Guide · Rack-mount pulley systems
Cable travel vs cable length, and how ratio changes it
Cable travel is how far the handle moves; cable length is a part. REP's travel figures, why 2:1 machines move the weight half as far, and why cables differ.
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Picks that fit
- MIKOLO Plate Loaded Pulley Tower G3 (Wall Mount Cable Station)Check price on Amazon
- Titan Fitness Short Wall and Rack Mounted Pulley Tower V3 (80.5 in)Check price on Amazon
Short answer
Cable travel is how far the handle can move. Cable length is the size of a part. Makers publish travel to describe how a machine works, and it depends on the layout and the ratio: on a 2:1 machine the weight moves half as far as the cable. Compare travel when choosing a machine; order length only as the maker's part.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- MIKOLO Plate Loaded Pulley Tower G3 (Wall Mount Cable Station)Check price on Amazon
- Titan Fitness Short Wall and Rack Mounted Pulley Tower V3 (80.5 in)Check price on Amazon
Two different numbers
Cable travel describes use: the distance from the pulley to the end of your pull. Cable length describes a part: the wire rope between its end fittings.
REP's cable machine guide gives travel, not length. It lists 6 to 8 ft of travel for the Ares 2.0 depending on configuration. For the Athena, in both selectorized and plate-loaded versions, it lists 106 in on a 93 in rack and 82.8 in on an 80 in rack.[1]
| Machine | Configuration | Travel, as REP states it |
|---|---|---|
| REP Ares 2.0 | Depends on configuration | 6 to 8 ft |
| REP Athena | 93 in rack | 106 in |
| REP Athena | 80 in rack | 82.8 in |
The Athena row shows the point: the same product has different travel on different rack heights. Travel belongs to a configuration, not to a model name.
How ratio changes travel
REP 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. It also says that with 2:1 the weight travels half the distance of the cable.[1]
That is why 2:1 machines tend to offer long travel: the stack only has to move half as far as your hand. REP presents this as how the mechanics work, not as a calibrated force measurement. Our 1:1 vs 2:1 ratio guide covers the trade-off in more detail.
Some machines let you switch. MIKOLO says its wall-mount G3 plate-loaded tower can switch between 1:1 and 2:1 ratios.[2]
Upper and lower cables are different parts
A machine with a high and a low pulley usually has separate cables, and they are not interchangeable.
Body-Solid's manual for its Functional Trainer Kit for the SPR1000 (SPRFT) lists the top cable at 9300 mm and the low cable at 5875 mm.[3] The manual's assembly steps run the top cable over eight 113 mm and three 90 mm pulleys on one side, and the low cable over seven 113 mm pulleys.[3]
We cite those figures only to show that the two cables differ in length and path. They are not routing instructions. If a cable on your machine needs replacing, order the maker's part for that position; do not move one cable to the other side or reroute it.
What to compare when choosing
- Travel, in the configuration and rack height you will use, where the maker publishes it.
- Ratio, and whether the machine can switch.
- Cable length, only to order the right replacement part from the maker.
If a maker publishes neither travel nor length, ask before you buy.
Machines with a stated ratio
These two plate-loaded units state their ratio. MIKOLO lists a 300 lb maximum weight recommendation for the G3.[2]
Picks that fit2 products
MIKOLO G3: choose the G3 Cable Machine variant (switchable 1:1 and 2:1) for a wall with wood studs or concrete.
More on choosing
Titan Pulley Tower V3, Short 80.5 in: a 2:1 tower for a wall or a T-3, X-3 or TITAN Series bolt-down rack, not an X-3 Flat Foot rack; Titan rates it for 350 lb and says mounting hardware is not included. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' is Amazon.com or the brand.
MIKOLO Plate Loaded Pulley Tower G3 (Wall Mount Cable Station)
Pulley tower for a wall or Titan bolt-down rack
Titan Fitness Short Wall and Rack Mounted Pulley Tower V3 (80.5 in)
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Questions
What is cable travel?
Cable travel is how far the handle can move, from the pulley to the end of its pull. REP publishes travel figures for its machines, such as 6 to 8 ft for the Ares 2.0 depending on configuration.[1]
Why does a 2:1 machine have more travel?
REP explains that with a 2:1 ratio the weight travels half the distance of the cable, so the handle can move further for the same stack movement, and 20 lb of stack feels like 10 lb.[1]
Can I swap the top and bottom cables on my machine?
No. Upper and lower cables are different parts: Body-Solid's SPRFT manual lists a 9300 mm top cable and a 5875 mm low cable routed over different pulleys. Order the maker's part for each position.[3]
Is a longer cable the same as more travel?
Not necessarily. Travel depends on the machine's layout and ratio as well as the cable, which is why REP publishes travel per configuration and rack height.[1]