Are multi gyms worth getting?

MowldyCabbage

I'm looking for some home gym equipment to do some weights etc to try stay healthy and wondering are the multi gyms worth it or am I better off just getting a bench and some free weights? Im guessing you can't do a chest press on those things and that's a fundamental part of most of routines. Would that be right?

Mr. CooL ICE

Not sure if chest press is a fundamental part of any routine, unless it's a routine specific to building a big chest over anything else. I also had to google some pictures of multi gyms as I would have assumed a chest press would have been a part of them. Turns out they're only part of the bigger, more expensive ones. But where there's no chest press, chest flyes are usually there instead.

Machines are not without their uses but free weights will almost always be better. Using leg exercises as an example; leg extensions and a hamstring curl on a multi gym will pale in comparison do doing squats, lunges and deadlifts with free weights.

bladespin

Yes, very much worth having, especially if space and budget are tight, you get a lot of kit for the money, that said the best you'll spend will be on a bench and free weights.

MowldyCabbage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118136246#Comment_118136246

Thanks. I guess any time I've ever had a plan done for me it included bench press. But I wouldn't be specifically trying to build a bigger chest. Just general fitness really but I find weights and the targeted exercises much more interesting and enjoyable than just running or cycling.

Would a basic adjustable bench do the job then without the barbell rack? Just use dumbbells for the chest press?

Padre_Pio

Honestly, free weights and a bench will do whatever a multigym will do, and then some. While taking up less space and costing less. It s easier to add more equipment should you want to mix up your routine and also easier to sell on later.

Multigyms are great for newcomers, and safer than free weights, but you might outgrow it quick enough.

There seems to be plenty of weights up on adverts for cheap enough. Maybe lockdown purchases.

Macy0161

Some of the multigyms do the chest press from a seated position and/or combined with the flyes bit.

I've looked into them a few times, as anything that is least hassle to use would probably aid my consistency.

Dtp1979

Dumbbells and a bench will give you unlimited exercises to do, including chest press. You could always do push-ups too