Landmark Athletics TC-EXT3 Review

The Landmark Athletics TC-EXT3 all-in-one power rack is a fully kitted home-gym solution that I’d recommend for lifters with low ceilings who want a single purchase that covers cables, a Smith bar, lever arms, and a functional trainer rather than mixing and matching modular racks. Priced at $3,299, it includes almost every attachment imaginable: a functional trainer, a Smith machine, lever arms, a leg press plate, a lat pulldown seat, and more. While it uses proprietary upright sizing and lacks the modularity of a true 3x3 rack, its standout feature—a combinable cable system that switches between a 2:1 and 1:1 ratio—makes it a capable machine for lifters who want maximum functionality in a single footprint.

Quick Takeaway

The TC-EXT3 is a complete home gym packaged into a basement-friendly footprint. It stands just under 84 inches tall, which is perfect for low ceilings. The dual ~198 lb weight stacks feature a combinable pulley system that switches from a 2:1 ratio (for general functional training) to a 1:1 ratio (so you can use the full stack for heavy lat pulldowns and low rows). The number of included attachments creates a storage headache, and the proprietary uprights mean you cannot use third-party accessories, but the cables are smooth enough in real use and the machine provides a broad exercise set without buying several separate pieces of equipment.

Quick Specs

Price: ~$3,299 (includes all attachments)
Dimensions: ~68" L x 43.5" W x 83.75" H
Weight Stacks: Dual 198 lb stacks
Cable Ratio: Swappable between 2:1 and 1:1
Uprights: Proprietary sizing (approx. 2x3 metric equivalent), 12-gauge steel
Included Attachments: Smith machine, lever arms, leg press plate, lat seat, low row plate, J-cups, spotter arms, multi-grip pull-up bar, and more
Warranty: Lifetime residential warranty

Where to Buy

You can check the current price directly through Landmark Athletics below. Use code "JUNGLEGYM" for $100 off:

The Swappable Cable Ratio (The Best Feature)

The biggest problem with most all-in-one functional trainers is the 2:1 cable ratio. A 200-pound weight stack only provides 100 pounds of actual resistance, which is rarely enough for heavy lat pulldowns or low rows. The TC-EXT3 solves this by letting you combine the two cable exits on each side: connect the two carabiners together with a single handle and the system becomes 1:1 so you get the full stack. In my testing I swapped the carabiners mid-session to move from higher-rep functional movements to heavy lat pulldowns and low rows—when set to 1:1 I was able to use the full stack for challenging sets.

The cables are routed on a single horizontal axis to minimize friction. I tested heavy low rows with the flip-down footplate and noticed the cable pulled straight back—there was no awkward angle—and the movement felt solid. I’d rate the cable smoothness around a B for this class of rack; they’re not perfect but they’re better than most imports at this price.

The Smith Machine and Low Row

The integrated Smith machine is practical. The Smith bar itself is light—about 32 pounds—so your starting weight is lower, and the guide rods are pushed high into the frame. I’m 6'2" and I barely have to duck to get under the Smith, which makes setup easier for tall-ish users (though overhead range is still limited by the rack height). The rack includes low-profile spotter blocks with rubber bumpers that sit in the gun-rack style uprights, allowing for a fairly deep range of motion on Smith squats—I ran several sets of Smith squats to confirm ROM and the spotter blocks held up under load.

The low row setup impressed me during testing. The flip-down footplate is offset to align with the center of the cable exit, so when I loaded the stack and did heavy rows the cable tracked correctly and the movement felt like a straightforward seated low row rather than an angled tug. That alignment is a small detail that makes heavier pulling feel more natural on this machine.

The Attachment Overload

For $3,299 Landmark includes a lot: cable-driven lever arms, a leg press plate that attaches to the Smith, a lat pulldown seat, and numerous handles. I connected the lever arms together during one session to simulate a machine bench press to see how the travel and stops felt; mechanically it works, but you’ll want to plan storage because these parts are bulky. In practice you’ll likely keep some attachments on the rack and stash others in a corner of the gym.

One specific attachment tradeoff: I do not recommend using the included leg press plate. I tested it briefly and found the angle awkward and not comfortable for regular leg press work. The lever arms are useful for accessory work but add to the clutter and are another reason this rack becomes a storage challenge.

Comparisons / Alternatives

Fringe Sport Dane 2.0: If you want a true 3x3 rack with 1-inch holes, the Dane 2.0 is a better buy-it-for-life option. It features a dedicated 1:1 cable system and allows you to use aftermarket attachments, though it does not include a Smith machine or lever arms.
GetRXd Tornado: Priced similarly, the Tornado offers articulating cable arms and a much heavier-duty 3x3 frame, but it is locked into a 2:1 cable ratio, limiting its use for heavy pulldowns.

Tradeoffs

Proprietary uprights. You cannot buy attachments from REP, Rogue, or Titan to use on this rack. You are locked into Landmark's ecosystem.
Storage nightmare. The sheer number of included attachments will clutter your gym floor unless you plan for extra storage space.
Short height. At 83.75 inches, it is great for basements, but very tall lifters will not be able to get a full stretch on lat pulldowns or do full-hang pull-ups.
Plastic trolleys. The functional trainer trolleys use plastic liners that can occasionally stick when sliding them up the chrome uprights; I noticed some sticking when adjusting mid-session, which is a minor annoyance but worth noting.

Who Should Buy

Buy the Landmark TC-EXT3 if you have a low basement ceiling and want a complete home gym in a single purchase. If you have no desire to mix and match attachments from different brands and just want a machine that can handle heavy 1:1 cable rows and pulldowns as well as Smith work and lever-arm movements, this rack will do the job. In my testing it handled those functions acceptably and saved me from buying multiple separate pieces of equipment.

Who Should Skip

Skip this rack if you value modularity. The proprietary upright sizing means you can never upgrade this rack with third-party accessories. You should also skip it if you are over 6'2" and need full overhead clearance—while I (at 6'2") could just fit under the Smith, taller users or those wanting full pull-up range will be limited.

Common Questions

Can I use my own barbell and plates with this rack?
Yes—during testing I used my own bar and plates on the Smith and on the rack, and standard Olympic plates and bars fit. The limitation is the uprights: you can't attach third-party upright accessories that require standard 3x3 dimensions or 1-inch hole spacing.

Does the cable system actually deliver full resistance?
Yes. The dual-stack setup can be switched from 2:1 to 1:1 by combining the two carabiners, which lets you use the full ~198 lb stack per side. I swapped ratios mid-session to move from higher-rep cable work to heavy lat pulldowns and low rows and found the 1:1 configuration usable for heavy sets.

Is the Smith machine usable for squats and bench?
Yes—the Smith bar is light (~32 lb) and the guide rods are positioned high. I performed Smith squats with deep range using the included spotter blocks and found the setup practical, though the lighter bar weight means you need to account for that starting point when loading.

Final Verdict

The Landmark Athletics TC-EXT3 is an import all-in-one rack that performs well for what it is: a compact, basement-friendly, fully featured home gym. Its swappable 1:1 cable ratio and generally smooth pulley feel are the strongest practical benefits I found while testing heavy low rows and lat pulldowns. The proprietary uprights, the storage issues from the many attachments, the awkward leg press angle, and the occasional sticky plastic trolley liners are real tradeoffs. If you want a single purchase that covers most bases and have the space to store extra parts, this is a sensible option; if you need modular upgrade paths or full-height clearance, look elsewhere.

CHECK PRICE — LANDMARK TC-EXT3

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