Regardless of whether you belong to a gym or not, having a home gym is always convenient for times when you just can't make it to the gym, you are too lazy to drive there, or if you don't want a gym membership.
The common misconception is that you need a large amount of space to have a home gym. While a large space is ideal, if you don't have the square footage to spare, you can still use what you have to create a decent workout space.
My home gym consists of an elastic exercise band, 5 lb weights, 15 lb weights, a stability ball, and foam roller.
Those items alone allow me to get a full-body workout whenever I want. Now if I had the extra space, like another room to actually build a home gym, here are two home gym machines I would consider just from personal experience and research I have done.
Home gyms for consideration
Total Gym 1100 - These are actually really cool because of their size and what you can do with them. My parents have one and you can get a good workout just using your bodyweight.
Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym - I like the size of this machine, the price seems reasonable, and overall, the reviews were positive.
Do you workout in a small space? What do you include in your home gym?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m not big on machines like the BowFlex. From my experience, people buy them with the best of intentions, only to use them as awkward and expensive coat racks. I usually just use natural bodyweight exercises. However, a lot can be done with a good exercise ball. They can be great for exercises to improve your balance.
- Dave
Dave – Home gym machines like the Bowflex are often neglected after the excitement of using it has warn off. People who want a deal gain from those folks who end up selling their equipment for a lot less than they’ve paid.
Never tried Bow Flex.yes but great work out can be done using ball.
Personally I’m not big on home gyms because my gym is about five minutes from my home so I don’t really have the neeed, but I like the look of those machines. But truthfullly you can do pretty much with only body weight:)
I have almost the same set as you do for my home gym plus a 9lbs medicine ball. I find the medicine ball to really complete my workouts! (I also have a punching bag in the garage but that’s a bigger space investment)
I have some exercise videos, hand weights, and one of those resistance bands.
I agree that too many people think they don’t have the space for a home gym. All the equipment shown in your picture can easily be stored in a corner or tucked under a table or bed when not in use. Great post!
I get a great workout in limited space and time from my Kettlebell. When I don’t have access to my kettebell some awesome alternatives that I enjoy are Burpees (my favorite), pull ups, and crunches.
-Carlo
Hi, Love the article. I have tried the total gym before and for the money I actually like doing body weight resistance stuff myself. I did just add a set of adjustable bowflex dumbells to my home gym and they work great.
This is a great article. I agree that little space is needed to store the equipment or even to do the exercise. I used to have several items that have been borrowed and never returned. Now I do a quick turbo workout that requires no equipment, just my body and whatever I have at home like my stairs, the coffee table for dips, pushups, plank, throw in some burpees, mountain climbers, squats, etc… it’s not that difficult if you really want to get a quick workout.
Thanks for sharing the message.
I think that having a home gym is a great idea and really useful for those times when you don’t have the time to go to the gym. I like to maintain a healthy lifestyle but sometimes I don’t have the energy to visit the gym. I enjoy using my ball and weights.
It is always better to have a home gym. When ever you see it, you will get inspiration to do more workout. People who workout at fitness centers usually lose interset in few weeks if not in few days.
nice article. i like the Bowflex PR3000. but i prefer to go to the gym near my house, and just buy a set of dumbbell for my home exercise, because i dont have enough space in my house to put those equipments. Great article by the way!
the old school bowflex machines seem alot harder to use for me (thats the one’s with the actual bending bars), i like the new ones that have the rotating disks, they seems easier to use and I get a better workout.
My home gym is pretty big. It’s about 20 feet by 20 feet. I am not a big fan of home gym like bowflex. I have a powerrack, 600lbs of free weights, dumbells and an adjustable bench. That’s what I use for equipement. I am also a bi g fan of bodyweight exercises like chin up, push up etc…
I have a smallish home gym. Fold up treadmill, multi-gym and some free weights. It’s all about efficient use of space.
I have been using the Body circuit 200 No gym – No excuse workout I found on the mens health site. All you require is a swiss ball, a jumprope and a spot to perform chin-ups. I have been at it for three weeks now and I am seeing good results and it is kinda fun to do.
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=fitness&category=workout.plans&conitem=fcde5b682c42e110VgnVCM10000013281eac____
That is definitely the way to go if you dont have a ton of room. except I always need some good tunes while I work out and in my tiny apartment i cant really blast my stereo so I use my i360 headband with built in ipod speakers. it is waay comfortable and is now an essential part of my work out regiment. check them out at ithreesixty.com
I’m not a big fan of Home Gym Machine..
I would rather suggest two ways:
1) workout in a professional Gym
2) workout at home without any machine but your natural bodyweight . As miltary workout for example.
I like that you are showing examples of what people can use as options at home or in small places. I really like the perfect pull-up as an option as well. What are your thoughts on the potential negative side effects of using the home gyms? For instance the lack of ability to take their joints though a full range of motion.
I like this article and you do a good job showing how easy it can be to set up a home gym. I have a home gym set-up from Marcy that I love!! It has everything I need and I can do 90% of the exercises I can at a commercial gym. They’re definitely worth a look if you’re ok with using free-weights.
Take a look at this “home gym”….the US Army is using this, as well as some other military groups….makes a solid, better than the neighborhood gym, training center in a 5 x 10 space….great as a personal training business backbone…