10 Best Compact Home Gym Machines (2024) For Small Spaces (2024)

Last updated: February 6, 2024

I never thought I’d say this as a fitness trainer, but sometimes I don't feel like going to the gym at all. And I’m sure many of you would echo the same sentiment.

Thankfully, there are now countless options for home gym setups that feature different designs, components, and functionalities.

Finding the best compact home gym can be tough, so our team spent the last few weeks testing some of the most highly recommended equipment on the market.

We list our top picks below.

• Best Overall Compact Home Gym Machine: Total Gym XLS
• Cheapest Home Gym Fixed System: Marcy MWM-988 Home Gym
• Cheapest Portable Home Gym Kit: Fusion Motion
• Best Versatile Compact Machine for Home Gym: Total Gym XLS
• Best Cable Machine for Home Gym: Bowflex PR3000
• Best Body-Building Machine for Home Gym: BodyBoss
• Best Durable Home Gym Machine: Body by Jake Tower
• Best Home Gym Machine With Accessories: GR8FLEX Military Gym
• Best No-Assembly Machine for Home Gym: Total Gym XLS
• Best Home Gym All-in-One Machine: Fusion Motion
• Best Home Gym Machine With Warranty: GR8FLEX Military Gym
• Best Home Gym Compact System for Beginners: Icon Fitness Gold's Gym XRS 50

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Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

It comes with other useful accessories such as an instructional workout placard, multi-use hand grip/ankle cuffs, and upholstered roller cushions for maximized comfort during leg extensions and curls.

Pros and Cons

The package comes with a Starter Guide, a Tower 200 DVD, and a Two-Sided Tower Exercise Chart.

Pros and Cons

Related Article: How To Disassemble A Marcy Home Gym

The upper pulley system will let you do a lat pulldown, which is a great way to work towards doing pull-ups.

Pros and Cons

The package comes with accessories such as a wing attachment, a leg pull accessory, an exercise wall chart, a Total Gym TV access, exercise & nutrition guides, an owner’s manual, and a DVD.

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

This home exercise machine can hold up to 300 pounds

Pros and Cons

As a certified personal trainer with years of experience in fitness and wellness, I understand the importance of having reliable and effective workout equipment, especially in a home setting.

In evaluating the best compact home gyms, I focused on a range of criteria that are crucial for ensuring these gyms meet the diverse needs of users while providing value and quality.

Durability

The longevity of the equipment is paramount. I thoroughly examined the build quality, materials used, and design of each compact home gym to ensure they can withstand regular use and last for years.

Price

Affordability is a key consideration for most home gym buyers. I compared the cost of various models, balancing the price with the features and quality offered, to determine the best value for money.

Weight Capacity and Range

It's essential that the equipment can accommodate a wide range of weights to cater to different strength levels. I assessed the maximum weight capacity and the versatility of weight adjustments in each model.

Size and Space Efficiency

Since we're focusing on compact home gyms, the size and how efficiently they use space were critical factors. I evaluated how well each gym fits into a limited space while still offering a range of exercise options.

Versatility of Exercises

The ability to perform a variety of workouts is crucial for a comprehensive fitness routine. I tested the range of exercises that can be performed in each gym, looking for versatility in targeting different muscle groups.

Ease of Assembly and Use

User-friendliness is important, especially for those new to home gyms. I considered how easy it is to assemble each gym and the simplicity of switching between different exercises or weight settings.

Adjustability and Customization

The ability to adjust and customize the gym to fit individual needs and preferences is a significant advantage. I looked at how easily each gym can be adjusted for different heights, weights, and exercise types.

Safety Features

Safety can't be overlooked. I examined the safety mechanisms in place, such as stable bases, secure weight locks, and ergonomic designs to minimize the risk of injury.

While these home gyms are labeled “compact,” it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will fit into any space.

Before shopping for a home gym in-store and online, make sure you do your homework by first measuring your available floor space.

That means taking the length and width of your intended workout area at home. If you have low ceilings, it would be best to account for the height as well.

"It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday."

- Stephanie Chappa, Fitness Competitor

If you’re in a living situation where you need to put your home gym away after every sweat session, foldable and quality portable home gyms like the Weider Ultimate Body Works would be the most suitable piece of fitness equipment for you.

The most common resistance types you’ll find on compact home gyms are weight stacks, resistance bands, and body weight.

The resistance system you should choose will largely depend on your fitness goals, so you should first determine what they are before shopping for one.

Here are the pros and cons of each system.

Compact home gyms using weight stacks offer several advantages, especially for muscle-building exercises.

This resistance-type home gym will fit those who are building muscle through strength training.

The downside to a home gym that uses weight plates is that you can’t upgrade them.

These machines also tend to take up a lot more space compared to other kinds.

Unlike weight stacks, this type offers variable resistance, which means it changes throughout the arc of your movement.

The resistance you feel increases as you stretch the band further.

You also have the liberty to move the band however you like, giving you more control over your movements.

Another benefit of bands is that they don’t rely on gravity for resistance, which means you can perform a wider range of lower and upper body exercises with them.

Compact home gyms that utilize body weight are usually space-saving, making them the best choice for users with small spaces.

To change the resistance, you simply have to adjust the gliding board’s angle. The steeper the incline, the tougher it is to perform movements.

Some of these machines also allow for the addition of more resistance with the use of bands.

Related: Best Pulley System for Home Gym: Flexible Workout

Some people are content with sticking to tried-and-tested methods of building muscle and burning fat, while others prefer exploring different types of exercises.

If you classify as the former, a compact gym setup with basic functions such as lat pulldowns, chest presses, bicep curls, leg curls, triceps pushdowns, and so on should be the best option for you.

“You have to think it before you can do it. The mind is what makes it all possible.”

– Kai Greene, Pro Bodybuilder

But if you like to switch up your workout routine—a recommended practice that can prevent plateauing and muscle imbalances—then you should go for compact home gyms that you can use to perform varied whole-body workout routines.

Living in an apartment often means making the most of limited space. Compact home gyms are a boon for fitness enthusiasts who don't have the luxury of a dedicated workout room.

They're designed to be space-efficient, ensuring you don't have to compromise on your fitness goals.

Incorporating Cardio into Compact Home Gym Workouts

While resistance training is a significant component of most compact home gyms, it's essential not to neglect cardiovascular exercises.

Even with limited space, you can incorporate effective cardio workouts. Consider routines like jump ropes, high knees, or even quick high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions.

These exercises elevate your heart rate, improve cardiovascular health, and aid in fat burning.

Out of all the best compact home gyms I reviewed, the Total Gym XLSwas the definite standout.

Some of the things I liked the most about this machine were that it requires no assembly, folds for easier storage, offers a wide variety of exercise options—including Pilates—and comes with plenty of instructional videos that make it the perfect exercise tool for advanced users and beginners.

Add to that its considerable weight capacity of 400 pounds, and the deal is already sealed.

Speaking from my point of view, this machine ticks all the boxes when it comes to convenience, functionality, and portability, and I believe that’s what makes the Total Gym XLS the best compact home gym.

Our #1 Recommendation

Total Gym XLS (Best Overall & Most Versatile)

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