It’s a new year giving you a new and fresh start. HOWEVER, you may be thinking, with only a small space for working out, how are you supposed to fit in all of your fitness and workout equipments without cluttering your basement or room? Well, that shouldn’t be much of a problem! Not when you have home gyms at your disposal.

For those of you who don’t know it, home gyms have been built from the ground up to accommodate your workout and fitness demands. Coming with free weights, pulleys, etc. that allow you to interchange dozens of exercises when you need to, they are the practical solution to your dilemma. No more excuses, grab one of these home gyms and start getting fit.

Let’s check out the best home gyms for 2011 that you should have!

#1: Bowflex Revolution Home Gym

By far, the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym is the best that the guys from Bowflex have to offer. Now, that’s NOT really surprising when you realize that the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym is beefed up with the Spiroflex technology as well as overall versatility. You see, some of the most effective and best Bowflex exercises have been incorporated into the Revolution Home Gym.

Bowflex Revolution Home Gym List Price: $3,299.00 Sale Price: $1,844.00 You save: $1,455.00 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 5 used from $1,844.00

What’s with the Spiraflex technology? Let’s NOT complicate things. To sum it up, the spiraflex technology allows you to perform well over 100 different exercises. Yes, you have read that right. Not 20, not 30, not 50 BUT over 100 exercises with 400 ways to vary those exercises that will keep you fit and healthy – from your neck all the way down to your calves.

As for the price, it’s around 3000 USD. A little pricey BUT it’s MORE than worth every penny! Not to mention there are Bowflex discounts especially with the year about to end. Be sure to check out different places to get the best deals. Some include free machine attachments, mats, and those are just to name a few.

You see, attachments are a little pricey. Here’s an example, Bowflex ‘lat tower’ attachment is about $199. If you are going to settle for one add on, make it the Bowflex XP accessory rack. It’s about $200 as well and saves you a lot of space – nice looking, rugged, and really great for keeping your stuff organized.

The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym gives you all of the core exercise movements that you need for every muscle group PLUS more once you are out there. Again, it all depends on which muscle group you want to focus on. You can easily add more or remove some to tailor it to your needs.

Oh! One more thing, the warranty for the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym is SUPER: 10 whopping years.

Bowflex Revolution Home Gym – Features At A Glance
- The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym replicates almost every exercise (especially the core ones) found at your local gym.
- Comes with Freedom Arms that let you adjust 170 degrees to work your muscles through different angles.
- A leg press is also included in the package made for your lower body PLUS a 5 position foot harness.
- Other Niceties: comfortable hand grips PLUS a DVD workout video included in the package.
- Dimensions of the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym: 65 inches by 38 inches by 73 inches (length by width by height).

#2: Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym

Comparing the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym against the previous home gym (Bowflex Revolution Home Gym), it all boils down at the Power Rod technology going head to head against the Spiraflex technology. The significant difference I think is that the Spiraflex is 90 pounds lighter than the rod.

Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym (Refurbished) List Price: $2,599.00 Sale Price: $1,885.00 You save: $714.00 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 1 new from $1,885.00  8 used from $550.00

HOWEVER, both of these technologies showcase the same exercise options, except for the Freedom Arms exercise which is NOT available in the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym. You should also take note that the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym needs about 7 feet and 4 inches of clearance (that’s at minimum) for it to fit in your workout room. The former home gym, on te other hand, needs only 6 feet and an inch for clearance.

HOWEVER, the pricing department is where the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym shines. While offering the same set of exercises (with less bells and whistles), this home gym will save you about $500 as it’s priced at $2500 on average. And we are not yet talking about the discounts here fellas.

If price is a huge deal, which is for most of us, the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym is an excellent option. HOWEVER, at the end of the day, it all boils down to the type of exercise you need and add-ons you demand. Oh! And one more thing, it comes with an amazing 12 year warranty and lifetime warranty on the power rods.

Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym – Features At A Glance
- Showcases over 95 exercises.
- Includes a lat tower, leg extension, preacher curl attachment, and those are just to name a few.
- Comes with 310 pounds of Power Rod Resistance. Need more? Don’t worry! You can easily upgrade to 410 pounds or 186 kilograms.
- Comes with built in cardio rowing.
- 5 way hand grip as well as ankle cuffs.
- With the workout DVD as well as the Quick Reference Fitness poster that is beefed up with detailed instructions for every exercise, you will get detailed instructions on how to do the exercises for PROPERLY and for maximum results.

#3: Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym

Moving down a notch in the best home gyms for 2011 ladder, we have the Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym. This home gym showcases well over 70 exercises (which is about 30 exercises less than the chart topping Revolution). HOWEVER, this home gym is still good enough for working out your essential muscle groups.

Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym List Price: $1,699.00 Sale Price: $1,000.00 You save: $699.00 (41%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 2 used from $1,000.00

Minimum clearance: now this is a department where the Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym shines. You see, it only needs 83 inches as minimum clearance.

If you haven’t shopped around yet, check this out: a lot of Bowflex user reviews and consumer reports have displayed SIGNIFICANT results in as little as 3 weeks with the Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym. What I REALLY love about this machine is that it allows you to work out faster than its predecessor – Xtreme, because there is no need for pulley change.

So you need more resistance? No problem! You can always buy 50 rod extensions for more resistance exercises. While assembly is required, as with any Bowflex home gyms, the instruction manual is pretty straightforward and easy to follow.

As for the warranty, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym warranty is limited to 7 years and lifetime on the power rods.

Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym – Dimensions
- Height of 6 feet and 11 inches.
- Length of 4 feet and 8 inches.
- Width of 4 feet and 2 inches.
- Needs a workout area of 7 by 6 feet.

Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym – Feature Highlights
- Compact and easy to use compared to other home gyms out there.
- Allows you to switch exercises quickly and without the need for cable changes.
- Comes with 210 pounds of Power Rod resistance. You can easily upgrade to 310 to 410 pounds.
- Has a lat tower which features 2 adjustable positions with angled lat bar.
- Beefed up with 4 position adjustable lower pulleys as well as longer squat station.

#4: Body-Solid EXM1500S

Why would you want to spend thousands of hard earned dollars and dough for a home gym? BUT why would you want to when you have the affordable Body-Solid EXM1500S at your disposal? Just so you know, this home gym has received a lot of great reviews and it’s NOT really surprising why.

Body Solid EXM1500S Single Stack Home Gym List Price: $1,360.00 Sale Price: $849.95 You save: $510.05 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 24 new from Too low to display  1 used from $980.00

It’s affordable, it comes with 160 pound weight stack, made better with equipments for chest presses, bicep curls, leg extensions, abdominal crunches, and those are just to name a few. Bottom line, it has everything you need for working your whole body out.

Robust, durable, with smooth moving weights as well as consistent resistance – these are the notable strengths of the Body-Solid EXM1500S. Along with that, the footprints left behind by the home gym are relatively small compared to other units out there. It’s an excellent choice for people who have limited living space.

What made the deal even sweeter is that the Body-Solid EXM1500S comes with a lifetime warranty and their customer service team is also GREAT. HOWEVER, there is one major issue that users of this home gym are whining about: the assembly. The assembly process is horribly frustrating. It would take you 4 hours on a good day and 6 hours if you are unfortunate to get the Body-Solid EXM1500S up and running.

Aside from that, though, everything about the Body-Solid EXM1500S is above average. If you are looking for a general fitness home gym, look no further. If you need more advanced lifting, going for a double stack home gym is the way to go.

Body-Solid EXM1500S – Feature Highlights
- Includes (2) 25 lb. Bayou Adjustable Dumbbells in the package.
- Has been rated No. 1 BEST BUY in Consumer Magazines.
- 160 lb. Alloy Weight Stack
- Comes with a Lat Bar, Straight Bar, Utility Strap, and more.
- Stations have a Lat Pulldown, Ab Crunch, Leg Extension, Chest Press and Seated Row.

#5: Weider Total Body Works 5000 Home Gym

Not all of us can afford to spend thousands of dollars for a home gym. If you belong to this category, then our fifth best home gym for 2011 is yours for the taking – the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Home Gym. This gives you decent workout and at a price that doesn’t bore a hole in your pocket.

Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $139.97 You save: $160.02 (53%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours   Eligible for free shipping! 5 new from $139.97  1 used from $120.00

Most of the expensive units out there use weight plates. HOWEVER, the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Home Gym uses resistance bands which are connected to a cable and pulley system. This provides you with 50 pounds of natural resistance and the incline bench, on the other hand, can be easily tweaked to one of the 7 positions or variations to make the exercise a little easier or more challenging depending on your experience.

With well over 50 different exercises for you to take on, the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Home Gym is more than good enough for most people. Not to mention many users and reviewers are impressed with the ease of use.

Assembling it is also very simple, which is a huge issue with other home gyms since they are so frustrating to piece together…taking up 4 to 6 hours. I don’t know about you BUT I want to workout not to spend a lot of time in the assembly. The workouts are also impressive thanks to the relatively smooth resistance and variety it offers.

Some quibbles about this unit: there are fewer options lower body exercises compared to the ones for your upper body. Also, a lot of people complain that the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Home Gym is too heavy and bulky for their taste. Not to mention I have seen some components breaking easily.

The warranty is pretty short – 90 days. It pales in comparison to other home gyms which have 10 or even 12 year warranties. If you are a total beginner or if you are just starting out in body building and workouts, the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Home Gym would give you an excellent and strong start.

Oh! One more thing, the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Home Gym has received a lot of great feedback from users like you. You can easily check them out and compare how it stands against other home gyms out there. And most of the time, the feedback is favorable.

Bottom line, we are looking forward to have a greater and better looking physique in 2011. HOWEVER, not all of us have the time or the inclination to go to the gym day in and day out when we should be working on our businesses or spending some quality time with our family. So does this mean we should give up on our hopes of getting slimmer and healthier?

HELL NO! Not when you have home gyms available at your disposal. For those of you who don’t know what home gyms are, these are, well…gyms for your home! They have tailored down to small size to fit in any room BUT beefed up with equipments to give you that total body work out you need for that ripped abs.

And here’s something to make the deal even sweeter and better, there are a lot of home gyms that are under $1000 that you will surely LOVE! Check out the best home gyms under $1000 – all 5 of them RIGHT HERE!

#1: Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym – this is an excellent way to beef up and strengthen different muscles all over your body while adding a little bit of cardio training in the menu…giving you with well over 30 strength exercises as well as a built in rowing station.

Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym List Price: $799.00 Sale Price: $449.00 You save: $350.00 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours   Eligible for free shipping! 3 new from $449.00

Coming with 210 pounds of Power Rod resistance, the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym is versatile enough to help you work out your abs, arms, chest, back, shoulders, as well as lower body. Along with that, it also comes with triple function hand grips for lat pull down, for doing horizontal bench presses, four inch upholstered roller cushions for leg extensions, as well as leg curl exercises. Making the deal even sweeter, the rowing machine rail folds when you are all done – allowing you to fit it into any room!

The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym also uses the patented Power Rods. These provide resistance as well as weight that feel just as good or even better than free weights! HOWEVER, what makes it better is that it doesn’t have the inertia…removing the risk of joint pain which has been associated with free weights.

You can easily hook up one, two, three, four, or if you are up to it, all of the Power Rod units to the cable pulley system. This allows you to go from the light 5 pounds all the way to the ultra heavy weight 210 pound resistance.

Even better, they have been created with high tech composite material under strict and HIGH quality control measures. PLUS, they are sheathed and tested 4 separate times. This ensures you are safe when working out with the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and that you get quality coupled with durability. YES, you can flex them day in and day out…repeatedly and you are guaranteed you won’t be able to wear them out.

Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym – Feature Highlights
- You get a total body strength workout thanks to this affordable home gym.
- Comes with a rowing machine rail.
- Gives you as little as five or as much as 210 pounds of resistance thanks to the Bowflex Power Rods.
- Comes with its guns blazing…showcasing well over 30 strength exercises - horizontal bench press, lat pull down, and those are just to name a few.
- Comes with sliding seat rail. This adds aerobic rowing training for burning calories, as well as cardiovascular warm-up and cool-down.
- Can take 300-pounds as maximum user weight
- Needs ONLY 100 x 78-inch as your minimum work out area.

#2: Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym

There are a couple of reasons why I decided to settle with the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym. First off, it weighs less on our floor and there’s no need to move the weights around the apartment. Now, I would want a home gym that has some rowing features as well as leg curls. HOWEVER, after trying home gyms that have that feature, I decided to forget about it.

Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym List Price: $1,299.00 Sale Price: $949.99 You save: $349.01 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 4 new from $949.99  1 used from $800.00

You see, these home gyms are locked in place, which means lesser versatility. While the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym don’t do leg curls, others that offer the feature offer a complicated way of doing them. And more complications mean MORE chances and probability of something going wrong.

And with that in mind, I went back to the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym. I’m thankful I did. Compared to other home gyms out there, it’s MORE fun and easier to use. No complicated or fancy step by step instructions to follow. Everything about the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym is intuitive. Along with that, it comes with a no-cable-changes design which allows me to switch exercises and workout routines without breaking a sweat.

Going back to the leg curls feature, I saw a review on Amazon.com by a guy who made a workaround for this issue and for a different BowFlex home gym. Basically, you will do the leg curls while standing and facing the unit. I tried and I loved it! I’m giving the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym 2 thumbs up.

Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym – Features That I Love
- Space saving! Doesn’t need a lot of floor space.
- No need to move heavy weights around the area when working out.
- REALLY quiet. You don’t have to worry about waking up the kids when working out.
- While you are working out and changing workout routines, you don’t need to change the cable design.
- As for the motion, it’s REALLY smooth and flawless.
- Comes with an instruction manual that has good assembly instructions.
- A lot of adjustments offered for people of different sizes and physiques.
- It can be easily upgraded to take on 310 pounds as the maximum weight limit.
- VERY well made! Looking at the other home gyms I have seen before, this one pays MORE attention to detail than the others.

And those are just to name a few!

#3: Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsmans Gym

If you are looking for a home gym that is small and compact, then the Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsmans Gym is yours for the taking! You see, this home gym has been designed from the ground up to general fitness and strength training. While it needs assembly, that shouldn’t be much of a bother. It took me only 3 hours and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t have even the slightest idea how to assemble stuff of any sort!

Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsmans Gym List Price: $625.00 Sale Price: $329.99 You save: $295.01 (47%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 15 new from $329.99  3 used from $339.99

One reminder though: do NOT follow the pulley instructions. Instead, place the cable as well as the pulley on the machine in order to feed the cable and then tighten it up, the pulley bolts, to the machine.

When it comes to doing what a home fitness gym needs to do, the Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsmans Gym aces it! Let me just remind you, this unit is NOT meant for heavy duty body building. It comes with 150 pounds I stacked weight which is just about right for general fitness needs. Should you need MORE weight and resistance, you can always buy free weights.

HOWEVER, your general fitness needs, if you are looking for a nicely made home gym that works out your arms, legs, chest, and more, the Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsmans Gym is MORE than enough.

Best Fitness BFMG20 Sportsmans Gym – Feature Highlights
- Comes with a natural arc of free weight bench press as well as pectoral dumbbell fly.
- Has a high pulley with a wide grip lat bar, giving you biomechanically correct lat pull downs.
- Low slung: 79 inches in height. This is perfect for low ceiling homes as well as workout rooms in the basement.
- The fiberglass pulleys together with ball bearing movements give you solid axle rotation.

#4: Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym

I have been on the hunt for that all in one home gym for quite some time. I want something that would replace a couple of gym equipments that I have been using for a couple of years now. I’ve got the Weider 8510 pulley type machine, a Roman Crunch Bench, free weights, and those are just to name a few.

Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $139.97 You save: $160.02 (53%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours   Eligible for free shipping! 5 new from $139.97  1 used from $120.00

They have been cluttering my basement and I want to clean up the mess and still get quality and all around workout. Initially, I checked out the Total Gym Machine, which is endorsed by Christie Brinkley and Chuck Norris. I went to their site and requested their free video. A couple of days later, I got a phone call from them saying that if I grab the machine, I could save $100.

BUT I’m looking for a video. I want to see the thing work before I spend my hard earned dough, which I think is fair enough. HOWEVER, I never got the video and this made me suspicious. Well, nobody wants to be hustled. I’m not saying they are hustlers BUT it’s better to be on the safe side.

Anyway, I ended up having the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym! I never found a single negative review for it – ANYWHERE! I bought it and I’m very thankful that I did. The Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym has been in my basement for almost a year now and I’m very impressed at how it works. Not to mention it helped me free up a lot of space in my basement.

The newer versions of the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym comes with thicker board padding, vinyl with better quality, as well as new enhancements on the wielding. This makes the unit even better and stronger. The corners of the board’s vinyl will start splitting. That’s natural wear and tear. HOWEVER, this can be easily resolved by some black tape. The splitting doesn’t affect the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym’s function adversely.

Just add some tape to keep the home gym great looking.

No negative reviews, stands up to the test of time, a lot of enhancements on the newer version, and a whole lot more! There’s nothing more you can ask for from the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym.

#5: Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym

The Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym – this is the only home fitness gym and system that showcases the Total Nitrocell Technology (that’s TNT for short). And to make the deal even sweeter, this home gym comes with everything you need to build muscle, lose those unwanted pounds, gain strength, while having fun in the process!

Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym List Price: $999.99

What on earth is the TNT system? Here’s what: the Total Nitrocell Technology takes advantage and relies on 2 nitrogen charged cylinders to create resistance. YES, the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym is NOT like your ordinary fitness equipment and home gym that uses funky weight plates.
What made these cylinders better than your usual weight plates is that they provide you with amazingly fluid resistance on each and every exercise – from start to finish! This helps you work your muscles through an entire range of motion. Whether you want to bulk up, get ripped muscles, or ones that are long, lean, and sexy, this technology found in the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym will help you get the job done.

Even better is the fact that the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym allows you to easily switch resistance levels thanks to the advanced slide and lock mechanism that lets you tweak the resistance from 10 pounds all the way to 170 pounds within seconds! Changing from one exercise to another is also a piece of cake, thanks to the fact that there are dangerous and heavy weight plates and no bows for you to take off and adjust.

Bottom line, changeovers from one exercise to another with the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym maximizes workout efficiency. Working out becomes simpler, faster, and way MORE effective than it used to be.

The Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym will work out every muscle group in your body. Chest, shoulders, arms, back, quads, etc. – name it and this home gym has the exercise to fit your needs and demands. Just so you know, you get well over 100 body shaping exercises for men and women alike through their comprehensive guide as well as an eating plan and aerobic guide.

What’s also surprising (in a pleasant way that is) is that the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym takes up less space than your regular treadmill. It measures 65 inches by 82 by 52.5 inches (that’s width by height by depth). It weighs only 174 pounds and it’s backed up by a 12 month warranty on the frame as well as parts.

Beefed up with the TNT for smooth resistance through your exercises, quick changeovers with the Slide and Lock feature, 170 pounds of total weight resistance, a guide beefed up with 100 exercises – I don’t know about you BUT the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym sounds like a GREAT DEAL!

Here is a closer look at the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym, including the positives and negatives which we soon discovered when testing the product.

Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym Specifications & Features

Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym List Price: $1,299.00 Sale Price: $949.99 You save: $349.01 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 4 new from $949.99  1 used from $800.00

Upgradeable Weight Resistance
One of the best features of the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym has got to be the flexibility of the weight scale at the top end. The machine comes standard with a maximum of 210lbs of resistance and an operational range of between 5lbs and 210lbs. Once this maximum weight is reached, a user can install a further 100lbs of weights (which you need to buy separately) to extend the upper limit out to 310lbs.

Not bad, given that the average user will never even come close to utilizing that amount of weight. It is therefore blatantly clear that Bowflex are targeting the serious strength trainer or weight lifter with this high quality product.

Premium Build Materials
The PR3000 adds a number of luxury extras which are not included on cheaper models in the Home Gym series. For example, the PR3000 adds upholstery to the roller cushions, and further padding to the ankle cuffs and handle bars.

Not a major addition you might say, but when your hands, feet, and buttocks are all blazingly sore after a workout on another machine, you might be wishing you had paid a bit extra for the small comforts.

Sturdy Design
The Bowflex PR3000 can withstand a user weighing up to 300lbs, and requires a 100 by 78 inch area for use. This is slightly larger than most other machines, but the extra space is taken up by support columns and structures which support machine balance and weight distribution.

Things We Liked About The Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym

This home gym really is one of the best all inclusive pieces of equipment available on the market today. Assuming that you can swallow the price of more than $1,000 - this should be the only exercise machine you ever need to buy.

Current users of the PR3000 constantly comment on the flexibility of the exercises, and the durability of the rods / machine itself. Coupled with a 7 year power rod warranty and a 1 year frame warranty, there's very little to be worried about.

Things We Didn't Like With The Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym

Lower prices would always go down a treat, but as soon as you hear the word "Bowflex", you know that you'll be paying a premium price. As we have already said, if you can get past the price tag, there is very little to fault when it comes to the PR3000. Our only other request would be for an integrated cardio system, such as a rowing function - but you can't have it all right?

So does the Total Gym 1800 Club version meet the criteria for a "comprehensive home gym"? Or are there a few things which let it down?

Total Gym 1800 Club Specifications & Features

Total Gym 1800 Club List Price: $399.99 Sale Price: $342.95 You save: $57.04 (14%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 6 new from $342.95  1 used from $329.00

Comfort & Style
The Total Gym 1800 has been designed with a user friendly style in mind. A number of adjustments have been made over previous models in the Total Gym Series, including a larger glide board to support more of your body, and various additional attachments to increase the usefulness of the machine.

These add-ons include an abdominal crunch board and an automated locking mechanism - which goes a long way to improving safety of the machine.

Easy Storage
The great thing about these types of home gym machines is that they take up a very small amount of space during use. Additionally, they can almost always be folded away and stored in a closet or under the bed because of the lack of weight bars and rods which plague other home gym sets.

The Total Gym 1800 is an excellent compromise for apartment dwellers, or those with limited space in their homes. Whilst not as versatile as a full home gym with weight bars and rods, it definitely does the trick for beginner / intermediate users.

Color Options
Who would have thought that the color of your home gym could be customized to fit your own personal preferences? There's nothing worse than a bright green home gym sticking out like an eye sore in a house filled with antiques and collectibles. For this reason, the Total Gym 1800 comes in a number of different colors.

Things We Like On The Total Gym 1800 Club

The Total Gym 1800 Club version is a vast improvement on the previously popular 1700 model. Users of the newer model often tout owners of other machines due to the amazing cost savings that this piece of equipment presents.

Users can literally achieve just as good a workout on the Total Gym 1800, albeit with a number of adjustments, as a more bulky and expensive Bowflex system. We feel that at the current price of under $400, this machine is a true bargain!

Things We Didn't Like On The Total Gym 1800 Club

Unfortunately, because of the Total Gym's design, users are constantly forced to adjust the machine to achieve workouts for different areas of the body. If you are happy to allow a few extra minutes each day to accommodate this, then there are no issues whatsoever. However, if you like speedy adjustments or enjoy switching rapidly from exercise to exercise, this might not be the best solution.

Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym Specifications & Features

Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym List Price: $799.00 Sale Price: $449.00 You save: $350.00 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours   Eligible for free shipping! 3 new from $449.00

Weight Range & Resistance
Bowflex once again utilizes its award winning, industry leading resistance rods in the PR1000 (usually referred to as "power rods"). Users are able to adjust the applicable weight from a minimum of 5lbs to a maximum of 210lbs by selection which rods are employed by the pulley systems.

This weight range clearly caters not only to those wanting to build strength and muscle, but also to those looking to tone and sculpt their existing figures.

Cardio Training Included
The PR1000 features a sliding seat design, which allows for the machine to be used as a sort of "pseudo-rower". This allows a cardio and strength training regime to be carried out on just one machine, saving extra space which might otherwise have been reserved for a separate treadmill or cardio-only machine.

Workout Displays
Whilst the Bowflex PR1000 doesn't include that nifty TV showing you how to do each exercise, it does come with a number of wall displays which work you through the correct motion of each activity - a useful feature if you are new to gym equipment or exercise.

Positives Of The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

Probably the best thing about the Bowflex PR1000 is the fact that it can be used for cardio and resistance training. It sure does look a strength training machine, but when you convert it to the rowing mode, it looks surprisingly natural.

More importantly, the rowing experience is very similar to that of a standalone rowing machine, and it sure does get your heart pumping, which is the whole idea.

One of the most inconvenient issues with machines like this has typically been that once they are installed and set up in your house, it is a drama to move them around. Thankfully, the Bowflex PR1000 actually solves this problem for us, and is able to be easily folded up and stored away when necessary - a big bonus.

Negatives Of The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

As many users of the Bowflex PR1000 Home gym have already pointed out, we were a bit disappointed with the fact that 210lbs is literally the maximum machine weight - period. There is no ability to add more rods or upgrade the machine once the maximum weight becomes your stock standard resistance.

If you can look past this one downside however, or if you are not solely looking for a home gym to bump you straight to "professional weightlifter" status, the Bowflex PR1000 will no doubt accommodate your every need, and perform exceptionally under almost any circumstance.

Weider Total Body Works 50000 Specifications & Features

Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $139.97 You save: $160.02 (53%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours   Eligible for free shipping! 5 new from $139.97  1 used from $120.00

Compact Design
The design of the Weider Total Body Works 50000 Gym is such that you can achieve huge space savings, no matter which room you decide to keep the gym in. Basically, when not in use, the leg underneath the sliding seat is able to be folded upwards so that it is horizontal to the rest of the machine.

This means that the entire home gym can be easily stored in a closet, out of sight, when not in use - a perfect feature for apartment dwellers, etc.

Rolling Seat
The rolling seat on the Weider Total Body Works 50000 operates through a pulley mechanism. This means that it is your own body weight providing the resistance to the machine - arguably a more efficient way of working out.

Adjustable Inclines
We especially liked the degree to which the inclines on the Total Body 50000 were assigned. Smaller increments allow for precision training, and this is exactly what we were offered with this home gym.

Additional Resistance Add-on
If your own body weight doesn't provide enough resistance for your training, the Weider Total Body Works 50000 comes with an additional "superpack" to ensure that you are able to keep pushing your weight resistance limits.

What We Liked About The Weider Total Body Works 50000

After trialling the Weider 50000, we found that it was surprisingly easy to work out different areas of the body with one simple machine. When we think of home gyms, we usually think of pulleys, bars, weights, and huge stands filling up an entire room.

Thankfully, our perception may have undergone a short sharp shift after using the Body Works 50000. With over 100 different exercises utilizing your own body weight and up to 50lbs extra, you certainly won't be short of reasons to jump on the Weider home gym each day and get things pumping.

What We Didn't Like About The Weider Total Body Works 50000 Gym

Unfortunately, even with 100 possible exercises to accommodate all different types of training, the Weider 50000 is still not entirely a "home gym". There are a number of exercises missing - ones that are simply impossible given the scale and design of the machine.

Overall, the Total Body Works 50000 is a fantastic starting point for someone looking to build a collection of home equipment - but for a professional weight lifter / exercise fanatic, it just won't cut the mustard.

So does the Body by Jake Tower 200 Gym live up to these high standards? Let's take a closer look.

Body by Jake Tower 200 Full Body Exercise Gym Specifications & Features

Body By Jake Tower 200 Full-Body Exercise Gym [Sports] [Sports] [Sports] List Price: $249.99 Sale Price: $109.00 You save: $140.99 (56%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days   Eligible for free shipping! 4 new from $109.00  2 used from $199.99

Door Based Gym
The Body by Jake Tower 200 utilizes hardware which is already (hopefully) installed in your home - a door. By attaching to the door itself through a number of ropes and harnesses, the Body by Jake Tower system eliminates the need for permanent stands and dedicated areas of the house in which to assign your exercise routine.

What's more is that there is no specified requirement for the door to which you connect the Tower 200 - a feature which provides well needed flexibility to the product.

200lbs Maximum Resistance
With an array of cords and pulley systems, you can achieve a maximum resistance of 200lbs in any one exercise. This is more than enough for the average gym goer, and should provide a suitable selection of mid-range weights to ensure that you are always challenged when working out.

Over 200 Different Exercises
The product description flaunts the fact that over 200 different exercises can be achieved on this single home gym product. We would argue that a number of these exercises are simply duplicates being done in different positions, and would therefore put a more modest tag of 80 to 100 "different" exercises on the box.

Pro's Of The Jake Tower 200 Full Body Exercise Gym

There are a number of things we liked about the Jake Tower 200 gym. Firstly, the installation was a breeze - clear and simple instructions were provided to ensure correct installation and protection of the door and its surrounds.

Additional padding also protects your wood work during operation of the machine.

Secondly, the exercise DVD which is included in the Jake Tower 200 program is an excellent guide to achieving success with the individual workouts. The instructors were good looking, and the music was pumping - exactly how a workout DVD should be!

Con's Of The Jake Tower 200 Full Body Exercise Gym

Claiming to produce astonishing results in just 11 minutes per day is particularly daring, and we thought this was a bit of an overestimate. Sure, the 11 minute DVD program was challenging, however it did leave us wanting more at the end. Perhaps a 20 minute version may have been better suited us and our tastes (or are we being a bit too picky?).

Either way, the Body by Jake Tower system is well worth the time and money - not to mention the fun you'll be having when swinging around on your own door!

But does the performance keep up with the aesthetic pleasures? We put it to the test to find out.

Total Trainer DLX-3 Specifications & Features

Bayou Fitness Total Trainer DLX-III Home Gym List Price: $899.00 Sale Price: $499.49 You save: $399.51 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours   Eligible for free shipping! 12 new from Too low to display

Materials & Finishes
The Total Trainer DLX-3 boasts chrome polish throughout the machine, in places where you never thought they would even think about. For example, the underside of the glide cushion is polished chrome, as are the insides of the handle bars.

On the upholstery side of things, "rich" black leather has been used. This is lovely, but somewhat unnecessary from a performance point of view. Sure, leather will stop you from slipping off an the glide cushion whilst on an incline, but then again, so will a towel.

DVD Inclusive
The Total Trainer DLX-3 comes action-packed with a workout DVD - which is mainly focused on strength training. Whilst the DLX-3 can be used for cardio workouts, it is somewhat up to you to figure this part of the machine out (ultimately not that difficult).

Equipment Add-ons
Instead of having to purchase add-ons for your home gym, the Total Trainer DLX-3 conveniently offers a Dual Leg Cuff add-on, as well as a large squat board. The ball bearing system has been upgraded in this model to a "Speed Tuff" design, supposedly allowing for extra durability and mechanical integrity.

Things We Liked About The Total Trainer DLX-3

Who are we to not comment on the looks of the Total Trainer DLX-3. This exercise machine will fit nicely in the back seat of the Porsche, and there might even still be some room for your Toy Poodle. Once you build up enough courage to actually touch the machine (at the risk of dirtying it), it's not a bad ride.

Under the hood is a concoction of exciting features which will no doubt make any exercise program or session a true delight. In the scheme of things, the DLX-3 is not overly priced either, making it accessible to anyone with taste and style.

Things We Didn't Like About The Total Trainer DLX-3

The design of the entire Total Trainer product line seems to be based around compact and space saving ideas. This is great if you have limited room in your house or abode, but the trade off is that if you are a tall individual, you might actually outsize the machine.

A few tall users have commented on the glide range of the machine being slightly limited - whereby even utilizing the full range of the glide cushion is simply not enough to fully and properly complete each exercise. So - basketball players beware - this may not be the best product for you!

But we all know that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Therefore, does the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym live up to its looks, or is it simply a pretty piece of equipment?

Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym Specifications & Features

Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym List Price: $999.99

Weight Distribution Technology
The Bio Force 1.7 incorporates state-of-the-art "NitroCell" technology, which keeps the resistance constant throughout an entire repetition or exercise. Unlike many other home gyms which put more strain on the user at the beginning of each move and then ease off - the Bio Force forces the muscles to work at the same rate throughout the entire range of motion.

Easy Weight Changes
By utilizing a "slide and lock" function, users are able to switch between weights quickly and efficiently, without having to manually exchange one weight block for the next.

Ultimately, this speeds up your workout and allows you to achieve less downtime between sets.

DVD & Charts Included
The team behind Bio Force 1.7 have not forgotten about the beginner users out there who are unfamiliar with the correct form in which each exercise should be performed. The Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym comes with a workout DVD and exercise charts to assist you in learning the correct techniques for each move.

The Good Side - Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym
Our experience with the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym was a positive one right from the start. With detailed assembly instructions, high-quality fittings and construction, and even more add-ons than we were expecting - we were pleasantly surprised by the Bio Force's initial impact.

Using the machine was even better. The consistent weight distribution offered by the NitroCell technology can be felt from the very first lift - and once you have experienced it, normal weightlifting will never feel the same again.

Finally, the design and style of the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym makes this a machine which you will be proud to have on display. Not only does it look the part, it also performs just as well - a testament to the time and research spent by the manufacturer to get this product right.

The Bad Side - Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym
The only thing that we can comment on when it comes to the bad side of the Bio Force 1.7 Home Gym is the space requirement. If you are currently short of space in your home, the Bio Force might make things a little bit tight. However, this is a problem that you will have with any sizable home gym - so really it is a non-issue, and just a point to keep in mind before buying.

If you like this style of exercise, and if you are unlikely to miss your morning treadmill sessions, the FreeForm Hideaway could be the perfect product for you.

FreeForm Hideaway Home Gym Specifications & Features

FreeForm Hideaway Home Gym List Price: $699.99 Sale Price: $349.99 You save: $350.00 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours   Eligible for free shipping! 2 new from $349.99

Compact Design
Probably the first thing that you will notice about the FreeForm Hideaway Home Gym is that it is a very compact home gym system. There are no towers, sliders, or other bulky equipment to clog up your living spaces.

Whilst the FreeForm Hideaway Home Gym doesn't look like it could pack a punch, the machine does have up to 200lbs of resistance stored in its wings. And with a minimum weight of 10lbs, the lower end of the market is catered for as well.

Resistance Band Technology
Instead of bulky and large weight pads or plates being employed in this home gym, the entire resistance system is based upon bands of different elasticity. To utilize a lower weight, you would use a band with less elasticity - and the opposite is true for higher weights.

Whilst these bands are fairly durable, you do need to be careful that they don't get small slits or holes in them, as this could cause the band to snap in the longer term. In other words, keep your small, excitable animals away from the exercise equipment!

Full Body Workout
The FreeForm Hideaway Home Gym not only allows you to work out your biceps and triceps - it can be modified to allow any part of the body to be worked on. This includes the lower body and abdominal region.

Things We Like About The FreeForm Hideaway Home Gym

The FreeForm Hideaway Home Gym is a refreshing change from the traditional types of home gyms that we are accustomed to seeing these days. Compact in its design, easy to store, and versatile enough to be used by regular gym goers - the FreeForm Hideaway certainly does provide an exciting and user-friendly experience.

Things We Didn't Like About The FreeForm Hideaway Home Gym

Whilst not unexpected, the variety of lower body exercises that can be done on this machine are somewhat limited. Of course, if you have the space and the money to purchase a more comprehensive home gym - you probably wouldn't be reading this review anyway, so we think that for the price - the selection of exercises is spot on.