STOP! First you must understand that I do not think you need to spend thousands of dollars on fitness equipment just to get in shape. You can get everything you need for a complete exercise program for under $100, and you can do your workouts at home.
The first thing I recommend you check out if the Bodylastics resistance band system. The system has all the resistance and versatility you could ever need, and it starts at around $50.
For the rest of you that know what you want, or don't really care how much it costs, then I'm going to help you cut through the nonsense out there. I want to talk to you about the top home gym systems out there, and give you my recommendation.
Right now Total Gym offers three models: 2000, 3000, and XLS. I personally think you should start with either the Total Gym 3000 or go straight to the XLS. As you move up in models, the comfort of the device increases as does material quality. The weight capacity also goes up.
The 2000 model is stripped down, so it doesn't have the squat stand or wing attachment that allows several more exercises.
Overall these are good quality products, not like the rip-off versions you find in discount stores. they primarily use your own bodyweight for resistance, which makes them fairly lightweight. All models fold up for easy storage.
Bowflex is another home gym brand you're sure to know well. They still offer the classic Bowflex home gym, along with 3 newer styles of equipment. The newest is the Bowflex Revolution® which uses their patented SpiraFlex® resistance system, instead of flexible rods like in the their systems.
The Revolution is available in the regular model or the space-saving Revolution XP. If you have the room, I'd go with the Revolution.
If you want the most resistance (up to 310 pounds and upgradable to 410), then I suggest you go with the Bowflex Ultimate 2. It lets you get a total body workout with the capability of over 95 exercises. This is truly the ultimate in home gym systems.
Bowflex also makes a really cool set of dumbbells called SelectTech. All you do is select the weight you want and pull them out of their rack. I highly recommend these to save space and money.
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