The Force USA C20 All-In-One Trainer is the newest addition to the brand’s C-series lineup, and it feels like the most complete version of the “all-in-one” concept yet. Built to serve as the centerpiece of a home or garage gym, the C20 takes everything Force USA has learned from previous models and adds meaningful upgrades across nearly every part of the machine.
Force USA has been refining its all-in-one design for years, combining multiple pieces of strength equipment into a single integrated unit. The C10, launched before it, introduced the center-cable design that opened up a lot of training options. The new C20 builds on that foundation with a heavier build, higher load capacity, more versatile pulleys, improved ergonomics, and refinements that make it easier to use day-to-day.
Force USA C20 – video review
Subscribe to Connect The Watts for more connected fitness news, updates, tips, and guides.
Features and functions
On paper, the C20 checks every box:
- Full power rack
- Smith machine
- Functional trainer with adjustable arms
- Chin-up station with adjustable handles
- Landmine
- Dedicated low row station
- Lat pulldown
- Optional sliding bench for leg press and hack squat
That list may look similar to what you’ll find in other multi-trainers, but the difference is in how seamlessly everything works together. With the C20, you’re not constantly stopping to swap big attachments or reconfigure your space. Moving from one lift to the next feels natural and keeps your workout flowing like it would in a full commercial gym.
The rack
The power rack feels like a serious, standalone piece of equipment. The 3×3-inch uprights are built from 11-gauge steel, with 1-inch holes and 2-inch spacing for precise bar height adjustments. Quick-lock sandwich J-cups are easy to use, stay in place, and protect your bar’s knurling.
Even under heavy loads, the rack feels rock solid. Since it’s part of the same frame as the cable and Smith systems, you can move straight from barbell lifts to cables without leaving the station.
The smith machine
The Smith machine is one of the standout upgrades. The 35-pound bar has proper knurling, which is rare on all-in-ones. It feels like a real barbell, not the slick, thin versions often found on competitors.
The movement along the track is smooth and stable, with a noticeably improved design compared to earlier versions. Another thoughtful detail: when stored, the bar rests higher than before, so taller lifters don’t have to duck underneath it when it’s not in use.
The cable system
This is where the C20 makes its biggest leap over the C10.
The older model had dual 220-pound stacks at a 2:1 ratio, effectively giving you 110 pounds per side. That worked for accessories but capped out quickly on heavier compound lifts.
The C20 still uses dual stacks but introduces three different pulley ratios:
- 1:1 for maximum load
- 2:1 for more controlled work
- 1:2 for movements where overloading is useful
Depending on your setup, you can load up to 600 pounds of effective resistance on some cable lifts. That transforms the cable system into something you can use for serious strength training, not just accessory work.
The polished aluminum pulleys glide smoothly with no sticking points, even under full load. Adjustments on the trolleys are quick and secure, and the arms themselves offer a wider range of motion than most functional trainers.
Adjustable arms
One of the most versatile features is the adjustable arm design. Unlike most functional trainers where pulleys only move vertically, the C20’s pulleys also slide horizontally. You can lock them anywhere along the path, or leave them unlocked for more dynamic movements.
That means you can go wide for flys, close for presses, narrow for curls, or create custom angles for sport-specific or rehab work. It’s a subtle hardware change that dramatically increases comfort and versatility.
Pull-up and dip stations
The pull-up station comes with adjustable handles, letting you set your exact grip width rather than being stuck with only wide or narrow. The grip texture is comfortable and balanced, not too slick, not too rough.
The dip bars are another clever upgrade. Instead of bulky matador-style attachments, you get handles that connect directly to the safeties, letting you set them at any width that works for you. It’s a smart design and easily one of the best dip setups I’ve seen on a rack.
Low row and lat pulldown
The dedicated low row station includes a diamond-shaped steel footplate angled to keep your shins comfortable. With the new load potential, you can finally train rows as heavy as you’d like without fighting the machine.
The lat pulldown benefits from the same upgrades. Run it heavy at 1:1 for strength, or switch to 2:1 for higher-rep, more controlled sets. Switching is as simple as moving the cable connection point.
Storage and attachments
Force USA clearly put thought into storage this time. Everything stays organized on the machine, with no need to scatter attachments around the floor. The integrated pegboard keeps handles visible and accessible, eight plate sleeves hold Olympic plates, and magnetic band pegs make band use quick and easy.
Included attachments cover the essentials: aluminum cable bars, a triceps rope, ankle cuffs, and a close-grip row handle. Everything feels sturdy, and swapping in your own specialty handles is simple thanks to standard carabiner connections.
Limitations
As versatile as it is, the C20 is not going to be perfect for all home gyms. The footprint is deep, so you need to plan your space carefully, especially if you want clearance on the sides to use the full range of the arms.
The optional sliding bench for leg press and hack squat is excellent, but it still cannot fully replicate a dedicated commercial lower-body machine. And while the included attachments are solid, serious lifters will likely want to add specialty grips or bars.
Final thoughts
What makes the C20 special is not just the sheer number of features, but how well they integrate. You can move seamlessly from squats to cable rows to Smith presses to hack squats without reconfiguring the machine or breaking workout flow.
The upgrades over the C10 (higher load capacity, more pulley versatility, improved build quality) are noticeable in daily training. For home gym owners who want one machine that can handle almost every type of workout, the Force USA C20 might be the most complete option available.
It is not cheap, and it does take up some space, but for many home gym owners, this could easily be the one piece of equipment that anchors their entire garage for years to come.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
