5 Essential Features to Look for When Buying an All-in-One Gym Machine

An all-in-one gym machine is one of those once-in-a-lifetime purchases, yet investing in one pays dividends. Think: Better health, stronger muscles, convenience, and money saved in the long run. Plus, these machines are super space-efficient, which means your home gym area will look less cluttered and, in translation, more inviting for you to work out in. 

But a home gym machine is no small purchase, and shopping for one requires plenty of research on your part. Before signing off on just any machine on the market, you’ll want to consider multiple factors in your ultimate decision, such as how much space you have, what kind of workouts you plan to use it for, whether it’ll be used by multiple members of your household, and your budget.

Sounds like a lot, right? That’s why BarBend has teamed up with MAJOR FITNESS, the company behind the new Spirit B52 All-in-One Home Gym to let you in on all the features to consider before buying a home gym that’ll level up your workouts.

Versatility

If you’re looking for one machine to rule them all, versatility is of utmost importance. The more workouts you can get out of your all-in-one gym machine, the better bang for your buck. So before you go all in on a specific machine, make sure it boasts the versatility you need to perform all your usual lifts, plus some.

Take the Spirit B52, for example: It combines a power rack with 14 adjustable positions, Smith machine with 10 height options, cable pulley system with 17 adjustable positions, multi-grip pull-up bar, and a 360-degree landmine into a single rack. Boasting 11 different attachments, including sandwich J-hooks, safety arms, and cable pulley attachments, you can mix and match between free weights, cable, and Smith machine exercises for more than 90 full-body exercises that maximize your home workouts. 

Extras you’ll want to look for in an all-in-one machine include compatible accessories, such as bars, benches, and plates, that you can add on to help diversify your workouts and challenge your muscles. This is especially important as you progress and get stronger.

The B52, in particular, has a range of accessories to pick from, including a lever arm, leg extension, and multifunctional handlebar (great for lat pulldowns and rows at different grips and angles). These accessories enhance versatility, adding a variety of upper and lower body exercises to the workout routine.

After all, robust research has consistently established that progressive overload is key to hypertrophy — and using different equipment that allows you to increase weight is essential to challenging your muscles and seeing that growth. 

Adjustability

If you’re spending a good chunk of cash on an all-in-one gym machine, you want it to work for everyone in your household. That means your machine should come with multiple adjustment positions to accommodate the tall folks, the shorties, and everyone in between.

Even if it’s just you lifting in the home gym, multiple adjustment points allow you to perform different exercises with ease. For example, you can set the bar at the perfect position for exercises where you’re horizontal, such as chest presses, and then readjust for standing movements like squats and deadlifts.

If your machine comes with a big foot plate (which it should), check that it has adjustable angles to accommodate your height and different exercise positions. 

Space Efficiency

All-in-one gym machines are natural space-savers — they consolidate multiple bulky machines into a single unit. By maximizing the utility of your room, no matter the size, all-in-one machines prove that you certainly don’t need loads of space or equipment to get a solid workout. 

For a comprehensive home workout, look for an all-in-one machine that combines a power rack, smith machine, cable machine, and pull-up bar to cover all your major upper- and lower-body lifts. This also lets you access all the necessary exercise functionalities you need and allows for more convenient transitions between exercises. Seamless switching between exercises also gives you the option to add home HIIT workouts to your routine because you won’t have to walk from, say, the Smith machine for bench presses to the cable machines for face pulls. 

When shopping for a gym machine, make sure to measure out your space before making the purchase. First, decide where you plan on housing the machine (say, your garage or basement) and obtain precise measurements of the space you plan to fit it in. The Spirit B52 comes in under 7 feet tall, about 6.5 feet wide, and around 5.5 feet deep, so it’ll fit in most spaces comfortably. 

Also, keep in mind that you won’t need any extra space to work out because you’ll perform all the movements within the machine. That makes investing in an all-in-one a smart strategy whether you have very limited space in your home or apartment or if you’re after a more streamlined home workout situation. Not to mention, this space-saver is also easier on the eyes than multiple pieces of equipment that fight for space in a small home gym.

Durability

When you swipe your card on an all-in-one gym machine, you’d expect it to last a lifetime. Your purchase should withstand the everyday (or every other day) wear and tear of your workouts and stand the test of time. Spending a little extra dough on a more durable machine will likely also save you money in the long run since you won’t have to replace parts or schedule repairs (which costs both money and time).

Look for a machine that’s made of steel, which is highly durable and resistant to damage. A steel machine is less likely to get banged up when you’re switching out weights or dropping a weight plate after a set. You’ll also want to look for a machine with a high weight capacity to accommodate you as you progress in your lifts. The higher the weight capacity, the more room for progressive overload, so make sure to compare the current capacity to your numbers and choose a machine that will grow with you.

Safety Features

Your gym machine will ultimately act as your personal spotter, which makes checking for safety features that much more important. Certain safety features you’ll want to look for include linear bearings, which allow for super-smooth linear motion in machines. This helps you focus on the movement and tap into that mind-muscle connection rather than getting distracted by the bar or weight stack’s shaky or inconsistent feel of motion. 

You’ll also want to look for a Smith machine with lock-and-release mechanisms that allow you to switch between a locked and unlocked position with a quick turn of the bar. This mechanism guarantees that any weights or moving parts in your machine remain securely in place and prevent weights from falling and potentially injuring you. This handy safety feature also makes switching the resistance between exercises more seamless, so you can keep that heart rate up. Lock-and-release mechanisms also allow you to easily and safely disengage once you’re done. 

Last but definitely not least, you’ll want to look for a safety catch with height-adjustable positions. Properly positioned safety catches prevent the weight from falling on you in case you fail on a rep. Translation: You can add a bit more weight to your next set or test your one-rep max — all without a spotter.

What Are You Waiting For? 

Now that you know what to look for in an all-in-one gym — versatility, durability, and safety features — you can find the one that’s right for you. The Spirit B52 All-in-One Home Gym from MAJOR FITNESS  has all these features and more, and it’s ready to help you hit your fitness goals. Head here to learn all about it.