. If the pulleys and cables are crap, replacing them alone will bring you up close to a better quality unit. We know this well – we make replacement gym cables and sell pulleys.
- Don’t buy something that is really expensive if you are not going to use it. If you are already training in your home gym and love it, then go ahead. Training is your passion, you will get unbelievable value.
If you are not, buying a fancy machine may not make you love home training. If you like the social aspect of the gym then maybe try doing a basic bodyweight training program at home first. You may enjoy the solitude, or not. - You don’t need complicated training programs that require fancy equipment. If you are in the research phase and are under the spell of these fancy machines just remember this. I got the strongest in my life just training on a basic power rack system. The Wendler 5, 3, 1 program just revolved around bench press, squat and deadlift. I was surrounded by fancy kit but I didn’t need it or use it.
ATX All in One Gym Machine Breakdown
I will kick off with the most important point. All the ATX machines below are top quality in terms of build and functionality. Functionality means that the exercises all feel like they should. Cheaper versions often don’t.
You are choosing from the top shelf. There are no duds.
Note: Prices are at 19th September 2025. Prices and dimensions may change over time.
Main Differences
Your decision will ultimately revolve around price and space. And if you want smith machine functionality. The price is largely determined by the weight stack configuration and smith functionality.
Single vs Dual Weight Stacks
The ATX dual stack configuration is better than the single stack. If you came into our showroom, you would see that the difference is not that noticeable. If you didn’t try the dual stack machines, you would think the single stack was the duck’s guts. ATX has refined their single stack technology over the years to get to their point where it is barely detectable.
With the single stack design, when you are using both hands the resistance is 1:1. So the weight stack moves a greater distance than when 2:1 – which will travel half the distance. This would normally create range of motion issues. However this is offset with the XT Wide Arms. You can adjust the height and angle to get you into the perfect starting position where you maximise the range.
The dual stacks are great, but obviously come at a price. If money is not an issue then get them. But if you are on a budget you are not going to miss much. A single stack ATX unit will be better than a cheap dual stack unit. Remember that these single stack units are sharing many components with the ATX Trinity Tower – the King of Lat Machines.
NOTE: Both the MHPR units have narrow dual cable outlets for their high and low pulleys. The ATX-MXL-700 doesn’t, but it comes with a dual connection point lat pulldown bar. So you will be restricted with cable attachment options. You also won’t be able to do seated cable rows. But you get a t-bar row attachment.
Smith Machine Functionality
This adds to the functionality but also the price. If money is tight, do you really need it? What exercises are you planning to do?
Remember on the HCR, FCR & MHPR-740 you could add on a pair of jammer arms if you wanted to add some machine bench pressing. For squats, you could get the ATX-BSQ-ADD for belt squats. Note if you have the FCR, you will need to mount onto the side of the rack as you can’t use the front.
Original All in One
I still maintain the original All In One Trainer is the humble power cage lat pulldown option. If you are worrying about money you can still get a gym that you can train on for life without having to spend a fortune upfront. Throw in a set of Ironmaster dumbbells and you have an amazing gym for life
ATX have an extensive range of power racks to cater for all budgets. But the best part is that you can build them and customise them as you get the money. The list of ATX power rack attachments are 2nd to none.
The Final Word
- Buy quality and commit to your training for life – that is the best way to get value out of any gym equipment purchase.
- Stick to your budget – there are options to cater for everyone. You don’t need fancy equipment to get strong and build muscle.
