A multi gym is a very space efficient way to create a home gym. But how much floor space do you actually need to properly use one? Find out below.
How much floor space you need for a multi-station home gym depends on the size and layout of the machine. Just fitting a home gym into a room doesn’t mean you can use it properly. A large multi-gym will require a floor space about 6′ by 9′ during use while a small model only needs 6′ by 5′.
How you can find out the numbers for your specific situation? Keep reading to find out.
Contents
Multi-station home gym footprint
There are two things we need to know before we can say how much space we need;
Suggested post: How tall is a multi gym?
- Machine foot print
- How much space you need around the machine
Let’s first take a look at the footprints of multi gyms without any other considerations.
Brand | Model | Length | Width | Height | Resistance type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BowFlex | Blaze | 90 | 38 | 86 | Rods |
BowFlex | PR3000 | 63 | 41 | 82 | Rods |
BowFlex | Xtreme 2SE | 53 | 49 | 83.25 | Rods |
Total gym | Elevate Encompass | 106 | 38 | 57 | Body weight |
Total gym | GTS | 106 | 38 | 57 | Body weight |
Total gym | XLS | 90 | 19 | 43 | Body weight |
Goplus | Multifunctional trainer | 50 | 39 | 85 | Body weight |
Argos | Men's Health 90kg | 72.25 | 46 | 81.5 | Weight stack |
Life Fitness | G4 Home Gym | 80 | 53 | 84 | Weight stack |
Life Fitness | G2 Home Gym | 71 | 48 | 83 | Weight stack |
BodyCraft | Xpress pro 200 lbs. | 83 | 56.5 | 83 | Weight stack |
BodyCraft | GL | 44.5 | 52.5 | 82.5 | Weight stack |
BodyCraft | GLX | 54.5 | 55 | 83 | Weight stack |
Weider | 2980 | 65 | 37 | 76 | Weight stack |
Body Solid | BSG10X | 66 | 47 | 80 | Weight stack |
Body Solid | Fusion 500 | 76 | 48 | 83 | Weight stack |
Body Solid | G6BR | 85 | 50 | 84 | Weight stack |
Body Solid | G1S | 49 | 36 | 83 | Weight stack |
Gold's Gym | XR 55 | 77 | 43 | 83 | Weight stack |
Gold's Gym | XR 45 | 64 | 38 | 79 | Weight stack |
Taurus | WS7 | 86.6 | 52 | 83.5 | Weight stack |
BodyMax | CF372 | 63 | 59 | 74.8 | Weight stack |
Powerline | P1X | 71 | 37 | 83 | Weight stack |
Powerline | P2X | 71 | 49 | 83 | Weight stack |
Best Fitness | Sportsman | 64 | 48 | 78 | Weight stack |
True | Quickfit | 76 | 33 | 83 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MKM-81010 | 73 | 41.3 | 85.5 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MWM-990 | 68 | 36 | 79 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MWM-4965 | 72 | 38 | 78 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MWM-998 | 68 | 36 | 79 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MKM-81030 | 56.5 | 34 | 79.5 | Weight stack |
Average | 71.43 | 43.07 | 78.6 |
Here you can see that the average footprint of a multi gym is 71.43” x 43.07”. That’s of course an average so let’s dive into the numbers a little deeper.
The lengths range from 44.5” to 106”
The widths range from 19” to 59”
So you can see there are massive differences in size between the different multi gyms. That means also the different types. The different types of machine have different footprints. So let’s take a look at the types of machine separately.
Check out my recommended multi-station home gyms by clicking here.
Weight stack multi-station gym footprint
All in one gyms that have weight stacks are the most common. Let’s take out all the other types and see how the footprint changes.
Brand | Model | Length | Width | Height | Resistance type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Argos | Men's Health 90kg | 72.25 | 46 | 81.5 | Weight stack |
Life Fitness | G4 Home Gym | 80 | 53 | 84 | Weight stack |
Life Fitness | G2 Home Gym | 71 | 48 | 83 | Weight stack |
BodyCraft | Xpress pro 200 lbs. | 83 | 56.5 | 83 | Weight stack |
BodyCraft | GL | 44.5 | 52.5 | 82.5 | Weight stack |
BodyCraft | GLX | 54.5 | 55 | 83 | Weight stack |
Weider | 2980 | 65 | 37 | 76 | Weight stack |
Body Solid | BSG10X | 66 | 47 | 80 | Weight stack |
Body Solid | Fusion 500 | 76 | 48 | 83 | Weight stack |
Body Solid | G6BR | 85 | 50 | 84 | Weight stack |
Body Solid | G1S | 49 | 36 | 83 | Weight stack |
Gold's Gym | XR 55 | 77 | 43 | 83 | Weight stack |
Gold's Gym | XR 45 | 64 | 38 | 79 | Weight stack |
Taurus | WS7 | 86.6 | 52 | 83.5 | Weight stack |
BodyMax | CF372 | 63 | 59 | 74.8 | Weight stack |
Powerline | P1X | 71 | 37 | 83 | Weight stack |
Powerline | P2X | 71 | 49 | 83 | Weight stack |
Best Fitness | Sportsman | 64 | 48 | 78 | Weight stack |
True | Quickfit | 76 | 33 | 83 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MKM-81010 | 73 | 41.3 | 85.5 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MWM-990 | 68 | 36 | 79 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MWM-4965 | 72 | 38 | 78 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MWM-998 | 68 | 36 | 79 | Weight stack |
Marcy | MKM-81030 | 56.5 | 34 | 79.5 | Weight stack |
Average | 69.01 | 44.72 | 81.6 |
Length: Average 69” with a range of 44.5” to 86.6”
Width: Average 44.72” with a range of 33” to 59”
So the footprint gets a bit shorter but also a bit wider on average. There is still a big variety in sizes between the different machines but the range is a lot narrower than before.
Bodyweight multi gym footprint
The sample size for bodyweight multi gyms is pretty small with only three options from a single brand, TotalGym . However they are one of the very few options that offer bodyweight multi gyms.
The different TotalGym machines come in two sizes; 106” by 38” and 90” x 19”.
So you can see that these machines are quite a bit longer than the weight stack type but also a lot narrower. If you’ve got a space where width is a problem, this can be a good option.
Rod multi gym footprint
The last type doesn’t use weight stacks or bodyweight but rods. BowFlex is the brand that’s famous for this.
There is a lot of variability in the size of this type of machine;
BowFlex Blaze: 90” by 38”
BowFlex PR3000: 63” by 41”
BowFlex Xtreme 2SE: 53” by 49”
So while the width is about the same as for weight stack machines, the length differs a lot between the models. That mainly has to do with the setup of the machine. The Blaze has a horizontal bench you can lie down on. This makes the machine much longer. The other machines have an upright seat which means they’re shorter.
Necessary floor space for multi-station gym
Now let’s move on to how much space you actually need. The footprint of the machines listed above is when they’re NOT USED. And a gym machine you can’t move is pretty useless. So how much space do you need around your multi gym to be able to do all the exercises?
To use a multi gym, you need to push levers away and pulling them towards you. However, they are all slightly different. Below are some things you can look at to find out how much space you need.
Manufacturer recommendations
First off, most multi gym manufacturers will tell you exactly how much space you need to fully use their machine. Find the owner’s manual for the specific machine you’re looking to buy and there is a good chance it’ll tell you exactly what you need.
Now what if you can’t find any information on your specific machine, what guidelines can you follow?
General guidelines
- The back of the machine can be placed against the wall as long as it doesn’t rub against the wall and doesn’t impede the movement of any of the pulleys or levers. The vast majority of machines won’t need any space behind them so just keep enough distance to keep the paint from rubbing off.
- To the sides of the machines, you need quite a bit more space. To do a chest fly for example, you have to spread your arms to the sides. So you need about as much width as your arm span + a few inches for if the levers stick out beyond your hands. Arm span is very close to your height on average. So for width you’ll need about your height + 5”.
- On the front, it depends on your type of machine. Of course you need enough space to actually get on and off the machine. But there are a few other things you should have room for.
- You have to be able to fully extend your arms forward.
- If your machine has a leg extension option you need to be able to fully extend your legs forward. Since you are already sitting, this is the length of your lower legs. This part usually sticks out past the length of the machine.
- Both those measurements depend on your body of course.
- Both those measurements are from the seat so not to the back of the machine.
Example
To make things a bit clearer, let’s go through an example.
- Machine: Body-Solid F500
- Person: 6’ tall
The Body-Solid F500 has a footprint of 76” by 48”
An average 6’ tall person will have about a similar arm span and about 22” long lower legs (top of knee to floor). That means you need 6’ of width which is 72”. And you need to add 22” to the length of the machine: 76”+22”=98”/8’2.
This means you need free space measuring 6’ by 8’2 to fit the Body-Solid F500.
Check out my recommended multi-station home gyms by clicking here.