Buying a Home Gym / Strength Station? What should I look out for?
You want to buy a home gym but can't see the wood for the trees due to the wide range of options. Before you know it, you could make a bad purchase costing hundreds of euros. In this blog, we list the most important considerations to help you make the right purchase.
1. Type of weight system for your home gym
Home gyms come with selectorized weight stacks or the option to use Olympic weight plates. Selectorized weights are easy to use because you simply insert a pin at the desired weight. The disadvantage is that you are often limited to a maximum weight. Plate-loaded home gyms take a bit more time when changing weights but can handle heavier loads. These weights are usually not included but can be ordered separately.
2. Total weight stack
Everyone uses a home gym differently. If you want to build a lot of muscle mass, you'll want the total weight stack to be as heavy as possible. Those just starting out or simply wanting to get a bit leaner often find a maximum weight stack of 100 kg sufficient.
3. Expandability of the home gym
Certain home gyms can be expanded with additional weight stacks, leg extensions, spotter stands, lat attachments, and more. This allows you to adapt the home gym over time and perform more exercises, while keeping the initial price lower.
4. Maximum weight capacity
The maximum weight capacity says a lot about the sturdiness and quality of the home gym. The higher this weight, the better. A solid machine made of quality materials typically has an average weight capacity of 130 kg.
5. Upholstery of the cushions
The frame and cables of home gyms are very durable and require little maintenance. However, cushions and armrests do wear out. Therefore, pay attention to the material used (real leather or synthetic leather) and the finish. Real leather lasts longer than synthetic leather.
6. Dimensions of the home gym
A home gym takes up a significant amount of space and is not easy to move. Measure the available space beforehand so you don't encounter any surprises. There are compact models such as the Finnlo Maximum Inspire FT1, but also larger ones like the Finnlo Maximum Inspire SCS. This way, you'll always find a model that fits.
