Best Gym Equipment Fully Reviewed
Starting an exercise routine is intimidating when you first begin. Walking into the gym and seeing fifty plus different machines with no idea which one does what can be quite daunting. You may be scared that you might use a machine wrong or may fail because you put too much weight on.
With this handy guide, we will walk you through exactly what the most popular exercise equipment does. This list of gym equipment will cover 95% of the exercise equipment you will see at your gym.
The mecca of strength training. This station may be a bit advanced for a beginner but is imperative to any serious strength training routing.
Muscles Used: Everything!
Great for strength training. This is a necessary purchase when buying a squat station.
Muscles Used: Everything!
The quintessential multi-purpose machine, primarily used for Chest building.
Muscles Used: Chest, Shoulders, Biceps, Triceps, Lats, and Upper back
The incline bench press is another great workout for chest growth. Make sure you practice proper form as should injuries happen often with this workout.
Muscles Used: Upper chest, deltoids (shoulders), triceps
Glute Ham Developer is effective to strengthen glutes and lower back. Increases glute strength and endurance.
Muscles Used: Glutes and Lower Back
Power Tower is used to perform pull-ups, sit-ups, leg raises, dips, push-ups, and chin-ups.
Muscles Used: Chest, Arms, Legs, Shoulders, Back
Reformer Pilates is used to improve flexibility, overall body strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
Muscles Used: Overall body
Wall Ball can be used for a great cardio workout.
Muscles Used: Back, legs, shoulder and arms
The single most effective machine to stay fit, healthy, burn fat and a complete body workout. Specifically helps increase stamina and strengthening leg muscles.
Increases your overall strength and endurance, it is low impact and is always accessible.
Muscles Used: Lower back, Calf, and Thighs
EZ Curl Bar is effective to strengthen arms and wrists. Increases arm strength and endurance.
Muscles Used: Arms, Biceps and Triceps
Grips are attached to cables. A number of exercises can be performed with this. A real toolbox of exercises. Do some research to find exercises that work for you.
Muscles Used: It depends on exercise performed. Potential to hit every muscle.
Lower your body and lift up! It is super important to practice good form to avoid shoulder issues.
Muscles Used: Triceps and deltoids (shoulders)
Similar to the hyperextension bench but hits your abs. Practice to gain correct posture and form for maximum benefit and minimize injury risk.
Muscles Used: Abs
A handle with a weight attached at the end. A staple of any exercise program.
Muscles Used: Anything you want
Pull yourself up so your chin is above the bar. Fantastic upper body workout.
Muscles Used: Back, shoulders, abs, biceps
There are literally tons of ways you can use the kettlebell. Good for strength training and cardio. Get some training on how to use it to prevent injury.
Muscles Used: Depends on the exercise
Not exactly an exercise but a good tool for reducing soreness and flexibility. This will make you a happy gym goer.
Muscles Used: Everything
Pull the bar towards your chest and squeeze your back. This workout will give you wings!
Muscles Used: Upper/lower back
Lift the weight with your quads. Squeeze at the top. Great exercise for leg strengthing, and even injury rehabilitation.
Muscles Used: Quads
All-in-one exercise device that will give you a fantastic cardio workout, burn a ton of calories and provide a great back, shoulder and leg workout. Increases your overall strength and endurance, it is low impact and is always accessible.
Muscles Used: Back, shoulder and legs.
An assisted exercise that isolates the chest.
Muscles used: Chest
A good all around exercise tool. Good to have around the house. Good for stretching and body weight fitness
Muscles used: Everything!
Check out detailed reviews of other important garage gym gear below, as well as what you need to know before you run out to pick something up.
If you are thinking of building your own gym in your garage, (see here for a guide on building a complete home gym using home gym bundles offered by various vendors beginners guide to at-home gym design) we will list the average gym equipment price list and the best place that you can purchase each piece.
