Bio Force 1.7

Unlike most home gyms, which use weight plates, the Bio Force 1.7 employs nitrogen-charged cylinders to provide resistance. Reviewers say these cylinders provide smoother and more consistent resistance than competing Bowflex gyms, which rely on rods that provide resistance when tension is applied. Weight can be adjusted from 10 to 170 pounds, and you can perform a variety of exercises using the Bio Force 1.7 home gym, including leg curls, tricep pull-downs, bicep curls and more. Users say this gym is relatively easy to use, and unlike many other home gyms, the assembly process is straightforward thanks to the detailed and easy-to-understand owner's manual. However, some reviewers feel 170 pounds is not enough for advanced weightlifters, and the Bio Force 1.7 has a short warranty of just one year. If you can afford to spend a little more, the Body-Solid EXM1500S (*Est. $950) is the top-rated home gym overall. It has one 160-pound weight stack and comes with a lifetime warranty.

We found the best information on the Bio Force 1.7 home gym at online retailers like Walmart.com and Amazon.com. Both sites have a good number of reviews, and Amazon.com's reviews are particularly helpful because they list verified purchases. Buzzillions.com, a website that compiles reviews from around the web, also has some user feedback. There is one anonymous review at HomeGymsReviewed.net, and although the writer is not identified, the review is relatively balanced.