Bells of Steel Review: Modular Racks, Cable Towers and Kettlebells for Garage Gym Builders

The catalog in brief

The range covers almost everything a strength-focused home gym needs:

• Power racks and rigs, led by the modular Hydra and Manticore systems built on standard 3-inch uprights.
• Cable machines and towers, including a Cable Tower from $434.99 with adjustable pulleys for rows, curls and face pulls.
• Combo machines such as the All In One Trainer, which combines a power rack, dual adjustable cables and a pull-up bar in one footprint.
• Specialty machines like the Belt Squat Machine, with band pegs and optional loading positions.
• Kettlebells, from powder-coated bells at $39.99 to competition bells from $57.99 and adjustable designs.
• Barbells, plates, benches, cardio equipment and storage.

What to buy first

The right first purchase depends on the space you have and how you like to train.

For a dedicated garage or basement

Start with a Hydra or Manticore rack. Their modular design means you can add attachments over time instead of buying everything at once, and the 3-inch uprights accept a wide range of accessories.

For a single spare room

The All In One Trainer packs a rack, dual cables and a pull-up bar into one footprint, which covers squats, presses, pulldowns and cable accessories without needing separate machines.

For minimal space

Kettlebells go a long way. The Adjustable Competition Kettlebell (from $220.99) uses stacked internal plates so one bell can replace several, while the 6–12 kg Adjustable Kettlebell ($164.99) suits lighter training. Add the Adjustable Utility Bench ($299.99) and you have a capable, compact setup.

Prices, shipping and returns

Bells of Steel prices sit below premium garage-gym brands for comparable specs. Examples from the US store include powder-coated kettlebells from $39.99, competition kettlebells from $57.99, the Adjustable Utility Bench at $299.99 and the Cable Tower from $434.99. Larger racks and machines cost more, and prices vary with configuration.

Two policies stand out for heavy equipment: free shipping within the continental US and free 30-day returns counted from delivery. The brand also runs sitewide sales (we saw up to 35% off sale items), offers $15 off a first order for email or SMS sign-ups, and has a Home Gym Builder tool that applies package discounts when you bundle.

Warranty terms vary by product, so check the individual product page before ordering a rack or machine.

Planning a home gym with Bells of Steel

1. Measure height first. Rack height and pull-up clearance are the most common sticking points in basements.
2. Sketch a floor plan. Leave room to load plates and walk around the bar, not just the rack's footprint.
3. Protect the floor. Rubber flooring under the lifting area protects concrete and reduces noise.
4. Buy in phases. A rack, barbell, plates and bench cover the fundamentals. Add cables or specialty machines once you know what your training needs.
5. Watch stock levels. Popular items can sell out, so if a specific attachment is essential, order it with the rack.

How it stacks up against other garage gym brands

The garage gym market has a handful of clear tiers. At the top are premium brands with showroom finishes, extensive color options and prices to match. At the bottom are generic marketplace racks with vague specs and little support. Bells of Steel sits in the practical middle, and that is where most home lifters are best served.

What earns it that position in our research:

• Specs that are stated, not hidden. Standard 3-inch uprights on its flagship racks mean compatibility with a wide ecosystem of attachments.
• A design culture led by lifters. Products like the belt squat and adjustable competition kettlebell solve specific training problems rather than just filling a catalog.
• Policies that reduce risk. Free continental shipping and free 30-day returns are not universal in this category, where freight costs on heavy items can be substantial.

Where it gives ground is on cosmetic polish and the occasional out-of-stock product. For many buyers, that is an easy trade for the money saved.

Who it suits

Bells of Steel is a natural fit for garage gym builders, powerlifters and hybrid athletes who mix heavy lifting with conditioning and accessory work. Budget-conscious buyers who still care about specs will find a lot to like.

It is less suited to people who want polished, showroom-style finishes, a minimalist single-device setup, or guided programming built into the equipment. If you want strength training with a screen and coaching, Tonal is the smart-gym alternative. If you want a different take on all-in-one machines, Major Fitness and Titan Fitness are worth comparing.

Our verdict

Bells of Steel is one of the more trustworthy names in value strength equipment: founded by a lifter, focused on function, and supported by free shipping and returns that take the sting out of buying heavy gear online. Expect workmanlike finishes rather than luxury, and plan around occasional stock gaps.

For a first home gym, our suggested path is simple: a modular rack, a quality barbell, plates and an adjustable bench, then a cable tower or kettlebells once your routine is settled. That sequence covers the big lifts first and lets you spend on extras only when you know you will use them.

Bells of Steel products at a glance

Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.

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