You’ve been thinking of working out but the thought of regular visits to a health club, spa, or gym doesn’t quite appeal? Well, you can actually save the drive time and get a fairly good workout on a home gym. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of machines available, how they work, and some considerations to make when purchasing your own home gym.

There are three main types of home gym equipment: traditional, rod systems, and gravity resistance (Of course, there are also free weight bench sets, but these aren’t necessarily for everyone and, depending on whether or not you have small children or pets in your home, may present potential hazards).

Traditional gym machines are generally what you would find in your local gym. These machines tend to be big and heavy, and can take up a lot of space. They involve pulley assemblies attached to weight stacks and the amount of weight a person can work with can usually range up to 300 lbs. Of course, the precise amount of weight to be used for a particular exercise may be determined by the use of a simple pin-slot system. How much do they cost? Well, they can be quite pricey, starting out in the 800 to 900 dollar range going all the way up to and exceeding 2000 dollars based on chosen options and features.

Traditional home gyms have been around for decades. However, a second type of home gym setup, the rod system, seems to be the wave of the future. These machines use rods with different resistance rates selectable with a hook and bungee system. Rod systems have the advantage of being both smaller and lighter than traditional home gyms. They have a sleeker look and are absent a heavy weight stack---definitely a consideration if you have small children in the home. Power rod machines also feature a full range of exercises, including rowing on some models. The resistance rods are usually standard at 210lbs as the max. However, these are upgradeable to a maximum of 410lbs! What’s the cost? Machines like this range from 900 to 2200 dollars.

Finally, another type of home gym that is growing in popularity is the gravity resistance gym. Gravity resistance systems are very compact and “easily stowed”, using only minimal space when assembled. They use a system of pulleys and your own body weight to achieve a quality work out. Different settings allow your body weight to utilize greater or lesser amounts of resistance making them easy to use for both the beginner and the advanced user. Gravity resistance systems come in several different sizes and may be configured to fit neatly under a bed or in the corner of a room. Size is certainly an advantage, but here are two other advantages: a user can engage in a wide range of exercises and the machines are reasonably priced at 300 to 600 dollars.

Which home gym set up should you buy? As with most purchases, your decision should ultimately be based on the balancing of several concerns; namely, your needs, preferences, and available finances. However, rest assured, if working out and getting into shape at home is what you desire, there are certainly more than enough choices to choose from.