The FT-5000 2.0 and Adonis™ cable tower are both high-quality cable machines, but they serve different purposes and have different benefits. Think of them like cousins: related, but on different sides of the family tree.
Overall, the FT-5000 2.0 is more of a classic, stand-alone functional trainer, whereas the Adonis™ cable tower is in a field of its own. Here’s a look at what distinguishes them.
Cable Ratio Features
The Adonis™ cable tower has a built-in lat pulldown and low row cable system that has a 1:1 ratio, as well as an adjustable trolley for unilateral functional trainer movements at a 2:1 ratio.
By comparison, the FT-5000 2.0 only offers a 2:1 cable ratio. While you could do lat pulldowns and low rows on the FT-5000 2.0, the 2:1 ratio is best for speedy, functional exercises; the 1:1 ratio is optimal for slower, strength-based lifts, like lat pulldowns. You also need to use a bench or box to sit on for pulldowns on the FT-5000 2.0, whereas you can attach a seat with a built-on leg roller onto the Adonis™. You’d be missing the leg roller on the FT-5000 2.0, so it’s really not the best option for pulldowns.
As far as strength-based exercises, the Adonis™ cable tower is also more suited for seated rows, with a built-on, telescoping footplate with seven different starting positions to brace against. While you could put the cable on its lowest position and achieve a seated row on the FT-5000 2.0, the experience is going to be different without a designated footplate.
Read more about cable ratios and why they matter here.
Functional Trainer Configuration
The Adonis™ cable tower can be used as a stand-alone piece, be built into a dual-sided functional trainer, or attached onto a 5000 Series power rack or rig.
The FT-5000 2.0 is only offered as a stand-alone functional trainer and can’t affix onto a power rack or rig. And the FT-2000 2.0 only comes with dual sides – it does not have a single tower option.
Cable Machine Weight Options
Another difference is the weight. The Adonis™ cable tower is more versatile when it comes to its weight setup.
The Adonis™ cable tower has the option for either plate-loaded or selectorized weights, with the ability to convert from plate-loaded to selectorized in the future. You can add even more resistance using Pull-Up Bands or resistance bands on the built-on band pegs.
You can’t attach band pegs onto the FT-5000 2.0, so you can’t use it with resistance bands.
Both options make it easy to have small weight jumps, as they both come with micro plates. But due to the 2:1 ratio, the jumps are slightly smaller on the FT-5000.
The Adonis™ cable tower comes with a pair of 1.25lb micro-plates and a pair of 2.5lb micro-plates. The FT-5000 2.0 comes with four 2.75lb micro-plates – but on the 2:1 cable ratio, they feel like 1.375lbs. This is a minimal difference from the smallest Adonis™cable tower jump, however.
One weight difference that isn’t minimal is the weight capacity. The FT-5000 2.0 tops out at 224lbs per side, which feels like 112lbs per side – or a total resistance (both sides) of 224lbs.
The Adonis™ cable tower is comparable for the trolley (the 2:1 cable), with a total weight capacity of 450lbs, which feels like 225lbs. But the lat and low row (the 1:1 cable) also has a 450lb weight capacity. And that is a very real 450lb of resistance. You can use the lat pulldown and low row feature for a ton more exercises than just lat pulldowns and low rows (check out this blog), which makes the Adonis™ cable tower more versatile, especially for experienced and larger lifters who can move a lot of weight.
Which is the Most Versatile Cable Machine?
The Adonis™ cable tower is more versatile than the FT-5000 2.0 in other ways, too. The Adonis™ cable tower offers 34 different cable positions/height options, whereas the FT-5000 2.0 offers 21.
The Adonis™ cable tower has a notably longer cable length, too. Its cable can travel 108” from the trolley, whereas the FT-5000 2.0 cable only travels 86”.
Which Functional Trainer is Best?
While the Adonis™ cable tower stands proudly in a class of its own – and is especially designed for versatility and customization – both options are excellent.
The FT-5000 2.0 is the best bet if you want a more classic, stand-alone functional trainer with high-end details, dual cables, and a 2:1 cable ratio. Plus, if you already have a power rack with a Lat and Low Row Attachment, you don’t need another 1:1 cable and lat pulldown/low row feature.
The Adonis™ cable tower is optimal if you want both 1:1 and 2:1 ratios and you don’t already have a lat pulldown and low row attachment. The rack-mounted Adonis™ cable tower is also a great space-saving option. Either the selectorized or plate-loaded option will appeal to lifters who need more than 224lbs for their strength-based lifts or who want to be able to incorporate resistance bands into their cable training. The single Adonis™ tower is also the best cable machine for you if you only need one cable to focus on unilateral exercises.
Need More Help Choosing a Cable Machine?
Check out our blogs to help you pick the best functional trainer/cable machine for your home or commercial gym:
