Building a home gym is a major commitment. You have to figure out your fitness goals, research the right equipment, then you have to go out and buy all the separate pieces to make one full gym. That’s a lot of time and money involved!
One viable solution for many people looking to build a home gym is to buy a home multigym. These all-in-one gym systems allow you to do a wide variety of workouts so that you don’t have to buy a ton of different pieces just to get a good workout in.
But are home multigyms worth it? Here’s everything you need to know before purchasing one of these comprehensive gym systems.
Is It Worth Investing In A Home Gym?
Building a home gym is a great investment if you’re already used to hitting the gym and want a more convenient and personalized option in the comfort of your own home. It’s also a good investment for beginners who want to become healthier and more fit but don’t want to pay a monthly fee or can’t make the regular commute to a normal gym.
It’s definitely worth noting that not all home multigyms are made equal, though, and that just because you purchase an all-in-one-gym, it doesn’t mean you’re going to immediately start getting the physique you want.
It’s just like purchasing a gym membership: the equipment itself can only get you so far, and you need to have a plan to use it regularly. You’re putting more of your own money and time into investing in a home gym, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re actually using it often and committing to a solid diet and exercise plan if you want to capitalize on the results. Otherwise, you can also just buy simple weight equipment like dumbbells and get a similar result.
In short: you’re not just investing your money to build the gym. You also need to invest the time to actually use it if you’re looking for results. You’ll get as much out of your home gym as you put in!
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Owning A Multi Home Gym?
Pros
- Less time shopping around. Having a good functional gym means having a lot of different kinds of equipment and tools. Buying an all-in-one multigym can save you the time and effort it takes to research and buy all the separate pieces on their own.
- Saves money. In addition to saving you time from having to buy multiple pieces for one workout, a home multigym can usually consolidate your costs, leaving you spending less money than you would on several different pieces. It’ll also save you the money you would spend for a commercial gym membership to get access to the same kinds of equipment.
- Usually more compact. All-in-one multigyms are usually designed specifically with home gyms in mind, and as such they utilize some handy design features to make the most out of the space that you have. You’ll find that most multigyms will have a variety of different mechanisms like pulleys, pull-up bars, and weight racks designed as one cohesive piece, so you won’t have to buy several pieces of larger equipment to get the same workout.
Cons
- Not as customizable. One major downside to buying a multi home gym is that your purchase isn’t going to be as personalized as what you could get if you were to buy all the different pieces that you know you need to work out. Many of these machines will also have fixed paths of motion, so you won’t be able to change up your workout as much as you could with free weights.
- Durability. Since all of your major pieces of workout equipment are combined into one machine with a multigym, you might find that a product defect or break can mean that your whole workout routine is thrown off. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you buy a higher-quality machine, but it might still experience some wear-and-tear over time.
Can You Build Muscle With A Multi Gym?
If you establish a good strength-training routine and your multigym has enough weight to keep your muscles continually challenged, then you can definitely build muscle with an all-in-one gym.
Multigyms have a variety of mechanisms for providing resistance including cables, fixed-path resistance movements, and even some weight work if you have a Smith machine or a barbell rack. The workouts you can do with these workouts can definitely lead to muscle growth if the resistance they provide are heavy enough and you’re consistent with your training plan.
The limitations, of course, are that if you get progressively stronger, you may “max out” on the level of resistance that your multigym can provide you and you might have to upgrade to heavier equipment down the line.
Are Home Gyms Effective For Weight Loss?
Most multigyms are going to come equipped with resistance and weight-training equipment, which by definition are geared towards strength-training. However, you can still incorporate multigym exercises in an effective weight-loss program.
To lose weight, you’ll want to get your heart rate up to burn calories and therefore lose the excess fat tissue. You can do this effectively with a multigym if you focus on keeping your body moving the entire workout: take little or no rests between sets and try to do multiple reps with lighter weights to keep your heart racing.
And on the plus side, your body needs to use more energy to maintain muscles than they do fat, so by increasing your muscle mass you’re actually giving your metabolism a boost to continue burning more calories!
How Much Should You Invest Toward Buying A Multi Gym?
When it comes to buying a multigym, you don’t want to go too cheap if you want the best results.
It might be tempting to go for the less-costly options, but remember that those will often come with limitations. You may not have enough resistance or options for switching up your workouts to challenge your muscles, which will just lead to stagnation in your fitness progress.
Also, remember that when you buy a multigym, your whole workout can be compromised if one part of it breaks. It’s better to choose an all-in-one gym that has more options and is constructed to be durable if you want to adequately replace your commercial gym experience.
How Do You Choose The Best Multi Home Gym?
Figure out your fitness level.
The first step to take when building a home gym is to decide what kinds of workouts you need to do. If you’re looking to build muscle, you’ll want to find the multi gym that provides an adequate level of resistance. On the other hand, if you simply want to get a more lean and toned, you can get away with purchasing a less-intensive multigym with less resistance.
Once you’ve decided how you’re going to use your multigym, you can then find the system that has the right balance of exercise diversity and weight resistance for you.
Look at your space.
You’ll also need to keep in mind how much space you have to dedicate to your all-in-one gym. The sizes for these machines and systems can vary widely, so you’ll definitely want to get one that will actually fit inside of your home.
Make sure the quality is good.
Remember, cheaper isn’t better in the case of home multigyms. If one part of the machine breaks due to poor quality, you’re going to be out of luck for an entire workout.
Look for high-quality construction: think steel and welding. If there are more delicate parts in your machine, like cables and pulleys, you’ll also want to make sure that those won’t give mid-workout. This will ensure that your workout is safe and that your multigym can last through your most intense exercises.
Take Away
All things considered, multigyms are a great way to establish a diverse training routine in your own home. As long as you purchase high-quality systems that can last through a tough workout, you’re saving both time and money, so you can focus more on the results!