In my search for the best home gym, I have decided to review a very popular brand- Marcy.
They also make a variety of gym equipment like kettlebells, pulleys, dumbbells, and a variety of cardio equipment.
So how do they stack up to to other brands such as Bowflex or Sunny Health & Fitness?
Here’s my honest opinion of the brand and their most popular gym products.
About The Company
Marcy is a well-known fitness brand providing strength training machines that are manufactured by IMPEX, a company founded in 1982.
They also have a cardio equipment line with incredibly competitive prices and all of their products are renowned for their durability and high-quality.
Marcy is deeply valued as a provider of gym equipment, not only for its high-quality products but also for their amazing customer service.
Home Gyms
When it comes to home gyms, Marcy has made an impressive effort to gather the best equipment and most varied options.
They have a wide range of cage machines, stack gyms, power towers, and weight benches to choose from.
The price range varies as well, but all of them are remarkably high-quality and resistant, meant to last for a lifetime.
Marcy Stack Multifunction Steel Home Gym
This is a multifunction weight stack machine that is heavily constructed in durable steel and has a weight stack of 150 pounds.
It includes a dual function press arm that you can use for chest press and butterfly exercises, a lat bar for different types of pulley workouts, and a lower extension pulley for leg extensions and rows.
Additionally, it has an adjustable preacher curl pad that you can use with your dumbbells and other weights.
What customers are saying
Customers say that this unit is incredibly easy to use, and is the perfect addition to any home gym.
They also love the price of this machine and say the only thing that could have made it better is more specific instructions and notes for assembly.
Marcy 150-lb Multifunctional Home Gym Station
Similar to the above, this multifunctional home gym station has a weight stack of up to 150 pounds with a safety lock you can use to prevent unauthorized use.
It is a sturdy and highly resistant gym station, manufactured with heavy-duty steel.
This unit also includes a lat pulley for back exercises, a dual-action press arm for butterfly exercises and chest presses, plus a removable lower cable that can be used as a preacher curl or for leg exercises.
You also get an ankle strap that you can use with the lower cable.
What customers are saying
Customers love this home gym station for its durability and affordable price. They say it’s a fantastic addition if you already have a rack of dumbbells and a treadmill.
Similar to the above model, they do not provide very clear instructions for assembly but fortunately, it isn’t a major problem since assembling this gym station is intuitive and relatively easy.
Marcy Smith Machine Cage System Home Gym
This is one of the most complete smith cage systems for your home gym- iit combines several strength machines into one.
With this unit, you get a fully functional squat rack, a utility bench, and the main functionality of a power tower.
It has a cable pulley system that you can use for doing rows, bicep exercises, and more, plus an adjustable bench you can use for almost any upper body exercise.
Weight plates for this cage system need to be bought separately, but it does include a weight storage area to facilitate the organization of your plates.
What customers are saying
The vast majority of reviews are either good or excellent, and many customers say this big and sturdy cage system is a ‘great deal’ considering its price.
Marcy Smith Cage Total Body Workout Machine
Marcy’s smith cage total body workout machine is one of the most comprehensive on the market, allowing for a very wide range of upper and lower body exercises.
This machine comes with the standard press arms and pulleys offered by any other weight stack machine, but this time it also includes a leg developer and an ergonomic preacher station that you can use with your weight plates.
This cage system does not come with weights but it does have an Olympic free-weight rack to organize your plates.
What customers are saying
According to a majority of Marcy’s customers, this workout station is almost perfect and very easy to assemble once you figure out the cable system.
However, the pulley system is not perfect and it doesn’t always feel completely smooth.
Marcy Power Tower Multi Workout Home Gym
Power towers are a great option for those who want to focus on bodyweight exercises instead of dumbbells and weight plates.
This particular model is very simple and easy to use, with various stations for different workout options.
You get a knee raise station that can also be used for dips and a pull-up station that is built with multiple grip handles. On top of that, you’ll get a pair of push-up handles at the base.
What customers are saying
Most customers love this power tower for its great design and they enjoy the fact that they can lift the forearm pads when they are using the pull-up station.
Some customers have reported unusual wiggling movements but considering the vast amount of excellent reviews, this might be due to assembly issues.
Marcy Olympic Weight Bench
If you’re mostly looking for a weight bench, this is a great option with an amazing design that allows for upper and lower body exercises.
The seat has a sliding track and the incline is adjustable.
With this high-quality weight bench, you’ll get a bar catch and a safety catch station, plus a squat bar catch in the back, if you need it.
Moreover, it comes with a leg developer you can use for preacher curls, and weight plate storage posts to keep your plates organized in one place.
What customers are saying
Most customers are very satisfied with this bench.
Others say it is good but not great, especially because there aren’t many adjustments for incline levels, and the bar catch is too high when the bench is in a flat position.
Marcy Impex Adjustable Weight Bench
Some people do not need overly complicated workout benches and huge cages or might not have enough available space for them.
That’s why Marcy also manufactured a simple adjustable weight bench called Impex. This bench is adjustable to 6 positions and made with high-density foam.
The maximum user weight capacity is 600 pounds, plus it has a leg developer station and comfortable foam rollers.
What customers are saying
The unit is very convenient and sturdy.
One of the few problems reported by customers is that the leg developer station is only meant for leg curls because you can’t actually complete the movement to do reverse leg curls.
Indoor Bikes
Indoor bikes by Marcy mainly focus on being functional and durable.
They do not have as many bells and whistles as other brands, but they do what they are meant to, and are extremely comfortable and easy to use.
Marcy has a variety of bikes and types, which include different models of upright bikes and recumbent bikes.
Marcy Club Revolution Upright Indoor Cycle
This is a manual resistance upright bike with a 40-pound flywheel and a simple mechanism to adjust the intensity level by simply turning the tension knob.
It has a 2-axis adjustable seat to accommodate different body types plus aero-style handlebars with different grip options and forearm support.
Other minor features include a water bottle holder, basket-caged pedals, and transport wheels.
What customers are saying
Despite being a manual resistance bike, customers say it is rather quiet. It is also well built, very durable, and ergonomic for different types of people.
However, some people say that the lateral separation of the pedals is not enough, which may be uncomfortable after very long cycling sessions.
Marcy Magnetic Resistance Upright Exercise Bike
This model has a magnetic resistance system that is much quieter compared to the manual resistance and lets you choose from 8 preset levels.
It has adjustable handles and seat height, plus a screen panel display to track your exercise progress, such as the number of calories burned, speed, distance, and time.
What customers are saying
Similar to the above comments, this model receives very good ratings from many satisfied customers.
However, some of them say that the pedals are placed a bit too high and some are not really satisfied with the quality of the display screen.
Marcy Regenerating Recumbent Exercise Bike
For those who suffer from back pain and spinal problems, recumbent bikes are probably more appropriate than upright bikes.
This model will be very comfortable for those people due to its adjustable seat height and comfortable back support.
Marcy also added a large multi-panel LCD on this bike, which is powered up when you pedal. The LCD screen monitors your speed, time, calories burned, and heart rate.
The heart rate sensors are located at each side of the padded seat.
What customers are saying
According to reviews, this model is easy to assemble, easy to use, and extremely comfortable. Customers also loved the preset workout program options.
The only bad thing reported in some reviews is that it has no instructions or user manual, so you’ll have to figure it out by yourself.
Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike For Cardio Training
If you’re cycling indoors primarily because you want to avoid being sweaty, this fan bike will probably catch your attention.
The resistance system has a fan instead of a flywheel, so you will be producing a refreshing flow of air as you continue pedaling.
This model has a simple yet functional LCD monitor that displays your calories burned, time, speed, and distance.
The adjustable seat positioning accommodates for different body types, and the transport wheels make it easy to move from one room to another.
What customers are saying
Customer reviews are overall favorable, especially as a beginner-level indoor bike. It is also easy to assemble and not very heavy.
However, according to some unfavorable reviews, the fan tends to vibrate and can be a bit loud plus the screen is not as user-friendly as most people would like.
Indoor Rowers
Rowing is an amazing sport that doubles as a great workout experience, especially if you like water.
However, if you’re trying to get a similar workout experience without the risk of getting soaked, an indoor rower is a good option, and Marcy has several models to choose from.
They offer two main types of rowers; ‘magnetic resistance’ and ‘water resistance.’
Let’s review each one of them.
Marcy Foldable 8-Level Magnetic Resistance Rowing Machine
This rowing machine adopts a very smooth and silent magnetic resistance that is adjustable between 8 levels through a tension knob.
It has adjustable foot straps and a sliding seat with a simple and intuitive LCD display to track your calorie count, time, and other metrics.
You can also flip open the bottom part of the console and use it as a device holder.
What customers are saying
Customers say that although this is not a fancy rower when compared to others on the market, it does the job and is a remarkably potent and inexpensive workhorse.
However, the resistance level may not be enough for more experienced users, and even though the assembly is easy, there could be better instructions for that.
Marcy Pro Water Resistance Rower Rowing Machine
This water resistance rower is one step ahead of the above model in almost every way.
It has an adjustable water resistance you can change by simply adding or removing water, plus a much larger display with a user-friendly LCD monitor.
The monitor tracks more data as well, including calories burned, time, distance, and total count.
Moreover, this rower is compact and sturdy and easy to carry. Perfect for those with a shortage of space as it can also be stored vertically.
What customers are saying
Although this model seems promising, it doesn’t have enough customer reviews to give us a complete idea of user experience.
However, the few customers that did leave a review say it is an excellent pick for home use, with great value.
Other Equipment
Other than bikes, rowers, and home gyms, Marcy also manufactures other equipment, maintaining the same quality of the machines above.
For example, we can highlight these:
Marcy Adjustable Cast Iron Dumbbell Set
Any traditional home gym is incomplete without a set of dumbbells.
These dumbbells by Marcy are the typical type you will find with knurled bars, spinlock collars, and weight plates.
You can adjust the weight on each side by alternating 4 plates of 5 pounds and 4 plates of 3 pounds.
After your workout, you can also organize your equipment in the carrying case that is included in your purchase.
Apex Adjustable Heavy-Duty Exercise Kettlebell
Kettlebells are the best choice if you’re into functional training and plyometrics.
These adjustable kettlebells by Marcy are designed to save space and save you from buying multiple kettlebells in different weights.
The weight of this kettlebell is adjustable between 20-50 pounds and all you’ll need to do to change the weight is twist the knob, pull out the pin, and adjust the plates to bring it back in.
Note that for each order you get one kettlebell.
Marcy Trampoline Cardio Trainer
People who like to exercise outdoors will love this trampoline. It is a perfect fit for small spaces and is extremely durable, with its maximum weight support of 250 pounds.
It also comes with a handlebar at the top to make your exercise safer and improve your coordination and balance.
Alternative Brands To Consider
As you have probably realized, Marcy specializes in traditional gym equipment and does not offer any sort of digital experience or specialized technology.
If technology is what you’re looking for, take a look at these alternative brands:
Bowflex
Bowflex has been figuring out the best ways to bring the gym to your home since 1986.
Over the years, they have come up with interesting technologies, and very fancy-looking equipment in the field of cardio and strength training machines.
Their range of machines includes ellipticals, treadmills, and a patented resistance rod technology for strength machines.
ProForm
This company is owned by ICON Fitness and offers an interesting approach to fitness through its online coaching iFit experience.
They provide high-end equipment that can be quite expensive but they have affordable models as well, all of which include an excellent warranty.
This brand is a great pick if you want to try iFit without paying so much for a gym machine.
NordicTrack
Similar to ProForm, NordicTrack is also owned by ICON Fitness, and these guys take the iFit experience to the next level.
One of the most celebrated features of their machines is the big touchscreen display and other fancy features that make this brand the number one if you’re into a digital experience while working out.
Sunny Health & Fitness
If you like Marcy because of the affordable prices and durability, you will also like Sunny Health & Fitness.
They are distributors of high-quality products, with a huge range of cardio machines but some strength machines as well.
So, if you’re on a budget it is a good idea to take a look at their prices and what their products have to offer.
Should You Choose Marcy?
In this review, you have probably realized that Marcy does not have very high-tech add-ons and their machines are not fancy.
However, you would have also noticed that they all are extremely sturdy, durable, and fully functional, providing great value for the price.
Overall, the reviews are excellent and confirm that Marcy is a great brand to pick if you’re starting to build a new home gym and don’t need big screens and digital technology in order to enjoy your workouts.
