8 tips for buying a home gym or multi-gym

Functional trainers

A functional trainer uses cables and pulleys, so you determine the range of motion yourself. This type of strength station is often chosen by people who want to train in a very versatile way and do exercises that are functional for their sport or daily life.

Smith cage

A Smith cage is a strength station with a guided barbell, ideal for heavy exercises such as bench presses, deadlifts and squats. Depending on the model, a Smith cage also has extra features such as a pull-up bar.

Single stations

Single stations are strength machines specifically designed to train one muscle group optimally. This type is often used in gyms, physiotherapy practices and hotels, but it can also be a great addition to your home gym.

The strength exercises you can do on a home gym

One of the biggest advantages of a home gym is the wide variety of exercises you can do on it. A good home gym lets you train (almost) every muscle group in your body effectively, so you always have a complete solution for your strength goals.

Which exercises are available depends on the design and the available accessories of the home gym. A basic station often offers exercises such as chest flies and lat pulldowns, while more advanced models offer extra options such as leg curls, pull-ups and dips. Some can even be fitted with special extensions for even more exercises, for example for your legs or abs. The Finnlo Autark models are a good example of this.

It is important to choose a machine that matches your training goals. If your focus is on building strength, for example, then exercises such as lat pulldowns, chest flies and leg presses are important (though of course not the only ones). If you also want to train your arms separately, for example your biceps and triceps, separate cables are a nice bonus. Also check whether the home gym has adjustable and rotating parts, so you can train from different angles to work your muscles in different ways and add variety.

Tip 2: Will you use the home gym at home or in a professional setting?

Depending on where you want to use your new strength station or strength equipment, you can choose a strength station for home use or a strength station for a professional setting such as a physiotherapy practice, gym or, for example, a corporate fitness room. The wishes and needs will differ considerably.

If you are looking for a strength station (home gym) for your home, you will have different requirements from a gym or physiotherapy practice. A compact machine with all the bells and whistles is perfect for home use, for example, but may be less practical for a physiotherapy practice or gym.

That is why it is important to look carefully at your wishes and needs (or those of your clients) and at what the strength station must offer at a minimum.

Tip 3: Which features matter in a home gym?

A home gym is a versatile piece of fitness equipment on which you can do many different strength exercises, but with so many machines available the choice can be overwhelming. Although the basic principles of a home gym seem simple, several features can make a big difference to the quality and ease of use of your workouts. To help you make the right choice, we have listed the most important criteria for you. By taking these points into account, you can choose the home gym that perfectly matches your training goals, the space available and your personal preferences. Let's look at the key features:

• The type of weight system
• The weight stack (weight capacity)
• The dimensions
• Upholstery and comfort
• Stability and materials

The type of weight system

Home gyms come with two different types of weight system: selectorised weight stacks and plate-loaded systems. Each type has its own unique characteristics, pros and cons. Let's take a closer look.

Selectorised weight stack

A home gym with a selectorised weight stack is popular with home users and professional businesses alike, and you will find this system on most home gyms. The machine uses a fixed weight stack and you select the desired weight by inserting a pin into a hole. The system is very easy to use, safe and user-friendly, which makes it ideal for beginners and advanced users.

Some advantages of this system:

• User-friendly
• Safer thanks to the enclosed weights
• Space-saving

Some disadvantages of this system:

• Limited expandability: special weight plates are needed to add more weight.
• Fixed weight increments, often in steps of 5 kg.

Plate loaded (free weights)

A plate-loaded system consists of pins / bars onto which you slide weight plates. These weights are then directly connected to the mechanism of the strength station, for example a lever or pulley system.

Some advantages of this system:

• More flexibility: you can easily add different plates
• Often a higher load capacity
• A more realistic feel, as these systems depend less (or not at all) on pulleys / cables.

Some disadvantages of this system:

• You need extra equipment such as weight plates and collars (30mm or 50mm) to secure them.
• Changing plates takes more time.

Plate-loaded strength stations are therefore more often used by advanced athletes, in professional settings or when you want to train towards a very specific goal.

The weight stack (weight capacity)

The weight stack, i.e. the total amount of weight the home gym offers, is one of the more important factors when choosing your new home gym. It not only determines how heavy you can keep training, but also how long you can keep using the machine as you get stronger. That is why it is wise to choose a home gym with a generous weight capacity, so you have enough of a challenge for a long time.

Expanding the weight

If you keep making good progress, it is nice to be able to keep training after that too. In that case, choose a home gym whose weight capacity can be expanded.

The dimensions

When choosing your new home gym, it is important to look carefully at the dimensions of the machine. Look not only at the exact dimensions of the machine itself, but also at the extra space needed to perform your exercises safely and correctly.

To train as comfortably and safely as possible, take into account the length and width of the machine, as well as the height of your ceiling. This is especially important if your home gym lets you do pull-ups. Otherwise you will keep bumping your head on the ceiling, which is not much fun.

It is also important to have enough freedom of movement around your new machine. Ideally, do not place your home gym tight against the wall or close to other objects. We recommend leaving at least 50 cm of space around your home gym. We also always advise you to look at the space required for use as well as the product dimensions. With a functional trainer, for example, it is nice to have at least 1 but preferably 2 metres of space in front of the station to perform the exercises. Some home gyms also have extendable parts or moving levers that need extra space during use.

If you have limited space, there are also special compact home gyms. These models are specially designed to take up less floor space.

The upholstery and grips of the home gym

The upholstery of a home gym is often overlooked. Yet the quality of the upholstery has a direct influence on your comfort, safety and the durability of your machine. Let's take a closer look at the upholstery.

The quality and thickness of the upholstery

The upholstery should be made of strong, durable material that can withstand intensive use. Vinyl or (synthetic) leather is often used, because these materials are easy to clean and resistant to sweat and intensive use.

Comfortable machines generally have thicker, firmer seats and padding. That is nice when you do exercises in which you sit or lie for a longer time, such as bench presses or leg curls. Good upholstery also prevents you from easily sliding off the seat.

The handles and grips

Besides the upholstery, the handles and grips also play an important role in user comfort. Well-designed grips give you a firm and comfortable hold during your exercises. This prevents your hands from slipping due to sweat and reduces the risk of blisters or other discomfort.

Ergonomic design

As well as good-quality, thick upholstery, ergonomics are important too. This means the shape of the seat and backrest should support your body optimally. Check, for example, whether both the seat and the backrest are adjustable (if possible), so you can tailor your position exactly to your build and the specific exercises.

Stability and materials used

Stability and the materials used determine your safety and the durability and quality of your strength workouts. A home gym must be sturdy enough to handle intensive, heavy loads without wobbling or moving during use. Stability is largely determined by the frame: models with a high-quality steel frame are generally more stable and durable than lighter constructions. If you like, our fitness specialists will be happy to advise you on this. As a rule, heavier machines are more stable, especially when performing heavy exercises such as squats and bench presses.

Tip 4: Set the budget for your new home gym

Setting your budget is an important step when buying your new home gym. Prices for a home gym from our collection range from around €600 to €10,000 (home models), depending on factors such as the brand, the quality and the features of the machine. A lower budget usually means a simpler home gym with more limited functions, while a higher investment quickly gets you a premium model with more advanced options that you can get more out of.

Would you like a home gym but does it not necessarily have to be new? We also regularly have used strength stations available. These are considerably cheaper than a new one.

What else should you consider when setting your budget?

Your fitness goals: If you only want to do basic exercises, a simpler model may be enough. If you want to train in a more versatile and heavier way, we recommend a more extensive model, because it will last you longer.

How often you will use it: Invest in a high-quality home gym if you plan to use it intensively or if several people at home will train on it.

The long term: A home gym is an investment. A more expensive model with more extensive options will be better value in the long run and give you more enjoyment for longer.

The different home gym brands

When choosing your new home gym, the choice is huge: there are a great many different brands. Each brand has its own unique vision and approach, and one brand may focus only on entry-level models while another focuses only on premium models.

Premium brands

Premium home gyms are known for their high-quality materials, innovative technologies and extensive options. Some brands in the premium class are:

Mid-range brands

Besides the premium brands, there are of course also good mid-range brands, such as:

Tip 5: Define your training goals

The great thing about home gyms is that they are versatile machines you can use for different training goals. You can improve both your strength and your overall fitness, so they offer countless ways to achieve your specific goals, such as:

Muscle building and strength training: This one speaks for itself: home gyms are perfect for anyone who wants to get stronger or build muscle mass. With the wide range of exercises, such as (depending on the machine) bench presses, lat pulldowns, chest flies and so on, you can train different muscle groups in a targeted way.

Rehabilitation and recovery training: Thanks to the controlled movements and the ability to set the weight precisely, a home gym is also ideal for people who need to do rehabilitation training.

Functional training: The versatility of a home gym also lets you train functionally, working on a stronger and fitter body that makes your daily activities easier and reduces the risk of injury.

Tip 6: Assemble it yourself or have it installed

When you buy your new home gym, depending on the machine, you can choose to assemble it yourself or use our professional installation service.

If you choose to assemble the home gym yourself, you always receive clear instructions that let you get started step by step. Your machine is then delivered to you in boxes. This is a good option especially if you are very handy and want to save some costs.

Would you rather not do it yourself? Then you can also use our installation service, in which our experienced fitness professionals put your new home gym in the desired spot, assemble it completely and test it. That way you know you always have a properly working machine and can start training straight away. Please note that extra costs apply for the installation service; you can find these on the product page of the machine.

Tip 7: Extra accessories for your home gym

Want to get the most out of your home gym? There are also various strength accessories available that improve your training experience and keep your machine in top condition. These accessories range from training aids such as bars, ropes, straps and much more to rubber floor tiles that protect your floor. With the right accessories, you can train in a challenging, safe, comfortable and efficient way. Let's look at the different options:

Strength accessories for an extra challenge and more exercises

If your home gym does not come with all the accessories you want, you can usually add them later. This makes your workouts even more challenging and varied. Our collection includes various ropes, which are perfect for exercises such as triceps extensions and biceps curls. You can also go for a special bar, such as an EZ bar, straight bar or row handle, to train your arms and back. Or special straps, such as ankle straps, which let you train your legs, thighs and glutes in a targeted way. In short, you will find an accessory for training every muscle group in a very targeted way, so you can expand your home gym for an even more dynamic workout.

Special floor mats for your home gym

Special floor mats, also called puzzle mats or rubber mats, are a must-have when you set up your home gym. They protect your floor against scratches and damage. They also provide excellent cushioning, reducing loud noises and vibrations, which is ideal if you train in an apartment or on an upper floor. They are also nice if you do floor exercises, have a separate weight bench or use loose weight plates.

Puzzle tiles are easy to put together and can easily be adapted to the size you want. Puzzle tiles offer extra good protection, are thicker and are suitable for more intensive use.

Tip 8: Test and view the home gyms in store

Choosing the perfect home gym can be quite a challenge in itself, especially if you can only see the machine online. Are you still in doubt, or would you like to try out the machine first? Then visiting our physical store is the logical next step. By seeing and trying out the home gym in real life, you get a much better idea and feel for its quality, stability and ease of use. You can test the movements, better estimate the dimensions and feel whether the machine is comfortable and ergonomic enough for your build.

In our store you can also compare different models straight away and get advice from our fitness specialists. Our specialists can help you choose the ideal home gym that perfectly matches your fitness goals, available space and budget. You can also get advice on extra accessories and expansion options for an even more extensive workout.

Conclusion

If you want to buy a home gym, it is important to make the right choice and go for the home gym that matches your wishes and needs. When choosing your new home gym, it is important to consider several factors, such as the type of weight system, the weight capacity, stability and materials, and the space you have available. It is also important to think carefully about your training goals and your budget. Want to get the most out of your workouts? Then consider enriching your strength training with extra strength accessories so you can train with even more variety.

Also, don't forget the importance of good ergonomics, comfort and safety. High-quality upholstery and a sturdy frame ensure that you can train with peace of mind. Still in doubt and want to be sure you make the best choice? Then it is best to try out the home gym you want in our store, so you can test and experience it right away.

Want to buy a home gym and looking for advice?

Our fitness specialists are happy to help you with any questions you have about home gyms, so you can make a well-considered choice and get the most out of your strength training. You can contact our fitness specialists on +31 85 773 00 57, send us an email or visit our showroom in Volkel, the Netherlands.