Mikolo M1 Smith Machine
Pros
True 1:1 pulley ratio is genuinely rare under $500
2-year frame warranty and 8 included attachments
One of the least expensive all-in-one machines on the market
Cons
Single cable anchor must be manually repositioned between exercises
The Mikolo M1 is an entry-level all-in-one, combining Smith machine, half rack, lat pulldown, and pull-up bar in a 52 x 46-inch footprint.
Its 2mm frame works out to roughly 14-gauge, and the stated capacity is 1,000+ pounds which is respectable for the price, though below heavier all-in-ones. The 1:1 pulley ratio is the standout: the weight on the stack is the weight you actually move, with none of the reduction you get from the 2:1 systems common at this price.
Where it gives ground is cable convenience. There’s only one anchor point rather than a dual-pulley system, and switching between movements means physically relocating it every time.
The Mikolo M1 has got the fundamentals covered: Smith Bar movements, free-weight pressing and squatting in the half rack, single-pulley cable exercises, and bodyweight work on the pull-up bar. For a lot of lifters, that’s pretty much everything you’re ever gonna need.
The 1:1 pulley system is legit and creates a more “realistic” lifting experience (in practice, a 1:1 ratio equates to 100 pounds on the stack actually feeling like 100 pounds in your hands). On a 2:1 system it’s more like 50. This simplifies both loading and tracking.
Table of Contents
What the Listing Doesn’t Tell You
Assembly takes hours, not minutes. The listing promises under 40 minutes. However, buyers report 3-4 hour builds (with the assistance of a friend) with one noting that instructions were pretty rough.
Ceiling clearance is tighter than the height suggests. At 86 inches the frame itself fits a standard 8-foot ceiling with 10 inches to spare, but that’s the frame…not your head and shoulders at the top of a pull-up. Additionally, in a garage with an 8-foot ceiling you’ll be pulling into the rafters.
Who the M1 is Actually For
The M1 makes most sense as a first all-in-one for someone training alone in limited space on a real budget. If your programming leans on guided bar work and straightforward vertical pulling, it could be the perfect, “budget” choice.
If you superset cable movements, or you’re strong enough that a 1,000-pound rating gives you pause, spending a few extra hundred dollars for a dual-pulley machine buys a bit more functionality in one home gym “centerpiece” machine.
Gear Specs
- Rack Type: Power Rack/Smith Machine
- Steel Rating: 2mm (approximately 14-gauge)
- Static Load Capacity: “1000+” pounds
- Footprint: 52 x 46 (16.6 sq ft)
- Height: 86 inches
- Pulley Ratio: 1:1
- Included Attachments: 8
- Warranty: 2-year frame warranty
Mikolo M1 Alternatives
Mikolo K6
Aluminum pulleys, a 2,000-pound rating, and a full cable crossover system put the K6 in a different class of build quality, at around $1,899. It’s a power cage and functional trainer rather than a Smith machine, so it’s a lateral move rather than a straight upgrade: you trade guided bar work for far better cable functionality.
MAJOR FITNESS Drone3
Cable crossover, pull-up bars, T-bar and squat station in one unit. More machine, more money, larger footprint.
Mikolo Folding Rack – Cheetah
Wall-mounted with a cable system and near-zero footprint when folded. Worth considering if the M1’s 16.6 square feet is the sticking point.
