If you’ve been paying attention to home gym gear over the past year, you’ve probably heard (or, more likely, read) the name “RitFit” a time or two.
Truth be told, the name is amusing. I honestly think it sounds more like some cute 80’s creature or droid or something more than a fitness company.
…but they produce some pretty decent home gym racks and other large equipment items.
RitFit doesn’t have quite the name recognition or history of certain other, high-profile fitness manufacturers, but we have found that, for the most part, its gear combines significant degrees of functionality, durability, and affordability.
RitFit Smith Machines like the M1 have even made our list of the best Smith Machines.
We don’t want to cheerlead too much, though; our intention here is to provide a more in-depth overview of some of the company’s most popular (and, in our opinion, best) “big strength machines”. We hope that these insights, in addition to those linked to our full reviews, can help you to pick the best piece (or three) for your garage or basement gym.
Without further ado, we present to you…
Table of Contents
…The Best RitFit Power Cage (and 9 other Big Strength Machines)
M1
92
PPC02C
91
PPC03
85
Folding Rack
84
Buffalo
90
Gazelle
78
PLC01
81
BLP01
85
PSR05
86
PPC01
88
The Best RitFit Power Cage (and 9 other Big Strength Machines)
RitFit M1
M1
The RitFit M1 has gone through multiple iterations, but remains the reigning best Smith Machine on the market today.
With legitimate power rack and Smith Machine capabilities, the M1 allows for a plethora of activities to also include bodyweight movements and cable pulley exercises.
The M1 does not have the most robust steel and other power racks and Smith Machines have thicker steel, but its overall durability rating remains high.
Pros
Versatility combined with a cable system allows for a complex and dynamic workout
Durable, especially considering its steel rating
“Value” (price-to-functionality) is on point
Con
Barbells and weight plates must be purchased to maximize its potential
The RitFit M1 is not only the best large piece of equipment in the company’s lineup, but is also the best Smith Machine on the market today. It combines the functionality of a “standard” Smith Machine with classic power cage, cable, and bodyweight capabilities. For those seeking a true “all-in-one” home gym “centerpiece”, it certainly fits the bill.
The M1’s formula worked solidly for years, but recent updates, ultimately culminating in the “2.0” version of the piece improved and expanded upon many of its existing features. Smoother cable and Smith movements are facilitated via linear bearings and its overall weight capacity has expanded to an earth-shattering 1500 pounds.
Like just about any home gym power rack or Smith Machine, the M1 requires a bit of “help” in order to maximize its potential (unless you just plan on using its pull-up and dip bars). Thankfully, it’s more-than-reasonable price point won’t break the bank, saving extra resources for splurging on necessities like barbells, plates, and benches.
RitFit PPC02C
PPC02C
RitFit’s PPC02C can be classified as an “advanced power cage” mainly because of the addition of a basic pulley system along with the classic power cage components and functionality.
The PPC02C affords lifters a legitimate “inside-the-rack” squatting experience, giving it an advantage over racks that only offer short safety arms/bars for coverage.
Lifters looking for Smith Machine capabilities will need to look elsewhere as the PPC02C does not have these capabilities, but for those who are satisfied with a power cage and pulley system, it’s a solid option.
Pros
Quite functional for a “simple” power rack
Decently small footprint
Extremely high weight capacity
Cons
Limited cable pulley system
The RitFit PPC02C is, at the name (probably) suggests, an upgraded/updated version of the original PPC02 power cage. This rack combines inside-the-rack squatting capabilities with functionalities ranging from common bodyweight movements (pull-ups and dips) to an array of cable pulley exercises.
Despite being just a few steps ahead of a “simple” power cage, the PPC02C boasts a rather impressive load capacity. Accommodating loads of up to 1000 pounds, the rack’s capabilities are appropriate for beginner lifters as well as for advanced/experienced athletes who generally work with heavier weights.
For those who prioritize space savings or who only have a tiny area to devote to in-home weight training, the PPC02C may be the answer as it boasts a relatively small overall footprint and has a max height of just under 7 feet. These space savings combine with pretty decent price savings to form a pretty attractive and functional large gym piece.
RitFit PPC03
PPC03
The RitFit PPC03 has much in common with the PPC02C, however, it offers a more robust and “extensive” cable pulley system.
Along with the increased cable pulley functionality, the PPC03 comes packaged with a number of standard attachment and accessory options.
The PPC03’s safety bars are a little short, requiring lifters to be rather close to the rack in order to squat, but this shouldn’t be a major detriment.
Pros
Free weight and pulley capabilities
Multi-grip pull-up bar accommodates a number of grips
Large array of attachments
Cons
Does not have Smith Machine capabilities
The RitFit PPC03 has a lot in common with the previously discussed PPC02C. Both of these racks have numerous free weight capabilities (although the PPC02C allows for true “inside-the-rack squatting), although the PPC03 provides a few extras that make it an attractive pick to certain types of lifters.
The PPC03’s advanced cable pulley system allows for lifters to perform cable crossovers and related exercises and “extras” like its landmine attachment and low lat row feet clamps allow for more variety to be implemented during workouts. It’s multi-grip pull-up bar even adds a bit of functionality to more common bodyweight movements.
Some may bemoan the PPC03’s lack of power cage-level safety bars, but its “safety spotter arms” are more than capable at supporting lifters even during seriously heavy squatting sessions. The 4 weight tree horns ensure ample weight plate storage, further reducing the home gym’s overall “training footprint”.
RitFit Folding Rack
Folding Rack
RitFit’s Folding Rack is one of the company’s most niche piece of equipment as it provides lifters with limited space a solid option for squatting and performing a select few other exercises.
The RitFit Folding Rack is quickly and easily folded and unfolded, making it an even more convenient option for those who don’t want larger pieces of equipment to take up too much space in their lifting areas.
There are other folding racks that are more functional than RitFit’s offering, but considering its modest price point, is a legit option.
Pros
Incredibly space efficient
Quick and easy unfold
Better-than-average steel rating
Cons
Must be adhered directly to the wall (or to spanners)
The RitFit Folding Rack provides the space-saving capabilities that are so vital to a home gym’s success with high-quality steel and advanced safety mechanisms (in the form of insertable safety bars) to allow for a wide variety of functional workouts in even the smallest of training spaces.
Despite not having the overall functionality of most other large pieces of home gym equipment, racks or Smith Machines (and even less functionality than certain other folding racks) RitFit’s offering does more than enough for most lifters while being extremely fast and easy to unfold at the beginning of workouts and fold back upon their completion.
RitFit Buffalo
Buffalo
The RitFit Buffalo is the company’s most “all-inclusive”, multifunctional machines, allowing for a more diverse array of exercises to be performed than any of its other offerings.
Lifters can use the Buffalo’s Smith Machine, free weight, cable pulley, and bodyweight capabilities as well as the rare, but appreciated vertical leg press attachment.
The Buffalo carries a heavier price tag than most of RitFit’s other large equipment options, but its overall functionality is unmatched.
Pros
One of the most functional, multipurpose Smith Machines
2×3-inch uprights compatible with a large number of attachments
One of the few machines with vertical leg press capabilities
Cons
The most expensive RitFit offering
The RitFit Buffalo is one of the company’s newest large equipment offerings and actually boasts more significant degrees of functionality than even the M1 does. With the addition of the rare, vertical leg press attachment (which can be removed from the Smith Bar), the multifunctional Smith Machine is pretty much in a league of its own.
Boasting the specific components and general functionality to be expected from a power rack/Smith Machine combination piece, the Buffalo allows for free weight, Smith Machine, bodyweight, and cable exercises to be performed. Additionally, it’s numerous included attachments can be bolstered by third-party items, largely due to its decently compatible 2×3-inch uprights.
The Buffalo’s load capacity is sufficient enough in all areas (safety bars, J-cups, etc. to accommodate the needs of even the most experienced lifters. While some may be a bit turned off from the lack of a “true”, horizontal pull-up bar, the rack’s overall versatility more than makes up for this.
RitFit Gazelle
Gazelle
The RitFit Gazelle is the company’s “premium” leg press/hack squat offering, having similar functionality, but more premium materials in relation to the BLP01 offering.
Besides the classic leg press and hack squat exercises, the Gazelle’s upper-body padding makes it more comfortable and, overall, a better choice for reverse hack squats.
The Gazelle’s more premium materials come at a higher price with the machine being roughly twice as expensive as RitFit’s other leg press/hack squat offering.
Pros
Hack squat and reverse hack squat capabilities
2000-pound load capacity
Quiet and smooth-moving linear bearings
Cons
Not inexpensive
The RitFit Gazelle is the company’s “higher end” three-in-one leg press/hack squat machine and is the largest dedicated lower body machine in its entire lineup. The addition of premium roller bearings as well as more durable and robust steel make it one of the most premium, multifunctional leg press machines on the market.
The Gazelle boasts a maximum load capacity that should be able to accommodate the needs of just about any lifter, even when considering that the leg press and hack squat exercises generally allow for the weights to be piled on. This capacity is combined with an easy-to-change back pad, greatly simplifying the process of transitioning between movements.
Unlike RitFit’s other dedicated lower body machines, the Gazelle is not a “bargain” piece of equipment and its price point is more in line with its more premium features. However, its limited lifetime warranty should put any doubts to bed as it is likely to be able to withstand the test of time.
RitFit PLC01
PLC01
The RitFit PLC01 is a rather niche piece of gym equipment that is ideally suited for bodybuilders looking to work their lower quads, although all home gym lifters can likely appreciate its specialized functionality.
Lifters looking to perform leg extensions and leg curls in a space-saving manner have a few options, but the PLC01’s price point and materials make it a solid choice.
The PLC01 isn’t really a “standalone” machine that can serve as the centerpiece to a home gym’s setup and general layout, but makes a nice addition to complement existing larger pieces.
Pros
Feels close to commercial-grade quality
Weight feels close to a 1:1 ratio
Inexpensive relative to other leg extension/lying leg curl machines
Cons
Can only really perform leg extensions and leg curls
The RitFit PLC01 is the company’s first and only dedicated leg extension/leg curl combination machine. This is a more niche piece of equipment and is actually more in line with what one might find in a dedicated “bro gym”. However, for bodybuilders who have to work those lower quads, this is the kind of machine necessary to hit those muscles.
The PLC01 doesn’t have the highest overall level of functionality as other large home gym equipment, but the things it does, it does well. Both the leg extension and leg curl movements are smoothly facilitated and transitioning the machine between movements is a very quick and easy process.
One the PLC01’s biggest selling point is its relatively low price point. It isn’t difficult to find other leg extension/leg curl combination machines at lower price points, but most of these aren’t quite as high quality as RitFit’s offering. For dedicated bodybuilders (or even just for “standard” leg extension/leg curl enthusiasts) it is a legit complementary item.
RitFit BLP01
BLP01
The RitFit BLP01 is the company’s more “economical” leg press/hack squat combination machine with similar functionality to the newer, more “premium” Gazelle offering.
Although the BLP01 lacks some of the higher-end materials as its more expensive counterpart, its ease of assembly, use and overall durability all rate extremely well.
Like other dedicated lower body machines, the BLP01’s overall functionality isn’t as high as that of Smith Machines, power racks, and related options. However, it is a legit option for those seeking a dedicated leg press.
Pros
Does exactly what you want a leg press/hack squat machine to do
Quick/easy assembly
Inexpensive
Cons
Not as “premium” of materials as the RitFit Gazelle
The RitFit BLP01 has the expected functionality of a 3-in-1 leg press/hack squat machine, but carries a price tag that is a bit more palatable than its more premium (RitFit Gazelle) “sibling”. For people who want a quality product that doesn’t quite have the same bells and whistles as more premium options, it is a machine to look into.
The BLP01’s adapted linear bearings are more than functional and combine with a large overall load capacity to create a lifting experience that begins to approach commercial quality. Transitioning between movements/settings is as easy as popping the back pad out and back in, taking just a few seconds.
Despite being a rather large machine, the BLP01, thanks to a very organized packaging process is one of the more straightforward pieces of equipment to assemble. For those looking to get lifting quickly, it doesn’t get much easier to start than it does with this multifunctional leg press machine.
RitFit PSR05
PSR05
The PSR05 is the most “basic” of RitFit’s Smith Machines, although it does provide slightly more functionality than most other Smith Machines that lack free weight capabilities.
Besides supporting more traditional movements, the PSR05 allows lifters to perform lat pulldowns (and other, similar lat bar exercises) as well as standard and angled-grip pull-ups.
Many home gym lifters might prefer more robust free weight and/or pulley capabilities. however, Smith Machine exercise enthusiasts may need nothing more than exactly what the PSR05 offers.
Pros
Functionality is higher than just about any other “basic” Smith Machine
Good value given the number of included accessories
Very easy and fast assembly process
Cons
Not the most extensive functionality
The RitFit PSR05 can be considered to be the company’s “base” level Smith Machine. Unlike many of the power rack/Smith Machine combination pieces in is arsenal, the PSR05 has limited free weight capabilities. However, other inclusions make it a bit more robust than other “basic” Smith Machines.
With an almost-standard pull-up bar as well as an included lat pulldown bar, the PSR05 offers a more versatile array of exercise options to complement the more standard Smith Machine movements. At times, these inclusions can be somewhat in the way, crowding the machine a bit, but the added optionality makes it more than worth it.
As far as Smith Machine pricing goes, the PSR05 is solidly in the lower range, although when considering the additional functionality it boasts, there aren’t too many pieces of equipment on the market that can quite match what it offers.
RitFit PPC01
PPC01
The PPC01 is the most basic of all of the RitFit’s larger pieces of strength equipment as it is essentially a standard power cage.
Unlike many of RitFit’s other offerings, the PPC01 allows for “inside-the-rack squatting” (garnering the safety benefits that come with this perk) as well as for mult-grip pull-ups.
The PPC01 doesn’t come with a host of accessories, but for those seeking an affordable and perfectly serviceable “entry-level” power cage, it’s hard to do much better.
Pros
All basic power cage capabilities
2×2-inch uprights compatible with some third-party accessories
Extremely affordable
Cons
Only power cage (and some pull-up) capabilities
With the RitFit PPC01, we have saved the most “basic” for last. However, this more straightforward power rack doesn’t really lack anything that lifters dedicated to barbell free weight training would ever want to get into.
One of the PPC01’s most attractive features relates to the fact that it is a full power rack. This means that lifters are able to squat inside the rack and will always be fully “covered” by the robust safety bars. This feature alone might place this piece in a category above many more functional racks.
It’s not hard to get some pull-ups in in the PPC01, although cable exercises and other “premium” extras are pretty much non-existent on this rack. However, with a very attractive price point, the rack makes a lot of sense for athletes who are looking for a more “no frills” lifting experience.
RitFit Power Cage Assessment Criteria
In our experience, RitFit has some of the best value-for-price large fitness gear items in the home gym space. However, picking up just about any of these pieces constitutes a more-than-insignificant investment that should be at least sorta thought out prior to pulling the trigger.
We like to think that our methods to the madness of assessing equipment works pretty well and we’re happy to share how we do it here. However, we understand that everyone has different priorities and values different components and features differently.
Also, keep in mind that what you see here is a bit of a simplified version of how this process plays out. Our measurement criteria (“Functionality”, “Price”, and “Customer Reviews”) are intended to pain a comprehensive picture of what you can do with a piece, how much it’ll run you (specifically in relation to others), and what real-life users think about it.
…but again, this is a bit simplified. We definitely encourage you to do your own research and to check out our much more detailed individual reviews for each piece of equipment we have done a deep dive on.
That being said, let’s quickly go over our basic assessment criteria:
Functionality
On a list that includes the different RitFit power cages, power racks, Smith Machines, leg press machines, and leg extension machines (we’re probably missing a few, but you get the point), there is bound to be a bit of…asymmetry when it comes to functionality.
Realistically, a combination leg curl/leg extension machine isn’t going to be able to do as much as a legit “all-in-one” home gym power rack/Smith Machine.
With that being said, in the context of comparing apples to oranges, we don’t “take it easy” on these less…capable machines. If you’re unfamiliar with this gear and are looking for a “centerpiece” to your basement or garage gym, objectively speaking, something scoring a 95 is going to fit the bill a lot better than something scoring 65.
Now, that’s not to say that objectively less functional gear isn’t worth your while. If you gotta do hack squats and “all” you have is a Smith Machine…well…I guess you can get creative…but it’s not gonna be ideal.
One last thing to note is that if you look at our individual reviews where we rate Functionality, we are comparing “like-to-like” i.e. we rate a basic Smith Machine’s functionality against other basic Smith Machines…
…but you want to know about the most functional RitFit power cages and crew…so there you have it.
Price
Right off the bat, we want to state that in this section, we are not comparing the prices of each piece of equipment to the others on this list, but to others in its category. For all intents and purposes a larger machine is going to cost more than a smaller one; we can help you better than that.
Anyways, we’d be…pretty out of touch if we neglected to include price assessments into our overall analysis. If you’re like us, much of the time, you check the price before looking at anything else that some gear is capable of doing for you. Thankfully, as we mentioned before, the majority of RitFit’s stuff is priced pretty well relative to competitors’ offerings.
To give a quick rundown, the RitFit power rack/Smith Machine combos run the most expensive, but only the Buffalo goes over $1500 (the M1, which we have rated as the best Smith Machine on the market barely cracks $1000). More basic power racks and cages are a bit less expensive than these with the more niche folding rack being slightly pricier than others in its class.
The RitFit leg machines are kinda all over the place with the Gazelle being almost twice as expensive as the BLP01 (both are leg press/hack squat machines) while the PLC01 is a moderately-priced leg extension/leg curl machine.
It’s also important to note that we’re not rating these items in terms of “value”, but in terms of absolute price. This helps to remove some objectivity from our assessment and provides more of a direct comparison.
Customer Reviews
One of the best things about RitFit’s rise in popularity over the last few years is that there have been a lot of product test cases and, as a result, a lot of user reviews. What’s better is that it’s not hard to find these on the company’s official main page as well on third-party retailers like Amazon.
Something else to note is that, predictably, the customer review scores are the highest on the official RitFit page. However, they aren’t ridiculously higher, at least relative to the scores you can find in other places. Make of this what you will!
With all of that being said, as much as we would like for you to put all of your trust in our assessments and ratings, we understand that you might want to put at least some stake in what the masses have to say about each of these items. As such, customer reviews make up a significant portion of our assessment criteria.
As with all of our reviews, we’re confident in our picks…
Our Experience with RitFit Power Cages and Gear
RitFit is one of our favorite, moderately priced fitness gear brands. We’ve had the opportunity to work with a plethora of their gear over the last year and appreciate how its larger pieces have consistently maintained a positive price-to-value ratio.
With that being said, we haven’t really come across a situation where a piece of equipment was comparable to a Rogue rig or a REP Fitness functional trainer…but you’re also not paying anything close to those prices, either.
In our experience, and knowing what we know about most home gym lifters, RitFit’s gear is more than capable of not only accommodating, but also holding up (both during individual workouts and over time) under the rigors of typical basement and garage gym sessions.
Worst case scenario, all of the RitFit power cages, racks, and machines come with some type of warranty. Our experiences with their customer service personnel have been universally positive so if you happen to experience an issue with your gear, it ain’t hard to get it fixed…fast.
The Best RitFit Power Cage
RitFit has kept up a pretty blistering pace of releasing new gear at a regular clip while also updating existing items (such as the M1 being recently updated and refurbished for a better overall lifting experience). We’re going to keep an eye on things and will re-run our assessments to determine if we need to change some things around in the coming years.
In the meantime, the current RitFit power cage, Smith Machine, and other big equipment offerings should be able to satisfy even the most critical home gym meatheads…at least for now…
Like most of the these companies, we generally advise you to “go big or go home”. In this context, this means that we recommend that you stick to the racks and machines while opting to shop around a bit when it comes to barbells, plates, and other lifting essentials (unless the package deal is just too good to pass up). We’re partial to the M1, but you do you!
If one of these catches your eye, save yourself 12 percent by using GGREVISTED at checkout!
The Best RitFit Power Cage (and 9 other Big Strength Machines)
M1
92
PPC02C
91
PPC03
85
Folding Rack
84
Buffalo
90
Gazelle
78
PLC01
81
BLP01
85
PSR05
86
PPC01
88
