I purchased the Mikolo Anubis 2.0 Ultimate while completely rebuilding our two car garage into a functional family gym. My wife and I are starting over after having kids, so I wanted something that could serve as the main centerpiece: a real rack, functional trainer, Smith machine, cable system, and storage solution without needing five separate pieces of equipment.
After a lot of research, the Anubis made the most sense because it felt more like a true rack than a basic all in one machine. The 3x3 style frame, J cups, spotter arms, Smith machine, dual weight stacks, and cable setup gave me the versatility I was looking for. I specifically wanted to be able to use it for normal flat and incline barbell work off the J cups, not just Smith machine movements, and this unit gives me that flexibility.
Delivery came in multiple boxes, and everything arrived heavy and well packed. Assembly is definitely a project, but that is expected with a machine this size. Take your time, organize the hardware, and do not rush the cable routing or weight stacks. Once assembled, the unit looks incredible in the space. It completely changed the feel of the garage and made the whole build look intentional.
The machine is solid, stable, and has a much more serious presence than the cheaper rack/cable combos I was comparing it against. I looked at several other options before choosing this one, and the biggest difference for me was that the Anubis felt like a real rack foundation that also included the Smith and functional trainer features, instead of just being a Smith machine with extras attached.
The dual stacks are smooth and very useful for accessories, arms, flys, rows, face pulls, and general family training. The 2:1 cable ratio is something buyers should understand before purchasing. If you are a stronger lifter expecting commercial gym heavy lat pulldowns from one stack, you may eventually want to add a GymPin style overload option or a separate heavy pulley setup. But for the majority of movements and for a home garage gym, the cable system is extremely useful and convenient.
What I like most is how much it allows us to do in one footprint. We can train barbell movements, Smith movements, cable accessories, pull ups, rows, presses, and general strength work all from one station. For a garage gym where space matters, that is huge.
Overall, I am very happy with the purchase. This machine became the centerpiece of our family garage gym and made the whole project feel real. If you want a compact all in one that still feels more like a true rack setup, the Anubis 2.0 Ultimate is a strong option and absolutely the best choice for its price point.
