The Body-Solid G1B vs G3B home gyms are both serious selectorized home resistance training machines, but they are not simply two versions of the same thing at different prices. While the G1B is the more compact and affordable option, the G3B is more expandable and gives you additional dedicated exercise stations.
As a Personal Trainer and Health Coach with more than 20 years of experience working with women, I carefully select fitness equipment based on quality, durability, functionality, and value for money. I understand that women want effective and versatile equipment that is easy to use and not overwhelming.
Purchasing a home gym is a big decision and can be a substantial investment for your long-term health and fitness. So choosing the right machine is important.
The better choice is the one that matches:
- Your available space
- The exercises you want to perform
- Your budget
- How much expandability you want
- How you prefer to strength train
So let’s compare the Body-Solid G1B vs G3B side by side so you can decide which is better for you.
Body-Solid G1B vs G3B: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Body-Solid G1B | Body-Solid G3B |
|---|---|---|
| Tenacity Fitness Price | $1,710 | $2,260 |
| Standard Weight Stack | 160 lb | 160 lb |
| Machine Weight | Approx. 324 lbs | Approx. 340 lbs |
| Dimensions | 56″ L × 47″ W × 84″ H | 80″ L × 47″ W × 84″ H |
| Weight Stack Upgrade | — | Optional 210 lbs |
| Multi-grip station | — | Yes |
| Chest Press | Yes | Yes |
| Incline Press | Yes | Yes |
| Shoulder Press | Yes | Yes |
| Lat Pulldown | Yes | Yes |
| Mid-Row Station | — | Dedicated mid-row handles |
| Leg Extension/Curl | Yes | Fully adjustable leg developer |
| Low Cable Pulley | Yes | Yes |
| Optional Leg Press | — | Yes |
| Best For | Compact all-in-one strength training | More features and expandability |
| Take A Look |  |  |
Size Difference
Depending on your home set-up, the dimensions of your home gym is certainly important to consider. The G1B measures approximately 56″ L × 47″ W × 84″ H while the G3B measures 80″ L × 47″ W × 84″ H. So although they are approximately the same width and height, the G3B is around 24 inches longer.
If you’re working with a spare bedroom that has limited space, garage corner or compact exercise room, those extra two feet may influence your decision.
Space winner: G1B
If floor space matters, the G1B clearly has the advantage.
Weight Stack: Both Start at 160 lbs
Both machines come standard with a 160 lb selectorized easy-pin weight stack. That gives you a useful range of resistance without having to load plates manually. The important difference is expandability. The G3B can be upgraded to a 210 lb weight stack. That gives it more long-term resistance potential.
Resistance winner: G3B
If you think you may eventually outgrow the standard stack, the G3B gives you the better upgrade path.
Pressing Exercises
Both machines allow you to perform traditional pressing movements.
The G3B uses a multi-grip press arm system designed for:
- Chest press
- Incline press
- Shoulder press
The G1B also provides pressing exercises within its compact multi-station design, but it does not provide the same multi-grip system as the G3B. This can be significant because different grips allow you to perform a bigger variety of movements, and target more muscles.
Pressing winner: G3B
The multi-grip press allows you to perform a wider range of exercises.
Back Training Movements
Both the G1B and G3B multigyms include a lat pulldown station. However, the G3B also includes dedicated mid-row handles. This enables you to perform seated rows with different grips that target various muscle groups, while also guiding your exercise form.
To perform mid-rows on the G1B machine, it requires sitting on the floor and using a cable attachment.
That gives the G3B greater pulling versatility.
Back-training winner: G3B
Lower-Body Training
Both systems allow you to train the legs. The G3B, however, uses a more premium fully adjustable leg extension/leg curl station with thick foam rollers and the SmoothGlide Bearing System™.
Another advantage is what you can add later. Body-Solid offers an optional Leg Press/Calf Press station for the G3B with up to 420 lb of resistance. So if serious lower-body training is important to you, that makes the G3B considerably more expandable.
Lower-body winner: G3B
Ease of Use
Both machines use selectorized weight stacks. That means changing resistance is simple – you just move the selector pin and continue training. Neither requires you to load and unload individual plates between exercises. This makes both machines appealing if you want a straightforward gym-style workout at home.
Ease-of-use winner: Tie
Exercise Variety
The G1B is designed to provide a large number of exercises from a compact footprint. That is one of its biggest strengths. You get a genuinely capable all-in-one home gym without dedicating an enormous amount of floor space to it.
The G3B takes a different approach. It uses more physical space but gives you more dedicated stations and additional expansion options.
So the question is: Do you want maximum efficiency from a smaller footprint, or are you willing to dedicate more room to greater capability and expandability?
Compact versatility: G1B – See It Here
Overall capability: G3B – See It Here
Which Is Better for Beginners?
I think either machine can work very well for a beginner. Traditional home gyms are generally easy to understand because the exercise stations provide more guidance.
If you are completely new to strength training, however, I don’t think you need to spend the extra $550 simply because the G3B has more features. If the G1B gives you all the resistance and exercise variety you need, it may be the more sensible first machine.
Beginner value winner: G1B
Which Is Better if You Already Strength Train?
If you already know that strength training is going to be a permanent part of your routine, I would take a harder look at the G3B.
The additional:
- Row station
- Multi-grip press capability
- Adjustable leg station
- Stack upgrade
- Leg press expansion
give you more room to develop the system over time.
Long-term expandability winner: G3B
Price Difference
At Tenacity Fitness, we offer our products at the lowest prices:
– Body-Solid G1B: $1,710 – VIEW IT HERE
– Body-Solid G3B: $2,260 – VIEW IT HERE
The extra $550 for the G3B is absolutely worth it if you want:
- The dedicated row setup
- Multi-grip pressing options
- More advanced lat station
- More exercise options and versatility
- Greater leg-station adjustability
- Optional 210 lb weight stack
- Optional leg press/calf press
- More room for future expansion
An extra few hundred bucks is well worth the investment in your long-term health and fitness.
Which Is Better for Women Over 40 or 50?
Both machines can provide progressive strength training for women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and later. For someone who wants a compact, straightforward full-body machine, the G1B is excellent. For someone who wants a more elaborate home strength setup and expects to continue progressing for years, the G3B may justify the extra investment.
Body-Solid G1B vs G3B: Final Verdict
Here’s how I would decide.
Choose the Body-Solid G1B if:
You want the smaller footprint, want to spend less and still want a serious all-in-one home strength machine. At $1,710, I think it offers particularly good value for someone who wants a capable selectorized home gym without taking up too much space in your home.
Best value and smaller spaces: G1B – See It Here
Choose the Body-Solid G3B if:
You have the space, are comfortable investing an additional $550 for a more sophisticated home gym setup, and want the more capable and expandable machine. The dedicated mid-row station, multi-grip press system, adjustable leg developer, optional 210 lb stack and optional leg press make it the more complete system.
Best features and expandability: G3B – See It Here
Shop Both Body-Solid Home Gyms
SHOP THE BODY-SOLID G1B – $1,710
SHOP THE BODY-SOLID G3B – $2,260
Both include free U.S. shipping, (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Body-Solid G1B and G3B?
The G1B is the more compact and affordable system. The G3B is larger and offers additional dedicated stations and upgrade options for more versatility.
Do the G1B and G3B both have 160 lb weight stacks?
Yes. Both standard models use 160 lb selectorized weight stacks. The G3B also offers an optional 210 lb upgrade.
Is the G3B much bigger than the G1B?
The main difference is length. The G3B measures 80″ long, making it approximately two feet longer than the G1B.
Does the G3B have a leg press?
A leg press/calf press station is available as an optional accessory. It is not included with the standard G3B.
Which is better for a home gym?
Both machines are excellent home gym options – the G1B is smaller, while the G3B offers more exercise options.