An expensive weight bench isn’t always the best choice for a small home gym. Here’s why I switched to a cheaper bench — and what matters when choosing one.

After six months of almost daily use, has the REP Ares 2.0 lived up to expectations? I cover the Smith Machine, cable system, real-world problems, viewer questions and whether I’d choose the same setup again.

The REP Air Strive takes the traditional air bike formula and adds adjustable VPR resistance. I tested it at REP Fitness to see whether the extra versatility makes it the ultimate home gym bike — or an expensive jack of all trades