How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
It's a significant investment, but is often less expensive than paying for a gym membership. Before you start shopping, decide what type of exercise you'd like to do. Also, consider the space you have.
If you are limited in space, consider using smaller equipment such as the Bells of Steel Cable Tower or a smart home fitness system like Tonal.
Space
It is much easier to stick to a training plan when you have the appropriate equipment at home. If you're pressed for time or don't have the time to drive to the gym, or aren't a fan of crowds, you can dedicate an area in your garage or at home to work out at your leisure.
It is essential to remember, however, that you'll likely require some investment to create your ideal space for training, depending on the size of your space as well as what equipment you purchase. It's a good idea as well, to start with a smaller amount and gradually increase your equipment until you know the equipment you require.
The most effective equipment to use in your home gym will provide a variety of exercises that target the main muscle groups. A power rack is a piece of equipment that allows you to perform bench presses, pulldowns of the lat, and squats. A lot of units, such as the SR-4000 from REP Fitness, are built to be as compact as they can without sacrificing performance and durability. It features a two-post stand profile that helps reduce the footprint and is compatible with a range of optional attachments to enhance its capacity.
You can also maximize your space by selecting equipment that can be put together, such as the TRX system. It was designed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick for use on the battlefield and in the field, these portable suspension trainers provide a convenient method to get a full body exercise while on the move. They can be folded and nested to reduce space, and some even come with attachments that let you focus on specific muscle groups or add an additional level of resistance.
Another option that is versatile is a vibration plate that can be used to enhance the bodyweight exercises and also provide a challenging experience for lifters who are advanced. The AXV Vibration Plate is a good example, has an adjustable remote control with 120 speed settings, which allows users to tailor their experience. It can also be paired with resistance bands to target different muscles, or a bungee cord to provide an element of active movement.
Weight Capacity
The size of your home gym equipment could range from a simple power tower to an advanced smart home gym. Whatever you decide to purchase, make sure that the weight capacity is sufficient to allow for a wide variety of exercises. Beginners can begin with a basic set of dumbbells or barbells to build upper-body strength. They can also help strengthen the back muscles. If you are a serious lifter then consider a heavy duty power rack that can accommodate large dumbbells and a variety of other attachments such as lever arms, dip bar, a landmine accessory, seal row pad and more.
If you have a small garage, you might be interested in an adjustable bench. This allows you to perform decline and incline press without taking up too much space. A flat bench is also ideal, but you'll need to add dumbbells or bars if want to do isolation exercises like chest press or Biceps curls.
If you're a fan of functional exercise and resistance training, a plate stack trainer is the ideal piece of equipment to bring to your home. 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 come with cables that can be attached to triceps flyes and pushdowns as well as the ability to alter the resistance on your own.
While it may appear obvious, the kind of equipment you buy is a major factor in how enjoyable and effective your workouts are. You should ensure that the equipment you purchase is constructed from top-quality materials that can stand up to daily use. Particularly for those on a budget buyers, it's crucial to select the most affordable equipment that is made of quality materials that won't deteriorate after a few uses.
If you're shopping on the tightest budget, you should consider purchasing home gyms that are a hybrid 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.
exercise bicycle
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. Start by looking at the space at home and the workouts you'd like to focus on. Think about the type of equipment that will best suit your needs. For instance, a Life Fitness G7 Home Gym, for example, offers more than 55 workouts and user-defined movements with a footprint smaller than a queen-sized bed. Some machines can even be folded and stored to save even more space.
If you're looking to stick with a tighter budget, you might want to consider resistance bands, which can be used for both stretching and strength training. They are compact and portable. These bands can be affixed to existing equipment, such as the dumbbell set, along with lightweight resistance bands or a bench for lower body exercises.
A good mat for exercising is another essential for a well-rounded gym at home that provides a firm surface for exercises that require standing and decreasing the chance of sliding or falling off. Additionally, the majority of mats are also lightweight and mobile, making them easy to store when not being used. A pair of adjustable dumbbells can provide flexibility to your gym at home that allows you to do exercises like bench presses and seated dumbbell rows while changing the weight of your workout according to your fitness level.
Smart home gym equipment such as the Peloton Guide can be a great addition to your home gym, offering a variety of guided workouts, and a tiny footprint. It's also easy to navigate and is compatible with a variety of TVs and monitors.
A budget-friendly home gym like the REP PR-4000 is a versatile fitness machine that can accommodate Nordic hamstring curls glute ham raises, 45-degree back extensions as well as hip thrusts. It can accommodate users who are up to 7 feet tall and comes with 12 different adjustments with easy-to-read laser-etched numbers.
Aesthetics
There's no doubt that home gym equipment looks a lot different from what it was in the past. Certain brands feature modern designs and are integrated with wellness apps that draw in those who appreciate aesthetics more than function. Other equipment is so comprehensive it could almost replace an exercise session (and track and adapt to improve fitness).
We've seen an increase in the number of home gyms that are affordable and compact. We like the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical because of its affordable price and small footprint. This elliptical has preset exercises, a shorter stride, and is ideal for those living in apartments or other small space.
Torque F9 Foldaway Functional Trainer is another great home gym option that we love. The full-trainer is lightweight yet powerful enough to train the entire body. It also has two doors to hide it from children or pets. The Torque features a wood grain finish to add a touch of elegance to your space.
If you're looking for a home gym solution that does more than just monitor your progress, consider adding an electric rack to your gym. These pieces of equipment allow you to lift heavy weights with a variety of movements, which helps you build endurance and strength. We love the Bells of Steel Manticore power rack priced at 600 dollars but will increase in price according to your personalizations. It is also simple to use and has a sturdy design, which is crucial for heavy lifting.
Of course, no home gym setup is complete without the staples: dumbbells and a bench. A standard bench is available in any home-supply store but we suggest purchasing one specifically designed for home gyms. These benches have been modified to make them more suitable for exercises at home. They have an elastomer coating and an elongated knurl that stops your hands from sliding down the bar after a while.