Guide · Weight-stack adders
1:1 vs 2:1 cable ratio: stack weight vs what you pull
What a 2:1 cable ratio means, why a 2:1 machine feels lighter than its stack, and which home cable machines makers list at 1:1, 2:1 or switchable.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. How we make money
Picks that fit
- MIKOLO Plate Loaded Pulley Tower G3 (Wall Mount Cable Station)Check price on Amazon
Short answer
On a 1:1 machine, the weight you select is roughly what you pull. On a 2:1 machine, REP explains, 20 lb of stack feels like 10 lb, and the stack moves half as far as the cable. Neither is better; they suit different loads and movements. Compare machines by the ratio the maker lists, not the stack number alone.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- MIKOLO Plate Loaded Pulley Tower G3 (Wall Mount Cable Station)Check price on Amazon
What the ratio means
REP Fitness explains that with a 1:1 ratio, 20 lb of stack feels like 20 lb, while with a 2:1 ratio, 20 lb feels like 10 lb.[1] It adds that with 2:1 the weight travels half the distance of the cable.[1]
In a 2:1 layout a moving pulley halves the load, so the stack rises half as far as your hand travels. You lift half the resistance over twice the distance. That is the ideal-mechanics explanation; real machines also have pulley friction, and we found no calibrated force measurement of any home machine in our sources.
What makers list
- REP Athena: REP's cable machine guide lists the selectorized Athena at 220 lb per side, which it says feels like 110 lb.[1]
- Inspire FTX: two 165 lb (75 kg) stacks at a 2:1 resistance ratio, giving 82.5 lb per pulley.[2]
- Rogue Monster Slinger and Monster Lite Slinger: Rogue lists a 1:1 pull ratio for both.[3]
- Ironmaster Cable Tower V2/PRO: a 250 lb load rating with a 1:1 ratio.[4]
- MIKOLO G3: MIKOLO says its wall-mount plate-loaded pulley tower can switch between 1:1 and 2:1.[5]
- Bells of Steel Cable Tower: Bells of Steel lists a 2-to-1 cable adapter as included with its 210 lb weight-stack tower.[6] The page describes 2:1 as the default, with the adapter joining the dual cables for 1:1.
| Machine | Ratio the maker lists |
|---|---|
| REP Athena | 2:1 (220 lb per side, "feels like 110 lb") |
| Inspire FTX | 2:1 (82.5 lb per pulley from each 165 lb stack) |
| Rogue Monster Slinger, Lite Slinger | 1:1 |
| Ironmaster Cable Tower V2/PRO | 1:1 |
| MIKOLO G3 | Switchable 1:1 or 2:1 |
| Bells of Steel Cable Tower | 2:1 default, adapter for 1:1 |
For more setups, the table below draws on our setup records.
| Cable setup | Pull ratio | Resistance and loading | Small increments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue Monster Slinger | 1:1 | Options: a plate-load kit (1.9 in pin, 11.5 in loadable), a band kit, or a 300 lb weight stack | The weight-stack option moves in 10 lb increments |
| Rogue Monster Lite Slinger | 1:1 | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Valor Fitness RG-26 rack cable pulley | Not confirmed | Plate-loaded: a 14 in plate holder for 2 in Olympic plates | Not confirmed |
| Fringe Sport Sidewing Bottom Pulley | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Surplus Strength UPS Low | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Titan lat tower for T-3 and X-3 bolt-down racks | Not stated by Titan | Plate-loaded, with dual plate sleeves | Not confirmed |
| SYL Fitness rack-mounted swivel pulley | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Spud Inc. Super Econo Pulley | Not confirmed | Spud's strap loading pins: a 1 in version for standard plates and an Olympic version for 2 in plates, both linking through an attached ring | Not confirmed |
| MIKOLO G3 plate-loaded pulley tower | Switches between 1:1 and 2:1 | Plate-loaded | Not confirmed |
| Ironmaster Cable Tower Attachment V2/PRO | 1:1 | Olympic sleeve adapters included | Not confirmed |
| Bells of Steel Cable Tower | 2:1 by default; the included adapter joins the dual cables for 1:1 | 210 lb weight stack as standard, a 110 lb mini stack, or a plate-loaded version up to 250 lb | Not confirmed |
| REP Ares 2.0 cable attachment | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| REP Athena side-mount functional trainer | 2:1; REP says 220 lb feels like 110 lb | Selectorized weight stack, 220 lb per side (REP's guide) | Not confirmed |
| REP Altitude cable attachment | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Drop-down add-on weights shown in the gallery, with no amounts stated |
| Decathlon weight training pulley (REF 8903430) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Inspire FTX Functional Trainer | 2:1, which Inspire gives as 82.5 lb per pulley | Two 165 lb (75 kg) weight stacks | Optional 5 lb add-on weights from Inspire |
| Body-Solid Functional Trainer Kit for SPR1000 (SPRFT) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Force USA All-In-One Trainers (fractional plates) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | US: a 6 lb pair of 3 lb steel plates, each splitting into 1.5 lb halves. UK: a 2 x 1.5 kg steel pair |
Is 2:1 worse?
No, it is different. A 2:1 machine gives smaller steps at the handle for each stack plate and longer cable travel, which suits fast or long-range movements and lighter work. A 1:1 machine gives the full stack at the handle, which suits heavier pulls. Pick the ratio that matches the loads you need.
Why it matters for add-on weights
On a 2:1 machine, a stack add-on does not equal the same jump at the handle unless the maker says so. Inspire sells 5 lb add-on weights for the FTX but does not say whether 5 lb is stack mass or handle resistance.[2] Ask the maker before you count on a handle increment. For the add-on options themselves, see add small increments to a weight stack.
A switchable option
If you want both ratios on one plate-loaded tower, MIKOLO's G3 is listed as switchable between 1:1 and 2:1.
Picks that fit1 product
Choose 'G3 Cable Machine' for the tower alone, 'G3 Ultra (Aluminum Pulleys)' for the aluminum-pulley version, or 'G3 Package (100LB Black Plates)' if you also need plates.
More on choosing
It is wall-mounted: follow MIKOLO's mounting instructions. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or MIKOLO.
MIKOLO Plate Loaded Pulley Tower G3 (Wall Mount Cable Station)
Next
Questions
What does a 2:1 cable ratio mean?
REP explains that with a 2:1 ratio, 20 lb of stack feels like 10 lb at the handle, and the weight travels half the distance of the cable. With 1:1, 20 lb feels like 20 lb.[1]
Is 2:1 worse than 1:1?
Neither is better in general. A 2:1 machine gives lighter resistance per stack plate and longer cable travel per inch of stack movement; a 1:1 machine gives the full stack at the handle. Choose by the loads and movements you need.[1]
Why does my cable machine feel lighter than the stack?
It may run at 2:1. Inspire, for example, lists the FTX's two 165 lb stacks at a 2:1 ratio, giving 82.5 lb per pulley. Check your machine's listed ratio.[2]
Is a 5 lb add-on 5 lb at the handle on a 2:1 machine?
Do not assume so. Inspire sells 5 lb add-ons for the 2:1 FTX but does not say whether that is stack mass or handle resistance, so ask the maker.[2]