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Bowflex
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Credit:
Bowflex
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This is one of the most adaptable machines on the market, allowing you to alter the configuration to suit your workout as well as your floor plan. Read More
This machine’s heavy-duty steel frame is built to last. It has a multi-function arm press, a dual-function leg developer, and rowing capability. Read More
The Best Fitness is known as one of the easiest home gym machines to assemble, and it’s surprisingly sturdy, considering its size. Read More
A great all-around machine for almost any level of workout, the Bowflex PR1000 has over 25 available exercises. Read More
There are no tension rods or thin cables on this monster. It’s designed to push your body to the limit so it can reach its full potential. Read More
In today’s world, there’s not much we can’t do from home. We work remotely, our kids attend home school, and it’s becoming increasingly convenient to get our fitness fix at home as well. A good home gym gives you the freedom to work out whenever you want, without the hassle of going to your local commercial gym—no more waiting to use the Smith machine or paying overpriced membership fees.
Whether you’re avoiding the crowds or just prefer to work at your own pace, a great home gym offers full-body workouts right from the comfort of your own space. And you’ve got a lot of options to choose from, ranging from more basic, budget-friendly setups to professional-grade fitness equipment. Here are some of the best home gyms you can shop online right now.
Changeable configuration
Doesn’t feel flimsy during use
Occasional quality-control issues
Sturdy build quality
Lots of muscle-group workouts
Occasional damaged or missing parts
Lots of muscle-group workouts
Relatively compact design
Sturdy build quality
Less ideal for seasoned athletes
Easy to fold up and store
Adjustable rowing seat
Suboptimal for building muscle mass
Professional build quality
Dual-action leg developer
Large weight rack
Takes up an entire room
Hard to assemble and move
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
What are your fitness goals, exactly? Has a doctor recommended a specific exercise to focus on (or avoid altogether)? Once you know what you’re looking to get out of your workout—bulk up for raw strength, tone your arms and legs, or maybe focus on cardiovascular fitness—you can start shopping.
Obviously, only you know how much space you have at home, so think about what equipment will fit comfortably without filling the entire room. (Leave room for crunches, pushups, or yoga.) A Bowflex and a stationary bike might be the perfect combination for cardio-heavy workouts. Others might prefer a more traditional bench-press setup with a weight rack for putting on muscle and building strength.
A good home gym is certainly an investment. Even a good set of dumbbells can be pricey, but adding a full-body workout machine or Bowflex to your home can set you back hundreds or thousands of dollars.
For some people, going to the gym and working out around others, paying membership fees, and perhaps hiring a personal trainer is the cost-efficient way to get fit. But not everyone wants to continue paying month after month, or exercise around a bunch of strangers, so a home gym may be the clear choice.
When it comes to getting into shape, particularly indoors, the main order of the day is safety. Before you settle on where to put your new lat pulldown machine, squat rack, or weight bench, make sure your space has a flat, sturdy floor with plenty of room. Concrete or hardwood flooring is a great option, and of course you can add thick rubber mats where appropriate for doing pushups and so on.
Alex Kane is a senior editor at USA Today’s Reviewed and the author of the Boss Fight Books volume on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. He has written for Fangoria, PC Gamer, Polygon, Rolling Stone, StarWars.com, and Variety. He lives in west-central Illinois.
Adam Reeder
Freelance writer
Adam Reeder is a freelance writer, consumer advocate, and unapologetic watch geek.
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