Buying task · Carabiners and connectors
Carabiners and connectors
How to choose a cable machine carabiner: what your cable end takes, body size and gate opening, gate type, what kind of load figure is stated, and chains.
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Picks that fit
- Fusion Climb Tacoma Steel 50KN Auto Lock Carabiner (Gold)Check price on Amazon
- Black Diamond RockLock Screwgate Carabiner (Black)Check price on Amazon
- Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner (Gray)Check price on Amazon
Short answer
Choose a carabiner whose body fits through your cable end and your attachment's eyelet, with a gate that closes fully over both, then read its stated load for what kind of number it is. A breaking strength is not a working load: MakeIt states 12 kN for its cable carabiner and says that figure must not be confused with a recommended working load.[1] Add an extension chain only where your machine's maker lists one.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- Fusion Climb Tacoma Steel 50KN Auto Lock Carabiner (Gold)Check price on Amazon
- Black Diamond RockLock Screwgate Carabiner (Black)Check price on Amazon
- Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner (Gray)Check price on Amazon
What connectors do
A carabiner or snap link joins the end of the cable to a bar, handle, rope, cuff or loading pin. An extension chain sits between them to shorten the reach or set a height. These small parts carry the whole pull, so the fit has to be right and the load figure has to be read correctly.
We do not test connectors. Sizes and loads here are the maker's or seller's statements, labeled as such.
The decisions, in order
1. What your cable end takes. Machines name their own connector parts. Body-Solid's SPRFT parts list names a Cable Connector, an Accessory Connector, a Steel Chain and a Snap Link as separate parts.[2] REP says its attachments use a standard carabiner-style connection and advises confirming carabiner size if you use specialty connectors.[3] The cable setup finder shows the connector each setup's maker lists.
2. Body size and gate opening against the eyelet. Sellers publish different measures. elitefts lists its carabiners as 3 inches tall and 1.5 inches wide at the top, 1 inch at the bottom;[4] that width is the body, not the gate opening. MakeIt lists a D-shaped carabiner 8.0 cm long and 4.6 cm wide.[1] Power Systems describes its loop as .37 in at the small end to 1.5 in at the top.[5] Few attachment makers publish an eyelet size, so check the eyelet you have. See will my carabiner fit the attachment.
3. Gate type. elitefts and MakeIt both describe a spring gate.[4] Power Systems does not state its gate type.[5] Petzl, writing about climbing gear, describes the locking trade-off as security against ease of use.[6]
4. The stated load, and what kind of number it is. Power Systems' listing states a "550 lb load" without saying whether that is a working load or a breaking strength.[5] MakeIt's 12 kN is a breaking strength.[1] elitefts publishes no rating.[4] Never convert kN into a gym weight, and never apply an industrial design factor to it. See what a cable attachment load rating covers.
5. Loading direction. Petzl says carabiners should be loaded on the major axis with the gate closed and the sleeve locked.[6] Its instructions for one locking carabiner say strength is greatly reduced if the gate is open.[7] These are climbing-equipment principles, not a gym maker's rule, but the logic carries: a connector that sits across its gate is not loaded the way it was rated. More in carabiner gates and loading direction.
6. Chains only as the machine maker lists. Bodycraft describes its 21-inch extension chain as stainless steel with 5 mm thick welded long links,[8] and lists its HFT Pro, RFT Pro, DFT and XFT trainers and its power racks as compatible.[8] It states no load rating. See cable extension chains and snap links.
How to choose
- Look at the connector your machine's maker supplies, and replace like with like where you can.
- Compare the carabiner's gate opening with the thickest eyelet you will clip.
- Prefer a stated load whose kind is named, and never convert it.
- Check before each use that the gate closes on its own.
The approved carabiners are climbing and rescue connectors whose makers state a gate opening and a kN figure. Their makers present them for climbing, rescue or rigging, not for gym cables, and the kN figures are not gym weights.
Picks that fit4 products
Fusion Climb Tacoma: one steel auto-lock version (Gold); Fusion lists a 0.95 in gate opening and 50 kN major-axis breaking strength.
More on choosing
Black Diamond RockLock (Black, single): 25 mm gate opening, 24 kN major axis, aluminum. Black Diamond HotForge (Gray, single): 19 mm gate opening, 24 kN major axis, aluminum. Fusion Climb Ovatti: choose the Gold 3-pack or 9-pack; Fusion states a 5 kN working load limit, and its page gives the gate opening as both 0.7 in and 0.5 in, so measure your eyelet against the smaller figure. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Steel auto-locking carabiner with a wide gate
Black Diamond RockLock Screwgate Carabiner (Black)
Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner (Gray)
Steel screw-lock oval with a stated working load limit
Fusion Climb Ovatti Steel Screw Lock Carabiner, Oval (Gold, 3 Pack)
Every page on carabiners and connectors
Guides
- Will my carabiner fit the attachment? Eyelet, gate and body size
- Carabiner gates and loading direction: what connector makers say
- Cable extension chains and snap links: what makers list
- What a cable attachment load rating covers
Setups with a named connector
- Body-Solid Functional Trainer Kit (SPRFT), Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE, REP Ares 2.0, Fringe Sport Sidewing Bottom Pulley
Key terms
Snap hook, gate opening, cross-loading, working load limit, breaking strength, proof load and clevis.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- Cable extension chains and snap links: what makers listHelps you decide whether an extension chain belongs on your machine, using only what the machine and chain makers list.
- Carabiner gates and loading direction: what connector makers sayHelps you load a cable carabiner the way connector makers describe, and read its strength figure without turning it into a gym weight.
- Will my carabiner fit the attachment? Eyelet, gate and body sizeHelps you check that a carabiner's gate and body suit your attachment's eyelet and cable end before you buy one.
Shortlists
- Cable carabiners with published dimensionsHelps you pick a carabiner whose gate opening you can check against your eyelet and whose load figure is labeled for what it is.
Common questions
Can I add an extension chain to my cable machine?
Only where the machine or chain maker lists it for your model. Bodycraft lists its 21-inch chain for its HFT Pro, RFT Pro, DFT and XFT trainers and its power racks, and makers such as Body-Solid and Precor warn against accessories they do not recommend. More in Cable extension chains and snap links: what makers list
Does an extension chain have a weight rating?
Not always. Bodycraft states no load rating for its 21-inch chain, and Body-Solid's SPRFT parts list gives none for its steel chain or snap link. Ask the maker before relying on one. More in Cable extension chains and snap links: what makers list
What is a snap link?
A connector with a spring gate used to join parts, such as a cable end to an attachment. Body-Solid's SPRFT manual lists a snap link as its own part, separate from the steel chain. More in Cable extension chains and snap links: what makers list
Can I use a longer chain to reach a higher or lower position?
Only the chain and length your machine's maker lists. Precor warns against modifying equipment or using accessory attachments it does not recommend, so ask your maker rather than extending a cable yourself. More in Cable extension chains and snap links: what makers list
Should I use a locking carabiner on a cable machine?
No gym maker in our sources requires one. Petzl describes the lock as a trade-off between security and ease of use, saying a secure lock reduces the chance of accidental opening; compare the gates documented for the carabiners you are considering. More in Carabiner gates and loading direction: what connector makers say
What does 12 kN mean for my cable machine?
It is a breaking strength, not a weight you can lift. MakeIt states 12 kN for its gym carabiner and says it must not be confused with a recommended working load. More in Carabiner gates and loading direction: what connector makers say
Is it bad if the carabiner loads on its gate?
Petzl's connector instructions say any external pressure on the gate is dangerous and that strength is greatly reduced if the gate is open. Reposition so the load sits on the spine end with the gate closed. More in Carabiner gates and loading direction: what connector makers say
Can I work out a safe gym load from a carabiner's breaking strength?
No. Design factors like those Certex describes are industrial rules for rope and rigging, not gym gear. Use only a working load or rating the carabiner's maker states for your use. More in Carabiner gates and loading direction: what connector makers say
Questions
What carabiner do I need for a cable machine?
One whose body fits through your cable end and attachment eyelet, with a gate that closes fully over both. REP says its attachments use a standard carabiner-style connection and suggests confirming size for specialty connectors. See will my carabiner fit the attachment.[3]
Is 12 kN enough for a cable machine?
12 kN is a breaking strength, not a working load. MakeIt states 12 kN for its carabiner and itself says the figure must not be confused with a recommended working load, so it cannot be turned into a gym weight.[1]
Can I add an extension chain?
Only where your machine's maker lists one. Bodycraft names its HFT Pro, RFT Pro, DFT and XFT trainers and its power racks for its 21-inch chain, and states no load rating. See cable extension chains and snap links.[8]
Should the carabiner lock?
Petzl, writing about climbing gear, describes locking as a trade-off of security against ease of use, with a secure lock reducing the chance of accidental opening. Whatever the gate, it must close fully over the eyelet.[6]