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 exercise you'd like to do and the space you have available.
If you are limited in space, you can opt for smaller equipment like the Bells of Steel Cable Tower or a smart home fitness system such as Tonal.
Space
It is much easier to stick to a fitness program if you have the appropriate equipment at home. If you're short on time or don't have the time drive to the gym, or you don't like crowds, you can create a space in your garage or home to workout at your own pace.
It is crucial to remember, however, that you will likely have to spend some money to build your ideal training zone based on the size of your space and the equipment you choose to purchase. It is recommended to start small and build up gradually to help you decide what kind of equipment you need to accomplish your goals.
The best equipment for your home gym must offer a range of exercises for the main muscle groups. A power rack, for instance is a fundamental piece of equipment for strength that lets you bench press, perform pulldowns with lats 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 features a 2-post profile that reduces the footprint, and it is compatible with many accessories that can boost its capacity.
You can also make the most of the use of your space by selecting equipment that is multifunctional and can be stacked together, such as a TRX system. These portable suspension trainers were designed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick to be used in the field. They're a convenient and easy method of getting an all-body workout on the move. They can be folded and nested to make space. some come with attachments that allow you to target particular muscle groups or to add additional resistance.
Another option that can be used is a vibration plate, which can be used to boost the bodyweight exercises and also provide a challenging experience for lifters who are advanced. The AXV Vibration Plate for instance comes with an adjustable remote control with 120 speed settings, which allows you to customize your experience. You can also pair it with resistance bands for different muscles or a bungee cable to create a lively element.
Capacity of Weight
Home gym equipment can range in size, from a basic power tower to a fully smart home gym, but regardless of what kind of machine you select, the weight capacity should be sufficient to allow you to do many different exercises. For beginners, you can start with a basic dumbbell set or barbells to build upper-body strength. They also work the back muscles. If you're a serious lifter then consider a heavy duty power rack which can hold large dumbbells and a variety of other accessories like lever arms, dip bars, a landmine accessory, seal row pad and many more.
A bench should also be included on your list of essentials for your home gym, and if you're a space-conscious lifter, you should look for an adjustable bench that lets you do decline and incline presses without taking up too much room in your garage. A bench that is flat will also work, but you'll need to add a set of dumbbells or barbells if you're planning to perform isolation exercises like chest presses or bicep curls.
If you're a lover of functional training and want to improve your fitness, then a plate stack functional trainer is a great piece of equipment for you. This type of machine targets multiple muscles simultaneously with the combination of squats and bench presses. The most effective functional trainers provide various options such as cable attachments that allow you to perform flyes and tricep pushdowns, and the ability to change the amount of resistance at your own discretion.
It may seem obvious, but the equipment you choose will have a major impact on how effective and fun your workouts are. You'll want to ensure that the equipment you buy is constructed from top-quality materials that are resistant to regular use. Especially for the budget-conscious people, it's essential to choose low-cost equipment made of high-quality materials that won't degrade after a few uses.
If you are on a budget, consider investing in a home gym that combines an exercise bike with an exercise device that can row. This kind of home fitness equipment offers an ideal workout for your whole body and can save you money over time.
Versatility
If you have a dedicated space for a gym at home or plan to train in your living room, there are many options to meet your fitness goals and budget. Begin by taking a look at the space you have at home and the workouts you'd like to focus on. Then, consider what my explanation of equipment can best meet those needs. For example, an all-in-one machine like the Life Fitness G7 Home Gym offers user-defined movement and more than 55 exercises in a footprint smaller than that of the queen-sized mattress. Some machines can be folded up and stowed away to save more space.
If you're looking to stick with a tighter budget, consider options like resistance bands, which can be used for strength training and stretching and are also compact and travel-friendly. They can be affixed to existing equipment, for example, a dumbbell set with some lightweight resistance bands or a bench to do lower body exercises.
A quality exercise mat is a must to have a complete home gym and provides a solid surface for workouts that require standing, as well as decreasing the chance of sliding or falling off. Most mats are lightweight and portable, which means they can be stored easily when not in use. A set of adjustable dumbbells will add flexibility to your home fitness center. You can perform exercises like bench presses and rowing dumbbells in a seated position while varying weights according to your fitness level.
Smart home gym equipment, such as the Peloton Guide can be a fantastic addition to your home gym. It offers numerous guided workouts and a relatively tiny footprint. It's also simple to navigate and is compatible with a variety of monitors and TVs.
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 hold users who are up to 7 feet tall and features 12 different adjustments with easy-to-read laser-etched numbers.
Aesthetics
Home gym equipment is different than it was in the past. Certain brands feature elegant designs and integrate with wellness apps to draw in those who appreciate aesthetics as much as functionality. Other equipment is so comprehensive it could almost replace the need to go to the gym (and track and adapt to improve fitness).
We've seen an increase in the number of gyms at home that are affordable and compact. For instance, we love the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical for its affordable price and compact footprint. This elliptical has preset workouts, a short stride and is perfect for people living in apartments or other small space.
Another great home gym option we love is the Torque F9 Fold-Away Functional Trainer. The full-trainer is compact in footprint but still is powerful enough to exercise your entire body. In addition, it comes with two doors that close to hide the machine from pets or children. The Torque comes with a wood grain finish to enhance the aesthetics of your space.
Consider adding a powerrack to your gym equipment If you're looking for a solution that goes beyond tracking your progress. These equipments let you lift heavy weights in a variety moves that will help you build strength and endurance. The Bells of Steel Manticore Power Rack starts at $600, but the price may increase based on customizations. It is also simple to use and has a sturdy design, which is crucial for heavy lifting.
The home gym cannot be complete without dumbbells and benches. While the standard bench can be found at any home-supply store however, we suggest you purchase one specifically designed for home gyms. The benches that are included in these models have some tweaks that make them more suitable for home workouts, such as a durable rubber coating and moderate knurl to keep your hands from sliding off the bar after having been working out for awhile.