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2023-02-28 14:29:49 By : Ms. Laney Lee

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These gym systems mean you never have to leave home to sweat again.

The pandemic and work-from-home movement, coupled with serious improvements in technology and fitness equipment, have made going to the gym outside of the home less and less of a necessity. Staying at home to sweat means you can control your environment, whether that's for Covid safety reasons or because you like to work out at 2 a.m.

If you’re looking to jump-start your fitness routine at home, you may want to consider not just getting a rowing machine or dumbbells, but a home gym system that facilitates varied movement, from lifting to stretching to doing pull-ups. These compact units are designed to give you an array of exercises in one station, with enough range to keep up with you as you get stronger and fitter over time.

We found the best home gym systems to save you time and money on the gym, with options that span sizes, price points, functionalities, and smart capabilities. Whether you're planning on converting your basement into a home gym or you're looking to squeeze an inspiring workout station in your tiny apartment, we've got you covered.

Home gym systems should be highly personal choices. They typically require a significant financial outlay, so make sure you choose one that ticks all of your boxes in terms of functions and device compatibility as much as budget and aesthetics.

There's a wide variety of home gym systems suitable for a variety of fitness goals and athletes. Some exercise machines prioritize cardio, endurance, and stretching (like a Pilates reformer), while others are made for building muscle through lifting weights (like a Bowflex). We recommend choosing a machine that meets the needs you struggle with the most. If you love biking outside, for instance, a stationary bike probably isn't the best investment for you. If you struggle to motivate to lift at the gym, a weight-focused machine is better suited.

Since most home gyms don't have enough space for multiple machines, look for a machine that can target several areas of the body. Gyms typically have single-use machines, but home gym systems can often be used to work on 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.

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. Always measure before you buy, and make sure to leave room for your body when you're envisioning the machine in your space.

Most smart-enabled exercise machines are just that—enabled. But there are a few machines, like the Peloton, that really function best when you use the accompanying subscription and app. 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.

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. I personally tapped my many years of workout experience at my own home and public gyms to find all the exercise machines that'll inspire you to move each and every day.

Check out our top picks for fitness trackers, power towers, and exercise bikes.

Bowflex introduced America to the concept of the all-inclusive home gym system way back in the 1980s, and the company is still going strong and leading the industry. This system provides more than 60 exercises for a full-body workout, and can be folded up when not in use. Included in the system are a sliding seat rail, which lets you row or do leg presses; hand grips and ankle cuffs; multiple cable and pulley positions for custom workouts; and more.

Seven free, trainer-built workout regimens are available with the purchase of a Bowflex, which reviewers love because it's a great low-impact workout that feels immediately effective.

This power cage and squat rack is made for building out your muscle mass. The premium steel frame is designed to hold up to 1,000 pounds, making it a safe frame to store your weights when they’re not in use. It also comes with multiple height options, so it’s suitable for most people as a pull-up bar.

The power cage comes equipped with two pairs of uprights, a pull-up bar, a pair of safeties, a pair of J-cups, and more. There are 19 holes for safety bars, and you can customize the height for better posture with shrugs, pull-ups, incline bench presses, and more. If you like to work out using your body weight as resistance, this is an excellent pick.

The 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.

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. 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.

This home gym system 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 it's 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 need.

This lightweight budget buy offers fast, effective workouts that you can do from home 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).

This total body home gym system isn’t cheap, but it is a bargain compared to similar systems. It's constructed from premium heavy-duty steel and is reinforced with guard rods that hold weight in place during workouts. The 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.

This patent-pending 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 thing. Perform hundreds of exercises with everything that comes in the package: 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.

The Peloton wave has seemingly crested, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great machine. The Peloton experience goes well beyond biking, with an interactive experience where you can sing, dance, climb, and laugh along with members and the Leaderboard (as long as you have a subscription to Peloton).

The bike features delta-compatible pedals, a resistance knob, two-channel rear-facing stereo, a 10-point multitouch screen, a USB microport, a headphone jack, and more—and if you think cycling isn't a full-body workout, think again. The relatively small footprint makes it a great option for those with small spaces.

With the all-access membership for $44 per month, you can take guided rides or give the bike a break and try strength training, yoga, or boxing.

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