Best home gyms to give you a full body workout: from multi-gyms to dumbbell sets

GOOD home gyms are the perfect solution for those who don’t want to go to an external one.

They are filled with intimidating people who hog all the machines, don’t put anything away and sometimes smell.

But with one in your own home, you eliminate all those problems and still manage to get a great workout in – as long as you buy the right one for you.

There are loads of options and what you get will really depend on your goals and space. Those looking to bulk will need barbells while those looking to tone will feel more at home with resistance machines.

This equipment is also great for beginners: it’s easy to use and you can figure out exercises without the risk of embarrassment. Smith machines, for example, will teach you compound exercise movements but keep you safe from injury. Then if you want a full body workout, home multi-gyms are exactly what you need.

If you need some tips on how to build the best home gyms around, our guide will let you know where to start.

This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.

1. Best home free weights

Whereas the machines in the gym may seem like they are giving you a proper workout, they are only ever working one or two muscles. Free weight exercises work multiple muscles at once and allows muscles to grow more evenly.

Also, free weights do not take up much room at all.

This set of barbells is perfect for any at home exercise because they pack everything you need: dumbbells, barbells and an EZ bar. They are compatible with standard weight plates with one inch diameter hole and come in multiple sizes. Get five or six foot barbells for bench press, squats or deadlifts.

You can buy the weight plates individually – just make sure you buy standard instead of Olympic, as you’ll need a bigger bar. The bigger the weight, the more expensive it will be.

• (AD) Gold Coast Barbell Range for £34.99 on Amazon – buy here
• Viavito Cast Iron Standard Weight Plates between £25.99 and £64.99 on Sweatband.com – buy here

2. Best power rack for a home gym

Power racks are the best thing to buy if you want to build muscles, as this allows you to focus on the most important exercises: squats, bench press and deadlifts.

The Mirafit Power Rack comes with 21 adjustable levels alongside a set of barbell safety bars. Created using thick steel, it reaches 210cm high, 111cm wide and 113cm deep. Also, there’s a pull up bar at the top.

You’ll need a great all-rounder bench for this equipment too. JX FITNESS’ bench is adjustable to five different positions and fits with most gym equipment. This heavy duty bench will last awhile and the padding adds extra comfort.

• (AD) Mirafit Power Rack Weight Lifting Cage & Pull Up Bar for £149.99 on Amazon – buy here
• (AD) JX FITNESS Adjustable Weight Bench for £69.99 on Amazon – buy here

3. Best cheap home multi-gym

Finding the right multi-gym for your home can be difficult unless you know what to look for. When you’re just starting, it’s best to go for budget-friendly options – like the Opti Home Multi Gym.

Its multifunctional design allows you to perform a range of important exercises, including front press and butterfly, leg extension, tricep press, preacher curl (biceps), lat pull-down (back) and ab crunches.

The maximum weight of 50kg provides 65kg of resistance – so great for people just starting out or experts looking for light workouts. While it’s one of the slimmest, it does take quite a bit of space at H: 202cm, W: 90cm, D: 168cm.

• Opti 50kg Home Multi Gym for £179.99 on Argos – buy here

4. Best mid-range multi-gym for your home

If you need a bit more weight and are willing to part with a bit more money, you can’t go wrong with the York Perform Multi-gym. This one has a 100kg weight stack, which is big enough for anybody who’s not a bodybuilder.

As well as exercises like lat pull down and seated bench press, it adds extra exercises like the seated row. The dimensions come in at H: 196cm, W: 115cm, D: 141cm, so slightly more compact.

• York Perform Multigym for £579.99 on Fitness Superstore – buy here

5. Best home smith machine 

The smith machine is great because it provides the equipment for squats and bench press, with added support and safety. The machine keeps the barbell in one fluid motion so you can really target specific muscle groups.

Also, this machine comes with cables, which can be used for dynamic movement exercises. The smith machine will need some extra space, with dimensions of H: 216cm, W: 203cm, D (including bench): 254cm.

• (AD) Marcy MD-9010G Home Gym Smith Machine with Weight Bench for £999 on Amazon – buy here

6. Best home resistance machine

The NordicTrack Fusion CST comes with a hefty price tag but is a serious piece of gym equipment. This resistance machine boasts built-in professional trainers, who will guide you through high-intensity workouts via a smart tablet. You can also track your workouts.

There’s up to 20 power levels that will challenge even hardcore meatheads, utilising six different pulleys for a full-body workout. The dimensions are H: 187, W: 151cm, D: 105cm, so is one of the most compact of all the equipment.

• Fusion CST, NordicTrack, for £1,999 on NordicTrack.com – buy here

We’ve designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won’t break the bank.

Want some cardio in your life? Check out the best value exercise bikes on the market.

Need to do some running? Only go for the best treadmills around.

This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.