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The Best Home Gym

Last updated on January 21, 2024
Best Home Gym

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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. Some models offer multiple cable and pulley positions. Other 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.

Our Picks For The Top Home Gyms

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Total Gym APEX G5 Ergonomic Home Gym

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Total Gym

APEX G5 Ergonomic Home Gym

Everything you need to succeed in your journey to good health is included with this home gym. Not only will you receive Total Gym TV access, but you'll also get exercise and nutrition guides and DVDs. The machine itself also has all the attachments you need for a total body workout.

Overall Take

Extremely DurableYou'll be able to tone, condition and strengthen your muscles with this home gym.

 Runner Up

Marcy Smith All-In-One Leg Development Home Gym

Marcy

Smith All-In-One Leg Development Home Gym

Due to its sturdy frame and ability to accommodate exercisers of all skill levels, this home gym is an awesome choice for everyone, no matter where you're at on your fitness journey. The structure features different stations that provide a total body workout. It also offers plenty of variety so you can avoid boredom. The attached free-weight rack m...

Overall Take

Lots of VarietyYou'll never have to repeat the same exercises with this home gym, as it features multiple stations and a rack for free weights.

 Strong Contender

LALAHIGH Easy Store Cardio Home Gym

LALAHIGH

Easy Store Cardio Home Gym

With this portable home gym, you'll be able to exercise anywhere. The set includes a board with 15 different accessories, such as a Pilates bar, resistance bands and a jump rope. You'll be able to use the gym to work your chest, arms, back and shoulders.

Overall Take

Affordable Price TagThe economical price tag on this home gym means you won't break your equipment budget.

 We Also Like

XMark Functional Trainer Cable Home Gym

XMark

Functional Trainer Cable Home Gym

Made with dual 200-pound weight stacks, this home gym can be used by every member of the family. Not only are the weights adjustable, but so are the pulleys. With accessories like a pair of hand straps, a tricep rope, a short bar and a long bar, you'll enjoy a customized workout every time.

Overall Take

Fully AdjustableYou'll find this home gym is commercial-grade and has a highly durable heavy-duty steel frame.

Our Expert Consultant

Stephanie Mansour   
Certified Personal Trainer, Health and Wellness Expert

Stephanie Mansour, host of “Step It Up with Steph” on public broadcasting, has been coaching women for over a decade on how to lose weight and make it last. She has a Bachelor of Arts in communications with an emphasis on women’s studies and psychology from the University of Michigan. She holds certifications in life coaching, personal training, yoga and Pilates.

What to Look For

  • 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.

More to Explore

  • It was Francis Lowndes who created one of the first pieces of gym equipment. In 1796, he developed a device called the Gymnasticon. This forerunner of the home gym worked the body’s joints with cranks for the hands and pedals for the feet. The Gymnasticon was recommended for individuals who suffered from a wide range of calamities, such as gout, cerebral palsy and arthritis.
  • Although physical fitness had already begun to increase in popularity in the United States, it wasn’t until Charles Beck opened an outdoor gymnasium in 1824 in Massachusetts that people began to have access to gym equipment. In fact, this gymnasium was the first in the United States to open a gymnastics school.
  • Dudley Allen Sargent, known as the founder of physical education, created several new pieces of gym equipment before retiring in 1919. It was Sargent who developed the Universal Test for Strength, Speed and Endurance and who encouraged females to exercise just as hard as their male counterparts (even though this wasn’t the popular view at the time).
  • Many celebrities have endorsed home gyms and their benefits over the years. Perhaps the most popular are Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley, who promote the Total Gym. There’s also Suzanne Somers with the ThighMaster/ButtMaster Toning System, Meghan Markle praising the Megaformer, Kate Hudson Instagramming about the Booty Belt and Marie Osmond backing the BodyGym.

More to explore