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Get in Shape This Summer With the Best Workout Machine

Last updated: 13 Nov 2022
Although fitness culture promotes going to the gym as part of a healthy lifestyle, many can’t find the time to commute to the gym in between their busy schedules. Adding workout machines to your home gym can help you create a gym space in the comfort of your basement, living room or home office. These handy machines allow you to do key exercises on just one station. Not only does this save time, but it also lets you get in shape on your own schedule. Workout machines are gaining popularity. Many choose to stay home and exercise rather than go to crowded gyms or fitness spaces. Depending on what kind of workout you’re looking for, we’ve got a machine that suits your needs with our guide to the top workout machines of 2022. Plus, our comprehensive buying guide will help you make an informed decision.
Best Overall
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Marcy Workout Machine
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Best All-in-One
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Bowflex Workout Machine
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Best Full-body Workout
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Total Gym Workout Machine
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Best for Glutes
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Sunny Health & Fitness Workout Machine
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Best for Abs
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Fitlaya Fitness Workout Machine
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Show Contents
Comparing the Top Workout Machines of 2022

Buying Guide: Workout Machine

Depending on the type of exercise you’re into — from legs to arms to abs — your ideal workout machine will differ from that of another person. Our comprehensive buying guide covers everything you need to know when buying a workout machine for your specific needs. Let’s take a look!

Why Have a Workout Machine?

Having a workout machine in your home can be incredibly helpful. It lets you get in your workout at any time of day when it works for you rather than having to coordinate with gym hours, traffic, and busy work schedules. A workout machine in your own home can also help you cut down on fuel and transportation costs and save time since you won’t have to commute to the gym. Plus, this one-time investment beats paying for gym memberships in the long run. If you’re a shy person who feels intimidated by others during your workout sessions, you can exercise in peace at home and take things at your own pace with these handy machines.

Features of a Top Workout Machine

Here are some of the most important things to consider when buying a workout machine:

Type of exercise

Whether you like pilates, strength training, cardio or CrossFit, the ideal workout machine should accommodate your preferred type of exercise. Most workout stations have anywhere from 25 to 80 workouts possible, giving you plenty of opportunities to meet your gym goals.

Included equipment

Next, check whether your workout machine includes the necessary equipment for your exercises, such as bench press bars, a set of leg pulleys, and resistance weights. Read through the included items carefully to get a good sense of what you’re buying.

Resistance

Workout machines tend to either have free weights for resistance or structured rods. Free weights give you adjustable resistance that has some inertia to it. This is the traditional method of adding resistance to your exercises. Resistance rods give you the same resistance without inertia so you can practice maintaining your form.

Comfort

Home gym equipment should be comfortable so you feel encouraged to use it more. Look for workout stations with padding and comfortable grips so you don’t bruise yourself while working out. Good stations have ergonomic seats and backrests to protect your spine and promote good posture when exercising.

Storage

Your guests might not be interested in seeing your workout station in the far corner of the living room. We recommend choosing a machine that’s easy to store and reassemble so that you can put it away when needed and set it up effortlessly when it’s time to use it again.

Weight capacity

Knowing the weight capacity of your machine is essential. If you choose a machine with a lower weight capacity you might end up injuring yourself. This is why you should always buy machines compatible with your weight and ability.

How To Pick the Perfect Spot for Your Machine

Most don’t have the luxury of setting aside a separate space for their exercise equipment. Finding the perfect place to set up your home workout machine is significant. Here are some qualities of an ideal location:

  • Choose an open space so you can have a wide range of movement
  • Make sure the room has walls that are easy to wipe clean
  • Choose a room with ventilation or a ceiling fan
  • Make sure the space is out of the way so you can exercise in peace

Comparing the Top Workout Machines of 2022

Marcy Workout Machine – Best Overall

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If you’re looking for a gym station that gives you an upper body and lower body workout at home, the Marcy Workout Machine is the perfect fit for you. This machine has a 150-pound stackable weight capacity that can be incorporated into many exercises to build strength and tone your muscles. Speaking of strength, it has a solid steel construction with reinforced guard rods and padding in all the critical areas. Plus, because it has an ergonomic backrest and seat and curling pads on the arms, this machine is perfect for isolated muscle exercises. We’ve chosen this workout machine as our best overall pick due to its sturdy build and multipurpose use.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty steel construction
  • 150-pound customizable weight stack
  • Versatile for multiple exercises
  • 300-pound weight capacity

Cons

  • Not for those with broad shoulders
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Bowflex Workout Machine – Best All-in-One

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There are hardly as many workout machines that offer as many all-in-one gym benefits as the Bowflex Workout Machine. This machine can help you do over 25 different types of exercises thanks to its multiple individual parts and overall integrated design. It’s suitable for rowing, pectoral and chest muscle exercises and isolated muscle exercises. Plus, you can enjoy the same resistance as free weights without the added inertia impacting your workout. What’s more, a top feature of this workout machine is that its bench can be folded vertically to save space around the house. This impressive workout machine is perfect for those who are short on space but have many fitness goals in mind.

Pros

  • Can accommodate over 25 exercises
  • Features a 200-pound power rod resistance
  • Can be used for rowing
  • Foldable bench for easy storage

Cons

  • Seat may be wobbly
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Total Gym Workout Machine – Best Full-body Workout

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If you’re looking for a workout station that gives you cardio, strength training and stretching, look no further than the Total Gym Workout Machine. This gym equipment is equipped with enough gear to support around 80 workout routines, all of which help you get a full-body workout at home. To maximize your workouts, this machine comes with free video access to online workouts and a diet plan so you can achieve your ideal results. With a weight capacity of 400 pounds, this machine is perfect for anyone trying to get fit, from novices to gym enthusiasts. Plus, this workout machine requires no assembly since it’s packed in a compressed form.

Pros

  • Weight capacity of 400 pounds
  • Comes fully assembled
  • Includes free video workouts

Cons

  • Has only one leg pulley attachment
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Sunny Health & Fitness Workout Machine – Best for Glutes

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Sometimes the most beneficial workout is a cardio-based workout that focuses on the glutes. The Sunny Health & Fitness Workout Machine gives you the cardio and strength benefits of a rowing machine and an exercise bike combined. This machine helps you tone your whole body through various modes and exercises. Plus, it also lets you record your calories and time on the digital LCD monitor. Thanks to the non-slip pedal, which makes sure you don’t lose your footing, you can even do a variety of squats with this machine. This workout machine is an excellent option for those who prefer glute workouts to strength training or lifting weights.

Pros

  • Features a digital monitor
  • Non-slip, secure-grip handlebars
  • Includes adjustable resistance
  • Folds easily for convenient storage

Cons

  • May be low-quality
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Fitlaya Fitness Workout Machine – Best for Abs

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The Fitlaya Fitness Workout Machine lets you do professional ab workouts from home. With a weight capacity of up to 440 pounds, this machine is perfect for dedicated people who are looking to lose weight. It tones your upper, lower and middle abs while involving your hips and inner thighs. This gives the user an overall lower body and core strength workout. What’s more, the comfortable foam-covered handles make it easier to use the machine without bruising your arms and legs. If you’re looking to improve your core strength and get rock-hard abs this is the perfect workout machine for you! 

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • Features an LCD training monitor
  • Compact, space-saving design
  • High-quality foam padding

Cons

  • May not be suitable for tall people
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People Also Asked

Q: How often do I have to clean my workout machine?

A: Although workout machines do not need to be cleaned often, we suggest you wipe off any sweat or moisture after each workout. Doing so will keep your machine from rusting and smelling.

Q: Can I keep the workout machine on my balcony?

A: Since workout machines are easy to carry around and set up, you can keep them on the balcony for your daily workout. We recommend covering it when not in use to avoid any weather damage and bringing it inside during storms, windy weather and rain.

Q: How do I know how much resistance to use when training at home?

A: Resistance training at home can be tricky, especially if you’re unfamiliar with it. We recommend starting with low resistance and increasing it every week or so.

Kevin G. Harper
By Kevin G. Harper
Kevin G. Harper is a journalist based in Indianapolis, Indiana with 5 years of experience covering sports, outdoors, technology, and all of the internet trends. As a content creator and editor, he has gathered experience working with teams of editors on various social media, internet blogs, and eCommerce projects. In his free time, Kevin enjoys fishing, following college basketball and football, and trail running with his dog, Banjo. He also enjoys gaming with his friends, trying new restaurants, and reading on his balcony.
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