The Body-Solid G1S Home Gym has five workout stations centered on a 160-pound weight stack. With both upper and lower body workouts in mind, the Body-Solid G1S home gym provides more than 40+ toning, trimming, and muscle-building exercises. In addition, it packs powerful functionality into a small footprint and has a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.
With the contoured, adjustable seat, and comfortable back support padding, you can perform a wide range of exercises from home without needing a spotter or any additional safety equipment.
The four pulleys, including the separate low cable for curling, help prevent any switching of attachments between exercises. In addition, it also helps to develop a well-rounded physique by targeting muscles from a variety of angles.
This machine doesn’t have an upgradeable resistance capacity, but you can buy accessories to enhance your workout experience. These include a stack adapter plate, a crunch harness, and a multi-purpose bar. In addition, the G1S comes standard with a lat bar, straight bar, ankle strap, ab/triceps strap, Total Body Workout DVD, water bottle holder, and towel holder.
Learn more in my complete review below!
Product: Body-Solid G1S Home Gym
Price: For a great deal on this gym, merely go here on Amazon
Warranty: In-Home Lifetime Warranty
My rating: is 9/10
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure
Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 49L x 36W x 83.5H inches (125L x 92W x 212H cm)
- Assembled weight: 323 lbs (146.5 kg)
- Weight resistance system: Metallic alloy plate stack
- Max. weight resistance: 160 lbs (72.5 kg)
- Possible exercises: 40+
- Warranty: Lifetime
G1S Frame Construction
Compared to other similar weight stack gym systems, the GS1 model from Body-Solid has a smaller footprint. It takes only 49″L x 36″W (125 x 92 cm) of floor space, which means it may be an excellent choice for anyone who lacks storage and usage space.
However, the machine does require a slightly larger usage surface for safe operation, the recommended usage space being 73″L x 47″W (185 x 119 cm). Also, the highest point of the assembled machine is 83.5″ (212 cm). Therefore, it should fit in a room with a seven ′ (213 cm), but it would be pretty tight.
The Body-Solid G1S selectorized home gym features a 12-gauge steel frame. It comes with a scratch-resistant and corrosion-resistant electrostatically applied powder coat finish, and the only available color is dark gray.
The G1S has a total assembled weight being 323 lbs (146.5 kg). Once built, due to its total weight, it’s not easily moved. However, due to its weight, it delivers excellent stability. It doesn’t require anchoring to the floor. Its rear base also features rubberized pads, which maximize its durability.
The leg development attachment has 4″ (10 cm) foam rollers, which deliver excellent comfort for leg extensions. In addition, the chest press station’s arms, short bar, and lat bar feature a rubber foam coating providing optimal comfort and a secure grip.
Adjustable Seat
This Body-Solid home gym system has an adjustable seat. Its vertical post has six adjustment positions, so you can adapt its height to find the most comfortable place. The machine can accommodate users comfortably up to 6’3″ (190 cm), given the adjustment possibilities.
Taller users should also perform various exercises on this machine without any hindrance but may not benefit from a complete range of motion for all users.
The backrest of the machine is non-adjustable, attaching to the oblique frame bar via two screws. Both seat and backrest feature 2″ (5 cm) thick padding, providing optimal comfort for all exercises. The upholstery on them is heavy-duty, waterproof, vinyl material.
G1S Pulleys and Cables
The standard pulleys included with this home gym system are four 1/2″ (11.4 cm) in diameter, made from fiberglass-reinforced nylon. However, the option of aluminum pulleys is available. All pulleys integrate industrial quality, sealed ball bearings for smooth operation and prolonged use.
The cables supplied by the machine are 2,200 lbs (998 kg) tension-strength steel ropes. They should withstand much more weight than the included 160 lbs (72.5 kg) weight stack. All cables have a sheet of PVC materials for smooth gliding over the pulleys.
Accessories and Upgrades
In terms of included accessories with this machine, the list consists of a lat bar, short straight bar, ankle strap, ab & triceps strap, bottle holder with a water bottle, and a Total Body Workout DVD, which covers all the exercises possible on this machine.
Regarding available options and upgrades for this machine, I can mention the weight stack adapter plates for 2.5 lbs and 5 lbs increments. Furthermore, there’s the option for aluminum pulley upgrades. However, the machine does not offer the possibility of installing a preacher pad or a leg press; such attachments are unavailable for the G1S.
G1S Workout stations
Chest press station – this station has a different placement compared to other home gyms. It’s connected to the lower part of the frame rather than the top. In addition, it features multi-position handgrips, which offer the correct execution of various chest press exercises, along with the adjustable seat.
High pulley station – the high-pulley offers the possibility to perform lat pulldown exercises, triceps press downs, cable crossovers, and several other uses. The machine also comes with a lat pulldown bar.
Mid-pulley station – various home gyms within this range of features do not include a mid-pulley. However, this particular workout station allows for ab crunches, core, and triceps exercises.
Leg developer – designed mainly for leg extensions; however, you can also perform stand-up hamstring curls, using one leg at a time.
Low pulley station – along with the leg developer, which also uses lower pulleys, the low pulley station is situated on the machine’s left, even integrating a vertical and a horizontal footpad for seated rows of stand-up biceps curls.
Weight Resistance System
One of the best aspects of the Body-Solid G1S home gym is its weight stack. Unlike similar machines, this model comes with a set of metallic alloy weight plates, which are considerably more durable than vinyl/concrete slabs.
The stack includes 15 plates, 10 lbs (4.5 kg) each, the top plate attachment that seals it, also weighing 10 lbs. Thus, the total weight of the stack is 160 lbs (72.5 kg).
The weight stack is not upgradeable. Its selector rod features only 15 holes, so if you were to add other plates, you wouldn’t be able to lock them conventionally on the rod. However, since the machine cables have a 2,200 lbs rating, you can always improvise with the total weight.
Another essential aspect to mention here regards the machine’s weight ratios. Although its exact weight ratios are not specified anywhere, various users have reported that the lat pulldown station has approximately a one-for-one weight ratio. At the same time, the leg developer generates a weight resistance of 150%.
G1S Possible Exercises
This Body-Solid home gym system can perform more than 40+ exercises. Among the most important of them to be mentioned are:
- Vertical grip chest press
- Horizontal grip chest press
- Incline chest press
- High cable crossover
- Lat pulldown
- Close grip lat pulldown
- Seated row
- Stand-up row
- Squat
- Shrug
- Seated triceps extension
- Triceps press down
- Triceps kickback
- Standing biceps curl
- Concentration curl
- Deltoid Raise
- Upright row
- Ab crunch
- Trunk rotation
- Oblique crunch
- Standing leg curl
- Leg extension
- Leg abduction and Leg Adduction
- Glute kickback
- and more.
This home gym does not come equipped with a pec fly station. So to work those muscles on it, you’ll have to perform different tasks, such as mid-pulley trunk rotations.
Other machines can install a curl pad to perform preacher curl exercises. Unfortunately, such an addition is not available for this home gym. Furthermore, a leg press attachment isn’t available for it either.
To perform Seated rows, place feet on the foot bar under the machine’s left side’s low pulley while sitting on the floor.
G1S Assembly and Maintenance
Although this machine’s assembly is pretty straightforward, the whole task will take at least a few hours due to the many parts you’ll have to put together. However, the manual provides clear step-by-step assembly instructions. Unfortunately, tools for assembly do not come with the gym, and you’ll need a set of Allen wrenches and an adjustable wrench.
For maintenance, you’ll need to periodically inspect for loose bolts, joints, and parts and tighten them if necessary. Also, if certain joints begin to squeak, lubrication should solve the problem.
Pros
- Sturdy, all-steel frame;
- Heavy construction, which adds excellent stability (does not require to be anchored to the floor);
- Durable upholstery on seat and back support, with 2″ thick padding for optimal comfort;
- Heavy-duty, fiberglass reinforced pulleys with sealed ball bearings;
- Aluminum pulleys option available;
- Adjustable seat;
- It has five workout stations, including a chest press station, lat pulldown station, leg attachment, low pulley station, and intermediate pulley station.
- 40+ exercises available;
- Highly durable metallic alloy weight stack;
- Relatively small footprint for a home gym system;
- Lat bar, short bar, ankle strap, ab/triceps strap included;
- Bottle holder with a water bottle included;
- Total Body Workout™ DVD included;
- Quiet operation;
- Easy to set up;
- Little maintenance is required;
- Excellent warranty.
Cons
- Weight stack is not upgradeable (unless you improvise);
- It doesn’t come with a curl pad or leg press attachments.
Body-Solid G1S Home Gym Summary
The Body-Solid G1S Home Gym is a weight-stack gym system designed for home use. It features a 160 lbs metallic alloy weight stack and five distinctive workout stations, and it can perform more than 40+ gym-quality exercises. As a result, it’s a perfect choice for beginners and intermediate users. Unfortunately, it may not suffice for advanced users since the weight stack is not upgradeable.
This upgraded version of the popular EXM1500S has the industry’s best warranty, the Body-Solid In-Home Lifetime Warranty covering everything. Forever. In all, this home gym system offers excellent value for the price.
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Would you please speak up if you have anything you’d like to share on the topic or any opinions about my website? I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.
Please remember that you should consult your physician to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could risk your health and safety or prevent you from using the equipment properly. In addition, your physician’s advice is essential if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol level.
Hi, an excellent review of the equipment. I go to a small gym, which is close to where I live. My gym has the same home gym equipment there that I regularly use. Your review has prompted me to consider purchasing as I have a spare room at home. I would find this a worthy investment, and other family members could use it too. I fall into the beginner category, so I think its perfect for what I need. Thanks for sharing.
Sandeep
You’re welcome, Sandeep. Body-Solid G1S is a great choice for the whole family. And when you build up your strength and want something heavier the G1S has a good resale value due to its quality.
All the best!
This gym is second to none, and it’s features are unique. I’m impressed that it allows for over 40+ exercises for toning, trimming and muscle building. Also, for user comfort, the multi-grip press arm and adjustable seat pad have excellent ergonomics. Thanks for the thorough and helpful review! I want this home gym!
Thanks for such excellent and detailed information! It would be awesome to have this gym right in my home. I struggle with having enough time to go somewhere and workout. Having health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, I need something to help burn calories and build muscle. This sounds like an excellent alternative for me. Thanks again!!
Hello Teresa! The Body-Solid G1S home gym will help with building muscle and I love this home gym. However, it may not be the best choice for you. Have you ever thought of a rowing machine? There are several excellent rowers such as the Concept2 Model D (air resistance) or the FDF S6 Laguna AR Fluid Rower (water resistance).
All the best!
Hi! We moved at the end of last year from Sweden to the States. But in contrast with our house back home, our apartment here in the States is small. I wanted to research and see if this S1G Home Gym would work fine in a rather small room, and I’m excited to find out it does. And there are so many exercises available! Thanks for this review.
Hi Ann. Aside from living in an apartment, how do you like being in the states? What’s the most significant difference between living in Sweden and the states?
The Body-Solid G1S home gym has a compact footprint and is an excellent choice for someone who has limited space. Plus, it offers five distinct workout stations for a wide range of exercise possibilities.
All the best!
It looks like you picked the perfect time to be presenting this review! With this COVID19 pandemic crisis, people are seriously looking at other options for their health and fitness needs. My wife is a personal trainer, and we have had to move most of her clients to an online program. Who knows when this will end or if it will happen again. So people are going to be interested in finding exercise equipment for home use. I know it may seem like a significant investment, but the more significant consideration should be. What will it cost you NOT to take care of your health and fitness? Our gym is closed right now until who knows when and we have to work out from home. This is a great time to start preparing for any future crisis, and you can always have a personal trainer come into your home. They will love you already having the equipment to use.
Hello Patrick, thanks for sharing. Yes, it certainly is unprecedented times. I hope that we learn from our mistakes and are better prepared for the next pandemic.
All the best!
A while back, I realized that I had been neglecting my upper body strength, even though I was jogging every day and started using something similar. I wish this apartment building that I live in had one of these.
I was curious to find out the cost, so I clicked over to Amazon, and wouldn’t you know it they’re out of stock. So no price was given. You might want to put in a new link.
It is a good review very comprehensive, but possibly a little feature heavy. I would have liked a bit of coaching and advice on muscles and repetitions etc. For example, I did too much the first time out and had to wait for a week before going back.
Good work.
Garry.
Hello Garry! When in stock the Body-Solid G1S sells for around $1,000. As far as coaching goes that’s not what I do. Maybe that’s something I should do in the future but for now, there are a lot of personal trainers who provide the information you seek. Besides, there is an included Total Body Workout DVD, which covers all the exercises that can be performed on this machine.
All the best!
I’m impressed to see how many exercises are possible with the G1S. It has a lot packed into it, and I like its compact size. I used to live in the countryside, and I had no concern with space. But here, I have to be measuring anything I’m going to buy constantly. But this fits ok. Thank you!
Hi Paolo, it sounds like you’ve made up your mind to buy the Body-Solid G1S home gym. Great choice! If you have any questions, let me know. I’m always happy to help!
Best regards,
Robert