| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight stacks | Weight plates | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inspire Fitness FT2 Check Discounted Price | D:58" W:61" H:88" | 40+ | 2x 160 lbs | Metallic, 10 lbs each | Multi-Function Belt, Curl Bar, Straight Bar, Ankle Cuff, Swing Handle, Tricep Rope, 2 Handgrips, 2x 5lb Addons, Water bottles, |
The Inspire Fitness FT2 is a functional trainer that shares many similarities with the FT1 model. However, it offers a larger workout space within, and it is equipped with a very safe Smith machine as well. It’s not an expensive trainer but does offer commercial quality.
Before we proceed with the presentation of this home gym equipment, there’s one important aspect to be mentioned here. There are several accessories and add-ons for this functional trainer, however, the bench is not included with this particular package. In case you also want the bench, it is the SCS-WB2 model.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 58″D x 61″W x 88″H inches (147D x 155W x 224H cm)
- Assembled weight: 563 lbs (256 kg)
- Weight capacity: 330 lbs (150 kg)
- Weight resistance system: Steel plate stacks
- Max. weight resistance: 2x 160 lbs (72.5 kg)
- Possible exercises: 40+
- Warranty:
– In-home: Frame lifetime / Cables 2 years / Labor 1 year
– Light-commercial: Frame 10 years, Parts 1 year
Frame construction and parts
To begin with, the Inspire Fitness FT2 is quite a well-built trainer. It features a light-commercial quality construction, and also comes with a special light commercial warranty, in case it will be used in a supervised gym. It has an extremely durable frame, made of heavy-duty rectangular and round 11-ga steel tubing. All the bars within the frame construction feature a 
two-layer electrostatically applied powder coating, which is rust-resistant and scratch-resistant, resulting in a maintenance-free finish.
The machine is equipped with highly durable pulleys. They’re made of fiberglass reinforced nylon and integrate precision steel ball bearings for smooth usage. The cables are rated for 2,000 lbs tensile strength; they’re steel ropes featuring a tough nylon coating to promote a smoother travel over the pulleys and prevent the deterioration of the pulleys.
There are 8 pull points available for this functional trainer. These consist of 2 wide adjustable pulleys, 2 high narrow pulley points, and 4 low points. The 4 low pulley points are great for seated rows, curls etc. The 2 wide pulleys give you the possibility to quickly swap between an incline fly exercise an incline/decline chest press. They offer 31 adjustment positions and they pivot 180° on their axis. And the high narrow pulleys allow you to perform lat pull-down exercises.
As we’ve mentioned above, this Inspire Fitness functional trainer is slightly larger than the FT1 model that we’ve previously described here. It’s 58″ (147 cm) deep and 61″ (155 cm) wide. And when it comes to its heights, several websites mention a minimum height of 83″ (211 cm) and a maximum height of 88″ (224 cm). We’ll debunk this here.
The machine is equipped with an adjustable pull-up bar. The minimum height setting of this pull-up bar is 83″ (211 cm), while its highest setting is 88″ (224 cm). It’s also recommended to install the machine in a room with a slightly higher ceiling height, in order to have some clearance above the pull-up bar, to avoid hitting the ceiling during pull-up exercises.
Needless to say, this fitness machine is very heavy. With the frame fully assembled, it weighs
over 500 lbs. And with the bench and the extra (optional) weight plates, it exceeds 700 lbs. This being said, although it comes packaged in several boxes, it’s recommended to be transported and assembled by two people. But on the other hand, all this weight plays an important role in its stability. The unit doesn’t require to be bolted to the floor; it doesn’t wobble or move during exercises.
Although the machine is very sturdy, there’s a user weight capacity specified for it. This is 330 lbs (150 kg), but basically refers only to the pull-up bar station. The other exercises involving the Smith section or the pulleys have nothing to do with the user weight.
As opposed to other functional trainers, such as the XMark XM-7626 or Body-Solid GDCC210, the Inspire Fitness FT2 is also equipped with a Smith machine. The Smith section consists of (red) bar and a set of safety elements and attaches to cables that go over the low front pulleys. It works just like any conventional Smith machine, but instead of wasting time with loading and unloading of weight plates onto the barbell, you simply adjust the pins on the weight stacks. Just like any other Smith machine, the FT2 offers extra safety during stacks, but since the bar is secured onto the vertical guides, you don’t have to make any efforts in stabilizing the weight. Some users prefer standard barbell squats, as they consider it a more consistent exercise as the stabilization of each squat involves extra muscles.
The Smith bar also goes pretty low, its minimum height above the floor level being 6″ (15 cm). This being said, you can also perform deadlifts with it.
One last aspect to mention here regards the accessories included with the Inspire FT2. This functional trainer includes a Straight Bar, EZ curl bar, Multi-Function Belt, Swing Handle, Tricep Rope & Ankle Cuff, and the two D-Handles, Water Bottles, and two – 5lbs add-on weights. Among other optional (not included accessories) we can count the 50 lbs weight stack upgrades, the adjustable bench, a preacher curl pad and a leg developer.
Weight resistance
The Inspire FT2 functional trainer is equipped with two weight stacks. Each stack consists of 16 highly-durable weight plates made of metallic alloy. Each plate weighs 10 lbs (4.5 kg), which 
results in a total weight for each stack of 160 lbs (72.5 kg). Also, the set includes two 5 lbs (2.26 kg) weight add-ons to help with micro-adjustability.
The weight system multiplier of the Smith machine (1:1 ratio) has a 430lb capacity which is perfect for squats, deadlifts and bench presses by utilizing the optional SCS bench.
Each weight stack has a classic pop-pin adjustment system. You simply insert the pin into the weight plate with the desired weight for each stack. Adjustment takes seconds so you won’t have to waste a lot of time between exercises, as for a regular Smith machine or other fitness machines that require loading and unloading Olympic-type weight plates.
As we’ve mentioned above, each weight stack is upgradable. You can opt for 5 extra plates (50 lbs total) for each stack, which will give you a total weight of 210 lbs (95.25 kg) per stack.
Possible Exercises
Since it’s a cable cross trainer, the Inspire Fitness FT2 leaves a lot of room for improvisation when it comes to exercises. Not only that, changing from an exercise to another takes seconds. For example, if you use the front pulleys, you can quickly change from stand-up chest press to a chest fly.
The trainer permits the execution of over 40 standard exercises. The package includes a booklet with the main exercises that can be performed on it. Some of them are:
Arm exercises
- Bicep curls
- Lateral single-arm biceps curls
- Lying biceps curls
- Close grip pulldowns
- Triceps extensions
- Triceps press-downs
- Kneeling triceps extensions
- Lateral single-arm triceps extensions
- Prone triceps extensions
- Pull-ups / Chin-ups
- Assisted Pull-ups / Chin-ups
Abdominal Exercises
- Cable crunches
- Cable twist crunches
- Seated trunk rotations
- Standing trunk rotations
- Golf swings
Back Exercises
- Back flies
- Back presses
- Prone back flies
- Prone reverse flies
- Lat pulldowns
- Aerobic rowing
- Crossover rowing
- Kneeling rowing
Chest Exercises
- Chest presses
- Single arm chest presses
- Wide grip chest presses
- Close grip chest presses
- Chest flies
- Incline chest flies
- Lateral chest flies
- Single arm chest flies
- Pullovers
- Pullovers with crunches
- Pullovers with twisting crunches
Leg Exercises
- Stand-up leg curls
- Calf raises
- Squats
- Single-leg squats
- Kneeling single-leg squats
- Wide squats
- Twisting squats
- Jumping squats
- Front lunges
- Hip extensions
- Hip adductions
- Hip abductions
- Deadlifts
Shoulder Exercises
- Shoulder presses
- Upright rows
- Lateral deltoid raises
- Front deltoid raises
- Lying front deltoid raises
- Front deltoid raises with leg curls
- Shoulder extensions
- Lateral arm pulls
Of course, some of these exercises require the accessories that are not included in this package. For example, bench presses evidently require the bench. However, even if you don’t have the bench you can still engage the same muscle groups in a variety of other exercises.
Assembly and Maintenance
The Inspire FT2 requires a lot of assembling. It comes packaged in several boxes and their transport is recommended to be done by two people. The included manual provides very clear, step-by-step assembly instructions, but due to the many parts and bolts, the process will most likely take several hours. The tools required for the assembly are not included, so you will need a set of wrenches or two adjustable wrenches, a Phillips screwdriver, and a rubber mallet. Also, during the assembly, it is recommended to add a bit of grease on each pulley in order to promote its perfect functionality for a long time.
Once the machine is assembled, its maintenance doesn’t require much. The guide rods of the weight stack may require a bit of lubrication from time to time so that the plates move smoothly on them. The pulley may also require lubrication.
The Pros
- Extremely sturdy and stable frame;
- Heavy-duty construction, excellent stability;
- Smooth pulley and cable movement;
- 31 adjustment positions for its mobile pulleys;
- 180° pivoting adjustable pulleys allowing a natural, healthy range of motion for all exercises;
- Smith machine included – it allows the execution of squats and deadlifts;
- Ergonomic, adjustable pull-up bar with knurled grips for maximum adherence;
- 160 lbs weight for each stack;
- 5 lbs addons included increments;
- Upgradable weight stacks by up to 50 lbs each;
- Over 40 exercises available;
- Several accessories included. These are Multi-Function Belt, Easy Curl Bar, Straight Bar, Ankle Cuff, Swing Handle, Tricep Rope, Two D-Handles, Water Bottles, Exercise Booklet;
- Accessory rack included;
- Little maintenance required;
- Quiet operation;
- Excellent warranty plan.
The Cons
- Heavy structure machine, difficult to move once it is assembled;
- Assembly takes several hours and may not be an easy task for everyone.
- The bench is not included.
Summary
The Inspire Fitness FT2 is a dual-stack functional trainer, offering 160 lbs (+5 lbs addon) for each stack, and 31 adjustment positions for its front pulleys. It also has a Smith machine and an adjustable pull-up bar. It’s a light commercial trainer featuring a very sturdy, reliable construction. It comes with a wide array of accessories, including a curl bar, straight bar, two handles, ankle cuff, tricep rope, and several others. It offers the possibility to perform more than 40 exercises. In all, it’s one of the best functional trainers out there, and even though it costs more than $3,000, its quality and versatility definitely match the price.