If you’re serious about working out at home, the right equipment can be a major game-changer. But while the options abound, it’s important to keep in mind your fitness goals and workout routine when selecting what to buy. For instance, the equipment needed to build muscle might look different for someone who’s into CrossFit than for a bodybuilder. Likewise, your ideal smart fitness gadget will likely differ depending on whether you enjoy guided workouts or want to track and monitor your results.
The good news is that even if your budget is limited, you can find the perfect piece of home gym equipment to suit your needs. In fact, there are thousands of choices, from high-end, multipurpose gyms that can replace multiple machines to affordable sets of dumbbells that can cover the majority of your muscle groups, from chest presses and bicep curls to planks and squats. In addition, there are a wide variety of exercise apps and services, such as Aaptiv, Fitbod, Sworkit, and Tonal, that offer free or premium guided workouts for running, cardio, strength training, and yoga.
Ultimately, the key is finding the best balance between versatility and space. Some equipment—like a power rack, bench press, and squat station—can be very space-efficient, while others can take up a lot of room. In that sense, the Force USA G6 All-in-One Trainer is our top choice because it offers stunning versatility and can take the place of 11 strength-training machines in a compact design that can fit in most spaces.
In the same vein, we also love the REP PR-1100 Power Rack, which has a small footprint but can accommodate an entire weight stack. In addition to its basic design, it also has add-ons that let you do leg extensions, lat pulldowns, and dips with ease. Lastly, the NordicTrack Vault is another space-saving option that doesn’t skimp on features. This machine has an integrated touchscreen that provides a variety of on-demand classes in 60 categories, such as strength, yoga, barre, dance cardio, and more.
For those who want the full gym experience, however, we recommend the Bodybuilders Choice G20 Pro All-in-One Gym. It’s a massive, powerful, and well-constructed machine that includes 29 attachments (including a Smith machine, cable machine, power rack, leg press, lat pulldown, and dip station) and can be paired with TRX bands to do core and back exercises. It’s a bit expensive, but for those who are serious about lifting at home, it could be an investment worth making.
Milena Estêvão is a YouTuber passionate about sharing her experiences (challenges, successes and motivations) in the fitness activities she is involved in.
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