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Garage gym owners know that floor space is often a limited resource, and it’s important to plan carefully when assembling your gym. The best home gym equipment is versatile, durable, and allows you to perform a variety of exercises without needing a separate machine for each exercise.
For many gym owners, a squat rack, functional trainer, and Smith machine are often some of the largest, most expensive pieces of equipment you’re going to buy during a home gym setup, and while they’re all amazing machines, they’re not small.
Thankfully, Vesta has created a rack that combines all three of these into one single piece of equipment, and we’ve spent plenty of time testing it. In this Vesta Pro Series review, I’ll share everything you need to know about the three-in-one rack based on our extensive testing and equipment experience.
Tested by a Squat Rack Expert
Here at Garage Gym Reviews, we know gym equipment. Our testers, which include certified personal trainers, weightlifters, gym owners, and even an Olympian, have all spent countless hours using all kinds of gym equipment.
For this review, our tester was GGR’s founder Cooper “Coop” Mitchell, a man who’s tested countless pieces of equipment over the years. Coop knows fitness equipment, and as always, his reviews are honest, and he’s not afraid to highlight both the good and bad.
After extensive testing and a full video review, Coop calculated a final product score using our equipment testing methodology. We use this methodology before filming or writing any rack review, as it assigns a score to each product for a variety of categories, including:
- Footprint
- Versatility
- Durability and construction
- Ergonomics
Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack With Smith Machine
Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack With Smith Machine
Product Highlights
- 3-in-1 machine features half rack, Smith machine, and functional trainer
- Includes 45-lb Olympic Smith barbell that can counterbalanced to 0 lbs
- Dual 200-lb weight stacks and a 2:1 pulley ratio
- 3” x 3” steel frame with 1” holes
- Available in Black, Clear Coat, Red, or White
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multiple colors available
- 3” x 3” 11-gauge steel
- Aluminum pulleys
- Smith barbell has 700-lb weight capacity
Cons
- Large footprint
- Expensive
Bottom Line
The Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack combines three machines for your home gym: a half rack, a functional trainer, and a Smith machine. It has 3-inch-by-3-inch-uprights with 1-inch holes, and is made with durable gauge steel. Although it’s a pricier rack, this is a quality rack, with the Smith barbell able to hold a weight capacity of 700 pounds.
A Quick Look at the Vesta PRO SERIES 3IN1 Ultimate Rack With Smith Machine
Vesta makes a wide range of durable home gym equipment, including power racks, Smith machines, barbells, adjustable benches, dumbbells, weight plates, and more. While the company offers squat racks, Smith machines, and functional trainers individually, we’re looking at the Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack.
This rack contains a heavy-duty half-rack—perfect for any barbell work—along with durable cable arms and a Smith machine that can be upgraded to a counter-balanced model, which we’ll cover a bit later.
According to our Home Gym Equipment Data Study, strength equipment is soaring in popularity among home gym owners, accounting for 75% of the top trending equipment from 2019 to 2023. If you’re looking to invest in strength equipment for your gym, this 3-in-1 rack is an excellent choice.
It’s not the first hybrid rack we’ve seen that combines a power rack and Smith machine, but it’s one of the best.
Before You Buy
- The rack uses 3” x 3”, 11-gauge steel uprights, the most common sizing seen in power racks, allowing users to attach all kinds of third-party accessories.
- Each pulley arm has a 2:1 ratio, which means each 200-pound weight stack really feels like 100 pounds.
- The rack is available in 4 colors, and for an additional $500, you can upgrade to the counter-balanced Smith machine option, which makes the Smith machine bar weightless.
Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine Video Review
Is the Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine Worth It?
The Vesta Pro Series Rack is far from cheap, but depending on your training goals and current home gym equipment, it may be exactly what you need to complete your home gym.
Great for
- Those looking to save space with an all-in-one unit
- Anyone who regularly uses a Smith machine and/or functional trainer
- People looking for their first functional rack
Not recommended for
- Those who primarily train with barbells and free weights
- People who already have a rack or Smith Machine
- Anyone building a gym on a budget
Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine Specs
| Price | $4,059.99 – $4,549.99 |
| Footprint | 49″ W x 41″ D x 86-94″ H |
| Weight stacks | Dual 200-lb weight stacks |
| Pulley ratio | 2:1 |
| Effective resistance | 100 lbs per side |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty on frame, 5-year warranty on pulley system, 3-year warranty on attachments |
Experience Using the Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine
The Vesta Pro Series Ultimate Rack is packed with features, including adjustable cable arms, a built-in Smith machine that can be counter-balanced for an additional fee, and a durable frame that allows you to use your own j-hooks and spotter arms.
In other words, this is an all-in-one half-rack, Smith machine, and functional trainer combo unit, which means you don’t have to buy all three separately. For home and garage gym owners, this can save a significant amount of space compared to having all three as separate units.
RELATED: Smith Machine Workouts
Overall, Coop was very impressed with the machine. The pulleys feel very smooth and are easy to adjust, the Smith machine works very well, and the laser-cut numbered holes make it very easy to adjust your settings.
His only issue was the lack of a seated row or lat pulldown. You can use one of the individual cable arms for these exercises, but the weight only goes up to 100 pounds per side unless you’re using an extender pin and adding your own plates.
RELATED: Best Power Racks with Lat Pulldown
Footprint
The Vesta Pro Series rack has a modest footprint, and it’s not much larger than most power racks on the market. With dimensions of 49 inches wide x 41 inches deep x 94 inches tall, it’s smaller than competitors and a great choice for those who want to save space. There are two heights available, 86 inches and 94 inches.
The front of the rack serves as a half-rack, so you’ll be able to perform any sort of barbell exercise, and the cables can be used for a variety of exercises. You may need extra floor space around the rack if you’re using the barbell and cables, but the rack itself doesn’t take up too much space.
RELATED: Full Rack vs Half Rack
Overall, the space-saving footprint earns it a 5 out of 5.
Durability and Construction
The uprights use 3-inch by 3-inch, 11-gauge steel, which is the most common size for squat racks. Nearly all of the most popular squat racks on the market use this size. This is the same size used by companies like REP Fitness, Titan, Bells of Steel, Fringe Sport, and more, so if you’ve got your eyes on any squat rack attachments from those companies, they should work well with Vesta.
Individual trolleys allow you to adjust the height of each cable arm, and the uprights have laser-cut numbers to help you quickly set the proper height. Each handle uses a pop pin and a knurled handle, so making adjustments is comfortable and easy.
Speaking of knurling, the Olympic barbell used in the Smith machine has decent knurling, but not great, which Coop pointed out is true for most Smith machines.
Overall, Coop rated the durability and construction a 4.5 out of 5 stars. This frame is built to last and is covered by a lifetime warranty.
The rack is available in four colors, and we tested the red version. Coop said it has a nice, mid-tier powder coat that’s not quite as nice as some of the premium squat racks on the market but still looks and feels great.
We also love that Vesta uses aluminum pulleys throughout the entire rack, resulting in a very smooth machine when using the cables.
Coop did have one callout with the construction. The Smith machine uses guide rods that require grease for smooth movement. This is standard with all Smith machines, but the grease attracts dirt, so you’ll need to clean your guide rods regularly.
Ergonomics
When it comes to ergonomics, we’re primarily looking at the Smith Machine and functional trainer, and they’re both great, earning a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The functional trainer uses a 2:1 pulley ratio. This allows the cable to travel further so you can move further from the rack, but this means you’re only feeling half of the weight. Each weight stack is 200 pounds, but with the 2:1 ratio, the heaviest weight will feel like 100 pounds.
RELATED: Best Functional Trainers
As Coop pointed out, this means that you’re limited to 100 pounds for exercises like low rows and lat pulldowns. For many experienced lifters, this won’t be heavy enough, so the functional machine is best for single-arm exercises. This is why we docked half a point and didn’t give this rack the full 5-stars.
Now, Vesta says the cable can hold up to 450 pounds, so if you have your own plates, you can add more weight with a weight stack pin. However, that will also add an extra cost if you don’t already have plates and a weight stack extender pin.
This is one of the few home units that allows users to upgrade to a counter-balanced Smith machine for an additional $500. This means the barbell in the Smith machine is literally weightless–Coop unhooked the bar, and it didn’t move.
RELATED: The Best Smith Machines
We love to see this, as it allows users of all fitness levels to take advantage of the Smith machine, even if they aren’t quite strong enough to use a heavy barbell for certain movements.
This is a great feature because while free weights may offer more muscle activation1 than Smith Machines, the Smith Machine is safer to use when training alone.
If you don’t upgrade, the default rack with a Smith machine includes a 45-pound bar. This is the standard barbell weight but may be too heavy for some users.
Versatility
This all-in-one combination of a half rack, functional trainer, and Smith machine is already versatile enough, but Vesta also includes plenty of attachments. When you order this rack, you’ll receive:
- 2 j-cups
- 2 spotter arms
- 1 vertical barbell holder
- 2 d-grip handles
- 1 multi-grip pull-up bar
- 2 front foot extensions
- 1 accessories board
With so many included accessories and the ability to add any third-party accessories that work with the 3-inch by 3-inch uprights, there’s no shortage of ways to use the Vesta Ultimate Rack.
The 2:1 pulleys mean that the weight stacks only reach 100 pounds per arm, but this can be upgraded with plates and an extender pin. Coop also had one callout with the Smith machine, saying, “It doesn’t go quite as low as I’d like for RDLs, Smith Machine deadlifts, and movements like that, which I love doing on a Smith machine.”
You can stand on plates or a step to give yourself more travel distance, so it’s not a huge deal, but it would be nice if the bar traveled lower.
Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine vs Force USA G15
Force USA G15
Force USA G15
Product Highlights
- 3-in-1 at-home gym machine
- Stacks and plate-loaded cable towers
- 18 functional attachments included
- Barbell or smith machine training
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tons of visitability
- Half rack on the front
- Cable machine with interchangeable 2:1 and 4:1 ratios
- Smith machine included
- Weight plate and free weight storage
- Financing available
- Free shipping
Cons
- Expensive price tag
- Steel gauge not disclosed
- Entire unit weight limit under 1,000 lbs
- 772-lb smith machine and chin up weight limit
Bottom Line
The Force USA G15 is a versatile 3-in-1 training machine for home gyms. You’ll have a functional trainer with plate-loaded capabilities and dual integrated 289-pound weight stacks. These weight stacks are interchangeable and offer 2:1 and 4:1 pulley ratios. The outside of the rack offers a half rack design for barbell movements like the squat and bench.
This isn’t the only rack we’ve tested that also includes a Smith machine and functional trainer, so let’s compare this to another popular option, the Force USA G15.
At first glance, the two racks appear similar. Both feature cable arms with weight stacks, a built-in Smith machine, and adjustable J-hooks. However, the G15 is slightly larger, and the weight stacks are heavier, allowing users to lift more weight with the cables.
It’s also $1,000 more, so you’re paying more for a larger frame and heavier weights.
If you want more weight on each cable without needing your own plates, and don’t mind the larger footprint and higher price tag, the Force USA G15 is a great choice. However, if you want to save some money and still get a fantastic piece of equipment for your home gym, we recommend the Vesta Pro Series rack.
To read more, check out our complete Force USA G15 review.
| Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine | Force USA G15 | |
| Price | $4,059.99 – $4,549.99 | $5,499.99 |
| Footprint | 49″ W x 41″ D x 86-94″ H | 79.5” W x 53” D x 87.5” H |
| Weight stacks | Dual 200-lb weight stacks | Dual 289-lb weight stacks |
| Pulley ratio | 2:1 | Interchangeable 2:1 or 4:1 |
| Effective resistance | 100 lbs per side | 144.5 or 72.25 lbs per side |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty on frame, 5-year warranty on pulley system, 3-year warranty on attachments | Lifetime structural warranty |
Customer Experience
Overall, Vesta’s customer support and policies are pretty good, earning a 4-out-of-5-star rating.
If you need to reach Vesta, you can fill out a contact form on VestaFitness.com, send an email, or call during business hours. Vesta also has a showroom in Santa Fe Springs, CA, if you want to visit and see the products in person before purchasing.
The Pro Series rack includes a lifetime warranty on the frame, a five-year warranty on the pulleys, and a three-year warranty on the attachments, so you’re covered if something happens. Returns are accepted within 30 days, though you need to contact Vesta first, who may charge a 30% restocking fee, along with return shipping fees.
Ordering and Assembling the Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine
When you order from Vesta, you’ll receive free economy shipping that takes five to eight business days. If you live near Santa Fe Springs, CA, you can also pick up your order in person, and orders are usually ready within 24 hours.
Qualified buyers can also finance their order using Shop Pay or Affirm, which can be helpful when making such a large purchase.
Finally, our team didn’t run into any major issues with the assembly, though it does take a while and will require at least two people. One customer reported that the included user manual was a little confusing, but he had no problem when he watched the Vesta assembly video on YouTube.
Customer Reviews
At the time of writing, there are only four product reviews on Vesta’s website, but all of them are 5-star reviews. Users love the versatility it provides, and all are very happy with their purchase.
Final Verdict of Our Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine Review
If you’re looking for an excellent combination squat rack that allows you to perform an endless variety of strength training exercises, the Vesta Pro Series 3-in-1 rack is an excellent choice. We wish it had a centralized low row and lat pulldown, but aside from that, the features are excellent.
The pulleys are very smooth, the Smith machine feels great to use, and the frame is compatible with plenty of third-party accessories and attachments. It’s not cheap, but if you’re looking to upgrade your home gym, this is a fantastic choice.
Full Rating
Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine
The Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack combines three machines for your home gym: a half rack, a functional trainer, and a Smith machine. It has 3-inch-by-3-inch-uprights with 1-inch holes, and is made with durable gauge steel. Although it’s a pricier rack, this is a quality rack, with the Smith barbell able to hold a weight capacity of 700 pounds.
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 4059.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.5
Vesta Fitness Pro Series 3-in-1 Ultimate Rack with Smith Machine: FAQs
Are Smith machines worth it?
Yes, Smith machines can be a great piece of equipment. The bar travels on a fixed path, providing additional stability and support, and you can rack the bar at any time, even if you don’t have a spotter.
How heavy is a Smith machine?
The bar in a Smith machine is often a 45-pound barbell but may be counterbalanced to remove some of the weight. Some machines, like the Vesta Pro Series rack, have a full counterbalance that makes the bar completely weightless.
Is Vesta Fitness a good company?
Yes, Vesta makes durable, high-quality fitness equipment, often covered by warranties, and the company has excellent customer service.
References
- Schick, E. E., Coburn, J. W., Brown, L. E., Judelson, D. A., Khamoui, A. V., Tran, T. T., & Uribe, B. P. (2010). A comparison of muscle activation between a Smith machine and free weight bench press. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 24(3), 779–784. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cc2237
Further reading
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