The Best Full-Body Workout Machines for Your Home Gym
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Creating the perfect home gym can feel like working with a jigsaw puzzle. You don’t want to leave out your arms and shoulders or forget equipment that works your glutes. But what about free weights or machines that target your core? The best full-body workout machines can help you tone your whole body while getting rid of gym clutter, and have the potential to replace a gym membership. Their versatile designs challenge the upper and lower body and abs, but have the resistance or weight capacity to help you progress over time.
When it comes to training the whole body, versatility is key. These machines aren’t one-hit wonders. They typically have moving parts, adjustable straps, additional handles and adjustable weight plates or resistance that accommodate multiple users. Our list includes full-body workout machines that fit into different categories and work for beginners up to competitive athletes. The best full-body workout machines provide an incredible workout, but one format or style may better suit your fitness goals, workout space and budget over another. Keep reading to get our take on the best machines, and take a look at our tips to help you make your final selection.
Our Picks for the Best Full-Body Workout Machine:
- Best Smart Full-Body Workout Machine: Tonal
- Best Gamified Full-Body Workout Machine: Aviron Strong
- Best Portable Full Body Workout Machine: TRX Home2 System
- Best Large-Format Full-Body Workout Machine: REP Fitness FT 3000 Functional Trainer
- Best Cable Full-Body Workout Machine: Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
- Best Full-Body Workout Machine for Cardio and Strength: Nordictrack Fusion CST Studio
- Best Commercial Grade Full-Body Workout Machine: REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer
Best Smart Full-Body Workout Machine: Tonal
Tonal
Key features:
- Dimensions: 50.9 inches high x 21.5 inches wide x 5.25 inches deep
- Max resistance: 200 pounds total (100 pounds per arm)
- Warranty: Three-year warranty
- Price: $3,995
This surprisingly compact full-body workout machine is a smart home gym that automatically adjusts resistance, challenging your muscles through a full range of motion.
Tonal has a wall-mounted unit with a 24-inch touchscreen and two extendable arms. The adjustable arms are key to this machine’s versatility. They slide on rails at either side of the main console, letting you target different muscle groups as you adjust the arm angle and position. The touchscreen is where you pick workouts, watch workouts (and your form) and access metrics and workout stats in real time.
Tonal starts with a five-minute strength assessment to establish a baseline. From there, you can select one of several modes—smart flex, eccentric, chains, burnout—and Tonal automatically adjusts the resistance throughout the workout. The smart programming adapts the magnetic resistance in one-pound increments, adding or reducing perceived weight as you lift. Sensors built into the console monitor your form and offer suggestions, kind of like having an virtual personal trainer in your home every time you lift.
Tonal comes with a high price tag that rivals some of the highest rated treadmills and exercise bikes on the market. Plus, it’s an extra $500 to get all of the smart accessories that include smart handles, a smart bar, rope, bench, roller and workout mat. Yet, the Tonal is only backed by a three-year warranty. While that’s not terrible, it’s certainly not industry-leading. However, as far as compact, smart strength training goes, the Tonal is at the top of the class.
Pros:
- Smart technology consistently challenges muscles
- Adaptive weight control
- Adjustable arms offer versatile exercise options
Cons:
- Expensive
- Short warranty
Best Gamified Full-Body Workout Machine: Aviron Strong
Aviron
Key features:
- Dimensions: 84 inches long x 27 inches wide x 48 inches high (unfolded); 35 inches long x 27 inches wide x 83 inches high (folded)
- Max resistance: N/A; Dual air and magnetic resistance system
- Warranty: Three-year warranty
- Price: $2,199
The Aviron Strong rower provides a killer workout built into a gaming platform that makes rowing your guts out fun. The machine has a rotating 22-inch touchscreen so you can watch floor workouts on the screen and do them in the same space. A dual air and magnetic resistance system gives this rower incredibly smooth torque and increases resistance as you pull deeper into the stroke to mimic the feel of rowing in water.
The frame is long enough to fit people up to 6'8". While the machine measures 84 inches long when in use, it folds and has transport wheels so you can push it into a corner when not in use. Consequently, the Aviron is an option for those with a relatively small workout space as long as there’s enough room to fit the frame when unfolded.
A potential downside with the Aviron is the monthly subscription, but that subscription provides versatile workout and entertainment options. There are eight modes that include:
- Games
- Life competition
- Coached programs
- PowerPlay
- Guided programs
- Scenic rowing
- Pros versus Joe’s
- Streaming services
We like that there’s an option to stream entertainment like Netflix, which is missing from similar subscription rowers. As one Avironactive.com reviewer put it, “I was torn between the Aviron and the Hydrow, and went with the Aviron because of all of the options with the subscription, instead of just the instructor-led workouts on the Hydrow subscription. The ability to stream Netflix, Hulu, YouTube is a big differentiator in my opinion.”
The Aviron is on the expensive side, and it only comes with a three-year warranty.
Pros:
- Versatile programming and entertainment, from live classes to gaming and streaming
- Rower fits people up to 6'8" tall
- Folds down for easier storage
Cons:
- Expensive
- Short three-year warranty
- Requires a monthly subscription
Best Portable Full-Body Workout Machine: TRX Home2 System
TRX
Key features:
- Dimensions: 7.5 inches long x 6 inches wide x 4 inches deep (folded)
- Max resistance: Body weight
- Warranty: Two-year warranty
- Price: $229.95
The TRX Home2 System is a body suspension system that can travel with you almost anywhere. The entire system folds down into a mesh bag and only weighs 1.5 pounds. I own this system and regularly use it for strength training. What makes this suspension systems so great is that you can easily adjust it to your fitness level. All you have to do is change the positioning of your feet, and you can reduce or increase the difficulty of each exercise. Plus, the TRX suspension system requires you to use stabilizer muscles throughout your strength training.
The TRX Home2 System comes with pretty much everything you need, including a door anchor and a suspension anchor. That means you can set up the system in a hotel room or outside for use in a park as long as you can find a strong enough anchor point. The trainer’s straps are adjustable so you can target all of the major muscle groups.
The only downside I’ve found with the TRX is that it takes time to learn how to use it effectively. Thankfully, there are many online TRX workouts that are easy to follow.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight at only 1.5 pounds
- Easy to increase or decrease difficulty
- Can set up anywhere you can establish an anchor point
Cons:
- Takes time to learn how to use it effectively
Best Large-Format Full-Body Workout Machine: REP Fitness FT-3000 Functional Trainer
REP Fitness
Key features:
- Dimensions: 78 inches high x 53 inches wide x 34 inches deep
- Max resistance: 90 pounds per side
- Warranty: Lifetime frame warranty; one-year warranty on hardware, pop pins, pulleys and cables
- Price: $2,149.99
The REP Fitness FT-3000 Functional Trainer is a versatile, relatively compact cable machine for home gyms. The 34-inch depth is shallow enough that you can fit it through most doorways if you need to move it once it’s assembled. The build is fully commercial grade with a lifetime warranty on the frame. There are 15 cable positions, letting you target all your muscle groups from top to bottom. It has two weight stacks that max out at 180 pounds combined, though it has a two-to-one ratio, which means 100 pounds will feel like 50 pounds.
You can adjust the weights using magnetic tipped pins, and you can easily move the handles up and down the rails thanks to sturdy wheels. It also has two pull-up handles. While the FT-3000 doesn’t come with any attachments (which you can order through REP separately), there are storage pegs on the frame for any additional accessories you buy later on. In total, the machine weighs 770 pounds. While that means it’s sturdy, it could max out some spaces both in size and weight.
Pros:
- Commercial-grade build
- Lifetime frame warranty
- 15 cable positions to target all of the major muscle groups
Cons:
- Large and heavy
Best Cable Full-Body Workout Machine: Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
Bowflex
Key features:
- Dimensions: 53 inches long x 49 inches wide x 83.2 inches high
- Max resistance: 210 pounds
- Warranty: Seven years on machine, lifetime on power rods
- Price: $1,099
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE has a unique design that leaves cables and pulleys in place for quick movement between exercises. The Bowflex doesn’t use a weight stack, opting for power rods with a lifetime warranty. The standard package includes 210 pounds of power rods. However, you can upgrade to a 310-pound package or a 410-pound package.
We like this machine because you can easily add weight, and it includes a wide range of accessories to target various muscle groups. The standard package includes:
- A lat tower with an angled lap bar for lat pulldowns
- Lower pulley/squat station
- Leg extension
- Squat bar
- Ab crunch shoulder harness
In total, it’s designed to do over 70 exercises and comes with seven free workouts in the manual. There are optional attachments and upgrades sold separately. We already mentioned the weight upgrades, but you can also buy attachments, such as a preacher curl, tricep rope or lumbar pad.
While we like the ease with which you can add weights with the Bowflex, there is a learning curve when it comes to moving cables to do a new family of exercises.
Pros:
- Easy to add weight
- Lifetime warranty on power rods
- Includes additional attachments for a more complete full-body workout
Cons:
- Takes time to learn how to transition to different exercises
Best Full-Body Workout Machine for Cardio and Strength: NordicTrack Fusion CST Studio
NordicTrack
Key features:
- Dimensions: 73.5 inches high x 60.5 inches wide x 41.5 inches deep
- Max resistance: 20 digital resistance levels
- Warranty: 10-year frame warranty; one-year warranty on parts, labor and tablet
- Price: $2,299
The NordicTrack Fusion CST Studio is a combination cardio and strength training machine. It requires an iFIT subscription, but that subscription is how you access the vast range of cardio and strength workouts available. The Fusion CST comes with a 10.1-inch tablet that connects directly to the machine and through which you do all Fusion CST iFIT workouts.
You can place the tablet on a stand or directly on the main frame, wherever you need to for the best visibility. The machine can automatically adjust your resistance based on the trainer cues in the iFIT workout. That allows you to get a balanced level of resistance for your fitness level with each workout. NordicTrack uses a magnetic resistance system that’s quiet and smooth. Additionally, the mainframe includes a full-length mirror so you can see your form and make corrections in real time.
For potential downsides, the Fusion CST is expensive, and you have to have a monthly iFIT subscription. Plus, the warranty for the tablet and other accessories is pretty short.
Pros:
- Automatic resistance adjustment based on your fitness level and the workout
- Access to thousands of workouts through iFIT
- Many strength and cardio workouts to choose from
Cons:
- Expensive
- Requires monthly subscription
- Short warranty on the tablet and accessories
Best Commercial Grade Full-Body Workout Machine: REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer
REP Fitness
Key features:
- Dimensions: 85.5 inches high x 36 inches deep x 68 inches wide (front), 33 inches wide (rear)
- Max resistance: 224 pounds per stack, 448 pounds total
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
- Price: $2,499.99
The REP Fitness FT-5000 2.0 Functional Trainer is a behemoth, but its heavy-duty, commercial-grade build includes a limited lifetime warranty. This full-body workout machine is for those with a dedicated home gym space who never want to hit a professional gym again. This machine comes with two weight stacks, with each weighing 224 pounds for a total of 448 pounds with a two-to-one ratio. It has 21 cable positions with a smooth, heavy-duty pulley system, letting you vertically reach higher than many comparable home machines.
The trolley (moving portion) is relatively lightweight, which makes it easy to move it up and down the frame. The frame also has pull-up grips in several positions to engage different muscle groups as you improve your pull-up form. Built-in storage pegs can hold any additional accessories that you buy down the road. This machine is a serious investment, but if you’re ready to set up a complete home gym, it’s hard to beat. However, the frame and weights together weigh 875 pounds, which could limit where you can put it, depending on your home design.
Pros:
- 21 cable positions
- Two 224-pound stacks
- Smooth trolley movement for easy position adjustment
- Several pull-up handles in different positions
- Storage pegs
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
Why Buy a Full-Body Workout Machine?
The best full-body workout machines for home are versatile and, sometimes, can be a money and space-saving addition to a home gym. They can take the place of a gym membership and replace separate pieces of fitness equipment like a bench press, leg press or pull-up bar. Plus, these versatile machines can let you home in on specific areas of the body. Plus, there’s the convenience of working out in your own home. They may take up a lot of space, but they’re a total gym that’s also a single piece of equipment.
How to Use a Full-Body Workout Machine
Approach one of these all-in-one machines with a workout plan or routine in mind. If you’re bodybuilding, your workout will look different than if you’re working on weight loss and tracking calories burned. You can accomplish any of these goals with a full-body workout machine and the right workout plan.
Related Post: The Best Cardio Machines for Weight Loss
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends strength training at least two days per week and moderate-intensity aerobic activity for 150 minutes per week. You can do as little or much of that activity using a full-body workout machine. Some machines are designed for both cardio and strength, while others may offer one or the other.
A rowing machine, for example, will challenge the entire body, burn fat and increase strength, though it leans toward a cardio workout. If you really want to increase your strength, you may need to add specific strength training to your weekly training schedule. In this example, a rower that comes with a monthly subscription that includes strength training classes can help you hit weekly workout goals.
In another example, a functional trainer or cable machine, by design, is typically used for strength training. However, you can still structure your workouts for cardio by reducing the time between sets or doing interval training. It’s all in how you use the machine and structure your fitness journey.
To create your own workout routine, decide how many days per week you want to use the full-body machine. Second, decide how you want to use it. If you use it for strength training, create a four to six-week plan that challenges all the major muscle groups each week (not in every training session) and allows you to gradually increase weight. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) recommends increasing weight by five to 10 percent after you can do 12 repetitions using the correct form.
You can break up training in many ways, but one of the easiest is to work the upper and lower body on different days. You could get more specific by training the chest, shoulders, or back, on alternating days and hitting your legs on a couple of days. Don’t leave out any major muscle groups. Only exercising the upper or lower body can create muscle imbalances that can affect your gait, posture and mobility.
How to Choose the Best Full-Body Workout Machine for Your Home Gym
Home gym setups can be very different from house to house. Apartment dwellers may not have the space or floor structure for a 750-pound cable machine. Some people have a basement, garage or other designated space they can use as a home gym. Others may have a small corner of one room.
Be careful when taking measurements, and measure your workout space (at least) twice. Keep an eye on ceiling heights and the manufacturer’s recommended clearance. Exercise mirrors, for example, take up little floor space when not in use but may require several feet of vertical and horizontal clearance. If you’re extremely limited on space, a body suspension trainer can fit in a drawer and weighs as little as 1.5 pounds. Yet, you can take it with you anywhere and get an excellent strength or cardio workout, depending on how you use it.
For those who want a full-body cardio machine, a rower or elliptical may be a better option. A rower or elliptical with a subscription that includes strength, yoga, and meditation classes can complement your cardio sessions and complete your training.
Also, consider whether or not you may want to expand your home gym equipment. Some machines have built-in storage or additional accessories you may want to buy down the line.
What to Look for in a Full-Body Workout Machine
Movements and exercises
Many machines call themselves full body, but look at what that really means with any given machine. For some machines, that may mean lifting weights for a lower or upper-body workout. Full-body cardio machines work the whole body all at once rather than targeting muscle groups one at a time.
Make sure the machine provides the exercises you need and enough of those exercises for you to reach your fitness goals. If you’re primarily strength training, a rowing machine probably isn’t the right fit. But if you want to build strength and power, a cable machine/functional trainer makes sense.
Size, weight and portability
Here’s where you need to measure your workout space more than once. Don’t forget to measure the ceiling height, too. Some workout machines have adjustable arms that reach well above the top of the frame. Some cardio machines may also put users close to the ceiling or have parts that extend beyond the frame’s horizontal footprint.
Weight and portability naturally go together. Some heavy functional trainers can weigh anywhere from 600 to 800 pounds. Not only is that heavy enough that it’s not portable, but it may be so heavy that some subfloors cannot support the machine.
Any machine that weighs 200 to 250 pounds or less and has transport wheels can be moved relatively easily. Folding mechanisms can also be helpful if you’ll be storing the machine in a shared space like a bedroom.
Technology
Smart features can create a gym-like experience in your home or even replace a personal trainer. Most full-body workout machines with smart features require a monthly subscription fee to a fitness app, like iFIT, Peloton or Zwift. These apps typically offer workouts for the specific machine and may include fitness classes, floor exercises and training plans for 5Ks or half marathons.
Smart technology may automatically adjust the resistance so you don’t have to think about adding weight plates. It can record your progress, too. And if you can access the app through a phone, tablet or another portable device, you may be able to do workouts when traveling.
However, there can be some downsides to a high-tech home gym machine. First, technology can be glitchy and may interrupt your workouts. Second, the technology may require a strong WiFi connection, which not every workout space has. Finally, a monthly subscription can get expensive over the lifetime of the machine.
Cost
Full-body workout machines can get pricey. A suspension trainer may cost around $200 to $250, while a full-size cable machine, functional trainer or rowing machine may cost $2,500 to $4,500. If the machine requires a monthly subscription, that price will continue to go up throughout the machine’s lifespan.
How We Chose the Best Full-Body Workout Machines
We chose the best full-body workout machines based on price, features, size, ease of use and performance. We also researched and read user reviews, experience and ratings. When researching reviewers’ experiences, we identified patterns that showed the machines’ strengths and weaknesses and how those played out over time. Finally, we looked for features that made it easy for users to transition between exercises with the versatility to work the full body.
Full Body Workout Machines FAQs
Can you really get in shape at home with a full-body workout machine?
Yes, you can get in shape at home with a full-body workout machine. It requires consistency and a workout plan, but these machines can engage all of the major muscle groups though not usually all at the same time.
Are cable-activated full-body workout machines good?
Cable machines are an excellent choice for a full-body workout. They’re versatile so you can target all of the major muscle groups and allow you to increase weight as you get stronger.
Who should use a full-body workout machine?
Just about anyone can successfully use a full-body workout machine. However, whether or not you want to buy one depends on the space you have available and your fitness goals. They’re a smart purchase for those who want to get rid of a gym membership but still get an excellent home workout.
Final Thoughts
A full-body workout machine is the way to go if you want to get rid of your gym membership. These machines can cost a pretty penny, but you may save that money on monthly gym membership fees, personal trainer fees and exercise class expenses. These machines can also replace several pieces of equipment like a barbell and squat rack. While these machines tend to be pricey, there are options that are more affordable and that don’t hog square footage. It comes down to your budget, workout space and fitness goals. Then, strap on your training shoes and put your workout strategy into action.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
