All Posts By Muscle Insider

Darth Vader: The Most Iconic Screen Villain Was Also A Bodybuilder

“He’s more bodybuilder than man… twisted and evil.”
Many people often ask the question of whether or not bodybuilders can make it into popular culture. It’s something that has been a constant since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s star making role in the classic bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron. The movie propelled Arnold from talented bodybuilding champion to the man he’s become today: actor, politician, and generally an all around successful entrepreneur. It’s truly an astounding accomplishment especially when considering most bodybuilders never end up securing crossover success. But did you know there was a bodybuilding connection to Star Wars in the form of actor David Prowse?
For many people bodybuilding is such a niche sport that the likelihood of turning from an athlete who poses on stage in a pair of trunks into a celebrity hailed worldwide is highly unlikely. But with the advent of the internet the general public is learning more and more that the trend of turning from bodybuilder to Hollywood superstar wasn’t so far fetched. In fact, it seems like it was one of the many avenues that current Hollywood royalty utilized to attain fame and fortune.

Actor David Prowse during his bodybuilding years (above).
Besides Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sean Connery was a man who broke into acting through being discovered at a bodybuilding competition. You could say that there would have been no James Bond without bodybuilding (though that could be stretching it a little bit). But Connery wasn’t as seasoned a competitor as Arnold was. But before the Austrian had the opportunity to become a household name with his portrayal of the T-800 in The Terminator, there was another accomplished bodybuilder that reached the silver screen to great acclaim.
With the new trilogy completed – we were happy to find this amazing nugget of information. When most people think of Star Wars they think of Darth Vader. When most people hear the name Darth Vader they think of James Earl Jones. But Jones wasn’t the man wearing the iconic black suit that so many fans have grown to associate with the character.
The man within that black leather suit was none other than former bodybuilder David Prowse. When people think of imposing figures in everyday life they think of a massively muscled and particularly tall individual. When looking for someone to play Darth Vader the producers needed a man who could be a terrifying physical presence and they found that in the bodybuilder Prowse.

Prowse’s physical presence was as important to making Darth Vader as memorable a presence on the big screen as James Earl Jones’ voice was to breathing life into the dynamic character. The combination proved to be beneficial to the franchise and made Darth Vader one of the most recognizable and popular characters to ever hit the silver screen.
Jones made have had the voice, but it was a bodybuilder inside the suit that help made Vader into one of the most beloved characters in film history. Too bad in the end only the mask comes off – and we didn’t get to see any of that powerful muscle.
Sadly, David Prowse passed away in 2020 at the age of 85. But the way his bodybuilding lifestyle contributed to one of the most enduring pop culture and movie franchises of all time will always be remembered.
Know of any other bodybuilders that used their massive muscle to become film stars? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.

*Header image courtesy of The-JMG under the CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license. It was modified with an image courtesy of Instagram. 

Lasha Talakhadze Hits The Heaviest Snatch And Clean & Jerk Ever

The super heavyweight weightlifter, Lasha Talakhadze, pulled off a 225kg snatch and 270kg clean & jerk making them the heaviest lifts to be caught on camera. These lifts will surely have ruffled some feathers in the weightlifting world.
A 225 kilograms (496 pounds) snatch and 270 kilograms (595 pounds) clean and jerk combined total a massive 495 kilograms (1,093 pounds). 495 kilograms! Even writing this feels insane.

Monstrosity at Display
The 27-year old Georgian posted videos of himself doing these lifts on Instagram. Since these lifts are performed in training sessions, they don’t count as world records. Nonetheless, these lifts are nothing short of insanity.
Although Lasha didn’t specify the weights he was lifting in the captions, the doctor of the Georgian Weightlifting team, Giorgi Tchintcharauli, verified them on his Instagram account.
Dr. Giorgi first posted the video of Lasha performing the 225 kg snatch. To be honest, the kind of ease Lasha snatches that monster weight with is scary. He makes it look like a walk in the park.

Lasha then sends chills down the spines of his competitors with a video of him clean and jerking 270 kgs. It’s a known fact that people tend to lift and perform better in front of a live crowd. We can’t wait to see what Talakhadze does in his next competition.

If Lasha had executed these lifts in a competition he would have broken his own clean and jerk world record which currently stands at 264 kilograms. He has beaten his own snatch and clean and jerk world records by a massive 3 kgs and 7 kgs, respectively.
World Record Destroying Machine
Breaking world records isn’t something new for Lasha Talakhadze. He crushed an unofficial world record snatch at a Georgian weightlifting meet in 2020. The Olympic gold medalist pulled a massive 222 kg (489 lbs) snatch on his fourth attempt after hitting 205, 212, and 218 kg prior.
Lasha made the snatch world official last month at the European Weightlifting Championship when he scored a 222kg (489lb) snatch. The +109-kilogram weightlifter has been turning heads ever since he stepped foot inside the gym.
It doesn’t stop here. Lasha Talakhadze is bringing glory to his country, Georgia. In 2016, he won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio at +105-kilograms. We can only wonder what the champ has in store for the world at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Eyeing Bigger Goals
Talakhade doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Some people start to get comfortable after they set world records but that’s not Lasha. He has gone on the record saying he has a goal of totaling 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds). That is 5 kgs more than what he crushes in his recent videos on Instagram.
Beyond the competitive lifts, the beast has a 180-kilogram bench press for three reps, a 310-kilogram clean pull, and a 230-kilogram snatch balance under his belt.
With the potential Lasha has, we can only imagine the destruction this 27-year old will cause in the coming years.
Ending Thoughts
Apart from breaking the physical barriers, Lasha Talakhade has taken down the mental blocks as well. We can’t help but think about the 100-meter race where 10 seconds was thought to be the physical barrier but then Jin Hines came along and changed it all in 1968. It’d be interesting to see if weightlifting produces its own Usain Bolt in the coming Olympics.

For the latest news and updates, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Jose Raymond: How To Build Massive Muscle Without Getting Fat And Sloppy

Jose Raymond shares his personal tactics for building muscle while avoiding as much fat as possible.
Bodybuilders often go through a cycle during the year. That cycle is bulking and and cutting. Bulking is when you focus on building muscle to be as large as possible. Cutting is when you shred down to transform that mass into a sculpted conditioned physique. The problem is – the more fat you gain during bulking the harder cutting becomes. So how do you build mass without gaining too much fat? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Jose Raymond shares his tactics for building muscle and avoiding fat.
While we spoke with Jose Raymond in our recent interview, we asked him how aspiring bodybuilders can learn to improve their bulking phase. How does one avoid getting too fat and sloppy while they build mass? Jose Raymond admits that each body is different. Genetics can take someone a long way. But for the sake of insight, he shares his personal tactics that work for him.

In one sense, Jose Raymond doesn’t have an exact strict science during his bulking phase. He instead goes with his gut. Literally. He looks towards his stomach and makes sure that no matter how much weight he’s gaining – that his abs are still visible. If his abs start to fade, then he’s going to far with his bulking diet and gaining too much fat.
This is Jose Raymond’s general rule of thumb that works for him. It’s a guiding principle that works because he understands his body and where he gains fat as he bulks. So what kind of nutritional diet does he follow in order to avoid fading away his abs?
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Check out our latest GI Exclusive segment with Jose Raymond above!
Jose Raymond focuses on clean foods. Some bodybuilders, when the bulk, will eat anything to put on the pounds. This is partially because they have favorable genetics that allow for more dirty foods in their diet. Other bodybuilders can’t get away with this. It makes for a much more grueling cutting phase. It opens up the chance that you won’t dial in your conditioning enough or time it correctly with your show.

In terms of nutrition stats, that means Jose Raymond avoids carbs. He typically will eat no more than 100 carbs a day during his bulking phase. This helps him avoid putting on unnecessary fat as he bulks.
Jose Raymond is also a bodybuilder who has been known to not have an offseason. The offseason is usually when the hardcore bulking occurs. When bodybuilders beef up but also get a little soft. Jose Raymond avoids this. The funny thing is – this wasn’t specifically a tactic. It was a product of him doing so many shows throughout the year.
Jose Raymond admits that his reputation for avoiding offseason has little to do with a specific tactic. He’s never had enough time to truly go offseason because of the large number of shows he does throughout the year. When he finishes one show, his next one is right around the corner. So he can’t afford to cut loose with an offseason phase. He’s not against full on bulking or an offseason. He’s just hardly ever been able to find the time to make it work for him.
You can watch Jose Raymond go into full detail about his bulking tactics in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!

Viral Fitness Challenges: UFC Fighter vs Bodybuilder!

UFC star Stephen Thompson and bodybuilder Houston Jones try out viral fitness challenges.
Viral fitness challenges are all over the internet these days. These challenges are so prevalent in fact that they have caught the eye of UFC fighter Stephen Thompson and bodybuilder Houston Jones. Both men have caught the viral challenge bug and look to see who can come out on top as the fitter man.

Houston Jones is a self proclaimed human punching bag. There’s no doubt that he is an expert at taking terrible punishment. Jones is serious about his bodybuilding, almost as serious as he is about putting himself through torture.

There you can see UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson dishing out some punishment to Jones. Thompson, a karate blackbelt and undefeated kickboxer, knows a thing or two about throwing some powerful kicks. Thompson is virtuoso in striking, so Jones allowing himself to be kicked by the man is either very brave or potentially very foolish.

It may be safe to say that Houston Jones is a bit of a masochist. He clearly revels in taking punishment and doesn’t seem to be slowing down whatsoever. And Thompson being a UFC fighter isn’t shy about giving out some punishing strikes to a training partner.
A New Challenge
Now it seems that both men are challenging themselves, this time in a more (semi) conventional manner. Stephen Thompson and Houston Jones decided to try out some viral fitness challenges to prove their mettle. Both men battle to see which can win at these challenges on a whole. To see them compete in these challenges, check out the video below.
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What do you think of Stephen Thompson, Houston Jones, and their fitness challenge journey?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

Why These Exercises Are A Great Alternative To Dips

Can’t do dips? No problem. These alternatives will work just as well to give you the same benefits.
For those looking to boost their chest and triceps growth, dips are that number one way people do that. As a great bodyweight exercise with a lot of potential to maximize growth, dips are a popular exercise performed by those serious about lifting and getting big. For many of us, our chest and triceps can make our physique pop, giving us those well-rounded pecs and that horseshoe-shaped arm we want to see most.
But for some of us, performing dips can be a challenge, making us feel like we’re missing out on some great potential for growth and gains. That’s where good alternative exercises come into play to give us similar benefits to dips without having to perform that specific exercise. It can be hard to find which exercises are the right one’s to perform because with so many out there, the options are endless. But fear not, for we have you covered. These alternative exercises can boost your growth and aid in that desired physique you want most. And you won’t be disappointed with the results.

Let’s jump into dips and see what these alternative exercises are all about. Working multiple muscle groups while focusing on your chest and triceps is great for enhancing many muscle to aid in strength, size, and stability.

What Are Dips?
Dips are a bodyweight exercise that works your upper body muscles to aid in strength and building that desired physique. The two main groups targeted will be your chest and triceps, both of which can really give you a well-rounded and shredded look. These are typically performed on a dip bar or a set of rings and require proper and engaged form to really maximize the effectiveness (1).

Benefits Of Dips
The benefits of dips include:

Build muscle: Work to enhance strength and size by really working your muscles.
Functional exercise: The movement of the dip works to build functional strength that can pay off in the long run.
Build stability: Stability should not be overlooked and dips can help give you that grounded support for all your big lifts.
Great alternatives exist: We’ll talk about the alternatives but having a variety to choose from is great for changing up your workouts.

How To Perform Dips
Grab the handles and let your feet hang, bending slightly at the knee. Engage your core and slowly lower to the ground, keeping your elbows tucked in to avoid flaring. Once at the bottom, hold for a brief pause and push back to the starting position. Repeat for your desired number of reps.

Great Alternative Exercises
Here are some of the best alternative exercise for dips. Each will provide similar benefits while giving you a chance to see the desired growth you want most out of your exercise.
Diamond Push-Up
What makes the diamond push-up a good exercise is that it will work your triceps and chest and is more challenging that a regular push-up. Since this requires more triceps engagement due to the closer grip, it will provide similar benefits to the diamond push-up.
How To: Starting in a regular push-up position, bring your hands into a diamond shape. Keeping your elbows tucked in and your core engaged, lower to the ground and push back to the starting position. Repeat for your desired number of reps.

Close Grip Bench Press
This exercise is similar to the push-up in that your grip is about the same. With the closer grip, you target the triceps more, and of course, have more room to really give your chest a good workout (2).
How To: Place your hands on the bar slightly more narrow than shoulder width apart. As you brace your core, keep your elbows tucked in and lower the bar to your chest in a controlled motion. Drive through your feet and push the bar back to the starting position. Repeat for your desired number of reps.
Pec Deck Fly
While this doesn’t have as much triceps engagement, it is a good alternative for beginners to work the chest in a controlled manner. With slow and engaged movements, you work to get the most out of this workout.
How To: Adjust the machine to how you want it and position yourself so your arms rest against the pads. Slowly bring your arms forward, push the weight, and really feel a good squeeze in your pecs. As you return to the starting position, keep a good, controlled motion.

Kickbacks
This is an effective exercise for working your triceps and will also target range of motion with the extension portion. For the best stability, use an incline bench, but it is also fine to bend over a bench and extend out using a flat back.
How To: Lay on an incline bench with your feet on the ground and core engaged. Taking the weight, slowly straighten your arms so they are parallel with your body. Pause for a moment once they are extended. Slowly bring the weight back to the starting position and repeat for your desired number of reps.
Wrap Up
When it comes to building our chest and triceps, both muscles are vital in not only boosting strength for sport specific movements and functionality, but also aiding in that desired physique. Dips are a great way to work both and should not be overlooked as an essential exercise to have in your routine. But sometimes we can’t physically perform dips, or want a little variety in our workouts. That’s where these alternative exercises come into play. What they can do for us is really boost all areas of our training and performance to give us the most when it comes our workouts. Give these alternative exercises a try and see what they can do for your goals. You won’t be disappointed with the results and the gains you seek are right around the corner.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 
*Images courtesy of Envato
References

Langton, Becky; King, John (2018). “Utilizing Body Weight Training With Your Personal Training Clients”. (source)
Lockie, Robert G.; Moreno, Matthew (2017). “The Close-Grip Bench Press”. (source)

Bobby Thompson Smashes American Log Press Record with 478.5Lbs Lift

Bobby Thompson shatters the American log press record.
If a strongman competitor isn’t breaking records then they’re doing their job wrong. Strongman competitor Bobby Thompson smashed the American log press record over the weekend. The record that was set by Rob Kearney has now been surpassed by Thompson with a 478.5lb lift.

Looking to earn a name for himself on the strongman circuit, Bobby Thompson has steadily worked his way up through the ranks. After winning the 2019 Arnold Amateur world title, Thompson would earn the right to compete at the 2020 Arnold Strongman Classic. Thompson would take 10th place at the show and earn a ton of great experience. He would use that experience to bolster his performance at the 2020 World’s Strongest Man.
It appears that those competitions paid great dividends for Bobby Thompson. Acquitting himself well at two major shows on the world stage is no small feat. Thompson has now garnered the respect of both fans and peers as he continues his strongman journey. The next step on his journey has led Bobby Thompson to shattering the American log press record.
Breaking The Record
Bobby Thompson hit a 478.5lb press. The strongman talked about shattering the record in the Instagram post below.

NEW AMERICAN LOGPRESS RECORD 478.5
As you ascend to elite level in any sport the number of those around you will sky rocket, but the numbers of those who know you will be limited to who was there before you were anyone to be known in the first place , today I did something unique, something i was told I couldn’t do with a torn bicep never repaired, something that just wasn’t going to happen. But..I did it , I did it around my family, not just my blood but the kind of family who knows just how insane you have to be to live for these feats….
My name is Bobby Thompson The American nightmare And I have the strongest shoulders in America.
P.S Thanks Rob for everything. @worlds_strongest_gay
Bobby Thompson is cementing himself as a strongman to watch in the coming years. At 28 years old and with plenty of talent and gas in the tank, we could see Thompson further improve as he continues on his journey.
What do you think of Bobby Thompson shattering the log press record?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

Days Out From His Debut, Blessing Awodibu Shows Off Crazy Back Gains

Blessing Awodibu looks in great shape for his debut show.
The Indy Pro is just around the corner and the top competitors are dialing in their prep for the show. The Indy Pro will mark the debut of the popular Blessing Awodibu. As he gets prepped to step on an IFBB Pro League stage for the first time, Blessing Awodibu looks ripped and ready to impress as he shows off some incredible back gains.

A very outspoken individual looking to generate a ton of interest, Blessing Awodibu isn’t the type of man to stay silent. No, that just isn’t his style at all. Already making some enemies in the IFBB Pro League, Blessing is looking to become the most talked about bodybuilder in the game. He’s already has beef with a number of IFBB pros like Nick Walker and Iain Valliere. Though some may look at this as a negative, in reality Blessing is generating interest. The more people talk about him the more eyes will be on him.
That could be something that backfires, however. With more eyes on him that means more scrutiny and pressure to succeed. But perhaps that’s the whole idea. That kind of pressure can push an athlete to be the best possible version of themselves.
Now heading into the Indy Pro, Blessing Awodibu is looking confident and ready to make good on all his trash talk. He has touted himself as one to watch heading into his IFBB Pro League debut. Now he will have the chance to prove that all the hype is warranted.
Impressive Gains
His recent progress update shows that Blessing has taken his training seriously. The back gains he’s made are nothing short of impressive. 

Even with such an impressive back, questions still remain about Blessing’s leg development. Has he built up his legs enough to make a major impression on the judges or does he still need to pack on more size? It’s something we won’t know for sure until we see Blessing Awodibu take to the stage.
What do you think of Blessing Awodibu and his current physique update?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

Arash Rahbar: A Lot Of Old School Training Tactics For Building Massive Muscle Are False

Arash Rahbar talks about modern advances in science that have proven old school bodybuilding tactics as unnecessary.
In his younger years, Arash Rahbar used to train like Dorian Yates. He doesn’t do that anymore. He now has developed his own unique style of training that works for him. That’s due in one part to his age. But it’s also due to advances in science throughout the decades that have retooled what is most effective for building muscle. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Arash Rahbar explains how many old school methods of building muscle have been proven false by science.
Arash Rahbar respects Dorian Yates as one of his favorite bodybuilders of all time. He’s the bodybuilder that Arash emulated his training after during his early years of training. But no matter how much he respects Dorian, he understands that it’s not smart to train like him consistently in the longterm. There’s a reason why Dorian Yates retired at such a young age. There’s a reason why someone like Ronnie Coleman has so many back problems today.

Arash Rahbar wants the younger generation to understand something. While it’s important to revere the legends of bodybuilding, it’s also important to look towards the future. There’s no doubt that athletes like Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman are physiques to aspire to. But their tactics aren’t necessarily the only thing that made them the legends they are today.
Arash points out how much science has discovered what really works for building muscle. How small reps and heavy weight are not necessary to build massive hard and power muscle. It can be done in alternative ways without sacrificing any quality. Many young bodybuilders are hesitant to believe this.
Check out our article breaking down the top 5 bro science myths that need to die right here!
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Watch our latest GI Exclusive segment with Arash Rahbar above!
Yes, there are some small different details (that can matter) between lifting heavy vs lifting light. That’s why Arash Rahbar recommends that people do a hybrid training method. Train half like Dorian Yates and half like Lee Haney. Mix heavy weight with low volume combined with light weight and high volume.

Arash Rahbar worries that too many young bodybuilders burn out or get injured due to going hardcore in the gym every single session. The inspiration of old school bodybuilders is so strong. It can feel like if you don’t train like them, you’re not doing it right. Or perhaps you’re not good enough to be a champion.
This isn’t true. Arash Rahbar wants people to know that. Looking at bodybuilders like Dexter Jackson and Lee Haney prove that. You can be a legend and maintain a longer bodybuilding career if you play it smart. Use science to your advantage.
You can watch Arash Rahbar go into much more detail about training tactics in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!

Estrogen Blocking Using These Products

Estrogen, the word, makes me want to cringe. For the most part, as bodybuilders, we do not wish to INCREASE estrogen levels in our bodies. Why? Well, if I have to give you the answer to that question, then you’re not a customer of Protein Factory, or you just started lifting weights. Everyone that’s into…

Best Home Gyms For Serious At-Home Gains 2021

These home gyms are everything you need to boost your gains from the comfort of your own home.

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Going to the gym can be fun. We see people we’ve known for a while, talk shop, and get a good pump while doing so. And while going to a gym is essential for our gains, home gyms have become increasingly popular and it’s no wonder why. Able to give us privacy and convenience by working out in the comfort of our own homes is something we all would love to have. While this luxury may seem far away for you, this list below may hold the key to unlocking those at-home gains you want most.

We’ve put together a list of the Best Home Gyms so you have the best chance at seeing serious at-home gains. With the luxury and convenience of a gym in your home, there’s no excuse not to see that desired physique come to life.

Best Overall Home Gym: Force USA G9 All-In-One Trainer

Force USA G9 is the ultimate plate loaded all-in-one trainer to capitalize on your home gym goals. Engineered to be tough, sturdy, and versatile, the options are endless to see gains. What makes this home gym so complete is that it combines a power rack, smith machine, cable pulley, chin-up station, dip station, vertical leg press, low row, and core trainer to have all the strength training machines you need in one unit. With built in storage for barbells and other weights, as well as attachments, this can help keep you organized and is a great overall home gym.
Pros: Packed with a number of training machines in one for convenience. Built well to be durable and the space for weights and attachments alleviates any clutter.
Cons: Expensive option, but for everything included, that is something to consider.
Price: $2,999.99
Click here for the best price

Best Entry Level Home Gym: Force USA G3

Another great home gym, Force USA G3 is that perfect all-in-one trainer for entry level lifters. While this is a slight downgrade from the G9 home gym, the price is lower and it does include less amenities. With that said, what it does have is pretty great. G3 combines a power rack, smith machine, and cable pulley system into this one unit. Perfect for those just starting out, this home gym gives you three strength training machines to nail down the essential exercises before upgrading to a more elaborate home gym. Those looking for entry level success, Force USA G3 is a great choice.
Pros: Three great strength training machines to boost gains. Great for entry level athletes to use before potentially upgrading.
Cons: Still a bit on the expensive side. Does not include as much as some of the other slightly more expensive gyms.
Price: $2,099.99
Click here for the best price

Best For Essential Exercises: Titan Fitness Plate Loaded Functional Trainer

Titan Fitness Plated Loaded Functional Trainer is a great home gym to add depth to your at-home workouts by providing the opportunity to bulk up and get fit with a pull-down and row training exercises to build muscle. This functional trainer will add resistance to essential exercises and is built to last. Included in this home gym are comprehensive pulley options including lats, rows, and pulldowns, two Olympic plate sleeves, and a pull-up bar at the top. Durable and a sleek design, this is a great home gym for those essential exercises.
Pros: Plenty included for pulling motions, like pulldowns and rows. Built to last and offers a sleek design. Perfect for those tackling those essential exercises.
Cons: Doesn’t include as much as some of the others, like a power rack.
Price: $749.99
Click here for the best price

Best For Functionality: Bowflex Xceed

Bowflex Xceed is a solid home gym coming out of Bowflex that allows for 65+ workouts to take place, working your chest, shoulders, back, arms, abs, and legs. The heavy-duty steel frame ensures long-lasting protection and shape retention and offers 210 lbs. of power rod resistance standard. With multiple cable and pulley positions for customizable workouts, this also comes with an ab training strap, squat bar, and lat bar. An adjustable, quick release seat with polyurethane high-density foam cushion is great for comfort and overall, this home gym is perfect for functionality.
Pros: Great durability and comfort for optimal functionality. With 65+ workouts, you get a full gym with Xceed.
Cons: A power rack would be nice and the resistance rods could be better.
Price: $699.99
Click here for the best price

Best For Convenience: Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym Station

Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym Station is a premium steel home gym to maximize total body training. With 150 lbs. of weight stack that can be customized to any skill level, this will work to avoid the stress of loading and unloading weight plates. The dual action press arms are designed for you to perform upper body exercises easily and with convenience, along with the removeable curl pad. A convenient home gym, Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym Station is one to enjoy efficient training with an innovative structure for comprehensive and effective full body workouts.
Pros: Well built and a great design to maximize both upper and lower body workouts. Great for convenience with an innovative structure.
Cons: Not as much included as some of the others and assembly can be quite the challenge.
Price: $800.98
Click here for the best price

Benefits Of A Home Gym
While many of these benefits may seem self-explanatory, it’s important to make sure we make note of them because this can be a big decision financially. Knowing just what these machines can do may just tip the scales for the decisions to buy.
Benefits of a home gym include:

Build strength and size: Of course, with a home gym, and one that offers many options for workouts, you can build strength and size in no time.
Ultimate convenience: Having this in your home saves you time and energy of getting to the gym and dealing with the hassle that goes along with it.
Increased privacy: While you may not be self-conscious about going to the gym, having a home gym is nice to have that added level of privacy so you can grind away.
Good long term investment: At the end of the day, a gym membership can be costly. Also, if you buy individual equipment that can add up to so why not catapult those gains with one machine.
Hygiene and no sharing: While we aren’t all germaphobes, having your own home gym limits the need to worry about hygiene as much as you would if you go to the gym.

What To Look For
Knowing what to look for can really help make that decision easier when looking at a good home gym.
Key pieces included: Look at what the gym has to offer. With attachments and capabilities to do a number of exercises, make sure the one for you has everything you need to have a fun, engaging, and muscle building workout.
Quality and durability: As a long term investment, make sure your home gym is built to last with high-quality pieces and overall durability.
Space: These home gyms will come in different sizes and depending on the space you have allocated for this gym, make sure it fits comfortably so it doesn’t obstruct your home.
Price: We go back to price. Make sure this fits in your budget but remember the benefits that come along with potentially upgrading to a slightly more expensive option.

How We Choose
When looking at the best home gyms, our team knows this can be a big investment, but one worth making. While these tend to be expensive, the long term investment is something to keep in mind. Price is a major factor for us when choosing the best home gyms, but we also look at other factors that will contribute to a gym being at the top of its game. Functionality and amenities included are a huge draw, for the more a home gym can offer, the better you’ll be as you seek to build muscle and lean down. Space and convenience of the home gym is something to consider as well, for we know finding the space to have such a large machine can be challenging. If you do have the luxury of a space for this, it really is something that can truly help your fitness journey. Of course, reputability of the brand is very important to us because you deserve honesty and transparency with all your products.
FAQ Section
What is the best home gym?
Force USA G9. This is the ultimate plate loaded all-in-one trainer to capitalize on your home gym goals. Engineered to be tough, sturdy, and versatile, the options are endless to see gains. What makes this home gym so complete is that it combines a power rack, smith machine, cable pulley, chin-up station, dip station, vertical leg press, low row, and core trainer to have all the strength training machines you need in one unit.
Can I get a full body workout done on these home gyms?
Absolutely. They are designed so you can elevate your training and performance with multiple exercises while working multiple muscle groups. You can really work to get a total body pump right in the comfort of your own home.
They all look like great options! How can I choose?
They are all great options and we took the time to get the best for this list. If you are struggling with a decision, look at some easy objective factors being price and space. Then think about your goals and which gym will allow you to get the fastest results. While it will still require hard work and determination, the right gym will offer a fun way for you to get shredded.
Wrap Up
Home gyms are a great way to boost your strength and gains while being in the comfort of your own home. Home gyms can enhance all areas of your training by offering privacy and better hygiene, but more importantly, a space for you to work hard with ease and convenience. Check out this list above for some great home gyms and work to boost those at-home gains today.
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