The Best Home Gym Equipment, Tried and Tested

Did you know more people work out at home than in the gym? Home gyms are the best of both worlds, but can be tricky to set up.

We cover the best principles of building a home gym and explore the most versatile pieces of equipment to help you on your home-gym journey. 

Key Takeaways

• When building a home gym, consider your specific fitness goals, budget, and space. 
• Consider focusing on compact, versatile pieces of equipment, like adjustable dumbbells and a bench. 
• One easy option is to buy an all-in-one machine, which can pack multiple machines into a compact space. 

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Building the Best Home Gym Setup

Carriejune, founder of Minibeast, says:

"Building a home gym doesn't have to be hard. With the right equipment, you can support your fitness goals, even with limited space and budget."

Few things beat the feeling of getting in a great workout at the gym. But visiting the iron temple can be a hassle sometimes. There's the commute, the fees, the people hogging the machines...

You get the idea. In fact, you might even be considering building your own gym at home.

If so, you're not alone. According to one study, the majority of Americans who exercise do so at home.¹

The benefits are obvious. You can work out whenever you want, without paying a monthly fee. There's nobody using your equipment or forgetting to wipe down after they're done. 

You can play your own music. Take as long as you want with each exercise. Focus completely on yourself, your body, and your workout, giving yourself the best experience possible.

But how can you replicate a commercial gym in your home? Most people lack the space and money to build a perfect replica of their favorite gym. Fortunately, you don't have to do anything close to that to create an amazing home gym.

After all, gyms are so big because they need to accommodate lots of people. But your home gym only serves one customer: You. (Maybe some friends, if they're lucky.)

Your Fitness Goals

That means you can tailor the workout equipment you use based on your specific fitness goals. 

Want to focus on cardio? Consider picking up cardio equipment or cardio machines.

Prefer to focus on strength training? Choose machines or equipment designed for weight lifting. 

Remember, this is your gym. You're the one who knows what the right home gym equipment is, because you're the one who'll be using it. 

Bonus: Does Sweating Help You Lose Weight?

Full Body Workouts

That said, there are a few general principles that can help guide you to the perfect home gym. 

For example, you'll likely want to be able to perform many different exercises. To build muscle mass throughout the body, you need to activate and target different muscle groups. That means your home gym should have the equipment to support a full workout - whether you're doing a full-body workout or a booty workout at home.

Another thing to consider is size. Most of us building home gyms are limited on space. It's all very well buying a fancy power rack or massive set of free weights, but what if they don't fit?

Fortunately, there are space-saving options that can help you maximize the efficiency of your home gym. We'll cover these later. 

Then, of course, comes the price tag. Chances are, you have some kind of budget. And chances are you'd like to stay within that budget, if possible.

The good news is it's totally possible to build a home gym with practically any budget. Just make sure to plan ahead. Think about how much you can spend, and what you want to achieve, in order to figure out what pieces of equipment you actually need.

Fitness Equipment to Consider

So, we've covered some things to keep in mind when planning a home gym. Now comes the fun part. 

As you likely know, gyms can be absolutely packed with equipment. Your gym might have machines you've never even heard of before, let alone used. If you're new to working out, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming.

When budget and space are a concern, the key thing is to stick to basics. Ultra-specific machines and exercises can be great, but they quickly eat up space and money. Chances are, you can build a fantastic fitness routine with a few versatile pieces of equipment.

But the obvious question is, what are some of these great pieces of equipment for a home gym?

Adjustable Dumbbells

Dumbbells are possibly the most iconic piece of gym equipment. They're used all over the world, both at the gym and in home workouts. Research has shown how powerful they can be for strength exercises, weight loss, and muscle development.²

One of the great advantages of dumbbells is their versatility. They can be used in hundreds of different exercises. With a set of dumbbells, you can effectively target multiple muscle groups, from arms to legs and everything in between. 

That set, anyone who's been in a gym knows how much space traditional dumbbells take up. A set of high-quality fixed-weight dumbbells could fill an entire home gym and set you back thousands of dollars. 

That's where adjustable dumbbells come in. Adjustable dumbbells are essentially traditional dumbbells but condensed. Instead of switching between separate dumbbells, you simply switch the weight attached to the handle of the adjustable dumbbell. 

Minibeast's MB Pro Adjustable Dumbbell goes from 10lb to 100lb. In other words, this single, 100lb adjustable dumbbell set replaces nine traditional dumbbells. 

A simple twist of the wrist is all that's needed to switch between different weights, meaning you can quickly transition from one exercise to another without losing your flow and focus. 

The major parts of these dumbbells are cast iron and aluminum — no plastic — for durability and reliability. A unique stress-bearing structure ensures neither the adjustment system nor the handle ever bears force.

Cable Machine

Another key piece of equipment is the cable machine. They offer plenty of benefits, making them a great addition to a home gym.

One of the best things about cable machines is the fact that you can adjust the angle of the cable. That lets you hit muscles from many different directions, ideal for isolation exercises and addressing muscle imbalances.

Cable machines provide continuous resistance, are relatively low-impact, and often replicate real-life motions. They're also quite versatile. A single cable machine can be used for many exercises, and it's easy to switch between different exercises quickly. 

Minibeast offers several different cable machines, each with different advantages. The Prime Series Cable Crossover is extremely versatile. It has smooth, adjustable pulleys and a massive range of motion. The Elite Series version offers the same versatility with a streamlined design.

Adjustable Bench

Few things in the gym are quite as iconic as the humble bench. It's central to some of bodybuilding's most famous moves, from the bench press to rows to dips and beyond.

There's a reason practically any gym includes benches. Almost every home gym would benefit from one.

It's important to get an adjustable bench, rather than a fixed one. With multiple incline settings, you can vary which muscle groups are being targeted. Some adjustable benches also fold up, saving space when not in use.

Other things to look for are stability and comfort. You want your bench to have a sturdy base for safety. Some padding is also important to protect your body.

Minibeast's Adjustable Bench is a great option. It's built to hold up under serious training. A reinforced metal frame ensures stability while high-density padding provides comfort. 

Then there are the customization options. After all, it's your gym. You can tailor the design to your preference. 

Minibeast's bench comes in ten different colors, from solid black to hot pink. You can customize the colors of the upholstery and frame separately for perfect personalization. 

Exercise Mat

A good exercise mat is another must-have piece of home gym equipment. A mat is compact, lying flat on the floor or rolling up for easy storage. 

Mats are essential for bodyweight exercises, which alone can make for effective workouts. You can also use mats to provide cushioning while using other equipment, like dumbbells, medicine balls, or resistance bands. 

Mats are also a great place to do your stretching. Stretching is absolutely crucial for keeping our muscles, ligaments, and joints healthy.

Minibeast's Luxury Training Mat is an excellent choice.

Where to Get an All-In-One Trainer

As you can see, the list of equipment options quickly grows large. And we haven't even covered other popular choices, like squat racks or pull-up bars.

It's totally possible to build an effective home gym with one or two pieces of versatile equipment. But what if you want more?

Enter the all-in-one machine. This is the ultimate piece of home gym equipment. 

It saves you from having to search for (and buy) different pieces of equipment. From having to find space for everything. From figuring out what to get and what to skip.

Minibeast's MB Ultimate All-In-1 Total Home Gym is a home gym in one single machine. It has everything you'll need for a monster total-body workout.

Smith machine? Check. Cable pulley system? Check. Adjustable bench? Check. 

Attachment ring, leg press, dip handles, core trainer, hip thrust, power rack... Check, check, check. 

This single machine, which can fit in a single parking space, allows for hundreds of different exercises. 

There are two independent pulleys with commercial-grade aircraft cable, rated at 2,500 pounds. Two precision-cut steel weight stacks. Four chrome-plated weight storage pins.

Oh, and there are rollers with bearings to help you move it around, if needed.

Conclusion

A home gym is for you, so when building one, make sure to consider your individual goals and requirements. In general, it's best to go for compact, versatile pieces of equipment. That will let you maximize the efficiency of your home gym.

One option is to pick up specific types of equipment. If you love free weights, grab a set of adjustable dumbbells. If you love bench-based exercises, pick up an adjustable bench.

Another, easier option is to just buy an all-in-one machine that includes everything you might want in a single compact construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the Best Equipment for Limited Space?

The best equipment for a limited space is an all-in-one machine. Minibeast's All-In-1 Total Home Gym contains multiple machines for hundreds of different exercises, and can fit in a single parking space.

How to Protect Floors From Heavy Gym Equipment?

Rubber mats can help protect floors from heavy equipment. You can buy individual puzzle pieces or seamless pieces, tailoring how many you buy based on how much space you need to cover.

What Is the Most Versatile Piece of Home Gym Equipment?

The most versatile piece of home gym equipment is an all-in-one home gym machine. Minibeast's All-In-1 Total Home Gym, for example, contains multiple machines and can facilitate hundreds of exercises — and it fits in a single parking space.

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Sources

1. More Americans Work Out at Home Than in Gyms, Citing Convenience

2. Effect of free-weight vs. machine-based strength training on maximal strength, hypertrophy and jump performance – a systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC , Dumbbells: An Essential Tool When Strength Training for Longevity

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