Force USA X20 Pro Review – Is This Multi-Trainer Worth It?

Our Review Of The Force USA X20 ProMulti-Trainer

Our Experience Using This Home Gym

When you first look at the Force USA X20 Pro all-in-one multi-trainer, its robust frame looks impressive. And it feels equally as sturdy as it looks.

I’ve tested many Force USA products over the years, and the X20 Pro is excellent.

It’s one of the best functional trainers I’ve used, and it would eliminate your need for a commercial gym. For more info, check out our guide on working out at home vs the gym.

Its 6-in-1 design (9-in-1 if you upgrade) gives you all the benefits of multiple pieces of equipment without taking up all your home gym floor space.

The X20 Pro multi-trainer has a small footprint of 70" W x 86.5" D x 91" H, which is small compared to stand-alone gym equipment.

While using the X20 Pro multi-trainer, I found the weight stacks and pulley system to be excellent with smooth operation, and the machine didn’t rattle too much.

The machine remained sturdy when I used the power rack and chin-up station, and I was impressed with it; at no point did I feel unsafe.

Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced gym goer, you’ll feel confident that the X20 Pro has your back.

One of my only issues with the X20 Pro is that it doesn’t come with an Olympic barbell or adjustable bench.

While this might not be a deal breaker, the machine is expensive, and I felt it would have been nice to have them included in the price.

I must admit the upgrade options for the X20 Pro are fantastic, but obviously, they come at an additional cost.

Overall I’ve been impressed with the Force USA X20 Pro and believe it’s one of the best all-in-one trainers that Force USA offers.

Looking for something cheaper? Check out out guide to the best all-in-one home gyms to find exactly what you need!

Size & Dimensions In The Home

During this Force USA X20 Pro review, it's crucial I cover the all-in-one machine's size.

While it has a compact design with a small footprint compared to stand-alone gym equipment, it's much larger than other functional trainers with a power rack that Force USA produces, so you'll need to ensure you have enough space.

One of the areas in which the X20 Pro is larger is its depth. It's 91" deep which is considerably larger compared to the Force USA G6 (which is only 64" deep).

While this might be an issue if you're struggling for floor space, I love that the X20 is a full power rack.

I was impressed with the X20’s full power rack as it gives you plenty of internal room to work out and you don’t feel confined to a small amount of working space, which is often the case with other functional trainer units.

Even though the X20 is deeper, it still has a similar width (70") to other models that Force USA has made.

The X20 is also extremely tall, with a height of 91”, making it excellent for taller users, but its height might be an issue if your home gym has low ceilings.

Even though it has a 91" height, I'd ensure you have an additional 1-2 feet of space above that to allow headspace while you use the chin-up bar.

The last thing you want is to hit your head on the ceiling!

Overall I've found the Force USA X20 Pro dimensions to be compact and will save you a ton of space compared to purchasing single-use machines such as a bench press, squat rack, cable machine, etc.

The Force USA X20 Pro should fit into most garage gyms or home gym spaces, but I'd double-check that the depth and the height aren't going to cause an issue.

Read Also - How Tall Are Power Racks? (Space Requirements)

Design & Build Quality

The Force USA X20 Pro is a brilliant functional trainer with power rack that’s got a compact and robust design with a relatively compact footprint.

Before I talk about the build quality, I feel it’s important to note that the X20’s design will make most commercial gyms obsolete.

Once you’ve got this all-in-one functional training machine in your home gym, you won’t need much else.

Its compact design is much smaller than stand-alone gym equipment, saving you a ton of space.

Yet, I must admit it’s a little deeper (91”) than other Force USA functional trainers, but this is mainly due to the full power rack that the X20 comes with.

While using the X20 Pro with my Olympic barbell (sold separately), I found it to be highly sturdy, and I felt secure while I performed bench press.

One of the best design features is the Westside hole spacing (1" spacing) which allowed me to adjust the J hooks to the perfect height for me.

In addition, it made unracking and racking the barbell much easier and more comfortable.

It also allowed me to place the safety spotter arms at the suitable height too. This is great if you train alone, as you won’t need a spotter for certain lifts.

I only wish the X20 used westside spacing all the way up the power rack’s uprights, as it switches to 3” spacing for the upper rack.

When it comes to build quality, you only need to see the Force USA X20 Pro to see it has been exceptionally well made.

It uses 3”x3” 11-gauge steel for the uprights, providing you with one of the most stable functional trainers on the market.

The use of 11 gauge steel throughout the X20's design is a nice touch and is one of the reasons why the machine has an excellent weight rating allowing you to lift up to 992 lbs on the power rack and storage shelves.

The Force USA X20 is similar to the X15; the main difference is that the X20 provides you with a full power rack while the X15 gives you a half rack.

The excellent build quality of the X20’s frame carries over to the weight stack system, which is super smooth and a pleasure to use.

Overall the Force USA X20 pro multi trainer is a brilliant all-in-one power rack functional trainer that would be ideal in your home gym or a small commercial setting, but I’ll cover more about that in a moment.

Even though the X20 Pro is on the expensive side ($4500 and up), you’d be hard-pressed to find another full power rack functional trainer with such a robust and well-thought-out design.

See Related - Do Power Racks Have To Be Bolted Down?

Workout Stations & Versatility

The Force USA X20 Pro multi trainer with power rack is a versatile piece of home gym equipment that gives you 6 workout stations as standard.

You can purchase an optional upgrade that provides you with 3 additional stations, taking your total to 9 workout stations.

With the X20 Pro, you can perform over 400+ exercises on this compact home/garage gym machine, and I believe it's highly unlikely you'll need any other piece of equipment in your gym.

The X20 Pro multi-trainer provides you with the following workout stations and multiple attachments and accessories:

Full Power Rack

Force USA has given the X20 a full power rack which provides you with plenty of space to perform all of your traditional barbell exercises, such as squats, military presses, bent-over rows, deadlifts, bench presses, and more.

There are hundreds of exercises you can use the power rack for, and it's excellent. It's my favorite feature of the Force USA X20 home gym system.

It’s perfect if you love performing traditional weight lifting exercises, CrossFit style workouts, or are a powerlifter.

Functional Trainer

The X20 functional trainer has 2x 289lb weight stacks with a 2:1 pulley ratio.

Each pulley on the functional trainer can be adjusted to 34 positions along each of the X20’s uprights. This allows you to work your muscles through a variety of angles.

There are over 75 exercises I can think of, including cable flys, lateral raises, front raises, chest presses, bicep curls, tricep extensions, and more.

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Chin-Up Bar (Multi-Grip And Straight Bar)

The chin-up bar is excellent on the X20. I love using the multiple grip positions on offer to work my lats and biceps.

However, it also comes with a straight bar attachment which you can use for pull-ups, chin-ups, hanging leg raises, and more.

Landmine Attachment

The landmine attachment, or "core trainer," as it's often called, can be used to perform a wide range of upper and lower body movements.

It comes with a multi-grip landmine handle and can be used for single-arm presses, lunges, squats, bent-over rows, and more.

Suspension Trainer Stirrup

Stepping away from barbells and weight stacks, the X20 has a loop where you can attach your suspension trainer system, such as the TRX (sold separately).

By using a suspension trainer, your exercise options increase tenfold, adding hundreds of possible bodyweight exercises to your arsenal.

With a suspension trainer, you can perform inverted rows, dips, push-ups, plank, squats, pistol squats, and more.

Low Row Station

The low row station allows you to work your lats by giving you a stable platform to perform horizontal pull exercises and rowing movements like the seated row.

Wide Variety Of Handles (Included As Standard)

The X20 has a wide range of handles, including a short bar, close grip triangle, ankle cuff, 2x plastic handles, tricep rope, tricep V bar, and a lat pulldown bar.

Each handle can be used to work all areas of your body, from your triceps and biceps to your lats and pecs.

Also Check Out - Best Power Rack Accessories

Jammer Arms (With Upgrade Kit)

The optional jammer arms allow you to perform movements such as the incline bench press, bent-over rows, deadlifts, shrugs, squats, lunges, snatches, and more with improved safety.

As the arms are more stable than free weights, they’re an excellent attachment for beginners to learn a movement and for more advanced users to push themselves past failure without needing to worry about a spotter.

Matador Dip Handles (With Upgrade Kit)

The Matador dip handles are V-shaped attachment that allows you to adjust your grip from 17” to 23”, allowing you to adjust your position to hit your chest and triceps.

With this attachment, you can perform dips, inverted rows, reverse shrugs, and more.

Related Article - Chest Dips Vs Triceps Dips

Lat Pulldown (With Upgrade Kit)

As part of the optional upgrade, you get a lat pulldown kit which includes a multi-grip lat pulldown bar, a knee holder, and a seat attachment.

While it’s not 100% necessary, the seat and knee holder pad help you work your lats from a more comfortable position.

While the upgrade kit is pricey, the inclusion of a lat pulldown makes it even more worth it. Lat pulldowns are one of the best pull exercises to grow your back.

Weight Range

Force USA loves designing equipment with excellent weight capacities, and the X20 all-in-one trainer is no exception.

Here’s the weight rating of each area:

It's worth noting that the cable pulley system uses commercial-grade aircraft cable that's been rigorously tested up to 2000 lbs.

It's unlikely you'll be lifting any heavier than that since the 2x weight stacks are 289 lbs each.

Unless you're an advanced athlete and professional lifter, the Force USA X20 Pro multi-trainer is perfect for most gym-goers.

I'd also like to mention the 8 weighted plate holders placed on the side of the power rack, allowing you to store your Olympic and standard plates.

There are also two barbell holders, but I'll discuss this in detail later.

Assembling This Product

When the Force USA X20 power rack arrives upon delivery, it comes on a pallet consisting of 3 wooden crates.

And the X20 is heavy! It weighs 1600 lbs; if you've opted for the upgrade kit, you can expect an additional 300 lbs.

Needless to say, you’ll need some help moving these boxes into your home gym space, as the shipping service is curbside only. They will leave it on your driveway, but getting it into your home is on you.

Luckily, I had two friends available to help me move the boxes inside, and I recommend you have at least one other person to help you; two people are ideal, though.

When it comes to the assembly of the Force USA X20 Pro multi-trainer, it can be challenging for some users.

The instruction manual [1] can be a little confusing if you’re new to assembling gym equipment. This is mainly because the diagrams can be overwhelming and contain a lot of information, while some pages lack detailed instructions.

Thankfully, I've installed several of Force USA's multi-trainer systems, and I'm used to how the instructions are laid out.

To assemble the Force USA X20 power rack with functional trainer, you need basic tools like an adjustable wrench and Allen wrench set.

I’d avoid using power tools as you might damage some of the components, and that’s the last thing you want to do.

It took me around 5 hours to fully assemble the product with a friend, and I recommend you keep a day free in case you hit any issues or get stuck trying to understand the instructions.

Also, ensure you’ve got enough ceiling clearance, it’s 91” tall, and you’ll need to leave a foot or two above that so you can use the pull-up bar effectively.

If you don’t feel comfortable building the machine, you can opt for the third-party (white glove) installation service [2] that Force USA offers.

The professional installers will cost you around $800, but it might be worth it if you aren't confident or don't have time to build the Force USA X20.

Price Guide

When it comes to price, the Force USA X20 is costly. It's priced at around $4500 and can shoot up to $7000 if you buy the upgrade package or add-ons like a Force USA Olympic powerlifting barbell and adjustable bench.

If you want to save some money, though, we have a deal that can save 5% off your purchase by using our code GGP5.

While $4500-7000 might sound like a lot of money to invest in gym equipment, you'd spend more if you bought stand-alone gym equipment such as a bench press, functional trainer, squat rack, and so on for your home gym.

By choosing the Force USA X20, you’ll save a significant amount of money and space while getting a wide variety of exercise options. In some instances, you might save several thousand dollars.

However, if you can't afford the Force USA X20, you should look at the Force USA X15, which is around $500-1000 cheaper. However, it is a half-rack system rather than a full rack.

Shipping & Warranty

The shipping costs and details will vary depending on where you are in the world.

If you're living in the USA, shipping will cost around $350-400. It's available in 48 states and is a curbside delivery service, so always ensure you've got someone at home who can help you move your X20 from the curb into your home gym… it's heavy, trust me.

If you live in the UK, you'll be pleased to know you can have your Force USA X20 delivered for free. Who doesn't love free shipping?

If you live in Canada, you can purchase the X20 from the ForceUSA.ca website. [3] Shipping costs will vary depending on your location.

However, you should expect to pay between $99-599 in Canada for shipping, so please ensure you've taken this amount into consideration when you budget.

Living in Australia? This one’s for you; Force USA can deliver your Force USA X20 to your door for $130-480 depending on your territory in Australia. For the fastest shipping times, I recommend buying your Force USA X20 from GymAndFitness.com.au.

You’ll be pleased to know that, like their equipment, Force USA has an excellent warranty.

You get a lifetime structural warranty, 2 years on cables, pulleys, & parts while getting a 90-day wear and tear policy for all upholstery.

I’ve found Force USA to offer one of the best warranties around, and you’ll struggle to find any better on the market.            

Pros And Cons Of The Force USA X20 Pro Home Gym

Who Is The X20 Pro Best Suited For?

While the Force USA X20 is excellent, it's not for everyone. To help you out, here's who should invest in the X20.

Unique Features Of The Force USA X20 Pro Multi-Trainer

6-In-1 Strength Training System

While the X20 strength training all-in-one machine is primarily a 6-in-1 home gym system(base package), you can purchase the upgrade kit (which I highly recommend).

The upgrade package increases the number of workout stations to 9, making it a 9-in-1 multi-trainer.

The standard X20 comes with the following stations:

By upgrading, you add the following:

While using the X20 home gym multi-trainer, I found you can easily have two other people training concurrently on the machine (depending on what you’re using).

I was able to squat inside the power rack while my training partners used the landmine and low row. This is ideal for personal trainers who like to perform small group training sessions.

While the X20 functional trainer is a 6-in-1 or 9-in-1 system, you can perform hundreds of exercises on each station, allowing you to work your entire body on one machine.

Honestly, there are so many attachments it'll hit all your training needs.

Unlike most other power racks with multi-trainer systems, the X20 allows you to squat inside and outside the rack, so technically, you could have two people using barbells at once.

The versatility of the X20 is unmatched, especially for a relatively compact piece of equipment. It’ll be an excellent purchase for most people’s garage gym setups.

Full Power Rack Foundation

I have been incredibly impressed with the X20’s robust full-power rack design. Its 3”x3” 11 gauge steel frame is used on all uprights, feet, and cross members, making it commercial grade.

Its high-quality steel frame is one of the reasons why it has an impressive weight capacity of 992 lbs.

However, as some of the G-Series models have the same weight capacity and use "2x2" uprights, I'm confident the X20 can handle more weight (although you shouldn't test this).

Along with the heavy-duty power rack frame, the X20 has impressive flip-down safeties, strong J hooks, and robust spotter arms.

The flip down safeties add to the stability of the frame and make the X20 extremely sturdy during use. In addition, I was impressed with how little it moved during use.

Also Check Out - Power Racks Vs Squat Racks

Dual Integrated 289 Lbs Weight Stacks

The dual pulley system on the X20 multi-trainer is excellent.

It provides smooth movement and uses heavy-duty roller pulleys to give you a 2:1 cable pulley ratio.

Each cable can lift up to 2000 lbs which is way more than you'll ever lift on the X20, as each of the weight stacks provides 289 lbs of weight.

Although, I must add that the 2:1 pulley ratio means the resistance you'll feel will be half of this amount.

I enjoy using a dual pulley system during my training, and I found the weight stacks provided a brilliant range of weight from 20 lbs to the full 289 lbs, which should be perfect for most gym-goers.

Still, if you're a super strong strength athlete, you might think the weight stacks need to be a little heavier.

When I combined the cable pulley with the low-row footplate, I loved how smooth the seated row felt, and I could fully engage my lats.

One of the other cable attachments I enjoyed was the lat pulldown. Even without the upgrade, performing lat pulldowns was a pleasure.

I would recommend upgrading as the lat pulldown station is fantastic and makes the X20 even better while increasing the exercise possibilities.

Multi-Grip Chin-Up Bar

Like many other strength training machines, the X20 trainer includes two chin-up bar options.

A straight bar, which allows you to perform chin-ups using different grip widths, and a multi-grip chin-up bar.

I’ve always been a fan of wide-grip pull-ups and enjoyed the multi-grip bar.

It was a good width (not too thick and not too thin) and included a light knurling to help increase your grip during your workout.

I found the straight chin-up bar best for muscle ups and kipping pull-ups and could be best suited for CrossFit-style workouts.

The placement of the suspension trainer hook meant you could easily add resistance bands to either bar to assist your traditional pull-ups.

Barbell And Weight Plate Storage

One of the things some power racks lack is adequate weight storage. Luckily, Force USA has included 8 storage pegs to the X20 complete home gym system.

Each storage rack supports Olympic weighted plates (2" holes) and the standard weight plates (1" holes).

Providing you with storage allows you to keep your workout space safe and tidy.

I was impressed to see Force USA included two barbell storage holders, which most power racks seem to miss.

As with the above, it gives you a convenient place to store your barbells, eliminating the need for additional storage systems/racks.

Both the plate storage and the barbell storage are excellently located, making them easily accessible and don’t take up any additional space.

If you purchase the optional upgrade kit, the storage shelves allow you to store the dual pulley system attachments such as the lat pulldown attachment, V handle, short bar, multi-grip bar, ankle cuff, and more.

Again, helping you keep your gym space safe and tidy.

Jammer Arms

If you decide to upgrade the X20, you'll get a pair of jammer arms that attach to the uprights of the X20 frame.

The jammer arms allow you to safely perform exercises such as the incline bench press, bent-over rows, shrugs, deadlift, and more.

Each arm mimics the movement you'd get on plate-loaded machines in most commercial gym settings.

I loved using this attachment as it’s not something I often encounter as a power rack attachment.

The style of exercises it allows you to perform is fantastic for hypertrophy and for developing explosive power.

The jammer arms might be suitable for you if you’ve suffered an injury, as it allows you to move along a fixed path (you don’t need to stabilize the weight).

This could be useful if you’re a physical therapist looking to rehab clients in your studio using the X20.

One of the only downsides to the jammer arms I’ve come across is that they take a while to adjust between exercises.

The main reason for this is that you need to unload the weighted plates before you adjust the position of the arms.

While this isn’t a massive issue, it does become time-consuming if you want to solely use the jammer arms for a workout.

Another thing to note is that the jammer arms can be used in conjunction with the band pegs.

I attached a resistance band from the band pegs to each arm, allowing me to press without weight and using only the resistance from each band.

Comparing The X20 Pro With Other Force USA Models

Force USA X20 Pro Vs X15

The Force USA X20 is like the X15’s older brother. It looks pretty similar but is bigger and slightly more robust.

The X20 offers a full power rack, while the X15 only comes with a half-rack system using safety spotter arms.

While both systems are excellent, I found the X20 to be best suited for powerlifters, while the X15 is best suited for those who want the X20 but don’t have the spare room to accommodate the X20’s depth.

When it comes to price, the X15 is around $500-1000 cheaper, so it could be an option if you don’t want to pay over $5000 for your home gym equipment.

Force USA X20 Pro Vs G-Series

When comparing the X20 to the G-Series options, the first thing I noticed is the lack of Smith machine on the X20.

This is because the X20 is designed for those looking to perform barbell-focused workouts with some cable assistance work.

Powerlifters and athletes will be best suited for the X20, while beginners might find a machine such as the Force USA G20, G10, or G6 to be suitable for them as they can have the best of both worlds; a power rack and Smith machine.

It’s worth noting that the price difference is significant, with the G-Series starting at $2000 and going up to $7000.

Another point to make is that the G-Series machines aren't as deep as the X20, so if you need extra space in your gym, the X20 might be too deep.

Before you purchase either the X20 or G-Series, ensure that you think about how much space you have in your gym and what you need the machine for.

Comparing With Similar Home Gyms

Force USA X20 Pro Vs Inspire Fitness M5 Home Gym

Stepping away from Force USA, the Inspire Fitness M5 is an excellent home gym system that allows you to work your entire body for roughly the same price as the X20.

However, both home gym systems are intended for different users.

The X20 is for gym-goers who want to train using a barbell, while the M5 is better suited for people who do not wish to use a barbell.

I find the M5 better suited for "every day" fitness goals and perhaps for the older generation looking to maintain strength.

Most of the exercise options on the M5 are from the seated position and aren't ideal if you have functional goals.

It’s also worth noting that the Inspire Fitness M5 takes up more floor space than the X20, and the X20 comes with more attachments.

For around $5000, I’d rather choose the X20; it’s more of a complete package.

Related Article - Inspire Fitness M5 Tested & Reviewed

Force USA X20 Pro Vs Body-Solid EXM3000LPS

When comparing the X20 to the Body-Solid EXM3000LPS, again, they’re intended for different types of goals and gym-goers.

While both machines offer multiple stations, the X20 is more versatile. I’m a fan of how many attachments come with the X20.

I find the EXM3000LPS lacks many that the X20 has, such as the low-row footplate, although it does come with a short bar.

The EXM3000LPS is rather bulky and expensive for a home gym system, and if you're worried about how much space you've got, the EXM3000LPS isn't your best option.

The jammer arms on the X20 feel more robust than Body-Solid’s offering and can handle a lot more weight.

I feel for the same price tag, the X20 wins, hands down.

See Related - Body-Solid EXM3000LPS Review

X20 Pro Workout Programs & Routine

Here’s a simple yet effective workout routine to follow when you first try your X20 functional trainer:

If you're looking for more exercises to do with the functional trainer on the X20, check out our guides below to find the best cable exercises to try at home.

Common Questions About TheForce USA X20

To Wrap Things Up...

Looking for the best gym equipment for your home gym is tough, especially if you’re worried about having enough space.

Luckily, Force USA has designed one of the best all-in-one functional trainers with a power rack, allowing you to work your entire body within a compact space without sacrificing quality.

Read through this review and see why I rate the Force USA X20 as one of the best complete functional trainers around.

References: 

1. https://force-manuals.nmg.io/F-PS-X20-scan.pdf
2. https://www.forceusa.com/products/professional-assembly-service?variant=41404426813637
3. https://www.forceusa.ca/