Force USA G6

Quick Summary

If a crowded gym and monthly membership fees are getting old, the Force USA G6 All-In-One Trainer can transform a garage into a muscle room fast. Force USA’s entry-level plate-and-weight machine, the G6 combines a modified power rack with a weight stack and pulley system and creates an entire 9-in-1 system. That term means nine different workout stations merge into a single unit. With a footprint of 72 inches x 63 inches x 91 inches, the unit has an overall weight capacity of 992 pounds, 772 pounds on the Smith Machine, and 772 pounds on the chin-up station. The interior spacing of 36 inches x 37 inches x 85 inches is plenty of space for working with either cables or barbells. At $4,499.99, the G6 comes in at a mid-point within the home gym market, making it worth the while to check out the detailed spec analysis below.

Specifications

Model	Force USA G6
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!	94.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$4,999.99
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.	$4459
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.	992 lbs
Exercises Home Gym exercises is the number of exercises you can do on the machine.	150+
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: 72" Width: 63" Height: 91"
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

94.5/100

What’s great about the Force USA G6 is that it’s more advanced than the G3 and G9, which are solely plate-loaded, and yet doesn’t bring all the costly bells and whistles of the G12 and G20, which also offer both plate-loaded and weight stack options. A genuine sweet spot, it’s priced at $4,999.99—right there in the middle. Whereas the G3 and G9 have a plate-loaded functional trainer which requires Olympic weights to use, the G6 offers two, 220-pound stacks of weight affixed to the cables and pulleys. But whereas the G12 and G20 offer an easier method of increasing poundage on the function trainer by way of the stacks, they also cost more, and frankly bring some tools one might not need. A 9-in-1 system is pretty inclusive when it comes to resistance training, and given the weight capacity, it’s difficult to imagine anyone outgrowing it.

Pros:

High weight capacity: Unit, 992 pounds, Smith Machine, 772 pounds, Chin-Up Station, 772 pounds
More than 150 exercises afforded
Plate-loaded resistance and weight-stack
Good value relative to price of multiple machines
Compact size (given range of workout/functions)
Counter-balanced Smith Machine
Pin-loaded stack weights in the Functional Trainer
Great range of attachments

Cons:

Cost of Olympic weight plates and barbell must be considered
Complex assembly
Requires tall ceilings if optional pull-up station installed
Requires sufficient flooring to support

Force USA G6 Versus the Competition

For those shopping around, the spectrum of items within the category home gym is quite broad indeed. Everything from the NordicTrack Fusion CST Home Gym, the Body Solid EXM 1500S, and the Total Gym GTS, to the French Fitness FSR70, and the Force USA G20. Where the G6 really hits a special sweet spot is that: It brings commercial-grade quality to the home, combines a solid weight stack with cables and a nearly unlimited plate capacity, offers a solid nine workout stations in one, and yet doesn’t ratchet up the cost with too many superficialities.

The nine stations offered by the G6 include the basic Power Rack, Functional Trainer, Smith Machine, Vertical Leg Press, Chin-Up Station, and the Dip Station. Constructed from 11-gauge steel, the basic power rack is sufficient to hold up to 992 pounds across the entire unit, with a maximum weight of 772 pounds for the Smith Machine, and Chin-Up Station. Those nine stations combined with that poundage capacity mean any iron addict can get their fix, from a family with high school football players to a professional trainer bringing clients to a home gym. What’s missing is obviously some form of bench, the Olympic plates and barbell. That said, one actually could utilize this machine without anything else but the plates if they put their mind to it.

This really is not the machine for someone just looking to crank out some reps on a Saturday afternoon. It’s a $4,999.99 investment that will require additional Olympic plates. If someone is looking to train barbell movements, even at the highest levels, but isn’t interested in this heavy-duty an investment, we’d recommend some looking at some of the best rigs and wallmounts, or considering a power rack like the Rogue RML-690. With a base price of $1,690 and added accessories, the unit comes in a wide assortment of color options. What one gets though is a 76-inch x 49-inch x 90.375-inch power rack and squat cage with Olympic plate storage capacity. Westside hole spacing is afforded on the 3×3-inch 11-gauge steel uprights, and the unit comes with a pull-up bar station as well. Safety spotter arms are also available for purchase on this model, or one can simply use the J-Cups and internal bracing bars.

A power rack as opposed to an all-in-one trainer, what one loses here is the Smith Machine and its related leg press and low row function, as well as the functional trainer with weight stacks. No cable attachments. Either way, G6 or Rogue RML-690, one has to purchase an Olympic barbell and plates, but this would be significantly cheaper if they’re primarily interested in barbell movements.

The other obvious comparison is the FSR90 offered by French Fitness. Priced at $3,999, this machine features a power rack, Smith Machine, functional trainer, landmine station, dip bars, pull-up station, lat pull-down, Jammer Arms, and leg press. Very similar, but the maximum weight on that unit’s J-Hooks is 550 pounds, Smith Machine at 600 pounds, and total weight 992 pounds. The functional trainer also offers two 220-pound weight stacks. Measuring nearly 88 inches in height, it’s 88 inches wide, and 65 inches deep, plus the Jammer Arms fully extended reach 101.5 inches. Leg presses can be purchased separately. Depending on just how heavy one wants to go, and how much premium they place on vertical row stations, this might be sufficient. The different in cost between the two units can easily be seen in the size and associated weights. One huge plus for the French Fitness family of products is they do offer in-home installation for an additional charge.

Working Out on The Force USA G6

The Force USA G6, at a basic level, can be broken out into nine different machines that take up a single footprint. Irrespective of whether one is a bodybuilder, powerlifter, or general fitness enthusiast, they’ll need an Olympic barbell and perhaps some kind of workout bench to use the G6 effectively. This rig breaks down into nine separate machines, so to speak. Here’s a look at how each component of the machine fits into the package.

Power Rack

A power rack is the base of any barbell-related workout plan. On the front of the G6 is a pair of J-Hooks upon sets the barbell horizontally, as well as two adjustable safety spotter arms. Each can be moved vertically along the uprights by way of slots, to nearly the full height of the rack. The slots utilize the Westside spacing method associated with powerlifting, meaning one can practice for sanctioned competition. 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. Rack pulls, weighted carries, and heavy barbell rows are all doable here. Set the J-Hooks at whatever level, and get to work. The rack also features six plate horns, or poles for Olympic plate storage.

The key here with the G6 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. Just for reference, lifters figure 800 pounds lifted for five reps equals about 935 pounds, meaning world champions would be able to utilize this machine.

Functional Trainer

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a functional trainer is the adjustable height cable rig you always see in commercial gyms. Here, the G6 brings two, 220-pound, pin-loaded weight stacks connected to a cable system with a 2,000-pound tested set of cables. Adjustment of poundage is managed with pin movement. The machine comes with 17 different attachments for exercises for the chest, bicep, triceps, and core. 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. To that degree, it would be tough to outgrow 220-pound weight stacks for these kind of isolation movements. Triceps press-downs, curls, and chest movements 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 is counterbalanced and 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 safety 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.

A 772-pound weight capacity affords enough poundage to satisfy about any lifter, ever bearing in mind that NFL players rarely squat repetitions using that kind of weight.

Chin-Up Station

The built-in overhead chin-up bar on the G6 is designed for a range of grip types. The 772-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 G6 won’t be easily outgrown. That said, be mindful of ceiling height. The unit itself stands at 91 inches high, 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.

Lifters can also use this station for hanging leg lifts and other core exercises.

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 G6 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.

Vertical Leg Press

The Vertical Leg Press is a plate attachment which fits onto the Smith Machine bar and allows users to either lie on the floor, or a bench, and press the bar upward. Given the height of the machine itself, taller users would probably want to add some heavy mats on the ground beneath them for the pressing upward. A leg pressing movement in this direction places direct emphasis on the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves, both up and down. It also stresses the abs and entire core. For lifters not all that cracked up about barbell squats, the leg press is a go-to. The Smith Machine’s safety locks ensure quality from start to finish.

Low Row

The same foot plate attachment used for the Vertical Leg Press can be readjusted for lifters wanting a low-pulley rowing experience. By placing the plate up against the same Smith Machine at a lower level, rowers can brace their feet while pulling the cable toward themselves using the 220-pound weight stacks. This plate is a two-for-one piece. Low rows in this manner work the mid-back, while pull-ups and lat pull-downs tend to work the upper back. Using a combination of both in a workout helps ensure a thorough experience.

Dip Station

Multi-grip dip handles hook into the uprights at various levels. Dips are an exercise where the hands are placed upon the handles and legs held up while the lifter raises and lowers their own bodyweight. Long considered one of the best triceps and chest exercises around, this station can also be combined with a belt and chain using the 220-pound weight stacks for added resistance. Dips can be performed facing inward or outward depending on the goal, chest or triceps.

Suspension Trainer

The suspension trainer ring works with TRX straps or Force USA’s own model. These lengthy straps attach at the ring and allow users to perform push-ups, pull-ups, and any number of bodyweight exercises. Straps must be purchased separately and can be used for either assistance work, warm-ups, active stretching, or resistance cool-downs.

Included G6 Attachments:

2 x 200 lb Weight Stacks
Multi-grip Chin-up Bar
Exercise Chart
Suspension Training Ring
J-Hooks
Safety Spotter Arms
Land Mine + Handle
Functional Training Bar
Lat Pull-down Bar
Small Grip Frame Bar
Close Grip Handle
Sport Handle
V-bar
Metal Stirrup Handles
Pull-down Rope
Adominal Belt
Multi-grip Dip Handles
Leg Press + Low Row Foot Plate
Pull-down Knee Holder
Barbell Storage
Attachment Storage
2 x Olympic Lock Collars
4 x Band Pegs
6 x Weight Plate Holders
6 x Olympic Spring Clips
2 x Extension Chains
4 x Spring Snap Clips

Other Costs

This machine does not come pre-assembled and consumers should know in advance that there are a lot of parts to put together. Have a tool kit handy. That said, additional attachments are available through Force USA’s website, but the primary costs would be in the Olympic plates or bumpers. An Olympic barbell can be purchased online easily enough, and the company offers an array of these in different styles here.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Force USA G6 All-in-one Trainer warranty includes:

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

Is It Worth It?

We give the Force USA G6 a hearty thumbs up for serious lifters looking to escape the commercial gym. Professional trainers looking to train clients in their own home facility would also be happy with it, and it might even pass muster in a fitness club. That said, it is a heavy-duty machine and if one is simply looking to bench and squat in their garage it’s too much and there are other options. The quality of materials involved have to be respected though, and high-level athletes or families with high school jocks could enjoy the dividends from this longer-term investment.

Additional Resources