My Journey Building a Home Gym

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Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share a bit about my experience building a home gym over the past year. Like many, I started working out more from home, and while free weights and resistance bands were a good start, I eventually felt the need for something more versatile and safe—especially when lifting alone.

After a lot of research (and some trial and error), I ended up getting a Smith machine. I know there’s always some debate about these, but for me personally, it’s been a game-changer for solo training. It gives me the confidence to lift heavier without a spotter and switch between multiple types of exercises without needing tons of equipment.

👉 I ended up going with one from a brand called RitKeep, specifically their PMAX-5600 model. I’m sharing the link only for reference—this isn’t sponsored or anything, and I don’t benefit in any way. Just thought it might help someone else who’s also overwhelmed by the many options out there.

A few things I appreciated about this one:

  • Integrated cable pulley system (I do a lot of lat pulldowns and rows)
  • Comes with dual weight stacks, which saves space
  • Smooth glide and decent build quality

If you’re also short on space but want something that covers full-body workouts, a good Smith machine might be worth considering. I also got a set of their adjustable dumbbells later to round things out.

Would love to hear what others are using for home setups! I'm still adjusting things and always open to tips 😊

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Replies

  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,860 Member

    Look, your previous post advertising this kit was taken down. If you’re genuinely wanting to discuss home gyms, take out the links and open a dialogue. If you’re trying to advertise then pay like everyone else so that we can choose to skip crap.

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,799 Member

    It's not just one post that was removed. I've reported at least three of them…

    Click "Flag" ya'll. Five Flags will automagically "disappear" this thread.