We Performed Bicep Curls, Leg Presses, & More to Find t…

We Also Tested

We tested eight home gyms, but only seven impressed us enough to make our final list of recommendations. Although we liked some of its features, the following home gym didn’t meet our rigorous testing requirements to be selected as a top pick.

• Once set up, Vitruvian’s Form Trainer+ is easy to use for basic exercises like arm curls, squats, and shoulder presses. It also feels sturdy and well-made. However, we found its performance uncomfortable and awkward for most exercises, as it lacks appropriate platform padding and doesn’t allow for a full range of motion. Plus, its required app’s interface was difficult to navigate.

What We’ve Updated 

• Since publishing our initial part-researched-based, part-tested roundup of the best home gyms, we’ve re-evaluated our previous picks and hands-on tested five additional options from top brands. We also continued long-term testing of some original picks. This is now a fully tested article, solely featuring our hands-on experience with each recommended home gym.
• Based on our testing insights, we’ve reworked some of our product picks and superlatives, including Best Overall and Best for Bodybuilding. We’ve also added two new superlatives: Best for Upper Body and Best Affordable. 
• We consulted two new experts, a certified personal trainer and a fitness expert, to ensure our advice on choosing home gyms is accurate and up-to-date.

What to Look for When Shopping for a Home Gym

• Size: Before buying a home gym, consider how large it is. Options on our list range from commercial-style rigs to simple, foldable setups that can be used virtually anywhere. Be sure the home gym you’re eyeing will fit in your garage, dedicated workout space, bonus room, or corner of your apartment, with plenty of room for you to use it correctly and safely.
• Style: Any home gym that provides progressive resistance will help you build muscle. The style of home gym that’s right for your workout depends on your fitness level and goals. Look for a machine or system that provides a variety of full-body exercises and allows you to increase the resistance over time.
• Versatility: Typically, more versatile machines keep your muscles guessing which moves you’ll challenge them with next. Some home gyms can be used to perform 20 different exercises, while others can handle hundreds. Think about what your current workout routine looks like and how you may want your workouts to change in the future when selecting a home gym.
• Maximum Resistance: Many home gyms allow you to lift heavy weights without purchasing individual weight plates, a free weight bench, or a rack. If you’re a serious lifter, pay close attention to maximum weight plates and cable resistance settings while you shop.

Benefits of Owning a Home Gym 

Owning a home gym can have several advantages. Whether you have a busy schedule, want to save on membership fees, or prefer to work out in private, the following are some key advantages to investing in an at-home workout system.

• Convenience: Owning your workout equipment helps you skip the commute to and from the gym, saving time and making it easier to fit workouts into your busy schedule instead of around gym hours. Plus, this may make it easier to stick to your fitness routine.
• Efficient, Private Workouts: With no need to travel or wait for equipment, workouts can be quicker and more efficient. Plus, you won’t need to work out in front of other individuals if this is something you’re not comfortable with.
• Cost-Effective: Investing in personal gym equipment can save money on recurring gym membership fees and transportation costs, especially for multi-person households.
• Customization: Get tailored workouts by choosing equipment that caters to your fitness goals, whether you’re doing strength training, cardio, or flexibility work. You can also create a customized workout environment that suits your comfort level, from playing music to controlling the temperature or lighting.
• Hygiene: Since it’s your own space, you can control the cleanliness and hygiene of equipment better than in shared gym spaces.

How We Tested the Home Gyms 

To find the best home gyms on the market, we tested eight options at home and in our Lab, performing exercises like face pulls, leg presses, bicep curls, and more. When testing home gyms, we evaluate each option based on the following key criteria.

• Ease of Setup: When evaluating for ease of setup, we consider how easy it is to assemble the home gym. Are the manufacturer’s instructions clear and easy to follow? How long does it take to put together fully? Can it be done alone, or does it require multiple people?
• Ease of Use: When considering ease of use, we ask ourselves how easy it is to perform various exercises. How much space does the home gym take up? How easy is it to adjust, and does it remain stable? We prioritize home gyms that are easy to adjust and accommodate various exercises while remaining completely stable.
• Safety: Stability, sturdiness, and proper performance are essential to ensure safety. Do we feel safe or unsafe while using the home gym? Is the manufacturing description clear about the safety components that come with it? As we work out, we note whether the system and its adjustment mechanisms feel sturdy, wobbly, or unstable.
• Comfort: We pay attention to how comfortable the equipment is—does it dig into our skin? Are seats and backrests comfortably padded, and are handles and grips ergonomically designed to fit our hands comfortably? Is there any discomfort while using the machine? 
• Performance: To evaluate performance, we note what exercises the system allows us to perform and if there are any limitations to the types of workouts that can be done. Can we customize our workout routine? How versatile is it for different exercise types and intensities? Does it perform smoothly and comfortably?
• Features: During testing, we note whether each home gym has any helpful features, special functions, or settings that make it easier, more pleasant, or beneficial to use. Do its features make it versatile, allowing us to switch up our workouts with new exercises, or do we feel limited to the same few moves? We prioritize home gyms that offer several exercises to target different muscle groups, allowing for engaging, full-body workouts. 
• Value: To accurately rate each home gym’s value, we don’t check the price until the end of the testing period after we’ve evaluated it in all other key categories. Considering its performance in all other areas, is its price fair? Would we only buy it on sale? We prioritize home gyms whose quality exceeds their value.

Our Experts

We consulted experts at each stage of our research, testing, and reporting process. The following experts advised us on which key features to look for when selecting a high-quality home gym. Although we choose products independently, expert input influences our decisions. 

• Parker Oliver, CFSC, general manager, certified functional strength coach, and nutritionist at BRX Performance
• Adrien Deffes, ACE-CPT, certified personal trainer in New York
• Mike Julom, ACE-CPT, CrossFit level 1 trainer and certified personal trainer in Los Angeles, CA
• Marc Coronel, senior master course instructor and presenter for the Under Armour Training team, TRX, Trigger Point, LifeFitness, and ActivMotionBar

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can benefit from a home gym?

Anyone interested in improving their muscular strength and endurance from the comfort of their own home can benefit from a home gym. Before buying one, ask yourself if you would use a heavyweight bench and squat rack rig, a high-tech screen that projects strength training classes, or an option somewhere in between.

What is the best flooring for a home gym?

The best flooring for a home gym prevents heavy equipment from damaging the permanent floors in your home and gives your joints a more forgiving surface to exercise on. Choose flooring that is thick, easy to assemble, durable against more aggressive use, and comfortable.

How much does a good home gym cost?

You can usually expect to pay between $200 and $4,000 for a high-quality home gym, although this can vary, says Julom. While the initial cost of setting up a home gym may be a lot up front, it may pay off in the long term compared to the monthly cost of a gym membership. Home gym subscriptions can also be more cost-effective in the long run.

What are the different types of home gyms?

Home gyms come in various styles and sizes, including all-in-one training machines that combine multiple strength training modalities in one unit, simpler free weight sets with dumbbells, barbells, and benches for customizable strength training, and cardio-focused equipment, like treadmills, stationary bikes, and rowing machines. Some home gym setups include functional training systems such as resistance bands, cables, and suspension trainers for bodyweight exercises and versatility-focused workouts. 

Is it cheaper to build a home gym or have a gym membership?

Building a home gym can be pricier upfront due to equipment costs—especially if it’s a large or complex system. Both Julom and Coronel agree that after a few years, a home gym can pay for itself, while a gym membership—while less expensive initially—can add up fast and cost significantly more in the long run.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Jessica Murtaugh, NASM-CPT, CNC, is a Los Angeles-based certified personal trainer and health, fitness, and lifestyle writer dedicated to recommending trustworthy products and evidence-based practices to help readers achieve sustainable wellness. A lifelong athlete, runner, and certified personal trainer, she owns and uses several home gyms to help her cross-train. For this roundup, she prioritized trustworthy home gym equipment brands that provide safe and effective products. 

Additional reporting contributed by Alena Hall

As a former personal trainer, seasoned health writer, and avid exerciser, Alena Hall understands how important it is to pick the right home gym equipment. She is always exploring the latest and greatest wellness tools, machines, and gadgets. But more importantly, she carefully considers the quality and features that make these fitness products worthwhile investments.