The 15 Best Home Gyms Of 2024 – Top Gyms Reviewed

If you’re looking to take your workout to the next level, purchasing a home gym is a wise choice – not only do you get to skip the hassle of waiting in line at your commercial gym, but over time you’ll save money too.

But with so many options to choose from these days, the task can be daunting, to say the least.

Functional trainers, weight stacks, power racks… you’ve got a lot of gyms to consider.

But don’t fret, I’m here to help.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll go over everything you need to know before choosing your next home gym.

This guide will teach you the differences between home gym styles as well as which specs are most important when it comes down to decision making time.

I’ll also present my top picks for the best gyms 2024 has to offer, based on the specs/features discussed as well as personal experience.

After reading, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the right home gym to meet your needs.

Let’s dive right in.

	Type of gym	Highlights	Warranty
#1 Force USA X15 Pro	Half rack/functional trainer combo	3" x 3", 11-gauge steel Dual 289 lb weight stacks Tons of attachments	Lifetime frame 2 year parts 90 day wear items
#2 Life Fitness G4	Single stack	160 lb stack Very heavy-duty Leg press compatible	Lifetime frame & parts
#3 Body-Solid G5S	Single stack	11-gauge steel frame 210 lb stack Adjustable press arm	Lifetime everything
#4 Force USA G12	All-in-one trainer	Combines power rack, Smith machine, and functional trainer Tons of attachments	Lifetime frame 2 year parts
#5 Total Gym Fit	Body weight	Low impact 85+ exercises 12 levels of resistance	Lifetime frame 2 year parts
#6 Marcy Smith Machine	All-in-one trainer	Combines Smith machine, power rack, and functional trainer Several included handles	2 years
#7 Body-Solid StrengthTech EXM2500S	Single stack	210 lb stack Heavy-duty frame Compact	Lifetime everything
#8 Inspire Fitness FT2	Functional trainer	2 x 165 lb stacks Smith bar Weight multiplier	Lifetime everything
#9 Marcy 150 lb Home Gym	Single stack	150 lb stack Dual action press bar Removable curl pad	2 years
#10 XMark Functional Trainer	Functional trainer	11-gauge steel frame 2 x 200 lb stacks Several attachments	Lifetime frame 1 year parts
#11 Force USA G3	All-in-one trainer	Combines power rack, Smith machine, and functional trainer Ton of attachments	Lifetime frame 2 year parts
#12 Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE	Power rod	70+ exercises 210 lb of resistance Don't have to change cables	Lifetime power rods 7 year machine
#13 REP FT-3000	Functional trainer	2 x 180 lb stacks Heavy-duty frame Compact footprint	Lifetime frame 10 year parts
#14 TRX Home2	Suspension trainer	Ton of exercise variety Portable Access to fitness app	6 years
#15 Powerline P2X	Single stack	160 lb stack Additional set of pulleys Leg press compatible	10 year frame 1 year parts

The 15 Best Home Gyms of 2024

#1 Force USA’s X15 Pro Multi Trainer

That’s a long name for a home gym, but the X15 Pro is a lot of gym.

I’m happy to say that I own this gym myself and I couldn’t be happier with it.

Folks looking for a gym with serious weight training capabilities should certainly consider this one because there’s nothing it can’t do.

The X15 combines a heavy-duty half rack with an equally heavy-duty functional trainer and then gives you access to every attachment and handle you can think of.

More specifically, we’re talking 3″ x 3″, 11-gauge uprights; dual, integrated 289 lb weight stacks (2:1 pulley ratio), and a rackable capacity of 992 lb.

The X15 Pro comes with a ton of included attachments, but you can also go all-in and purchase their upgrade kit (as I did) for built-in storage and even more attachments.

Force also backs the X15 Pro with a lifetime frame warranty, so you won’t have to worry about anything breaking down on ya.

This gym is pretty compact considering what it offers, but it still takes up a fair chunk of floor space, so you need plenty of room to make the most of it.

There’s also no denying that this thing isn’t cheap.

But if you’ve got the room and budget for it and are looking for a heavy-duty gym that’ll last a lifetime, the X15 Pro could make a lot of sense.

Easily one of the best home gyms of the year. See full review.

And don’t forget to save yourself 5% by using the promo code “HOMEGYM5”.

 

#2 Life Fitness’ G4 Home Gym

We might as well start this list off with a classic single stack home gym system and who better to start with than Life Fitness.

Life Fitness is a rock star in the fitness equipment world and they’re mostly known as a commercial brand, but they’ve got a growing lineup of residential machines to choose from too now.

Their residential machines are a lot more affordable than their commercial ones, but they’re still usually pretty expensive when compared to other brands.

But, this is Life Fitness we’re talking about.

The G4 is one of only a few home gyms the brand offers and it’s the quintessential home gym machine.

It comes with a single, 160 lb stack (upgradeable up to 210 lb) in the rear that’s used for all exercises.

Like most home gyms like this, the G4 utilizes a 2:1 pulley ratio, meaning that you feel half the weight you rack.

The G4 comes with all the standard workout stations you’d expect, including a high pulley, multi-press arms, a lower pulley, and a leg developer.

It’s also compatible with an optional leg press attachment (sold separately).

The G4 also comes with an included lat bar, row bar, triceps strap, and ankle strap.

But what really sets this gym apart from most is how heavy-duty it is- this beast weighs almost 500 lb assembled.

Well, that and the fact that it’s backed by a lifetime frame and parts warranty.

Overall, the G4 doesn’t come with any interesting surprises, but if you’re looking for a classic home gym machine that’s built to last a lifetime, this is as good as it gets. See full review.

 

#3 Body-Solid’s G5S Home Gym

Body-Solid is another institution in the world of home fitness equipment. This brand’s well-known for providing great strength training gear that’s built to last.

They also back their machines up with great warranties.

Body-Solid has a massive lineup of home gyms to choose from, ranging from simple single stack systems all the way up to plate loaded gyms and Smith machines.

And their G5S is another great example of a classic single stack home gym.

This is another very heavy-duty gym.

With an 11-guage steel frame and a 210 lb stack (upgradable up to 260 lb), you won’t have to worry about this machine feeling unstable.

Like the G4 mentioned above, this machine also utilizes a 2:1 pulley ratio and it comes with many of the same workout stations.

With an adjustable press arm, you can perform chest presses at varying angles for extra workout variety.

There’s also a “perfect pec” fly station to really target your chest.

Other stations include the upper pulley, middle pulley, lower pulley, and included leg developer.

The G5S also comes with an included lat pulldown bar, straight bar, ankle cuff, and triceps strap.

The gym itself is awesome, but what really sets this gym apart from most is the warranty- the G5S comes with a lifetime warranty on everything from top to bottom (there’s also a light commercial warranty).

This even includes the wear items, which is unheard of.

Overall, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty single stack gym that’s covered with a lifetime warranty from top to bottom, Body-Solid’s G5S is unlikely to disappoint. See full review.

 

#4 Force USA’s G12 All-In-One Trainer

The G12 is a beast of a home gym by Force USA, the masters of the all-in-one machine.

If you’re looking to maximize your home gym potential with a single machine, the G12 could be a smart investment.

This combo unit combines the functions of a power rack, a Smith machine, and a functional trainer into a single, fairly compact gym.

And unlike some of the gyms on this list, the G12 is designed with serious lifters in mind.

The frame itself is built out of 12-gauge steel, giving the power rack a max capacity of 992 lb and the Smith machine comes with a rackable capacity of 772 lb, which is a lot for a home Smith machine.

The functional trainer component consists of 2, 200 lb weight stacks each with a 1:1 pulley ratio.

This means that you feel every pound you rack, giving you up to 200 lb worth of resistance for each hand.

This is an insane amount of resistance.

And if the 3 stations mentioned above weren’t enough, the G12 is also compatible with all kinds of attachments and accessories.

Including, but not limited to: a leg press attachment, pull up bars, landmine station, dip bars, suspension trainer attachments, etc.

Force USA backs their G12 up with a lifetime frame and 2 year parts warranty.

Overall, the G12 is an all-in-one gym system that can hang with the strongest lifters out there.

It’s a bit pricey, but it’s truly the only piece of equipment your gym will ever need. See full review.

 

#5 The Total Gym Fit

The Total Gym is the quintessential body weight home gym.

The Total Gyms started out in rehab facilities (I used to use one back in my outpatient days) and made its way into homes all across the world.

The great thing about the Total Gym is that it is incredibly gentle on your joints, making them great for folks dealing with achy joints and arthritis.

This system uses your body weight and gravity to provide the resistance and as you get stronger, you can change the incline setting to increase resistance.

There are tons of Total Gym models out there in every price range and they all differ in their features.

The Fit is one of their higher-end and more popular models though, and it comes with an impressive collection of specs.

Highlights of this Total Gym include 12 resistance levels, a heavy-duty frame, a 450 lb weight limit, and a lifetime frame warranty.

It also comes fully assembled and includes the ribbed squat stand, the 2 piece wing attachment, and the popular AbCrunch attachment.

Overall, the Total Gym Fit is a great piece of equipment for anyone looking to improve strength and flexibility.

It offers a full body workout with loads of versatility to keep you from getting too bored with your workouts.

And ut also folds up nicely when not in use.  See full review.

 

#6 Marcy’s Smith Machine/Cage System

The Marcy Smith System is a comprehensive home gym machine that can handle any workout you can throw at it.

This bad boy combines several pieces of commercial gym quality machinery into a single unit, including a Smith machine, a squat rack, a pec deck station, and a set of high pulleys

Personally, when I think of a home gym machine, this is the kind of equipment that comes to mind.

This is a free weight machine and unfortunately, the free weights are not included, but several other attachments are included: lat bar, pulley handles, short bar, v-bar, triceps rope, and ankle strap.

This system also comes with an adjustable bench with the leg developer and preacher curl station.

This Smith system has “ultra-glide” bearings that will keep all bar movements as smooth as possible.

You’ll appreciate this when you are knocking out those squat and bench reps and the bar movement is nice and fluid.

This rack also comes with built-in plate storage, so there’s no need to buy any additional storage pegs.

This Marcy Smith System only has a rackable capacity of 300 lb, so if you’re a serious lifter, this rack might not be heavy-duty enough for ya.

But it’s still tough enough to handle the rest of us.

The biggest downside is that it only comes with a 2 year warranty, but users are generally very happy with the quality of this gym.

This is a large system, so make sure you have enough room in your home. But when it comes to all-in-one free weight systems, this is a great buy. See full review.

#7 Body-Solid’s StrengthTech EXM2500 S 

This Body-Solid home gym is a perfect example of a cable style home gym machine.

You’ve got a nice weight rack in the middle, with plenty of attachments around offering the user several options for exercise.

I’d like to take a second to mention that this is also just a gorgeous piece of equipment – very elegant indeed.

The EXM2500S with one of the most popular home gyms around and it’s pretty easy to see why.

With a 12-gauge steel frame and a 210 lb stack, this gym is compact yet heavy-duty, while offering plenty of resistance for users of all skill levels.

It doesn’t hurt that it’s well-priced either.

With all of the included attachments, you will be able to perform exercises such as: chest press, lat pull down, chest flys, leg extensions, leg curls, rows, ab crunches, tricep press downs, etc., etc., etc.

This Body-Solid home gym also comes with a lifetime warranty on everything – which really says a lot to me regarding the quality of this product.

Manufacturers only provide a warranty like that when they trust the product they are producing.

With the addition of this home gym machine, you are instantly turning your home into a fully functioning gym.

Cable machines tend to be a little more expensive than other type of gyms, but even so, the EXM2500S is competitively priced.

Especially considering this gym is coming with all of the resistance/accessories needed.

This is gym is ready to use as soon as it’s assembled…which will take several hours fyi.

Overall, this is a great pick for anyone looking for a machine workout in their own home. Great price, great warranty, great gym (PS- it’s usually on sale on Fitness Factory). See fully review.

 

#8 Inspire Fitness’ FT2 Functional Trainer

Inspire Fitness offers several gym systems to choose from, but it’s their FT2 that really grabs my attention.

The FT2 is an interesting home gym system because it somehow finds a way to combine a functional trainer and a Smith machine, but without using any weight plates.

This means that the dual weight stacks that are used for the pulleys are also used to provide resistance for the Smith machine.

This is a unique design that I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen before on any other gym.

And it’s really convenient.

As a functional trainer, the FT2 offers more versatility than most.  With 8 different pulley positions, you can easily do a lot of exercises other trainers don’t readily offer.

Like lat pulldowns with a straight bar or bicep curls with a straight bar.

These include 2 fully adjustable pulleys on either side of the machine, as well as 4 low pulleys and 2 high pulleys (that can attach to the lat bar).

The FT2 also comes with 2x 165 lb stacks that can be upgraded up to 215 lb each.

This trainer uses a 2:1 pulley ratio as well.

The coolest feature though, is the Smith bar that connects the 2 towers.

Like any other Smith bar, you can lock it in place easily along its path, but unlike other machines, it uses the same weight stacks for resistance.

There’s also a weight multiplier that essentially doubles the resistance when using the Smith bar, allowing you to push against even higher weights when doing moves like squats.

And to make things even better, Inspire backs this gym up with a lifetime warranty on everything.

The biggest downside to the FT2 is the price – it isn’t cheap.

But if you’re looking for a highly versatile gym and don’t want to mess with weight plates, the FT2 is a wonderful choice. See full review.

 

#9 Marcy’s 150-lb Multifunctional Home Gym (MWM-990)

 

Marcy’s a very popular manufacturer of home gym machines, and for good reason -they make quality equipment and offer it at affordable prices.

I’ve seen several patients over the years that’ve had Marcy gyms in their homes and I can tell you from experience that they work great.

They’re easy to use, compact, and pretty affordable.

This home gym packs 150 lb worth of plate resistance (hence the name) which is plenty for most of us (there’s also a 120 lb version), but it’s certainly not designed for serious lifters.

A cool feature of this model that I like is the dual-action of the chest press bar.

You can easily convert from chest press to pec fly by removing a single pin- that will come in handy on chest days.

The frame is constructed out of 14-gauge steel, so this isn’t the heaviest-duty gym, but for the price it’s to be expected.

This home gym will allow you to get a full body workout with all of the attachments that are included:

• Upper pulley for lat pull downs, tricep extensions, ab crunches
• Chest press/pec fly bar
• Leg developer offers leg extensions and hamstring curls
• Lower pulley for bicep curls, rows
• Also includes removable curl pad that can be used for preacher curls (if you are unfamiliar with preacher curls, click here to learn how to do them correctly… a great exercise for biceps)

Overall, this Marcy home gym is a great product for beginners.

It’s priced very well and should last for years to come. That said, if you’re a serious weight lifter, this probably isn’t the gym for ya.

 

#10 XMark’s Functional Trainer Cable Machine

 

Having this bad boy in your home gym would definitely make all of your friends jealous. I mean this cable machine looks like it’s right out of the local gym.

Actually, almost all commercial gyms have this type of functional trainer because they’re so versatile and people love them.

And the XMark Functional Trainer is easily one of the most beloved home gyms out there.

This gym offers a commercial grade pulley workout station designed for your home and with an 11-guage steel frame you won’t have to worry about this machine wobbling or feeling flimsy during workouts.

And with 2x 200lb weight stacks and 2 easy to adjust pulleys with 19 different height settings the exercise possibilities are endless.

You can easily work your entire body with this system, you imagination is your only limitation.

This home gym also offers a split grip, commercial grade pull up bar.

I love pull ups for upper body strengthening and this system has a very nice pull up bar included.

If that’s not enough, you will also like all the attachments that are included with this gym:

• 2 x 8″ hand straps
• 2 x 17″ long strap handles
• A tricep rope
• A short bar
• A long bar
• Leg strap
• Workout poster

The XMark cable machine is a great addition to any home gym, but this thing is heavy and takes up some serious space, so you really need to make sure you have the room for it.

Also, as you can imagine, assembly will take a while.

Note that this home gym does not come with a bench- not that you’d necessary need a bench with this trainer, but if you want one you’ll have to purchase separately.

Oh, almost forgot- the XMark is backed by a lifetime frame warranty and a 1 year parts warranty.

Overall, this gym isn’t going to work for everyone’s home, but if you have the money and space, you won’t be disappointed. See full review.

#11 Force USA’s G3 All-In-One Trainer

Yup, another Force USA all-in-one system made the list. What can I say, I really like these combo units.

The G3 is significantly more affordable than the G12 mentioned above and it comes with a few significant downgrades, but it’s still one hell of a gym.

This all-in-one trainer also combines the functions of a Smith machine, power rack, and functional trainer into a single piece of equipment.

The most notable difference though, is that the G3 doesn’t come with any weight stacks.

Instead, you have to manually load plates to be used for the resistance with the functional trainer.

This isn’t nearly as convenient as having the weight stacks built-in, but if you’re willing to forgo such luxury, you can save yourself about $2k.

In fact, as I’m writing this, Force USA has this gym listed for right under $2k.

The G3 also comes with a 2:1 pulley ratio, meaning you’ll feel half the weight your load for your pulleys.

The power rack on this gym is also rated to hold 992 lb and the Smith machine has a rackable capacity of 772 lb, both of which are quite impressive.

And Force USA isn’t stingy with the included attachments either, you get a ton of accessories, including handles, spring clips, weight plate holders, and more.

The G3 is also covered by a lifetime frame warranty and 2 year parts guarantee.

Overall, if you like the G12 but are working with a smaller budget, the G3 is a fabulous choice. See full review.

 

#12 BowFlex’s Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym

Come on, no home gym guide is complete without at least 1 BowFlex on it.

These things have been around for a long time and yes, I agree they’re a little goofy looking, but they’re still quite effective.

As I mentioned earlier in the buyer’s guide, those power rods provide a resistance that’s similar to resistance bands, in that as you bend them more they provide more resistance.

The result is a smooth acting resistance that’s very low impact on your joints.

There are several BowFlex’s to choose from, but the Xtreme 2 SE is one of their highest-end gyms to date.

It’s actually the nicest model that still uses the power rod technology, now that their newer Revolution is using SpiraFlex resistance.

But back to the Xtreme 2 SE.

This gym provides access to over 70 strengthening exercises and comes standard with 210 lb worth of resistance (but it’s upgradable to an impressive 410 lb).

The exercise variety and resistance is great, but something that sets this BowFlex apart from many of the others is that you can switch between exercises without having to change cables.

A convenience that might be worth the extra cash in itself.

Other significant difference you might like include:

• Includes lat tower with lat pull-down bar
• Ab crunch harness included
• Squat bar included
• Leg developer included

There’s also a lifetime warranty on the power rods and a 7 year warranty on the gym itself.

Overall, the Xtreme 2 SE is arguably BowFlex’s most impressive home gym to date. If you’re looking for a versatile gym that takes it easy on the joints, it’s certainly worth checking out.  See full review.

#13  REP’S FT-3000 Compact Functional Trainer

If you’re looking for a functional trainer that won’t take up nearly as much floorspace, REP’s FT-3000 should be on your short list.

This elite gym has everything you’d want from a functional trainer, minus the large footprint.

REP Fitness is another legit home fitness brand that’s rapidly making a name for themselves.

They offer an impressive lineup of strength training equipment, including all the bar, plates, and accessories you’ll need to use them.

But I think their FT-3000 is one of their most impressive models.

This gyms comes standard with 2X 180 lb stacks, utilizing a 2:1 pulley ratio.

Each pulley is fully adjustable with 15 height adjustments, making it pretty easy to find the right position for any exercise you’d like to perform.

The FT-3000 is packing a very heavy-duty frame too- with a total weight of almost 800 lb (360 lb for the stacks alone), you won’t have to worry about any machine movement during pull ups.

REP doesn’t mess around in the warranty department either.

This trainer comes with a lifetime frame warranty and a 10 year parts guarantee.

The only real downside I see is that REP doesn’t include many attachments with purchase, you only really get a set of handles and an exercise placard.

Otherwise, I think the FT-3000 is a great home gym (and well priced too). See full review.

#14 TRX’s Home2 System

TRX brought the whole suspension training craze into the spotlight and they’re still going strong.

They didn’t invent the idea- after all, gymnasts have been doing suspension training forever (rings).

But they sure brought it to the masses.

TRX has come out with several versions of their suspension trainer over the years and I still think they’re the top name in the suspension trainer game.

Their Home2 System isn’t their newest model, but it’s well priced and comes with everything most of us will need to get started, including the suspension trainer, door anchor, and a suspension anchor.

The included door anchor makes it easy to set up at home. Simply find a sturdy door and you’re ready to start exercising.

I like that that include the suspension anchor too though, because it comes in handy if you want to take your workout outside.

You can use this anchor to attach the TRX Home2 to any sturdy tree limb, swing set, or light post that is strong enough to hold ya.

The straps have been upgraded to be stronger and more comfortable than previous versions.

The Home2 is capable of safely holding users up to 350 lb, which is an impressive feat for a system that is so portable.

Speaking of portable, you can throw the straps and anchor in the included mesh travel bag and easily toss it in a suitcase for travel.

The whole suspension system only weighs like 2 lb or so- I doubt you’ll even know it’s in there.

When you purchase through TRX, you also get a free trail of their personalized fitness app.

This is especially handy for people who are new to suspension training- it’ll coach you through your workouts and set you on track to become a pro.

The TRX Home2 comes with a 2 year warranty, which is pretty good for a product in this price range.

Overall, if you’re looking for the best suspension trainer for your home, the TRX Home2 is it. See full review.

#15 Powerline’s P2X Home Gym

Rounding out our list is another classic, single stack home gym system. I think that’s only fair considering this is what a lot of us think of when we hear the term “home gym machine”.

Powerline is simply one of Body-Solid’s lineups, so yes, this is another Body-Solid home gym.

I like the P2X because it’s pretty simple, but it’s still constructed with Body-Solid’s high standards.

This gym comes standard with all the classic workout stations most single stack gyms come with: an upper, mid, and lower pulley; a set of multi-press arms; and a leg developer.

But there’s also an extra set of functional pulleys that allows you to perform moves like pec flys or single arm strengthening moves.

The P2X is also compatible with an options leg press stations, sold separately.

The stack on this gym comes as 160 lb standard (upgradable up to 210 lb) and uses the standard 2:1 pulley ratio.

Body-Solid backs this heavy-duty gym with a 10 year frame and 1 year parts guarantee as well, which is great for the price.

Something else worth noting is that the P2X doesn’t take up a ton of space – without the leg press station, this gym takes up less than 6′ x 5′.

Overall, if you’re looking for a straightforward home gym machine that’s built for the long run, the P2X is a good choice. And those extra pulleys are pretty sweet. See full review.

Choosing A Home Gym

That about does it for the years top gyms and if you’ve made it this far, I applaud you.

If you’re new to home gyms or just looking for more info, you might find the below buyer’s guide helpful.

It’s important to know what you’re really looking for in a home gym before you start throwing your money around- all home gyms are not equal.

There are actually several different styles of home gym and the term itself can be a little confusing.

Let’s start at the beginning to make sure we’re all on the same page here.

What’s A Home Gym?

Sounds like a silly question, but let’s answer it anyway.

A home gym (or home gym machine as it’s also known) is a piece of equipment that is going to allow you to exercise at home.

See, pretty vague right?

Different equipment will allow you to do different types of exercise, but the general idea is that owning a ‘home gym’ will make going to a commercial gym unnecessary.

A home gym could also mean a collection of equipment, when put together, allows you to exercise at home instead of going to a commercial gym.

This is what I was referring to when I gave my website its name.

My ‘home gym’ refers to the process of turning a space in your house into a working gym for you and your family.

Everyone has different needs based on what type of exercise they like to do and what their goals are.

One person may be able to workout with a yoga mat and some resistance bands while another requires a Smith machine and loads of plates.

It really depends on what YOUR needs are.

And of course now, we have all kinds of smart fitness equipment and apps at our disposal – allowing us to bring the experiences of instructor-led workouts, metric tracking, and scenic routes into the comfort of our home gyms as well.

For this article though, I am referring to more of a specific piece of equipment, a home gym machine.

If you searched for home gym on Amazon, you would see all kinds of different pieces of equipment.

Some you may recognize, some you may not.

But basically, a home gym machine is a piece of equipment that is going to allow you to do many different exercises to strengthen the different parts of your body.

When thinking about my approach to this article, I wanted to be as inclusive as possible. I wanted to discuss several different types of equipment that all fall under the home gym machine category.

I think considering the resistance type a home gym uses is a good place to start when searching from scratch- if you know what type of resistance you are looking for, your search will be a lot easier.

Different Types of Home Gyms

I think the easiest way to categorize home gyms is based on the type of resistance they use to get the job done.

When we separate home gyms in this manner, all machines basically fall into one of the following categories:

Body Weight Machines

These gyms use only your body weight to provide the resistance and they’re great because they typically don’t take up much space and they are usually pretty affordable.

If you are looking for serious weight lifting and strength building, these may not provide enough resistance for ya though.

These machines are generally better for folks looking to stay flexible and tone, as well as people looking for a faster way to perform strength training moves.

These machines make great home gyms though, because they are super versatile.

If you’re looking to maximize your exercise variety, you may want to consider one of these.

Examples include all the Total Gym machines.

When comparing these types of gyms, I encourage you to consider the amount of accessories that are included, the weight capacity, the assembled weight, and the number of resistance levels available.

Going with a heavier machine will provide a more stable feel and the number of accessories included can vary the price.

Free Weight Machines

These machines use plates and are often found in local gyms.

Often they include a barbell and some type of squat rack, power rack, or even a full cage.

These are great if you are into power lifting or just love the feel of good ol’ fashioned weight lifting.

These bad boys can take up a lot of real estate in your home and you usually have to buy all those plates and accessories separately.

A lot of folks end up putting these machines in their garage so they don’t end up dropping plates and loaded barbells in the attic (I know that wouldn’t go over well with my wife).

Free weight machines come in many different styles too, including Smith machines, squat racks, power racks, wall-mounted rigs, and combination machines.

When comparing these racks, it’s a good idea to compare the gauge of steel used, the rackable weight capacity, and of course warranty.

Cable Machines/Functional Trainers

These guys use cables and stacks of weight to provide your resistance.

Everyone has seen these types of machines in the local commercial gyms. They offer great resistance in a very safe to use manner.

One of the best perks is that you don’t need a spotter.

Since all the weights are neatly stored and attached to the machine, you don’t have to worry about dropping weights or crushing yourself if you lose control.

Functional trainers are a type of cable machine which usually consist of 2 stacks and 2 adjustable pulleys.

Functional trainers are highly versatile, allowing you to perform pretty much any strength training exercise you can think of.

These systems can get pretty pricey though, but are tough to beat if you have the money and space.

When comparing these types of gyms, you’ll want to consider the pulley ratio, the amount of resistance included in the stack(s), and the amount of included accessories.

Power Rod Machines

Bowflex invented the power rod technology and are the only home gyms allowed to use it.

The resistance provided by these rods is a little different than the feel of a cable machine or a free weight.

The resistance increases the more the rod is bent during the movement, just like a resistance cable. This provides a fluid resistance that can be more comfortable than other types of home gyms.

They tend to take up less space and there are some nice affordable options. Bowflex gyms can also provide a ton of workout variety.

Suspension Trainers

Technically speaking, I guess suspension trainers could fall in with the body weight category, but I wanted to give these systems their own category because they really are unlike any of the other machines out there.

Suspension trainers use a strap connected to the wall (or ceiling or tree) and your body weight to create a fully functioning gym.

Similar to the Total Gyms, these systems offer almost unlimited exercise variety. They’re also popular because they’re very lightweight and super portable.

You can almost literally takes these bad boys anywhere.

Don’t let their simplicity fool ya- suspension trainers can give you some of the most challenging workouts you’ve ever faced. When it comes to core strengthening, there’s no better.

The most recognizable example of a suspension trainer is the TRX, but these days there are plenty of competitors too.

Other Things To Consider Before Purchasing Any Gym

• Location- where are you going to be putting your new piece of equipment? Does it have to be portable or will it be staying in one spot permanently? Answering this question will be super important when it comes down to figuring out what type of unit you’re looking for.
• Size- this one goes along with location I guess, but how much floor space do you have to dedicate to your new home gym? Some of these models are huge and take up a ton of space. Others are more portable.
• Price- this one should probably have been first on the list, but I guess it’s a pretty obvious one. We all have to purchase equipment that we can afford. But depending on your needs, you might be better off with something that is a little under your top budget…more expensive is not always better.
• Warranty- this is always big on my list because this is your insurance policy on your new equipment. Longer is always better and better machines usually come with longe warranties.
• Multiple users- will you be the only one using this piece of equipment or will you be sharing? Are there kids in the house? Some of these home gyms may not be safe with little ones around and that is something that should be considered (I have 2 young ones in my house and I know my wife wouldn’t let me get some of these simply for the fact that little hands and feet could get smooshed in the moving parts).
• Fitness goals- are you looking to bulk up or get more tone? Are you more interested in cardio than strength training? If so, maybe you should be looking into a nice piece of cardio equipment instead. Although depending on the type of workout you do, you can get a great cardiovascular workout on home gyms too.
• Am I Actually Going To Use This Thing?- the answer better be yes! The nicest piece of equipment in the world isn’t going to do you any good if you don’t use it!! If you aren’t sure whether a home gym is for you or not, check out this article I found from the Chicago Tribune. It may help you decide.

Final Thoughts

I want to say I had a hard time compiling this list.

There are just so many awesome gyms and so many different types of gyms it was hard to narrow it down.

Ultimately, I tried to include a little bit of everything, but it was still a challenging task.

Anyway, I know that was a lot, but we just took a look at 15 of the best home gyms 2024 has to offer.

All of these gyms are highly rated and well received by users, so the key is to figure out which gym is going to meet your needs.

Thinking back to the buyer’s guide above, consider what your fitness goals are and what type of resistance you’re looking to work against with your home gym.

Figuring out what style of home gym you want is the first big hurdle – each type of gym has its benefits.

Your budget and workout space will help you answer this one as well.

Once you have that question answered, find a gym in your price range and you are good to go.

And I know there are plenty of other highly rated gyms out there that didn’t make the list.

Ultimately, I chose these gyms because I feel they have the most to offer for the price.

Anyway, I hope you found this guide helpful.

As always, hit me up with a comment or question and I’ll get back to you soon.

Happy lifting.