If you’re interested in weight training but don’t have a regular spotter or personal trainer, you may hesitate to challenge yourself during workouts because you’re afraid of dropping weights or getting stuck during an exercise. Fortunately, there are several weight training equipment options are out there to help you if you need to spot yourself, three of which we describe below. Consider using any of these pieces of weight training equipment to allow you to challenge yourself at home or at the gym while minimizing your risk of injury.

Option 1: Traditional Smith Machines

The most common piece of equipment used for self spotting is the Smith machine. A Smith machine is a piece of weight training equipment that encloses a barbell in a frame or cage and uses a guide rod to force the barbell along a predetermined path while the user performs an exercise. Smith machines provide added safety and stabilization versus regular barbells because the guide rod prevents the user from dropping the barbell forward, backward, or sideways, and you can typically lock the barbell at any start or stop point along the guide rod track by simply twisting the bar. The guide rods of early generations of Smith machines forced you to perform exercises along a vertical track, while later iterations of the machine set the straight track at a fixed 5 degree or 7 degree angle. The video below shows how a traditional Smith machines works:

The main benefit of performing an exercise with a Smith machine is that you can work out safely without the aid of a spotter. Unfortunately, because the fixed vertical track limits the horizontal motion of the barbell during an exercise, you won’t be able to develop the stabilizer muscles that are strengthened during free weight exercises, so the weight you’re able to lift on a Smith machine won’t translate to lifting free weights. Even more unfortunately, the unnaturally straight lift motion forced by traditional Smith machines can actually cause injuries that are unlikely during free weights exercise. For this reason, many weight lifters disdain the Smith machine and discourage home gym buyers from purchasing one.

Option 2: 3D-motion Smith machines

The range-of-motion problem with traditional Smith machines may turn many prospective weight lifters off from using them, but the importance of safety is still key for everyone working without a spotter. Is there a way to get the safety benefits of a Smith machine as well as the strength and ergonomic benefits of free weights? Several equipment manufacturers have attempted to solve this problem, and within the last few years several improvements on the traditional Smith machine have appeared. The major improvement that’s been made to the traditional Smith machine is allowing the barbell to move along a guided track with a complete range of motion both horizontally and vertically during the exercise. This is accomplished by mounting the vertical guide rod on a second horizontal track.

The two highest-quality examples of a Smith machines that allows a full range of horizontal and vertical barbell motion are the Bodycraft Jones Smith Machine and the Hoist Smith Machine. Some videos showing the Bodycraft Jones Smith Machine in action are included below.

Option 3: The Free-Spotter

If you’re on a tight budget, the hefty price tags of most Smith machines may put this equipment out of reach. In addition, you may be reluctant to invest in such equipment knowing the benefits of free weights training. In this case, you may be delighted to discover a simple piece of self-spotting equipment that can be used in conjunction with free weights: the Free-Spotter. The Free-Spotter is a set of high-tension ropes and clamps that can be suspended from the ceiling or a power rack to provide safety catch points during your exercises while still allowing you a complete range of motion. The ropes and clamps can be used in conjunction with regular barbells or dumbbells. The video below shows the Free-Spotter in action:

Whether you’re a weight lifting beginner or an experienced bodybuilder, the importance of a safe workout is key. Consider whether a traditional Smith machine, 3D motion Smith machine, or other weight support system can improve the safety of your workouts while you work toward your fitness goals.

Bowflex PR1000

Bowflex PR1000

Retailing around $600, the Bowflex PR1000 is one of the the most stripped-down Bowflex home gyms currently available. With its small footprint, comparatively low price, and exercises for the arms, shoulders, back, legs, chest, and abdominal muscles, it’s a good starter home gym. The main drawback for heavy lifters is that the 210 pounds of maximum resistance can’t be upgraded.

Body-Solid EXM1500S

Body-Solid EXM 1500S

The Body-Solid EXM1500S, which retails for around $850, provides a full body weight training workout with a machine that owners love for its quality construction and thoughtful ergonomic features. Of particular note is the off-to-the-side placement of the low pulley station, which reduces the machine footprint and allows you to quickly change your weight setting while performing exercises with the low pulley. Unfortunately for power users, you won’t be able to upgrade the 160-pound weight stack at this machine.

Body-Solid G4I

Body-Solid G4I

Moving into the over-$1000 price range, you’ll find the Body-Solid G4I, which retails for around $1,500. This machine’s Iso-Flex Press Arms provide multiple planes of motion for each exercise so you can develop your targeted muscles as well as your supporting muscles, as you would with free weights, and you can move from exercise to exercise without changing the machine setup. Like all Body-Solid machines, the G4I is notable for its high quality construction and lifetime warranty. Though users love this machine once it’s set up, initial assembly can be a bit of a pain, so you might want to consider springing for assembly help if your retailer provides it.

Bowflex Xtreme 2

Retailing around $1,600, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 provides a fast, complete workout with a compact footprint. This machine lacks a leg press station but makes up for it by allowing a full range of motion for squat exercises. Users like the full range of motion that the adjustable pulleys allow, as well as the fact that you can move from exercise to exercise without changing the cable setup. With resistance upgradeable from 210 pounds to 310 or 410 pounds, you are unlikely to max out the weight on this machine.

Body-Solid G6B

Retailing around $1,900, the Body-Solid G6B has a press arm that gives you multiple planes of motion while applying resistance in two directions, meaning this machine does an amazing job simulating free weight exercises and maximizing the intensity of each exercise rep. As with the previous Body-Solid machines mentioned, the G6B is notable for its high quality construction and lifetime warranty.

Bodycraft Xpress Pro

For those with the budget to afford the roughly $2,200 price tag of the Bodycraft Xpress Pro, there’s nothing that can beat the range of exercises possible with this machine. Add the $550 leg press attachment for an even more complete workout. Of particular note is the adjustable cable arm station with free range of motion handles that allows you to simulate free weights, as well as the doubling cable that allows you to increase the effective machine resistance from the 200-pound weight stack up to 400 pounds. This machine also provides maximum adjustability features for ergonomics and safety.

We hope these quick overviews of high-quality home gyms available at different price points helps you on your way to choosing the right weight training equipment for your budget and workout needs!

Bodylastics Maximum Resistance System

If you’re interested in starting a weight training program but can’t afford an expensive gym membership or lots of home equipment, a great way to get started working out at home is to invest in a set of high-quality resistance bands. Bodylastics currently sells one of the best systems on the market for home use. The videos below will give you a quick look at these resistance bands in action.

Terrell Owens Video

Five Exercises Performed with Bodylastics Bands

Some reasons to consider this resistance band system include:

• It’s affordable. For less than $100, you’ll have a quality piece of weight training equipment that allows you to perform virtually all of the exercises possible with free weights and cable machines.
• It’s durable. Expert and consumer reviews give Bodylastics products high marks for quality, saying these bands would not look out of place in a high-end gym environment. Users praise the durability and smooth handling of everything from the bands themselves to the aluminum clips, handles, and O-rings. In addition, the product includes a generous lifetime replacement warranty.
• It’s portable. The entire system fits in a carrying bag smaller than a shoebox and weights just a few pounds. You can take it with you almost anywhere.

Although Bodylastics bands are durable compared to other resistance band and tubing sets, keep in mind that they are made of latex, a biodegradable material. Over time, exposure to light, skin oils, and perspiration will cause latex to break down. To maximize the life of these resistance bands, avoid holding the latex portion of the bands in your bare hands, keep the bands clean of sweat, and store the bands in a cool, dark, dry place. Even with the most careful handling, however, the stress of regular daily use will ultimately wear out latex, so over the course of many months or years of use, most users should expect to break one or more bands. Fortunately, even if a band breaks as a result of normal use, Bodylastics has a generous lifetime replacement guarantee. If you’re concerned about the total lifetime cost of your equipment as much as the up front cost, consider whether you might be better off investing in a good set of adjustable dumbbells.

Bodylastics System Product Overview

At the core of the Bodylastics system are the elastic resistance bands themselves. These bands are manufactured from surgical-grade latex using a continuous dip process that Bodylastics claims gives the bands their unique durability and superior feel during use. Each band is four feet long and ends with an aluminum carabiner clip to connect to the handles or ankle straps to perform exercises.

Each Bodylastics system includes a pair of handles and a pair of ankle straps. Each handle has a 5.5 inch wide hard plastic grip bar wrapped in soft foam and ends in a heavy gauge O-ring. The ankle straps are 8 inch long padded straps with velcro closures and also end in a heavy gauge O-ring. You can clip up to 7 resistance bands at a time to the O-rings to create a wide range of equivalent weights, similar to using a good set of adjustable dumbbells. The effective weight range depends on the number of bands included in the system you purchase, with a maximum weight equivalence of 254 pounds (127 pounds per side) possible with the largest system, the Terrell Owens Super Strong Man System.

Some of the exercises you can perform with the Bodylastics system require an external anchor point (i.e. an anchor point other than your feet or another part of your body). To help you perform these exercises, you can use the included foam door anchor, which allows you to turn any closing door into a sturdy anchor point for your bands.

The entire Bodylastics system will fit in the included storage bag, which, when fully packed, is about the size of a pair of shoes. Since the system is so lightweight (3.7 pounds for the Maximum Tension System), it’s easy to carry along in luggage or to and from the office.

To help you learn how to use the resistance bands, each system also includes a printed 76-page visual guide to 126 exercises, as well as membership to the Strength Band University website. An optional circuit training DVD can be added to any system you purchase. The DVD provides a guided instruction through a combination cardio/strength training workout using the resistance bands.

All Bodylastics systems include the following guarantees:

• 90-day money back guarantee: You can return the product any time within 90 days of purchase for a full refund, no questions asked.
• 90-day free parts replacement: If any component in the system breaks within the first 90 days, Bodylastics promises to replace it at no charge to you.
• Lifetime replacement guarantee: From 90 days after purchase until forever, Bodylastics guarantees that they will replace any broken or defective component for $5.95 (US customers) or $8.95 (international customers), including all shipping and handling.

Product Lines

There are six different band thicknesses in the Bodylastics system, with the weight equivalence of each band indicated both by the band’s color and an imprinted number on the aluminum clips. The band weight equivalences are as follows:

• Yellow band: 5 pounds
• Green band: 7 pounds
• Red band: 13 pounds
• Blue band: 19 pounds
• Black band: 23 pounds
• Orange band: 30 pounds

The three main Bodylastics products lines are differentiated based on the bands included.

Basic Tension System

• Bands included: 1 yellow (5 lbs), 1 green (7 lbs), 1 red (13 lbs), 1 blue (19 lbs)
• Effective weight range possible: 88 lbs (44 lbs per side)
• Other components: 1 pair handles, 1 pair ankle straps, 1 door anchor, 1 bag, 1 manual, 1-year Strength Band University website membership
• Optional component: Circuit training DVD

Maximum Tension System

• Bands included: 1 yellow (5 lbs), 1 green (7 lbs), 1 red (13 lbs), 1 blue (19 lbs), 1 black (23 lbs)
• Effective weight range possible: 134 lbs (67 lbs per side)
• Other components: 1 pair handles, 1 pair ankle straps, 1 door anchor, 1 bag, 1 manual, 1-year Strength Band University website membership
• Optional component: Circuit training DVD

Terrell Owens Super Strong Man System

• Bands included: 1 yellow (5 lbs), 1 green (7 lbs), 1 red (13 lbs), 1 blue (19 lbs), 1 black (23 lbs), 2 orange (30 lbs)
• Effective weight range possible: 254 lbs (127 lbs per side)
• Other components: 2 pairs handles, 2 pairs ankle straps, 2 door anchors, 1 bag, 1 manual, lifetime Strength Band University website membership
• Optional component: Circuit training DVD

Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar - Extreme Edition

The Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar Extreme Edition is the updated version of the Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar. Both products are doorway pull up bars that can also be used for sit ups, push ups, and dips. The bar includes narrow, neutral, and wide grips which, when used with various mounting positions, allow you to perform multiple exercises. The bar attaches and removes from the doorframe without the need for mounts or fasteners. The box includes a mail-in offer for ab straps that can be used to perform hanging leg lifts (the same straps can be purchased directly from Amazon).

The following two video reviews give you a good idea of how the Iron Gym pull up bar looks and works:

Read on to find the answers to commonly asked questions about the Iron Gym and Iron Gym Extreme Edition.

Is it hard to assemble?

The product includes a wrench for assembling the bar, and no drilling is needed, although you may speed up the process by using your own tools. Most users took 10 to 15 minutes to put the bar together. For best results, install all the bolts loosely at first and then when the entire bar is loosely assembled tighten everything down at once. This will allow you to avoid the problem of misaligned components or incorrectly placed bolts, which can be difficult to unscrew once they’re in.

Once I’ve assembled it, how do I use it?

You just pick it up and hang it from the top of your doorframe. To take it down, you just lift the bar a few inches and it comes right off the doorframe.

How do I perform push ups, sit ups, and dips with it?

Just take the bar off the doorframe and set it on the floor. For sit ups, you’ll place the bar in the lower part of the doorframe for leverage. For push ups and dips, you can place the bar anywhere on the floor. For best results when using on a hardwood or linoleum floor, put down a rubber mat or towel to prevent the bar from slipping. You will probably have a limited range of motion if you’re planning to use this bar for dips, so you’re better off getting a dip stand if you want a full range of motion for dips.

How much weight will the bar hold?

The steel bar is rated to hold up to 300 pounds. Most users felt that the bar was extremely sturdy when assembled (no worrisome flexing, creaking, or shifting noticed), although one reviewer said he replaced the flat plastic piece that hangs on top of the doorframe with a solid wooden piece from an Everlast-brand doorway pullup bar to reduce the sensation of flexing while using the bar.

What size doorframe does it fit?

The manufacturer says the bar fits doorways 24″ to 32″ wide with doorway trim or moulding up to 3.5″ tall.

Do I need to drill any holes into my walls or doorframe to use it?

You don’t have to, but you can use the included metal wedge fastener to secure the bar on the top of the doorframe for added stability during use and to prevent the bar from sliding off the doorframe when it’s not in use. The wedge is driven into the top of the doorframe, so if you do use it the holes it leaves may not be visible to the casual observer.

Will it damage my walls or doorframe?

The bar can leave black marks behind where it touches the doorframe, though; if this is a problem for you, try wrapping the contact points of the bar with plastic tape or non-marking fabric before you use it. Also note that, because the metal ends of the U-shaped bars on the Extreme Edition protrude behind the main horizontal bar, those tips could gouge your doorframe if it’s narrower than about 31″.

Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar - Extreme Edition

The least expensive category of pull up bars available for home use mount inside or above a doorway. At the lower end of the price range you’ll find telescoping bars that mount on weight-bearing brackets inside the doorway, and at the higher end you’ll find multi-grip bars that either hang or mount from the top of the doorframe moulding. If you are considering a doorway pull up bar to help you perform pull ups, chin ups, sit ups, and dips at home, read on to find out what you should know before you buy.

Dimensions Are Key

A common complaint from buyers is that a bar they purchased was too wide or too narrow for the doorway they had planned to use. The first thing you’ll need to check before buying any doorway pull up bar is the dimensions of your doorways and the dimensions supported by the product.

• For bars that mount inside the doorframe, you’ll need to measure the width of the opening at the center of the doorframe, as well as the width of the interior of the doorframe where the weight-bearing brackets will be mounted. Make sure you will be able to screw in the weight-bearing brackets with some buffer on either side so the doorframe doesn’t split when you’re exercising.
• For bars that hang over the top of the doorframe, you need to know how wide your door openings are at the point where the horizontal bar will press against the frame, how much space you have between the doorframe opening and the nearest wall, and how tall the moulding is above the doorframe. If you want to use a doorway near a corner, make sure you have enough clearance on both sides of the door to accommodate the horizontal bar. If you want to use a doorway with a door, keep in mind that most doorway pull up bars can only install so the horizontal bar presses against the side of the doorframe opposite the hinges.

Many products in this category indicate that they fit a “standard” doorframe, but manufacturers define this standard size differently. Find out specifically what range of doorway widths the bar fits before you buy.

Safety First

Bars that mount inside the doorframe typically include one or more pairs of weight-bearing brackets to secure the bar at various heights for different exercises. At a minimum, you should install weight-bearing brackets at the height where you will perform pull ups. (Brackets can sometimes be safely omitted when using these bars for sit-ups.) If you don’t want to drill holes in your doorframe, you may want to consider bars that hang from the top of the doorframe moulding or a free standing standing pull up bar. Some users reported using these bars without the included weight-bearing bracket hardware, but this poses a serious safety risk and is not advisable.

Some bars that hang from the top of the doorframe moulding may be used safely without installing brackets of any kind. Check the manufacturer instructions first before using such equipment without brackets.

Pull Up Bar Ergonomics

Consider your body size when purchasing a pull up bar that mounts inside your doorframe. You will probably need to hang from the bar with your knees bent in order not to touch the floor at the start of the exercise, and depending on the height of your ceiling relative to your doorframe height, you may run the risk of hitting your head against the ceiling. If you don’t think you can perform a pull up comfortably given the dimensions of your doorframe, you should consider a wall mounted or free standing pull up bar instead.

The ability to adjust grip width and grip padding is also important for pull up bars. For any pull up bar you’re considering, make sure the separation between the foam grips on the bar can be adjusted.

Common Complaints

Nearly all doorway pull up bars have the potential to leave black marks wherever they come into contact with the wall or doorframe. Some users wrap the offending portions of the bar in clear plastic tape to minimize the damage.

Popular Doorway Pull Up Bars

Valeo Chin Up Bar

Valeo Chin-Up Bar: This is an adjustable length metal bar with foam hand grips. Users liked that the width between the hand grips could be adjusted, and that the bar could be easily repositioned at multiple heights within the doorframe to perform other exercises.

Altus Athletic ADCUB Deluxe Chin Up, Pull Up, Sit Up Bar

Altus Athletic ADCUB Deluxe Chin Up, Pull Up, Sit Up Bar: The manufacturer description and user reviews characterize this as one of the sturdiest bars in this category. Users liked the ease of repositioning the foam grips on this bar, as well as the design of the weight-bearing brackets that prevents the bar from rotating during use. Users noted the interior of the doorframe should be at least 1 7/8″ wide for secure mounting of the brackets.

Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar - Extreme Edition

Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar: Users love the variety of hand grips and sturdiness of this product, as well as the ability to use the bar for pull ups and sit ups without mounting brackets. Though the manufacturer claims you can use this product for dips, most users agreed that the limited range of motion possible when performing dips makes this basically a joke.

P90X Chin-Up Bar

P90X Chin-Up Bar: Many users love the P90X bar and think it’s the sturdiest product in this category. Others say it isn’t good enough to merit the high price (about twice the price of many other products in this category). Keep in mind that, though the P90X looks like many other doorway pull up bars that can be used without mounting brackets, in fact you do need to use the included brackets for the P90X.

Doorway Pull Up Bars

Doorway pull up bars include both telescoping bars that fit inside the doorway and multi-grip bars that hang or mount from the top of the doorframe moulding. These types of bars tend to be less expensive than the other categories of pull up bars. Check out our helpful doorway pull up bar guide to learn how to find the right doorway pull up bar for your home gym.

Free Standing Pull Up Bars

Free standing pull up bars, also called pull up towers or pull up stands, include products at the higher end of the price range for home pull up equipment. If you have the space and the budget for a free standing pull up bar machine, you’ll be able to perform pull ups, chin ups, and dips with a greater range of motion than is possible with most other home pull up bars.

Wall Mounted Pull Up Bars and Ceiling Mounted Pull Up Bars

Wall mounted pull up bars drill into solid load-bearing surfaces (such as cement walls or solid wood beams or joists) to provide a permanent pull up station. Bars in this category often can support more weight than products in the doorway pull up bar category, but they require a strong wall and cannot be set up and taken down down for each workout.

Similar to wall mounted pull up bars, ceiling mounted pull up bars attach to solid load-bearing ceiling surfaces, like rafters, to provide a permanent pull up station.

Powertec WB-LS Workbench Leverage Gym

If you’re looking for a home gym that gives you the benefits of free weight training and the ability to do a full range of power exercises, you need to consider the Powertec WB-LS Workbench Leverage Gym. This home gym receives high marks from consumer and expert reviewers as a result of its low price point, patented seat pivoting mechanism, and good safety features for those who work out alone. Read on to learn why this home gym might be a good fit for you.

System Overview

The Powertech WB-LS uses a standard bench and an adjustable-height leverage arm instead of a barbell. This leverage system lets you push weight in a controlled motion so you can safely perform over 20 of the best free weight exercises without a spotter, including rows, bench presses, full squats and dead lifts. Users love the sturdy pivoting mechanism that allows you to easily adjust the seat position or simply move it out of the way for different exercises. Once you move the bench out of the way, a high and low cable system combined with leg extension and leg curl stations allow you to perform shoulder, back, triceps, hamstrings, and quads exercises. You can add an optional arm curl attachment to the system, as well.

Weights Sold Separately

The Powertec WB-LS does not include weight plates, so you’ll need to buy your own set of Olympic weights. Keep in mind as you consider the price of this home gym that you need to supply your own weight plates. Depending on the set you choose, this will add about another $200 to $500 to the total price of the system, but even with that additional cost the Powertec is a relative steal for home gyms that allow you to perform these power workouts.

Safety without a Spotter

The Powertec WB-LS’s fixed true arc leverage arm allows you to push weight in a controlled manner. You can choose the lift off point and lock out point for each motion, enabling you to push the maximum weight safely.

High Weight Load Capacity

The Powertec WB-LS has a weight load capacity that’s much higher than the 200 pound limit on most home gyms. You can push up to 500 pounds on the press arm, 350 pounds on the lat machine, 300 pounds on the squat bar, 250 pounds on the leg lift, and 250 pounds on the optional arm curl machine.

Built to Last

Reviewers noted the sturdy feel of the linkages in the seat section, which is mounted on an axis that allows it to pivot out of the way of the main lever for power exercises like squats and rows. The gym frame uses three inch heavy gauge tubular steel, and the seating surface has durable, dense foam padding.

Powertec WB-LS Workbench Leverage System Gym Model Specifications

• Dimensions: 56 inches (4′ 8″) wide x 82 (6′ 10″) inches high x 101 inches (8′ 10″) long
• Weight: 290 pounds
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: Lifetime frame, two years component parts (such bearings and spring pins), one year pads and grips

Mistake #10: Believing extravagent claims

Don’t let a salesperson or marketing materials seduce you with claims that a home gym provides “targeted fat burn” or “a complete body workout in just 4 minutes a day.” The truth is that no exercise can burn fat from a specific part of your body, and no one can get a full-body workout without a real time commitment. Remember that the hardest part of getting fit is not selecting your equipment, but selecting a well-rounded exercise and diet plan and sticking to it over the long term.

Mistake #9: Ignoring your workout preferences

If your workout routine focuses on large muscle groups, you don’t need a home gym that provides an infinite variety of small muscle group workouts. If you hate riding a bike, you don’t need a home gym with a cycling station. Think through the exercises you actually plan to perform, and make sure the home gym you’re purchasing does a good job supporting those exercises. Don’t pay extra for stations you won’t ever use.

Mistake #8: Passing up installation help

The more elaborate the home gym, the more difficult it may be to set up. Remember that weight training equipment is heavy, and don’t skimp on purchasing installation help to move the equipment into your space an set it up. The last thing you need before you start using your new equipment is to throw your back out!

Mistake #7: Forgetting the other users in your home

If you have a roommate, spouse, significant other, or kids who will be using your home gym, you may want to consider equipment that supports multiple users working out at the same time. Multiple users usually require multiple weight stacks, which will increase the price and weight of the equipment and may increase its overall footprint as well.

Mistake #6: Getting a lightweight weight stack

At a minimum, most home gyms should include a 200-pound weight stack. If you are just starting out but have goals to lift substantially more than 200 pounds for any exercise, make sure that the equipment you’re purchasing can expand for additional weight, and find out where you can purchase the additional weights beforehand.

Mistake #5: Overlooking shoddy building materials

High quality weight training equipment will typically be built from 11- or 12-gauge steel, use framing that’s a minimum of two inches square, have welded joints, and have a chrome or enamel frame finish. Weight stack systems should use nylon-reinforced fiberglass pulleys and aircraft-quality nylon-coated cable. Plastic parts or surfaces, joints that you bolt together yourself, or any other sign of cheap construction are warning signs that the equipment will not hold up to the wear and tear of regular use. The manufacturer’s warranty for a high-quality piece of equipment should include a lifetime warranty for the frame, a minimum 3-year warranty for bench padding and upholstery, and a minimum 1-year warranty for moving parts.

Mistake #4: Ignoring the space limitations in your home

If you don’t have the space to set up your home gym properly and perform all the exercises on the equipment, you shouldn’t buy that equipment. Period. Get out your measuring tape and see how much room you actually have to spare to set up the equipment. As you look at machine dimensions, make sure there will be a buffer around the footprint of the machine when it’s fully set up so you can safely get to each station and perform the full range of motion without hitting a wall, a ceiling, or a ceiling fan. Consider protecting your floors with foam, rubber, or other synthetic mats.

Mistake #3: Blowing your budget

You don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on machines to be able to perform a full-body workout program at home. If you’re on a tight budget, consider whether a simple set of resistance bands or free weights combined with some other basic accessories (like a bench or exercise ball) may be enough for you to perform your workouts. The majority of the benefits of a home fitness routine can be achieved on a small budget, so figure out what your cash flow situation is and start with an equipment investment you can really afford.

Mistake #2: Compromising on comfort or form

The fastest way to lose your motivation for working out is to pick a home gym that is uncomfortable to use or, even worse, causes injury. Make sure the equipment you’re considering provides adequate space to perform each exercise and that the grips, benches, and other contact points with your body are comfortable, suitably padded, and easy to wipe down and keep clean. Home gyms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some of them folding up to small footprint in order to live in tight apartment quarters or home basements, but the more compact the footprint, the higher the risk that some compromises have been made to the machine ergonomics.

Mistake #1: Buying before trying

Even if you plan to buy your equipment online, no amount of online research will give you the complete picture of a piece of equipment. Find out what local retailers carry the equipment you’re interested in, and ask if they have floor models set up that you can use in the store. Bring your towel and water bottle and perform a complete set of exercises from your workout on the machine you’re considering.

Now that you know the top ten mistakes to avoid when purchasing a home gym, you’re ready to start looking at the many equipment options out there. A good place to start your search is our equipment guide section, where you can read about the best weight training equipment to achieve your specific training goals, work in your space, or fit your budget.

What do buyers love about Selecttech dumbbells? Positive reviews tended to note the following:

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells (2009 Model)

• They’re affordable: Buying a single pair of these adjustable dumbbells is less expensive than buying a complete set of fixed-weight dumbbells to cover the same weight range in 5-pound intervals.
• They’re compact: Rather than filling your workout space with free weights at each weight you need, you can have a single pair of dumbbells that provides every weight you need. This is a great way to save space if you use a wide range of weights during your workouts or plan to share dumbbells with a partner or family member who uses a different weight range than you do.
• They’re easy-to-use: The adjustable dial on the side of each dumbbell allows you to change weight up or down quickly during your workout. Many buyers also highly recommended dumbbell stand, which makes lifting, moving, and storing the dumbbells a breeze.

So what’s the downside? Some buyers of the Selecttech dumbbells experienced the following problems:

• When working out using a weight at the lower end of the range, some users thought the Selecttech dumbbells felt bulky.
• Some users found changing the weight between exercises to be more time consuming than simply dropping the weight and picking up the next desired weight, as is possible with fixed-weight free weights.
• Some users complained that the weight plates don’t always fully lock onto the handle after adjusting the weight, leading to a safety issue where the weight may slip off the handle.

If you don’t need a full 50- or 90-pound dumbbell, several manufacturers offer lighter-weight adjustable dumbbells. The Stamina Versa-Bell II dumbbells cover the 2.5- to 25-range in 2.5-pound increments, while the Reebok Speed Pac dumbbells range from 2.5 to 12.5 pounds in 2.5 pound increments.

Once you purchase a set and learn a number of exercises with adjustable dumbbells, you’ll be able to perform high-quality free weights exercises from home!

• Although buying online may not be the best option for some types of weight training equipment, such as higher-end home gyms, if you are in the early stages of evaluating equipment options or are planning to buy simpler equipment, Amazon is a great place to start looking for weight training equipment and read buyer reviews.
• Consumer Search does a great job aggregating both buyer and expert reviews about home gyms and providing a summary of top picks for certain types of home gyms. Unlike most other product review sites, Consumer Search also provides a relatively detailed report summarizing the sources they drew from, the credibility of those sources, and the most pertinent or interesting information they found after reading loads of expert and buyer reviews. Unfortunately, Consumer Search provides no coverage of reviews for free weights, benches, or other forms of weight training equipment other than home gyms.
• Many retailers (such as Sears, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Overstock.com) gather buyer reviews on their websites, but searching through the separate websites of multiple retailers to get a complete picture of what buyers are saying is awfully tedious. Buzzillions helps to solve this problem by aggregating buyer reviews from a large number of retailers and providing a number of convenient filtering and sorting options that allow you to use buyer reviews to narrow down a list of potential products based on keywords in the buyers’ reviews, like “Easy setup” and “Quiet operation.” Buzzillions covers product reviews for multiple types of weight training equipment, not just home gyms.

Some other sites that may be worth visiting if you still can’t find a buyer review for the equipment you’re interested in are Viewpoints and Epinions. Viewpoints has a somewhat limited weight training products listing compared to many other product review sites, but the reviews themselves are generally helpful. Epinions has a staggeringly large weight training products listing, but not every product listed has associated product reviews, so I would suggest you visit Epinions only to do a final check for any useful buyer reviews for a specific product after you’ve narrowed down your shopping list using the resources mentioned above.