How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
It's an investment that's huge, but it's usually cheaper than paying for an exercise membership. Before you shop decide on the kind of exercise you'd like to perform and the amount of space you have available.
If you're limited on space, opt for compact equipment like the Bells of Steel cable tower or a home gym that is smart like Tonal.
Space
Having the right equipment at your home can make it easier to stick with your exercise program. If you're pressed for time or don't have time to travel to a gym or simply do not want to deal with crowds, a dedicated space in your house or garage can help you work out at your own leisure.
It is essential to remember, however, that you'll likely have to spend some money to build your ideal training space based on the size of your space and what equipment you purchase. It is recommended to start small and work your way up gradually to help you determine what type of equipment you will require to achieve your goals.
The best equipment to use in your home gym is one that offers various exercises that target the main muscle groups. A power rack, for instance is a fundamental piece of equipment for strength that can enable you to bench press, perform lat pulldowns, and squats. Many units, like the SR-4000 from REP Fitness, are built to be as compact as possible without sacrificing performance and durability. It has a 2-post stand design, which helps reduce the footprint and is compatible with a variety of attachments that can be added to increase the capacity.
You can also make the most of the space you have by choosing equipment that can be multi-functional and stackable, such as the TRX system. These portable suspension trainers were developed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick to be used in the field. They're a convenient and simple way to get an all-body workout while you're on the move. They can be nested and folded to make space. some even come with attachments that allow you to target particular muscle groups or to add extra resistance.
A vibration plate is another flexible option. It can be used for bodyweight exercises and also to provide an additional challenge for advanced lifters. The AXV Vibration Plate is a good example comes with the option of a remote control that has 120 speed settings that allow users to tailor their experience. It can also be paired with resistance bands to target various muscles or an bungee cord for an element of active movement.
Weight Capacity
Home gym equipment can vary in size from a basic power tower to a complete smart home gym, but regardless of what kind of machine you select, the weight capacity should be sufficient to allow you to perform various exercises. For beginners, you can start with a basic set of dumbbells or barbells to build upper body strength. They also work the back muscles. If you're a committed lifter then consider a heavy duty power rack which can accommodate large dumbbells and many other accessories like lever arms, dip bar and a landmine accessory seal row pad and many more.
If you have a tiny garage, you might be interested in an adjustable bench. This will allow you to do decline and incline press exercises without taking up a lot of space. A flat bench will also be a good option, but you'll need to add barbells or dumbbells when you're planning to perform isolation exercises like chest presses or Bicep curls.
If you're a fan of functional training, then the plate stack resistance functional trainer is an ideal piece of equipment for you. This kind of machine is designed to target different muscle groups simultaneously using the combination of squats, bench presses, and pull ups. Functional trainers come with various options. They have cables for tricep flyes and pushdowns as well as the ability to alter the resistance on your own.
It may seem obvious, but the equipment you choose will have a major impact on how effective and enjoyable your exercises are. You must ensure that the equipment that you purchase is constructed from materials that are durable and able to endure regular use. Particularly for those on a budget, it's important to prioritize affordable equipment made from quality materials that won't deteriorate after a couple of uses.
If you're shopping on the tightest budget, you should consider purchasing a home gym that's a combination of an exercise bike and a rowing machine. This kind of home gym provides a great total-body workout and can help you save the most money in the end.
Versatility
If you have a dedicated space for a gym at home or plan to train in your living room there are numerous options to suit your fitness goals and budget. To narrow down your search, start by assessing the space you have in your home and the exercises you want to focus on most. Then, think about the kind of equipment that will best meet your requirements. For instance, a Life Fitness G7 Home Gym for instance, provides more than 55 exercises and user-defined moves within a footprint smaller than the size of a queen-sized bed. Some machines can be folded up and tucked away to make more space.
If you're looking to keep within your budget look into using resistance bands. They can be used to build strength and stretch, and are compact and easy to transport. These bands can be affixed to existing equipment, such as a dumbbell set with some lighter resistance bands, or a bench to do lower body exercises.
A high-quality exercise mat will complete your home gym. It provides a stable surface to perform exercises that require standing, and also reduces the risk of slipping. Additionally, the majority of mats are also lightweight and portable, making them simple to store away when not in use. A pair of adjustable dumbbells will add flexibility to your gym at home that allows you to do exercises like bench presses and seated dumbbell rows altering the weight of your workout according to your fitness level.
cycle workout bike for fitness, such as the Peloton Guide, can be an excellent addition to your home fitness center. It provides a range of guided workouts with a relatively tiny footprint. It's also simple to navigate and is compatible with a variety of televisions and monitors.
The REP PR-4000, a good value home gym, is a multi-functional machine that lets you perform Nordic hamstring curls, glute-ham raises, and hip thrusts. It can support users as tall as 7 feet and comes with 12 different adjustments.
Aesthetics
Home gym equipment is different from what it was in the past. Certain brands feature elegant designs and integrate with fitness apps to appeal to those who value aesthetics as much as functionality. Other equipment is so advanced it can almost replace a gym visit (and monitor and adjust to fitness gains).
We've seen an increase in the number of gyms at home that are both affordable and compact. We are awestruck by the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical due to its low cost and compact footprint. This elliptical has preset workouts, a short stride, and is ideal for those who live in apartments or other smaller space.
Another home gym option that we love is the Torque F9 Fold-Away Functional Trainer. This full-trainer has a compact footprint but still offers enough power to train your entire body, and it has two doors that open to protect the machine from children or pets. The Torque also has wood grain design to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space.
Consider adding a powerrack to your home gym setup in case you are looking for something that does more than track your progress. These racks allow you to lift heavy weights in a variety moves, which helps you build strength and endurance. We love the Bells of Steel Manticore power rack that starts at $600 but can grow in cost based on your customizations. It also has a strong structure that makes it simple to use, which is important for serious lifting.
A home gym would not be complete without dumbbells and benches. A standard bench can be found in any home-supply store but we suggest purchasing one specifically designed for home gyms. The benches that are included in these models come with some tweaks that make them more suitable for home workouts for example, a tough rubber coating and a moderate knurls to stop your hands from sliding off the bar after having been working out for awhile.
