MAXUM X2 vs SX2: A Power rack comparison
I'm going to be straight with you. When MAXUM first sent me the SX2, I was not sure what to expect. At the time, MAXUM didn’t have the social media buzz of some of the bigger names in the all-in-one rack space. But after months of actual training on that machine in my garage, and then getting the X2 in as well, I can tell you this brand deserves a lot more attention than it gets.
These are two of the best premium all-in-one racks I've put in this garage. Both run 3x3 inch 11 gauge steel, both have patent pending Mutant Arms that articulate in every direction, both carry dual 220 lb weight stacks with plate horns, and both come with a lifetime warranty. So the question isn't whether either of these is good. They both are. The question is which one is right for you and whether that extra $1,000 to $2,000 for the SX2 is actually worth it.
Let me break it down.
The Core Difference: Smith Machine vs Power Rack
This is really the whole decision. The X2 is a 6-post power rack with no Smith machine. The SX2 is a squat rack with a built-in counterbalanced Smith machine. Everything else between these two racks is nearly identical. Same Mutant Arms. Same stacks. Same cables and pulleys. Same lifetime warranty.
The X2's 6-post design gives you a genuine power rack inside the frame, four posts to squat and bench inside with J-cups and spotter arms, and two rear posts for storage. You get 1-inch holes which means broad compatibility with attachments from other brands. If you've got a collection of rack accessories from other systems, they'll likely drop right in.
The SX2 trades the internal power rack cage for a counterbalanced Smith machine with 30mm guide rods. That bar weighs just 8.6 lbs — basically nothing — which is great for beginners, great for rehab, great for anyone who wants the safety and control of guided movement. The SX2 also uses 5/8-inch holes with westside spacing — 1-inch spacing in the bench zone for precise bar placement. And crucially, this Smith machine goes extremely low. Lower than any other all-in-one I've tested. Hip thrusts, RDLs, calf raises — you can actually get into position without fighting the machine.
Shop MAXUM Fitness — X2 and SX2
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Free shipping (continental US) | Lifetime warranty
What Both Racks Share
Before we get into who each one is for, here's what you're getting regardless of which version you choose:
Patent pending Mutant Arms that articulate in every direction — not just side to side like traditional cable systems. These move with you wherever you go. I've been using them for three months and they still blow me away every single time.
Dual 220 lb weight stacks on each side with plate horns to add more. The Mutant Arms run 2:1 by default — so you're feeling 110 lbs per side, which is perfect for unilateral cable work, flies, and isolation movements. Converge the arms with the included center adapter and you switch to 1:1 — 220 lbs pulling straight through both arms together. That's your bilateral rows, presses, and compound pulls. Both ratios, one system.
Aircraft grade nylon coated cables and aluminum pulleys. This machine is smooth. After three months of daily use, still smooth.
9 adjustment positions on each arm for full range of motion exercises. Chest flies at full stretch, overhead pulls, everything.
Lifetime warranty, free shipping in the continental US, 20% bundle discount on accessories, and 5% off for teachers, first responders, and military.
A single pulley attachment that drops into the 5/8 holes (SX2) or rack holes (X2) for low cable movements like curls without using the full arm length — a smart fix that Bob engineered specifically for this setup. For rows, you run that extra pulley and set up the row pedal footplate, which gives you a proper seated cable row station right there on the machine. Plant your feet, grab the handle, and you've got a legit row setup without any awkward angles.
MAXUM X2: Built for the Barbell-First Lifter
If you love barbell training and you're not looking for a Smith machine, the X2 is your rack. The 6-post design gives you a real power rack to squat and bench inside, and the 1-inch hole standard means your Mutant Metals dip bar, your ECHO J-cups, your third-party attachments — they all fit. I tested this myself. ECHO J-cups dropped right in.
The X2 also comes in two height options: 82.5" or 88.5". That's a significant advantage if you're working with a tighter ceiling — you can spec the rack to your space rather than having to make the space work around the rack. The SX2 only comes in one height at 88.5 inches.
At $3,500 to $3,800, the X2 is also the more accessible entry point into the MAXUM lineup. You're not sacrificing quality — this is the same commercial-grade build as the SX2. You're just choosing the barbell path over the Smith machine path.
MAXUM X2 — $3,500 to $3,800
6-post power rack | 1" holes | Dual 220 lb stacks | Two height options: 82.5" or 88.5"
MAXUM SX2: The All-In-One That Does Everything
I've had the SX2 in my garage for over three months and I've put it through everything. The Smith machine is the smoothest I've used in any all-in-one rack, full stop. Counterbalanced at 8.6 lbs, linear bearings, 20 peg positions. No grinding. No oscillation. No sketchy feeling when you're loading real weight.
The range of motion on this thing is what sets it apart from every competitor I've tested. It goes lower than anything else in its category. That matters for hip thrusts. That matters for calf raises. That matters for anyone doing rehab or physical therapy work where getting full depth is the whole point. I was doing calf raises with my Ucups calf block inside the SX2 and the depth I was getting was genuinely something I've never experienced in a rack before.
The Mutant Arms on the SX2 have a swivel range that covers essentially any direction you want to train. They're long — and that does mean doing curls with the arm fully extended is awkward — but the single pulley solution Bob built into the system fixes that cleanly. The upcoming upgraded arms that go up and down as well as side to side will eliminate that entirely as an upgrade you can add later.
At $4,000 to $5,000, is it worth the premium over the X2? If you want a Smith machine, yes. Absolutely. The Smith machine alone on this rack is worth it. But if barbell-only training is your thing and you have no interest in guided movement, save the money and get the X2.
MAXUM SX2 — $4,000 to $5,000
Smith machine | 5/8" westside spacing | Dual 220 lb stacks | 88.5" height | Lowest Smith range of any all-in-one I've tested
Full Spec Comparison: MAXUM X2 vs SX2
Here's everything side by side so you can see exactly what you're getting with each:
| MAXUM X2 | MAXUM SX2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,500 - $3,800 | $4,000 - $5,000 |
| Smith Machine | No | Yes — counterbalanced, 8.6 lb bar, 30mm guide rods |
| Hole Size | 1" standard | 5/8" with westside spacing |
| Steel | 3x3" 11 gauge | 3x3" 11 gauge |
| Rack Type | 6-post power rack | Squat rack |
| Height Options | 82.5" or 88.5" | 88.5" only |
| Weight Stacks | Dual 220 lbs + plate horns | Dual 220 lbs + plate horns |
| Weight Capacity | 1,000 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
| Articulating Arms | Patent pending Mutant Arms | Patent pending Mutant Arms |
| Pulley Ratio | 2:1 (1:1 when converged) | 2:1 (1:1 when converged) |
| Cables | Aircraft grade nylon coated | Aircraft grade nylon coated |
| Pull-Up Bar | Yes — multi-grip | Yes — multi-grip |
| Dip Station | Yes | Yes |
| Leg Press Attachment | No | Yes — quick release footplate |
| Rack Width | 49" | 49.25" |
| Floor Depth | 72" | 60.25" |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Bundle Discount | 20% off accessories | 20% off accessories |
| Best For | Powerlifters, barbell-first lifters, 1" attachment users | All-in-one seekers, Smith machine users, hip thrust fans |
🔗 MAXUM X2 ($3,500 - $3,800) — Shop MAXUM US | Shop MAXUM Canada
🔗 MAXUM SX2 ($4,000 - $5,000) — Shop MAXUM US | Shop MAXUM Canada
Free shipping (continental US) | Lifetime warranty | 20% bundle discount on accessories | 5% off for teachers, first responders & military
Which One Should You Buy?
Get the MAXUM X2 if:
You prefer barbell training and don't want or need a Smith machine
You want a genuine power rack cage to squat and bench inside
You have 1-inch hole attachments from other brands you want to keep using
Ceiling height is a concern — the 82.5" option gives you more flexibility
You want to spend $1,000 to $1,500 less without sacrificing build quality
Get the MAXUM SX2 if:
You want the most complete all-in-one rack available in this price range
A Smith machine is important to your training — bench, squat, hip thrust, calf raises, rehab work
You want the deepest Smith machine range of motion of any all-in-one I've tested
You're training alone and want the safety of guided movement for heavy sets
You want the leg press attachment option as an add-on down the road
Final Thoughts
I think I'll have the SX2 in my garage for the rest of my life. It's parked in there and it is not going anywhere. But the X2 is a genuinely incredible rack too, and for a powerlifter or someone who just doesn't care about a Smith machine, it's the smarter buy.
Either way, you're investing in something that is built to commercial grade standards, backed by a lifetime warranty, and made by a brand that actually listens to feedback and keeps improving the product. Bob from MAXUM has been communicating with me throughout my testing and it's clear he cares about getting it right. That matters.
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MAXUM X2 ($3,500 - $3,800): Shop MAXUM US | Shop MAXUM Canada
MAXUM SX2 ($4,000 - $5,000): Shop MAXUM US | Shop MAXUM Canada
Free shipping (continental US) | Lifetime warranty | 20% bundle discount on accessories
