Guide
The True Cost of a Home Gym: Buy Once, Cry Once
Why 'cheap' equipment is the most expensive mistake you can make.
1/20/2025•Editorial Team
We've all seen the £200 multi-gyms on Amazon. They look like a steal. 6 months later, the cables are frayed, the pulleys squeak, and it's effectively a clothes horse. Here is the reality of home gym economics.
The 'Amazon Special' Trap
Entry-level equipment is built for 'occasional use'. If you plan to train 3-4 times a week, a cheap machine will mechanically fail within 12-18 months. Brands like Inspire Fitness and Life Fitness engineer their home ranges with the same biomechanics as their commercial club lines.
Resale Value
Premium equipment holds value. A Life Fitness treadmill bought for £3,000 can often be sold 5 years later for £1,500. A budget brand treadmill has virtually zero resale value after warranty expiry.
Safety First
When you are bench pressing alone at home, equipment failure isn't just annoying—it's dangerous. Commercial-grade steel and cables provide the safety factor necessary for solo heavy lifting.