The best exercise equipment for home: Sports with comfort

The Best Free Weights and All-In-One Devices

Strength machines with free weights are less functional and, as a rule, are aimed at working specific muscle groups. But there are also models that load all the muscles. Many exercise machines in this category are quite affordable, do not take up much space, and are therefore ideal for home use. But there is one big drawback - only experienced athletes can use them correctly; for beginners this is not the best option. Also on sale you can find completely non-standard and very compact exercise machines designed specifically for use at home.

The best exercise equipment for home: Sports with comfort

You can't live without sports, but gyms aren't for everyone. Some people feel sorry for the time it takes to travel, some feel sorry for the money for a membership, some feel embarrassed about being in bad shape (as if that’s not why people go to the gym), and others simply don’t want to leave their home comfort zone. If you are one of those people, don’t judge yourself. It’s better to choose a good home exercise machine and work out while listening to the TV series in a cozy living room. And we, as always, will be happy to help you choose the best exercise machine for your home.

• Exercise bikes. Probably the most popular type of sports equipment for the home. When we hear the word “simulator”, most of us imagine a bicycle nailed to the floor. This thing works just like a regular bike, and loads the same muscle groups. Mainly, of course, these are the legs: calves and thighs. The abs and back, which are loaded when riding a real bicycle, hardly work here, you don’t need to maintain balance, but they also have a little bit of work involved. Especially when we are talking about the so-called “spin bikes”, which are capable of tilting, simulating riding a real bicycle. However, we usually don’t talk about arms and shoulders - this simulator is not for them, although there are models with levers with which you can load the shoulder girdle too.

A separate type of exercise bikes are bicycle ergometers, “smart” exercise machines. They allow you to adjust training parameters more completely and accurately, but they usually cost more than their brainless brothers and generally deserve a separate discussion.

The best exercise bike for home - Clear Fit CrossPower CS 1000

A vertical spin bike that can give you a feeling comparable to riding a real bicycle. The design is reliable, the frame is strong and thick - it can support an athlete weighing up to 180 kilograms. The heavy 20-kilogram flywheel is capable of delivering loads ranging from 8 to 1000 watts. The belt system is responsible for the load, so you can use the bike in standalone mode. The display here is not the largest, and the computer is not the smartest, but it can show cadence, calorie consumption, current speed and distance traveled. The seat can be adjusted in two planes, the angle of the steering wheel can also be adjusted. The pedals are equipped with foot locks. A nice detail is the presence of a glass stand. With all the advantages, the price is quite affordable - about 42,000 rubles.

• Treadmills The second most popular type of home exercise equipment is right behind exercise bikes. Not everyone likes jogging outside, and certainly not everyone is ready to do it in the snow and in the heat. Moreover, running in the July heat or February ice is simply dangerous to your health. A treadmill eliminates any discomfort and allows you to shed pounds at home in front of the TV. Running uses more muscles and is more efficient for many than cycling, but it is also much harder on your joints, so keep that in mind. Those looking for a serious challenge need a treadmill with variable angles and adjustable loads.

The best treadmill for home - LAUFSTEIN Prisma

Folding electric walkway. Thanks to its durable and reliable design, it can support a runner weighing up to 150 kilograms. Three horsepower under the hood allows you to adjust your running speed in the range from 1 to 16 kilometers per hour. The maximum tilt angle of the blade is 15 degrees. The canvas is wide, moves smoothly and quietly. The bright color display shows distance traveled, calories burned, current speed, incline and heart rate (measured by a mount on the handle). 19 training programs are stored in the computer memory. To keep the home-grown athlete from getting bored while jogging, there is a cup holder, book holder, 3.5 mm audio jack, USB port and MP3 player. It’s not a pity to pay 53,000 rubles for such a useful thing.

• Elliptical trainers Elliptical trainers are devices of a rather interesting design that resemble at the same time a bicycle, a treadmill, a stepper, and God knows what else. There are two movable platforms for the legs and two long handles, so you can load almost all muscle groups: from calves to shoulders. Moreover, you can distribute the load between your arms and legs yourself. Cardio training on such a device will be very intense, calorie consumption will be high, and the load on ligaments and joints will be much more gentle than, say, a treadmill.

Best elliptical trainer for home - ProForm Endurance 420 E (PFEVEL49716)

Elliptical cardio machine of electromagnetic design. The powerful steel frame will support a user weighing up to 115 kg. The unit itself weighs a little less - 94 kilograms - so it stands reliably and steadily, does not creak or wobble. There are 7 load levels - for any training. The angle of inclination of the platforms can be changed within 20 degrees, so that no one gets off them insufficiently exhausted. The stride length is 51 cm, so it will also fit tall runners. The display with large symbols shows the distance traveled, calories burned, current speed, step rate and heart rate. To make it work, you need to splurge on batteries or a power adapter. Via Bluetooth you can connect a wireless heart rate sensor or smartphone. An excellent device for the home - reliable and without junk functionality. The asking price is about 50,000 rubles.

• Steppers. The word “stepper” can be translated from English as “walker”. In principle, the name fully reflects the essence of this simulator - it was created in order to walk under load. For the human body, the mechanics of the process are similar to climbing stairs. In general, only the legs work here. Although rotary steppers, equipped with levers or expanders, allow you to load your abs, back, arms and shoulders, these machines do not reach the level of elliptical trainers. But they are much lighter, more compact and often cheaper than ellipses and bikes and are great for home use. The stepper is one of the best budget options for cardio equipment for small housing.

The best stepper for home - DFC SC-5901

A classic stepper priced at about 23,000 rubles. Two hydraulic cylinders operate smoothly and quietly, providing a stable load that can be adjusted in 12 levels. Weighing only 36 kilograms, the stepper can withstand almost four times the user’s weight - up to 130 kg. The monochrome display shows workout time, calories burned, step frequency, distance traveled and heart rate. Heart rate sensors are located on the steering wheel. There is a metabolism analysis function and a fat analyzer. No additional training programs are provided, but the unit operates in autonomous mode, except for the battery for the computer. Hand levers help maintain balance and at the same time load the shoulder girdle. The set includes a bottle holder and a water bottle itself as a nice bonus.

• Rowing machines . The main problem with popular exercise bikes, treadmills, steppers and most other sports equipment is the emphasis on leg training. Arms and shoulders cannot be trained with them, or at least cannot be trained effectively. Rowing machines designed to imitate rowing in a boat do not have this drawback. As with real rowing, almost the whole body works here: forearms, triceps and biceps; anterior and posterior deltas; long back extensors, trapezius and lats; glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings; internal and oblique abdominal muscles. Well, it even gets on the chest. The simultaneous load on several muscle groups provides high intensity cardio training. At the same time, rowing is much safer for the joints of the legs and spine than running, so it is suitable for people of any weight and size.

Best rowing machine for home - NordicTrack RX800

Aerodynamic rowing machine with central thrust. The design is foldable. The device provides 5 load levels and can support a rower weighing up to 130 kilograms. The seat and footrests can be adjusted to suit your height. The computer is powered by 4 large round D batteries or a power adapter (you need to purchase it separately). There are 20 built-in training programs. The display tells you your workout time, calories burned, strokes per workout, distance traveled and strokes per minute. There are built-in speakers that can play music through a 3.5mm audio jack - what's definitely missing here is Bluetooth support. At the same time, this can hardly be called a serious drawback for a reliable universal simulator priced at 34,000 rubles.

• Inversion tables Inversion tables are not the most popular exercise machines in Russia. Actually, inversion tables do not belong to the cardio equipment that we talked about above. Their task is different: you can lie on such a table and, by changing its angle, stretch your back muscles and spine, experiencing Zen upside down. Fans of inversion attribute to this exercise all the properties of a magic pill. Of course, you shouldn’t believe this, but the inversion table really takes the load off your back, reduces pressure on the intervertebral discs, and allows your spine to rest. This way you can relieve lower back pain and even help the body fight radiculitis. The main thing is not to count on magic.

The best inversion trainer for home - DFC PRO 75303

The simple folding mechanical design of this inversion table makes it an ideal option for the home. The unit weighs only 34 kg, but can support a user weighing up to 160 kilograms. Height can be adjusted to suit you, in the range from 145 to 200 cm. Legs with stabilizers patiently tolerate uneven floors, do not slip and hold the table securely - a damn important point for a device in which a person hangs upside down. The lock for returning to the starting position “feet down” is located under the right arm. There is a holder for bottles and other small items. The cost of this inversion table is about 30,000 rubles. For a product that can relieve chronic lower back pain, it’s not that expensive.

• Multistation The multistation, as you might guess from the name, is a multifunctional strength training device. A good universal multistation can replace an entire gym and takes up relatively little space, so you can keep it at home. Here you can work all or almost all muscle groups. Compared to free weights, multi-station machines are much safer, especially for those who prefer to work out alone. Here you won’t drop the barbell on your chest during a bench press, you won’t hit yourself in the teeth with dumbbells, and you won’t collapse on the floor during a squat. Decent exercise machines, whether they are free- or fixed-motion, are designed taking into account the biomechanics of the human body, are well suited for isolation exercises and help even inexperienced athletes keep their technique at the proper level. In addition, if you choose a simulator with fixed weights, you can get rid of deposits of pancakes and barbells throughout your apartment.

The best multistation for the home - Hasttings HastPower Pro

Not the most expensive - about 70,000 rubles - but a reliable and functional model that will become an excellent center for a home gym. The weight of the built-in cargo is 86 kilograms, so it will last for a long time. The seat can be adjusted in 6 positions. The exercise machine itself weighs almost 160 kilograms and, thanks to its durable steel frame, can support a user weighing up to 150 kilograms, so it is suitable for even the largest bodybuilders. The design allows, in particular, to perform overhead and horizontal rows, chest and shoulder presses, leg extensions, so all major muscle groups can be worked here. The multistation includes: a straight handle for rowing, a bar for vertical rowing, a cuff for training the muscles of the thighs and buttocks and a block handle. When assembled, the device occupies a floor area measuring only 130 by 100 centimeters, so the simulator is suitable even for the smallest apartment.

• Boxing simulators Boxing simulators can be divided into two types: pears and bags. The first ones are easier and are intended for practicing technique rather than striking power. The second ones, filled with sand, water or rubber crumbs, are suitable for impacts of any force and allow you to come off to your full height. The bags can be classic, in the shape of cylinders, or they can depict the torso and head of a person. The first option is cheaper, but with the second you can practice aimed strikes, imagine that you are hitting an unpleasant acquaintance, or simply use it as a hanger. Prices for boxing machines can range from 10,000 to 30,000 rubles and more, so before purchasing, think about whether it’s worth it. But punching a punching bag every now and then feels damn good, even if you're not a professional boxer.

• Chest Exercisers Chest exercisers are not one specific type of exercise machine. This category includes all devices that are designed specifically to work with the pectoral muscles. You rarely see a crossover, hummer or butterfly at home, but there are a lot of simpler devices on the market. The most popular option is an expander, an inexpensive exercise machine that works using elastic rubber cords or springs. Some people use myostimulators, but we wouldn’t recommend expecting miracles from these devices - they are only good as a supplement to traditional loads. The main thing is not to forget basic dumbbells and barbells - nothing more effective than them for working the pectoral muscles has yet been invented.

• Exercise machines for the buttocks Another popular group of assorted exercise machines. This includes almost all the cardio equipment that we talked about above: exercise bikes, elliptical trainers, treadmills, steppers and their various modifications. Hard training on each of them will bring your buttocks into proper shape. The most effective options among cardio equipment are, perhaps, steppers and bikes. Although a banal squat with weights is unlikely to surpass anything.

• Gymnastic rollers Pumped up, sculpted abs are both beautiful and useful. In principle, to get it, at first, just the weight of your own body is enough. It’s just that many people do the “lifting the body to the knees” (also known as crunches), which are familiar from school, incorrectly. If you lift your back off the mat, move jerkily and fall back with a swing, it’s easier to smash your head on the floor or tear your lower back than to get what the Americans call a “six pack.” A gymnastic roller is the simplest device, an inexpensive basic exercise machine, which, nevertheless, is extremely effective for comprehensively working out the abdominal muscles. The whole secret is in the correct exercise technique, which works the entire abs, including the problematic transverse abdominal muscle, arms, legs and back. You shouldn’t expect instant results, but daily training for a couple of months with this baby will bring excellent results - tested.