More and more people are turning away from expensive gym memberships and choosing to invest money in a home gym. One of the main reasons for this is certainly convenience. You can set up a home gym in virtually any spare corner of your home.
Aside from fitting in small spaces, these home gyms save you money by combining several different types of equipment into one machine. These have everything you need, and you won’t have to invest in additional equipment.
Before we delve deeper into the best home gyms currently on the market, let’s first cover some things you should consider before making your purchase.
YOUR GOALS
When you start planning to buy an all-in-one piece of exercise equipment, you should first think about your goals. Consider what you hope to achieve from exercising and how well each piece of equipment would benefit you.
There are several types of all-in-one equipment advertised on television, in magazines, and on the Internet. The most popular types on the market are those that are geared toward individuals who are interested in resistance training.
However, there are also other types, such as power racks, bodyweight gyms, and hybrid systems. Choose the home gym type that will suit your needs and goals the best.
MAIN CONSIDERATIONS
Apart from finding a home gym that will suit your fitness goals, there are some other things you should think about before making the purchase:
- Size – Will this home gym fit inside your home? You don’t want to pay for a home gym that’s too big for your home. Make sure to look up the equipment dimensions, as well as to measure the designated space in your home.
- Exercise variety – Your new all-in-one home gym should allow you to do many different exercises for all parts of your body. Even if you are focused on one body part (arms, legs, chest, etc.), you still need to occasionally work on the rest of your body.
- Weight range – The more you exercise, the more weight you need to strain your muscles. Of course, you will start with lighter weights, but after a while, you will need heavy weights, and your home gym should be able to meet your requirements in all stages of your fitness journey.
- Adjustability – Every good home gym needs to be adjustable, especially if more people of different body sizes and shapes will use it. Look for gyms with adjustable seats, belts, and pulleys.
- Durability – Since you will handle it with all of your strength, your home gym needs to be durable. This way, you will be able to use it for years to come, and you won’t have to worry about injuries from broken and damaged equipment.
- Convenience – A good home gym shouldn’t be too complicated to use, especially when you need to switch between different exercises. Try to find a home gym that’s easy to handle. Otherwise, you will lose your motivation to exercise.
- Price – Finally, a perfect home gym will fit into your budget as well. This is especially important if you ever need to change some parts. If those parts are too expensive for you, you will never replace/repair them, and you will get stuck with a semi-functional home gym forever.
PROS AND CONS OF ALL-IN-ONE HOME GYMS
Before deciding to buy any home gym, you should consider the potential pros and cons. All-in-one home gyms come with many pros, such as:
- Versatility – Normally, when you want to do several different exercises, you need different equipment for all of them. However, with all-in-one home gyms, you have all the equipment you need in one place. With some quick adjusting, your home gym can support 50, 60, or even 70+ different exercises.
- Cost Efficiency – Gym memberships can be expensive. And if you need a car/taxi/public transportation to get to your gym, that will also cost you. There will probably be other additional costs occasionally. Once you buy your home gym, there are no recurring or additional costs. In the long run, that’s more cost-effective than going to the gym.
- Space Efficiency – All-in-one home gyms are designed to fit even the smallest places. That’s a much better option than having your exercise equipment lying all over your home.
- Motivation – When you have a gym in your home, you can no longer find excuses for why you can’t exercise. Additionally, you will feel even more motivated to exercise since you paid so much for this home gym.
- Privacy – Many people don’t like to go to the gym because they feel like they have no privacy there. A home gym is a perfect solution for that because you can exercise freely without anyone watching you.
- Customization Options – Most home gyms come with additional attachments that allow you to customize them. No longer will you have to exercise on equipment that doesn’t suit your needs.
Now let’s take a look at some of the cons of all-in-one home gyms:
- High Initial Cost – For many people, even the cheapest home gym might be too big of an expense. Even though it is more affordable in the long term, not everyone is in a position to make a large one-time payment instead of small monthly payments.
- Limited Exercise Options – Even though all-in-one home gyms can be really versatile, they are still limited for certain types of exercise, especially cardio.
- Space Requirements – There are many compact home gyms out there, but they might still be too big for small homes and apartments that are already overcrowded with other things.
- Complex Assembly Process – Assembling the home gym isn’t for everyone, especially when there are many additional parts and attachments.
- Maintenance – Eventually, even the most durable home gyms will need minor repairs or parts replaced. This shouldn’t be too big a problem, but it can be a hassle that not everyone is willing to deal with.
- Limited Weight Resistance – For those who are particularly strong and want to exercise with heavy weights, home gyms might be too limiting. Some home gyms have max weight resistance of only 300-400 lbs, which isn’t always enough.
TOP 7 HOME GYMS
Now that you know all about things to look out for when choosing a perfect home gym, it is time to learn more about the best home gym models out there.
OUR TOP PICKS
The two most popular brands of all-in-one exercise systems are the Bowflex and Total Gym. We will choose these two for our top picks because we have tried them personally many times before, and each time, they proved to be stellar choices.
Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym
The Bowflex system uses adjustable bows that bend to create resistance instead of traditional weights. Bowflex is designed to fit a wide variety of exercise needs. Its design makes it widely adaptable and extremely popular.
The basic Bowflex system is lightweight and can be stored in small, tight places, even under the bed. The larger and more expensive Bowflex system competes with the professional equipment found in most gyms.
Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym is one of the most popular all-in-one home gyms right now. With this model, you can perform over 70 different exercises. You can easily adjust it to your body, and you can even upgrade its max resistance weight.
Total Gym XTREME
The Total Gym system, advertised by famous celebrities, is another alternative. It is much less expensive and more compact than the Bowflex. Because of its compact size, it is very easily stored out of the way.
The Total Gym uses gravity and body weight to create resistance instead of traditional weights. This machine adapts to a wide variety of exercises to work different body parts effectively.
For example, one of the oldest Total Gym models, the Total Gym XTREME, is still popular among fitness enthusiasts. This is hardly surprising because this gym offers over 60 exercises, easy switching between exercises, easy storage, and great price.
OTHER OPTIONS
1. Force USA G6 All-In-One Trainer
This all-in-one home gym mostly focuses on strength training, but thanks to its numerous attachments, you can use it for other exercises as well. Its max resistance weight is 400 lbs, and it is rather sturdy, which means everyone can use it, even people who are on the heavier side.
However, if your home has low ceilings, this home gym might not be the best option because it is rather high, especially with higher trainer’s modifications. Also, since there are many attachments, the assembly might be too much for some people.
2. REP Fitness FT 3000 Compact Trainer
If you are looking for home gyms that can fit inside smaller places, then REP Fitness FT 3000 Compact Trainer is a perfect choice for you. However, even though this home gym is smaller than most other home gyms, it still offers decent exercise variety. Additionally, it is extremely durable, and its buyers get a lifetime warranty.
On the other side, this home gym lacks a squat rack, which can be a deal breaker for some potential buyers. Also, if you are tall, the biggest advantage of this home gym – its smaller size, becomes an obstacle for you.
3. Marcy Pro Deluxe Cage System with Weightlifting Bench
This home gym is perfect for those who appreciate sturdiness and durability. It is equipped with a low pulley station, a high pulley lat tower, a training cage, and a removable bench. With this home gym, you can do many different exercises, including pull-ups, leg curls, bench presses, and many others.
However, some buyers complained about complicated assembly, while others found it too narrow. Check the reviews before you make your purchase.
4. Rogue The Monster Lite Cave
If you want a home gym with almost limitless adjustment options, as well as a high max resistance weight of 500/600 lbs, Rogue The Monster Lite Cave is perfect for you. Additionally, this home gym is obviously built to last, as all parts are made of quality materials.
Still, keep in mind that limitless adjustment options also come with many additional parts. That can become overwhelming and too complicated for an average user. Also, this home gym is one of the more expensive ones, so if you are on a tight budget, it isn’t the best choice for you.
5. The RitFit Multi-Function Power Cage
Another great example of a versatile and durable all-in-one home gym is the RitFit Multi-Function Power Cage, which includes a bench, an Olympic barbell, several bumper plates of different weights, and 15 additional attachments. It also has safety spotter arms, which is rather useful for those who exercise alone.
However, the assembly can be a bit complicated, so make sure to be careful when doing it. Apart from that, there haven’t been many complaints about this home gym, so you should definitely check it out!
FAQ
What is an All-In-One Home Gym?
An all-in-one home gym is a type of exercise equipment that allows its users to do various exercises. These all-in-one home gyms are compact, which makes them suitable for homes, garages, and other smaller places.
Are All-In-One Home Gyms Effective?
Yes, they are effective. Even though there are some all-in-one home gyms that are better than others, it all depends on you in the end. If you aren’t motivated and you don’t exercise often enough, even the best home gym will be a failed investment.
On the other hand, if you are persistent, you will see the effect of your exercises even with some not-very-good gyms. However, a good home gym will help you achieve your full potential much faster.
Can I Do All Exercises With All-In-One Home Gyms?
That depends on the home gym that you choose. While the definition of all-in-one home gyms says that they allow you to do all exercises, that can vary. Some gyms might lack the equipment or attachments needed for one type of exercise.
In other cases, some home gyms are designed poorly, and it limits your movements for certain exercises. This is especially prevalent if you are tall or on the heavier side. However, if you do your research, you can find many all-in-one home gyms that truly support 50+ exercises, which is more than enough for most people.
Do I Need a Lot of Space for All-In-One Home Gyms?
Some all-in-one home gyms are really small and compact. You can basically fit them in any spare corner of your home. There are also some home gyms that require more space, but they can still fit in a relatively small space.
Keep in mind that more compact all-in-one home gyms may be too small for tall people, or they can lack certain components and features that larger home gyms have. Consider your individual situation, free space, and other needs before making your choice.
Can Everyone Use All-In-One Home Gyms?
Yes, all-in-one home gyms are great for beginners, fitness pros, and everyone in between. The best home gyms are also highly adjustable, which means people of different sizes (and shapes) can use them. Also, every home gym will allow you to adjust the weights, which is perfect for users with different strengths.
CONCLUSION
All-in-one home gyms are perfect for those who want to exercise more but don’t want to go to the gym. Apart from the initial investment, all-in-one home gyms can save you money in the long run since you will no longer have to pay for expensive gym memberships.
Still, choosing a perfect all-in-one home gym isn’t always easy, and you shouldn’t take it too lightly. There are things you need to consider before you can make your choice. In this article, we shared some of our top picks with you.
Each one of our picks has a unique advantage based on what most people look for in a home gym. Take a closer look at our picks, read their reviews, and you will find the one that works the best for you!
