5 Essential Machines For Your Home Gym

After a long day of work, sometimes the idea of travelling to and from a crowded gym can be enough to put you off working out altogether. But as we all know, exercising regularly is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and more often than not, if you have specific goals in mind, having access to the equipment found in gyms is essential. 

There is a solution to this problem, and that is investing in your own home gym. Regardless of the space you have available or the budget you can spare, there will be options for you to create a functional at-home gym to cater for all your fitness needs. Do you need more convincing to take the leap to build your dream at-home gym? Why not have a read of why you should get an at-home gym? It includes all the relevant information regarding the realities of at-home gyms. 

Let's take a look at some of the essential machines to consider putting in your gym. 

Essential Cardio Machines For Home Gyms 

Your choice of a cardio machine will entirely depend on, one, the space you have available and, two, your preference for cardio. 

Compact Home Gym Cardio Machines

If you are limited in space and budget, you may only want to invest in one type of machine, and you will want that machine to provide you with a full-body cardio workout. 

Rowing Machines

The go-to option if you are limited on space is a rowing machine. This is because when used correctly, you are working from your head to your toes. You drive backwards with your legs, stabilise with your core and grip and pull with your upper body. It is also an unparalleled form of cardiovascular exercise.

Rowing machines tend to take up less room than some other types of cardio machines; they can either be pushed to the corner of a room or placed upright in a specialised stand. 

Make sure your form and technique on the rower are correct with our beginner's guide to rowing machines.

Steppers and Climbers

Stepmills are also fantastic forms of cardio exercise, as not only do they help you to build muscle and a healthy heart, but they are a form of functional fitness as well, benefiting you in everyday life. 

If you had spent time in a commercial gym, you probably would have seen a Stepmill. They are often more significant pieces of equipment, and a traditional step mill tends to be lower-body focused.  

However, the Sole CC81 Cardio Climber is a compact version of the same principle. Rather than a rotating set of steps, the Sole CC81 acts more like a stepper and climber all in one. Therefore it provides a full-body workout as well as a cardiovascular workout. Plus, it is low intensity, which relieves pressure on your joints. 

Essential Cardio Machines For Larger Home Gyms 

If you have more space to play with, you might want to invest in a couple of cardio machines to keep your workouts varied and exciting.

Elliptical Cross Trainers

Cross trainers, like the machines mentioned above, provide you with a full-body workout for toning muscles and improving cardiovascular health. They are also a low-impact form of exercise suitable for a range of fitness abilities. Therefore, they are a great option for someone just beginning their fitness journey or for someone recovering from an injury. 

The main downside to cross trainers is the room they require, so they are best suited for individuals with a larger space available to them. 

Weight Lifting Machines For Home Gyms

When exercising, it is imperative that you have a mixture of both cardio and strength training. Strength training is not just for bodybuilders; it is also crucial for those trying to lose weight. 

For more information on why you should be strength training, check out our blog: why strength training is important.

Cable Machines For Home Gyms

One of the most effective machines you can have in your home gym is a cable machine, or a dual adjustable pulley, as they are sometimes referred to. 

The reason that cable machines are so fantastic is that you have the option to work almost every muscle in your body with precision. Suppose you have a specific goal in mind, such as growing your glutes, toning your shoulder or strengthening your core. In that case, they are brilliant for isolating that target muscle and training it with an intensity that best suits your abilities. 

Cable machines are so versatile you really won't need another piece of strength training equipment. You can also find a variety of sizes, so depending on your available space, you should be able to find a cable machine to fit it. 

Unsure about the best type of strength training equipment for you? Check out our blog on cable machines vs free weights-which is best? 

Multigyms

If you have a bit more room and budget to play with, then a multi gym might be the best option for you. They really do provide you with everything you will need to successfully reach your strength training goals. 

There is a range of design options available, with many including the standard strength training machine elements. It's like having all the necessary strength machines you find at the gym rolled into one functional piece of equipment. 

Designing Your Own Home Gym 

If creating your own home gym sounds like the right path for you, but you are unsure where to start, we offer a bespoke gym design service, and we can help with conceptualising your dream workout space all the way through to the final installations. Ensuring that you have a functional gym space that feels right for you.