Deciding what equipment to buy for weight training at home can be a complex process, especially if you decide to buy a multi gym workstation rather than free weights like dumbbells and barbells.
I have selected seven units for price and features that I am confident are great choices based on a wide-ranging assessment. It's always a good idea to personally test a model before purchase to accommodate personal preference. Please read my overview article How to Choose Your Best Home Gym Equipment for an introduction. Prices are in $US and all products will not be available in all countries.
1. Weider Advantage
The Weider Advantage is a flexed resistance bar and pulley type home gym similar to the Bowflex. Low price and good functionality for entry level weight training are it's main assets. Lifetime warranty on the bars and limited 5-year on all other parts.
Features: Upgradeable for resistance to 440 pounds; optional lat bar; 65 possible exercises; fold-up bench for storage; dimensions: 82"H x 66"W x 80"D.
Comment: Don't get too carried away with the 65 exercises; you'll not require most of these although they make for interesting variety. Note the optional lat pulldown bar. Good 'bang for the buck' with this one.
2. Body-Solid EXM 1500S
The Body-Solid EXM 1500S is a traditional model home gym with plate stack and pin weight adjustment. It's still regarded as an 'entry' model although it manages to provide plenty of punch with 30 exercise options, enough to satisfy most requirements. Consumer Guide and Epinions gave it good reviews.
Features: Lifetime warranty on everything; good seated row implementation; optional pro lat bar and weight increments; small footprint; dimensions: 83"H x 49"L x 36"W.
Comment: A 160 pound weight stack will be too light for some trainers. No pec fly, leg press or dips. Great affordability for this setup and warranty.
3. BodyCraft Xpress Pro
The BodyCraft Xpress Pro at around $1900 including leg press, is at the higher end of the market for single user home gyms, but it's here because it is an excellent example in this range.
Features: Up to 400 pound resistance with 'doubling' feature; innovative cable station for exercise variety; lifetime warranty on all parts for original owner; lat bar, curl bar, ankle strap and two single handles included; dimensions: 82.9"D x 56.5"W x 83"H (85.45"W x 90.5"D with optional leg press).
Comment: The leg press is a $400 option if that's important; creative design; heavy-duty, flexible exercise capacity.
4. BodyCraft Galena Pro
The Galena Pro from BodyCraft not only gets an excellent rating from reviewers, but it has a unique corner-fitting feature that saves space, making it a great option for some.
Features: Dual station with one weight stack, leg press optional; corner design; unique pec deck fly arrangement; heavy duty construction with lifetime warranty for original owner; 200 pound weight stack; dimensions: 58”W (Pec Dec) X 72”D (Press Station) X 81”H. (92”W with optional Leg Press).
Comment: Leg press option is $300; corner space efficiency, pec deck, quality and mid-range cost are attractive points.
5. Powertec Workbench Leverage Home Gym
The Powertec Workbench gyms are designed for serious weight training. The Leverage model is a single station with enough grunt for you to do about 20 exercises with big loads, even a squat -- an exercise missing from most other home gyms -- yet with no spotter required.
Features: Three colors: yellow, grey, red; large weight capacity, eg, press 500 pounds; safe design, spotter not required; dimensions: L=80" W=56" HT=82".
Comment: Arm curl option $150; weights need to be bought separately; assembly takes some time; warranty is qualified. This is my favorite home gym along with the Max Smith System at number 7.
6. BodyCraft Family Xpress
The BodyCraft Family Xpress gets a nod because it has two weight stacks and multiple stations, which provide for more than one person to use the gym at the same time. This is the most expensive home gym listed at around $3000.
Features: Great set of exercise stations; 2x200 pound weight stack; lifetime warranty; excellent reviews from Consumer Guide and Home Gym Reviews; Dimensions: 105"D x 62.5"W x 82"H. (84"W with leg press, 104"W with optional knee raise/dip station).
Comment: Large footprint; optional hip and dip stations; dual weight stack and multi-user feature important for some buyers.
7. MEGA Smith System
The Mega Smith System is a combo Smith machine with a powerful array of exercise options including: Power Rack, Olympic Smith Bar, Chin-Up Bar, Dip Station, Pec Station with Built-In Seat, Lat Pull Down, Low Row, Leg Extension/Curl, Preacher Curl -- and of course with the rack, squats can be performed in relative safety, removing the need for a spotter and a leg press option as well.
Features: lifetime warranty; competitive price; solid exercise capacity, eg, 400 pounds; free standing bench; Olympic bar; dimensions: 85"H x 84"W x 68"D.
Comment: leg press optional; free weights extra; assembly not trivial.
