Cable System - Custom/DIY

It gets the job done in a pinch. I do quite a bit of cable work just to keep things spicy and it is good to do from time to time, but that could be because of the limited equipment. I think that in every way, where space is critical I think it is fundamental to have this option...

I tried bullet pulley, and am not a fan. Thankfully I have a lot of Petzl pulleys, webbing and dyneema cordage. I would not waste money on gym specific pulley systems when a few inexpensive climbing pulleys will work much better. Not to mention, if you have any rope experience, prusiks are a great way to adjust cable length without tying knots/cutting.

I pulled an old wall-mount 80s cable machine (DP GymPac) out of my parents' basement. It had a single high pulley at 2:1 that could be hooked to a low pulley. I sawed off its middle carriage to get about 8" more range of motion and swapped the original pulley for two high pulleys bolted to my ceiling joist. It was missing its weight stack pin, so I used a bike handle and some epoxy to make a "knurled" weight pin. Added some stickers. Planning to rebuild it using some longer guide rods, a 3x3 upright, a Dialed Motion retractor, and a DM Trolley at my next house.

I got this mod for the Rep fitness selectorized low row from a seller on Etsy called AndersonWeldingLLC, you can also search "RBS Low Row/ Curl Pulley Mod" and you'll find it. Prior to installing this, the cable was too low. I know it doesn't seem like a lot but this raised the pulley about six inches off the ground and makes it much more comfortable when using the low row. It doesn't work with the ares, just an FYI.

Maybe if you are on a super budget and are extremely good with diy stuff. But after tying a couple diy pulleys I rather just have my lat pull-down with low row

I went the route of making my own cable pull, but when I went to add straps to place it in positions around the rack and to improve the quality of the pulleys, I decided that what Spud Inc was selling was a better route. So I purchased the full set and occasionally use it even though I have a functional trainer now.

I did the cheap way of going to Depot and grabbing some cable to make my own. Didn’t last long and without the proper equipment to fully crimp down the ends of the cable I feel like it’ll usually lead to failure in time

Whilst I now have a lat machine I still find myself going back to use my simple diy pully (climbing rope & pully) for many movements in particular face pulls

My pully system is made out of some 1/4" galzanived cable, some 500lb pullies and a loading pin. It works well for homemade.

It gets the job done in a pinch. I don't do a ton of cable movements, but that could be because of the limited equipment. I think that in every way except price a more premium option would be better.