Best Home Gym Equipment in 2020

Young lady using fitness equipment in her home gymFor some people going to the gym is a daily routine. They enjoy the company of like-minded individuals all working to achieve similar goals. These are the guys that do not have a problem finding the time to head to the local gym or making the monthly subscriptions.

For most others however, even with the intention of getting a great physique, there is the challenge of having to balance on work, beat traffic, and find the right time. A great alternative is to make your own home gym and this involves getting the Best Home Gym Equipment.

A home gym has plenty of advantages. It helps you save time that you would otherwise have spent in traffic trying to reach the local gym. Second, it helps you save those monthly subscriptions and third, you can workout any time you feel like. You can even do so when you can’t sleep at night. Convenience is the name of the game.

Its important to keep in mind that it’s not about getting a whole lot of fancy equipment. It’s about knowing how to use the right equipment that are best suited for often smaller spaces and still allows you to work on every major muscle group in your body.

A great way to approach this would be to start off with selecting a room or space where you are going to be working out. This can boost your morale and help you in making the best choices for making progress. From there you will decide on the best home gym equipment. Here is a list of our choice of the right equipment for your home gym.

Treadmills

Beautiful young sportswoman with earphones and blank screen smartphone using treadmill and drinking water in gym

One of the most obvious equipment for your home gym is the treadmill. They are also one of the most popular training equipment in any gym and there is a reason for this. They are easy to use, are functional and provide you with an excellent way to work on your cardiovascular system.

There are also plenty of treadmill models out there which makes choosing the right one for your home gym a challenging affair. With the right knowledge however, it doesn’t have to be so hard. A good treadmill should have a few features.

The screen should be easy to operate.  You want an equipment that once you have used it a few times, navigating the console should be second nature. It should make common sense to control the equipment.

The shock absorption should be ideal. This means it should not be too hard and neither should it be too soft. A soft or spongy feel will likely cause knee injuries. Pick a treadmill from a reputable manufacturer and even then, try and understand why they claim their technology is best and is it based on any real concrete scientific based research.

The motor system is also another important consideration. Many people are fooled by the idea that the bigger the motor, the better. However, it often comes down to other components such as the cooling system. A smaller motor of 2.0 with a good cooling system is going to serve you better than a large one with a poor cooling system.

Rowing Machines

Woman athlete exercising on rowing machine at home

Another great tool to have that will help you work on different muscle groups while still providing excellent cardiovascular exercise is the rowing machine. like the treadmill however, different models make it difficult to decide on the right one for your needs.

There are a few tips to keep in mind when getting a rower for your home gym. First is the importance of knowing how to use It. This shouldn’t be too hard. Just watch a couple of well rated videos on YouTube and you should be ready in no time.

Second, its good to understand the different types of resistance that come with rowing machines. There are four basic types. These are air, magnetic, hydraulic piston and water. Each has its own set of pros and cons and this criteria of narrowing the options based on resistance is an excellent way to pick the right one for you.

The air rowers are fairly smooth to operate. They do make a bit of noise when the fan is rotating and it is this fan that creates the resistance. They are among the most common types of rowers. The more you row, the more the resistance and vice versa.

If you are on a budget then you should probably consider the hydraulic piston rowers. They are the cheapest around. They are also very quiet to operate and the resistance is simple to adjust. They also come with a compact build and can save on plenty of space.

Magnetic rowers are a durable kind with smooth and quiet in operation thanks to the magnetic technology. You can adjust the resistance though they are not as powerful as both the air and water rowers. They however can still provide decent intensity.

Water rowers are among the most expensive. They mimic the rowing motion best with a puddle splashing through the water motion. This creates some noise which some may find quite tranquil. The resistance is determined by the level of rowing intensity.

Elliptical Machines

People exercising on a cardio training machines in a home gym

Elliptical machines are a low impact training equipment which means that they exert less pressure on your joints. This makes them ideal for people who are undergoing therapy for various kinds of muscle and joint injuries.

Ellipticals combine stair climbing, skiing and running in one seamless motion and are a great way to work on your cardiovascular system. They are not big equipment which allows you to save on space and are simple to use. These features are what make them among the best home gym equipment out there.

There are a few more features that should come with a good elliptical machine. One of such is an adjustable incline. This allows you to focus on different muscle groups for overall fitness as well as to help eliminate the monotony of doing the same type of exercise.

It should also provide a smooth motion and be able to imitate natural walking or running. The best way to determine this is to get on an elliptical and feel the motion. Avoid one that creates a kick when the heel is off the pedal.

Exercise Bikes

Young people talking and smiling while working out on an exercise bike in their home gym facility

Another type of training equipment that is essential to your home gym is an exercise bike. It is especially useful when working on your lower body. The best bikes should be comfortable to use. The seat should not squeak and it should come with adjustable features to help get the best position and resistance. The console should be simple to operate as well.

There are three types of exercise bikes that you can choose for your home gym. They include spinning bikes, upright bikes and recumbent bikes. Each has its own set of advantages as well as disadvantages.

There are plenty of benefits of adding exercise bikes to your list of the best home gym equipment. You are able to control your weight. A mere 30 minutes with moderate speeds is enough to help you burn 300 calories. They are also easy on the joints and an in case you sustain an injury, you will still be able to workout with moderate resistance levels.

Universal Home Gym Systems

man working out with his universal home gym system

This is a machine that comes with many advantages. If you want more value for your money and you need to utilize on space while being able to work on almost every muscle group there is on the human body, then you should consider getting a home gym.

Picking one, just like picking any other type of equipment requires sound knowledge. You need to be able to select the right equipment to suit your needs keeping in mind that a home gym is among the most expensive equipment in our list.

The best home gym should allow you to be able to perform certain workouts. These include flys and chest press for your chest, raises and shoulder press for the shoulders, working on the triceps and biceps on your arms, doing leg extensions and curls, doing rows and lat pulldowns for your back and finally performing resistance crunches for your abs.

The factors that one should consider when buying a home gym system include firstly determining your budget and getting the right equipment that matches. Note that the more expensive the home gym system, the higher the quality.

Adjustability is an important feature to consider. While some equipment are universal, they could prove a bit of a challenge for someone who is either too tall or too short. For the most comfortable position of sitting and operating, the equipment should be easy to adjust.

The bench should also allow for incline. This is especially useful when working on your chest as you can choose between the upper chest and lower chest workouts. The machine should also be able to provide the required resistance to help you progress in your training.

Size is another factor. At the end of the day you are looking for an equipment that helps to save on space as most people have limited space in their homes. A compact home gym system is your best bet but be careful not to compromise on quality and features.

Ease of assembly. This is not always a serious issue as often when you buy from a retail store, the equipment will be delivered by service people who will perform the assembly for you. However, if you are buying online, ensure that the equipment is not too complicated to assemble and comes with a user manual that is simple to read.

Weights

woman lifting some essential home gym equipment

Like we saw, one of the features of a home gym is saving on space. When choosing the best weights for the home gym, one of the best space saving equipment are dumbbells. Adjustable dumbbells to be precise.

These allow you to gradually increase the resistance by adding more weight. They also come with economic benefits as you will not have to buy extra weights when you want to graduate to the next level of strength training. What’s more, they are highly affordable.

When buying the best adjustable dumbbells, one of the things to look out for is a comfortable grip. The lack of it will result in a lack of motivation which slows down your progress. Comfortable non-slip grip will also prevent you from dropping the weights when your hands become sweaty and possibly injuring yourself.

Durability is a feature that should be given priority. Adjustable dumbbells made of plastic are obviously less durable than those made from cast iron and steel. You need equipment that will last long enough to see you reach your fitness goals.

The amount of weight increments is important. If you are just starting out in your training, you need dumbbells that provide small increments of 2 ½ pounds. These will help your muscles get used to the stress of weights better. On the other hand, if you are more experienced and are interested in bulking up, you need something larger such as 5-pound weight increments.

Dumbbells

If you want to train at home, dumbbells represent a great starting point. They come in various shapes and weights which means you can find the right design for your needs. The best part is that you can even shape entire workouts using just dumbbells. They can be used to train different muscles in your body such as your back, chest, arms and even legs. Dumbbells can also be integrated into core workouts which represent a great solution when it comes to strengthening your abdominal muscles.

With different grip points, you can also alternate the angle of your exercises which is essential, especially when it comes to long-term training where you need to see minimum variation if you truly want to improve. There are many routines which incorporate or only use dumbbells and this is why you can maximize your fitness results simply by choosing this type of equipment at home.

Kettlebells

Home training represents one of the most practical ways to get into shape. Kettlebells represent a great solution when it comes to strength training. It gives you the flexibility you need when it comes to better overall control and functionality training. The weights can be used for different muscles and can also be easily integrated into circuit training which is great for weight loss purposes.

The weights also represent one of the simplest solutions when it comes to quick workouts. Instead of adjusting complicated equipment you can maximize your results simply by choosing to work with a practical solution which can work both for warm-ups and for the actual exercises which saves you time. On the long-term kettlebells can also be integrated into complex workouts and the best part is that they can also be used by all family members for different types of exercises.

Power Racks & Squat Racks

One of the defining machines in the fitness history is the power rack or the squat rack. These solutions are made to cater for the compound movements or the exercises which activate multiple joints and muscles. They can be used for leg training and even upper body activation. You can use them to perform squats or even military presses. There are various solutions you can apply when it comes to better muscle definition with rowing movements as well.

A power rack can comes with the adjustable intensity you need when it comes to resistance training. This means that you can set your own weights and progress as you go. Even more, it is also worth noting that you can get better overall results with progressive overload which refers to increasing the weights as you progress with your training in time and doing so with a power rack is not complicated at all.

Weight Benches

Weight benches represent a great asset when it comes to isolation exercises. They provide the support you need to train your upper and lower body and they also represents one of the best solutions when it comes to comfortable support.

Most options come with an adjustable or a non-adjustable design which is made for different purposes. The adjustable weight bench represents a great solution to train at different angles. The non-adjustable weight bench is a great alternative when it comes to a durable platform to get the workouts you need, especially if you are looking to work with heavy weights or at a high intensity since it provides superior stability.

With different padding and designs, you can find a durable solution which you can use at home and the best part is that you can improve your results while using the same bench for years.

Punching Bags

Punching bags are one of the traditional solutions for home training. They represent a great solution for cardiovascular workouts and for better hand-eye coordination. They are usually made with good durability and you can expect to use them for years. Even more, punching bags represent one of the top solutions when it comes to better overall training variation since they allow you to alternate your workouts with a great upper body exercise.

There are different types of punching bags. From small to large options, you can find solutions which are easy to use and which allow you to focus on the right technique and strength development. Even more, there are plenty of good reasons to see punching bags as a workout solution on their own, since you can plan an entire workout both in the traditional boxing style or in the kick-boxing style which can ensure a superior rate of calorie burning.

Inversion Tables

Inversion tables represent one of the most interesting solutions when it comes to home stretching. Used in different recovery programs, inversion tables can represent an interesting solution when it comes to spin stretching.

There are different designs to choose from and the best part is that you can find a solution which even comes with a foldable construction which means you can save space when you don’t use it. Even more, it is also worth noting that you can maximize your own results by having a routine which involves a few stretching sessions per week.

With different modern approaches, you can also find solutions which integrate modern technologies such as massage or heating. Thus, you can use inversion tables for better overall relaxation. At the same time, you can use it in combination with other fitness equipment as it allows you to stretch and relax your muscles after intense strength or cardio workouts.

Vertical Climbers

One of the solutions which you can use at home for full-body workouts comes with vertical climbers. These solutions are usually compact in size and as the name suggests, they basically need more vertical space which means you can use them in smaller homes or apartments. Vertical climbers represent a solution which is still used when it comes to upper and lower body muscle activation.

Many of the climbers you can now find on the market come with a strong grip and a durable frame, thus, they work for all types of users. Even more, it is worth considering they also come with better overall capacity to work the entire body. While they cannot be used to build muscle, they can be used to get muscle definition and even for weight loss as they have the capacity to burn calories.

Vertical climbers also come in different designs and the best solution is to simply look for a model which comes with upper and lower body activation which is also tailored for users of different heights as you might even use it together with your family.

Body Fat Scales

Body fat scales represent one of the most interesting solutions when it comes to a complex approach to home fitness. Made with low-intensity currents, these scales come with various readings which help you target your fitness objectives from a more professional point of view. Even more, the scales represent a great solution when it comes to measuring body fat, bone mass, muscle mass and even the water levels in your body.

With such readings, you are able to better assess your progress and with some of the more complex scales, you can also transfer the readings to your smartphone. This allows you to focus on better results tracking and the great news is that it gives you the ability to work with solutions which were previously available in commercial gyms only. This is due to the fact that many scales actually come with dedicated apps which can even integrate various tips and professional advice on training and nutrition. Thus, you can use the body fat scales for a more professional approach to training, even if you train at home.

Pull Up Bars & Power Towers

The pull up bar or the power towers represent a classic solution made for the ultimate upper body definition and strength. Considered as one of the top back and biceps exercises, the classic pull-up represents a great solution when it comes to better overall muscle activation. This means that you can use various bars which you can install at home and work on your strength just as you would in a commercial gym.

Power towers can also offer the advantage of multiple grip points. Thus, you can involve more or less bicep activation and target different areas of your back just by simply adjusting the grip you use. At the same time, you can use a different grip for a more versatile approach to back development and this is why it is important to know that you can see better results simply by choosing a bar or a power tower with multiple grip points.

The best news is that this equipment comes as a low maintenance option and it represents a great solution if you need durable options which you can use for years to come. Typically made from tubular steel, pull-up bars and power towers represent simple and efficient solutions for training at home which are also great for the ultimate durability.

When shopping for the best Home Gym Equipment, research is paramount. Learn what qualities to look for and read customer reviews. These will provide you with insight on how your selected model performs. While keeping your budget in mind, also note that better quality equipment often come with a higher price tag.

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