XMARK Functional Trainer (FT-9040) Review

The XMARK FT-9040 is the high-end model in XMARK’s functional trainer lineup.

This cable machine offers excellent versatility and some solid specs relative to others in its class.

It’s taller than most, offering better range of motion.

It has bigger weight stacks than most, offering higher output.

It has a multi-grip pull-up bar, offering great variety.

And it’s smoother than I expected, offering solid overall performance.

But it has poor shrouds, doesn’t come with many attachments, and could be improved in other, more minor ways.

It’s also slightly more expensive than some of its direct competitors.

In this review, I’ll share everything you need to know about the XMARK FT-9040, the good and the bad.

Let’s dig in.

XMARK Functional Trainer (FT-9040)

XMARK FT-9040

XMARK Functional Trainer

The XMARK FT-9040 is a quality functional trainer for home gyms. It has smooth pulleys, 230 lb weight stacks, and multiple pull-up handles.

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XMARK is one of those companies making a strong push to elevate their brand and equipment catalog.

Once known as a “budget” company and commonly found on Amazon, they’ve revamped much of their lineup to compete with some of the premium home gym brands.

I think it’s a smart decision, and I’m genuinely impressed with some of their new offerings, including the FT-9040.

It’s not a perfect machine, but I think it’s a contender as a top home gym functional trainer.

Let’s take a look at the specs and jump into the review.

Design & Build Quality

The FT-9040’s design isn’t groundbreaking, but there are some standout features that make it a high-performing functional trainer.

It stands 90″ tall and provides a better range of motion than many in its class. At this height, the machine offers 21 adjustments, with the highest being 75.5″ and the lowest being 12.5″.

Even tall users can confidently use the higher position for triceps pushdowns and more without bottoming out the stack.

With a footprint of 61.5″ wide in the front, 35″ in the back, and 33″ deep, it’s a reasonably compact machine. The front width allows for adequate spread on chest flies, but longer-limbed users may want a wider machine.

This is generally a well-made machine with heavy-duty steel construction. Stability is excellent with three rigid crossmembers at the bottom, middle, and top. I’ll detail some of the finer points in the sections below, but I’m pleased overall.

That said, the shrouds are quite disappointing, and for a unit at this price, I would expect something more. They’re made with flimsy plastic and don’t look or feel premium. Installing them is the worst part of the assembly process, and the fit is lacking.

Once installed, they can rattle during use depending on weight and trolley position. For instance, face pulls from a higher position causes my shrouds to shake. Not only can I feel it, but the noise is distracting.

I’d love to see XMARK redesign these to offer something with better function (more below) and aesthetics. Otherwise, I recommend owners remove the shrouds and leave their stacks open, with the caveat that exposed stacks can be dangerous with young kids and/or animals.

Weight Resistance

One of the biggest benefits of the XMARK FT-9040 is the higher weight capacity. Where most consumer functional trainers have <220 lb weight stacks, the 9040 has 230 lb stacks.

Like most, this machine offers a 2:1 ratio, meaning the effective weight is half the stated weight. For example, 230 lbs actually feels like 115 lbs because of how the pulleys are positioned.

A 2:1 ratio is ideal for most users because it blends strength with other modalities, like rehab, warm-ups, etc. A 4:1 ratio is a less common option, but I don’t recommend it to most because you miss much of the strength-building benefits of the machine.

The 9040 has 10 lb weight increments, which is fairly common. However, the shrouds are prohibitive to adder weights, and XMARK doesn’t include fractional weights for smaller jumps.

Without the shrouds, you can place additional weights on top of the stack or attach plates directly to the front of the stack with the pin. I would love to see XMARK either redesign the front shroud or remove it entirely while also providing fractional weights for 2.5 or 5 lb weight jumps.

Cables & Pulleys

This machine uses plastic pulleys throughout, which has some pros and cons. On the plus side, it offers a smooth feel. I was honestly surprised at how smooth it felt. From any height on the upright, it’s a fluid motion with no sticky points.

However, I found cross-body movements like chest flies didn’t feel as smooth as using a single upright. It’s still good, but the difference was noticeable.

Another positive is that plastic is less abrasive against the cables compared to aluminum, which should result in longer-lasting cables.

Though, plastic isn’t as durable as aluminum, and I don’t think these plastic pulleys are as heavy-duty as some of the other plastic ones I’ve tried.

For a home gym, I don’t think there’s a big concern, but if you plan to use this machine in a setting with a lot of repetitive use, you may experience long-term wear.

The cables are coated in standard nylon and pre-routed for you, which is a huge plus on the front end. I love that they weren’t rolled up into a circle in the package, allowing them to rest into their natural contours and leading to a smoother feel.

The cables are also thicker than some others I’ve used, which should be plenty for the heavier stacks.

Pull-Up Attachment

The 9040 includes a multi-grip pull-up station, which is a nice upgrade over the standard single pull-up bar on some functional trainers.

The top has two angled sections measuring 16″ long, allowing for narrow-to-wide pull-ups with multiple grip positions. I like the slightly pronated narrow position, but the wider supinated grip is another nice option.

On the bottom are two neutral/slightly pronated handles with a medium width. This is my favorite of all the positions since it’s easier on my shoulders and comfortable overall.

All handles are covered in a fairly grippy rubber that you’ve probably experienced on some other equipment. It does the job, but I question its long-term durability.

I’ve found this type of rubber can lose its “stick” and start spinning on the handle or peeling from the edges. I’d love to see an alternate surface like knurled steel in future versions.

Overall, this is a better pull-up station than a typical straight bar, and it contributes to the machine’s overall stability.

Other Features

The machine includes a few other notable features, including a storage area on the middle crossmember. The four bump-outs allow you to hang attachments from a carabiner for easy organization.

Speaking of attachments, XMARK includes two D-handles for performing cross-body movements and other single-stack exercises like Pallof presses and more. The quality isn’t great, and I’d like to see XMARK include more attachments like some other companies do. Otherwise, you’ll need to invest in more attachments to take advantage of the machine’s versatility.

Lastly, there are leveling feet at the front of each side of the machine. Adjusting these will level the machine if you’re working on an un-level surface, ensuring proper stability and function.

Shipping & Assembly

The XMARK 9040 ships freight in a large wooden container with a 12 large buckles and numerous screws securing the top. It’s one of the most impressive packages I’ve received, and everything arrived in perfect condition.

XMARK states the machine is 98% pre-assembled and uses this as part of their sales pitch. While I can’t definitively confirm the “98%” part, I found the assembly process easy and straightforward for the most part.

They recommend two people for the job, and while I agree, I built it by myself in less than two hours. That includes unboxing, dragging it into position, bolting, etc. Having the cables pre-routed is a big time saver and frustration reducer.

As someone who has put together a lot of fitness equipment, I have access to many Allen keys. I was surprised that XMARK didn’t include one. I’m sure many people don’t have the exact size, so I think they should include the necessary tools to assemble.

The worst part of the assembly was the shrouds. Lining up the screws and adjusting the female connector was tedious and not intuitive. Again, I recommend leaving them off entirely.

Overall, I was pleased with the delivery, and I found the assembly process easier than other consumer functional trainers (except for the shrouds).

Price & Warranty

As of this review, the FT-9040 retails for $2,799 with free shipping. This price is fairly consistent with others in its class, though it’s a little more expensive.

You’re mainly paying for the extra weight capacity and taller frame. If you plan to take advantage of the bigger stack, I think it’s a worthy upgrade on price.

XMARK offers a lifetime warranty on the frame of the machine and two years on cables, pulleys, pop pins, and attachments.

The frame warranty is similar to others, but most only offer a 1-year warranty on the cables, etc., giving XMARK the advantage.

User Reviews

Introduced in 2024, the 9040 has received very positive feedback so far. As of this review, it has a 4.9/5 rating on XMARK’s site. Users love the dimensions, smooth pulleys, and versatility.

A consistent critique was the shroud quality and assembly. A couple of people pointed out the missing Allen keys and one felt the pull-up handles could be improved (I agree with each of these).

Pros and Cons

Final Thoughts

The XMARK 9040 Functional Trainer is a quality home gym option for those wanting a versatile cable machine.

I love the bigger weight stacks and was pleasantly surprised with the smoothness of the cable travel.

Assembly was a selling point, and it mostly lived up to its claim. However, the shrouds need to be redesigned from an assembly and functional perspective.

I’m pleased with the adjustments, height, and range of motion on the machine, and the pull-up bar is a nice feature.

Overall, this is a solid contender in its class. It is a bit more expensive than some, but the bigger stacks may be worth it for heavier lifters.