Multi Exercise Machines

Good choice if you’ll use it

A multi exercise machine is like a home gym, in that you can do a variety of exercises, but with a few differences. In fact, terms like multi-gym and home gym are often used interchangeably to describe both, so it can be hard to tell which is which.

The multi exercise machines I’m talking about generally offer fewer total exercises than a home gym and many don’t even bother to add a resistance method. But far from this making them the obvious last choice, it can actually make them more powerful. Many multi machines allow the user to perform a number of strengthening bodyweight exercises and some even serve as a spotter during barbell lifts and squats.

Multi exercise machine examples

• A dip station has one use, it allows you to perform dips. But if the equipment had a dip station, a chin-up and pull-up bar and a backrest and handles for ab work, it’s a lot more versatile, which is the hallmark of a multi exercise machine.
• A power rack is just one piece of equipment, but add a chin-up bar, weight stack and lat bar and it’s got a number of uses.
  

If you like doing exercises on machines that will support you and keep your body in the right position, you might not like the difficulty posed by this kind of equipment. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a chance. Because exercises done with a multi exercise machine will recruit more muscles and involve functional movements - in the long run your body will thank you for making the extra effort.

The bottom line

If you’ve had a health club membership and tried out all the machines, racks and cages, and know they are what you prefer to use, there’s no reason you can’t invest in a multi exercise machine rather than a home gym. Besides, many high end home gyms cost thousands of dollars. A combination chin-up, leg raise, triceps dip and push-up machine can cost as little as $200 or $300.