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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

Compare Side By Side

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.

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 fit 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.

Key FeatureCombination functional trainer and squat rackGreat ForBarbell movements, pull-ups, cable exercisesProduct dimensions54.6” L x 59” W x 81” HPrice RangeStarting around $1,100

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

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

Best Budget Home Gym

REP PR- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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 helps prevent it from excessively wobbling back and forth,’ he says.

Check out our full REP PR- Power Rack review.

Key FeatureA quality power rack under $500Great ForBarbell movements, pull-ups, cable workoutsFootprint48.5” D x 58.1” L x 85” HPrice RangeAround $379

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

Smart product scoring: 4.6

Check Price Get $1,000 Off through 12/2

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.

Read our full Tonal Smart Home Gym review.

Key FeatureAI-powered, wall-mounted workout mirrorGreat ForCustomized strength workoutsFootprint21.50” W x 50.9” H x 5.25” DPrice RangeAround $4,000 (financing available)

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

Check Price Get 10% off for Black Friday

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 stacks 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.

Key FeatureA high-quality and compact cable machineGreat ForCable workouts, pull-upsFootprint82” H x 64” W x 44” DPrice RangeAround $2,500

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

Check Price Black Friday Sale: Get $150 Off

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.

Key FeatureCompact, lightweight home gym at just 17 lbsGreat ForBarbell and resistance band exercisesFootprint10” L x 19” W x 1” HPrice RangeAround $550

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

Check Price Get 17% off for Black Friday

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.

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