Home Gyms: Reviews

Updated February 2012

What's the Best Home Gym? ConsumerSearch recommends top Home Gym Exercise Equipment from Body-Solid, Bowflex, BodyCraft and other brands.

Body-Solid EXM1500S

Best home gym

*Est. $950

Estimated Price

The Body-Solid EXM1500S is relatively affordable for a home gym, but reviewers say this value-priced machine provides an excellent workout. It has a single weight stack totaling 160 pounds, and the sturdy frame can accommodate numerous exercises from chest presses and leg curls to seated rows and biceps curls. Reviewers are impressed with the gym's smooth operation, and the relatively small footprint makes it a good choice for those with limited space, owners say. A lifetime warranty is another plus. The EXM1500S home gym is solid and durable, and Body-Solid receives a number of compliments for its responsive customer service. On a negative note, the assembly process can be frustrating; several users say the gym takes between four and six hours to put together because the instructions aren't always clear. Most reviewers are happy with the 160-pound weight stack, but advanced lifters say they need more weight.

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BodyCraft X2 Family Xpress

Best multi-station home gym

*Est. $4,600

Estimated Price

For avid weightlifters, the BodyCraft X2 Family Xpress has two 200-pound weight stacks and can accommodate two users simultaneously. Other features include an adjustable-position cable system for dumbbell-type exercises and an abdominal crunch station. Unlike the Body-Solid EXM1500S, the X2 has a leg press with up to 400 pounds of resistance. Even though it's expensive, reviewers say this high-quality home gym is an investment that will pay off for years to come. The BodyCraft X2 is covered by a lifetime warranty, and the substantial weight stacks ensure you won't outgrow the gym as your fitness improves. Not surprisingly, the X2 is heavy and bulky, and some reviewers are stunned by just how much space it occupies in their homes. Like many home gyms, the assembly process is complicated; the BodyCraft X2 Family Xpress includes more than 150 individual parts.

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Bowflex PR1000

Best compact home gym

*Est. $450

Estimated Price

Unlike the BodyCraft and Body-Solid gyms, the Bowflex PR1000 folds when not in use, making it a good choice for small spaces. As with most Bowflex gyms, the PR1000 uses resistance bands instead of weight plates. Users can perform more than 30 different exercises with up to 210 pounds of resistance. Reviewers say the Bowflex PR1000 is surprisingly sturdy for a compact home gym, and assembly is relatively easy compared to other gyms. Most users say the resistance rods move smoothly and provide a good workout, but advanced lifters say the gym isn't the best choice for building serious muscle. We also saw a few complaints that the PR1000 doesn't include many exercise options for the lower body.

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