The Best Complete Home Gyms That Are Affordable

The Best Complete Home Gyms That Are Affordable

The Best Complete Home Gyms That Are Affordable

The Best Complete Home Gyms That Are Affordable

For some of us, the convenience and privacy of a home gym just makes sense.

Once you’re set, there’s no need to commute to a gym, wait for your machine, and clean off other people’s sweat.

But can you get a proper workout at home? And will the machines be affordable and of the same quality as a public gym?

Although I personally prefer to workout at a public gym, my honest opinion is yes.

But you definitely need to have some experience in order to know what you’re looking for.

In this article, I’m going to share my experience and advice for purchasing the right home gym.

I’ll talk about fitness goals, machine device features, quality, and also recommend the best home gym brands & models.

Bowflex Xceed Home Gym Series

Bowflex Xceed Home Gym Series

  • You can do more than 65 exercises for your chest, shoulders, and lower body.
  • Several pulley positions for different types of workout.
  • 210 pounds of resistance, upgradable to up to 410 pounds.
  • Made with a heavy-duty steel frame with a weight capacity of 300 pounds.

This is a fantastic purchase for anyone who goes to the gym especially for the machines they have, and wishes they could carry it home.

Heavy lifters who purchase it are able to upgrade the resistance limit or increase their number of repetitions for a more challenging workout.

Resistance

One thing to consider with this home gym (And with most products available) iis that its resistance may wear down after a while.

Fortunately, Bowflex offers an additional item called “Power Rod Rejuvenator” to maintain the same resistance level. It is sold separately, just like the extra resistance.

The best thing about this home gym is the variability it offers, although it can be a bit bulky for some.

What we like

  • It is very sturdy, resistant, and extremely versatile.
  • It does not take so much space, compared to standard gym machines.

What we dislike

  • If you really want to take it seriously, you need to buy the separate items, or else the resistance will be not enough.

Marcy Smith Cage Total Body Training Gym

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Marcy Smith Cage Total Body Training Gym

  • Construction made of steel, very durable and resistant.
  • Features a multifunctional press system to tone and strengthen arms and chest.
  • You will also get a multi-functional seat with a dual-action leg developer.
  • Secures your Olympic bar and weights with a resistant rack.

If you put this in your home, it will certainly look like a gym. This is not the type of equipment you will want to buy if you’re running out of space.

However, if you have enough available space at home or a room dedicated to your weights, it will fit perfectly and save you from buying some extra benches and implements.

Features & Accessories

This product is a complete body training kit that is made to last, with a maximum cable strength of 2000 pounds.

The adjustable bench has a preacher curl station and a leg developer station, making it very versatile whether you’re exercising by yourself or with a friend.

Many accessories are included, such as handles, ropes, bars, and straps to attach to the cable station.

As expected, the machine does not come with weights. You will get the cage and nothing more.

What we like

  • Strong, solid, and very useful if you take your time assembling it right.
  • Smooth pulleys and many accessories to give more variation to your workout.

What we dislike

  • The cable system can be very tricky to assemble and it may feel awkward sometimes if not properly built.

XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine

XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine

  • It has more accessories than other models, including a revolving curl bar, single grip handles, and a triceps press-down bar.
  • It is very versatile, and the resistance comes from the assembled weight.
  • Smooth pulley system with heavy-duty and durable construction.
  • Features not only weight training options but various handles for bodyweight exercises.

This one is exactly like those machines you see at the gym. It has the cable, pulley system, all of the accessories, and even the weights previously assembled.

All you have to do is choose your desired weight, choose your handle or rope, and start exercising according to your strength training plan.

The weight stack has 200 pounds on each side, so you will get 400 pounds total.

What customers are saying

One of the bad things about this multifunctional machine is that the assembly can be very difficult and time-consuming.

Still, the users of this cable station are usually very satisfied and say it is very high-quality and a great addition to any home gym.

What we like

  • It includes the weights and has a maximum resistance of 400 pounds.
  • Upon assembly, it is very sturdy and resistant, made with quality materials.

What we dislike

  • The assembly can be quite challenging and time-consuming, especially if you’re not a handyman.

Marcy 150-lb Multifunctional Home Gym Station

Marcy 150-lb Multifunctional Home Gym Station

  • Heavy construction of steel tubes and guard rods.
  • It comes with its own set of weights stacked in front of the seat.
  • Versatile and useful to work out the upper and lower body.
  • It comes with a removable preacher curl and leg training station.

If you want something functional but do not have enough available space to buy a complete exercise cage, this one may suit you. Plus it has its own set of weights.

Features

The Marcy 150-lb multifunctional home gym station has pretty much everything you need to start working out.

The stacked weights are up to 150 pounds and are adjustable according to your fitness levels.

The cable system allows for a wide variety of exercises, and the bench is comfortable and easy to adjust.

What customers are saying

Many users are satisfied, mentioning it is easy to assemble and the stacked weight keeps them entertained for a long time, before they need to increase the weight further.

The only bad thing about its assembly is that you don’t get many instructions. But it’s very intuitive and you can assemble it in approximately three hours, regardless of not having them.

What we like

  • Despite being compact, it has a wide range of exercises, including upper and lower body exercises.
  • It comes with its own weights, no need to buy extra equipment.

What we dislike

  • The assembly is not very hard but could be easier if only the manufacturers included more precise instructions.

Weider Ultimate Body Works

Weider Ultimate Body Works

  • An exercise bench with resistance cables to provide a complete body workout.
  • Excellent to be used as a strength-building machine and for Pilates.
  • Adjustable incline to preset the intensity level of your exercises.
  • Compact and space-saving, designed for home use.

If you think the options above are too bulky for your available space, this one is a suitable option you can try instead.

Of course, you won’t have the same functionality as an exercise cage where you can stack your Olympic weights. But the good news is you won’t even need weights to operate this one.

Features & Accessories

This product looks like a roman chair, but larger, with various incline options, a sliding backrest made of foam, and a pulley system on both sides.

You’ll also get handles that you can use for your bodyweight exercises and to secure your feet in some exercise modalities.

Compact & Affordable

The weight limit of this home gym equipment is 250 pounds, and the reason why it is featured in this list is because you can have it in your home without taking too much space.

Moreover, it is an affordable option that’s perfect if you’re on a budget. For the price, it is an excellent high-quality buy, with many satisfied users.

What we like

  • It is an affordable and space-saving option if you’re on a budget or want to avoid bulky equipment.
  • You get a complete upper and lower body exercise you can do at home.

What we dislike

  • You’ll have to figure it out by yourself because it does not come with an exercise chart.

BodyBoss 2.0 - Full Portable Home Gym Workout

BodyBoss 2.0 - Full Portable Home Gym Workout

  • A piece of portable equipment you can carry anywhere and take the gym with you.
  • It comes with workout guides you can use as a start-up to create your own routines.
  • Lightweight and compact, easy to fold up and store without taking any space at all.
  • It comes with resistance bands, handles, bars, and many other useful accessories.

You can set a gym up at home without any bulky equipment and without taking space with this portable home gym.

You could actually take it anywhere you go, which is perfect if you want to make sure you still exercise when you’re out on a trip or in the office.

Features & Accessories

The package comes with accessories such as resistance bands, ankle and wrist straps, a set of handles, a collapsible workout bar, and a carrying bag.

You’ll also get an instruction manual in order to know how to operate it and exactly what to do to get yourself started.

It basically consists of a base where you’ll find different spots to hook the resistance bands and you can choose where to configure the handles according to the type of exercise.

Each cord gives you a resistance of 30 pounds, but you can loop them and double the resistance. The box weighs around 18 pounds, and it is easy to carry anywhere.

What we like

  • It is compact and perfect if you don’t want bulky equipment for your home.
  • Once you get acquainted, it is easy to use and very intuitive.

What we dislike

  • It might not be very challenging if you’re a heavy lifter.

As you can see above, there are many options available if you want to have a gym at home.

Naturally, not all of those options are for you, and you need to choose carefully. But, what should you consider before buying?

Where to put the machine

First off, ask yourself where will you place the machine and consider the available space you have?

If you’re buying a bigger exercise cage or something that takes up a lot of space, remember that it is very difficult to move, and it will probably stay in the same spot for a very long period.

Fitness goals

If you consider your options and the resistance level each one of them offers, you will see they are for different fitness goals.

Some of them might be better for toning, others are definitely better for strength and muscle building. So, consider what you really need plus your fitness level before buying.

Machine size

The size of the machine is very important, not only for the available floor space but also the available height you have at home.

Check the specifications of each one of them and consider the space it will take in your home. Remember that most of them cannot be moved easily once assembled.

Core features

What are the machine’s core features and functionality? Is it focused on the upper body, lower body, core muscles, or is it multi-functional?

Some of them may be better for toning than muscle-building exercises, so keep that in mind, too.

Price

Surely, the price plays an important part in choosing your equipment.

Remember that pricey is not always better.

Warranty

More reliable machines naturally come with a longer warranty. Moreover, they don’t use the terms “limited warranty,” “frame-only warranty,” or any other warranties similar to those.

Another thing you need to do is think about the type of home gym you need.

As you will see, some of them fulfill different roles at the same time.

Power Rod Machines

This is basically a technology owned by Bowflex, which makes use of rods attached to a pulley mechanism that provide different levels of resistance.

It is a space-saving technology, but you may need to buy separate pieces for extra resistance.

Body Weight Machines

These machines provide basic handles, backrests, and other features that allow for bodyweight exercises.

Gym machines primarily focused on bodyweight training do not take much space and help you stay flexible and strong.

Free Weight Machines

These machines are made to hold your weight, basically.

They are not complex but need to be sturdy, resistant, and very stable. They usually include a rack, a barbell, and plates you need to buy separately.

Functional Trainers

Also known as cable machines, these are very common in local gyms and may come with stacked weight, resistance cables, or a similar type of resistance.

Incline Board Trainers

As the name implies, incline board trainers feature an incline or decline backrest you can adjust at different degrees.

These trainers allow for different exercises, and you can have very simple modalities or more complex types that include resistance bands and other features.

There are many brands out there, but only a few are recognized and widely recommended:

Bowflex

One brand you may have heard in infomercials is Bowflex, They’ve been around since 1986 plus feature a resistance rod technology that they’ve been improving over the years.

Marcy Pro

Founded back in 1959 in California, Marcy Pro provides gym equipment worldwide from its headquarters in Panama.

It was founded by Walter Marcyan and later acquired by IMPEX.

Body Solid

This is one of the best brands you can find for home gyms. They have over 25 years of experience, their products have an ISO-9000 certification, and they are based in Chicago.

Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym Series

This is an alternative for the Weider Ultimate Body Works, but manufactured by Bowflex.

It supports a maximum weight of 300 pounds, it can be folded easily and it allows you to do more than 70 exercises for your upper and lower body.

Total Gym APEX G3 Versatile Indoor Workout

This is a versatile workout machine that allows for more than 50 different exercises, it is powered by rod resistance technology, and can be upgradable to up to 310 pounds.

Fusion Motion Portable Gym With 8 Accessories

This is another option if you want a portable gym, this time in red, and with many accessories.

You will get not only the bar, handles, and anchors but also a wheel core for your abs.

ICON Fitness Gold's Gym XRS 50

This gym machine is designed to last, with durable materials and a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds.

It has a pulley system, a chest press, and a fly station, as well as a leg building station with stacked weights.

ICON Fitness Weider PRO 8500 Smith Cage

If you’re looking for a more compact exercise cage, this one may be an interesting option.

It has pretty much everything you need to build your core, upper body and lower body, including a rack, a preacher curl, and much more.

Body-Solid Free-Weight Leverage Gym

If you have more available space than average, this home gym system has anything one would want.

The only thing you need to have is your won set of Olympic style weights according to your fitness levels.

Powertec Fitness Lever-Gym Workout Bench

If you have your own Olympic weights, you can use them with this workout bench.

It has a comfortable seat you can adjust at various angles and it is very solid with no wobbling at all.