23 Sep Which is right for you: Home Gym or Functional Trainer

Do you want to set up a workout room in your house, but don‘t know where to start? Many people build their rooms around one marquee piece, either a Home Gym or Functional Trainer.

It’s important to know the difference between the two and choose the model that will best suit your needs. Most importantly, pick the style of workout equipment that you’re most likely to use.

Home Gym

The more traditional Home Gym includes one or two weight stacks, with fixed arms and hand grips. It can be bulkier and more expensive than Functional Trainers. Most movements on a Home Gym follow a set plane, such as military press for shoulders, bench press for chest or leg extensions.

Home Gyms are great for beginners as they are generally regarded to be easier to use, but they can also benefit experienced lifters.

They can be a good complement to lifting with free weights because Home Gyms will keep you on a controlled lift and do a good job of isolating specific body parts.

Functional Trainer

Functional Trainers have increasingly gained popularity as they are often less expensive than Home Gyms and take up less space. Functional Trainers have weight stacks on their

base, too, but the main difference is in the cable systems that come with different shaped handles. They provide more options for working out and because the cable does not have to follow a fixed plane more sports specific routines can be implemented.

For instance, a golfer can hold the cable handle and simulate his or her swing. A baseball or softball player can grip the cable handle and mimic a throwing motion. There are hundreds of different movement possibilities for a Functional Trainer.

You can even incorporate an exercise ball into your workout, sitting on it and pulling the cable handle toward you at a variety of angles.

However, these machines can also be harder to use and some people aren’t sure if they’re following the right motions. It’s important that they ask questions when contemplating buying a Functional Trainer and have correct information on how to use them.

Final analysis

Whatever direction you decide to go, the Home Gym or Functional Trainer will provide health enthusiasts a means to get a total-body workout. You should also consider how these two choices would complement the other fitness equipment you already have, such as free weights.