The Top Home Gym Machines
For those who require a strict fitness routine, it can be hard to stay true to your fitness program without the proper equipment. Fortunately, most gym equipment manufacturers have recognized this concern long ago and created home versions of their most popular machines. Most of these are designed to take up as little space as possible while providing the most comprehensive workout available. But which ones are going to make you ripped and which ones are a gyp? We did the necessary bicep curls and quad blasters to find you the best home gym machines.
ICON Fitness Gold’s Gym XRS 50
Bring Muscle Beach To Your Living Room
If there was a Mecca for workout facilities, Gold’s Gym would be it. ICON Fitness has partnered with this iconic brand to bring the ultimate in home fitness – the XRS 50. Looking just like the pro machines you find at the gym, the XRS 50 features a 4-roll, low-pulley leg and glute developer, a combination fly station and chest press, and one high pulley to chisel your lats and back muscles. The high bar has both interior grips and exterior grips to vary your upper-body workout, giving you up to 280 pounds of resistance. The seat is constructed with tear-resistant vinyl but still provides comfort for longer workouts.
Pros:
- 90-day warranty
- Includes exercise chart
- Easy assembly
Cons:
- 300-pound user weight capacity
- Seat is not adjustable
Bowflex Home Gym Series PR1000
Flex Is Even In The Name
If you haven’t seen a Bowflex TV infomercial, then you haven’t turned on your television in about two decades. Bowflex revolutionized the home gym with its patented machine that simulates weight lifting with a system of pulleys and resistance bands. These “Power Rods” provide over 200 pounds of resistance for more than 25 full-body exercises. By changing the position of the cable pulleys, you change the angle of resistance, which increases the efficiency of the exercises. The PR 1000 model features a bench that converts to a rowing station, providing you a way to get in an intense aerobic workout as well – a feature you won’t find on most other home gym machines.
Pros:
- Built-in media rack
- Enormous range of potential exercises
Cons:
- Resistance bars lose durability over time
Weider Ultimate Body Works
Body Works Works Your Body
The Weider Ultimate Body Works is living proof that you can get a terrific workout on a piece of home gym equipment without sacrificing an entire room of your home. The Weider Ultimate’s telescopic design allows you to reduce the entire bench and pulley system to a flat piece of gear that fits under your bed when you’ve finished your workout. This same design also allows you to get a variable resistance workout that will keep you in the best shape of your life. Combining four sturdy resistance bands with an eight-position incline bench, you can customize your workout for both upper and lower body strength. It also comes with additional resistance bands to add more weight and create the toughest exercises possible.
Pros:
- Rolling seat with free-motion cables
- Excellent for Pilates
Cons:
- Bench bodyweight cap of 250 lb
Total Gym 1400
Get Chuck Norris-Ripped
First introduced by late-night TV staple and cultural icon Chuck Norris, the Total Gym transformed the world of stay-at-home workouts. Using an incline bench with a series of pulleys that use the body’s weight for resistance, the Total Gym promises a full-body workout in ten to twenty minutes. Featuring an exercise chart, nutrition guide, and workout DVD highlighting over 60 different exercises available, the Total Gym 1400 offers stretching, strength training, and cardio all in one machine. There is no assembly required, and the machine folds up after use for convenient storage.
Pros:
- Accessories can be added and removed quite easily
- 12 levels of bodyweight resistance
Cons:
- Does not use resistance bands
- Does not include Chuck Norris
HIBRO Multifunction Power Tower
Puts The Fun In Multifunction
As you’ve probably learned, many home gym machines utilize your body’s weight to provide resistance for exercise, but none of them do it quite like the HIBRO Multifunction Power Tower. Combining an ergonomically designed bench with a lat bar and 8-position pull-up rod, the HIBRO provides intense resistance for upper-body workouts. The long, dual-support legs with locking safety nuts ensure stability, even when you’re swinging your legs for ab crunches on the lat bar. Remember, this piece of equipment can be used right out of the box to start your fitness program, but it does not include weights.
Pros:
- 6-setting height adjustment to 92 inches
- Comfortable, gym-grade foam backing
- Non-slip handles
Cons:
- Does not fold or break down for storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference in the resistance I get from home gym machines as opposed to professional gym equipment?
There shouldn’t be. Resistance is resistance: as long as the weight is the same, there should be no difference between lifting it from a home machine versus a gym machine. The position of your body (and the muscle group you’re working) is very important, as is the range of motion, and with some home gym machines, resistance is created by the weight of your body. However, with a quality home gym machine, there should be no reason to sacrifice range of motion.
Most of these home gym machines seem to max out between 200 and 300 pounds of resistance. That sounds like a lot. Is it enough?
If you’re a beginner and you’re purchasing your first home gym, 200 pounds should be plenty of weight. Most people looking to achieve a decent level of fitness will never need more than this amount. If you’re a serious fitness buff or are training for a competitive sports event, you may find that you’ll need to get to 400 pounds or more of resistance. Look for a machine that allows you to add on to the weight or attach additional resistance bands if this is the case.
Will I shed the weight quickly with a home gym?
Making a habit of consistent exercise along with a healthy diet is the best thing you can do for your lifestyle, both in the short and long term. However, if you’re looking to lose weight – especially more than ten pounds – we absolutely recommend you talk with your doctor first and follow her specific instructions about diet and exercise. Please also talk with your doctor about any pre-existing physical conditions before ordering personalized gym equipment.
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