Universal Fitness Equipment

Of the different types of gym equipment, the two most common are home gyms and free weight home gyms. Universal fitness gyms are fantastic for a general purpose workout because they provide weight training to all of the major muscle groups in your body. The free weight systems - on the other hand - are less universal and require constant removal and replacement of the weight plates.

Universal fitness equipment is, on average, more expensive and will take up more space than free weight systems. However, you, your partner and your family will no doubt all have different fitness goals so a universal home gym will provide the best multipurpose fitness solution.

Universal gyms come in two different designs and these are those with built in weight stacks, and those with some form of resistance such as flexible bows (e.g. Bowflex) or industrial strength resistance bands, or cables.

You will find universal fitness equipment with weight stacks far more durable as they do not require as much maintenance as an alternative bow, band or cable resistance, which can become loose and require maintenance over time. If you have an entire room devoted to exercise then gym equipment with a weight stack may give you the same training you would receive at a local health club or gym club. However, if you do not have the room in your home they can get in your way as they can be very heavy and immobile. Prices range from about $700 at the bottom end to more than $3500 for a top quality universal gym machine.

Universal home gyms with alternative forms of resistance are much cheaper than the weight-stacked types. A Bowflex, for example, only costs about $750 to $1000, and they will continue to provide you with decent training. They also tend to be smaller and lighter than systems with weight stacks, so if you have children or need a room for something else, these models can be moved around easily and even stored away in the closet or garage.