Five Things Everybody Gets Wrong About Gym Equipment
How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
Home gym equipment can be a significant purchase, but it's usually cheaper over the long term than gym memberships. Before you begin shopping decide on the kind of workouts you want to perform and the amount of space you have available.
If you're limited on space, you can opt for smaller equipment like the Bells of Steel Cable Tower or a smart home fitness system like Tonal.
Space
A gym that is equipped at home can make it much easier to stick to your exercise program. If you're pressed for time or don't have the time to go to the gym, or you don't like crowds, you can dedicate the space in your home or garage to exercise at your leisure.
It is important to keep in mind that you will likely need to invest some money to create your ideal training space based on the size of your space and what equipment you purchase. It is also a good idea to start small and gradually build up gradually to help you determine the type of equipment you will need to accomplish your goals.
The best equipment for your home gym should provide a variety of exercises for the main muscles. A power rack, for instance is a fundamental piece of strength equipment 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 they can without sacrificing functionality and durability. It has a 2-post profile which reduces the footprint and is compatible with various accessories that will boost its capacity.
You can also maximize the space you have by selecting equipment that is multi-functional and stackable like a TRX system. These portable suspension trainers were created by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick to be used on the battlefield. They're a practical and easy way to get an all-body workout on the move. They can be folded and nested to save space, and some come with attachments that allow you to focus on particular muscle groups or to add additional resistance.
A vibration plate is another alternative that is flexible. It can be used for bodyweight workouts and also to provide an additional challenge for advanced lifters. For example the AXV Vibration Plate comes with a remote control and 120 speed settings to provide a personalised experience. You can also pair it with resistance bands to target various muscle groups or an bungee cord for an element of active movement.
Capacity for Weight
The size of your home gym equipment could range from a simple power tower to an advanced smart home gym. However, regardless of the type you pick, make sure that the weight capacity is sufficient to allow for many different exercises. If you're a beginner, start small with something like an assortment of dumbbells or a single pair of barbells that will help you build upper body strength and work your back muscles. If you're a committed lifter, you might want to consider a heavier duty power rack that can hold large dumbbells as well as various other attachments such as lever arms, dip bar and a landmine accessory seal row pad and more.
If you have a small garage, you might be interested in an adjustable bench. This allows you to perform decline and incline press exercises without taking up too much space. A flat bench will also work, but you'll need to add barbells or dumbbells when you're looking to do isolation exercises such as chest press or Bicep curls.
If you're a lover of functional training and a plate stack functional trainer is an ideal piece of equipment for you. This type of machine targets different muscle groups at once using a combination of squats as well as bench presses. The top functional trainers offer various options, including cables that allow you to perform flyes and tricep pushdowns, and the ability to change the resistance level at your own discretion.
It might seem obvious, but the equipment you select will have a significant effect on how effective and enjoyable your exercise routine is. You'll want to ensure that the equipment you buy is constructed from top-quality materials that are resistant to regular use. Particularly for those on a budget buyers, it's crucial to select affordable equipment made from quality materials that won't deteriorate after a few uses.
If you're shopping with an extremely tight budget, think about purchasing home gyms that are a hybrid of an exercise bike and a rowing machine. This type of fitness equipment for home use provides a great workout for the whole body, and could save you money over time.
Versatility
There are many options for your fitness goals and budget regardless of whether you have a home gym specifically designed for your needs or train in your living space. To narrow down your search, start by assessing the amount of space in your home, and what exercises you want to focus on most. Then, think about what kind of equipment would best meet your needs. For example, an all-in-one machine such as the Life Fitness G7 Home Gym allows for user-defined movement and more than 55 exercises within the footprint of less than that of the queen-sized mattress. Some machines can be folded and stowed away to save more space.
If you're looking to stick to a smaller budget, consider options like resistance bands, which can be used for both strength training and stretching and are also compact and travel-friendly. These bands can be affixed to existing equipment, like the dumbbell set, along with light resistance bands or a bench to perform lower body exercises.
A high-quality exercise mat is another must-have for a well-rounded home gym that provides a firm surface for workouts that require standing, and decreasing the chance of sliding or falling off. The majority of mats are light and portable, so they can be easily stored when not being used. A pair of adjustable dumbbells can add versatility to your home gym and allow you to perform exercises such as bench presses and seated dumbbell rows while changing the weight load based on your fitness level.
Smart home equipment for fitness, such as the Peloton Guide, can be an excellent addition to your fitness center at home. It provides a range of guided workouts with a relatively tiny footprint. Click Home is also simple to use and is compatible with a large range of monitors and televisions.
A budget-friendly home gym option like the REP PR-4000 is a versatile workout machine that supports Nordic hamstring curls, glute ham raises, 45-degree back extensions as well as 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 home fitness equipment is a bit different than it did in the past. Certain brands have modern designs and are integrated with fitness apps to draw in those who appreciate aesthetics as much as function. 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 goals).
While space concerns remain a concern for many, we've seen an increase in the number of home-gym options that offer a lower footprint and cost. For example, we love the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical because of its reasonable price and compact footprint. This elliptical features preset workouts and a shorter stride which makes it ideal for those who reside in apartments or restricted spaces that don't have the space for big machines.
Torque F9 Foldaway Functional Trainer is another great home gym option that we adore. This full-trainer has a compact footprint, but is powerful enough to work out your entire body. In addition, it has two doors that can close to keep the machine safe from pets or children. The Torque comes with a wood grain finish to enhance the aesthetics of your space.
If you're looking for a home gym solution that does more than just track your progress, think about adding the power rack to your set-up. As the name suggests these racks let you to lift weights using a variety of moves, allowing you to build serious strength and endurance. We love the Bells of Steel Manticore power rack, which starts at $600 but can grow in cost based on your customizations. It is also simple to use and has a solid design, which is crucial for heavy lifting.
Of course, no home-gym setup is complete without the basic equipment such as dumbbells and a bench. A standard bench can be found in any home-supply store however we suggest buying one specifically designed for home gyms. The benches that are included in these models have a few 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.