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Bigger isn’t necessarily always better. However, if you’re ready to unlock your full muscle-building potential, the newer, more sizable sibling from the REP Arcadia family offers more functionality and versatility than its more space-friendly older brother.
In this REP Arcadia Max review, I’ll break down all the design elements that make this recent release one of the best functional trainers on the market. As a certified personal trainer myself, who has tried plenty of machines, I’d say this is one of the best functional trainers on the market. You can also watch the trainer in action as our resident equipment guru, Coop Mitchell, tests the Arcadia Max himself. Let’s dive into all the high-quality details, so you can decide whether this ultra-adjustable strength training tool deserves a spot in your home gym.
We’ve Tested Over a Dozen Functional Trainers
The Garage Gym Reviews team consists of certified personal trainers, CrossFit Level 1 trainers, weightlifting coaches, and even an Olympic athlete. Our talented squad of fitness experts takes the evaluation process to another level, using our comprehensive fitness equipment testing methodology.
When it comes to functional trainers, we’ve gottent our hands on some standout models like the REP Fitness Ares 2.0 and the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer. Our experts use each attachment, inspect the smoothness of the pulley systems, and try different cable positions for a variety of exercises. Our thorough testing protocols allow us to evaluate these muscle-building machines using a 1-5 scale on key criteria such as:
- Construction and durability
- Versatility
- Accessories
- Smoothness
- Footprint
- Stability
- Value
REP Arcadia Max
REP Arcadia Max Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Laser-etched numbers on the uprights
- Lifters up to 6’6 can get a full range of motion on most movements
- Durable and smooth aluminum pulleys
- Rear peg board for storing attachments
Cons
- Large footprint
- Storage hooks on the rear peg board can become loose
- Limited options of where to place your hands on the pull-up bars
- Rubber grips on the pull-up bars
Bottom Line
The REP Arcadia Max Functional Trainer is the bigger brother of the popular REP Arcadia. Our testers enjoyed the smoothness of the aluminum pulleys and found the stainless steel uprights sturdy and durable. The weight stacks are labeled in both pounds and kilograms and feature a 2-to-1 ratio. This functional trainer has a large footprint, but if you have the space and are a tall lifter, you’ll likely appreciate being able to achieve a full range of motion on most exercises.
A Quick Look at the REP Arcadia Max
When Coop speaks, REP listens. We learned that much after the company took feedback from his REP FT-5000 2.0 functional trainer review and made key changes that resulted in the first iteration of the Arcadia.
RELATED: REP Arcadia Review
After releasing their first in-house-designed compact functional trainer earlier this year, the folks from REP Fitness followed up with a bigger, more versatile version of the Arcadia functional trainer. The Max comes with a higher price tag, a few more cable positions, heavier weight stacks, and a pegboard storage system that enables you to organize your attachments.
That said, you will have to sacrifice precious space in your home gym to accommodate this full-sized functional trainer. So, if you’re concerned about overcrowding your training ground, go with the compact Arcadia over its bigger brother.
Before You Buy
- The Arcadia Max includes dual 220-pound weight stacks that can be upgraded to 270 pounds.
- The 2:1 pulley ratio means the effective weight (the weight you actually feel) is only half of what you select.
- The Arcadia Max has the most cable positions (36) of any cable machine, giving you four more height options than the original Arcadia.
- At 7.3 feet tall, this functional trainer is more accommodating for taller lifters than the more compact Arcadia (just 6.7 feet tall).
- Unlike most functional trainers (or fitness equipment in general), you can get the Arcadia Max in a white powdercoat finish.
REP Arcadia Max Video Review
Is the REP Arcadia Max Worth It?
Priced at $2,600, you certainly won’t find the Arcadia Max on a list of the best budget home gym equipment. However, this premium, full-sized cable machine gives you more than enough options to train every body part at just about any angle.
In our experience, REP products rate highly for durability and build quality, which should give you the confidence to pull the trigger on a functional trainer. This unit includes a multi-grip pull-up bar, fully knurled steel D-handles, smooth-moving aluminum pulleys, and customizable pegboard storage for all your attachments and accessories. Keep in mind that the smaller, more affordable Arcadia will work well for a majority of users, so you don’t necessarily have to splurge on the Max.
Great for:
- Taller lifters who need more space than the more compact Arcadia provides
- Home gym enthusiasts who want a single machine for full-body workouts
- Folks who want maximum versatility and the ability to expand with other accessories
Not recommended for:
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Home gym owners with limited space
- Lifters who like having a built-in squat rack or power rack for barbell-based movements
REP Arcadia Max Specs
| Price | $2,600 |
| Footprint | 35.8” L x 55.3” W x 80.8″ H (or 78″ H with multi-grip bar inverted) |
| Dual stack | Yes |
| Weight stack weight | 220 lbs per side (upgradeable to 270 lbs) |
| Pulley ratio | 2:1 |
| Effective resistance | 110 lbs |
| Cable travel length | 93.4″ |
| Number of height options | 36 |
| Small pegboard size | 28” L x 10.2” H |
| Large pegboard size | 28” L x 16.5” H |
| Accessories | Multi-grip pull-up bar, built-in pegboard storage, integrated band pegs |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame, structural welds, and weight stack plates; 1-year pop-pins, pulleys, plastic inserts, cables, and hardware |
Using the REP Arcadia Max
Coop took the latest functional trainer from REP Fitness through a series of strength training exercises, including fly variations, rows, and more. Overall, the well-built, well-designed Arcadia Max gives users a smooth workout experience and ample versatility to work with different weights and at different angles without needing a ton of time to make adjustments.
Let’s dive deeper into Coop’s experience with the Arcadia Max.
Footprint
Make no mistake about it: The Arcadia Max is not meant for tight spaces. As Coop puts it, “It doesn’t always seem that way online, but in person it’s a lot wider and a little bit taller.”
Although it’s listed as 75.5 inches wide, Coop says it’s more around 60 inches when measured from the trolleys. Most functional trainers integrated into racks fall around 47 to 49 inches, making the Arcadia Max about a foot wider.
At 87.6 inches, the Max is about 7 inches taller than its predecessor. This is advantageous for longer-limbed lifters who need a little extra wriggle room.
Overall, the Arcadia Max earns a footprint score of 4 out of 5 stars, as its larger dimensions may make the regular Arcadia a better option.
Construction
The Arcadia Max combines commercial-grade toughness with sleek finishes and user-friendly design elements. For example, the stack plates are made from hot-rolled steel to ensure consistent and durable weight. The pulleys are made from aluminum, providing a smoother pull than their plastic counterparts. And the unit has a durable metallic powder coat finish that looks and feels high-quality.
Coop notes that the stainless steel uprights won’t corrode and don’t have that oily, glossy feel that happens with chrome. However, he wishes REP put the laser-cut numbers on the inside of the uprights for easy viewing rather than on the outside opposite of the holes.
As for the all-important trolleys? Although they’re not quite as smooth as the regular Arcadia, Coop still says they’re one of the smoothest functional trainers he’s tested.
As an added bonus, REP integrated drop-down add-on weights into the stack, a feature that you’ll often see on Life Fitness functional trainers.
“This is what happens when you actually hire engineers that use the product,” Coop says.
Unsurprisingly, the rock-solid Arcadia Max earns a perfect construction score of 5 out of 5 stars.
RELATED: Life Fitness Functional Trainer Review
Versatility
As Coop puts it: A bigger unit equals more anchor points. With four more than the regular Arcadia, the Max has 36 height options, giving you more than enough versatility to train your upper body, lower body, and core, leading to a 5-star rating in this category.
In addition, this functional trainer features dual 220-pound weight stacks with a 2:1 cable pulley ratio. This means the weight will feel like half the actual amount. You can also upgrade to 270-pound weight stacks for an additional $320.
However, Coop doesn’t think this is necessary for most users.
“135 pounds for a functional trainer on each side is more than enough,” he says.
Accessories
One of Coop’s few callouts with the Arcadia Max has to do with the multi-grip pull-up bar. Though this bar has commercial-style rubber handles, Coop prefers the bar used on the regular Arcadia over the more modular version used on the Max.
“It’s not a dealbreaker, but REP is engineering products from the ground up, so this is an area where they could really do something cool,” Coop highlights.
On the other hand, count our founder as a big fan of the integrated pegboard storage system. It’s bigger and wider than the original Arcadia’s, giving you a ton of options for cable attachments.
“I vastly prefer this over other options,” Coop explains.
The strength of the pegboard system outweighs the flaws with the pull-up bar, resulting in a strong accessory score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Value
At $2,600 the Arcadia Max is by no means cheap. However, you should expect to pay at least $2,000 for a high-quality functional trainer, which means this is priced appropriately.
While Coop is a big fan of the build quality and versatility of the Arcadia Max, he believes its smaller sibling still reigns supreme in the all-important value category. “By far, the best value is the regular Arcadia,” he says.
Still, the Arcadia Max is a good value compared to competitors like Bells of Steel, Gronk Fitness, and Titan Fitness (more on that later).
“This beats many of those on the cost, and it’s vastly better designed,” Coop says. “If I’m in the market for a standalone functional trainer, it’s going to be this one or the regular Arcadia.”
Although it’s not a budget-friendly pick, the Arcadia Max earns 4 out of 5 stars for value based on its build quality and performance.
RELATED: Bells of Steel Cable Tower Review
REP Arcadia Max vs Titan Fitness Functional Trainer
Titan Fitness Functional Trainer
Titan Fitness Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
- Smooth guide rods
- Dual 200-pound weight stacks
- 2:1 pulley ratio
- Multi-grip pull-up bar
- Free shipping
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Heavy 200-pound stacks (100-pound working weight) with a 2:1 ratio
- Aluminum pulleys
- Low starting weight of 20 pounds (10 lb working weight)
- Competitive price point
Cons
- Would’ve preferred a taller option (but the 82-inch height allows it to fit in home gyms with low ceilings)
- The unit can shake when using the top end of the stack, but not enough to be concerned
- Only comes with 1-year warranty
Bottom Line
The Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is much like the functional trainer you’d find in a commercial gym, in that it uses commercial-grade materials, but comes in a home gym footprint.
With more than a dozen functional trainers in our testing database, we know what separates a good machine from just an average one. We also know deciding which route to take can be challenging, especially with so many high-quality options available. If you’re considering the Arcadia Max, the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is a similarly priced alternative that offers a solid set of features, too.
While the Arcadia Max has heavier weight stacks and a superior warranty, the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is better suited to smaller spaces. Both have 2:1 cable pulley ratios and almost identical price tags, making them logical options for home gym owners looking for the ultimate training tool.
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of each model’s specs. You can read more about the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer in our full review.
| REP Arcadia Max | Titan Fitness Functional Trainer | |
| Price | $2,600 | $2,500 |
| Footprint | 44” D x 75.5” W x 87.6” H | 44” D x 64” W x 82” H |
| Weight stacks | 220 lbs (upgradeable to 270 lbs) | 200 lbs |
| Weight stack increments | 10 lbs | 2:1 |
| Pulley ratio | 2:1 | 81” |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame, structural welds, and weight stack plates; 1-year pop-pins, pulleys, plastic inserts, cables, and hardware | 1 year |
Customer Experience
REP offers a 30-day money back guarantee. However, all returns will incur a return shipping fee, which will be deducted from your final refund amount. In addition, there’s a 15% restocking fee for items that are not returned in their original packaging, or items that are returned incomplete.
If you run into any issues or have questions, you can call or text REP’s Colorado-based support team at 720-420-1731. The team is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST.
Ordering and Assembling the REP Arcadia Max
You can order the Arcadia Max directly from the REP Fitness website. In addition to free shipping, the company offers financing options through Affirm.
During the checkout process, you can also purchase the following add-ons:
- Weight stack upgrade ($320)
- REP® x Kleva Built® Cable Attachment Bundles – Colorado™ (Medium) / Without Genesis™ Jack 2.0 ($340)
- REP® x Kleva Built® Cable Attachment Bundles – Double Black Diamond™ (Aggressive) / Without Genesis™ Jack 2.0 ($340)
- Performance Package ($175)
- Pro Series Package ($249)
Once your Arcadia Max arrives, budget about four hours for assembly. Per REP’s website, even though this functional trainer ships partially assembled, you’ll need two people to put everything together.
Customer Reviews
Although it’s only been on the market for a few months, it hasn’t taken long for the Arcadia Max to earn a reputation as a top functional trainer. Over on the REP Fitness website, this versatile standalone cable machine has garnered a 5-star rating, based on 22 reviews.
Verified buyer Mike L. highlighted the rock-solid build materials, easy-to-connect attachments, and commercial gym-quality pegboard in his assessment of the Arcadia Max.
“Super happy with this setup. Not having a quality cable rack was the primary reason I’d skip the home workout and go to the gym. Now the gym is just leg day!”
While Mike expected the assembly process to be more troublesome, he was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. However, he wasn’t as pleased with the lat pulldown attachment, noting that “it could be done with two individual gips rather than the lat bar.”
Meanwhile, fellow verified buyer Kyle H. fits the mold of someone who’s better suited for the Arcadia’s younger brother. As an especially tall lifter, he appreciates the extra wriggle room provided by the Max’s larger frame.
“Over a month ago, I decided to pull the trigger on the Arcadia Max, and I do not regret it! It took some interpretation to get it assembled (no big deal), and one section of the instructions was wrong (again, no big deal), but once I got it up and installed, I have used it almost every day. I am 6’6”, so the Max was a must for me.”
Final Verdict of Our REP Arcadia Max Review
REP hit a home run with the first generation Arcadia. The Max ramps things up a notch with extra height options, heavier weight stacks (that can be upgraded), a taller, wider frame, and a few other user-friendly features.
That said, the $600 price difference between these two members of REP’s functional trainer family isn’t anything to scoff at. If you don’t need the extra height and width of the Max and can live with four fewer cable positions, the compact Arcadia will get the job done while giving you the flexibility to purchase an add-on or two.
However, if you can afford to splurge a bit for the most optionality, you can’t go wrong with the Arcadia Max. In the end, all you need to answer is: How much does size matter?
REP Arcadia Max: FAQs
What is the difference between the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer and the REP Arcadia Max?
While they’re priced similarly, the main differences between the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer and the Arcadia Max are that the former has a smaller footprint while the latter has heavier weight stacks and more high-end features such as built-in pegboard storage.
Where does REP Fitness ship to?
REP Fitness ships orders within the lower 48 states, as well as Canada. Currently, the company does not ship internationally.
What attachments come with the Arcadia Max Functional Trainer?
The Arcadia Max comes with two fully knurled, steel D-handles. It’s also compatible with other functional trainer attachments from REP, such as a straight bar, ankle cuffs, and more.
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