How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
It's an investment that's huge, but is often less expensive than the cost of a gym membership. Before you begin shopping decide on the kind of workouts you want to do and the space you have.
If you're short on space, consider compact equipment such as the Bells of Steel cable tower or a home gym that is smart like Tonal.
Space
It is much easier to stick to a fitness plan when you have the right equipment in your home. If you are 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 could help you work out at your own pace.
You'll need to invest money to create the perfect training space. This will depend on your space size and what equipment you select. It's a good idea too, to start small and then gradually increase the amount of equipment to figure out the equipment you require.
The best equipment to use in your home gym will provide a variety of exercises that target the major muscle groups. A power rack, for example is a key piece of strength equipment that can enable you to bench press, do lat pulldowns, and squats. Many units, like the SR-4000 from REP Fitness, are built to be as compact as possible without sacrificing functionality and durability. It has a 2-post stand profile, which reduces the footprint and is compatible with a variety of accessories that can increase its capacity.
You can also maximize the utilization of your space by choosing equipment that is multifunctional and stackable like a TRX system. Designed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick for use on the battlefield, these portable suspension trainers are an ideal method to get a full body workout while on the go. They can be folded up and nested to save space. Some come with attachments that target specific muscles or add extra resistance.
A vibration plate is another alternative that is flexible. It can be used for bodyweight exercises and to provide an additional challenge for lifters who are more advanced. For instance, the AXV Vibration Plate comes with a remote control and 120 speed settings that provide a personalised experience. You can also pair it with resistance bands to target different muscles or a bungee cord to provide an element of active movement.
Capacity for Weight
The size of your home gym equipment could range from a simple power tower to a smart home gym. However, regardless of the type you choose, you should make sure that the capacity of the equipment is sufficient to allow for various exercises. For beginners, you can start with a basic set of dumbbells or barbells to build upper body strength. They will also work the back muscles. If you're a serious lifter then consider a heavy duty power rack that can hold large dumbbells as well as various other accessories such as lever arms, dip bars and a landmine accessory seal row pad, and more.
If you have a small garage, you might think about an adjustable bench. This allows you to perform decline and incline press without taking up much space. A flat bench is ideal, but you'll require dumbbells or bars in case you are looking to perform isolation exercises such as chest press or biceps curls.
If you're a lover of functional exercises and resistance training, a plate stack trainer is the ideal piece of equipment to bring to your home. This kind of machine targets a variety of muscles simultaneously with the combination of squats and bench presses. Functional trainers are available with a variety of options. They have cable attachments for tricep flyes and pushdowns, as well as the capability to adjust the resistance yourself.
It may seem obvious, but the equipment you choose will have a major impact on how effective and fun your exercise routine is. It is important to ensure that the equipment that you purchase is made of materials that are durable and able to be used regularly. It is crucial for those with a tight budget to select equipment made of high-quality materials.
If you're on an extremely tight budget, think about buying a home gym that's a hybrid of an exercise bike and a rowing machine. This type of home gym provides an excellent workout for the entire body and can help you save the most money in the long run.
Versatility
There are many options for your fitness goals and budget regardless of whether you have a home gym that is specifically for your needs or you train in your living area. Begin by taking a look at the space you have at home, and the types of exercises you would like to focus on. Then, consider what type of equipment can best meet those needs. For instance, a Life Fitness G7 Home Gym for instance, provides more than 55 exercises and user-defined moves in a footprint that is smaller than a queen-sized bed. Some machines can be folded up and stored away to free more space.
If you're trying to stay on a budget, you might want to consider resistance bands that can be used for stretching and strength training. They are compact and portable. These bands can be added to existing equipment, like an exercise set that includes a dumbbell and light resistance bands or a bench to do lower body exercises.
A quality exercise mat can make your home gym more complete. It offers a solid surface for performing exercises that require standing, and also reduces the risk of falling. Additionally, the majority of mats are also light and portable, making them simple to store when not being used. A pair of adjustable dumbbells will provide versatility to your home fitness center. You can do exercises like bench presses or rowing with dumbbells while sitting, adjusting the weights according to your fitness levels.
Smart home gym equipment, such as the Peloton Guide can be a excellent addition to your home gym, offering various guided workouts, and a tiny footprint. It's also simple to navigate and compatible with various TVs and monitors.
A budget-friendly home gym like the REP PR-4000 is a versatile workout machine that supports Nordic hamstring curls, glute ham raises, 45-degree back extensions and hip thrusts. It can hold users with a height of up to 7 feet and features 12 different adjustments with easy-to-read laser-etched numbers.
Aesthetics
The equipment for home gyms is different today than it was in the past. Some brands offer sleek designs and integrate with wellness apps to appeal to those who value aesthetics as much as functionality. Meanwhile, other equipment is now so extensive that it could even replace a trip to the gym (and even track and adapt to your fitness gains).
As space concerns continue to be a major concern for many, we've seen an increase in the number of home-gym options that offer a lower footprint and cost. For instance, we love the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical due to its low cost and compact footprint. The elliptical comes with preset exercises, a shorter stride, and is ideal for those who live in apartments or other small spaces.
Another home gym option that we love is the Torque F9 Fold-Away Functional Trainer. The full-trainer is compact in footprint, but has enough power to train your entire body. In addition, it has two doors that can close to protect the machine from pets or children. The Torque also has wood grain design to enhance the aesthetics of your space.
If you're looking for a home gym solution that does more than just track your progress, you should consider adding a power rack to your set-up. These equipments let you lift weights in a variety moves that help you build strength and endurance. We love the Bells of Steel Manticore power rack that starts at $600 but will increase in price according to your personalizations. It also has a solid structure that makes it simple to use, which is important for serious lifting.
No home gym is complete without benches and dumbbells. While the standard bench is available from any home-supply store We recommend getting one specifically designed for home gyms. The benches that come with these models come with some tweaks that make them more suitable for home workouts for example, a tough rubber coating and moderate knurl to keep your hands from sliding off the bar after you've been working out for a while.