# Weight-stack, plate-loaded and cable machines: what's the difference?

> Three kinds of gym machine, what each is good for, and how to log them.

[Guides](https://nomae.com.au/guides) · 4 min read

Walk into any gym and the machines fall into three groups. Knowing which is which helps you pick exercises, set up properly and compare your numbers fairly.

## Selectorised (weight-stack) machines

A tall stack of rectangular plates on guide rods, with a pin you move to choose the weight. Leg extensions, lat pulldowns, chest presses and most cable rows work this way.

- **Good for:** quick weight changes, beginners, guided movement, isolating one muscle.
- **Watch out for:** big jumps between plates, and different brands feeling heavier or lighter at the same number.

## Plate-loaded machines

You slide normal weight plates onto horns on the machine. Hack squats, many leg presses, and the chunky chest and row machines are often plate-loaded.

- **Good for:** heavy loads and small jumps, since you can add a 1.25 kg plate.
- **Watch out for:** the weight you load isn't the weight you move. Levers and sled angles change it, so only compare against the same machine.

## Cable machines

A weight stack connected to a handle through pulleys. Functional trainers and cable crossovers have two stacks and adjustable pulley heights.

- **Good for:** a choice of pulling directions and attachments.
- **Watch out for:** pulley ratios. On some machines the handle moves twice as far as the stack, so "20 kg" isn't 20 kg at the handle. Fine, as long as you compare like with like.

## Logging them fairly

Log each machine as its own exercise, with its settings. Moving from a stack leg press to a plate-loaded one isn't a personal best or a slump; it's a different lift.

Where NOMAE fits

The NOMAE tracker is made for weight stacks, so selectorised and cable machines first. Plate-loaded machines have not been validated. Free weights are logged by hand in the app.

[Buy now · A$199 launch price](https://nomae.com.au/tracker#launch)

[Will it fit my machines?](https://nomae.com.au/fit)

General information about training, not medical or personalised advice. If you have an injury or a health condition, check with a doctor or physiotherapist first.

## More guides

[**How long to rest between sets, and why your rest keeps drifting**: Rest is part of the program. Here's how long, and how to keep it honest. · 4 min](https://nomae.com.au/guides/rest-between-sets)

[**Your first week on gym machines: a simple plan**: New to the gym? Machines are the friendliest place to start. Here's a week. · 6 min](https://nomae.com.au/guides/first-week-on-gym-machines)

[**How many sets and reps? A plain-English guide**: Rep ranges, weekly sets and how close to failure, without the jargon. · 5 min](https://nomae.com.au/guides/how-many-sets-and-reps)

[**Automatic gym machine rep counters: what works and what to check**: How automatic rep counting on weight-stack machines works, what the sensors measure and what to check before buying. · 4 min](https://nomae.com.au/guides/automatic-gym-machine-rep-counter)

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Source: https://nomae.com.au/guides/weight-stack-vs-plate-loaded
Site guide for agents: https://nomae.com.au/llms.txt
Contact: hello@nomae.com.au