Multi Gym or not?

oliviarose

I have read a bit about doing core exercise instead of focusing on each little muscle. This has me thinking whether it is worth buying a multi gym or should I just boost my free weights and get a good bench, while saving a load of money, to be able to workout better/more advanced at home?

Obviously I am looking to put on a bit of muscle and reduce a little fat. Nothing too extreme though.

[Deleted User]

Pros and cons really. A decent set of free weights and a bench will give you the most flexibility and allow you to train in a great variety of ways.

A multi gym will restrict you in terms of exercises, but is safer if you're training alone and get into trouble. To start off with though, I would recommend a few free weights, assuming you're lifting light to begin with.

There's plenty of options in terms of free weights - either getting a full or partial set, or bars and separate weights so you can build whatever weight you want (but takes longer, can be a bit annoying and slightly less safe than fixed weights).

What sort of budget are you working to?

AndyBSG

The other thing to consider is that most home multi gyms have a very limited weight range.

If you're looking to spend under 200 you'll be lucky to find a Multi Gym that goes above 50KG and if you're training regularly you'll soon surpass that.

So if you're looking for a multi gym you really need to be looking at a commercial gym one and are looking at spending several hundred so it all depends on what budget you have and how much space you have

Credit-Crunched

Pec deck, Leg Curls - full of exercises that one shouldn't do!

IMO a complete waste of money, better of investing in a flat bench with a set of dumbells (or a barbell if you can stretch it) and a chin up bar.

This way you can build up your plates over time as your strength increases.

Offers you the best exercises available, Bench Press, Deadlift, Squats, Dips, Pullups and chin ups

Gloomendoom

I bought one... then bought a load of free weights.

I wouldn't say that they were a complete waste of time, as has been pointed out, they are safer when training alone. The point about maxing out on the weight on some exercises is a valid one though. Even my wife can lift 50 Kg.

custardy

What do you use/do now?

Johnsmith2016

Multigym are a waste of money until you start paying over £1000.
Exercise4less is £120 for 18 months upfront i would just join a gym.
If not - a barbell/dumbellnset with a bench is the way to go. If you can stretch budget for a home gym my 3 peices of equipment would be smith machine, cable multi pulley machine and dumbells - you can do almost every exercise via this, depends how much you wasnthinking of spending on a multigym