What would it take you to ensure that you got to the gym every day and reached your fitness goals? For most people, the thought of going to a gym almost every day irks them. And we understand. In fact, the lack of time and confidence is the number one reason why many people skip their gym workouts. With the best home gym under $1000, you get to kill two birds with one affordable stone.
We reviewed several home gyms and considered some of their unique features in our quest to help you get the perfect home gym. Some of these features include the weight capacity, warranty, exercise type, dimensions, and even the bulkiness of the machine. Knowing these features will allow you to pick an ideal home gym that suits your needs and preferences. It also gives you more information about home gyms and you may become a mini-expert after going through our review. We ended up comprising a list of 8 best options, and the Bowflex Blaze just tops them all.
More features: 210 to 410 lb resistance, 7 workout regimes, lat and squat bars included, folding bench, transportation wheels
Bowflex is a renowned name in the fitness industry, and the Bowflex Blaze lives up to its high-quality standards. You get an impressive 60+ work out exercises that allows you to exercise your whole body. This powerful home gym uses Bowflex’s uniquely patented Power rod technology to ensure users can see fast results. This technology also gives people room to move through different levels of strength training. It will only take a couple of weeks for you to move from a beginner to an intermediate trainer.
The several exercising-options is one of the things that you will love about the Bowflex Blaze. It works perfectly well for strength training. You can also take advantage of the sliding seat rail to do some aerobic exercises like leg presses or even rowing exercises. What’s more? You can strengthen your back or shoulder by using the machine’s lat tower to conduct lat pull-downs. If you wish to strengthen or tone your legs then the leg extension and curl attachment will come in handy.
You may have noticed that this home gym does not come with weight plates or weight stacks. Instead, it uses a resistance cable that has an adjustable weight range of 210 to 410 pounds. Don’t worry, the power rod resistance technology will offer similar results but we actually felt that it might be better. Once you install it, you won’t have to adjust the cable even if you wish to exercise other muscle groups.
More features: workout DVD, padded glide board, bars included, foldable
Total gym is also a renowned brand in the market. It was made popular by famous actor Chuck Norris who was once a brand representative of the company. This is one of the few home gym machines that adopt a unique design that has stood the test of time. The Total Gym APEX G3 is great for beginners and intermediate users too.
One of the first things that you notice about its design is how compact the home gym equipment is even when spread out. It only measures 43.25 x 93 x 15.5 inches and weighs 5.32 pounds making it one of the lightest home gym machines that we reviewed. That said, it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds, which means it can carry even the heaviest bunch. Its compactness also makes it portable as you can store and transport it easily when the machine is folded.
The number of exercises that you can carry out on this equipment is also astonishing for its size. It allows you to do more than 70 types of exercises for all body parts and includes a workout DVD to make it even easier for you. The padded glide board lets you exercise in comfort too and is easy to clean. All in all, Total Gym APEX G3 is a great pick for those who want a compact home gym equipment that gets the job done.
More features: braces and base included, 30-inch bands, portable
The BodyBoss 2.0 is another uniquely designed home gym equipment that uses your body weight to help you train. It is popular because of its compact design and affordable price. It is extremely easy to fold it and put it in a trolley when not in use, which makes it the most compact home gym equipment that we tried out.
With the BodyBoss 2.0, you get a base, some braces, and 30-inch bands to help you strength train. Setting up the equipment is easy and you should get a hang of it in the first 30 minutes. A comprehensive instruction manual is included to help you learn how you can use this body-weight set. It features interactive images that even a beginner can use.
The base is made from plastic material but it seems quite sturdy to handle even the most vigorous types of exercises. It features several anchors made of metal that help to keep the base stable. What’s more? It allows you to adjust the tension in the bands if you want to increase the intensity of the workouts. With the BodyBoss 2.0, you can work on several muscle groups in your upper and lower body.
This is a great home gym equipment if you wish to tone your muscles without having to do vigorous exercises or go to the gym.
More features: foldable, workout DVD, bars included
Coming from a brand of quality equipment from Total Gym, you can expect nothing less from the Total Gym 1400 Deluxe. This home gym offers up to 8 resistance levels, which allows you to strength train. With the 8 resistance levels, you get 8 levels of height adjustments with the higher settings becoming more difficult while the lower levels offer you little resistance.
You can do up to 60 different types of exercises with the machines targeting the upper body, abdomen, and the lower body. The Total Gym 1400 Deluxe is the perfect equipment if you are looking to tone your muscles but it is not the best for those looking to build muscles.
This model weighs 53 pounds but it has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds. While this may seem relatively little, it will work great for those within this weight capacity. The sturdy construction is made possible by the use of quality materials in building the frame.
There is little assembly require with the Total Gym 1400 Deluxe as most parts come when fully assembles. All you will have to do is to carry the box to your home gym, pull out the equipment, and set it up in minutes. It also doesn’t take up a lot of space when in use and when storing it. It only measures 43.25 x 93 x 15.5 inches meaning that it can fit in almost all rooms.
More features: 200 lbs resistance, converting seat, media rack
Since its introduction to the market in 2008, the Bowflex PR1000 has been a favorite home gym equipment for many gym rats. It is popular because you can use it for a full-body workout yet it is quite affordable. Moreover, you can use it for both strength training and cardio workouts. This is made possible by its in-built rowing seat, which you can use to burn calories fast.
Like the other Bowflex brand in this review, the Bowflex PR1000 uses resistance instead of the usual weight-based training. You can use this home gym to do more than 25 exercises at home but it covers the whole body. It allows you to use it for shoulder presses, rows, pull-downs, bench presses, curls, and even core exercises. As mentioned above, it also has a sliding seat that you can use for aerobic training too.
To ensure maximum flexibility and performance, the PR1000 comes with ankle cuffs and hand grips. It also features a 3-pulley design that includes the high, mid, and low pulleys. The upper pulley lets you exercise your shoulders and lats while the middle pulley allows you to exercise your pectorals. You can use the lower pulley for leg exercises.
This home gym is also portable as it is relatively lighter than other similar home gyms. It weighs 131 pounds and measures 82 x 80 x 103 inches, which is enough to fit in most rooms. It can also be folded when you need to store it.
More features: 280 lbs resistance, vinyl seats, exercise chart
If you are looking for a compact home gym that does not compromise on performance then the ICON Fitness Gold’s Gym XRS 50 is your best bet. This home gym allows you to exercise the full body as it offers you a wide range of exercises. You can use the 112-pound vinyl weight stack that offers up to 280 pounds of resistance for strength training and muscle toning. It also comes with a butterfly-arm station and a chest press station for those who love stretching their chest muscles. The stations have several grip options that allow you to exercise different parts of your pectoral muscles.
While this is a simple and compact machine, it may take you up to 4 hours to assemble the machine. Yes, it comes with some assembly instructions but they were a bit difficult to follow. That said, with a bit of patience, you should be able to complete the assembly in a couple of hours once you just understand how to get the parts together.
The ICON Fitness Gold’s Gym XRS 50 fits well in most rooms as it is quite compact. The home gym machine weighs 224 pounds and measures 63 x 37.6 x 78.6 inches. You don’t need help to install it as one person can do it and the machine works great for tall people too. Some extra features to expect include its lat bar, 4-roll leg developer, efficient high/low pulleys, and a comprehensive exercise chart made by a professional to ensure you get the correct positioning and movements.
More features: foam cushion, rolling seat, incline adjust
Weider Ultimate Body Works is the perfect solution for anyone that wants a comprehensive strength training set in their home gym. Made by Weider and trusted all over the world by bodybuilders, you can trust that this machine is a quality yet durable equipment. You can use it to carry out several simple exercises that work on getting you in shape and burning extra calories. If you dread going to the gym on certain occasions then you can use this home gym equipment to strengthen your muscles.
Versatility is one of the things we admire about the Weider Ultimate Body Works. It allows you to explore more than 50 types of exercises. You can train your chest, core, arms, shoulder, back, and even your legs. This means that you can have a complete upper and lower body work out without having to leave your house. For strength training, this home gym uses a special technology that uses bands and transforms your body weight into resistance. You can easily reduce or increase the resistance using its power bands.
As you can guess, you will need some pretty strong home gym for these resistance exercises. This equipment has a sturdy structure that is made from tubed steel. We did not feel any wobbling when using it and no professional reported of broken parts. Set up is also pretty easy. It comes with a helpful instruction manual and it may take you half an hour to assemble, if you are savvy enough.
More features: braces included, 330 lbs resistance, 4-roll leg developer, 125 lbs weight stack included
With the Sporzon! Home Gym, you can get to build muscles straight from your home gym. This home gym equipment was specifically built to offer users a challenging way to build muscles in even the most space-constrained rooms. It measures 80.5 x 48 x 30 inches, which may seem like much but it is enough to fit in one corner of your room.
You will also notice that this is a heavy-duty home gym equipment that is made from quality steel. This means that you can rely on this machine for a couple of years. It weighs 216 pounds and can handle an impressive maximum weight capacity of about 400 pounds. However, you can load the machine with up to 1000 pounds of weight bars.
Exercising with the Sporzon! Home Gym is enjoyable too. It comes with two pulley system (high and low) that features 12 pulleys combined to offer the user a smooth experience when working out. With this pulley system, you can strengthen your back muscles, biceps, and even core. It also has a lat pull-down attachment that you can use to train several muscle groups. The lat bar attachment makes it possible to use a lat bar or a low row bar for the best grip.
If you know little about home gyms under $1000then this buying guide may come in handy. The short reviews of some of the top home gyms on the market can give you a rough idea of the product that you want. However, it will not inform you how to find the perfect home gym for you or your family. This is why a comprehensive buying guide always comes in handy.
Once you lay your hands on your first home gym equipment, there are some undeniable benefits that you will get to experience. Some of these include;
Unlike other exercising equipment, a home gym machine offers you the ability to exercise your whole body. A treadmill is great for your cardiovascular health and may come in handy when you want to lose weight. However, it won’t let you train your whole body. With a home gym equipment, you can train your lower body, upper body, and even abdominal area.
Whether you are starting your workout program or you have worked out for decades, a home gym is perfect for all fitness levels.
Beginners can try working out with little weight or resistance when getting started and upgrade as they progress. Resistance-based home gym exercises do not cause strain on your joints and can be a great way to work out with little impact to your joints.
Before you start any exercise, we advise you have a good warm up, like the one in the video:
Home gyms come in all shapes and forms. Of course, pricier models will have more features but this does not mean that you can’t get great equipment under 1000. Here are a couple of features to consider before getting the best home gym.
There are several home gym designs and you can choose one that you like. Weight-based equipment such as the Sporzon! Home Gym often comes with an integrated bench but some may lack this essential feature. A good machine should have three pulley positions including the high, mid, and low pulley design to offer you more exercise capabilities. You can finally target more muscle groups with a single equipment.
The Bowflex models come with a different design that offers you resistance-based training. This is great for toning your muscles and strength training.
Assembly is one of the important things that you need to consider before making a decision. Home gyms may seem a bit technical and it is important to ensure you install it in the right way to prevent injuries. Some home gym equipment such as the BodyBoss 2.0 and the Total Gym APEX G3 come as a single unit that one person can carry and install on the fly. Others like the ICON Fitness Gold’s Gym XRS 50 are a bit complicated and will need you to screw some bolts here & there. If this is important to you then make sure you ask before purchase. While you shouldn’t expect a fully assembled home gym to arrive at your doorstep, it is better if assembly takes a couple of minutes.
When it comes to a home gym, you are making a significant investment in your health and body fitness. This is why you should invest in something worthwhile that will last you years and will not fall apart after a few months. Cast-iron and steel frames are known to be highly durable and will last you some years. Anodized aluminum and titanium are also durable frames that you can rely on to serve you for years.
Weight-based home gyms use a set of weight bars or plates that you can use to either add or reduce resistance in the machine. A typical home gym machine has identical bars that you can add in small increments. If you enjoy lifting heavy weights or working out with tighter resistance then the Bowflex Blaze will be a great companion. This home gym equipment offers a 410-pound resistance, which is great for those who want to build muscles.
As mentioned before, a home gym exercises a combination of several muscle groups. Even an entry-level home gym that costs less than $1000 should be capable of training the chest, biceps, triceps, legs, back, and even abs. The Total Gym APEX G3 offers an impressive 70+ full-body exercises, which is versatile enough to cater to several exercise types. You can also use the Bowflex PR1000 for aerobic exercises as it comes with sliding seat rails.
A warranty and good guarantee terms are essential when buying almost all types of products. Home gyms are long-term investments and you obviously should get a lifetime warranty if possible. This will ensure that you are guaranteed of quality equipment that will not give up on you after only a few months. Bowflex Blaze and Bowflex PR1000 stand out with their 5-year limited warranty terms. It is, however, worth noting that most companies will not offer a warranty for everything. Ensure that the warranty you choose should not only cover the home gym frame but also the cables, pulleys, and pads among others.
Some home gym equipment cannot be easily folded like a treadmill while others like the BodyBoss 2.0 are highly portable. This compact equipment can fit in any space. We recommend that you work out the space that you need before the purchase. To figure this out, you should consider the measurements of the assembled machine and any attachments or extensions that need to be added. If, however, space is no issue to you then you can choose the larger Bowflex models or the ICON Fitness Gold’s Gym XRS 50.
Each home gym machine comes with some standard features and other extra features. The BodyBoss 2.0, for example, comes with a mat, braces, and bands too. The sliding rail seat in the Bowflex Blaze and the Bowflex PR1000 is also worth mentioning as it increases the number of exercises you can do.
Home gyms may pose a risk of injury to your or your loved ones at home if not well taken care of. Here are a couple of tips that you can follow to ensure maximum safety;
We were truly impressed by Bowflex Blaze, our editor’s choice. You can do 7 work out regimes and more than 60 body exercises with this machine. It uses resistance cables instead of weight plates and can offer a maximum resistance of up to 410 pounds. The sliding seat rail opens a world of more aerobic and cardiovascular exercises.
The Bowflex PR1000 comes in second place and is great for those who love versatility in training. This is an easy-to-use home gym with various features for full-body exercise, expanding to 25+ exercise options.
Total Gym Apex G3 is a space saving and lightweight foldable home gym that comes with padded glide board. Features up to 70 full body exercise options with an inclusion of a workout DVD.
