Best Weight Stack Home Gyms of 2024
Editor's Choice
Weight stack gyms are the classic space-saving alternatives to free weights. They’re most popular for total-body strengthening and toning. Lately they’re becoming more respected for weight loss too. Comparing weight stack gyms, you’ll see that they offer anywhere from dozens to hundreds of exercise variations.
A typical weight stack gym features one or two stacks of rectangular 10-pound weights. By adjusting a pin that supports the weights, you can adjust the resistance for your exercise. The total weight available varies from machine to machine. Depending on your workout needs, the best weight stack home gym might offer anywhere from 150 to 400 pounds of max force.
Five top-scoring gyms for 2022 are previewed on the chart below.
Top 5 Best Rated Weight Stack Home Gyms
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Model |  Body Solid |  BodyCraft |  Body Solid |  BodyCraft |  Best |
| Rating |  Rating: 81.4% |  Rating: 73.9% | Rating: 72.3% | Rating: 70.2% |  Rating: 59.5% |
| Type | Weight Stack | Weight Stack | Weight Stack | Weight Stack | Weight Stack |
| Max Weight | 160 lbs | 400 lbs | 160 lbs | 300 lbs | 145 lbs |
| Exercises | 30+ | 100+ | 40+ | 50+ | 18 |
| MSRP | $1,495 | $3,089 | $1,360 | $2,289 | $849.99 |
| Pricing | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price |
Weight Stack Home Gyms Buying Guide
If you have exercised at the local gym you likely have worked out on Weight Stack Home Gyms. Weight Stack Home Gyms utilize a simple, yet proven means for weight training. Incorporating gravity as the primary source of resistance and a combination of simple machines to convey that resistance to the person using the machine, the trainer allows the individual to select an amount of weight and exercise accordingly.
Weight stacks are the massive rectangular (usually black) plates that are pierced by a vertical bar with drilled holes. By use of a large pin, the user may select a weight/resistance and pin to the weight stack. When the pin is inserted through the channel into the hole, all of the plates above the pin rest upon it, and are lifted when the bar rises. In essence, Weight Stack Home Gyms provide a large range of weights (anywhere from 10-150 lbs.) in one simple stack.
Accordingly, Weight Stack Home Gyms are phenomenal for any age group or skill level. You can lift as little or as much weight as you so desire. Like the name implies, it’s a complete gym available for your home!
Weight Stack Home Gyms vs. Traditional Weight Lifting
One of the primary benefits to owning a Weight Stack Home Gym is space. If you wanted to exercise by traditional means, you would likely need a full room to store all of your free weights. Additionally, if you wanted to do bench press and squats you would need individual machines for each.
On the contrary, Weight Stack Home Gyms have an almost limitless amount of exercises and weight available on one easy-to-use machine. When you consider all a home gym has to offer it’s actually a bargain compared to paying a yearly gym membership. Plus, you can exercise when you so desire from the convenience of your own home!
Weight Stack Home Gyms vs. Power Rod Home Gyms
Power Rod resistance is an innovative new technology designed by Nautilus which produces Bowflex. The Power Rod technology is pretty cool, but it’s not to say that it’s superior to Weight Stack Home Gyms. The best advice when shopping for a new home gym is to try them both out (like at a local gym) and then read several of our dependable reviews on FitRated.com to find the best home gym for you!
Factors to Consider When Buying Weight Stack Home Gyms
When shopping for weight stack home gyms, the first thing to consider is just how much weight one needs. Whether a single stack or dual, different stacks offer significantly different levels of resistance. Not everyone needs 220 pounds of weight in each hand to produce hypertrophy, and to this degree, the goal of the user is a factor. Whether or not the machine employs a single or dual stack does matter in terms of footprint. Just how much space does one have to work? Workout variety offered can be ascertained by the various grips and implements that come with the machine. Another big consideration which most shoppers perform visually is maximum user weight. Just how sturdy is this unit? There’s a big difference in the needs of a high school athlete, an amateur bodybuilder, and a parent looking for an extra fitness at the home.
Top Rated Weight Stack Home Gyms
Do you like what Weight Stack Home Gyms have to offer? Check out our highest rated models, including the BodyCraft K2 and the Body Solid EXM1500S above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of having a weight stack in my home?
The biggest benefit is convenience and the ability to workout any time one wants. The ability to rapidly change resistance levels and exercises without waiting in line at a commercial gym is worth the membership money saved.
How much space does a weight stack require?
This will vary by the machine, but as a rule figure 36″ x 60″ for room to work.
How long does it take to assemble a home gym with a weight stack system?
This depends on the unit, but generally an hour is sufficient.
Are these home gyms with weight stacks noisy?
They can be depending on how one uses them. Take care not to slam the weights to drop them as the cables may become damaged.
Do I need to lubricate the weight stack systems?
In addition to wiping down the weights, one should check the cables and pulleys frequently and use WD-40 if necessary to keep lubricated.