This content was created in partnership with MAJOR FITNESS to support the launch of the B17 All-in-One Trainer.
Fitness isn’t built by waiting in traffic, waiting in lines for equipment, or waiting for the next promotional offer to drop.
To be blunt, frequenting the local commercial gym is rarely the most efficient nor the most effective method for maximizing personal health and wellness.
At the same time, owning three mismatched machines that never quite work together isn’t the most direct path to legitimate results either.
These interconnected problems have given rise to a new class of home gym equipment: the all-in-one machine.
A machine like the MAJOR FITNESS B17.
This movement has been spurred on by trainees who want commercial-gym capabilities, but don’t want the commute, the crowds, or a random assortment of single-purpose machines. These “ideal” home gym trainees deserve serious equipment…
…and, ideally, a single machine capable enough to anchor their entire setup.
Table of Contents
The Ideal MAJOR FITNESS B17 Owner
Describing the ideal B17 owner is simple, but also a bit nuanced.
Those looking for a single machine capable of supporting heavy barbell work, controlled Smith Machine lifts, high-rep cable movements, and calisthenics will find themselves in business. Facilitating all of this without turning garages and basements into mazes of random machines is what truly sets the B17 apart.
It’s particularly well-suited for barbell training enthusiasts who appreciate finishing sessions with cable-system burnout sets. This is impossible in most home gym arrangements, but it’s exactly where the B17 shines.
The linear-bearing Smith system is designed with “safety first” trainees in mind. Its movement pattern is smooth and consistent, completely removing the anxiety that normally comes with heavy solo lifting.
Its intentional, organized structure allows couples to seamlessly train together. Alternating between free weight exercises, pulley system work, and the Smith Machine is easy, making it easy to share the machine without constantly rearranging things or changing out equipment.
With so many ideal B17 owners, identifying those who might not find it to be the best fit is slightly tricky. Nevertheless, it is less ideal for lifters who prioritize dumbbell work or who are more interested in a purely cardio-focused setup (involving items like treadmills and rowers).
The B17 isn’t designed to replace the specialized gymnastics setups competitive CrossFit athletes rely on. For everyone else, though, it offers functionality to support a plethora of training modalities.
Why “Cancel Your Gym Membership” Machines Exist
…but does a single piece of home gym equipment need to do everything?
Not necessarily, but it certainly beats the alternative.
From a simplicity standpoint, with the B17 at home, things are essentially “mission accomplished”. No more searching for “just one more” machine to fill a gap. No more compatibility issues. No more trying to make separate pieces of equipment behave like a system.
The psychological element should not be discounted, either. Too many home gym owners never truly commit to training at home because their setup feels unfinished and unsettled. The B17 removes these limiting beliefs; when everything is in one place, a consistent training regimen is much easier to stick to.
Ultimately, the B17 isn’t just about being able to do every exercise. It’s about doing everything without the space, cost, and trial-and-error that comes with building a home gym piece by piece.
Pulley Ratios and Steel – Why These Numbers Matter
A lot of ad space is devoted to pulley system ratios. However, almost no one explains what these numbers actually mean.
What exactly do the B17’s interchangeable 1:1 and 2:1 pulley ratios do and why is this combination such a game changer?
Simply put, with a 1:1 ratio, the weight you select is the weight you feel. Set the stack to 100 pounds and you’re lifting 100 pounds. This is ideal when you want to go heavy on exercises like lat pulldowns, low lat rows, or other low-rep, strength-building sets.
With the 2:1 ratio, that same 100 pounds feels like 50. The resistance is smoother and more “machine-like” than the 1:1 ratio, which is perfect for flyes, curls, lateral raises, and higher-rep hypertrophy training.
Most all-in-one machines are limited to either a 1:1 or a 2:1 pulley ratio…and to either a strength-focused or hypertrophy-focused pulley system. With the B17, both approaches are possible.
Another commonly cited, but rarely explained statistic is steel rating. Once again, this is an area that is easy to discuss and where the B17 excels.
Its front uprights are constructed of 12-gauge steel. This rating is considered “light commercial” and is thicker and more resilient than the 14-gauge steel more common in home gyms. This is the kind of steel that is found more often in small training studio machines than in garage gym gear.
This resiliency is further demonstrated by its safety arms’ 1,000-pound drop capacity. Combined with superior steel, this capacity ensures a stable lifting experience and long-term durability.
The combination of these design decisions, rather than any single feature, defines how the B17 performs in practice.
The “Real-World” Test: Assembly, Space, and Time
The idea of a “do-everything” machine sounds great…until realizing it’s gotta be put together.
Thankfully, the B17’s clearly labeled and easy-to-follow instructions are a step up from the usual, indecipherable equipment assembly manuals. All necessary hardware is included, and with a power drill and an extra set of hands, the process becomes manageable rather than frustrating.
Once it’s up, height isn’t a problem. At just over 7 feet tall, the B17 fits comfortably in most basements and in nearly every garage, while still providing enough clearance for pull-ups and overhead pressing movements.
Instead of plates leaning against the wall and resistance bands piled in a corner, the B17 keeps everything organized. Multiple weight plate holders and barbell holders are complemented by a visually appealing pegboard. It’s difficult not to maintain a calm, pristine space when every item has a dedicated place.
“Time-saving” is arguably the biggest priority for home gym trainees. Any piece of equipment that saves a drive to the gym is a game-changer, but the B17 takes things a step further. Its dual weight stacks eliminate the need for switching out weight plates after each set, easily cutting 5-to-10 minutes off each training session.
Smith Machine and barbell work still require plate changes, but when speed and convenience are the main priorities, the B17’s weight stacks optimize them the most.
In the “real world”, a place with limited space, limited time, and no professional installers, the B17 is engineered with “real people” in mind.
Why the B17 Isn’t “Just Another” All-in-One Machine
Truth be told, there are plenty of machines that claim to be the “centerpiece” of a home gym. However, among this select population, it’s difficult to find one that includes a dual weight stack system, let alone a machine that also combines higher quality steel components, distinct and interchangeable pulley systems.
Additionally, many all-in-one trainers get a few things right, but drop the ball in one (or more) pivotal areas. They may sport a smooth-gliding Smith Machine with a mediocre cable system, or a commercial grade squat rack without enough clearance for pull-ups.
The B17’s advantage is its balanced approach. It doesn’t overspecialize in any one area at the expense of the others and avoids these compromises without demanding extra ceiling height or floor space. Its footprint and overall size are in line with much simpler machines, yet it offers significantly more training flexibility and structural capacity.
Even small details, like its 14 rackable Smith positions, give it more real-world usability than most competitors, which usually top out between 9 and 11 positions.
Closing Thoughts on the B17
All things considered, the B17 isn’t just another all-in-one machine. Its stability, versatility, and thoughtful engineering place it in a different category from most competitors.
It’s one of very few machines that genuinely fulfills the promise of replacing a commercial gym and is the ideal machine for those genuinely interested in maximizing their home gym training. For those evaluating all-in-one machines with long-term training goals in mind, the MAJOR FITNESS B17 belongs on their short list.
