Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
A commercial gym membership isn’t necessary to have a great workout. Home gym systems solve that problem, and add in their own slew of benefits. Staying at home to sweat means you can control your environment, whether that’s equipment that fits your exact workout routine, getting your exercise in at 2 a.m., or avoiding comparisons with other gym-goers.
If you’re looking to jump-start your fitness routine at home, buying commercial gym equipment designed for one or two exercises—like a chest press or bicep curl machine—is bound to fill up your space before you can build a full workout routine for yourself. Yet general equipment like a rowing machine or exercise bike lacks the specific muscle isolation that individual machines provide.
Home gym systems bridge the gap between bulky machines that don’t do enough and general fitness equipment that doesn’t offer specific exercises. A home system both offers tons of movements, and continues to challenge your strength over time.Whether your system is resistance or weight based, a good home gym will have a wide range of levels to keep up with your progress for years to come.For those planning on converting their basem*nts into home gyms or looking to squeeze an inspiring workout station in their tiny apartments alike, check out our picks for the best home gym systems.
Check out our top picks for fitness trackers, power towers, barbells, or dumbbells.
The Best Home Gym Systems
- Best Overall: Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym
- Best Value: Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym
- Best for Powerlifters: Rep Fitness PR 1000 Power Rack
- Best Lightweight: Total Gym Universal Total Body Training Home Gym
- Best Low Impact: Teeter FitForm Home Gym Strength Trainer
What is a Home Gym System?
The term “home gym system” describes a much wider collection of items than you might think. It includes devices built for weightlifting and resistance training like a Bowflex, power rack, or cable trainer. A home gym system can also mean a machine for cardio and toning work. Pilates reformers, exercise bikes, and suspension straps all fall under the home gym system definition as well.
If your goal is to build muscle, consider options with high levels of built-in weight resistance like a cable trainer or or a power rack that is equipped to support a number of weight exercises with a barbell and plates.
If your goal is to lose weight, cardio-focused equipment like a rowing machine or stationary bike are your best choices. Pilates reformers and other cardio and resistance equipment is also worth considering.
Since most homes don’t have enough space for multiple machines, look for a system that can target several areas of the body. Gyms typically have single-use machines, but home gym systems work for your legs, arms, and abs. We made sure to let you know which of our recommended machines are multipurpose and which are best for honing in on one area.
Size and Height
Some home gym machines are large, especially when it comes to height. If you’re working with a smaller space, opt for kits that include balance boards, resistance bands, and dumbbell racks to save space. If you have a large room to dedicate to your new workout haven, you can probably invest in bigger machines like a power cage or weighted-cable trainer. Make sure to measure the height and width of the area you plan on installing the home gym system in, and cross reference those figures with the dimensions we list for each item below.
Smart Features
From tracking your heart rate to keeping tabs on all the workouts you’ve done, smart features can help you stay up to date on your progress and goals. Many home gym systems come with connectivity to fitness apps or have their own subscription services. While most of the larger pieces of weightlifting equipment don’t have connected tablets or screens like stationary bikes or rowing machines, they often have a fitness app you can download.
These apps, or smart-enabled home gym systems come with live classes, archives of workout programs, and digital profiles to log your own activity over time.
Installation Process
Installing a home gym can be an arduous task, especially for larger systems. With moving around heavy, metal pieces and deciphering instruction booklets, the installation process could be the difference between choosing one home gym system over another. Some home gym systems provide tools for assembly and boil down setup to just a few simple steps. Others offer full- service installation, including delivery and assembly, though there may be an extra fee tacked on.
Materials
Every home gym system should be durable enough to handle heavy weights and constant movement. That’s why the main material for most models is steel. Steel offers the durability to handle full weight stacks yet is lightweight enough to be moved around your home without the need for a full professional team.
Some smaller, compact home gym systems are made with a lighter metal such as aluminum, which improves portability without sacrificing significantly in durability. Handles typically come with grip on the end made of nylon or rubber.
We recommend avoiding home gym systems built mainly of plastic or less durable materials which may break or degrade over time
Weight Limit
For large home gym systems and ones that require additional weights like a power rack, the weight limit determines how much it can hold. Many of the best power racks are rated to hold 1,000 pounds or more. This makes for easy storage of your weighted plates, barbell and any other attachments without overloading the system. If you plan on powerlifting, make sure to buy a home gym system with a weight limit of 750 pounds or more.
For seated home gyms, pay attention to the max user weight limit as well. These will typically be much lower than a power rack weight rating and sit between 250 to 500 pounds.
Safety Features
The best home gym systems are designed to protect you from potential injury. In order to prevent the system from tipping over, many brands design their equipment to be bolted into the ground. If you can’t bolt your home gym into the ground, consider using heavy sandbags on each corner.
For weightlifting, adjustable resistance levels and rubber or nylon grips keep you in control of your movement and prevents slipping or drops.
How We Selected
We surveyed the market, consulted expert technical reviews, and read through thousands of customer reviews to make sure we only recommend the best home gym systems. We paired this researched with our own personal experience with home gyms and workout gear at commercial gyms, which provided us with hand-on testing of some systems or comparable options at commercial gyms. These final selections represent not just what we believe to be the best options available, but also models that span a wide range of prices, functions, sizes, and features.
1
Best Overall
Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym
1
Best Overall
Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym
Pros
Exercise for every major muscle group- Seven-year warranty on rods
Cons
- Upgrades for higher-level performance cost extra
A recognizable name in the world of home gyms, this option from BowFlex others a true full-body workout in just one machine. With detailed instructional workouts and up to 210 pounds of resistance, you can target any major muscle group from your shoulders to your legs.
The upright bench provides a solid base for more than 50 exercises to do sitting or standing. We appreciate the seven-year warranty on the rods though the frame’s one-year warranty isn’t nearly as generous.
While the home gym system comes with detachable handles, you can also buy other attachments to expand your workout regimen over time.
Key Specs
| Material | Steel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 173.6 lb |
| Dimensions | 64 x 41 x 83 in. |
| Weight Limit | 300 lb |
2
Best Value
Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym
2
Best Value
Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym
Now 24% Off
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with built-in weight system
Cons
- Low maximum weight
While not the cheapest home gym system on our list, this option from Marcy gets the best value tag for its incredible versatility considering its price.
The home gym system is constructed from premium heavy-duty steel and is reinforced with guard rods that hold weight in place during workouts.
This option from Marcy also features a 150-pound weight stack that can be customized to your needs, making it a great option if you don’t want to load and unload weight plates. The dual-action press arms and removable curl pad mean you can work your upper and lower body all on one machine.
Key Specs
| Material | Steel, vinyl, foam |
|---|---|
| Weight | 125 lb |
| Dimensions | 68 x 42 x 78 in. |
| Weight Limit | 300 lb |
3
Best Splurge
Marcy Pro Smith Cage Workout Machine
Pros
- Super high tensile strength
- Just like a gym machine
Cons
- Large spatial footprint
Another comprehensive home gym system from Marcy, this option doesn’t come cheap, but it sure offers a whole lot of bells and whistles.
The entire frame is made from heavy-duty steel and reinforced with a durable powder-coated finish. It offers tensile strength up to 2,000 pounds, and is designed with dual-action press arms for a wide variety of arm and chest exercises.
There’s also a dual-function leg developer with six rocker pads and a row and curl bar. If you have weights and barbells, you can store them in the plate pegs that are built into the frame. The only downside is the size, but it’s the only machine you’ll need for your entire body.
Key Specs
| Material | Stainless steel, plastic |
|---|---|
| Weight | 433.5 lb |
| Dimensions | 65 x 79.3 x 84.5 in. |
| Weight Limit | 600 lb |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Resistance up to 320 pounds, or 400 with extra tension bands
- Comes with door mount
Cons
- Not designed for very tall people
This home gym system is portable, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. You can train with anywhere from 10 to 320 pounds worth of resistance on this making it perfect for everything from bicep curls to squats. All that this home gym is made of is an aircraft-grade aluminum base, 10 tension bands, ankle straps, a door anchor, and a weight bar.
It works by pitting your body weight against the tension on the bands, providing a surprising amount of resistance while only weighing about 16 pounds. This Evo system also comes with a safety guide, training videos, and a 1-year warranty.
Key Specs
| Material | Nylon, plastic, aluminum |
|---|---|
| Weight | 16 lb |
| Dimensions | 29 x 12.5 in. |
| Weight Limit | 400 lb |
5
Best Cable-Based System
Titan Fitness Cable Pull Station Trainer
5
Best Cable-Based System
Titan Fitness Cable Pull Station Trainer
Pros
- Comes with tons of cable attachments
- Durable alloy steel
Cons
- Incredibly heavy and large
A comprehensive home gym system, this option from Titan Fitness is a near complete gym with the price tag to prove it. This option uses cables and two 200 pound weight stacks to give you a slew of exercises that train each body part.
Alongside the sturdy alloy steel frame, this home gym set also comes with a built-in pull up bar with multiple grips as well as several cable attachments so you can customize you workout with ease.
While it may be a costly choice, this set will provide a full body workout that rivals a complete commercial gym.
Key Specs
| Material | Alloy steel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 672 lb |
| Dimensions | 44 x 64 x 82 in. |
| Weight Limit | N/A |
6
Best Lightweight
Total Gym Universal Total Body Training Home Gym
6
Best Lightweight
Total Gym Universal Total Body Training Home Gym
Now 20% Off
Pros
- No assembly required
- Folds up for storage
Cons
- Low maximum weight capacity
Forget the bulky weights and massive structures. This home gym from Total Gym is designed to take on more than 80 exercises in one machine with a relatively minimal footprint.
At just over 93 pounds, it can be moved in a pinch as well. This gym system is perfect for cardio, strength training, and stretching all in one place, modeled like a Pilates reformer on an angle.
It features an ab crunch, wing attachment, exercise chart, training deck, and meal planning guide, among other features. It also comes with seven DVDs on the Total Gym TV video platform, providing both pros and fitness newbies with instructions on the most efficient ways to use the machine.
Key Specs
| Material | Stainless steel, plastic |
|---|---|
| Weight | 93.5 lb |
| Dimensions | 90 x 19 x 43 in. |
| Weight Limit | 400 lb |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Best for Powerlifters
Rep Fitness PR-1000 Power Rack Home Gym with Attachments
7
Best for Powerlifters
Rep Fitness PR-1000 Power Rack Home Gym with Attachments
Pros
- 1,000-pound rating
- Cable attachments for weighted pulley work
Cons
- Must purchase weights and barbell separately
This home gym system from Rep Fitness goes well beyond what you expect of a traditional power rack. Like a classic rack, this option comes with space for weight storage, attachable bar hooks to transition between squats and bench press, as well as two pull up bars with differing grip thickness.
The system is made of powder-coated steel and is rated to hold up to 1,000 pounds with ease. What sets this home gym system apart from other, comparable choices is the number of attachments it comes with.
This include a lat pulldown/row cable attachment you can load weight on your set, an incline-capable bench, and even an attachable tricep dip device.
Key Specs
| Material | Powder-coated steel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 133 lb |
| Dimensions | 48 x 58 x 83.6 in. |
| Weight Limit | 1000 lb on bar hooks; 400 lb on pull up bar |
8
Best Low Impact
Teeter FitForm Home Gym Strength Trainer
Pros
- Easy to tuck away
- Comes with free personal training app
Cons
- Not the best for building muscle
This machine is a great option for those who want a small, low-impact system that can be tucked away as needed. FitForm works every muscle group with more than 100 exercises.
With cable resistance of 65 pounds, and consistent, smooth tension, this home gym system minimizes hard, jerky movements that put greater tension on your joints.
The soft-grip handles, adjustable ankle wraps, swiveling pulleys, and the three-position platform give you freedom of movement and plenty of options for getting sweaty.
The machine also comes with a free personal training app where you can access trainer-led workouts, custom workout routines, and an exercise library. Customers love this machine for improving flexibility.
Key Specs
| Material | Stainless steel, plastic, nylon |
|---|---|
| Weight | 50 lb |
| Dimensions | 37 x 28.8 x 42.3 in. |
| Weight Limit | 300 lb |
9
Best That Doesn’t Require Installation
TRX Go Suspension Trainer System Home Gym
9
Best That Doesn’t Require Installation
TRX Go Suspension Trainer System Home Gym
Pros
- Portable
Cons
- Must pay for app subscription after 30 days
This lightweight budget buy offers fast, effective workouts that you can do from anywhere without installing a thing. Just wrap the anchor around a sturdy pole or tree and get to sweating.
The TRX system includes a suspension training strap, indoor and outdoor anchors, a mesh carry bag, and access to online workouts.
The system is designed to increase strength and reduce injury risk, with support for up to 700 pounds. It's used to build lean muscle, increase flexibility, and get killer abs by none other than the U.S. military (and a slew of pro sports teams).
Key Specs
| Material | Nylon, foam |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.5 lb |
| Dimensions | 50 x 1.8 x 0.1 in. |
| Weight Limit | 700 lb |
Tom Price
Associate Reviews Editor
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
Kathleen Willcox
Kathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine. Her work appears in a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics, Wine Enthusiast and SevenFifty Daily. She is based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where she lives with her husband and twins.
