How To Build A DIY Pulley System For Your Home Gym Using A Power Rack

In today’s guide, I will go over the best DIY Cable Pulley System for home gym owners.

There are many solutions out there for setting up a pulldown, low pulley cable row, cable crossover, and other types of pulleys for your garage gym.

Unfortunately, many of them are so complicated that you’re better off just investing in a functional trainer.

Others are so simple in their design that they definitely work, but they’re just not worth it for the price.

Luckily, you can build something better that’s not only potentially going to be cheaper, but it’s going to allow you to train much more efficiently.

Let’s get started!

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List Of Materials You’ll Need

I’ll be going over how to make a homemade lat pulldown machine so you can do all of the best pulley exercises in your gym.

The ones that I recommend will be a lot better than buying some stuff at Home Depot that you manually have to put together.

I’ve used those solutions, and they never last, trust me! I’ll go over why later on in this guide.

All of the materials I recommend are available on Amazon, you’ll have to determine which cables work best for your garage gym setup, but beyond that, it’s pretty easy to figure out.

Carabiners

The first thing you’re going to need is some carabiners to attach your pulleys to whatever setup you have. The ones I’m linking to support up to 460 lbs which should be more than enough for all cable exercises. You don’t have to get these but whatever you choose, make sure they have a strong weight capacity as this is usually going to be the weakest link.

Pulleys

For the pulleys, I’ve seen a lot of people recommend metal pulleys with smaller wheels. I know firsthand that these aren’t a solid choice whatsoever which I’ll cover why later.

The ones that I do recommend are these smooth nylon gym cable pulleys from Amazon. They’re easily detachable, smooth, and the best part – SILENT.

This is a big deal if you plan on doing a bunch of cable exercises. The other thing that I love about these is that they don’t destroy your cable, which metal pulleys will over time. Trust me!

The one place you definitely don’t want to skimp on is the pulleys, as this determines how smooth your movements will be. And I really can’t say it enough, the lack of squeaking will be a game-changer!

Cables

The second most important thing you need to consider for your DIY pulley machine is the cables or wire rope you decide to use. Most people are just buying steel wire cables with no sheath on the outside of them.

This plus metal pulleys are going to wear down quickly over time. That’s why these sheathed cables are such an awesome idea. The strength, durability, and smoothness of these cables will be the perfect choice for a home gym.

These have a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs, which should be perfectly fine for cable exercises. Plus, they’re super cheap so you’ll always have replacement pulleys for your gym.

Soft Loop Tie-Down Straps.

You’ll need something to secure your pulleys to your squat rack or wherever you decide to set up your DIY cable pulley system. The best thing I’ve found that gets the job done perfectly is these soft loop tie-down straps.

These are strong enough to tie down motorcycles, ATVs, and more! So you know for a fact they’re going to be more than strong enough to hold a couple of hundred lbs of weight while you’re training.

They’re also really cheap as you can get a pack of 6 for like 9 bucks which is great!

Loading Pin

The final thing you will need for your DIY Pulldown, Low Pulley Cable Row, and overall cable pulley system is a loading pin.

Luckily, you can get them cheap, and they stand up straight while loading them. My issue with other loading pins like spud inc‘s. is the fact that it comes with a strap-loading pin.

It will hold a ton of weight fine, but loading more plates onto it can be a pain. From my experience, you should definitely just go with a steel loading pin as it’s easier to load.

Other than these basic materials, you’ll also need a 4-post power rack or 2 posts in your gym to attach everything to.

For most people with home gym equipment, a squat rack is something you’re going to need anyways.

DIY Lat Pulldown Wood Alternative

You can also build a super basic 2-post base that attaches to your garage gym wall to attach everything to it.

However, I don’t recommend this for most people because lumber is pretty expensive nowadays. You have to factor in many other tools and materials to screw everything together.

I had a lot of stuff lying around to put mine together, but I’m sure many people don’t have power tools, lumber, and hardware like I did.

That’s the main reason I don’t recommend it, as it’s no longer a cheap DIY solution. You’re just better off investing in a power rack anyways, as you’ll need one to train efficiently.

How To Make Your Own Homemade Lat Pulldown Machine

Now that we have the required materials assembled, we can start assembling our DIY cable system.

Luckily this is really easy and doesn’t require any experience whatsoever.

This is a very basic pulldown but it’s going to get the job done a lot better than other products on the market.

The other thing you can do, which I definitely recommend, is to use your safeties to keep your legs braced while doing your heavy pulldown movements.

You can also add in another pulley under your bottom cross member or even your safety so you can choose the height of your exercises.

I recommend you buy different cable lengths as they will come in handy as you can adjust everything correctly based on what exercises you’re doing.

You can even load this with cables on the end potentially for a portable cable pulley system on the go.

If you’re doing pulldowns, you want to make sure you stretch as far as you can for a full range of motion. 

If you’re just lowering halfway and the weight already touches the ground, that isn’t really a full ROM.

I use this myself for cable preacher curls, leg extensions/curls, and a whole host of different cable row variations. 

Your DIY Cable Pulley System Isn’t Worth It

I’ve seen many “DIY” Pulleys that people have literally built with steel that they’ve welded and cut together. However, at this point, it’s no longer a DIY project that most people can build cheaper than just buying a plate-loaded pulldown machine.

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That’s why even though I think it’s cool, it’s absolutely not worth the effort. Especially when you could just buy something from a reputable company, bolt everything together, and call it a day.

The whole point of Do It Yourself gym equipment is that it’s cheaper than just buying it. Even building a really nice one with lumber and heavy-duty hardware is going to cost a decent amount right there.

That’s why I think you should just buy a plate-loaded cable setup; it’s just going to be a better investment in the long run.

Cable System For Squat Rack

If you decide a DIY solution isn’t for you and a dedicated cable crossover machine is too expensive, luckily, there’s a middle ground!

There are many companies out there that are building special pulldown and low cable setups INTO their power rack.

This saves a ton of space, and you have the added benefits of weighing down your rack for extra stability and stabilizing yourself inside the rack.

The best setup I’ve seen using a squat rack is from Rep Fitness.

They offer pulldown systems for their PR-1100, 4000, 5000, and other rack variations!

They are all very similar, but since I own the PR-4000, I understand the quality its pulldown brings to the table.

So if you’re interested, you can check out my PR-4000 review as the rack itself is incredible, it has a pull-up bar built in for other back work, and the number of accessories you can add is fantastic as well.

The pictures shown here will also give you an idea of the cable pulley systems in action.

They work great, and they’re a solid middle-of-the-road option.

The only downside is that you have to own a certain rack to implement them, but there’s definitely more out there if you’re interested in that as a solution!

Best Attachments For DIY Cable Pulley System

This section will cover what I think are the best attachments you can get for a DIY Cable Pulley System. These are the ones that I use weekly for myself and my client’s training. 

They all work great and aren’t super expensive, which is a huge plus. You should save your money on expensive attachments anyways, as the quality isn’t going to matter too much compared to a solid barbell or rack.

Dual Tricep Rope

Tricep ropes are awesome for training triceps through a full range of motion. The only way to do this, however, is by using a dual tricep rope.

Try it out the next time you train, and you’ll understand why you need two ropes to train the triceps properly. There’s quite a big difference!

You can also use these for rowing and pulldown variations as well as hammer curls.

D-Handle

The best way to train the lats is with a neutral grip out in front of your body. Using a single D-Handle for one-arm pulldowns is one of my favorite lat exercises and allows you to train the lats much harder.

These can also be used for cable curls, lateral raises, and more!

Revolving Lat Bar

Lat Bars are one of the main attachments used in gyms all across the globe. The best ones revolve similar to sleeves on a barbell.

These types allow you to do basic upper back pulldowns and cable curls, tricep pushdowns, and various others.

Ankle Straps

This might be surprising, but one of my favorite attachments is super simple ankle straps. Sure, you can use these for glute kickbacks, but I use them for something even better than that! Leg extensions and Leg Curls.

The only way to train your hamstrings correctly is with a combination of hip-hinging movements such as a stiff-legged deadlift as well as a leg curl variation.

Without it, you cannot get complete development, so having these ankle straps has been a huge help as a part of my gym equipment!

Is a pulley system worth it for your home gym?

A cable system can be a valuable addition to a home gym, depending on your fitness goals and the type of exercise you want to perform.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding if a pulley system is worth it for your gym:

• Versatility – A cable system can provide a wide range of exercise options, including cable curls, tricep extensions, lat pulldowns, and cable rows. This versatility allows you to target different muscle groups and add variety to your workout routine.
• Customization – Building your own pulley system allows you to customize the equipment to fit your specific needs, such as the weight capacity and cable length. This can save you money compared to purchasing a pre-made system and also give you the satisfaction of building something yourself.
• Space – A cable system can be a space-saving solution for your gym since it takes up less space than other weightlifting equipment, such as barbells and weight plates. This can be especially beneficial if you have limited space in your garage.
• Cost – Building your own pulley system can be cost-effective compared to purchasing a cable system. However, the cost of materials and tools needed for the DIY project should be considered before deciding if it’s worth it for your gym.

Overall, a cable system can be a worthwhile investment, as it offers versatility, customization, and space-saving benefits.

However, it’s important to assess your fitness goals and consider the cost and effort involved in building your own system before making a decision.

What is the best pulley system for home gyms?

There are many pulley systems available for home gyms, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best pulley system for your gym:

• Weight Capacity – Make sure to choose a pulley system that can handle the amount of weight you plan to lift. Look for a system with a weight capacity that exceeds your current lifting capacity, so you can continue to use it as you progress.
• Cable Length – The cable length should be long enough to allow for a full range of motion during exercises. Consider the height of your ceiling and the space available in your home or garage when choosing the appropriate cable length.
• Durability – Look for a cable system made from high-quality materials that can withstand the wear and tear of regular use.
• Versatility – Choose a pulley system that allows for a wide range of exercises and can be easily adjusted for different exercises and body positions.
• Price – Cable systems can vary widely in price, so consider your budget when making your selection.

Some popular pulley systems for home gyms include the Rep Fitness FT-5000 which is a standalone functional trainer, the Force USA G3 All-In-One Trainer which is the best machine you can get, or if you want a smart cable trainer, the Tonal system is the best option for that at the moment.

If you’re interested in even further options, check out my best functional trainers guide which will have everything you’re looking for!

Conclusion

Now it’s your turn!

What do you think of the different cable pulley systems mentioned in today’s guide?

And how do you feel about the attachments I praised or totally owned?

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now!

Until next time,

-Dante