A home gym can comprise anything from a set of elastic resistance bands to a multiple station Olympic lift machine that uses free weight plates. Such a wide variety of gyms available can make selecting the right one for you very confusing, particularly if you are new to weight training. According to National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-certified personal trainer Mike Behnken, the best piece of home gym equipment is the one that you will use on a regular basis to get the results you desire.
Resistance Type
Every home gym utilizes some type of resistance you can use to work out and build strength, so one of the first decisions you need to make in selecting the best for you is what kind of workout, with what machines and/or devices, you prefer. Some home gyms use traditional weight plates on the exercise stations, while others may be set up ultilizing polymer rods, hydraulic pistons or even your own body weight. ACSM advises that you should carefully consider the benefits and limitations of each type of resistance against your goals. For example, weight plates have the most natural feel and are great for muscle building, but they are also heavy and have a higher injury potential than a machine that uses elastic bands.
Range of Motion
The types of exercises you can accomplish with the gym are crucial to you meeting your goals. If you only want to reduce your body fat percentage and have a general toning workout, 20 to 30 exercises that work your major muscle groups is likely to be sufficient. However, if you want a wide variety of exercises to finely train your muscles and prep them for various activities, certified personal trainer Bret Spottke recommends that you choose free weights for your home gym because this setup allows you to move the weights in any range of motion you want, facilitating highly specific and functional weight training.
Size
A home gym does not need to take up half of your living space to be effective, according to Behnken. Small pieces of equipment like resistance bands, dumbbells and stability balls may be your best choice if the space you can devote to working out is limited. Some home gyms that do not require the use of heavy weight plates, such as body weight or polymer rod setups, are foldable to allow for easier storage when the gym is not in use.
Price
Quality home gyms are available in any price range, and you should be able to find the best home gym for your money if you consider its features carefully against your workout goals. As of this publication, Spottke states that if you want a weight stack machine, you can expect to spend at least $700 for a quality piece of equipment that will last. Check what kind of warranty the manufacturer offers on the gym as well, because this can often be an indicator of the machine's life expectancy.
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