Force USA G3 Review (2024): Our Experts Tested This Compact All-In-One Rack for Small Home Gyms

Functional trainer, all-in-one trainer, one of the best home gym machines: Call it what you want. The Force USA G3 is a heck of a deal. Equipped with a Smith machine, pull-up bar, core trainer, suspension trainer station, cable pulley system, and more, this strength training machine allows you to do almost everything you could do in a commercial gym —but in a single 6.5-foot-wide workout space. 

Our expert product reviewers have heavily used the Force USA G3 functional trainer, putting each of its components and stations to the test. We think the Force USA G3 excels as a Smith machine and functional trainer, with some key drawbacks such as making larger athletes feel cramped and lacking adequate range of motion in overhead pulling exercises. Here are all the details you’ll need in our full Force USA G3 review.

Main Takeaways

• The G3 all-in-one trainer contains several multifunctional fitness stations and has additional optional attachments available for purchase. 
• Not quite commercial-grade, the G3 is smaller than most of the best functional trainers because it is designed to fit in a home gym, not a commercial gym.
• Our tester says it’s ideal for general strength training and bodybuilding plans, less so for functional fitness/weightlifting/powerlifting due to the fact that most of the components are integrally controlled (Smith machine, cables and pulleys). 

Force USA G3 Specs

The Force USA G3 comes equipped with six different workout stations, including a power rack with 62 adjustment points and numbered Westside hole spacing; a functional trainer with 16 height positions; a Smith machine; a multi-grip chin-up station; suspension trainer with a stirrup station; and a core trainer (landmine station). 

You can opt to purchase additional fitness stations, including a vertical leg press attachment, lat pull-down seat and wide-grip bar, jammer arms, dip station, low row plate, and leg developer (leg curl and leg extension attachment). 

To utilize the different workout stations, the G3 comes with a suite of accessories: 

• Pair of J-hooks
• Pair of safety spotter arms
• Landmine attachment
• Multi-grip landmine handle
• Dual hook straight bar
• Small straight bar
• Pair of nylon stirrup handles
• Pull-down rope
• Four band pegs
• Two Olympic lock collars
• 10 Olympic spring clips
• Four carabiners

The unit also includes weight plate storage and dedicated storage spaces for a barbell and accessories. 

Really, no matter your fitness goals, you can reach or at least support them with the stock setup. Note that though the G3 functions as a power rack, it does not come with a barbell. It also doesn’t come with weight plates, which are required to add resistance to any of the stations. (The G3 is not built with weight stacks, which is a major reason why it is far less expensive than other home gym systems.) 

Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the Force USA G3

Versatile yet compact, the Force USA G3 is suitable for most everyone who can afford it. As with all products, though, it isn’t the golden ticket for everyone. 

Recommended for:

• People who want a functional trainer that doubles as one of the best power racks 
• Home gym owners who value versatility, especially if a Smith machine is a priority
• People looking to outfit an entire home gym in one fell swoop 
• Individuals who train for general strength and fitness

Not Recommended for:

• People working with ultra-small spaces might be better served by the best adjustable dumbbells
• People on a very tight budget 
• People whose training styles don’t require the use of a Smith machine or cable system 

Our Experience Training With the Force USA G3

“This is an incredibly versatile piece of equipment, and it’s well-made, too,” says our tester, who has tested hundreds of pieces of equipment. We ranked various aspects of this All-in-One Trainer according to a ranking of 1 (womp womp) to 5 (hooray!). The G3 earns high remarks for testing categories such as versatility (4.75 out of 5), durability (4 out of 5), and value (5 out of 5). “I’ve really enjoyed using the G3 for the most part, with some minor complaints that won’t be deal breakers for most people,” our tester says. 

Smith Machine

The Smith machine is a huge selling point of the G3, our tester says. “This is one of the only functional trainers I can think of that includes a Smith machine, and the one on the G3 is actually quite good,” they say. With it, you can do everything from bench presses to squats to virtually any other compound movement or accessory exercise. 

Considering that the best Smith machines alone can cost upward of $1,500, the fact that the Force USA G3 includes one among its many other features for $1,999 makes this product worthy of consideration, says our tester. And it’s not just a great value: It works wonderfully, too. 

“I haven’t noticed any hitches or unevenness when using the Smith machine,” our tester says. “The one thing I’d change about it is the knurling. I appreciate any knurled bar, but the pattern on this one could really use some improvement.” So even though it’ll be functional, don’t expect this to feel like you’re working with one of the best barbells out there.

Functional Trainer

If you already own weight plates — standard (1-inch collar) or Olympic (2-inch collar) — you’ll like this part. If you don’t, it may sway you away from buying the G3. The functional trainer component is plate-loaded, as opposed to being equipped with integrated weight stacks, which our tester says may be the biggest draw of the G3 in general. 

“I find this setup really interesting because it allowed Force to create a more budget-friendly product while retaining the use of high-quality components,” our tester says. “A lot of the parts are the same ones used on their more expensive racks, so if you already have any of the best weight plates, you could save yourself a lot of money by getting the G3.” 

Despite the lack of integrated weight, our tester says the functional trainer stations all perform excellently. They rate the user experience of the functional trainer with 4.5 out of 5 points, knocking that half-point because “the shorter height makes lat pull-downs and some other exercises a little awkward.” In particular, they call out that it’s difficult to achieve a truly vertical movement pattern for triceps push-downs and other exercises that require utilizing the highest position on the uprights. 

The G3 has a pulley ratio of 2:1, meaning if the loaded weight is 100 pounds, you’re actually lifting 50 pounds due to the assist from the pulleys. 

Power Rack

While we aren’t adding the G3 to our list of the best squat racks, its power rack functions reasonably well for what it is (part of a multifunctional system). It’s made up of 2-inch-by-2-inch 11-gauge steel uprights with a weight rating of 992 pounds — more than enough for pretty much everyone, even serious strength athletes. 

The build feels sturdy, our tester says. They have just one complaint: This rack fits a large number of components into a relatively small space, so it can feel cramped. Particularly, using the Smith machine might feel a bit claustrophobic for people with larger bodies. 

Much like a traditional power rack, the G3 includes a pull-up bar. Except instead of a straight bar, it’s a multi-grip chin-up bar, which allows you to perform several different neutral-, wide-, and close-grip pulling variations. This is a feature our tester likes, as it adds even more adjustability to an already multifaceted product. 

What to Consider Before Buying the Force USA G3

After testing dozens of squat racks, functional trainers, and similar equipment, here are the main drawbacks we can potentially see with the Force USA G3.

• Doesn’t Come With Weight: The G3 requires the use of Olympic weight plates to function (it does not have integrated weight stacks) — so if you don’t already have them, you’ll need to buy them.
• Additional Purchases May Be Necessary: You’ll need a separate barbell and weight bench to really make the most of this product, which adds onto the total cost.
• Extensive Assembly Required: It takes several hours to assemble the G3, and it can be overwhelming at first; Force USA does work with a contractor to offer assembly services.
• Compact Size: Its smaller size is ideal for most home gyms, but larger athletes may feel cramped while using it, especially within the confines of the uprights. 
• Accessory Incompatibility: Because of its 2-inch-by-2-inch uprights, the G3 is not compatible with many rack accessories from other brands, including Rogue Fitness and REP Fitness. 

Force USA G3 Vs. Competitors

If you’re not yet sure if the G3 meets your needs and priorities, compare it to a couple of other popular, similar machines: the Force USA G10 Pro and the Titan Fitness Smith Machine. 

Ordering and Assembling the Force USA G3

While ordering the Force USA G3 is easy — go to forceusa.com to place your order directly —assembling the unit is not. According to the Force USA Website, it takes at least four hours to assemble the entire machine with all its bits and bobs. However, it took our product testers three times that long: With two people, it took around 12 hours to assemble this beast of a home gym machine. 

It arrives via freight delivery, and if you don’t opt in to the optional assembly service, it is your responsibility to move the crate where you want it. The instructions aren’t easy to follow, either, says our tester. “Know before you buy this that the instructions sometimes don’t seem to make any sense at all,” he says. “There were times when I had to undo parts and redo them multiple times to get it right.” 

That said, our tester does say that the G3 was much easier to assemble than other Force USA products (like the Force USA X20 Pro), since some components were pre-attached. All things considered, they rate the assembly process with a 3 out of 5. If you’re interested in the professional assembly, you can add that on at checkout.  

Places to Buy the Force USA G3

The only place to buy the Force USA G3 is on the Force USA website. It is not available from third-party retailers at this time, including Amazon. 

Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

Force USA seems to really take care of its customers. With impressive warranties and free shipping on even their largest, heaviest products, it’s clear that Force USA wants to provide a stress-free shopping experience. Reviews are incredibly positive, both on other reviews sites, the Force USA website, and fitness forums on various sites (like Reddit). Customers call it “all you need” and a “great machine.”

When we reached out to clarify the product weight via the website’s chat platform, we had a clear answer within minutes — very direct, efficient, and polite.

Negative reviews are few in number. Mostly, customers have docked stars for the instructions being poor and hard to understand and for the assembly company failing to adequately deliver and set up the machine. Some customers wish there were fewer plastic parts, which our testers agree with. 

Warranties

Force USA offers a tiered warranty on the G3. The frame is covered against workmanship and manufacturer defects for its lifetime. Moving parts are warrantied for 10 years, and nonmoving parts (attachments) and upholstery are warrantied for 1 year.

[Related: Force USA Coupon and Discount Code]

Final Thoughts on the Force USA G3

Overall, our team of experts think the Force USA G3 is a worthy addition to your garage gym if your priorities include versatility and a Smith machine. It’s a respectable space-saving option, making it in the running for some of the best compact exercise equipment — especially compared to outfitting an entire gym with all of its elements independently, too. “You get a lot of features and a relatively sturdy build quality for the price,” our tester says, “so I can confidently recommend it to home gym owners with a focus on utility and value. It’s really the most practical pick from Force USA.” 

Force USA G3 FAQs 

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