Choosing your multi gym
A multi gym is one of the biggest single purchases you'll make for a home or studio gym, and the five machines in the Hit Fitness range are built for very different people. Hit Fitness build to a commercial standard, with heavy-duty steel frames, sealed bearing pulleys, commercial-rated cabling and a 2-year Home & Light Commercial warranty across most of the range.
So the question isn't whether the machine is well made, it's which one fits your space, your training and how far you want to progress. This guide covers the handful of decisions that matter and points you to the right model.
What to know before you buy
Get these decisions right and the model almost picks itself.
1. Selectorised or plate-loaded? (the biggest decision)
This is the first fork. Selectorised machines (the Pegasus, Spartan, Ares and Zeus) change weight by moving a pin in a fixed stack. It's fast, simple and ideal for quick sessions and drop sets, but you're capped at the stack's maximum (90kg single, 180kg dual). The plate-loaded Athena has no built-in stack: you load your own Olympic plates, so there's no ceiling on how heavy you can go, but you buy the plates separately and changing weight takes longer. Choose selectorised for convenience; choose plate-loaded if you lift heavy or never want to outgrow the machine.
2. Space and ceiling height
These are tall machines, roughly 2.1m to 2.4m, and the cable and overhead stations need clearance above and around them. Measure your ceiling and floor area before anything else, and always allow extra room around the unit for cable movements. The minimum ceiling heights in the table below are a guide; confirm against the exact model's product page before you buy.
3. Your training goal
Match the machine to how you train. Guided full-body training in a small space points to the Pegasus; heavy compound lifting with no weight ceiling to the Athena; free weights and cables together to the Spartan; a complete rack, Smith and cable station to the Ares; and maximum cable variety to the Zeus.
4. How far you want to progress
A 90kg or 180kg selectorised stack covers the large majority of home users for years. But if you already lift heavy, or you're buying once and never again, the plate-loaded Athena removes the ceiling entirely. Be honest about where your training is heading. Most of the range carries a 2-year Home & Light Commercial warranty and is rated for PT studios as well as home use; the Pegasus carries a 1-year warranty and is aimed at home users.
Jargon buster
- Selectorised (pin-adjust): change the weight by moving a pin in a fixed stack. Fast, but capped at the stack's maximum.
- Plate-loaded: you load your own Olympic plates onto the machine. No weight ceiling, but plates are bought separately.
- Weight stack: the block of selectorised weights, e.g. 90kg. A “dual stack” means one each side (180kg total).
- Smith machine: a barbell fixed on guided vertical rails, so you can lift heavy safely without a spotter.
- Power / half rack: a steel frame for barbell work (squats, presses) with adjustable safety catches.
- 1:1 cable ratio: the weight you select is exactly what you lift. A 2:1 ratio halves the felt resistance for smoother, lighter movement.
- Functional trainer / cable crossover: dual adjustable pulleys that train cables through a wide range of angles.
- Footprint: the floor area the machine occupies.
The range at a glance
Listed from entry level to premium.
| Model | Resistance type | Max resistance | Min ceiling height | Warranty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pegasus | Selectorised | 90 kg | 2.3 m | 1 year | Beginners & compact home gyms |
| Athena | Plate-loaded | Smith rated to 400 kg (plates separate) | 2.4 m | 2 years (Home & Light Commercial) | Heavy lifting, no ceiling |
| Spartan | Selectorised + free weights | 180 kg (2×90 kg) | 2.4 m | 2 years (Home & Light Commercial) | Free weights + cable in one |
| Ares | Selectorised | 180 kg (2×90 kg) | 2.4 m | 2 years (Home & Light Commercial) | All-in-one rack + Smith + cable |
| Zeus | Selectorised | 180 kg (2×90 kg) | 2.4 m | 2 years (Home & Light Commercial) | Cable variety & versatility |
Two questions settle most decisions: how much space do you have, and do you want selectorised convenience or a plate-loaded machine with no weight ceiling?
The models in detail:
Pegasus
Best for: Beginners and smaller home gyms wanting guided, full-body training without filling a room.
What it is: A compact selectorised multi gym covering the full body across six training positions, with a 90kg pin-adjust stack, integrated leg extension and curl, and stable, guided movement throughout. A built-in 22-exercise chart gets new users training straight away.
Trade-off: The single 90kg stack and guided movement keep it simple and safe, but a committed lifter will eventually outgrow it. It also carries the range's only 1-year warranty.Check before buying: Ceiling clearance (the machine is around 2.1m tall) and room around it for cable movements. If you expect to progress past 90kg, look at the Spartan or Ares.
Athena
Best for: The lifter who refuses a progression ceiling and wants one unit to replace a rack, Smith machine and cable station.
What it is: A 400kg-rated Smith machine, true 1:1 dual pulley running on commercial-rated 910kg cables across 16 height positions, and a full power rack in one footprint, with spotter arms, J-hooks and a multi-grip pull-up station.
Trade-off: It's the only plate-loaded model, so you buy plates separately, and changing weight is slower than the pin-adjust stacks on the rest of the range.
Check before buying: Floor space, ceiling height, and that you own (or will buy) enough Olympic plates. If you'd rather change weight in seconds, the Spartan or Ares suit you better.
Spartan
Best for: Those who want free weights and cables combined in one powerful unit.
What it is: A heavy-duty steel half rack with a 220° swivel dual-pulley system, dual 90kg pin-adjust stacks, multi-grip pull-up bar, dip bars, landmine attachment and integrated plate and barbell storage. Straight bar, triceps rope and D-handle included.
Trade-off: The most complete free-weight and cable setup in the range, but it's the tallest machine, so ceiling height is the key constraint.
Check before buying: Floor space and a tall ceiling (it's the tallest in the range). If you don't need barbell work, the Ares or Zeus give you more cable focus for less height.
Ares
Best for: Serious home and PT-studio users who want everything (rack, Smith, functional cable, lat pulldown, crossover, pull-up and dip) in one footprint, with fast selectorised changes.
What it is: An all-in-one unit with dual independent 90kg stacks (180kg total), adjustable press arms, high and low pulleys, sealed weight-stack covers and high-quality bearing pulleys built for high-frequency use.
Trade-off: It does the most of any selectorised model, so it needs the space and ceiling to match. Resistance is still capped at 180kg.
Check before buying: Ceiling height (it's one of the taller machines) and clearance for cable movements. If you want free-weight barbell work too, consider the Spartan.
Zeus
Best for: Those who want maximum cable variety and functional training from a single machine.
What it is: Built around a 360° adjustable cable tower, with dual 90kg stacks under protective covers, a lower pulley station for legs and glutes, a switchable 1:1 / 2:1 lat pull system (unique in the range) and a rock-climbing-style chin-up station.
Trade-off: It's the most versatile for cable and functional work, but less focused on heavy barbell or rack work than the Athena, Spartan or Ares.
Check before buying: Adequate ceiling height and clearance for the full range of the cable tower. The machine stands 217cm tall, so allow a minimum 2.4m ceiling. If barbell strength is your priority, look at the Athena or Spartan.
Which one should I choose?
- New to training, want guided full-body, tight on space: Pegasus
- Lift heavy, or want a machine you'll never outgrow: Athena
- Want free weights and cables in one machine: Spartan
- Want a complete rack + Smith + cable with fast weight changes: Ares
- Want maximum cable variety and functional work: Zeus
- Kitting out a PT studio or light commercial space: Athena, Spartan, Ares or Zeus (2-year Home & Light Commercial warranty)
FAQs
Q: Do I need to buy weights separately?
A: Only for the Athena, which is plate-loaded, so you supply your own Olympic plates. The Pegasus, Spartan, Ares and Zeus all have built-in selectorised stacks, so no extra weights are needed.
Q: How much ceiling height do I need?
A: Roughly 2.3m to 2.4m depending on the model, plus clearance for cable movements. Measure before you buy and check the exact figure on the model's product page.
Q: Can I install it myself?
A: These are large, heavy, commercial-standard units, and professional assembly is strongly recommended. McSport's installation service can handle it. Contact servicesupport@mcsport.ie.
Q: Will I outgrow a 90kg or 180kg stack?
A: Most home users won't for years. If you already lift heavy or want no ceiling at all, choose the plate-loaded Athena.
Q: Are these suitable for commercial gyms?
A: The Athena, Spartan, Ares and Zeus carry a 2-year Home & Light Commercial warranty, so they're rated for PT studios and light commercial use. The Pegasus is aimed at home users.
Q: Can I try one before buying?
A: Yes. The full Hit Fitness range is available to view and test in the McSport Dublin showroom.
Assembly, warranty & trying before you buy
Every machine in the range is built to a commercial standard and backed accordingly: a minimum 1-year warranty, and 2 years Home & Light Commercial on most models. Given the size and weight involved, professional assembly is strongly recommended, and McSport's own installation service can take care of it.
Just contact servicesupport@mcsport.ie. The full range is also available to view and test in our Dublin showroom, so you can feel the build quality and try before you buy.
