Weight Stack, Bodyweight, or Functional Trainer? Choosing the Right Home Gym
So, you now know that a multi-station home gym is an all-in-one strength training solution. Fantastic!
But the moment you start browsing online, you’ll notice they don’t all look the same.
You’ll see machines with big towers of weights, some that look like strange sliding benches, and others that are just two cables.
It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.
Don’t worry. It’s actually much simpler than it looks. Most home gyms fall into one of three main categories.
Understanding how each one works is the most important step in choosing a machine you’ll love and use for years.
In a Nutshell – Which Type is for You?
Weight Stack Gym: Choose this for simplicity and safety. It’s the classic, no-fuss option for building foundational strength.
Bodyweight/Leverage Gym: Choose this for small spaces and low-impact workouts. Perfect for apartments and joint-friendly exercise.
Functional Trainer: Choose this for ultimate versatility and athletic training. It’s the most advanced option with the highest ceiling for growth.
Type 1 – The Weight Stack Home Gym (The Dependable Classic)
This is the most common and recognizable type of home gym.
Its resistance comes from a tower of weight plates connected to a system of cables and pulleys.
You choose your desired resistance by moving a single pin up or down the stack. It’s simple, intuitive, and safe.
Top-Rated Weight Stack Gym – Marcy MWM-990
The weight stack gym is a popular choice for beginners due to its simplicity and safety
The Marcy MWM-990 is a perfect example of a reliable and affordable weight stack gym. It provides all the essential workout stations—chest press, lat pulldown, and leg developer—in a compact, sturdy frame. It’s an ideal first purchase for a beginner.
Resistance: 150 lbs
Best For: Beginners wanting a straightforward, all-in-one solution.
Key Feature: Dual-function press arm for chest press and pec fly exercises.
Pros: Extremely beginner-friendly, fast to use, clear progress tracking.
Cons: Fixed path of motion, can be bulky, fixed maximum weight.
✅ Best for: The beginner who wants a simple, no-fuss approach to building muscle. If your priorities are safety and ease of use, this is your gold standard.
Type 2 – The Bodyweight / Leverage Gym (The Innovative Space-Saver)
Instead of a weight stack, these machines use a clever system of leverage to turn your own body weight into resistance.
You typically lie or sit on a gliding bench set at an incline. By changing the angle of the incline, you make the exercise easier or harder.
Top-Rated Bodyweight Gym – Total Gym APEX G3
Bodyweight gyms use an adjustable incline to create resistance and are often foldable for easy storage
The Total Gym is the most famous name in this category for a reason. The APEX G3 model offers 8 levels of resistance and over 70 exercises in a unit that easily folds up for storage. Its smooth, gliding motion is incredibly gentle on the joints.
Resistance: 8 levels of bodyweight resistance
Best For: Users in small spaces or those needing low-impact workouts.
Key Feature: Folds for easy storage under a bed or in a closet.
Pros: Folds up for small spaces, low-impact on joints, incredible exercise variety.
Cons: Resistance is less clear to measure, max resistance is limited by your body weight, potential setup/teardown hassle.
✅ Best for: The person with limited space, anyone who needs a joint-friendly workout, or someone who loves fluid, bodyweight-style exercises.
Type 3 – The Functional Trainer (The Versatile Pro)
A functional trainer is essentially a set of two independent, adjustable cable pulleys.
While they look minimalist, they are the most versatile and advanced type of home gym.
You can adjust the height of each pulley and attach different handles to perform exercises at any angle and in any direction, perfectly mimicking real-world movements.
Premium Pick for Ultimate Versatility – Inspire Fitness FTX
The Inspire Fitness FTX functional trainer provides ultimate versatility for a complete home gym workout.
For the dedicated beginner with a bigger budget, the Inspire Fitness FTX is a fantastic entry point into the world of functional trainers. It features two 165 lb weight stacks and remarkably smooth pulley action. Its thoughtful, V-shaped design gives it a smaller footprint than many other trainers, making it a popular choice for serious home gyms.
Pros: Unlimited exercise freedom, massive core engagement, can often be used by two people at once.
Cons: Steeper learning curve, generally more expensive, requires more active space around it.
✅ Best for: The more experienced user, someone training for a specific sport, or a dedicated beginner who sees this as a long-term investment and is willing to spend the time learning to use it properly.
Buyer’s Tip – Is a Functional Trainer for a Beginner?
While incredibly versatile, a functional trainer has a steeper learning curve. Its freedom of movement requires you to stabilize your own body, which is fantastic for engaging your core but requires more knowledge of proper form. It’s a great long-term investment, but be prepared to spend time watching videos and learning how to use it correctly and safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of home gym is best for a small apartment? The Bodyweight/Leverage Gym is almost always the best choice for small spaces. Most models are designed to fold up quickly and can be stored under a bed or in a closet.
I have bad knees. Is there a good option for me? Yes. The Bodyweight/Leverage Gym is excellent for people with sensitive joints because the gliding motion is very low-impact. For other gym types, you can focus on upper body and seated exercises while avoiding exercises that strain your knees.
Can I add more weight to a weight stack machine if I get stronger? Generally, no. Most home gym weight stacks are not designed to be expanded. This is why it’s important to choose a machine with a maximum weight that will challenge you for years. A 200 lb stack is more than enough for the vast majority of users.
So, Which One is Right for You?
There is no single “best” type of home gym. The best one is the one that fits your space, your budget, and your personality.
By understanding these three core types, you are now equipped to make an informed choice.
Now that you have a clear picture of the main machine types, you’re probably wondering what you can actually do with them.
Let’s explore the key exercises that will build your foundation of strength.
