How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
Home gym equipment is an expensive investment, but it's cheaper over the long term than paying for gym memberships. Before you start shopping, determine what kind of exercises you want to perform. Also, think about the space you have.
If you're confined to space, consider compact equipment such as the Bells of Steel cable tower or a smart home gym like Tonal.
Space
Having the right equipment at home can make it much easier to stick with your exercise program. If you're in a hurry or don't have time to drive to the gym, or aren't a fan of crowds, you can create an area in your garage or at home to work out at your own leisure.
You'll need to put in funds to build the perfect training area. This will depend on your space's size and the equipment you select. It is also a good idea to start small and gradually build up over time to help you decide what kind of equipment you really require to meet your goals.
The most effective equipment to use in your home gym will provide an array of exercises that target the major muscles. A power rack, for example is a fundamental piece of equipment for strength that can enable you to bench press, perform lat pulldowns, and squats. A lot of units, like the SR-4000 by REP Fitness, have been designed to be compact without losing durability or functionality. It features a 2-post design which reduces the footprint and is compatible with a variety of accessories that will boost its capacity.
You can also make the most of your space by choosing equipment that can be stacked such as the TRX system. Created by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick for use on the battlefield, these portable suspension trainers are an ideal method to get a full body exercise while on the move. They can be folded down and nested to save space. Some even include attachments to focus on specific muscles or provide additional resistance.
A vibration plate is a alternative that is flexible. It can be used for bodyweight exercises as well as to add an extra challenge for lifters who are more advanced. The AXV Vibration Plate for instance comes with an adjustable remote control with 120 speed settings that allows you to customize your 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 can range from a basic power tower to a smart home gym. However, regardless of the type you pick, make sure that the weight capacity is sufficient to allow for a wide variety of exercises. If you're a beginner, start small with something like a set of dumbbells or a couple of barbells that will help you build upper body strength and work your back muscles. If you're a committed lifter, then you should consider a heavy duty power rack which can hold large dumbbells and various other accessories such as dip bar, lever arms and a landmine accessory seal row pad, and more.
A bench should be on your list of essentials for your home gym, and if you're a space-conscious lifter, look for an adjustable bench that can do decline and incline presses without taking up a lot of space in your garage. A bench with a flat surface can also work, but you'll want to include a set of barbells or dumbbells if you're planning to perform isolation exercises such as chest press or Bicep curls.
If you're a lover of functional exercise then a plate stack resistance trainer is the ideal piece of equipment for your home. This kind of machine is designed to target multiple muscles at once with the combination of squats and bench presses, and pull ups. Functional trainers are available with many options. They come with cables for tricep pushdowns and flyes, and the capability to adjust the resistance yourself.
It may seem obvious but the equipment you choose will have a significant effect on how enjoyable and effective your exercise routine is. You must ensure that the equipment 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 prioritize equipment made from high-quality materials.
If you're on a budget, consider investing in a home fitness equipment which combines an exercise bike and an equipment for rowing. This kind of home fitness equipment offers an excellent workout for the whole body and can save you money over time.
Versatility
There are plenty of options for your fitness goals and budget, whether you have a home gym specifically designed for your needs or are training in your living area. Start by taking a look at the space you have at home and the exercises you would like to focus on. Think about the type of equipment that is best suited to your needs. 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 even be folded and stored away to make space.
If you're looking to stay within a budget you should consider using resistance bands. They can be used both to build strength and stretch, and are lightweight and easy to travel with. They can also be a great addition to your existing equipment for example, adding lightweight resistance bands to a dumbbell set or pairing them with a bench for lower body exercises.
A quality exercise mat is another must-have for a well-rounded gym at home that provides a firm mat for workouts that require standing, and lessening the chance of slipping or falling off. The majority of mats are light and portable, which means they are easy to store when not in use. A pair of adjustable dumbbells can add versatility to your home gym, allowing you to perform exercises like bench presses and seated dumbbell rows varying 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 numerous guided workouts and a relatively tiny footprint. It is also easy to use and compatible with a broad range of monitors and televisions.
A budget-friendly home gym, such as the REP PR-4000 is a versatile exercise machine that can support Nordic hamstring curls glute ham raises, 45-degree back extensions as well as hip thrusts. It can hold users who are up to 7 feet tall and has 12 different adjustments that are easy to read laser-etched numbers.
Aesthetics
There's no doubt that gym equipment looks different now than it did in the past. Certain brands sport elegant designs that work with fitness apps, appealing to those who appreciate both aesthetics and functions. While other equipment has become so comprehensive that it could even substitute the need to go to the gym (and even track and adapt to your fitness progress).
There has been a surge in the number of home gyms that are affordable and compact. We are awestruck by the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical due to its affordable price and small footprint. It comes with preset workouts and a shorter stride which makes it ideal for people who live in apartments or other small spaces that don't have enough room for bulky machines.
Torque F9 Foldaway Functional Trainer is another smart home fitness option that we like. The full-trainer is lightweight but has enough power to train the entire body. It also has two doors that can be closed off from pets or children. The Torque also comes with wood grain to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space.
You should consider adding a powerrack to your home gym in case you are looking for something that goes beyond tracking your progress. As the name suggests, these racks let you to lift heavy weights using a variety of exercises, helping you develop a serious amount of strength and endurance. We love the Bells of Steel Manticore power rack priced at 600 dollars but can grow in cost depending on the customizations you make. It also has a strong design that makes it easy to use, which is essential for serious lifting.
The home gym cannot be complete without dumbbells and benches. While the standard bench can be purchased at any home-supply shop, we recommend going with one specifically designed for home gyms. exercise bikes that come with these models have some tweaks that make them more suitable for workouts at home for example, a tough rubber coating and moderate knurls to stop your hands from sliding off the bar after you've been working out for awhile.
