10 Best Home Gyms For All Budgets (Updated Reviews 2023)

1. Body Solid BSG10X – Our Top Pick For Most People

Product Specifications

My top pick for the best all-in-one gym is the Body Solid BSG10X, which will be the best option for most people.

This compact all-in-one home gym offers more than 40 upper and lower body exercises.

It is an affordable solution for people wanting to improve general fitness and lose a few pounds in the comfort of their own homes.

The 11-gauge mainframe is solid and stable. A gauge of steel stands for the thickness. Budget home gyms are, for example, 14-gauge, while 11-gauge is considered ideal for a home gym.

There is no need for home gyms to have a lower steel gauge than 11 because it will not be exposed to stress like machines in commercial gyms.

I didn't notice any bad welds with this product, which is very important since cracks, oversized and undersized welds, among other things, can affect the stability and safety and reduce the service life of the equipment.

You will see fancy descriptions like "military spec" or "steel aircraft cables," but what you need to know is that all other parts are also high-quality, including the standard 2,200 lb. tension strength cables, adjustable seat, and weight rack.

The pulley ratio is 1:1. I prefer a 2:1 ratio because it feels smoother, but that's just my preference; there is nothing wrong with a 1:1 ratio, especially at this price point.

You can perform over 40 exercises on the Body Solid BSG10X.

This includes all standard upper body exercises like the lat pulldown, chest press, and cable row. In addition, the BSG10X comes with a harness that you will use for a cable abs workout.

Sometimes, the ab harness that comes with the equipment is uncomfortable, but I didn't have a single complaint about this one.

As for legs, Body-Solid offers a leg press attachment, but you have to buy it separately, and it's not cheap, costing over $300.

You can still perform the leg curl and calf raises without the attachment.

In addition, I’ve tried to be creative and use a low pulley for squats and deadlifts instead. This home gym turned out to be suitable even for those exercises.

You can do the lower cable squat by setting the cable lowest to the ground. Take the appropriate attachment and weight.

Then grab the rope/bar/handle and stand 3 to 5 feet from the machine, depending on how hard you want it to be.

Keep your arms straight while squatting. The 160lb weight stack should be enough for most people.

If you want to do a full-body workout, cardio workouts, and have free weights as well, space can be a problem.

You won't have to worry about space here because the Body Solid BSG10X is a compact model. It is one of the shortest home gyms at 80 inches in height.

Most similar models are 3-5 inches taller, so ceiling clearance can be an issue in bedrooms or basement gyms with low ceilings.

One big bonus for people buying the BSG10X is that it comes 90% pre-assembled in a single, reinforced cardboard box.

So you won't have to become an engineer to decipher the diagrams and assemble it.

Although most home gyms take 5+ hours to put together, this model should be much faster since the cables have been hung and strung by the factory.

It took me just over an hour to put it into operation.

All these positive features with very few downsides made Body Solid BSG10X our top choice for most people.

It is, however, more suited to beginners and intermediate users who want to get toned, lose weight, or maintain a high level of general fitness.

If bulking up is your goal, continue reading, as the next product on our list is for you.

Also Check Out - Complete Body-Solid BSG10X Review

2. Force USA G12 - Top Of The Range

Product Specifications

I had no doubts that the Force USA G12 would be the winner in the "Top Of The Range" category because it is so advanced that it could be used in a commercial gym and not just as a home gym.

At the same time, I was amazed how compact it is considering all the features.

The price will probably catch your attention first. Yes, it is expensive and not for those on a budget. Let's forget the price for a moment, though.

The features of this high-quality home gym should be our focus now.

Force USA G12 is not described as a home gym for beginners, but I still recommend it to everyone, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned bodybuilder.

My opinion is that beginners and bodybuilders need 80% of the same things, at least if beginners want to progress quickly.

That's why I don't think that the Force USA G12 has anything redundant for beginners and has all the advanced features needed for weight and powerlifting home gyms. You can also check out our Force USA G9 review for a cheaper model.

Force USA G12 features nine strength training home gym machines in one. 

The Smith machine, home gym power rack, functional trainer, dip and chin-up station, vertical leg press, core trainer, suspension trainer, and low-row machine in one.

The dual-weight stacks, level of adjustability, and stability do not lag behind the best commercial gym equipment.

In addition, the 12-gauge frame is sturdy, and the limited lifetime warranty is an excellent sign that the frame will last for decades.

It is possible to do over 300 different exercises on this machine. 

Whether I was doing cable crossovers, squats on the Smith machine, or dips, this home gym turned out to be perfect and I am yet to notice any flaws with this home gym.

One of my favorite features is the handle size, which are ideal and easy to use. I also have to mention the angles that are perfect for maximum muscle activation.

The sufficiently large weight stack and simplicity of changing weight plates are just some more characteristics that make it second to none.

Two 200 lb weight stacks guarantee that even weightlifters will be satisfied, especially with a pulley ratio of 1:1, which means you will feel 100% of the weight.

There's even a landmine station, which allows you to hit your pecs, shoulders, and other muscle groups from a different angle.

Storage hooks for power rack accessories are very handy, and the weight plate storage consists of six plate holders that are 8 inches long, which is more than enough.

The vertical barbell storage is suitable for both an Olympic barbell and a standard barbell and will help you keep your space neat.

Every experienced exerciser knows that keeping home gym setups tidy takes work, especially after finishing barbell exercises.

The protective rubber on the j-hooks helps prevent scratches to the barbell, and this is just one of the many indicators that the manufacturer paid attention to every detail.

In addition, the j-hooks are solid and can safely hold heavy weights. The weight capacity of the home gym squat rack is also great.

Once it is delivered, I advise getting at least one person to help you put it together. The 28-page PDF manual and a large number of different parts suggest that you will need help to do it.[1]

Although there are holes in the feet, keep in mind that you cannot anchor the G12 to the floor. It's big and heavy, though, so you don't have to worry about stability even without anchors.

Remember that the warranty is only valid when used in a private indoor home setting by home occupants.

Use in commercial settings (commercial gyms, hotels, and apartment complexes) voids the warranty.

Whether you want a bodyweight workout, strength training, or functional training for a specific sport, Force USA G12 is the only home gym you will ever need.

Need more detail? See my full Force USA G12 Review

3. Marcy MWM-988 - Top Budget Pick

Product Specifications

Newbies and even intermediate exercisers on a budget only need so many machines, parts, and accessories in their basements.

People who sit 8+ hours daily just want light physical activity, and their goal is not to become Mr. Olympia. If that's you, then the Marcy MWM-988 is the best buy.

MWM-988 is the best compact home gym on the market, perfect for upper-body workouts. I've found the 150lb weight stack enough for arms, back, chest, and core.

Although cables cannot be as effective as free weight exercises, using this home gym, I’ve activated the entire upper body workout without using dumbbells and other types of weights.

It is also adapted to cable leg exercises, and you can do curls, leg extensions, and kicks. Even so, I didn't find it as efficient for the lower body as it is for the upper body.

The resistance seemed insufficient to me, but I believe that beginners will be satisfied.

The 14-gauge steel does not suggest that the frame is powerfully built, especially compared to the 11-gauge mainframe of the Body Solid BSG10X.

Having said that, it is more solid than expected in the flesh and good enough for home use.

A few customers complained that the Marcy MWM-988 arrived all banged up, but mine arrived without visible signs of damage. It is not very easy to assemble or disassemble this Marcy home gym.

You can put it together yourself, but if you are not experienced with putting furniture together and don’t have all the usual tools, it will take you a few hours.

So if you want to shorten the work, ask someone to give you a hand. With the help of my colleagues, I managed to halve the time it would have taken me otherwise.

I would prefer a longer warranty period than the 2-year limited warranty the company offers.

If Body-Solid can provide you with a 10-year warranty on a frame in a similar price range, there is no reason for Marcy to lag behind.

If you are looking for a model under $1000, don't look any further. You won't find a better one than the Marcy MWM-988 since it is versatile and sturdy, yet compact.

See Related - Complete Marcy MWM-988 Review

4. Force USA G6 - Best Value Pick For Serious Bodybuilding