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Before you make your purchase, Tonal offers a test run at one of their showrooms or a video demo. There are quite a few benefits of owning your very own home gym, such as convenience, customization, and long-term cost-savings. People who want a mobile piece of gym equipment that can be easily moved around.
Users can opt for on-demand classes, custom programs, workouts guided by coaches, and even partner classes. There’s a 30-day trial period if you want to test out Tempo Studio risk-free, and purchases come with 3 months of free one-on-one personal training to get you started. Choose from three package options which include various ranges of weight plates, dumbbell handles, barbell, bench, mat, and more. The Strong Series has a large ergonomic seat and adjustable foot width, a low handrail, and a higher seat for an easier time getting on and off the rower. It also has a higher-than-average weight capacity of 507 pounds and accommodates people up to 6-foot-8, while still being surprisingly compact and easy to store upright. If you want to expand, and add a squat rack, barbells, bumper plates, cardio equipment, etc...
Rogue SML-2 Monster Lite Squat Stand
Below, we provide more information about specific pieces of home gym equipment. If you intend to work out frequently and will be doing so using gym equipment, it may be worthwhile to make the investment. If multiple people in your household intend to use the home gym, you may be able to split the cost.
However, some reviewers that live in apartments say it’s loud enough to be a nuisance to neighbors. The best home gym will depend greatly on your goals, space, and budget so it’s difficult to say what the best option is for everyone. If you want a home gym that’s versatile to suit a variety of goals, space-saving, and easy to use then our favorite is Tonal.
Best compact gym on a budget
Cheap items like a yoga mat and a jump rope are versatile and useful in all kinds of workouts. Originally created by an occupational therapist, these ankle weights are intelligently designed and heavy on the function. As for the aesthetic, these aren’t horrible looking — they’re just extremely utilitarian in nature. But quite frankly, that’s a good thing — especially if you’re looking for ankle weights you’re really going to use a lot for rehab or functional fitness. With a home gym setup, you can take as much time as you need with each piece of equipment or exercise without feeling rushed or like other people are watching you.
This may help you feel more at ease while you exercise, which can make it easier for you to focus on giving your all during your workout, Mathe explains. In addition to 25 levels of resistance and 29 programmed workouts, the sturdy bike has a weighted flywheel that offers an ultra-smooth, quiet ride. The NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike offers 24 resistance levels and is equipped with a 22-in (56-cm) rotating touch screen that connects you to live and on-demand classes.
Cons:
Bowflex makes effective, space-friendly gym equipment, and this one accommodates more than 70 exercises. It’s not a tangible feature, but this rack just looks like it means business. Powerlifters will love the details of this squat and bench press rack, along with the stability and peace of mind its design provides.
When it feels too easy, you can use the included resistance bands to step things up a notch and increase the burn. The Tonal uses a combination of electricity and magnets to digitize weights, offering up to 200 pounds of resistance. It features a 24-inch touch screen, on which you can browse and play workouts; and adjustable arms on each side, onto which you can connect smart handles, a smart bar, and a rope.
Resistance bands
Based on online reviews, most customers were either already active or looking to lose some weight during the pandemic when they purchased this machine. One of the latest versions, the Blowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym, allows you to perform over 70 strength-training exercises from the comfort of your own home. Above all else, convenience is probably one of the major benefits of owning a home gym. You wake up in the morning, have your pre-workout, and then walk 15 steps to your garage, so you can start clanging and banging.
The thing about rowing is that it's a technical sport that requires coaching and practice to learn. It might look like it mostly involves your arms, but if you're doing it right, it's actually 60 percent legs. If you do it incorrectly, you can hurt your back, which would obviously be a major setback toward any fitness goals.
Both offer scenic outdoor rows filmed in a variety of locations around the world, led by excellent instructors, including world champions and Olympians. Many machines also feature live classes with competitive leaderboards, giving you an extra jolt of motivation to run, row, or cycle your way to victory. This also fosters a sense of community, making it feel like you're not working out alone. The Peloton community is so active that members often become friends in real life, bonding over their shared love of the experience. Smart fitness machines also generally keep track of your progress, and congratulate you when you meet your goals and make gains. I've been into the fitness scene since high school, when I worked in the daycare center of my local gym in exchange for a free membership.
With this combo rack, you can go into your next competition feeling more prepared than ever. Anyone who doesn’t want to make use of guided classes can find a more cost-effective alternative of similar quality without the large screen and added features. The NordicTrack RW900 is a durable machine that features a 22” touchscreen display, a quiet belt drive and large pivoting pedals to fit pretty much any shoe size. You’ll also get a free month of iFit classes with your purchase, which you can view on your tilting display as you row virtually across the globe. Those who plan on using a cable machine very regularly will feel comfortable knowing that this piece of equipment is built to last and comes with impressive warranties.
If that’s you, The DB Method is the perfect solution for your home gym. These plates feature specific features that make them perfect for home use. The virgin rubber is designed to deaden the bounce while minimizing damage to the plate, eliminating any aggressive bouncing that may damage your surroundings in small, tight spaces. These are built to last and designed specifically for garage and home gyms. It’s a flat bench that doesn’t adjust, which does provide some limitations to your training, but you’re getting tremendous quality at a great price. Adjustable benches are nice, but cheaper ones often have issues with the adjustment mechanisms breaking–on a budget, a flat bench will likely last longer.
Finally, many people do find value in investing in some type of cardio equipment. Now, these are fixed weight dumbbells, which means they’re cheaper and easier to fit into the budget, but you’ll need to buy more of them as you get stronger over time. Keep that in mind as you budget, but if you only need a few lighter dumbbells, buying these individually is much cheaper than buying adjustable dumbbells.
