With a plethora of home gyms coming in a lot of shapes and sizes, keeping fit and staying healthy has never been easier than it is now. However, the diversity of fitness equipment available also makes it a bit challenging to find out the best one that works for you.
Here are the best home gyms for the money you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine MD-9010G
- Best For Beginners: Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym StationMWM-990
- Multiple Sable/Pulley Positions: Bowflex Xtreme Home Gym 340000
- Best For Pulling Exercises: Valor Athletics BD-61 Cable Crossover Station
- Best For Bodyweight Exercises: Weider Ultimate Body WorksWEBE15911
- Best Power Cage: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
- Premium Choice: Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer
| Top 7 Best Home Gyms For The Money | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine MD-9010G | Read Our Review |
Best For Beginners | Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym StationMWM-990 | Read Our Review |
Multiple Sable/Pulley Positions | Bowflex Xtreme Home Gym 340000 | Read Our Review |
Best For Pulling Exercises | Valor Athletics BD-61 Cable Crossover Station | Read Our Review |
Best For Bodyweight Exercises | Weider Ultimate Body WorksWEBE15911 | Read Our Review |
Best Power Cage | Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage | Read Our Review |
Premium Choice | Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer | Read Our Review |
Best Overall: Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine MD-9010G
- Compact
- Versatile
- Stable
- Withstand intense long-lasting use
- Easy and convenient to use
- Bar for free squats or presses sold separately
When it comes to cardiovascular machines for strength training, Smith machines should be the first answer to pop up in our mind. And the Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine MD-9010G is not an exception.
As it combines up to 3 different varieties of strength building machines in just one compact design, it delivers higher versatility than any traditional weight stack machines. Despite its compact size, this gym with 6 weight plate pegs still leaves open the possibility to adjust the weight capacity, thus allowing you to perform more than 1,000 exercises.
Besides a lat pull-down bar for toning shoulder & back muscles and a lower pulley/squat station targeting leg muscles, what we love most about this home gym is its capacity to offer 600 pounds of resistance.
If the Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine MD-9010Gcame with bar for free squats or presses, there is almost nothing to complain about.
| Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine MD-9010G Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of exercises | 100+ club-quality exercises |
Resistance | 300 lbs. on Weight Bar and 600 lbs. on bench |
Dimension | 95 x 79 x 86 inches |
Item weight | 430 pounds |
Best for | Strengthening different muscle groups and executing comprehensive workouts |
Highlight features | Multi-functional press arms All-steel construction Dual-action leg developer Single lower pulley and dual cross-over upper pulleys 6 Olympic plate storage pegs. |
Despite built like a professional club machine, the Marcy Smith Cage Workout Machine MD-9010G is actually specially designed for the home.
Best For Beginners: Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym StationMWM-990
- Stylish design
- Made with heavy-duty steel tubing and reinforced with guard rods that hold weight in place during workouts
- Can be customized according to your skill level
- Built to last
- Not large enough for individuals taller than 6 feet
Even though not as large as most other machines on our list of the best home gyms for the money, the mouthful that is the Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym Station MWM-990 does help beginners burn calories and increase their muscle mass.
For a pocket-friendly home gym, the Marcy MWM 990 is a sturdy and stylish innovative structure that combines arm and leg stations and boasts a handful of features. One of them is the 150-pound selectorized weight stack (with 10-pound increments), which allows you to customize it according to your skill level, avoid the stresses of weight plate loading & unloading, and make decent muscle & strength gains.
What we are not happy with this gear is the fact that it is too cramped for individuals taller than 6 feet.
| Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym StationMWM-990 Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of exercises | 30+ strength training exercises |
Resistance | 300 lbs. |
Dimension | 62 x 43 x 78 inches |
Item weight | 125 pounds |
Best for | Chest press and vertical butterfly exercises |
Highlight features | A 150-pound selectorized weight stack Heavy-duty steel construction Removable curl pad, padded press arm ergonomically designed seats. |
Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym Station MWM-990 works perfectly as a starting platform for your burgeoning home gym.
Multiple Sable/Pulley Positions: Bowflex Xtreme Home Gym 340000
- Easy to store and effortless to use
- Affordable
- Compact design yet sturdy build
- Allow you to perform 65 plus movements
- Not great for big muscle building
It’s not hard to find a home gym falling into the “not too expensive, not too cheap” range. And if you’ve been dreaming of a home gym but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, the Bowflex Xtreme Home Gym 340000 is a great pick for you.
It offers low, mid, and high cable or pulley positions that enable customized workouts for all levels of at-home athletes as well as 210 pounds of Power Rod resistance which can be upgraded to 310 lbs. or 410 lbs. however, if you want to build big muscles, look for other recommendations on our list.
| Bowflex Xtreme Home Gym 340000 Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of exercises | 65+ strength training exercises |
Resistance | 210 lb. (upgradable to 410 lb.) |
Dimension | 130 x 42 x 35 inches |
Item weight | 98 pounds |
Best for | Chest press and vertical butterfly exercises |
Highlight features | Lat bar and squat bar Triple function hand grip or ankle cuffs Folding bench and wheels Multiple cable and pulley positions Power rod technology. |
Whether you’ve just started out on your fitness journey or you’re training for a marathon, the Bowflex Xtreme Home Gym 340000 ensures a perfect solution.
Best For Pulling Exercises: Valor Athletics BD-61 Cable Crossover Station
- Deliver ultimate strength and durability
- Multi-grip station for multiple applications
- Ensure stable performance after long use
- Guarantee safety, stability, and floor protection
- Great for an organized home gym
- Should be floor-mounted to be way more stable
This heavy-duty machine by Valor Fitness demands minimum possible space and incorporates strength training with a cable system application right in your home comfort or any light-commercial settings.
Though you should brace this machine against the wall or find a way to bolt it to the ground to make it way more stable, this shouldn’t be a huge problem.
With a pulley system, 17 adjustable positions, and double bar track, the Valor Athletics BD-61 Cable Crossover Station is more useful for multiple single-arm cable exercises such as cable curls, upright rows, and low rows, but can double up with various types of vertical pulling.
| Valor Athletics BD-61 Cable Crossover Station Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of exercises | 65+ strength training exercises |
Resistance | 400 lbs. |
Dimension | 56 x 52 x 80 inches |
Item weight | 165 pounds |
Best for | Cable crossovers Lat pull downs Cable curls Low rows Upright rows As well as pull-ups and chin-ups with the pull-up station |
Highlight features | Lat bar Row bar 2 single strap handles 17 adjustable positions A pulley system. |
For an effective way to develop lagging muscles and improve these hard-to-train areas, the Valor Athletics BD-61 Cable Crossover Station is an excellent choice.
Best For Bodyweight Exercises: Weider Ultimate Body WorksWEBE15911
- Suitable for your varied workout intensity
- Good value for your money
- Compact design
- Add a greater challenge
- Taller users have a hard time struggling for a full range of motion
Though the Weider Ultimate Body Works WEBE15911 might not be as flashy as other higher-end models, it helps you improve your strength and easily achieve your health goals.
While this system doesn't seem to have a lot to offer, it allows for over 70 body-shaping exercises that target all muscle groups including legs, arms, chest, back, shoulders, and core with its exercise booklet in only one workout.
On the Weider Ultimate Body Works, you will find4 bungee cords working as a weight resistance system allowing users to progress past their own bodyweight. This machine can actually tack on a maximum resistance equal to roughly 55% of your weight, plus an additional 50 lbs. of resistance for a much harder lift.
The only minor issue with this gear is the fact that taller individuals might struggle for a full range of motion.
| Weider Ultimate Body WorksWEBE15911 Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of exercises | 70+ strength training exercises |
Resistance | 250 lbs. |
Dimension | 59 x 27.5 x 48 inches |
Item weight | 72 pounds |
Best for | Bodyweight |
Highlight features | 4 power bands A cable pulley system Nungee cord weight resistance system 7 easy-to-change incline options |
Weider Ultimate Body Works WEBE15911is a great way to include resistance exercises in your current health conditions and fitness routine.
Best Power Cage: Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage
- Space-saving
- Stable
- Versatile
- Easy and safe to use
- Shorter than most power racks
Having two frames instead of one, a power cage is all about versatility and stability. And that’s exactly what the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage has to offer.
This home gym staple has just almost every single feature to expect at a home rack: a low row bar & lat pull-down bar that can support a massive 800lbs of weight, multiple grip pull-up bar, leg hold-down with foam rollers, long weight plate storage post, and extra space for bench.
Though the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage is shorter than other power racks, it is an ideal choice for basements.
| Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of exercises | 70+ strength training exercises |
Resistance | 800 lbs. |
Dimension | 46.5 x 35 x 84.5 inches |
Item weight | 68.1 pounds |
Best for | Building muscles on your upper back Shoulders and arms (biceps and triceps) |
Highlight features | 6. 5” long weight plate storage post Two 1-inch Spring Clip Collars One 39” bar & one 20” low row bar attachments with foam grips. |
Push-ups, pull-ups, bench presses, squats, lifts, and sit-ups are now a breeze on the Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage.
Premium Choice: Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer
- Provide a smooth, maintenance-free action
- Come with various additional accessories
- Adjustable to 32 positions for unlimited functional training capability
- Double maximum resistance to accommodate heavy lifters
- Allow for freedom of movement in any plane or direction
- The instruction booklet could be more helpful
If you are ready to spend a fortune, then the Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer is well worth a look, since it straddles an awesome line between a cool built-in Smith machine and contemporary art piece.
The FT2 really has a lot to make athletes who’re interested in sport-specific exercises go for it. Among them, 8 pulley starting positions are what make this machine outstanding.
Unlike other home trainers which have only 2 adjustable pulleys, this functional trainer features 6 additional pulleys (at various widths) allowing individuals to comfortably perform any movements.
Something else we’d like to change? It is the Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer’s instruction booklet which could be more useful.
| Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer Specifications | |
|---|---|
No of exercises | 40+ strength training exercises |
Resistance | 430 lbs. |
Dimension | 61 x 57.9 x 87.8 inches |
Item weight | 563 lbs. |
Best for | Squats Deadlifts and bench presses |
Highlight features | Two 165lb. commercial weight stacks with center drilled holes and magnetic weight pin Dual pulley system Optional leg extension/leg curl attachment Multi-function belt. |
Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer is a commercial-grade fitness machine for all of your training needs.
How To Choose The Best Home Gyms For The Money?
Dimension
- The fact that they are home gyms means that your home’s size is something to consider when you choose your gear. If space is no object, then you can go as big as you want, but for those living in an apartment or those wanting to fit their workout equipment into a compact space, it’s advisable to carefully consider the machines’ dimension. Some are bulky and demands a lot of space while others are portable and foldable for easy storage.
Additional Features
- When selecting the machinery, consider your fitness goals as well as where you are on your fitness journey. Some basic machines are great for those who’ve just set their first step onto the fitness journeys and those who casually work out, while others are fully equipped with a ton of excellent features to challenge even hard-core fitness enthusiasts.
Resistance
- A home gym with no resistance is not much useful for everyone, so it’s better to take a look at the varieties of resistance to expect.
- For the most basic models, your own body’s weight is the preferred choice.
- While it is difficult to change your body weight, it is possible to adjust the resistance of these machines by relying on resistance bands/ a weight stack or altering the angle of the bench.
Which Brands Make The Best Home Gyms For The Money?
Marcy
- Founded by Walter Marcyan in 1959, Marcy Gymnasium Equipment Company has been producing the professional-grade fitness equipment allowing everyone to exercise right in the comfort of their homes.
- With Marcy’s wide range of fitness equipment for home use from treadmill, ellipticals, rowers, exercycles, and fitness supplements, you can take advantage of different options to meet every single training need and comfortably achieve your training goals.
Weider
- A brand of fitness equipment produced by ICON Health & Fitness, Weider has been among the most reliable names in weight and strength training for more than 25 years. Weider manufactures high-quality home gyms, variable rod resistance machines, body-weight based benches, and free weight benches, ensuring that everybody, even those with tight working schedules, can keep fit and stay healthy.
Inspire Fitness
- Inspire Fitness was founded in 2003 with an idea of a better life for the whole family. Despite boasting only 16 years’ combined experience, Inspire Fitness team prides themselves on being avid fitness individuals, creating unique, premium-grade, movement-based products that are perfectly designed to fit all customer’s body.
FAQs
Why home gyms are better?
Working out at home means that you can save a lot of time packing a bag, going to the gym & waiting for your turn using fitness equipment at the local gym. Also, there is no need to pay for a premium membership fee. Let’s substitute with a few resistance bands, a couple of dumbbells, an exercise ball, or a compact home gym and be set to go.
Does a home gym add value?
In spite of truly increasing your home’s value, a home gym will most certainly increase your living space desirability.
Which is better yoga or gym?
Yoga helps you with mental stimulation and increases toning, strengthening, and flexibility as well. No equipment is required and you can do yoga right in the comfort of your home. If physical benefits are your priority, though, gymming is a better choice.
How much does a good home gym cost?
Depending on the fitness machine’s quality and your luck, a good home gym can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Conclusion
It takes those who are interested in setting up their own workout at home a few days or even a week to do some research to find out the best gym setups available. Thus, instead of wasting your time, let’s take a look at our collection of the best home gyms for the money!
Nancy Lang
