How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
It's an investment that's huge, but often cheaper than paying for a gym membership. Before you start shopping, determine what kind of exercises you want to do. Also, think about the space you have.
If you're limited on space, go for smaller equipment like the Bells of Steel cable tower or a home gym that is smart like Tonal.
Space
A gym that is equipped at home can make it much easier to stick to your fitness program. If you are pressed for time, don't have the time to drive to the gym or don't want to deal with crowds, a space in your home or garage could help you break a sweat at your own leisure.
It is essential to remember, however, that you'll need to invest some money to build your ideal space for training according to the size of your space and the equipment you buy. It is recommended to start small and work your way up gradually to help you determine the type of equipment you really require to meet your goals.
The ideal equipment for your home gym must provide a variety of workouts for the major muscles. A power rack is an piece of equipment that allows you to perform bench presses, lat pulldowns and squats. Many units, such as the SR-4000 by REP Fitness, have been made to be small without losing durability or functionality. It has a 2-post stand profile that reduces the footprint and is compatible with a range of attachments that can be added to increase its capacity.
You can also maximize space by selecting equipment that can be put together, such as the TRX system. These portable suspension trainers were developed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick to be used on the battlefield. They are a convenient and easy method of getting an all-body workout while you're on the move. They can be folded up and nestled to reduce space. Some even have attachments to target specific muscles or add extra resistance.
A vibration plate is a versatile option. It can be used for bodyweight workouts as well as to add an extra challenge for lifters who are more advanced. For example the AXV Vibration Plate has a remote control and 120 speed settings that provide a personalised experience. It can also be used with resistance bands for different muscle groups, or a bungee cable to create a lively element.
Weight Capacity
Home gym equipment may vary in size from a simple power tower to a full-on smart home gym, but no matter what kind of machine you select the weight capacity must be sufficient to allow you to do various exercises. If you're just beginning begin small with something like dumbbells or a couple of barbells to aid in building strength for your upper body and work your back muscles. If you're a committed lifter, you might want to consider a heavier duty power rack that can accommodate large dumbbells and many other attachments such as lever arms, dip bar, a landmine accessory, seal row pad and many more.
A bench should also be in your list of home gym essentials, and if you're a minimalist lifter, look for an adjustable bench that can perform incline and decline presses without taking up too much space in your garage. A flat bench is suitable, but you will need to add dumbbells or bars if are looking to perform isolation exercises like chest presses or Biceps curls.
If you're a lover of functional exercise and resistance training, a plate stack trainer is the ideal piece of equipment for your home. This kind of machine is designed to target multiple muscle groups at once using a combination of squats, bench presses, and pull-ups. Functional trainers come with many options. They have cables that can be attached to triceps flyes and pushdowns, as well as the capability to alter the resistance on your own.
Although it might seem obvious, the type of equipment you purchase will play a significant role in how enjoyable and efficient your workouts are. It is important to ensure that the equipment you buy is crafted from high-quality materials that are able to stand up to daily use. Particularly for those on a budget, it's important to prioritize affordable equipment made from quality materials that won't degrade after a couple of uses.
If you're shopping with an extremely tight budget, think about investing in home gyms that are a hybrid of an exercise bike and a rowing machine. This type of fitness equipment for home use provides an ideal workout for your whole body, and could save money over time.
Versatility
If you have a designated space for a gym at home or are planning to exercise in your living room there are numerous options to suit your fitness goals and budget. To narrow down your search, start by assessing how much room you have in your home and what exercises you want to focus on most. Think about the type of equipment that will best suit your needs. For instance, an all-in-one machine like the Life Fitness G7 Home Gym offers user-defined movement and more than 55 exercises in an area smaller than the queen-sized mattress. Some machines can even be folded and stored away to make space.
If you are looking to stay within a budget, then consider resistance bands. They can be used both for strength training and stretching as well as being lightweight and easy to carry around. They can be affixed to existing equipment, such as a dumbbell set with some lightweight resistance bands or a bench to perform lower body exercises.
A good exercise mat will add to the fitness of your home. It provides a sturdy surface to perform exercises that require standing and also reduces the risk of slipping. As a bonus, most mats are also lightweight and portable, making them simple to store away when not being used. A pair of adjustable dumbbells will add flexibility to your gym at home and allow you to perform exercises like bench presses and seated dumbbell rows while changing the weight load based on your fitness level.
Smart home equipment for gym, like the Peloton Guide, can be an excellent addition to your fitness center in the home. It provides a variety of guided workouts with a relatively small footprint. It's also easy to use and compatible with a broad selection of TVs 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 accommodate users with a height of up to 7 feet and comes with 12 different adjustments with easy-to-read laser-etched numbers.
Aesthetics
There's no doubt that home gym equipment looks different now than it did in the past. Certain brands sport sleek designs that integrate with fitness apps that appeal to those who appreciate both aesthetics and functions. Other equipment is so advanced it could almost replace the need to go to the gym (and track and adapt to improve fitness).
As space considerations continue to loom large for many, we've seen an increase in the number of gyms at home that offer a lower footprint and cost. We are awestruck by the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical because of its affordable price and small footprint. It comes with preset workouts and a shorter stride which makes it ideal for those who live in apartments or other small spaces that don't have enough room for bulky machines.
Another smart home-gym option we love is the Torque F9 Fold-Away Functional Trainer. The full-trainer is lightweight yet powerful enough to exercise your entire body. It also has two doors to hide it from children or pets. The Torque features wood grain to enhance the aesthetics of your space.
If you're looking for a home-gym solution that can do more than simply track your progress, think about adding an electric rack to your set-up. These equipments let you lift heavy weights in a variety of moves, which helps you build strength and endurance. The Bells of Steel Manticore Power Rack starts at $600, but the price can increase depending on the customizations. It also has a solid design that makes it easy to use, which is important for heavy lifting.
A home gym would not be complete without dumbbells and benches. A standard bench is available in any home-supply store however we suggest buying one that's designed specifically for home gyms. These benches have been modified to allow for more home workouts. They feature an elastomer coating and a moderate knurl that prevents your hands from sliding down the bar after an extended period of time.