Home gym machines are extremely popular pieces of training equipment. This is primarily down to the fact that their design allows the user to perform a wide range of exercises and strengthen every muscle of the body.
Because they combine the functions of several resistance machines in one unit, home gym machines negate the need to purchase multiple resistance machines and therefore save space.
This article will review seven of the best home gyms available in Australia. It will then go on to a buyer’s guide to help you to make the best choice, and then discuss the benefits associated with a home gym machine.
Let’s begin by reviewing seven of the best home gym equipment options in Australia:
Force USA G6 All-In-One Home Gym Trainer
Force USA’s G6 Home Gym is a highly versatile training tool that can take each workout to the next level.
Once again, this is another home gym that has been designed to allow you to perform a wide variety of different exercises.
A stand-out feature of this machine is the fact that it comes with an in-built Smith machine and a huge 90.5kg weight stack.
In addition to this, it also contains a power rack, dipping and pull-up station, leg press, and suspension trainer. The options are limitless!
What We Like:
- High Quality
- In-Built Smith’s Machine
- 90.5kg Weight Stack
- Exercise Choices
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
Proflex Multi-Function Home Gym Exercise Machine
While providing fewer choices than the aforementioned machines, the Proflex Multi-Function is still a superb choice for any home workout.
With its heavy-duty steel frame, sweat-proof material, and advanced cushioning this machine is bound to last the test of time.
For individuals looking to improve upper body strength and size, this machine may be the best choice as it allows for a range of upper body exercises including bench press, rows, lat pulldowns, bicep curls, and tricep extensions.
What We Like:
- Strong Steel Frame
- Durable Materials
- Comfortable
- Excellent Choice For Upper Body Development
What We Don’t Like:
- Restricted To Upper Body Only
Everfit Multi Station Home Gym
For those who are working on a budget, the Everfit Multi Station may be best.
Despite being relatively inexpensive, this home gym is very well made and this is reflected by the fact that it has a weight capacity of 380kg. It allows you to perform up to eight different exercises on it.
Furthermore, the machine can be adjusted to set the chin-up and dipping stations to the preferred height.
Lastly, the weight bench can cleverly be folded away which helps to save space.
What We Like:
- Cost-Effective
- Large Weight Capacity
- Adjustable Stations
- Foldable Bench and Space Saving
What We Don’t Like:
- Basic Design
Muscle Motion Light Commercial Multi Station Home Gym
If your goal is to build strength throughout the body, the Muscle Motion Multi-Station Home Gym makes an excellent choice.
The clever design of this home gym allows for a vast number of exercises to be performed.
It comes with a leg press station which is a feature that is not commonly found in many standard home gym machines.
While it may be slightly bigger than other machines, it has a highly durable construction and is equipped with excess padding to ensure that the user feels supported, secure, and comfortable during each workout.
What We Like:
- Exercise Choices
- Leg Developer Station
- Durable Design
- Highly Comfortable
What We Don’t Like:
- Relatively Large
TRX All-in-One Suspension Training Home Gym Set
While not technically a home gym machine, the TRX is one of the best pieces of workout equipment for a home gym.
The TRX is a suspension trainer that uses bodyweight and gravity in order to improve strength and fitness. It is simply an adjustable strap with handles and loops at the end.
By positioning the body in particular ways and utilizing these handles and straps, a countless number of exercises can be performed.
One of the great features of the TRX is that is portable and can be used practically anywhere that provides an anchor point, such as a door or a tree.
What We Like:
- Cost-Effective
- Simple To Use
- Highly Versatile
- Portable and Practical
What We Don’t Like:
- Needs A Suitable Anchor Point
Powertrain Multi-Station Home Gym with Punching Bag
For those who are keen boxers or wish to improve their level of aerobic fitness, the Powertrain Multi-Station makes the best choice.
As well as providing multiple exercise stations for the upper and lower body, the machine also comes with a punching bag.
Not only is the machine equipped with a 165lbs weight stack, but it also comes with two dumbbells.
Finally, considering the quality of the machine and all of the additional features, the machine is extremely affordable.
What We Like:
- Variety of Upper and Lower Exercises
- Punching Bag Included
- 165lbs Weight Stack and Two Dumbbells
- Well-Priced
What We Don’t Like:
- Max Capacity Limit
Proflex 7-in-1 Weight Bench Press Multi-Station Home Gym
The Proflex 7-in-1 Weight Bench allows you to perform lower, upper, and core work. The design is simple; a standard bench press bench with a leg developer station that can be used to perform both leg extensions and leg curls.
The position of the bench can also be quickly and easily adjusted for both decline and incline bench press.
There are also fittings to the side of the bench that can be used to perform chest flyes.
As with the Everfit Home Gym Machine, this is another great choice for those who are working on a budget.
What We Like:
- Exercise Choice
- Simple Design
- Ease of Use
- Cost-Effective
What We Don’t Like:
- Barbell and Weight Plates Not Included
Home Gym Buyer’s Guide
When buying a home gym machine, it is crucial that you select the machine that best suits the space you have available, your fitness goals, needs, and preferences.
Machine Size
The first consideration to be made is the size of the machine. While some machines provide several options in terms of exercise selection, these machines tend to be slightly larger and occupy more space.
On the other hand, smaller machines will take up less space, however, may not allow as many exercise options.
The best home gym would be one that is relatively compact while still giving you an array of exercise options.
Exercise Options
The design of the machine will determine the exercises that can be performed on it. Take some time to consider your goals and preferences as this will allow you to choose the most suitable machine.
For example, if your goal is to build upper body strength, the best machine would be one that allows you to perform a range of upper body resistance exercises.
For some, having a large selection to choose from may not actually be conducive to training. If this is the case, it may be best to select a more simplistic home gym machine.
Strength and Durability
Before purchasing a home gym it is always worthwhile to assess the quality of the machine.
While it is not always the case, typically cheaper home gyms will be made of cheaper materials and will be less durable.
More expensive home gyms tend to use higher quality components and are consequently more durable and operate with greater efficiency.
For the consumer, finding the right balance between cost and quality can be tricky, however, all of the home gyms mentioned in this article provide real value for money.
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Ease Of Use and Safety
There is no denying that home gyms can be confusing to operate with many adjustable levels, attachments, weight stacks, pins, handles, and a pulley system.
As highlighted, some home gyms can allow you to perform a huge range of exercises, however, for many of these to be completed, the machine needs to be adjusted.
Failure to understand how the home gym operates may lead to serious injury, therefore, it is essential that you understand how to safely operate the home gym and make appropriate adjustments where necessary.
The Benefits Of Using A Home Gym
Full Body Workout
When it comes to strength training, there are few machines that offer a full-body workout.
The majority of exercise machines will concentrate on specific movements and muscle groups.
However, a home gym machine makes it possible to perform a variety of exercises and allow you to train all muscle groups.
The best home gyms will have exercises for every major muscle group allowing you to improve whole body strength.
Build Muscle Strength and Size
The home gym machine primarily uses cables and weights to apply resistance to the muscles.
Therefore, regularly using the home gym machine in conjunction with good nutrition will cause the muscles to increase in strength and size.
Increasing muscular strength and size can have a substantial benefit on a range of everyday activities, composition, general movement, and injury risk.
Lose Body Fat
While participating in strength training has evident benefits on muscle strength size, it can also facilitate fat loss.
Ultimately, a calorie deficit is required to cause fat loss. Strength training is associated with a large calorie burn which can contribute towards this deficit and consequent fat loss.
Furthermore, performing a range of strength exercises on a home gym machine can help prevent muscle tissue breakdown during the fat loss process.
The best results will be achieved if combined with a diet plan and cardio exercise.
Safe and Easy To Operate
On the face of it, the home gym machine may look confusing. However, not only are the majority of the machines simple to set-up, adjust, and operate, they are also extremely safe and comfortable.
They certainly have the advantage over free weight training as barbells, dumbbells, resistance bands, and kettlebells can be more tricky to set-up and use.
Finally, the risk of being injured on a weight machine is much less than with free weights.
This is primarily due to the fact that machines allow movement in a fixed plane and require less balance and coordination than free weights.
Space Efficient and Cost-Effective
As highlighted, one of the best selling points of the home gym is its versatility.
Combining several resistance exercises into one machine removes the need to purchase multiple resistance machines.
Therefore, by purchasing a home gym, you will save a great amount of space while still being able to perform a great workout.
As well as saving space, buying a home gym rather than multiple pieces of gym equipment will also help you save money.
Using A Home Gym To Build Strength
When it comes to developing strength, resistance is needed and most home gyms will utilize a combination of external weight and bodyweight to do this.
But how does performing a resistance-based workout actually lead to strength development and how can you best develop full-body strength?
Adaptations To Resistance Training
One of the most significant changes that occurs as a result of resistance training is neural adaptation.
This simply refers to changes to the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
With regular practice and repetition, the nervous system adapts causing coordination and muscle recruitment to improve thus facilitating an increase in strength.
Change also occurs directly to the muscle. The demands of resistance training actually cause muscle fibers to break down at a microscopic level.
During the recovery process, these microtears are repaired and consequently increase in size and strength.
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Developing Full-Body Strength
How then can you use the home gym to maximize strength improvements?
Firstly, if you wish to develop strength throughout the body, you must purchase home gym equipment that allows you to perform an array of upper and lower movements.
Secondly, it is recommended that you follow a training program. Not only will help to keep you accountable and your training consistent, it should also balance the amount of upper and lower body work that you perform and ensure that strength develops equally.
Thirdly, the program you use should apply progressive overload. This is the principle of gradually increasing the intensity of each workout over time. Applying this principle will ensure that strength development does not stagnate.
Finally, it is crucial that recovery is prioritized. As briefly touched on, the muscle fibers must be repaired in order to adapt. Failing to recover properly from training sessions will not optimize improvements.
