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Best Compact Home Gym

Chris L.
March 27, 2021

When trying to find the best compact home gym, you need to determine what's going to help you the most. Even the most advanced home gym isn't going to help you if you don't have space for it. Read on to find out what factors you need to consider before deciding on the perfect compact home gym for you.

How to choose the best compact home gym

Every home gym says it's the best. Ultimately, whatever's best for you comes down to what you need and what kind of living space you have. With so many options out there, it pays off handsomely to narrow down your choices ahead of time.

1. Assess your available space

Before you even start looking for a home gym, you need to decide where you're going to put it. These machines come in all shapes and sizes, and the larger ones may not fit in apartments. If you have a garage, then you can see whether you can move some things around to put it in there.

For those planning on putting it in the backyard — DON'T! Home gyms degrade quickly when exposed to the elements. You want to ensure you place yours somewhere it's going to stay nice and dry.

Once you decide where you can put it, you need to take some measurements. You want to look at width, length, and height so that you don't run into any problems upon assembly. Not only that, but you want to make sure there's enough space for you to comfortably maneuver around the device. From lifting to toning your legs, you want to give yourself a little extra wiggle room for the range of motions you're going to perform.

2. Determine your fitness goals

You want to get in better shape, but what precisely does that entail? For those wanting to pack on muscle, you want to make sure you get a home gym that allows you to really pump some iron. Some of the more basic systems only provide weight stacks of up to 150 pounds, but when you want to get buff, a heavier stack is essential.

For those wanting to mostly focus on maintenance, such weights are unnecessary. People in that category can likely get by on a machine with standard pulley systems.

It's also critical to ensure there are workouts for the exact muscles you want to focus on. Ideally, your home gym has a little bit of everything where you can work out your arms, legs, core, shoulders, and pecs. However, some machines are lacking in one department or another.

3. Set a budget

Some home gyms cost a few hundred dollars. Others cost upwards of $2,000. You have to determine how much you're willing to spend on your own personal gym.

When looking at price, it's also important to consider what kind of warranty you're getting. You don't want to spend a ton of money and only have coverage for 1 year.

While it seems like a lot of money to spend all at once, you have to consider what you're saving. Look at how much you're spending each month going to the gym. In some cases, a home gym pretty much pays for itself after a few years. You just have to make sure you actually get your money's worth and use it.

Is it worth having a home gym?

For some people, having their own home gym is the way to go. There are numerous benefits to reap, including:

  • No Commute - No need to drive to the gym when you have everything you need at home.
  • Fewer Germs - Since you're not sharing the equipment with anybody, there's not as much of a risk of getting sick after a workout.
  • Complete Customization - You decide what's on the TV. You listen to the music you want. You're in control.
  • 24/7 Access - Depending on the hours you work, it can be tough to get to the gym on time. With a home gym, you can exercise any time.

As long as you have adequate self-motivation to actually lift some weights every so often, a home gym can pay off in dividends. Even if you only use it a few times a week, you can soon see some gains.

Where to buy the best compact home gym?

We've searched for hours and found the best compact home gyms to be on Amazon. Check them out, plus take advantage of Amazon's fast, free shipping!