The new year has begun, and with it, many of us have our resolutions set on weight loss or muscle gain. And yet, as gyms become teeming with like-minded, equally motivated gym newbies, a busy gym often means less time spent getting your ideal workout - which is a one-way path to eventually giving up on your high ambitions.
There are, however, countless alternatives for gym enthusiasts eager to see results, who want to train whenever they feel, without the painfully awkward exchange of waiting for your favourite machine to free itself up, only for someone else to opportunistically seize it.
The multi-gym is the perfect way to achieve excellent, versatile and challenging exercises at home that'll see you gaining an incredible amount of muscle and burning plenty of fat in a matter of weeks. Whatever you're trying to build; biceps, triceps, pectoral muscles, deltoids, traps, obliques - there's a multi-gym for that.
Choosing the best multi gyms - how we decided
When deciding what multi-gyms to include, we had to bear a multitude of factors in mind. Our main priority was, first and foremost - finding the most effective multi-gym equipment at the best price for you. With a wide array of intense, efficient, and formidable exercises that'll help you rapidly gain strength, each multi-gym we've chosen covers a fantastic amount of exercises, helping build your core muscle groups without the need for extensive equipment to clutter up your garage.
Not every multi-gym will cover each muscle group. Generally speaking, the greater the price, the better the muscle group coverage, so we'll be including some more basic equipment and gradually build up to larger, more elaborate sets so you'll never have to set foot in a public gym ever again.
Ranking the very best multi gyms across the internet, we've started our list with the best value multi gym, with prices gradually increasing as the list goes on, so there's the perfect multi gym for anyone on any budget.
The best multi gyms of 2023: in detail
Best value multi gym
Starting at certainly the best value multi gym available that doesn't compromise on quality, IRONMAN's IM-101 is a highly efficient, well-crafted and effective solution to getting in some terrific exercise without forking over an excessive amount of cash.
Capable of six fundamental workouts targeting some fantastic primary muscle groups, this assumedly simplistic multi-gym has far more than meets the eye in store, should you wish to take the plunge.
Our major gripe with the machine, however, comes in the form of its fairly low-weight stack, which tops off at around 45kg. While, yes for any arm curls you wish to do, 45kg should be plenty, but for major weight-lifting enthusiasts looking to push themselves to their limits, 45kg just isn't going to cut it.
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Pros
- Fantastic value
- Excellent fundamental strength exercises
- Highly space-efficient
Cons
- Low overall weight stack
Best value cable crossover machine
For the essential upper body workout, you can't do much better than a cable crossover machine. With a much larger weight stack, even expert lifters will get their pump on with RIP X's fantastic value cable crossover machine without spending an excessive amount of money.
For building chest, biceps, triceps, delts, and traps, a cable crossover machine really is one of the best options available on the market.
Of course, you'll need a lot of space in order to use the machine effectively, so for those who can't quite spare the garage or gym cave - you'll need to go with something a tad smaller.
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Pros
- Fantastic weight stack for all levels of expertise
- Very versatile
- Perfect for two users at once
- Capable of intense workout routine
Cons
- Very large
Best multi gym for intermediate lifters
www.decathlon.co.uk
For those looking for a wider variety of essential workouts with a much larger weight stack and plenty of comforts while training, DOMYOS's multi-gym is the intermediate choice for you.
Affordable, effective and perfect for a range of tough, yet enjoyable exercises (focusing primarily on the upper body), the fantastic quality of the DOMYOS multi-gym set is abundantly clear from the get-go, and is a perfect addition to your personal home training arsenal.
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Pros
- Compact
- Extremely comfortable
- Good weight stack for intermediate users
Cons
- Might not be enough weight for more experienced lifters
Best construction quality multi gym station
Easily one of the most premium, versatile, and effective machines on our roundup, Senshi Japan's stunning multi-machine is capable of over 51 unique exercises, and with a fantastic 90kg maximum weight stack - even expert lifters will get plenty of muscle burn.
Covering a huge array of muscle groups without any sort of setback on quality, this is quite simply an absolute bargain, despite its heftier price point.
Pros
- Fantastic build quality
- Great range of essential exercises
- Great comfort
- Excellent maximum weight stack
Cons
- Considerably larger than other selected multi gyms
Best squat rack multi gym
musclesquad.com
For fantastic flexibility, workout variety, and space efficiency, Muscle Squad's Phase 2 Quarter Squat Rack with cable pulley is an incredible option that won't limit your strength potential after just a few months of regular exercise.
There's an enormous amount of workouts that can be performed with this machine, many of which simply aren't possible on a standard multi-machine - we're of course talking about squats and bench presses, which the Phase 2 Quarter Squat Rack can quite capably handle.
Muscle Squad's Phase 2 Quarter Squat Rack is designed for simple, easy-to-install customisation, so you're rarely limited by just a few workouts that become incredibly dull after just a few weeks. Unfortunately, the Phase 2 quickly becomes one of the more expensive options on our list, not just because of the initial price, but also because there are no included weights with the set itself.
Typically, weights aren't a major expense, and once you've purchased all the additional weights you need it'll become one of the most effective multi-gyms you can buy - but that additional faff might be a little too much for some customers.
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Pros
- Fantastic construction
- An incredible variety of workouts for any level of experience
- Compact
Cons
- No weights included
Best smith machine multi gym
For a fantastic range of exercises that can be performed safely within your own home without the need for a spotter, Marcy's Platinum Smith multi gym machine is undeniably one of our favourite options.
Coming with a fantastic array of pulleys that are suitable for both upper and lower body workouts, a fantastic adjustable bench with leg curl and extension capabilities, and the pièce de résistance; an incredible smith machine for some much-needed reassurance when training alone - this may very well be the ultimate way to train at home.
Despite the price, however, Marcy's Platinum Smith Machine doesn't come with any weights, so you'll need to source them elsewhere, which is relatively simple, albeit expensive.
Pros
- Unbeatable quality
- Great range of workouts
- Smith machine is an excellent bonus
Cons
- No weights included
FAQs: your questions answered
Where should I buy plates for weightlifting?
You can find plenty of online stores selling a variety of plates that are perfect for any level of lifting expertise, here are just a couple we'd highly recommend.
Best starter plates
From 5kg to 25kg, equip yourself with plenty of plates and you'll be a training champ in no time. Suitable for use with any standard Olympic-sized barbells.
Best plates for longevity
For plates that'll last a lifetime, Rockbase is renowned for its essentially indestructible plates, perfect for use with Olympic-size barbells, or even for body workouts.
How do I keep my equipment in perfect condition?
When setting up a home gym, keeping everything in working order is an absolute must. First thing's first, spotting fraying cables early can save you from a nasty accident, so if your multi gym cables looks worse for wear, replace them immediately.
Then there's the pulley system itself. After prolonged use, friction builds up between the pulley and the cables, causing fraying. To avoid this, use silicone lubricant, here is a particularly brilliant choice that's highly recommended by multi gym users.
Best lubricant for multi gym maintenance
Perfect for keeping everything running smoothly in your home gym, simply apply liberally to pulleys to ensure the multi-gym is well-maintained.
Is a multi-gym a good way to build muscle?
A multi-gym is a convenient piece of equipment for gaining muscle without the need for journeying to the gym. With the correct amount of weekly exercise and a well-controlled diet, it's relatively simple to build muscle using a multi-gym.
Can gym equipment go upstairs?
Yes, you absolutely can, but you should keep yourself aware that your equipment is very heavy, and constant weight on weak floorboards is a recipe for disaster.
To avoid damage to your floor, we'd recommend choosing a multi-gym with built-in padding for additional support, or simply installing some gym flooring yourself will help alleviate pressure from the machine itself.