Home Gyms
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday July 5, 2001
Fed up with feeling intimidated by the muscle-bound freaks at your local gym? Sick of sliding around in other people's sweat? For about the price of a year's membership, you can exercise at home with one of these neat set-ups. We tested gyms by Spectrum, Repco, Elite, Schwinn and Body Craft; the four here were the best of the lot.
Elite 7007 Home gym
$999.95
Elite Fitness on board
75-kilogram weight stack, two-station gym with separate stations for pec deck and chest press; over 30 exercises; no cable changes needed for different exercises; 195 centimetres x 95 centimetres x 210 centimetres.
pros
At first glance this double-sided home gym looks great - a black powder-coated frame minimises the risk of scratching, and the black seats and foam padding look very sleek. The range of exercises is good: leg curls, lat pulldowns, chest presses and more guarantee a thorough workout; the plastic-coated weights and the pulley system operate smoothly.
cons
The 7007's finish isn't as good as the finish on more expensive models. The seat upholstery is stapled and if you're serious, the foam pads are likely to get soaked in sweat and all crusty.
bottom line
Offers a variety of exercises, although the finish isn't quite as good as some we tested. A competitive price makes this a good choice.
rating: * * * * *
Body Solid Muscle Craft Gym
$999.99
Rebel Sports
on board
Free weight stack, one-station gym; no cable-changes needed for different exercises; height approximately 190 centimetres; would need 3-metre x 3-metre space for operation.
pros
Uses free weights rather than a central stack, so if you want to lift heavier weights you aren't restricted by the weight stack. It sits flat against a wall, rather than in the centre of a room. The height-adjustable seat doubles as a sit-up bench and all the usual exercises are possible, plus there's a seated cable row to work your back.
cons
The galvanised steel frame doesn't look as flash as the other models we tested, and is prone to scratches and marks.
bottom line
The free-weights system plus the height-adjustable seat make this a flexible option for a range of home workouts at a good price.
rating: * * * * *
Schwinn 733s home gym
$2,100
Elite Fitness
on board
100-kilogram weight stack, single-station gym; 60 different exercises available; no cable changes needed for different exercises; dimensions: 168 centimetres x 107 centimetres x 203 centimetres.
pros
The steel, powder-coated frame has a lifetime guarantee and the double-stitched upholstery looks sturdy enough to withstand the most gruelling workouts. Motion adjustment on the pec deck lets you alter the extension and pop-in catches allow different exercise settings and different body sizes on the pec deck. And it has all the exercise functions you'd need.
cons
The price tage makes this a more serious investment than some gyms we looked at. Be sure you want to get serious about working out before you spend this kind of money.
bottom line
It looks good, it's compact and it's built to last. But spending this much cash for 60 different exercises might be a little optimistic.
rating: * * * 1/2
Elite 7009 home gym
$1,299
Elite Fitness
on board
100-kilogram weight stack, three-station gym with separate stations for pec deck and chest presses; over 35 different exercises; no cable changes for different exercises; 195 centimetres x 160 centimetres x 210 centimetres.
pros
This is the 7007's big sister. For the extra $300 you get a bigger frame, another station that gives you the support to perform vertical knee-raises and dips, and squat, and more gadgets. The frame and seats have scratch-resistant powder-coating and height adjustment. The nylon pulleys with sealed bearings let you perform smooth, controlled exercises.
cons
The frame is slightly lighter-weight material than some other models we looked at, but this would make a difference only with long-term, heavy use.
bottom line
A good range of exercises and the extra station make this excellent value. The pick of the bunch for versatility and value for money.
rating: * * * * *
* you work it out
Q: A home gym looks like a pretty complicated piece of equipment. Do I have to set it up myself?
No. The shop should deliver and set the gym up, provided you don't live miles away.
Q: How can I be sure I'm doing the exercises correctly?
It's best to develop a program based on your current condition with a trainer. Again, the shop where you buy the gym should have a trainer on staff who can advise you.
Q: Are they dangerous? Is some kind of bizarre accident possible?
Unlikely. There are safety bars on most home gyms, and part of learning how to use the equipment includes learning how to get yourself untangled if something does go wrong.
Q: Why would I buy a home gym rather than free weights? After all, free weights take up a lot less room
Home gyms give you proper back support when you're lifting weights or performing squats. Often people using free weights don't really know how to use them correctly. They'll start off with some pretty intensive exercises and after two weeks they'll be at the physiotherapist with a sore back.
Q: Why would I buy one of these rather than go out and join a gym?
It's really about ease of use: with a home gym you don't have to summon up the motivation to drive to a gym and working out doesn't take up three hours of your day. And after a day at work, the last thing many people want to do is jump in the car, drive to a gym, do a gruelling workout and then drive home shattered. With a home gym you can exercise whenever you feel like it, and then veg out afterwards.
Q: How long does a home gym last?
It should last for between five and 10 years - as long as you use it properly and maintain it correctly, that is.
Thanks to Michael Drohan from Rebel Sports
© 2001 Sydney Morning Herald