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Best Home Gyms

Updated March 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Tempo Studio
Tempo
Studio
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Big-screen Training
Bottom Line

The Tempo is an all-in-one workout center that is hard to beat, according to our fitness expert.

Pros

Program gives interactive feedback to users regarding form, such as knee and toe placement during squats. Comes with dumbbells, barbells, collars, plates, heart rate monitor, mat, and recovery roller. Subscription to training program is $39 per month.

Cons

The Tempo Studio and equipment take up considerable space in a room, so it might not be ideal for small spaces. Added cost for subscription.

Best Bang for the Buck
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym
Bowflex
Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

A well-designed home gym that our expert notes is affordable and offers just enough options to provide a great workout.

Pros

Seat is adjustable to accommodate users of different heights and for different exercises. Designed to offer over 70 exercises with 210 pounds of resistance. Set includes squat bar and ab crunch shoulder harness. Operates more quietly than expected. Good value for beginner and intermediate fitness enthusiasts.

Cons

Peaks at 210 pounds of resistance, and users will need to pay more for upgrades.

Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym
Bowflex
PR1000 Home Gym
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Aerobic Exercise
Bottom Line

Ideal home gym that our expert recommends for beginners who don't need too much weight/resistance.

Pros

More than 25 exercises to work the entire body. Power rod provides up to 200 lb. of resistance. Cable pulley can be used in multiple positions. Integrated media rack. Bench converts to rolling seat for aerobic rowing. Has a built-in media rack so users can listen to music or stream classes.

Cons

Weight amounts are limited compared to free weights or professional gym machines.

Bowflex Revolution Home Gym
Bowflex
Revolution Home Gym
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Most Heavy-duty
Bottom Line

Popular choice for serious athletes training at home who want an full-body workout, according to our expert.

Pros

Offers 100 exercises with up to 400 variations to target every body zone, including upper body. Leg press station offers up to 600 pounds of resistance. Changing configurations and adding weight are quick and easy tasks. Overall solid construction and built to last.

Cons

Expensive and has quite a large footprint. Delivery and setup can be challenging.

NordicTrack Fusion CST
NordicTrack
Fusion CST
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Gym-quality design that costs top dollar; our expert notes that it's comparable to our top pick.

Pros

Interactive iFit training platform is popular and engaging. Strength Tech features offer 20 intense power levels for intense training. Comes with a range of attachments to diversify exercise. Silent Magnetic Resistance makes for quiet, focused workout sessions.

Cons

Remains an expensive option among home gyms and has a large footprint.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
206
Consumers
Consulted
24
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best home gyms

A home gym can motivate you to work out by saving you the trip to a public gym. While most home gyms offer a variety of uses and exercises, they vary greatly in their weights and number of functions.

Any home gym offers a variety of workouts, but you should have an idea of what your workout routine consists of to make sure the machine you select meets your needs. If multiple people will be using the gym, look for a model that is easy to adjust for different heights. Some models use plate weights, a weight stack, or a resistance system, though not all home gyms include weights. You should also think about where you will put your gym and how much space is available.

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Purchasing each piece of gym equipment new can rack up the bills. Instead, consider an all-in-one home gym.

What is a home gym, and why should you buy one?

First, let's learn a bit more about home gyms and why you might want to own one.

Multifunctionality

A home gym is a single piece of fitness equipment that can take on the role of several exercise machines at once. Essentially, it should provide everything you need to meet your fitness goals in a single machine.

Convenience

Many people find it easier to motivate themselves to exercise if their fitness equipment is just a few paces away.

Privacy

If you don't like the atmosphere in gyms – for instance, if you find them too competitive or feel like people judge you – you may feel more comfortable working out at home.

Expert Tip

Most home gyms offer many different cable attachments to help recruit and isolate certain muscle groups. To maximize your fitness, try to use them all.

BestReviews Fitness Expert

Financial savings

While a home gym does require a large purchase up front, you'll save money over the years on gym memberships – especially if several members of your household use the home gym.

Time savings

If you're short on free time, it takes fewer of your precious minutes to exercise at home than it does to go to the gym.

Important home gym features

Weights and resistance

Think about what kind of weights or resistance levels you require. If you know how much weight you can lift or press right now, that's a good place to start. But also consider that, with regular use, you may need more weight or resistance as time goes on. A home gym that can expand to accommodate your growing needs is ideal.

Versatility

Your home gym shouldn't be a one-trick pony; the best home gyms are versatile machines that can work a variety of muscle groups.

Make sure your chosen machine has a range of exercises to work the arms, legs, chest, and abdomen.

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Expert Tip
Before starting your home gym workout, spend 5 to 10 minutes performing mobility exercises and dynamic stretching to elevate your core temperature and prepare your body for movement.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Size

One of the major problems people come across when considering a home gym is size. Home gyms aren’t usually small, and if you don’t have a dedicated room or garage space where you can put it, space could be an issue.

All is not lost, however, as some modern home gyms can be folded up and tucked away when not in use.

Adjustability

A good home gym should be adjustable to suit people of different heights and body types.

This is especially important if more than one member of your household plans to use the gym.

Expert Tip
An adjustable workout bench makes a wonderful addition to many home gym stations since it will provide more exercise options. Some home gyms already come with an adjustable workout bench.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Tips

  • Once you get into the habit of exercising regularly, it will become second nature. Decide how often you want to exercise. Every other day? Twice per week? Establishing a routine can help you reach your goals.

  • Don't be discouraged if working out with a home gym seems hard at first. Your muscles will get sore, so make sure to give yourself a day or two of rest between workouts.

  • Try to keep the room in which you set up your home gym neat and organized. People are more inclined to exercise in a nice-looking environment than a messy one.

  • Learn how to properly perform all the exercises on your home gym before you start practicing regularly. If in doubt, check the instruction manual or search for videos online.

  • Always warm up before a workout and cool down afterward to avoid injuring your muscles.

  • Avoid using a home gym that wobbles or feels as though it might tip over when you use it.

  • Home gyms can be a challenge to assemble. If you’re a new home gym owner, we encourage you to enlist a friend to help with assembly. Alternatively, you could pay a professional to assemble the gym for you.

  • If you choose to place your home gym in an unheated space like a garage, use space heaters to warm the area in the colder months. This will reduce the shock of the cold air on your warm body.

  • Personalize your gym space by adding a music system, entertainment unit, lighting, or any other such accessories that will pump you up for exercising.

  • Rubber mats on the floor of a home gym are essential to keep the coldness of the floor from seeping into your legs when exercising. Yoga mats or children’s play area foam blocks work as well.

  • Some gyms manufacturers sell add-ons that you can buy separately to expand the number of exercises you can perform.

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For your safety
If you suffer from joint pain, make sure any cardio components of your home gym are designed for low-impact exercise.
STAFF
BestReviews

Home gym prices

Home gyms aren't cheap, but they're a great investment, as you save money on gym memberships over the years. Besides, can you really put a price on your health and fitness?

$300 to $500

Basic home gyms start in this price range. These models have fewer exercises that users can perform than high-end models, and they may feel less sturdy and durable.

$500 to $1,000

Gyms in this price range have a wide enough variety of exercises for most home users.

$1,000 to $3,000

High-end home gyms can be found in this price range. Models at the top of the range are only necessary for people who take fitness extremely seriously, such as professional and semi-professional athletes. Closer to the $1,000 mark, you'll find some excellent, highly durable models that are terrific for non-professionals.

Expert Tip
To prevent boredom with your home gym station, I recommend changing your exercise routine every 4 weeks. Your body will need at least 2 weeks to benefit from specific exercises, so consistency is key. Remember, random exercise equals random results.
BestReviews Fitness Expert
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When working out at home, do you want to focus on your upper body, lower body, or go for a full-body workout? Choose a home gym that addresses your priority areas.

FAQ

Q. Are home gyms just for weight training, or can you do cardio with them, too?

A. Many home gyms are used solely for weight training, but some do have a piece of cardio equipment as well. This is usually a rowing machine, but you may find other options out there.

Q. Should a person who only wants to tone their muscles buy a different home gym than a person who wants to get ripped?

A. Maybe. It's definitely wise to consider your fitness goals before you purchase a home gym. If you want to tone up without bulking up, look for a machine with light weights or low resistance so you can do a high number of reps. If you want to build extreme muscle, look for a machine with high resistance or heavy weights, as well as the ability to add more weight or resistance as you get stronger.

Q. How safe are home gyms?

A. Home gyms are generally safe as long as you don't have any health conditions that put you at risk during strenuous exercise. One safety concern we would like to mention, however, is that some lightweight home gyms aren't as stable as one might like them to be. Since home gyms have heavy weights and moving parts that little fingers could get trapped in, never allow young children to be in a room with a home gym unsupervised.

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