The Inspire Fitness functional trainer FT1 is the previous model of the Inspire FT2. It is a versatile functional trainer for increasing endurance, losing weight, and building muscle mass. Compared with other functional trainers, the FT1 is one of the best in terms of usability, quality and is also reasonably priced.
With a sturdy frame and sufficient resistance, the FT1 stands out among the machines at the same price and is one of the best home functional trainers in the market.
And it is also a compact home gym (suitable for small spaces and apartments) with useful features such as dual weight stacks, flexible pulleys, upgradable attachments.
It comes with 165-pound weight stacks on each side of the machine, with central holes and a magnetic weight pin for security, meaning that you can adjust the resistance of the weight easily and quickly to an appropriate level without literally having to move the weight plates in and out of the weight stack.
This can not only save you a ton of time but also prevent any accidental dropping of the weight plate on the floor or even on foot.
Each stack of weights consists of 15 plates weighing 4.5 kg / 10 pounds with a stop plate that also weighs 10 pounds.
Also included are two 5-pound weighing plates in the accessories that can be used to compensate for the total weight in each stack of weights to 74.8 kg.
The Inspire Ft1 comes with accessories like tricep rope, 2 × rubber D handles, straight bar, EZ winding bar, ankle strap, multifunctional belt, sports strap, exercise booklet, and complementary 2-pound weights.
Although this machine does not come with an FID bench, it is available for purchase separately if you want to expand the scope of the exercises you can perform.
However, you can still do a lot with the Ft1 without optional accessories. The pulleys have about 30 adjustable positions that allow you to perform an extensive range of exercises, such as triceps flexion, biceps flexion, abdominal crunch, baseball swing, gold swing, gold swing, side twist, alternate punch, and more.
Table of Contents
The Inspire Fitness FT1 Functional Trainer
Pros
- It fits in in the corner of the room
- The frame is extremely durable and stable
- Pulleys and cables are designed to last a long time and operate smoothly
- Ergonomically designed and positioned drawbar
- There are 30 positions in which the pulleys can be adjusted to
- 165 lbs resistance and can be upgraded to 215 lbs
- The machine is versatile, so it offers different possible exercises
- Weight resistance can be adjusted quickly and safely
- Low maintenance
Cons
- It is a very heavy machine so that it would require a dedicated permanent training area.
- Better if weight stacks were 200 lbs
- Bench not included
- It might hard to assemble for some people
Product Dimensions and Specifications
- 54 x 46 x 83 inches / 54 x 83 x 82 inches (with bench)
- User weight capacity: 150 kg / 330 kg
- Resistance: 165 lbs / 74.8 kg with 2:1 ratio
- Available exercises: More than 40
The Frame and Construction
A unique thing about the Inspire Ft1 is its design and size. It has a “V” design and forward space that allows you to perform all exercises right in front of the machine, without the need to get around it.
This means that once mounted in a small corner, and you only need reasonable clearance in the front to use it. And it can be used by multiple users of different heights and body sizes.
It has a small footprint of 46″ D by 54″ W, with a height of 83″. Therefore, a dedicated training area of 3.9 feet in depth by 4.5 feet in width and a ceiling height of at least 7 feet in height will be required to perform push-ups without restriction.
The structure is made of 2″ × 4″ tough 11 gauge oval tubular steel, finished in two-tone powder-coated electrostatic paint, which offers a durable, maintenance-free finish.
In other words, the paint is anti-corrosion that preserves the original appearance all the time, with no need for additional maintenance than cleaning it with a damp cloth.
Also, the drawbar, pulley guide rod, and beams with 30 positions are finished in chrome. The anti-corrosion function has been strengthened further.
The Ft1 consists of a set of adjustable pulleys, cables, a ball bearing system, a drawbar, and a 165-pound weight stack on each side for a balanced weight on each side of the body.
Its 2000 pound tensile strength cables covered in PVC sheets run smoothly through nylon pulleys reinforced with durable fiber. The precision steel ball-bearing system also provides smooth operation and requires no maintenance.
Interestingly, the pulleys can be adjusted to any level so that a variety of exercises can be performed with a resistance rate of 0.5, providing a smooth feeling and greater range of motion for greater versatility.
The Resistance of Inspire FT2
The Ft1 has dual 165-pound weight stacks on each side of the machine. Each weight stack has 15 weight plates (10 pounds each) and a stopper that weighs 10 pounds. So the total is 160 lbs plus the 5 lbs add-ons included in the accessories.
The weight plates are made of sturdy and durable steel, which can last forever. So you don’t have to worry about spending extra money on that.
Adjusting the resistance can be done quickly, easily, and safely. Each weight plate in the weight stacks has the total weight indicated with a hole in the side for the safety pin to be inserted into it. So, just remove the safety pin, insert it into the hole at the position you want, and start training.
This means that you don’t have to practically remove or add weight plates whenever you want to adjust the resistance level.
But the drawback here is that the maximum weight generated for each weight stack is 80 lb / 36 kg because the machine offers a 2: 1 weight ratio. If you are a heavy lifter, you may need to consider the optional 50-pound upgrade. This will update the weight in each stack to 215 pounds.
Assembly
The Inspire Ft1 obviously requires a significant assembly and can even be tricky for newbies to orient themselves with the countless parts that come in the boxes. But you don’t need to worry about too much as the package comes with a detailed instruction manual designed to provide step-by-step assembly instructions.
The whole tower comes pre-assembled, but you need to attach the tower with the pull-up bar and other attachments.
It might require two people to assemble it, and it may take several hours and, in some cases, the whole day to assemble it completely. Adjustable wrench and Allen wrenches arrive with the package, so you don’t need to purchase them separately.
When fully assembled, the dimension of this functional trainer is 54″ (W) x 46″ (L) x 83″ (H), which is quite narrow compared to other functional trainers as they typically come with a width of at least 64” or more. The total weight of Inspire Ft1 is around 725 lbs when fully assembled, and it is quite heavy to move around. So it is better to decide where to place it before assembly.
Also, placing durable mats under your functional trainer is worth considering to protect your flooring and your machine.
Maintenance
Maintaining the Ft1 is not complicated or serious. Once assembled, you are expected to lubricate certain areas of the machine periodically for smooth operation. Comprehensive instructions on this are also included in the manual.
Optional Accessories
These accessories can help make your workouts much more versatile, but they are not included in the package. You will have to purchase them separately if you find it necessary.
- Bench. The bench is used for various exercises, such as the bench press, seated curl, pullover, seated row, seated bench press, and more.
- Preacher curl attachment. The preacher curl attachment is not included. But it is important to include this if you want to hit the arm muscle group hard. You can use the Ft1 pulleys to work on your arms or even use dumbbells to do so, but they are not the same as using them with the preacher attachment.
- 50-pound weight upgrade. A 50-pound weight upgrade may be required if you are a heavy lifter who wants to experience excellent weight resistance.
Included Accessories
The accessories include the following:
- The multifunctional belt for assisted pull-ups
- Easy Curl Bar
- Straight bar
- Ankle Cuff
- Swing handle for baseball and golf swing exercises
- Tricep Rope
- Supplements for the weight of 2 × 5 pounds
- 2 × D rubber handles
- Exercise notebook
Warranty
- Residential: Limited Lifetime on frame and all parts.
- Light Commercial: Limited 10 years on the frame and all parts.
How to Choose a Functional Trainer?
As a synonym for cable machines, functional trainers are weight-stack home gyms bearing one or more pulleys. These pulleys are adjustable, providing an excellent range of motion, thereby making them a versatile choice for rehab or strengthening.
Baseball players and golfers love it as it helps them strengthen the swing movement of the bat or golf club while pitchers could perfect their pitching skills.
The name ‘functional trainer’ sounds cool to use, and we have trainers in all shapes and sizes. Hence, reading through the key specifications below could be of great help in singling out the best equipment for your home gym.
#1. Types
Resistance levels in every piece of equipment are an integral feature that pushes a buyer to go for it. Home functional trainers mostly rely on weight stacks, while some use Power Rod for resistance.
If the price is an issue, choosing a weight-stack functional trainer is better as it is more economical. And it is recommended to go for functional trainers with dual stacks instead of one. This is because they offer more workout options and heavier resistance, thus allowing you to sweat hard and train harder.
Some functional trainers have weight stacks offering as low as 150 pounds of resistance, while most provide at least 210 pounds.
Higher resistance levels promise greater workout benefits. If you are not impressed by the resistance that the functional trainer offers, there are additional stacks available that could be purchased at an extra price.
#2. Attachments
The price range decides the attachments that come with a functional trainer, in most cases. Pricey equipment comes with various versatile attachments, while economical/cheaper ones could provide only a single set of handles.
Benches usually come as an extra attachment sold at an additional cost. You can even invest money in purchasing preacher curl attachments or leg developers if your trainer is compatible with it.
My choice would be to choose a machine that offers basic attachment needs, including a pull-up bar, triceps rope, short bar, long bar, sports bar, ankle strap, curl bar, etc.
#3. Warranty
Functional trainers have different warranty periods for the frame and moving parts. It is wise to know the period for each before making a choice. A warranty of 10 years and above is good for the frame though lifetime is preferable.
Moving parts are subject to easy wear and tear. Hence, most trainers offer around two years or so. But some propose a lifetime warranty on moving parts too. These are expensive but go for them if you could pump in money as they are economical in the long run.
Besides these, ensure that the entire machine would fit your home space, and the pulleys work smoothly for enriching workout time.
Conclusion
Inspire Ft1 is an ideal functional trainer for people interested in losing weight, increasing endurance, and building muscle mass. It is made from durable steel and comes with a solid frame. Its 2 smooth working pulley systems and dual weight stacks offer you an extensive range of workout options, which can deeply stimulate your full-body muscles, such as core, shoulders, chest, back, and arms, glutes, legs, etc. You can get more workout options by using the attachments included.
The high-end feels and the lifetime warranty on the frame and parts are impressive. If you are looking for a compact functional trainer for your home gym, Inspire Ft1 is a nice option and highly recommended.
Check the price of Inspire FT1 on Amazon
Read Also:
