Ares 2.0 Builder
Real Results with the Ares 2.0




The Old Way
The Northern Fitness Way
Only The Good Stuff
Unreliable delivery
Delivery Done Right
Returns with a cost
Love it or return it
Limited support
Real expert support
Customer Reviews: Ares 2.0 Builder
Rated 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 159 customer reviews.
100% of reviewers recommend this product.
Review summary
Reviewers highly praise the Ares 2.0 Builder for its commercial-grade build quality and buttery-smooth cable system, highlighting how its versatile design and dual weight stack configuration provide a complete, space-efficient home gym solution.
Great Experience with Northern Fitness and REP Fitness
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recently purchased the REP Summit with Ares 2.0 from Northern Fitness for my basement gym and had a great experience.
The team was helpful throughout the process and made everything easy from ordering to delivery. The equipment itself is excellent. The Summit with Ares 2.0 is very solid, well built and gives me pretty much everything I need in one setup without taking over the whole basement.
It was a big purchase for my home gym, and I’m very happy with how everything turned out. Great equipment, good service and a smooth experience overall.
Would definitely buy from Northern Fitness again.
- Age Range
- 45-54
- Gender
- Male
- Fitness Goals
- Stay healthy
- Workout Style
- Strength training
- Workout Frequency
- A few times a week
- Recommend Us?
- 10
Reviewed by Mohamad E. on October 31, 2026
Verified buyer
Recommends this product
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Product was great.
Delivery and back-order was terrible. We ordered for a summer work out for our teenage kids at the beginning of summer and the site said would be shipped within a couple weeks. After a few follow ups - we were told it would still be another few weeks. We wanted to use it all summer - it finally showed up after 2 months and the kids were back to school. No communicatioon at all from Nothern fitness unless I started it.
Reviewed by Gregory R. on August 31, 2026
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I had some issues with the delivery of my gym equipment, mainly due to the freight carrier, but Northern Fitness went above and beyond to make things right.
Their customer service throughout the situation was excellent. They were responsive, understanding, and genuinely cared about making sure the issue was resolved. Even though the delivery didn’t go as planned, Northern Fitness communicated with me throughout the process and ultimately provided a resolution that I was very happy with.
It’s easy to leave a good review when everything goes perfectly, but I think how a company handles a problem says a lot more about them. Northern Fitness handled the situation professionally and made sure I walked away satisfied.
Really appreciate the Northern Fitness team for standing behind their customers. I would definitely purchase from them again and highly recommend them.
Reviewed by Mark L. on August 27, 2026
Ares 2.0 Functional Trainer
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Purchased the 93” Ares 2.0 this spring and my only regret is not making the purchase sooner. Great build quality, insightful design, and plenty of attachments options.
Reviewed by Eric K. on July 27, 2026
Recommends this product
Ares 2.0
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Quality of equipment is top notch.
Reviewed by Michael C. on July 24, 2026
Recommends this product
Better than commercial gym...
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Better than commercial gym
Reviewed by Claudio B. on July 22, 2026
Verified buyer
Recommends this product
High quality all-in-one set up for limited spaces
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
As of the time posting this review, I'm still waiting on the smith machine uprights so it's not a complete review.
First - build quality. Although this is my first rack, I do use one at work from a generic brand. REP's quality is something else. The paint and finish of all components is outstanding. I experience a minor quality control issue, where one of the crossmembers appears to have been red before being painted white. It has a slight pink hue visible on the interior through the holes, while the exterior matches the others. This isn't a big deal for me, as it's not immediately obvious or noticeable.
I'm eagerly awaiting my last missing box so I can finally assemble the smith machine. I've seen many reviews critiquing the limited functionality of the smith due to the short Summit crossmembers. I can't speak to this yet, as I'm still waiting.
Northern Fitness has been great to deal with. They've been very responsive to my inquiries in the meantime, and even offered separate, free shipping for my order from this outstanding Smith component. I will continue to do business with them.
Functionality is superb. I had a cable tower before, which has now been replaced with two independent weight stacks. The two pulleys on either side are very smooth, and work better than my previous cable tower. The lat pull down and low row pulleys are incredibly smooth. I love that REP has listened to all the critiques online, where they now include two joining adaptors so you don't ...
- Age Range
- 35-44
- Gender
- Male
- Fitness Goals
- Build strength
- Workout Style
- Strength training
- Workout Frequency
- A few times a week
- Recommend Us?
- 10
Reviewed by Jordan S. on July 9, 2026
Verified buyer
Recommends this product
Perfect Home Gym
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Name an exercise and you can do it. Build quality is insane. Nothing in my local gym comes close to how nice this is. No more waiting for machines or changing routines because of others I can now work out how I want when I want.
Reviewed by Cameron M. on July 9, 2026
Recommends this product
Smith Machine Attachment Bundle - Buttery Smooth
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
This smith machine attachment for my Ares 2.0 is awesome. I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by David C. on July 2, 2026
Recommends this product
Awesome! A purchase you won’t regret.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I did quite bit of research before settling on the Ares 2.0. I have to say, I have no regrets. It is extremely high quality and is worth every penny.
Reviewed by John W. on June 22, 2026
Recommends this product
Love it.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Love the set up. Really smooth. Great system. Wish it had rollers on the cable slides.
Reviewed by Trevor M. on June 20, 2026
Recommends this product
great
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
great
- Age Range
- 35-44
Reviewed by Simon B. on June 10, 2026
Verified buyer
Recommends this product
Great setup, difficult instructions too many extra pieces.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
We love our Ares 2 and rack but the setup was awkward and we have a huge amount of left over hardware and even a set of mini feet (which I paid for). I purchased online with a rep on the phone so I thought everything we received would be used. Thanks to the video we got it built. There are so many extra bolts I could build another rack and the trolley cable that moves up and down are scratching the rack up. Otherwise it’s a solid rack.
Reviewed by Marissa Q. on June 8, 2026
Recommends this product
ARES 2.0
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
6 Post Cage with cable attachment
Reviewed by Roger K. on June 5, 2026
Recommends this product
It's pretty neat
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I have the Ares 2.0 in a 4-post configuration, and overall I think it’s a great system, though it definitely has a few drawbacks.
Pros: First off, it looks awesome. I went with the clear coat version, and it looks incredible in person. The build quality is some of the best out there compared to other brands. The 4-post setup also has a relatively small footprint while still offering a ton of functionality, which is a huge plus for home gyms. Assembly takes a while, but honestly it’s not that difficult if you’ve got an adventure buddy, an open weekend, and can “read real good.” The pulley system feels smooth and buttery, and I found threading the cables fairly intuitive. If not, REP also has a solid assembly video that walks you through the process. I also really liked the included lat pulldown bar and handles, the knurling on them feels great.
Cons: You should really think of the 4-post Ares 2.0 as more of a half rack because you can’t comfortably bench or squat inside the rack itself. This is a smaller gripe, but you also need to make sure the front cable trolleys are fully lowered before squatting or benching. Otherwise, the knurling on your bar can rub against the cable lines, or the trolleys can get in the way while adjusting spotter arms or other attachments. I’d also strongly recommend replacing the included carabiners. They feel cheap, the hooks can tear up fabric straps, and 4 of the included carabiner did not fully open properly. I have the included pull-up ba...
Reviewed by Rico R. on June 2, 2026
Recommends this product
Great machine!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Love the new machine. Shazeb at Northern fitness was very helpful in the decision process. When it arrived their installation team was amazing.
- Age Range
- 45-54
- Gender
- Male
- Fitness Goals
- Improve fitness
- Workout Style
- Strength training
- Workout Frequency
- A few times a week
- Recommend Us?
- 10
Reviewed by Devon J. on June 2, 2026
Verified buyer
Recommends this product
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Northern Fitness was fantastic from start to finish. They helped me choose the right equipment for my home gym and handled the installation flawlessly. Their knowledge, customer service, and overall helpfulness were exceptional. Easily one of the best companies I’ve ever dealt with. Highly recommend!
Reviewed by Justin S. on June 2, 2026
Verified buyer
Ares 2.0 Gym
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Loving my Ares 2.0 w Smith. Had to go w a 80” as 93 was one inch too tall. Wish they offered a 88”.
Reviewed by David M. on May 27, 2026
Recommends this product
Impressed
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Intermediate lifter - I work out at home and work with a trainer 1x per week.
I love the cable system. It’s really changed how I look forward to workouts. Everything is so smooth and easily adjustable. Pulldowns, rows, and flys are now my favorite exercises, and it’s translated to improvements in primary lifts.
Reviewed by Matthew L. on May 24, 2026
Recommends this product
Awesome Product
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
This power rack with Ares 2.0 is built like a tank. Everything went smooth with the delivery and installation took some time but was not complicated.
I'd put this REP gear up against any other competitors.
Reviewed by Aaron N. on May 6, 2026
Recommends this product