The Best Home Gym

Proper exercise is one of the best ways to keep your body in tip-top shape. Not only will you have the energy and stamina to be productive throughout the day, but you’ll also build stronger bones and decrease your risk for heart disease. If you’re like many busy Americans, you may find it difficult to travel back and forth to the nearest gym. A home gym is much more practical, as it allows you to squeeze in exercise as you have time.

“Take into account your budget, workout habits and motivation,” Stephanie Mansour, a certified personal trainer and the founder of fitness brand Step It Up Steph, says. “Don’t look at a piece of workout equipment as a shiny new penny that will cure your lack of exercise. If time is an issue, prove to yourself that you can schedule in workouts at home first before purchasing a bunch of equipment.”

Home gyms allow moms and dads to work out while their children are napping, fitness enthusiasts to blast their music and grunt if they need to without the worry of bothering anyone else, and teenagers to learn the proper way to use gym equipment under the supervision of their parents. Since there are a wide range of models on the market, it is important to know what features are available and how much space the units will take up in your home.

When shopping for your home gym, you’ll first need to measure the room or designated space within your house where the equipment will go. Then check the product dimensions under the home gym that you’re interested in to see if it will fit. The Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine Home Gym is on the larger side with the following dimensions: 70″L x 83″W x 86″H. Individuals who have less space to work with would do better with a model that has dimensions that are around 46.5″L x 35″W x 84.5”H.

Now, it’s time to review your workout goals and which parts of your body you’d like to exercise. Some home gyms are designed to concentrate more on your arms, legs or core muscle strength, while others are made to work out the entire body. For example, if you’re feeling a little weak in the arms, look for multi-functional press arms. This feature will help you get your biceps and triceps in shape. If it’s your thighs and calves that need strengthening, find a gym that has a sliding seat rail. With this component, you’ll be able to perform both leg presses and rowing exercises that will even get the heart rate going.

Another important factor in selecting the perfect home gym is how many exercises you will be able to do with the unit, and whether or not the company sends an exercise chart along with the instruction manual. Beginners may find a simpler option that only includes 40 exercises is best. That keeps the beginner from becoming overwhelmed and gives him or her the opportunity to master the provided exercises. Moderate to advanced workout enthusiasts would do better with a unit that offered more variety, such as 70 to 100 exercises.

Comfort is key in staying motivated when using a home gym. There are two things you’re going to want to look for where comfort is concerned. First, check that the seat or workout bench is padded. You don’t want your bottom or your back pressing up against a hard flat surface. The unit may even offer additional pads, like barbell pads, for a fee. Secondly, check that you can adjust the seat to fit your height. You need to be able to properly reach the resistance bars and other attachments.

In addition to the seat adjustments, the home gym should allow for adjusting other attachments, as exercisers come in all shapes and body sizes. The Bowflex Blaze Home Gym offers multiple cable and pulley positions. Some units also allow you to adjust the bench to workout at an incline of up to 90 degrees, while others let you move the foot levers.

Having a customized home gym may also include removable attachments. Perhaps you’d like to take the leg hold-down attachment off or maybe you’d like to replace the high pulley bar with a press down tricep rope bar. It’s nice to have options.

“Remember that sets of equipment can often be purchased at a discount, so if you’re serious about a full home gym then buying multiple pieces at once is more cost-effective,” Mansour says. She also encourages people to be sure to read through home gym reviews before you buy.

You’ll want to consider any add-ons that may be important to you. You may wish to have a free weight rack attached to your unit, for example. This keeps your workout room organized by giving you space to safely store your weights.

• Durability of the home gym is of the utmost importance when selecting a unit. You’re going to be working that equipment hard several days a week, so it will need to withstand all the repeated pushing and pulling. Always look at the construction materials, specifically for steel frames like the Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine Home Gym.
• Make sure the unit is easy to use and simple enough to put together. Otherwise, you may end up so frustrated that you send the gym back or quit doing the exercises altogether, missing out on all the benefits to your body. There are models that come 90% assembled, so all the hard work is done for you. They have just a few fastening bolts that you’ll have to spin into place. Easy peasy!
• Ask a friend or two to help you move the home gym into its designated space on delivery day. Since home gyms are made from heavy-duty materials, most models weigh 300 pounds or higher, which is more than one person can move on their own. In fact, some carriers may not even be able to deliver the gym equipment to your front door. Once you have the delivery date and window of time, you’ll be able to make the proper plans to get it moved and set up.
• Even if your home gym has vinyl seat covers designed to resist sweat, you’ll still need to clean and sanitize the unit regularly. This is important because your gym equipment can harbor several different types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus. It’s best to use disinfecting wipes that are designed for use on gym equipment. The good news is, it takes just a few minutes to pull the wipes out of the container and get your home gym clean again.
• If you’re using the home gym primarily to build muscle, you’ll need to consider the weight stack. Some units max out at 160 pounds. While that number works fine for beginners and individuals who just want to slightly tone their muscles, it won’t be enough for those who take bodybuilding more seriously.
• Before making a purchase, check to see if any upgrades are available. For example, you may come across a model that comes with 210 pounds of power rod resistance, but that also offers upgrades of either 310 pounds or 410 pounds. So, while at first glance the equipment may not suit your needs, it will after you take advantage of the available upgrades.
• Not all home gyms are designed to remain in one place. There are also foldable units with wheels for easy transport that can be stored when not in use. This is an excellent option for people with smaller apartments or those that need to put the equipment away when family comes to visit.
• Consider flooring when deciding where to put your home gym. Carpet is not recommended, and a hard, flat surface is best. If you have the extra money, you may even want to have rubber gym flooring installed.
• Keep in mind that price varies based on features, product size and the unit’s construction materials.