Guide · Ratings and buying
Cable machine standards and recalls
The ASTM and ISO standards behind cable machines, what they do not cover, one real CPSC case, and how to check for a cable machine recall in the US and Canada.
Short answer
Yes, cable machines have design and test standards: ASTM F2216 covers selectorized strength equipment,[1] and ISO 20957-2:2024 sets safety requirements for stationary strength equipment.[2] These standards apply to machine design, not to an add-on pin or handle. To check for a recall, search the CPSC's recalls page in the US and the Government of Canada's recalls site in Canada.
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The standards, by title and scope
We have not read the paid text of these standards. What follows is each one's published title and scope.
| Standard | Title and scope | Current edition |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM F2216 | Standard Specification for Selectorized Strength Equipment; design and manufacture parameters for indoor use | F2216-17a(2025) |
| ASTM F2277 | Test methods for evaluating selectorized strength equipment for compliance with F2216 | F2277-17a(2025) |
| ASTM F2276 | Standard Specification for Fitness Equipment, for indoor fitness products | F2276-23 |
| ASTM F2571 | Test methods for evaluating fitness equipment for compliance with F2276 | F2571-15(2020) |
| ISO 20957-2 | Additional safety requirements and test methods for stationary strength training equipment | 2024, published September 2024 |
| ISO 20957-1 | General safety requirements and test methods for indoor stationary training equipment | 2024, published November 2024 |
Sources: ASTM F2216,[1] F2277,[3] F2276,[4] F2571,[5] ISO 20957-2:2024[2] and ISO 20957-1:2024.[6]
The ASTM pairs work together: F2216 is the specification for selectorized machines and F2277 gives the test methods for checking compliance with it.[3] F2276 and F2571 do the same for fitness equipment in general.[5] ISO 20957-2:2024 replaced the 2020 edition and covers stacked-weight equipment as well as other resistance types and externally loaded weights.[2] It is written as a supplement to the general requirements in Part 1 of the ISO 20957 series.[2] ISO 20957-1:2024 supersedes the 2013 edition and excludes outdoor equipment.[6]
What a standard is not
A standard is not a rating for an attachment. ASTM F2216 sets design and manufacture parameters for selectorized machines; it does not give a load figure for an add-on pin, a handle or a carabiner.[1] If a listing says a part "meets" a standard, ask which standard and which product it covers.
ISO 20957-1 is also not a glossary for terms like "system rating" or for labels such as "maker spec". Its scope is general safety requirements and test methods for stationary training equipment,[6] and this site cites it only for that. For how ratings work, see what a cable attachment load rating covers.
One real case
In January 2022, Core Health & Fitness agreed to pay a civil penalty for failing to report immediately to the CPSC a defect in its Cable Cross Over and Dual Adjustable Pulley machines.[7] According to the CPSC, the height-adjusting carriages on those machines could loosen and fall, and Core received reports of 55 incidents, 11 involving head lacerations that needed stitches or staples.[7]
Two points matter for readers. The defect was in the carriage, not the cables, pulleys, handles or weight stacks. And the penalty was for failing to report, which tells you nothing about the failure rate of any other product.
How to check your machine
United States. The CPSC recalls page lets you search US recalls and product safety warnings by date, hazard and product category, and it links to SaferProducts.gov for reporting unsafe products.[8] Search by your machine's maker and model name.
Canada. The Government of Canada's recalls and safety alerts site lists consumer product recalls with keyword search and email alerts.[9] A US recall does not automatically mean a Canadian listing, or the other way round, so check both if you bought across the border.
If you find a recall, follow the remedy the maker and the agency give, and stop using the affected part until it is fixed.
Canada's product safety law
Under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, manufacturers and importers may not make, import, advertise or sell a consumer product that is a danger to human health or safety.[10] Suppliers must report product incidents to Health Canada, and manufacturers or importers must file a written report within ten days of becoming aware of an incident.[10] These are duties on businesses. As a buyer, your part is to report a problem to the seller and to the agency.
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Questions
Is there a safety standard for cable machines?
Yes. ASTM F2216 is the standard specification for selectorized strength equipment, and ISO 20957-2:2024 sets safety requirements and test methods for stationary strength training equipment. Neither is a rating for an add-on attachment.[1][2]
How do I check if my machine was recalled?
Search the CPSC's recalls page by maker and model in the US, and the Government of Canada's recalls and safety alerts site in Canada.[8][9]
Does a US recall apply in Canada?
Not automatically. Canada's recalls site lists items from Health Canada and other federal sources, and a US recall does not always appear there, so check both.[9]
Were cable attachments involved in the Core Health & Fitness case?
No. The CPSC says the height-adjusting carriages on Core's Cable Cross Over and Dual Adjustable Pulley machines could loosen and fall; the penalty was for failing to report that defect.[7]