The Best Home Gym Machines in 2024: Tested for Versatility, Durability, and Performance

In the last few years, an overwhelming number of people finally realized what we’ve known for a long time: working out at home rules. More than ever, exercise enthusiasts are building gyms right in their own houses.

A “home gym” could refer to an all-in-one squat rack, a cable cross machine, a workout mirror, and any other piece of equipment that essentially works the majority of your muscle groups. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the multitude of options available, so we put together a list of the best home gym machines.

Our team has put more than 50 home gym machines through our hands-on testing. Our expert product reviewers include certified personal trainers, elite-level athletes, and longtime fitness enthusiasts. When looking at home gyms, we rate products on a scale of 1 to 5 in categories that include the following:

• Construction: We favor high-grade steel and quality weldings over plastic.
• Versatility: Our testers evaluate the range of exercises they can perform as well as the different fitness levels the product caters to.
• Performance: We rate each home gym on whether it delivers on its ability to deliver a full-body workout.
• Value: Using market data, we score a product on its value proposition at its listed price.

We’ve been doing this for quite some time, and as a result, we’ve become pretty passionate about everything home gym-related. Seriously, you should see some of the back-and-forth discussions we’ve had on cross-training shoes, barbells, and even protein powder. 

Top 12 Best Home Gyms

• Best Home Gym Overall: Bells of Steel All-in-One Home Gym
• Best Smart Home Gym: Tonal
• Best Compact Home Gym: X3 Bar
• Best Home Gym for Small Spaces: Speediance Gym Monster
• Best Cable Machine: Titan Fitness Functional Trainer 
• Best Home Gym for Beginners: Bells of Steel Cable Tower with Weight Stack
• Best Budget Home Gym: REP Fitness PR-1100
• Best All-In-One Home Gym: Torque Fitness F9 Fold-Away Strength Trainer
• Best CrossFit Home Gym: PRx Profile ONE Squat Rack with Kipping Bar
• Best Home Gym with Interactive Programming: NordicTrack Fusion CST
• Most Portable Home Gym: MAXPRO SmartConnect Cable Machine
• Best Home Gym for Bodybuilders: Beyond Power Voltra I

Best Overall Home Gym: Bells of Steel All-in-One Home Gym

Good for: People who want a versatile squat rack at a great price

Best Overall Home Gym

Bells of Steel All-in-One Home Gym

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Product Highlights

• Plate-loaded or single weight stack option
• Compact
• Compatible with 2.3" x 2.3" rack attachments with 5/8" holes
• 2:1 ratio for side pulleys, 1:1 ratio for center pulleys
• Limited lifetime warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Space-saving design
• Plate-loaded and weight stack options
• Compatible with some rack attachments
• 300-pound weight capacity
• Durable aluminum pulleys

Cons

• Bolting hardware not included

Bottom Line

The Bells of Steel All-in-One Home Gym is a compact functional trainer that can double as a power rack.

Our top choice for this list had to be the Bells of Steel All-in-One Home Gym since it combines two of the most versatile pieces of equipment into one: a squat rack and a functional trainer. This combination unit allows you to lift heavy whether you pick a plate-loaded trainer or one with a 210-pound weight stack, can be customized with your favorite rack attachments, comes with a multi-grip pull-up bar, and has a compact footprint that should fit in most workout spaces.

In full honesty, we haven’t tested this particular home gym yet but we’ve used similar Bells of Steel machines. The company uses aluminum pulleys, which provide for buttery smooth movements whether you’re doing triceps pushdowns or cable flyes (other BOS products have earned between a 4 and 5 out of 5 for cable smoothness). You get a 2:1 pull ratio on the side pulleys (meaning 10 pounds really feels like 5) and a 1:1 ratio on the center pulley.

As mentioned, you have the choice between a traditional weight stack (similar to the type you’d see in a commercial gym) or a plate-loaded trainer. The cables have a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds, so you could load these up with weight plates if you have a few extra laying around.

Or, you can put those plates on a barbell held up on the trainer’s uprights, which are 2.3-inch-by-2.3-inch with 5/8-inch holes. You can also use other attachments traditionally put on power racks, such as seal row pads, dip bars, and more. Not sure which attachments will fix this rack? Check out our full power rack attachment guide to find out.

While it will still take up a good amount of room, the Bells of Steel All-in-One is more compact than similar machines. Taller people may have difficulties getting a full range of motion on pull-ups due to the 80-inch height, but those who can reap its full benefits will love the multi-grip pull-up bar. Plus, it’s backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

The final price for this home gym will depend on the customizations you add to it, since BOS offers other attachments for this unit, but it’s going to cost less than similar models offered by companies like Rogue Fitness or Sorinex.

One more important note: This unit must be bolted to the ground for stability.

Best Smart Home Gym: Tonal

Good for: People who want to experience guided workouts and cutting-edge technology

Best Smart Home Gym

Tonal Smart Home Gym

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• AI gets to know you and makes weight adjustments for you
• Up to 200 pounds in digital resistance
• All-in-one gym that takes up minimal space
• Access to on-demand and live classes
• 30-day trial period

Pros & Cons

Pros

• AI gets to know you and makes weight adjustments for you
• Lift up to 200 pounds in digital resistance (much different from free weights)
• All-in-one gym that takes up minimal space
• AI assesses your form and gives real-time cuing
• Access to on-demand and live classes
• 30-day trial period

Cons

• High initial price tag
• Accessories cost extra and are pretty crucial to your workouts
• 12-month initial subscription required (and an additional cost)
• 200 pounds in resistance might not be enough for heavy lifters

Bottom Line

A complete smart home gym that offers versatility in a compact piece of equipment, but at a high price.

The Tonal is a technology-driven home gym that we believe is just the start of an electronic boom in gym equipment. It’s a wall-mounted screen with cable arms attached. As you exercise, a personal trainer puts you through a guided workout where you can see how the exercises should be performed. Tonal uses AI to assess your form and adjust the weights as you go.

Several members of our team have used Tonal for hundreds of combined workouts, and we gave the programming a near-perfect 4.75 out of 5. “I really liked Free Lift (the custom workouts), because I could pick whatever I wanted to work on,” says Coop Mitchell, founder of Garage Gym Reviews. “I’ve done a few of the live classes. I think it’s still new and they are still figuring some things out, so I still prefer the regular programming.”

RELATED: Best Smart Home Gym Equipment

One unique feature is that the machine provides auto-powered weight suggestions, which can take the guesswork out of strength and resistance training. You’ll initially take the full-body strength assessment to help the Tonal set the correct weight for you on each exercise, though you have the option to turn the feature off and manually input your own data.

At just over 4 feet height-wise and as a wall-mounted workout machine, the Tonal itself doesn’t take up a lot of room and could potentially be great for small spaces. However, you need more than 7 feet around your machine in order to use the cables. There are specific requirements regarding installing the Tonal, so the company sends professionals to deliver and install the equipment.

A few callouts we have: First, keep in mind the Tonal has a maximum total resistance of 200 pounds. If you want to lift very heavy, this may not be the machine for you. Also, the provided bench isn’t high quality. 

The price tag is just under $4,000, and you could probably get it on sale during Black Friday or Labor Day holidays, but you can also check out our Tonal coupon page for more savings. There is a $49 per month app membership, the first year of which is folded into the purchase price. 

Read our full Tonal Smart Home Gym review.

Best Compact Home Gym: X3 Bar 

Good for: Anyone who needs to workout while on-the-go  

Best Portable

X3 Bar

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Up to 300 lbs of force
• Upgrade to up to 600 lbs
• Free workout program included
• No assembly necessary

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Can create up to 300 pounds of force (up to 600 if you get the Elite Band, sold separately)
• Free 12-week workout program with high-quality workout and nutrition advice
• Bar has great knurling
• No assembly necessary
• Bands are dipped in layered latex, making them thick and durable

Cons

• Platform’s embedded rollers don’t allow bands to roll during lift, but that's nitpicky
• Quite pricey at around $550 (financing available)
• Only 1-year warranty for the bands
• Some complaints of the bands wearing down after only a few weeks

Bottom Line

A compact piece of strength training equipment that combines the best parts of resistance bands and barbells into one.

Strong things come in small packages, and if you don’t believe us you’ve probably never tried out the X3 Bar before. The entire system weighs less than 20 pounds, and the ground plate used to generate force is only 10 inches long and 19 inches wide (the bar is 21.5 inches long). 

So it can be taken just about anywhere, and Garage Gym Reviews founder Coop has done so on road trips. But how good is it? Coop, who used the X3 for multiple workouts, said: “Small kit. Big impact. Get some.” And you’ll certainly be able to get some gains with the 300 pounds of force capable with the X3 Bar (600 pounds if you purchase the Elite Band). 

Dr. John Jaquish invented the bar by combining the benefits of the best resistance bands with a barbell, which causes your body to recruit more muscle groups than a band or bar alone, which leads to more effective muscle growth. 

Some may balk at the $550 price tag, and we understand that, but if you have the budget for it, we think it’s well worth it. You can also join the X3 Bar Customers Only Group on Facebook for tips and tricks. 

“The bar has some great knurling, better than some full-sized barbells,” Coop says. We also noticed in our testing that the bands are dipped in layered latex to prevent any breakage, earning this home gym a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 on our ratings metrics.

The home gym system also comes with a 12-week workout program that shows you how to make the most of the X3 Bar, along with expert nutrition advice.  

The X3 is advertised as having the same benefits as a squat rack (so you can do benches, back squats, and more with it), but you can also perform moves that you’d typically do on any cable machine with it as well. We did find it difficult to replicate a pull-up movement, though commenters on our YouTube review said with some carabiners and creativity, it can be done.

Get our full thoughts by reading our X3 Bar review.

Best Home Gym for Small Spaces: Speediance Gym Monster

Good for: Anyone looking for space-friendly exercise equipment 

Best for Small Spaces

SPEEDIANCE Gym Monster Home Gym

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Product Highlights

• All-in-one smart home gym 
• Digital resistance 
• Space saving design 
• Full body training

Pros & Cons

Pros

• All-in-one piece of fitness equipment
• No subscription fee to access workouts (!)
• Can support strength training, cardio, and HIIT
• Weight increments of 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
• Frame folds to save space when not in use
• Guided instruction is good for beginners
• Can target all muscle groups with it
• Foldable space-saving design
• Ready to use out of the box
• Versatile design can be: rower, ski machine, and squat rack

Cons

• Limited user reviews
• Maximum weight of 220 lbs (still enough for most people though)
• Resistance mechanism glitches/catches during use
• Limited workout library compared to other options
• Reviews report trouble contacting customer service
• Accessories are extra and crucial to the versatility of the machine

Bottom Line

The Speediance Gym Monster Home Gym is an expensive option for a smart and compact functional trainer.

The Speediance Gym Monster will make it feel like you have an entire commercial gym in your home while only taking up less space than a Queen-sized mattress. It packs so much versatility in a compact footprint by utilizing digital weight capable of generating up to 110 pounds of resistance per side, similar to Tonal but at a much more affordable cost.

“This is a high-tech piece of equipment that’s offered at a lower cost,” says Cooper Mitchell, GGR founder. “I think that’s great.”

If 110 pounds per arm doesn’t sound like a lot to you, then you’ve probably never lifted with digital weights before. Spoiler alert: It’s different, and often more difficult than your traditional free weights. Because this is a more budget-friendly home gym compared to Tonal and other smart home gym equipment, the cables don’t feel as smooth. “They hitch and the resistance can be uneven when using the barbell attachments,” Coop says in his Speediance review. He rates the workout experience a 3.5 out of 5 for this reason.

When it comes to versatility, we rate it a 5 out of 5 because it can be used for just about any type of exercise you want. The base package comes with a workout bench and a few attachments (such as an adjustable barbell, triceps rope, and D-handles) but you can also add a rowing bench. On top of that, the Speediance app—which you can stream on the included monitor—offers bodyweight, HIIT, and yoga classes.

You can also change up how the resistance feels in your hand. For example, you can change it from barbell mode to chain mode. “You can feel a real difference between the two modes,” says Sam Presley, GGR’s operations manager and an expert product tester.”

Best Cable Machine: Titan Fitness Functional Trainer 

Good for: Anyone who needs a heavy-duty cable machine in their home gym 

Best Cable Machine

Titan Fitness Functional Trainer

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Smooth guide rods
• Dual 200-pound weight stacks
• 2:1 pulley ratio
• Multi-grip pull-up bar
• Free shipping

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Heavy 200-pound stacks (100-pound working weight) with a 2:1 ratio
• Aluminum pulleys
• Low starting weight of 20 pounds (10 lb working weight)
• Competitive price point

Cons

• Would’ve preferred a taller option (but the 82-inch height allows it to fit in home gyms with low ceilings)
• The unit can shake when using the top end of the stack, but not enough to be concerned
• Only comes with 1-year warranty

Bottom Line

The Titan Fitness Functional Trainer is much like the functional trainer you’d find in a commercial gym, in that it uses commercial-grade materials, but comes in a home gym footprint.

The Titan Fitness Functional Trainer looks and feels similar to the cable machines we’ve seen in countless commercial and hotel gyms. Does that mean it’s good for home gym use as well? We think so, and here are a few reasons why. 

GGR’s founder Coop Mitchell used this cable machine for full-body exercises for back, chest, and legs. He rated it a perfect 4 out of 5 for its smooth operation. “I personally think it’s a great value for those looking to add a compact and high-quality functional trainer to their home gym,” he says in our Titan Fitness Functional Trainer review.

While it feels durable and looks to be mostly made of steel, Titan doesn’t specify what gauge they use in their construction and there’s only a 1-year warranty on all the parts. Coop has had his for many years and hasn’t noticed anything too worrisome, and many of the customer reviews we’ve read through say the same.

On the bright side, the functional trainer uses aluminum pulleys that allow for smoother movements and are more durable compared to plastic pulleys.

It’s also incredibly versatile, with 20 different height adjustments and dual 200-pound weight stack that allow you to perform dozens of different exercises for a full-body workout. The weight stacks have a 2:1 ratio, meaning the max weight of 200 pounds actually only produces 100 pounds of force but that should be enough for the movements you’d be doing with this machine. 

In addition to the two ergonomic D-handles, you’ll also get a short bar, long bar, ankle strap, dual stirrup handles, rope handles, and single and double D-handles. 

“While there’s more affordable options out there, I think paying the extra money is worth it for a more high-quality machine,” Coop says.

Best Home Gym for Beginners: Bells of Steel Cable Tower with Weight Stack

Good for: Home gym novices looking for a beginner-friendly piece of equipment 

Best for Beginners

Bells of Steel Cable Tower With Weight Stack

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• 210-lb weight stack
• 2:1 pulley ratio
• Aluminum pulleys
• Compact
• Around $1,200
• Free shipping
• Limited lifetime warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact
• 210-lb weight stack
• Smooth aluminum pulleys
• 30 handle height options
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

• Must be bolted down
• Assembly can take a few hours
• Mounting hardware is not included

Bottom Line

An affordable and compact cable machine that can be used for hundreds of exercises.

The Bells of Steel Cable Tower with Weight Stack can truthfully be used by people of all fitness levels, but we find it best for beginners because of its versatility and ideal weight range for people trying to get into a fitness routine. 

You can perform all types of the best cable machine workouts, thanks to 33 height adjustments and two included handles. There are also a large number of attachments available, such as y-dip bar, belt squat, and close grip attachment.

The 210-pound weight stack works on a 2:1 pulley ratio, so it’s really only 105 pounds of force, which should accommodate beginners. The plate stack also adjusts in 10-pound increments.

GGR founder Coop, who extensively tested the BoS Cable Tower, called it “a home gym owner’s dream product.” Why? It has a high value proposition, is extremely versatile, and highly customizeable. Also, as Coop did, you can actually combine the plate-loaded version and the weight-stack version of this machine as you advance, giving you a full functional trainer with a 1:1 pulley ratio.

You can choose from two height options. Coop said he thinks the height of the short tower is slightly low, but it would work great for basements with low ceilings.

“The uprights are designed as 2-inch-by-2-inch with a specific hole size that does not work with many other companies who use a thinner gauge steel and a 1-inch hole,” Coop points out. In other words, you’ll need to purchase the attachments from Bells of Steel, not elsewhere.

Also, note that it is recommended that the tower be bolted down for stability.

For more, check out our Bells of Steel Cable Tower review.

Best Budget Home Gym: REP PR-1100 Home Gym Power Rack

Good for: People who want a versatile squat rack at a great price

Best Budget Home Gym

REP PR-1100 Home Gym Power Rack

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Rated at 700 lbs
• Designed for home and garage gym owners 
• Has professional features 
• Compact and versatile 
• Multi-grip pull-up arch

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good balance between value and versatility
• Shown to exceed durability and weight capacity expectations
• Budget-friendly
• Has different color options
• Multi-grip pull-up bar
• Flat-footed rack base
• Laser-cut numbers every five holes on uprights
• Plastic-lined J-cups
• Included chrome-plated safeties
• Ability to add attachments

Cons

• Competitors at this price range or less
• Assembly can take some time as it is largely bolted together
• 14-gauge steel
• 700-lb weight capacity

Bottom Line

The REP Fitness PR-1100 is, in our opinion, one of the best value squat racks on the market for those just starting a home gym or squat/bench less than 700 LB. In our review, we've found that this is a stable power rack with many features taken from racks twice its price. This includes upright color options, a multi-grip pull-up bar, UHMW j-cups, and numbered uprights. If you're trying to build a budget home gym, this is an excellent option, just be aware that you may want to upgrade in the future.

We’re big fans of the REP Fitness Power Racks, and while the PR-1100 is definitely one of the brand’s most basic setups, that’s kind of the beauty of it. It’s priced below $400, but it’s still a great piece of home gym equipment.

Coop Mitchell, founder of Garage Gym Reviews, has used and tested nearly all of REP’s power racks. “The PR-1100 will be more than enough for most people,” he says. “It’s not the same level of quality or durability as their higher-end racks, but it’s much cheaper and is a tremendous starter rack. I also like that they add colors.”

You can easily (and fairly affordably) add the accessories you need without paying for things you won’t use. REP offers add-ons and power rack attachments such as weight storage, a lat/low row attachment, dip bar, and landmine. However, this is a standard rack, so there are a host of other accessories from other companies that would likely fit in just fine.

Want more customization? You get four color options on this rack, many of which can also be found on REP Fitness’ adjustable and flat benches, so you can make your home gym look the way you want it to. 

The PR-1100 has a weight rating of 700 pounds, which is more than enough for most of us mere mortals. It’s also fairly compact, with a footprint that’s roughly 4-feet-by-4-feet. 

While most reviewers say the PR 1100 is easy to assemble, there were a few who pointed out that the wrench that REP sends isn’t great, and using their own tools simplified the setup process. GGR Operations Manager Sam “AsSAMbly” Presley, who put this rack together, cautions that you should wait until the entire power rack is assembled before tightening down the bolts. “This allows the rack to settle to the floor first and help prevent it from excessively wobbling back and forth,” he says.

Check out our full Rep PR-1100 Power Rack review.

Best All-in-One Home Gym: Torque Fitness F9 Fold-Away Strength Trainer

Good for: Those who want a machine that can do it all 

Best All-in-One

Force USA G20 All-In-One Trainer

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Use code GGR5 at checkout to save 5% on all Force USA orders above $1,200! 
• 578 lbs. of weight stacks
• 11 machines in one
• 29 attachments
• Durable steel construction

Pros & Cons

Pros

• More than 400 exercise options
• 11-gauge tubing
• Westside spacing with 51 adjustment points
• J-hooks and safety bars included
• Includes 578 lbs of stacked weights (dual 289-lb weight stacks)
• 3 chin up bars with knurling
• 1:1 pulley ratio for functional trainer
• 29 attachments included
• Additional lat pulldown station compatible
• Supports multiple users

Cons

• No dip bar attachment
• No barbell storage
• Only compatible with Olympic bumper plates
• Difficult assembly
• Shipping weight 1,525 pounds so not portable once delivered

Bottom Line

The Force USA G20 All-In-One trainer is an impressive strength training machine that combines 11 strength systems in one compact and stable unit making it possible to do hundreds of exercises at home. Although it comes at a price point that is overwhelming for many home gym owners, this piece’s overall value is still remarkable considering all that is included.

The Torque Fitness F9 Fold-Away Strength Trainer is for people looking to purchase only one piece of equipment that they can use for chest, back, and leg day. On top of the fact that each pulley gives you 94 inches of cable travel and there are 17 adjustment positions per upright, the pulleys can swivel which give you more room to do moves like bent-over cable rows or ab crunches.

To be clear, this is not the home gym for people who are looking to lift heavy weights. There are three weight stack options—150 pouns, 200 pounds, and 225 pounds—with a 2:1 ratio, meaning 50 pounds really feels like 25. That’s still enough weight for most home gym owners, but if you’re looking to PR in one of the three big lifts (bench, deadlift, and squat) you might want to look elsewhere on this list.

That said, the multiple adjustment positions and multi-grip pull-up bar are nothing to sneeze at. You’ll get a squat harness, straight bar, a pair of snap hooks, a pair of short strap handles, and a universal strap that can be attached to the weight stacks. The strap can be used for assisted chin-ups and dips, which are usually separate machines in a commercial gym. The accessories themselves are good quality, so we’ll give them a 4.5 out of 5 in that category.

Torque utilizes nylon pulleys instead of aluminum, so the cables aren’t as smooth but we still gave them a 4.5 out of 5 after trying them out.

The standout feature of this trainer, as GGR founder Cooper Mitchell explains in his Torque F9 Functional Trainer review, is the fold-away feature. Two doors close to hide the machine and optional stowable bench from children and pets, making it one of the safer home gyms. They come with a wood grain look, so it gives your home gym space a more distinguished look.

Best CrossFit Home Gym: PRx Profile ONE Squat Rack with Kipping Bar

Good for: People who are interested in a home gym that accommodates CrossFit movements

Best for CrossFit

PRX Profile PRO Squat Rack

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Wall-mounted 
• Folding
• Takes up just 4 in. when folded
• Perfect for garage or small commercial space 
• Made in the USA

Made in USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• When folded it is the best space saving rack on the market with a folded depth of 9".
• It is mounted to the wall and it folds up which means you have space when you are working out or when you need the garage for other things.
• The Profile Pro Rack comes in different sizes depending on your ceiling and your height.
• Almost every reviewer remarks on the ease of installation and assembly.
• If you have a smaller garage or home gym space then the size and accompanying storage features make it the perfect rack.
• The 11-gauge 3x3 steel uprights make it very high quality, and many reviewers made this same remark. For a product known for its compact size, the quality of construction does not suffer.
• Options for either a pullup bar or a kipping bar, both of which are high quality.
• A weight capacity of 1,000 pounds is sufficient for nearly ever lifter.
• Multiple color options to help with the aesthetics of a home gym.
• The installation hardware along with the plastic footplates protects your floor and walls.
• We dropped 500 LB on the rack to see if it would stay in the wall and it did. We were blown away and thankfully the wall wasn't.
• Most reviews echoed what this user had to say, "Great space saver with functionality and ease of use."

Cons

• If the studs in your garage are unevenly set, this rack can be more difficult to install.
• If your ceiling is not high enough, 90" or higher, then the rack will have to be modified.
• While it is high quality, it is expensive and you pay mainly for the space-saving features.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a high-quality space-saving squat rack, then the PRx Profile PRO Squat Rack is the one we would recommend. Just a quick perusal of the reviews will show you that it is high quality, easy to install, and most importantly takes up less space than any other squat rack on the market. If you have space for the Rogue or Titan power rack offerings, they have many more features and accessories for about the same price. However, if the most important thing in your decision-making process is space, then this is the squat rack for you. We prefer the PRO rack over the standard Profile, but either works well.

The PRx Profile ONE Squat Rack with Kipping Bar is a foldable squat rack that has all the essentials an aspiring CrossFitter needs—a pull-up bar on which you can perform kipping movements, a 1,000-pound weight capacity, and a compact profile.

A foldable squat rack is great for CrossFitters who may need more room in their home gyms for workouts. Coop Mitchell, GGR’s founder, has used the Profile Rack and says it’s extremely easy. “Very simply, you pull it down if you want to use it, and when you’re done, you put it back up,” he says. “The reason you purchase a rack like this is because this is the best portable, stowaway rack on the market.”

CrossFit athletes don’t use squat racks quite as often as other strength athletes, but the squat has universal applications for just about every fitness medium. Plus, the kipping bar can be used for all types of bodyweight movements, from muscle-ups to toes-to-bar.

“There’s really no like forward and back shake when you do CrossFit movements on this rack,” Coop says. “There’s only a little bit of side-to-side sway.”

And it costs under $1,000, so you’ll have plenty of money for other purchases. We can’t forget the folding feature, which only takes up 4 inches of wall space. That’s a win regardless of how you train.

PRx includes plastic feet to avoid any scratches on your home gym flooring and comes with J-cups for easy barbell storage. And you don’t have to take our work for it: This rack has more than 280 5-star customer reviews.

Best Home Gym With Interactive Programming: NordicTrack Fusion CST

Good for: People who want an interactive experience that includes both strength and cardio in one home gym machine

Best Home Gym With Interactive Programming

NordicTrack Fusion CST

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Fusion CST base
• Device stand
• Two ankle straps
• Two squat pulleys
• Six cable ends
• Bluetooth chest strap
• 10-inch tablet display
• Attached flywheel

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compatible with iFIT programming
• 10-Year Frame Warranty
• Quiet magnetic resistance
• Device holder

Cons

• Heavy at 378 lbs
• Customer service could be better
• 100 lbs of max resistance might not be enough for everyone

Bottom Line

If you're looking for a functional trainer with interactive programming, the NordicTrack Fusion CST might be a good option for you.

The NordicTrack Fusion CST is our pick for best with interactive programming due to the included touchscreen tablet that provides on-demand classes. The price is just under $2,000, which includes a free month of iFIT (the on-demand fitness classes).

iFIT not only utilizes the cables, but also incorporates cardio-based moves like burpees and jump squats to get your heart rate up. The interactive part of this home gym makes it easy to follow along for a full-body workout. iFIT has a multitude of on-demand classes with various instructors with new videos added daily.

RELATED: Best Workout Apps

While we haven’t gotten to use the Fusion CST yet, we have used iFIT extensively on other NordicTrack and ProForm machines. We love how iFIT learns your fitness level and makes adjustments accordingly.

At over 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide, the 378-pound Fusion CST needs a permanent or semi-permanent space. This machine has four cables at two different heights for exercises.

The warranty on this machine is only a year for the labor, parts, and included tablet. Although we appreciate the free month of iFit, the machine isn’t complex enough without the classes if you decide not to continue with it after the trial is over. 

iFIT costs a flat rate of $396 a year for a family membership, or $39 monthly. There is only up to 100 pounds of resistance on the CST, but it could still be a good option for those new to resistance training or simply needing a lower-impact workout. 

Most Portable Home Gym: MAXPRO Smart Connect Cable Machine

Good for: Those who want to be able to take their workouts on the road

Most Portable

MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• All-in-one machine that works different muscle groups
• Lightweight at 9 lbs
• Small footprint at 16" L x 10" W x 4" H
• Produces resistance up to 300 lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Lightweight
• Small footprint
• Produces resistance up to 300 lbs

Cons

• Pricey for a small piece of equipment
• Sub-par accessories
• Compatible app is not streamlined

Bottom Line

The MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine is a lightweight and portable full body machine, which offers up to 300 pounds of resistance. This makes it an extremely versatile piece of portable equipment with a small footprint.

A home gym that folds, weighs just 10 pounds, and could fit in your gym bag? That’s what the MAXPRO Smart Connect Portable Cable Machine is.

As the founder of Garage Gym Reviews, Coop Mitchell, points out, “It’s one of the smallest pieces of gym equipment we’ve reviewed.” When we first tested this product, we received it with a carrying bag. That bag is now part of the brand’s Elite Bundle, though we will tell you right now, you could throw this machine in a bookbag and be fine.

For a small machine, it packs a decent punch. Coop used it for all kinds of cable workouts, testing the 300 pounds of resistance it claims to have.

“A piece of equipment is only as good as you can use it for the quads, the hammies, the calves, the glutes, all the good stuff,” he says. “The MAXPRO can go up to 300 pounds, and yes, I’ve deadlifted that much on it.”

The MAXPRO also comes with an extensive workout library that includes both live and on-demand classes. One of the best parts of the app is that there is no subscription required. Of course, there is an “enhanced experience,” though Coop says the free version is just fine.

“It’s not perfect; it’s not like a Tonal or Peloton experience, however it’s free and it’s not awful,” he says. “It tracks your reps, it’s tracking calories, and it can also tell you the weight increment that you have and record your workouts.”

The basic portable machine comes with a long bar, workout handles, ankle/wrist straps, door mount system, and USB charger. However, if you upgrade to the Elite Bundle (which is twice the cost), you get the carrying case, foldable bench, and wall track so you can mount it.

“The bench, like the app, is just okay,” Coop warns.

The only place where MAXPRO received a rating of less than 4 from Coop and our product testers is on value. It’s regularly priced around $1,200, though we have seen it reduced by as much as 50% around holiday sales periods.

Read more in our MAXPRO Smart Connect Home Gym review.

Best Home Gym for Bodybuilders: Beyond Power Voltra I

Good for: Bodybuilders looking for customizable eccentric-style training 

Best for Bodybuilders

Beyond Power Voltra I

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Portable cable trainer
• Up to 200 pounds of resistance
• Easy to attach and detach
• Data tracking

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Portable
• Up to 200 pounds of resistance
• Can be brought through airport security
• Real-time data tracking

Cons

• Expensive
• Only has a one-year warranty

Bottom Line

The Beyond Power Voltra I packs all the benefits of a cable machine into a portable design, though it comes with a high price tag.

Attention bodybuilders: Eccentric training just got a whole lot better. The Voltra I from Beyond Power is a portable cable trainer that attaches to a squat rack and allows for customizable eccentric and concentric loads. This means you can perform your favorite exercises with the exact resistance you want and need. 

For example, you can use the 4-inch LCD touchscreen to program a Romanian deadlift to 100 pounds of resistance on the concentric (upward motion) and 175 pounds on the eccentric (downward motion). The small screen also enables you to track your reps, velocity, and power of each exercise. This feature is truly unique and something that can’t be replicated with resistance bands. 

“This is the smallest unit on the market that provides this much resistance,” says Coop. “It’s also so fun to use and work into a modular garage gym system.”

The basic package of the Voltra will set you back about $2,000. It comes with one cable, sliding rack mount, and D-handle. With such an expensive price tag, you may like knowing that one Voltra cable delivers up to 200 pounds, there are no subscription fees, weight 13 pounds, and it’s smaller than a shoe box. 

While the Voltra is highly customizable, keep in mind it’s intended to be used on a squat rack. You’ll get the best use from the Voltra if you have something to anchor it to. The sliding mount clamps to the uprights of a squat rack and moves up and down, much like a trolley on a functional trainer. 

Read more in our in-depth Beyond Power Voltra review. 

Other Home Gym Machines We Tested and Researched 

Here are some other home gyms we’ve tested and looked into, and why they didn’t make the cut. 

REP Fitness FT-3000 Compact Functional Trainer: This is a great option for those in smaller spaces, but there are concerns about it not being fully stable (it’s best if you bolt it to the ground) and the rods require some routine maintenance. 

Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym: Capable of more than 70 exercises, the main appeal of this home gym is that there’s no need to change cables between different exercises. The cost starts at $1,500, and comes with 210 pounds of resistance. At that price point, we think there’s better options with more versatility. 

BodyBoss 2.0 Portable Home Gym: This is a bar and resistance band system similar to the X3 Bar, but the materials are not as high quality. 

TRX Home2 System: We’re big fans of this suspension trainer, but when it came time to pick our favorites our top picks just had more versatility and muscle-building benefits than the TRX Home2 System. 

Force USA G6 All-in-One Trainer: This is the little brother to the Force USA G20 All-in-One Trainer, and combines nine machines into one. So you don’t get as much versatility as the G20, and our thought was either go big or go home. That said, if you want to save a little money on an all-in-one trainer, the G6 is $2,000 cheaper than the G20. 

Total Gym Apex G3: This machine is essentially an incline bench with cable pulleys, and while there’s nothing wrong with its concept we’re just not confident in its durability. 

Total Gym XLS Workout Machine: This is essentially the same machine as the one above it, just with more resistance and exercise options. Again, we’re just not sure it can withstand daily use and stay in good condition for long due to the quality of materials used.

How We Tested the Best Home Gym Machines

We have used more than 50 home gyms: power cages, cable machines, functional trainers, workout mirrors, and more. Our team, which includes certified personal trainers, competitive weightlifters, and endurance athletes, have performed all kinds of workouts across the span of years on these machines. We use an in-depth equipment testing methodology to rate these machines on a scale of 1 to 5 across categories that include the following:

Durability

We look for machines with high weight capacities, enabling people to lift hundreds of pounds (if they want to). Our team also assesses the quality of the steel used, if a machine has a lot of plastic, and how it holds up over time and against hundreds of workouts.

Versatility

A key aspect of any home gym machine is its ability to deliver a full-body workout across different modalities. We favor machines that can hit every muscle group, and give bonus points to those that allow for workouts using different types of equipment: cables, barbells, attachments, and more.

Performance

Our testers personally use these machines to assess how they perform. If it’s a cable machine, does it run smoothly, or is there a catch? If it’s a squat rack, is it sturdy, or does it wobble? If it’s a smart machine, is the picture clear and does the AI actually work?

Value

Is the machine priced appropriately? Would it offer enough value to home gym owners?

Warranty

We always look at the warranty for a machine. These home gyms should be durable and built to last, and we favor companies that back their products with warranties of 5 years or longer.

Benefits of Home Gym Machines

A home gym – or functional trainer, power rack, virtual trainer, etc. – is a great way to take your workouts from bodyweight movements into loaded movements. Kettlebells, free weights, and resistance tubes are great, but you can fold all the benefits of these into one piece when purchasing a home gym.

The resistance training a home gym provides is vital for your physical health, as studies have shown¹ that it can build muscle, promote bone development, and reduce low back pain even.

Plus, it saves you time traveling to and from the gym, it’s open 24/7, and you don’t have to wait for anyone else to be done using it like you would at a commercial gym.

How to Find the Best Home Gym Machine

I created Garage Gym Reviews to help people like you use their money wisely to buy fitness equipment that I stand behind. I do the dirty work testing machines to find you your best fit. To determine the best home gym for your fitness goals, consider the following:

Budget

Before purchasing anything, I recommend mapping out how much you’re willing to spend total on home gym equipment. Maybe you’re willing to put in some money now and more later in the year. Whatever the scenario is for you, make sure you have a clear understanding of what is in your price range so you’re able to pick the best budget home gym for you.

Home gym equipment isn’t cheap, and prices can start at $600 and go up to thousands of dollars. I recommend looking at financing options when available if it isn’t realistic for you to pay thousands of dollars in one go. Home gyms like the Tonal (among others) offer financing at under $150 per month.

Exercise Style

This seems obvious, but figure out what types of exercises you want to do. Don’t buy a piece of workout equipment that you know deep down you won’t like using in the long run. Home gyms come in many forms: a basic power tower, cable resistance machines, benches with dumbbells, plate stack resistance functional trainers, etc. You can also find machines that offer a lot of versatility because they combine one or all of these things.

RELATED: Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Weight Load

Some people are looking to build lower body strength while others want to develop all the muscle groups equally with a full-body workout. Before purchasing a home gym, research how many pounds of resistance the machine has and if it has the capability to hold more.

If you’re a more seasoned workout enthusiast, chances are you know exactly how much weight you need to build muscle. I recommend factoring in how much you want for lower body exercises because that’s likely a bigger number. If you are newer to weightlifting, you are likely okay with the standard 100 to 200 pounds of resistance that most quality machines provide.

Size

I recommend determining where you want to put your home gym before purchasing anything. I’m obviously partial to putting equipment in my garage, but you’ll need to decide what room or space is best for you. Consider the dimensions and weight of the machine when deciding where it will live.

Some home gyms are hundreds of pounds and extremely difficult to move. Others have wheels for easy storage or are wall-mounted and would need professional help to relocate. Are you willing to sacrifice some space for a larger home gym, or is it a non-negotiable that the machine is easily moveable?

Versatility

If you have a partner or family, chances are you’ll want to consult with them on the type of equipment they’d like to use. This is also a good time to ask about specific needs so everyone is able to use the machine.

Here are some things to consider for the comfort of everyone using the home gym:

• Adjustability: Can it be adjusted to accommodate various heights?
• Accessibility: Large print on screens, simple instructions for use
• Ergonomics: Wide seats, padded barbells
• Weight capacity: Can it accommodate the weight of all users?
• Range of resistance: Does it have enough weight for everyone to use?

Additional Accessories For Home Gyms

In order to get the most out of your home gym, consider if the piece of fitness equipment you are purchasing has accessories or extras that would enhance your workout. If you want to bench press, you will need a bench. If you want to do lat pulldowns, you will need a straight or curved bar.

Things to look for:

• Plate upgrades
• TRX straps or something similar
• Different variants of bars
• Gymnastic grips
• Jump belt
• Tricep rope
• Wall track
• Suspension handles
• Smith machine functionality

Programming

Don’t sweat being new to working out with a home gym, because many machines now come with fitness programming that will guide you through a variety of workouts with instructors. As mentioned above, these memberships usually cost money, which is something to keep in mind. The guided workout experience can be an easier way to exercise since there is no need to plan in advance.

FAQs

References

1. Westcott W. L. (2012). Resistance training is medicine: effects of strength training on health. Current sports medicine reports, 11(4), 209–216. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0b013e31825dabb8

Anthony O'Reilly, CPT, CNC

Anthony O'Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He's an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

Further reading

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