How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
It's a significant investment, but is often less expensive than the cost of a gym membership. Before you shop, figure out what type of exercise you'd like to do and the space you have available.
If hybrid bikes for men are limited in space, you can opt for smaller equipment such as the Bells of Steel Cable Tower or an intelligent home fitness system such as Tonal.
Space
It is much easier to stick to a workout plan if you have the right equipment in your home. If you're pressed for time or don't have time to drive to the gym or do not want to deal with crowds, having a designated space in your home or garage can help you break a sweat at your own leisure.
It is crucial to keep in mind that you will likely require some investment to build your ideal training zone based on the size of your space as well as the equipment you buy. It's a good idea, also, to begin with a small amount and then gradually increase the amount of equipment to determine what you require.
The ideal equipment for your home gym should provide a variety of workouts for the major muscles. A power rack, for example, is a foundational piece of strength equipment that lets you bench press, perform lat pulldowns, and squats. Many of them, like the SR-4000 from REP Fitness, are built to be as compact as is possible without sacrificing functionality and durability. It features a 2-post design which reduces the footprint and is compatible with various optional attachments that enhance its capacity.
You can also maximize your space by selecting equipment that can be stacked, such as the TRX system. Created by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick for use on the battlefield and in the field, these portable suspension trainers provide a convenient way to get a full-body workout while on the go. They can be folded up and nested to save space. Some include attachments to focus on specific muscles or provide an additional level of resistance.
A vibration plate is another versatile option. It can be used for bodyweight exercises and also to provide an additional challenge for advanced lifters. For example, the AXV Vibration Plate features a remote control and 120 speed settings that provide a personalised experience. You can also pair it with resistance bands to target various muscles or an bungee cord for an element of active movement.
Capacity for Weight
Home gym equipment may vary in size from a basic power tower to a full-on smart home gym, but no matter what kind of machine you select, the weight capacity should be sufficient that you can perform many different exercises. Beginners can start with a simple dumbbell set or barbells to build upper body strength. They can also help strengthen the back muscles. If you're an avid lifter think about a high-end power rack that can handle large dumbbells, as well in a variety of attachments like lever arms, dip bars as well as a landmine-like attachment, seal row pad, and much more.
If you're in the market for a smaller garage, you might want to consider an adjustable bench. This will allow you to do decline and incline presses without taking up a lot of space. A bench with a flat surface can also work, but you'll want to add in dumbbells or barbells if you're looking to do isolation exercises like chest press or Bicep curls.
If you're a lover of functional exercises, a plate stack resistance trainer is the ideal piece of equipment to bring to your home. This kind of machine is designed to target multiple muscle groups at once using the combination of squats and bench presses, and pull-ups. Functional trainers are available in various options. They come with cables for tricep flyes and pushdowns, as well as the ability to adjust the resistance yourself.
It may seem obvious, but the equipment you select will have a significant effect on how effective and enjoyable your exercises are. It is important to ensure that the equipment that you purchase is constructed from materials that are durable and able to endure regular use. It's crucial for people with limited funds to prioritize equipment made from high-quality materials.
If you are on a budget, consider investing in a home gym that is a combination of an exercise bike with an exercise device that can row. This kind of home fitness equipment provides a great workout for the entire body and can help save you money over the course of time.
Versatility
There are a variety of options to meet your fitness goals and budget regardless of whether you have a gym at home that is specifically for your needs or you train in your living room. Begin by looking at the space at home and the workouts you'd like to focus on. Then, consider the kind of equipment that will best meet those requirements. For instance, a Life Fitness G7 Home Gym is a good example. It offers more than 55 exercises and user-defined moves with a footprint smaller than a queen-sized bed. Some machines can be folded and tucked away to make more space.
If you want to stay within a budget look into using resistance bands. They can be used for stretching and strength training as well as being small and easy to transport. These can also be an excellent addition to your existing equipment for example, adding lightweight resistance bands to your dumbbell set or pairing them with a bench to perform lower body exercises.
A quality mat for exercising is another essential for a well-rounded home gym, providing a stable mat for workouts that require standing and lessening the chance of slipping or falling off. In addition, many mats are also light and mobile, making them easy to store away when not being used. A set of adjustable dumbbells will add versatility to your home gym, allowing you to perform exercises like bench presses and seated dumbbell rows, while changing the weight load according to your fitness level.
Smart home gym equipment, such as the Peloton Guide can be a fantastic addition to your home gym, providing a variety of guided workouts with a tiny footprint. It is also simple to use and compatible with a wide range of monitors and televisions.
The REP PR-4000, a good value home gym, is a versatile machine that lets you perform Nordic hamstring curls, glute-ham raises and hip thrusts. It can be used by people who are taller than 7 feet and can be adjusted to 12 different levels.
Aesthetics
There's no doubt that gym equipment looks a lot different now than it did in the past. Certain brands have elegant designs and integrate with wellness apps to appeal to those who value aesthetics as much as functionality. Meanwhile, other equipment has become so advanced that it is able to replace a trip to the gym (and even track and adapt to your fitness progress).
As space considerations continue to be a major concern for many, we've also noticed an increase in the variety of home gym options that offer a lower footprint and cost. For instance, we like the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical due to its low cost and small footprint. The elliptical comes with preset workouts, a short stride and is perfect for those who live in apartments or other small areas.
Torque F9 Foldaway Functional Trainer is another smart home fitness option that we like. The full-trainer is compact in footprint but still is powerful enough to train your entire body, and it comes with two doors that open to keep the machine safe from pets or children. The Torque has wood grain finishes to enhance the aesthetics of your space.
If you're looking for an at-home gym solution that does more than just monitor your progress, consider adding an electric rack to your set-up. These pieces of equipment let you lift heavy weights with a variety of movements that will help you build strength and endurance. We like the Bells of Steel Manticore power rack priced at 600 dollars but is able to increase in price based on your customizations. It also has a strong construction that makes it easy to use, which is crucial for heavy lifting.
The home gym cannot be complete without dumbbells and benches. A standard bench can be purchased in any home-supply store however we suggest buying one that's designed specifically for home gyms. The benches that are included in these models have few modifications that make them better for home workouts for example, a tough rubber coating and a moderate knurl to keep your hands from sliding off the bar after you've been working out for awhile.