Functional Trainer For Sports

Last Updated on May 15, 2024 by grubdunkman

A functional trainer for sports is a valuable tool for home or commercial gym used for a large variety of exercises. It is designed for full-body and functional training exercises. It usually includes two adjustable weight stacks connected to cables and pulleys, optionally the functional trainer can be plate loaded. This option utilizes barbell plates as the mean of resistance, letting you save your budget, since these functional trainers are cheaper.

Functional trainers provide access to a wide range of exercises targeting most muscle groups, allowing full body workouts. These units have adjustable settings and attachments like handles, bars, and straps. Users can perform exercises such as cable crossovers, rows, presses, curls, leg extensions and more. The functional trainer are designed for functional movement patterns, improving strength, stability, coordination, and flexibility. Functional trainers are the choice of athlete and fitness enthusiast as they provide access to unique, real-life movements. They are suitable for exercises on all fitness levels.

In this post we will explore what kinds of functional trainers for sports exist and what are the differences between them, will take a brief look at the exercises that can be performed on the functional trainer. We also will learn about attachments available for functional trainers, and finally where to get a functional trainer in Canada.

Functional Trainer Kinds

We will take a look at four different options, all of them are available for home gyms.

Functional Trainer With Weight Stacks

The most popular option of the functional trainers for home. It includes two sets of weight stacks, one for each side. This particular model available at out store also features a multi grip pull up bar and includes a few attachments, such as ankle cuffs, extension chains and handles.

Plate Loaded Functional Trainers

More economical option of the functional trainers. They are loaded with the barbell plates, which you may already have. This way you save your budget, since plate loaded functional trainers are typically cheaper.

Smith Machine With an Integrated Functional Trainer

Most modern Smith machine integrate a cable machine. You will find the same pulleys adjustable by height on the front uprights of the Smith machine connected by the cable to the weight. Weights can be in the form of a weight stack or plate loaded, depending on the model.

Functional Trainer Power Rack Combo

Another great option is the unit that combines a functionality of a power rack and a functional trainer in one unit. While more simple option than a Smith machine, it gives you additional access to the squats, bench press supported by barbell stands and safety bars.

Functional Trainer Exercises

Cable Seated Neutral Grip Row

This exercise targets upper back muscles. Secondary targets are biceps, lats and shoulders. To perform this exercise set the pulleys of the functional trainer to a knee high level when you are standing.

Sit on the floor and grab the handles with you palms facing each other. Keep your legs slightly bent and your back straight. You can use a stepper or an exercise bench as the platform to support your feet and prevent sliding forward. Bend the arms and pull the handles to your body.

Standing Cable Flyes

This exercise is performed by adjust the pulleys of the functional trainer to the chest level. Stand facing away from the machine. Grab the handles and pull them in front of you, bringing them together in front of your chest. Return to the starting position.

Standing cable flyes are considered to be one of the best exercises for working the pecs.

Lat Pulldowns

You will need a lat pulldown bar and a bench to perform this exercise, ideally the bench with the knee holders. Sit facing the machine with the bar above your head. Grab the bar with an overhand grip and pull it down to your chest. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. Return to the starting position.

Cable Attachments

Functional trainer for sports can be used with a variety of attachments, each of them designed to target a specific muscle or a few. Let’s explore some attachments for the cable machines.

Lat pulldown bar

These bars existed in different lengths and can be straight or curled for angled grips. They are primarily used for the lat pulldowns, but optionally can be used for seed rows with a wide grip.

Double D Handle

This attachment provides a neutral grip, where our palms are facing each other. This position provides a different angle, which make your muscles perform differently and develop evenly. Neutral grip also reduced the stress on wrists and elbows. Double D handle is used for cable exercises with a narrow grip.

Triceps Rope

The triceps rope cable attachment is used for targeting the triceps muscles during cable exercises. Its rope design provides a natural wrist position, reducing strain and improving grip comfort. It’s commonly used for triceps pushdowns, overhead triceps extensions, and other cable-based arm exercises.

Functional Trainer Canada

The last but not least let’s find out where to get a functional trainer for sports in Canada. Our online store offers a wide variety of cable machines. You can see our collection of cable machines here. If you are looking to get an attachment for the cable machine, here is the link to our selection of them. Our store provides delivery, which way more affordable than at other stores, since we offer a 30$ flat rate for Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto and areas between and around these cities. We also offer installation of strength training machines in case you decide to outsource this task.