How to Find the Best Home Gym Equipment
It's an investment that's huge, but it's usually cheaper than paying for a gym membership. Before you begin shopping, make a decision about the type 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
It is much easier to stick to a fitness plan when you have the appropriate equipment at home. If you're short on time or don't have the time go to the gym, or aren't a fan of crowds, consider putting aside an area in your garage or home to work out at your own pace.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that you'll need to invest some money to build your ideal training zone based on the size of your space and the equipment you choose to purchase. 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 best equipment for your home gym needs to provide a variety of workouts for the major muscles. A power rack is an piece of equipment that allows you to perform bench presses, lat pulldowns, and squats. Many of them, 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 it is compatible with many accessories that will increase its capacity.
You can also maximize the utilization of your space by selecting equipment that can be multi-functional and able to be stacked like the TRX system. It was designed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick for use on the battlefield and in the field, these portable suspension trainers are a convenient way to get a full-body workout while on the go. They can be folded and placed in a nested position to save space. Some include attachments to specifically target muscles or to provide additional resistance.
Another option that can be used is a vibration plate that can be used to enhance exercises with body weight and provide an extra challenge for advanced lifters. The AXV Vibration Plate for instance comes with a remote control with 120 speed settings that allows you to personalize your experience. You can also pair it with resistance bands to target different muscles or an bungee cord for an element of dynamic movement.
Capacity of Weight
Home gym equipment may vary in size, from a basic power tower to a full-on smart home gym, but regardless of what kind of machine you choose the weight capacity must be sufficient to allow you to perform various exercises. Beginners can begin with a basic set of dumbbells or barbells for building upper body strength. They will also work the back muscles. If you're a committed lifter, then you should consider a heavy power rack that can accommodate large dumbbells and many other accessories like lever arms, dip bar and a landmine accessory seal row pad, and more.
A bench should be on your list of home gym essentials If you're a tight-knit lifter, you should look for an adjustable bench that lets you 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 need to add barbells or dumbbells if you're looking to do isolation exercises like chest press or Bicep curls.
If you are a fan of exercise that is functional, a plate stack resistance trainer is the perfect piece of equipment to have at your home. This kind of machine targets multiple muscle groups at once using a combination of squats as well as bench presses. The most effective functional trainers provide various options for cable attachments that let you perform flyes and tricep pushdowns, and the ability to alter the resistance level on your own.
It may seem obvious but the equipment you select will have a major impact on how effective and enjoyable your workouts are. You'll want to make sure that the equipment you purchase is crafted from high-quality materials that are able to stand up to daily use. It is crucial for those with a tight budget to choose equipment made of high-quality materials.
If you're shopping on an extremely tight budget, think about buying home gyms that are a mix of an exercise bike and a rowing machine. This type of fitness equipment for home use provides an excellent workout for the whole body, and could save you money over time.
Versatility
Whether you have a dedicated space for a gym at home or you plan to work out in your living room, there are plenty of options to fit your fitness goals and budget. To narrow your search begin by assessing the amount of space in your home and the exercises you'd like to concentrate on most. Think about the kind of equipment that best meets your needs. For instance, an all-in-one machine like the Life Fitness G7 Home Gym provides user-defined movements and more than 55 exercises within the footprint of less than the queen-sized mattress. Some machines can be folded and stowed to make room.
If you want to stay within a budget look into using resistance bands. They can be used both for stretching and strength training, and are small and easy to carry around. These can also be ideal additions to your existing set-up, such as adding some light resistance bands to a dumbbell set or pairing them with a bench to perform lower body exercises.
A quality exercise mat can add to the fitness of your home. It provides a stable surface to perform exercises that require standing, and minimizes the chance of falling. In addition, many mats are also lightweight and portable, making them simple to store away when not being used. A set of adjustable dumbbells can provide flexibility to your gym at home and allow you to perform exercises such as bench presses and seated dumbbell rows, while altering the weight of your workout according to your fitness level.
Smart home gym equipment like the Peloton Guide can be a excellent addition to your home gym, offering a variety of guided workouts with a small footprint. It's also easy to navigate and compatible with many different televisions and monitors.
A great value home gym option like the REP PR-4000 is a versatile fitness machine that can accommodate Nordic hamstring curls glute ham raises, 45-degree back extensions and hip thrusts. It can support users as tall as 7 feet and can be adjusted to 12 different levels.
Aesthetics
The equipment for home gyms is different from what it was in the past. hybrid bikes for men have sleek designs that integrate with fitness apps, appealing to those who appreciate both aesthetics and functions. Other equipment is so extensive it can almost replace an exercise session (and track and adapt to improve fitness).
As space concerns remain a concern for many, we've also seen an increase in the number of home-gym options that save on both size and price. For instance, we love the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical due to its low cost and compact footprint. This elliptical comes with pre-set workouts and a short stride, making it perfect for people who reside in apartments or other small spaces that don't have enough room for bulky machines.
Another home gym option that we love is the Torque F9 Fold-Away Functional Trainer. The full-trainer is compact in footprint, but offers enough power to work out your entire body, and it comes with two doors that open to protect the machine from children or pets. The Torque comes with a wood grain finish to enhance the aesthetics of your space.
You should consider adding a powerrack to your home gym setup in case you are looking for something that does more than track your progress. These racks allow you to lift heavy weights with a variety of movements that help you build endurance and strength. We love the Bells of Steel Manticore power rack that starts at $600 but is able to increase in price according to your personalizations. It also has a solid structure that makes it simple to use, which is important for heavy lifting.
No home gym is complete without benches and dumbbells. While the standard bench can be purchased at any home-supply shop however, we suggest you purchase one specifically designed for home gyms. The benches that come with these models have some tweaks that make them ideal for working out at home with a sturdy rubber coating and moderate knurl to prevent your hands from sliding off the bar after you've been working out for awhile.