Months, weeks, days – I have invested countless hours creating a scoring system that reflects the actual overall value of the exercise equipment put to the test.
By evaluating the provided scores, you can easily identify the type of exercise equipment that perfectly fits your specific needs.
In the following 1000-and-so words, I will show you the data working as the basis of my scoring system so you understand the parameters deciding the different scores.
The Key Scoring Factors
The overall scoring system builds on a weighted average of the following nine scoring factors.
| Score Factor | Weight |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 15% |
| Versatility | 20% |
| Total Body Score – Upper body – Lower body – Core | 15% (33%) (33%) (33%) |
| Range of Resistance Levels | 15% |
| Impact on Joints and Tendons | 5% |
| Durability | 10% |
| Portability | 5% |
| Economy (Purchase & Lifespan Maintenance) | 10% |
| Size | 5% |
Based on their importance, the different factors have been given a weight – which, combined, will be the basis for the total score of the equipment. The total body score consists of three different underlying factors, and each factor has a one-third weight in the total body score.
The individual factors are rounded up and presented with one decimal.
The total scores are rounded up and presented with two decimals.
How do you Read and Understand the Score System?
The equipment is scored in the different categories using a scale from 1-10. The higher the number, the better performance. As easy as that!
- 10 – Simply amazing.
- 9 – 9.9 – Excellent. Only the best are part of this range.
- 8 – 8.9 – Very high performance, but still room for improvement
- 7 – 7.9 – Good is often good enough. Delivers as expected, and then some.
- 6 – 6.9 – It does the job, but there are far better options.
- 5 – 5.9 – Could be a «show stopper» if the specific score category is of importance to you.
- 4 – 4.9 – An abysmal rating, simply far away from the standard expected.
- < 4.0 – Does not do the job; stay away.
How the Nine Factors are Scored
Below is a summary explaining how the scores are generated per performance factor.
Each score is based on personal experience, interviews, extensive research, watching videos, and reading for hundreds of hours.
Ease of use
The “Ease of Use” score is a direct measure of user-friendliness. The home exercise equipment is evaluated based on intuitive design, straightforward setup, and uncomplicated operation.
Clear instructions, easily adjustable settings, and minimal learning curves contribute to a higher score.
Factors like accessibility, user interface, and ease of transition between exercises – and how easy it is to use, are all being considered and will impact the overall score.
The following scale is used to determine the score:
- 10 – Extremely Easy to Use, a perfect choice for even beginners just starting their training adventure.
- 9.5 – Very Easy to Use
- 9 – Highly User-Friendly
- 8.5 – Quite User-Friendly
- 8 – Moderately Easy to Use
- 7.5 – Fairly User-Friendly
- 7 – Slightly User-Friendly
- 6.5 – Somewhat Easy to Use
- 6 – Average Ease of Use
- 5.5 – Slightly Complicated
- 5 – Somewhat Complicated
- 4.5 – Moderately Complex
- 4 – Complex, best-suited experts, hard-core weight lifters, and seasoned trainers.
Versatility
When assigning Versatility scores, the range of motion, adjustability, and the variety of exercises that can be performed all play a pivotal role.
Equipment that allows for multi-plane movements, such as lateral, rotational, and vertical motions, earns higher points. Adjustable resistance levels, settings, and customizable features contribute to the equipment’s adaptability, boosting its overall versatility score.
Nothing beats a smooth transition from push to pull – without the need for changing equipment!
The following scale is used to determine the score:
- 10 – The exercise equipment is highly versatile
- 9.5 – The exercise equipment is very versatile
- 9 – The exercise equipment is quite versatile
- 8.5 – The exercise equipment is moderately versatile
- 8 – The exercise equipment is slightly versatile
- 7.5 – The exercise equipment is fairly versatile
- 7 – The exercise equipment is moderately versatile
- 6.5 – The exercise equipment is somewhat versatile
- 6 – The exercise equipment is average versatility
- 5.5 – The exercise equipment has slightly limited versatility
- 5 – The exercise equipment has limited versatility
- 4.5 – The exercise equipment is highly specialized
- 4 – The exercise equipment is extremely specialized
Total Body Score
The total body score is based on an overall evaluation of three underlying factors. Each factor has a one-third weight, meaning the total body score is populated from an average of the three:
Upper Body: How well-suited is the equipment for upper body exercises?
Lower Body: How well-suited is the equipment for lower body exercises?
Core: How well-suited is the equipment for core strengthening exercises?
The following scale is used to determine the score for the abovementioned factors:
- 10 – Highly effective for the specified use
- 9.5 – Very effective for the specified use
- 9 – Extremely useful for the specified use
- 8.5 – Quite effective for the specified use
- 8 – Effective for the specified use
- 7.5 – Moderately effective for the specified use
- 7 – Provides some effectiveness for the specified use
- 6.5 – Offers limited effectiveness for the specified use
- 6 – Minimally effective for the specified use
- 5.5 – Slightly ineffective for the specified use
- 5 – Not well-suited for the specified use
- 4.5 – Provides minimal effectiveness for the specified use
- 4 – Ineffective for the specified use
Range of Resistance Levels
This score is a pivotal measure in assessing the effectiveness of the equipment.
We meticulously evaluate the equipment’s capacity to cater to users of varying fitness levels by examining the breadth and precision of available resistance levels. A wider range signifies adaptability, accommodating both beginners and advanced users.
We consider factors such as incremental resistance adjustments, diverse tension settings, and the smooth transition between levels.
The following scale is used to determine the score:
- 10 – Exceptional – Maximum possible resistance options
- 9.5 – Extremely High – Exceptional variety for tailored workouts
- 9 – Very High – Many resistance levels for versatile workouts
- 8.5 – Quite High – Provides a high degree of variety
- 8 – High – Offers a good variety of resistance levels
- 7.5 – Above Average – Considerably varied resistance levels
- 7 – Above Average – More than typical resistance options
- 6.5 – Average – Provides satisfactory resistance levels
- 6 – Average – Meets expectations for variety
- 5.5 – Average – Balanced resistance options
- 5 – Average – Standard range of resistance levels
- 4.5 – Below Average – Minimal progression options
- 4 – Below Average – Only one or very few resistance levels
Impact on Joints and Tendons
Our “Impact on Joints and Tendons Score” is a critical assessment focusing on the equipment’s potential impact on your joint and tendon health.
We prioritize equipment that minimizes stress on these vital structures while providing effective workouts.
Low-impact designs, ergonomic considerations, and shock absorption features contribute to higher scores.
The following scale is used to determine the score:
- 10 – Exceptionally Joint-Friendly – Minimal impact on joints and tendons
- 9.5 – Very Joint-Friendly – Very gentle, with almost no stress
- 9 – Highly Joint-Friendly – Highly forgiving, minimal strain
- 8.5 – Quite Joint-Friendly – Tolerable, with minimal impact
- 8 – Moderately Joint-Friendly – Moderate impact, low stress
- 7.5 – Fairly Joint-Friendly – Some impact, limited stress
- 7 – Slightly Joint-Friendly – Limited stress on joints
- 6.5 – Somewhat Joint-Friendly – Moderate stress, moderately forgiving
- 6 – Moderately Joint-Friendly – Standard impact on joints and tendons
- 5.5 – Somewhat Joint-Stressful – Moderate stress, moderate impact
- 5 – Slightly Joint-Stressful – Some impact, some stress
- 4.5 – Moderately Joint-Stressful – Moderate stress, noticeable impact
- 4 – Joint-Stressful – Significant stress on joints and tendons
Durability
The durability score amalgamates material and build quality, construction robustness, resilience to wear and tear, and user feedback to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term reliability of each piece of equipment.
All scores are based on a typical high-end model within each category.
The goal is to guide you towards investments that elevate your workout experience and endure the test of countless workouts – ensuring a lasting impact on your fitness journey.
The following scale is used to determine the score:
- 10 – This type of exercise equipment is typically extremely durable and will last for years.
- 9.5 – This type of exercise equipment is typically very durable
- 9 – This type of exercise equipment is typically highly durable
- 8.5 – This type of exercise equipment is typically quite durable; expect it to last for several hours of sweat!
- 8 – This type of exercise equipment is typically moderately durable
- 7.5 – This type of exercise equipment is typically fairly durable
- 7 – This type of exercise equipment is typically slightly durable
- 6.5 – This type of exercise equipment is typically somewhat durable
- 6 – This type of exercise equipment typically has average durability
- 5.5 – This type of exercise equipment is typically slightly below average durability
- 5 – This type of exercise equipment is typically below average durability
- 4.5 – This type of exercise equipment is typically moderately fragile
- 4 – This type of exercise equipment is typically fragile; be careful!
Portability
In assessing the portability of home exercise equipment, the scoring system focuses on practicality and convenience. A higher portability score is assigned to lightweight, compact, and easily transportable equipment.
Factors like size, weight, foldability, integrated wheels, and overall design for seamless storage and movement are all heavily weighted and evaluated.
The following scale is used to determine the score:
- 10 – Extremely Portable – Very lightweight and compact
- 9.5 – Very Portable – Highly manageable weight and size
- 9 – Highly Portable – Moderately lightweight and compact
- 8.5 – Moderately Portable – Reasonable weight and size
- 8 – Somewhat Portable – Slightly bulky but manageable
- 7.5 – Average Portability – Moderate weight and size
- 7 – Less Portable – Noticeably heavy or large
- 6.5 – Not Very Portable – Heavy and bulky
- 6 – Limited Portability – Very heavy and oversized
- 5.5 – Extremely Limited Portability – Impractical weight and size
Economy (Purchase & Lifespan Maintenance)
The comprehensive cost assessment goes beyond the initial purchase price.
The Overall Cost score considers both the upfront investment and long-term maintenance expenses. I have factored in durability, evaluating the equipment’s resilience to minimize repair and replacement costs.
Energy efficiency and material longevity also contribute to a lower maintenance burden.
By weighing the combined purchase and maintenance costs, the aim is to point you towards equipment that not only fits your budget initially but also proves cost-effective over its lifespan, ensuring a wise and sustainable investment in your fitness journey.
The formula I use:
Average Initial Purchase Price + (Expected Yearly Maintenance Cost * Expected Lifetime in Years) = Estimated Total Lifetime Cost.
The lifetime cost of an item represents its initial purchase price plus the cost of operating and maintaining it over its expected lifetime.
Investopedia.com
The following scale is used to determine the score:
- 10 – Extremely Cost-Effective Overall – Very low total cost
- 9.5 – Very Cost-Effective Overall – Highly budget-friendly overall
- 9 – Highly Affordable Overall – Affordable overall lifespan cost
- 8.5 – Quite Affordable Overall – Reasonable overall cost
- 8 – Moderately Affordable Overall – Moderate cost
- 7.5 – Fairly Affordable Overall – Somewhat budget-friendly overall
- 7 – Somewhat Affordable Overall – Reasonable overall cost
- 6.5 – Slightly Expensive Overall – A bit higher than average overall cost
- 6 – Moderately Expensive Overall – Moderate total cost
- 5.5 – Noticeably Expensive Overall – Above average overall cost
- 5 – Average Overall Cost – Standard total cost
- 4.5 – Moderately Costly Overall – Slightly above average overall cost
- 4 – Costly Overall – Higher than average overall cost, pricy!
Size
The size scoring is a straightforward evaluation of the equipment’s spatial footprint.
We prioritize compact designs that maximize functionality without compromising efficacy. Smaller equipment, without sacrificing usability, receives higher scores, considering the space constraints often present in home environments.
We also account for foldability and storage features, aiming to guide users toward efficient and space-conscious choices.
The following scale is used to determine the score:
- 10 – Extremely Compact: Minimal spatial footprint, excellent storage features
- 9.5 – Very Compact: Very small size, outstanding storage features
- 9 – Highly Compact: Highly space-efficient, exceptional storage features
- 8.5 – Quite Compact: Very small footprint, excellent storage options
- 8 – Moderately Compact: Moderately small size, good storage features
- 7.5 – Fairly Compact: Fairly small footprint, satisfactory storage features
- 7 – Slightly Compact: Limited spatial requirement, adequate storage options
- 6.5 – Somewhat Compact: Moderate size, with decent storage features
- 6 – Average Size: Standard footprint, reasonable storage options
- 5.5 – Slightly Bulky: Noticeable size, limited storage features
- 5 – Bulky: Significant spatial requirement, average storage options
- 4.5 – Moderately Large: Moderate to large size, limited storage features
- 4 – Large: Substantial spatial footprint, minimal storage options
Feedback
Tell me how you like the scoring system!
Should I add a factor? Do you have suggestions as to how I can better measure and apply the scores?
Please reach out and tell me!
contact(at)hometraininghero.com