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Anyone who follows American football should know that one of the best NFL tight ends in recent years has to be Rob Gronkowski, who played 11 seasons in the National Football League and won four Super Bowl Championships during his time with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What you may not know, however, is that Rob, his brothers, and his family have been involved in the fitness equipment industry for years, with them recently launching their own line, aptly named Gronk Fitness. The brand specializes in both commercial and home gym essentials—leg press, cable crossovers, leg extensions, leg curls, dumbbells, kettlebells, and slam balls.
Garage Gym Reviews founder and gym equipment expert Coop Mitchell was able to spend some time with their cable machine, the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer. With solid weight stacks, smooth cables, plus unique attachments, this functional trainer is worth a look. We’ll go over what stood out for Coop—good and bad—in our Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer review.
(Weight) Stacks of Fitness Equipment Experience
Just as the Gronk family has decades of experience retailing fitness equipment, the team at GGR has years of experience in the fitness world, with certified personal trainers, weightlifting coaches, CrossFit Level 1 trainers, and lifelong competitive athletes. With that much experience in the fitness industry, we know exactly what to look for in testing fitness equipment.
We’ve tested more than a dozen functional trainers (and counting), so we have a lot of experience on what top brands and machines have to offer. Expert equipment tester and GGR founder Coop Mitchell tested out the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer through an array of exercises, and rated aspects of the product according to our fitness equipment testing methodology, including:
- Construction and durability
- Versatility
- Weight limit
- Footprint
- Overall value
Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
- Aluminum pulleys
- Can be converted into a half rack
- Multi-grip pull-up bar
- 2:1 resistance ratio (100 pounds is actually 50 pounds of resistance)
- 21 height adjustments
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Made with durable parts
- Smooth pulleys
- Can be converted into a half rack
- Dual 200-pound weight stacks
- Compact footprint
Cons
- Expensive
- Pull-up bar is plastic
Bottom Line
The Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer surprised our product testers with smooth cable pulleys, a stable foundation, and quality attachments.
A Quick Look at the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
Rob Gronkowski comes from a family with four other brothers, a fact that I love since I grew up with three brothers of my own. Although Rob is the most well-known, all of his brothers have had successful athletic careers in various sports.
The Gronkowski family has been involved in fitness for a while now, since their dad Gordy Sr. founded G&G Fitness in 1990—a fitness equipment supply company that’s outfitted hundreds of gyms over the years with brands like Body Solid, NordicTrack, and ProForm. Gronk Fitness is a recent equipment brand the family has developed with the goal of providing fitness equipment and guidance to help achieve your fitness goals.
RELATED: Home Gym Equipment Trends
The Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer is pretty comparable to other functional trainers made, with a similar footprint and design. Because it lacks some laser-cut logos, Coop even suggests that there may be a bit of white-labeling going on. With that said, there are some upgraded features that set this functional trainer apart from other generic brands and increase its overall value: aluminum pulleys and 180-degree swivel handles, for example.
Another unique feature is that the functional trainer has half rack J-cup and safety arm attachments—a first for functional trainers, according to the Gronk Fitness website. And we agree, as this may be a great solution for people needing compact exercise equipment.
Before You Buy
- With two 200-pound weight stacks at a 2:1 pulley ratio, this functional trainer has a decent amount of weight for upper body workouts, providing up to 100 pounds of resistance on each cable. Remember, however, that the weight stacks are marked as their true weight, not the perceived weight from the pulley ratio.
- Currently, the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer is at a sale price of $2,399, marked down from a regular price of $3,299. Don’t let that fool you, as this is a common tactic in fitness equipment companies; we expect the price to remain at that sale price for now.
- The internet appears to be divided by the Gronk Fitness logo of a football player. Luckily, if you’re not a fan, the logo on the functional trainer is a sticker, so you can simply remove it.
- In addition to the half rack J-cup and safety arm attachments, the functional trainer also has a low row foot plate and lat pulldown seat, so you can work out your lats and upper back muscle groups on this machine.
Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer Video Review
Is the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer Worth It?
Looking at other functional trainers, there’s some good value from the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer. At $2,399 with free shipping, this machine is less expensive than its most comparable functional trainers, the Titan Fitness Functional Trainer and the REP FT-5000 Functional Trainer. It provides smoother movement during exercises than these two trainers because of its aluminum pulleys; Coop even says it’s smoother than the Freemotion Dual Cable Cross he has at home.
The Bells of Steel Functional Trainer is less expensive at about $1,900, but also is lower quality. The Inspire FT-1 Functional Trainer is similarly priced, but has lighter weight stacks, too.
At this price point, the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer has great value, only rivaled by the REP Fitness Arcadia Functional Trainer, which is priced similarly with 220-pound dual weight stacks. Coop says, “I think the Arcadia is still the one to beat at this price range.”
Still, the Gronk Functional Trainer has some perks that make it worthwhile for certain home gym owners. Its squat rack attachments are great for someone who wants a power rack and functional trainer, but doesn’t have room for both—or even a power rack with a cable machine attachment like the Beyond Power Voltra. Also, the trainer is a little wider than the REP Arcadia, which might make it more valuable to larger users.
Great for:
- Home gym users wanting smooth travel on their cable machine
- People needing a compact solution for a functional trainer and half rack
- Those who prefer a wider functional trainer
Not recommended for:
- Those wanting cleaner welds to the frame
- People who prefer a more textured powder coat on their pull-up bars
- Lifters wanting more storage in their gym machines
Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer Specs
| Price | $2,399 |
| Footprint | 41” D x 61” W x 83” H |
| Dual stack | Yes |
| Weight stack weight | 200 lbs per side |
| Pulley ratio | 2:1 |
| Effective resistance | 100 lbs per side |
| Number of height options | 21 |
| Accessories | Multi-grip pull-up bar, optional half rack kit, optional low row plate, and optional lat pulldown seat |
Using the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
GGR founder Coop Mitchell tested out the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer with a complete full-body workout, performing strength training exercises like triceps push downs, rows, chest flyes, and cable deadlifts.
With 21 height positions on the 2-inch-by-2-inch uprights, there is plenty of room and adjustments for an assortment of functional training. “Most functional trainers like the REP FT-5000 or Titan’s functional trainer have about the same number of handle adjustments, so this is pretty typical,” Coop adds.
After using the functional trainer, Coop says that the guide rods and aluminum pulleys make for a smooth feel with the cables that’s only rivaled by the REP Arcadia (more on that in a bit). Additionally, the unique front-end attachments add to the functional trainers’ versatility. Let’s break down more of this functional trainer’s capabilities and specs.
Footprint
When asked about the size and footprint of the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer, Coop says, “It has a pretty standard size and dimensions—about what you’d expect from most functional trainers.” Being 41 inches deep and 61 inches wide, it’ll take up a bit of floor space; plus, you’ll need extra room to work out with the cables effectively.
One nice feature of this functional trainer is that the handles are able to swivel on the uprights 180 degrees, allowing for hard angles to the side or front of the machine. Coop says this can help the functional trainer fit in some unique smaller spaces and still provide good performance. He rates the footprint a 4 out of 5.
RELATED: Torque F9 Functional Trainer Review
Construction and Durability
The Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer is a solid machine, and Coop thinks it should last for a while. With 11-gauge steel uprights and a steel frame, the functional trainer is built for stability and durability in mind, earning it a 4 out of 5 in construction and durability.
That said, he did have some gripes about the build-out. In particular, the welds appeared inconsistent. Although the welds look like they’ll hold up, they just didn’t have the even consistency that robotic welds have—which is becoming the industry norm. Coop reiterates, though, “I still think the welds will hold up fine, and the trainer can last for a long time. But I would say the welds are just a little sloppy.”
Pulleys and Handles
The handles have an anodized pop-pin and L-handle, which is easy to use and a standard for similarly made functional trainers. The swivel handles rotate 180 degrees, and they rotate smoothly fixed on brass bushings.
The cables feel closer to higher-end functional trainers, too, according to Coop. “The components and ends of the cables are better than cheaper models that have the cable end with the glass balls,” he says, adding, “This has a feel similar to the Life Fitness Dual Adjustable Pulley, which is a higher-end pulley.”
All of the pulleys used in the Gronk Functional Trainer are made of aluminum, which will provide a smoother and better cable travel than most functional trainers. Coop is impressed with the smoothness of the cables, giving the smoothness a 5 out of 5.
Pull-Up Bar
The multi-grip pull-up bar is a definite weakness of the functional trainer as it doesn’t have the same level of quality as the pulley system. The powder coat is thin and smooth, so it doesn’t provide a lot of grip. Coop adds that there is a bit of knurling on the pull-up, but it’s incredibly thin and then painted over, so the knurling is nonexistent.
“I’d hate it if this was the only pull-up bar in my garage gym,” Coop adds. While it’s nice to have the option to do pull-ups, if you do a lot of them in your strength training, you may want to invest in a better pull-up bar instead.
Attachments
There are unique attachments on the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer—in particular, a half rack kit, which adds J-cups and safety arms to the front uprights. This is a unique combination for a functional trainer, but Coop sees this usefulness for only a few situations.
“Instead of a functional trainer that can be a squat rack, most people should get a power rack with a cable system integrated, as that’ll be a sturdier and safer option,” he says. Still, the half rack on the functional trainer can be a compact solution, if you don’t have the space for a power rack. Depending on your gym setup, it can also be helpful to have a second place to rack a barbell.
RELATED: Power Rack Attachments Guide
Aside from the half rack kit, there’s a low row foot plate and lat pulldown seat, which allow for more versatility from the functional trainer, earning it a 5 out of 5 in versatility. One thing Coop notes, however, is that most people on the lat pulldown seat won’t be able to get a full range of motion, as the cable handles can’t be adjusted high enough.
Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer vs REP Fitness Arcadia Functional Trainer
REP Arcadia
REP Arcadia Functional Trainer
Product Highlights
- Compact functional trainer
- Dual 170-lb weight stacks
- 2:1 ratio
- 81″ cable travel length
- 36 height options
- Lifetime frame warranty
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact design
- Lifetime frame warranty
- Affordable price tag
- Smooth cables
- High-quality components
Cons
- Short usable width between uprights
- Length assembly process
Bottom Line
The REP Arcadia is the brand's first in-house-designed functional trainer. It may have a compact design, but it offers high-end features and a butter-smooth pulley system.
The highlight of the Gronk Functional Trainer is the smoothness of the cables, rivaled only by the REP Arcadia, the latest functional trainer from REP Fitness. The REP Arcadia has an optional weight stack upgrade that puts the dual stacks up to 220 pounds, and it stays just a little less than the Gronk trainer at about $2,350.
Plus, the REP Arcadia is a more compact functional trainer and has better built-in storage options. While Coop likes the value in both of these functional trainers, he still feels the REP Arcadia is the one to beat.
For more on this functional trainer, check out our in-depth REP Arcadia review.
| Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer | REP Arcadia Functional Trainer | |
| Price | $2,399 | $1,999 |
| Footprint | 41” D x 61” W x 83” H | 35.8” L x 55.3” W x 80.8″ H (or 78″ H with multi-grip bar inverted) |
| Dual stack | Yes | Yes |
| Weight stack weight | 200 lbs per side | 170 lbs per side (with 50-lb stack upgrades available) |
| Pulley ratio | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| Effective resistance | 100 lbs per side | 85 lbs per side |
| Number of height options | 21 | 32 |
| Accessories | Multi-grip pull-up bar, storage hooks, optional half rack kit, optional low row plate, and optional lat pulldown seat | Built-in storage, multi-grip pull-up bar, band pegs, optional 50-lb weight stack upgrades |
Customer Experience
You can contact customer service through a contact form, live chat, or phone number listed on the website. Gronk Fitness offers 30 days to return your product. If your item is unused and unopened, you can return it for a full refund. Opened and used merchandise can still be returned, too, but you’ll lose 15% of your refund as a restocking fee.
The warranty isn’t directly listed on the website, but I contacted customer service, and got an answer in minutes through the live chat. For residential use, Gronk Fitness provides a lifetime warranty on the frame and parts, earning the brand a 4 out of 5 for its policies.
Ordering and Assembling the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer
The Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer can be ordered through www.gronkfitnessproducts.com, and financing is provided through a Freedom to Play Credit Card. You’ll have to pre-qualify for it, but no interest will accrue if the purchase is paid in full within 18 months.
The functional trainer arrives in a pallet crate, and is pretty hefty, so wherever the crate is dropped off is where it’ll stay until you unpack the crate by hand. Ideally, be present when the crate is delivered and ask the delivery driver to unload it as close as possible to where you want to build your trainer, so it makes your assembly much easier.
This comes with the side uprights and guide rods pre-assembled, and you connect them with cross members and then load on the weight stacks. Because of the heft of the functional trainer, you’ll likely want another person’s help. While the assembly wasn’t too bad for us, expect to take a couple of hours at least, especially if this is your first functional trainer.
Customer Reviews
There aren’t a lot of reviews on the Gronk Functional Trainer currently—only 13 at the time of this writing. Still, they are all overwhelmingly positive, with all the reviews giving 5 stars.
The majority of customers are very happy with the build of the functional trainer, in particular the smoothness of the cables. Many customers are also getting a lot of use out of the optional upright attachments, enjoying the ability to use free weights off of the functional trainer with the half rack kit.
Final Verdict of Our Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer Review
The performance of the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer surprised Coop in his review. The smoothness of the cables makes it a great product, and it’s one of the best value functional trainers in its price range.
Still, Coop prefers the recently released REP Arcadia and thinks most people might gravitate toward that choice, although the attachment features on the Gronk Fitness machine might be enough to sway some people. Additionally, the wider dimensions of the Gronk Functional Trainer might be more preferred for flyes than the compact dimensions of the REP Arcadia.
This was a solid release from Gronk Fitness, and we’re pretty excited to see and review what’s next from the Gronkowski brothers.
Full Rating
Gronk Fitness Functional Trianer
The Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer surprised our product testers with smooth cable pulleys, a stable foundation, and quality attachments.
Product Brand: Gronk Fitness
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 3299.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.4
Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer: FAQs
Are functional trainers worth it?
Functional trainers can be a great all-in-one addition to any home gym, especially if you already have home gym essentials like a squat rack, barbell and free weights, and dumbbells. Functional trainers can provide versatility like few machines can, allowing users the accessibility to get a full-body workout in the convenience of their own home gym.
Does anything set the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer apart from the competition?
Although the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer is pretty comparable to other functional trainers at its price, the machine uses all aluminum pulleys for a smooth travel, as well as unique attachments for functional trainers—a half rack kit, low row foot plate, and a lat pulldown seat.
What are the weight stack options available for the Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer?
The Gronk Fitness Functional Trainer comes with dual 200-pound weight stacks. With a 2:1 pulley ratio, each side provides up to 100 pounds of resistance. There are currently no options for weight stack upgrades.
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