The best home gym in NZ overall is the TSB Living Multifunction Home Gym 110lbs, a single-station machine with a 50kg weight stack, a 200kg user rating and a triple-pulley frame covering rowing, pec deck, preacher curls, leg curls and extensions, lat pulls and bench press. Most Kiwi home gyms end up in the garage, so it is worth measuring both the footprint and the ceiling clearance a lat pull actually needs before anything is ordered.
Building a home gym doesn’t have to mean one giant machine – it can be a full multi-station gym, a simple adjustable bench, or a mix of free weights and resistance bands depending on your space and budget. We compared six home gym products, from multi-station gyms and a weight bench through to adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands and a pull-up bar, to help you build the right setup for you.
Each pick below is grouped by what it does best rather than by price alone, covering full multi-station training, a standalone bench, adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands and a pull-up station.
Quick comparison
| Product | Best For | Weight Capacity / Resistance |
|---|---|---|
| TSB Multifunction Home Gym 110lbs | Best Overall Multi-Gym | 50kg (110lbs) stack |
| TSB Multifunction Home Gym 100lbs | Best Budget Multi-Gym | 45kg (100lbs) stack |
| TSB 7-in-1 Weight Bench | Best Standalone Weight Bench | 80kg rack capacity |
| TSB 3-in-1 Dumbbell and Barbell Set | Best Adjustable Dumbbell and Barbell Set | 40kg total weight |
| Bodylastics Resistance Bands | Best Resistance Bands Set | Up to ~190lb combined |
| Ally Peaks Pull-Up Bar | Best Pull-Up Station | Holds up to 440lbs |
1. TSB Living Multifunction Home Gym 110lbs – Best Overall Multi-Gym
The 110lbs version of TSB Living’s Multifunction Home Gym is a single-station machine covering a genuinely wide range of exercises – arm and chest rowing, pec decks, knee raises, biceps preacher curls, wrist curls, leg curls, leg extensions, arm pullovers, lat pulls and vertical bench presses – all from one triple-pulley frame. It ships with 50kg (110lbs) of adjustable weight plates and is rated for users up to 200kg, the highest user-weight rating of the two TSB multi-gyms in this guide.
The frame is heavy-gauge powder-coated steel with wide-grip and close-grip attachments, padded leg and foot supports, and mesh weight-plate guards for safety. A heavy-duty punching bag and speedball are bundled in too, adding a cardio option alongside the strength stations. At 210 x 148 x 146cm it needs a reasonably dedicated corner of a garage or spare room, and arrives flat-packed across 6 boxes requiring assembly.
Pros
- Highest user-weight rating of the two TSB gyms here (200kg)
- Wide range of stations from one frame: rowing, pec deck, lat pulls, leg curls/extensions, preacher curls and more
- Includes a punching bag and speedball for cardio work
- Heavy-gauge powder-coated steel frame with mesh weight-plate guards
Cons
- Sizeable footprint (210 x 148 x 146cm) needs a dedicated space
- Ships flat-packed across 6 boxes and requires assembly
- Only 2 customer reviews visible on TSB’s own listing at time of writing
Key specs: 50kg (110lbs) adjustable weight plates, max user weight 200kg, powder-coated steel frame, triple pulley system, includes punching bag and speedball, 210 x 148 x 146cm, ships flat-packed in 6 boxes.
2. TSB Living Multifunction Home Gym 100lbs – Best Budget Multi-Gym
The 100lbs variant is the most affordable of TSB’s two multi-station home gyms, built around the same core layout of arm/chest rowing, pec decks, knee raises, preacher curls, wrist curls, leg curls, leg extensions, arm pullovers, lat pulls and vertical bench presses, just with a lighter 45kg (100lbs) weight stack and a smaller footprint.
It uses the same heavy-gauge powder-coated steel frame, high-density cushioning and sweat-resistant vinyl padding as the pricier variants, with a wide-grip attachment and rubber non-slip feet. TSB rates it for users up to 150kg, and at 210 x 160 x 104cm it has a lower profile than the 110lbs version, arriving flat-packed in 3 boxes.
Pros
- Cheapest of the two TSB multi-gyms in this guide
- Same core station layout (rowing, pec deck, lat pulls, leg curls/extensions, preacher curls) as the pricier variants
- Lower 104cm height than the other two variants, easier to fit under a low ceiling
- Ships in fewer boxes (3) than the 110lbs version
Cons
- Lighter 45kg (100lbs) weight stack limits long-term progression for more experienced lifters
- No customer reviews visible on TSB’s own listing at time of writing
- Still needs a 210 x 160cm floor footprint plus clearance around it
Key specs: 45kg (100lbs) adjustable weight plates, max user weight 150kg, powder-coated steel frame, wide-grip attachment, 210 x 160 x 104cm, ships flat-packed in 3 boxes.
3. TSB Living 7-in-1 Multifunction Weight Bench – Best Standalone Weight Bench
Rather than a full multi-station gym, the 7-in-1 Weight Bench is a standalone adjustable bench for anyone building a home gym around free weights instead of, or alongside, a cable machine. It supports bench press, incline press, chest fly, military press, leg curls and sit-ups from one adjustable flat-incline frame, with a two-position incline adjustment.
The frame is powder-coated steel with thick, high-density foam padding and sweat-resistant vinyl, rated for a 120kg user weight and an 80kg rack holding weight. At 159 x 41 x 120cm it takes up far less floor space than either of the multi-gyms above, though weight plates and a bar are sold separately and are not included in the box.
Pros
- Much smaller footprint (159 x 41 x 120cm) than a full multi-station gym
- Supports 7 distinct exercises from one adjustable bench
- Well-reviewed on TSB’s own listing (19 reviews)
- Cheapest product in this guide by a wide margin
Cons
- Weight plates and bar are not included, an added cost on top of the bench itself
- 80kg rack holding weight is modest next to a dedicated squat rack
- No cable/pulley stations, so it can’t replicate the lat pulls or rowing exercises the multi-gyms above offer
Key specs: 120kg max user weight, 80kg rack holding weight, powder-coated steel frame, two-position incline adjustment, 159 x 41 x 120cm, weight plates and bar sold separately.
4. TSB Living 3-in-1 Adjustable Dumbbell and Barbell Set – Best Adjustable Dumbbell and Barbell Set
For anyone wanting free weights rather than a machine, this TSB Living set gives you 40kg of interchangeable plates that build into a pair of dumbbells, or into a barbell using the included connecting rod. The plates are rubber-coated, the handles are non-slip, and spinlock collars hold the plates in place during a set.
The set comes with plates of 1.25kg, 2.5kg and 3kg, so you can step the load up in small jumps, and it covers curls, shoulder presses, squats and deadlifts. It ships in two boxes and stores in a corner, which is far less room than a rack of fixed dumbbells.
Pros
- 40kg of interchangeable plates, from 1.25kg up to 3kg each
- Converts between a pair of dumbbells and a barbell with the connecting rod
- Non-slip handles and spinlock collars
- Rubber-coated plates are gentler on floors than bare metal
Cons
- The plates are changed by hand with collars, which is slower than a dial-select set
- The 40kg total is shared between two dumbbells or the barbell, so it is not suited to heavy barbell work
- Bars are short at 40cm, so it is a compact set rather than a full-length barbell
- We found no customer reviews to check for this set
Key specs: 40kg total weight; plates: 4 x 1.25kg, 4 x 2.5kg, 8 x 3kg; 1 barbell bar and 2 dumbbell bars (40cm); 4 spinlock collars; 3cm plate hole; rubber-coated cast cement and steel; black and red.
5. Bodylastics Basic Series Resistance Band Set – Best Resistance Bands Set
Bodylastics’ Basic Series set covers strength training without needing a machine or free weights at all – five tube resistance bands ranging from roughly 3lb up to 80lb of individual resistance, stackable up to around 190lb combined, built with a patented clip and safety-cord system designed to reduce snapping and stop clips flopping loose mid-exercise.
Wide, foam-covered handles are grooved for a secure grip through cardio or strength sets, and the set bundles two ankle straps, a door anchor and a carry bag, so it doubles as a portable option alongside a fixed home gym setup. It is backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is a well-established set with over a thousand reviews.
Pros
- Stackable resistance up to roughly 190lb combined across 5 bands
- Patented clip and safety-cord design aimed at reducing snapping
- Includes ankle straps, door anchor and a carry bag for portable use
- Large, well-established review base (1,178 reviews at 4.6 stars) and a Limited Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Resistance bands lose some of the constant-tension feel of free weights or a cable machine
- Ships as an Amazon Global Store import rather than a locally NZ-warehoused item, so delivery takes a little longer than a domestic order
- The listing quotes two slightly different resistance-level breakdowns for the 5-band set in different sections of the page, so treat the exact per-band numbers as approximate
Key specs: 5 tube resistance bands (roughly 3-80lb each, up to ~190lb combined), natural latex construction, includes 2 handles, 2 ankle straps, 1 door anchor, 1 carry bag, Limited Lifetime Warranty.
6. Ally Peaks Doorway Pull-Up Bar – Best Pull-Up Station
Rather than a freestanding power tower, the Ally Peaks bar mounts via leverage inside a standard doorway (24-32 inches wide, 4.7-8.27 inches deep), no screws or drilling, and holds up to 440lbs. It is built from 1.7mm thickened steel with a rust-resistant powder coating, and covers pull-ups, push-ups, dips and hanging crunches from one bar.
Foam-covered handles give a comfortable, non-slip grip across multiple hand positions, and double silicone protection – an elastic sleeve plus an extra pair of removable 4mm pads – guards the door frame from marks. It is by far the most established product in this guide, with over 13,000 reviews.
Pros
- No-drill doorway mount fits most standard 24-32 inch doorways
- Holds up to 440lbs, well above what a bodyweight pull-up bar needs
- Multiple grip positions for pull-ups, push-ups, dips and hanging crunches
- Extremely large, well-established review base (13,151 reviews at 4.4 stars)
Cons
- Doorway-mounted rather than a freestanding power tower, so it depends on having a suitable doorway
- Takes up doorway space while in use, needs removing to pass through freely
- The listing states two different return/guarantee windows (180 vs 190 days) in different parts of the same bullet, so confirm the exact policy directly with the seller if it matters
Key specs: Holds up to 440lbs, fits doorways 24-32in wide (4.7-8.27in deep), 1.7mm thickened steel frame, foam-covered multi-grip handles, double silicone door-frame protection.
How to Buy the Best Home Gym for You
Start with how much space you actually have. A full multi-station gym like TSB’s Multifunction Home Gym needs roughly a 2 x 2 metre floor area plus clearance for your arms and legs during exercises, while a standalone bench, dumbbells or resistance bands take up a fraction of that space.
Think about how much weight you’ll need long-term. TSB’s two multi-gyms here have a 45kg and a 50kg weight stack, so if you’re new to strength training the 100lbs version may be plenty, but a more experienced lifter is likely to outgrow either of them sooner.
Consider whether you want a machine, free weights, or both. A cable machine like the TSB multi-gyms isolates muscles differently to adjustable dumbbells like the TSB 3-in-1 set, while resistance bands and a pull-up bar are the cheapest way to add strength training to a room with no space for a full machine at all.
Finally, check what’s actually included. TSB’s weight bench doesn’t come with plates or a bar, and a doorway pull-up bar depends on having a suitable door frame, so factor in any extra pieces you’ll need before buying.
If you are training across different sessions, the guide to recumbent exercise bikes covers the rest of the setup.
A weight stack builds strength but does nothing for cardio, and cross trainers cover that side without the joint impact of running.
A home gym usually starts with one cardio machine, and the guide to upright exercise bikes covers one of the most space-friendly choices. Rowers suit a full-body workout, and rowing machines show what is available.
Verdict
For most people wanting one machine that covers a full-body workout, the TSB Living Multifunction Home Gym 110lbs is the strongest all-rounder here, with the highest user-weight rating of TSB’s two multi-gyms plus a bundled punching bag and speedball.
Budget-conscious buyers should look at the 100lbs version. If you’d rather build a setup around free weights and bodyweight training instead of a fixed machine, the Bodylastics resistance bands and Ally Peaks pull-up bar are both well-reviewed, inexpensive ways to start.
FAQs
How much space do you need for a home gym?
Most multi-station home gyms need roughly a 2 x 2 metre floor area, plus extra clearance around it for exercises like overhead tricep extensions or wide rowing motions. A standalone bench, dumbbells or resistance bands need far less room.
How heavy should a home gym weight stack be?
It depends on your experience level. Someone new to strength training can generally start on a lighter 40-50kg stack, like TSB’s 100lbs or 110lbs versions, while a more experienced lifter is likely to progress past that and outgrow a stack this size sooner.
What accessories come with a home gym?
It varies by product. TSB’s 110lbs Multifunction Home Gym bundles a punching bag and speedball, but the 7-in-1 Weight Bench does not include weight plates or a bar, and a doorway pull-up bar needs nothing extra beyond a suitable door frame, so check what’s actually included before you buy.
Can adjustable dumbbells replace a full home gym machine?
Adjustable dumbbells are a good way to train major muscle groups with free weights, but they can’t replicate cable-based exercises like lat pulls or seated rows that a multi-station gym offers, so they work best as a space-saving addition or an entry point rather than a full replacement.
Do resistance bands actually build strength, or just tone?
Resistance bands provide genuine progressive resistance and can build real strength, especially for beginners or for rehab work, though the resistance curve feels different to free weights or a cable machine since tension increases as the band stretches rather than staying constant.
Does a doorway pull-up bar damage the door frame?
A quality doorway bar, like the Ally Peaks bar’s double silicone protection, is designed to grip via leverage without screws and to cushion the door frame, but always check your door frame is a suitable standard width and in good condition before mounting one.
