Behind the BulkBoy score
How we rate equipment
A good purchase should fit your budget, your space, and the way you train. Our scores help you compare those tradeoffs before you buy.
Ratings are editorial assessments based on product specifications, available evidence, price, and suitability. A score does not mean we have physically tested a product. We only claim hands-on testing when a product page explicitly documents it.
Five criteria. One score out of 10.
Editors assign each available criterion a score from 0 to 10. The headline BulkBoy score is calculated automatically using the weights below. Build quality and value carry the most weight.
- Build quality35%
- Build quality and durability, assessed from available product specifications and evidence.
- Value30%
- What the equipment offers for the money, relative to comparable options.
- Beginner suitability15%
- How well the product suits someone putting together a first home gym.
- Small-space suitability10%
- How well the product suits a small room, apartment, or shared training space.
- Premium appeal10%
- How well the product suits buyers who prioritize premium features and quality.
How the overall score is calculated
We multiply each available score by its weight, add the results, and divide by the total weight of the scored criteria. The result is rounded to one decimal place.
Illustrative example — not a product rating
Build quality: 9 · Value: 8 · Beginner suitability: 8 · Small-space suitability: 6 · Premium appeal: 7
(9 × 0.35) + (8 × 0.3) + (8 × 0.15) + (6 × 0.1) + (7 × 0.1) = 8.1/10
Missing criteria are left out, rather than counted as zero. For example, if only quality and value are scored, their weights are divided by their combined weight. A product with no scores is labeled “Not yet scored.” Check which individual scores are available before comparing overall ratings.
What the labels mean
- Outstanding
- 9.0–10.0 out of 10
- Excellent
- 8.0–8.9 out of 10
- Very good
- 7.0–7.9 out of 10
- Good
- 6.0–6.9 out of 10
- Fair
- 4.0–5.9 out of 10
- Weak
- 0.0–3.9 out of 10
These labels describe our editorial score. They are not customer star ratings, safety certifications, or guarantees of performance.
The highest score isn’t always the best fit
The Home Gym Builder uses a separate fit score. It starts with your value-versus-premium preference, then adjusts for your training goal, beginner suitability, and apartment or compact-space needs when relevant scores are available.
The builder considers active products, experience-level suitability, equipment you already own, and category budgets when assembling a plan. Its recommendations come from the BulkBoy catalog, so they do not cover every product on the market.
Plan costs are estimates. When a product has a price range, the builder uses its midpoint; when only one end is available, it uses that figure. Required equipment can push a plan over budget, which is flagged in the results. Confirm the current price, dimensions, compatibility, and specifications at the retailer before buying.
How affiliate links relate to ratings
BulkBoy may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Commission rates and affiliate payouts are not inputs to the overall-score formula or the Home Gym Builder’s fit-score formula. Retailer links and product ratings serve different purposes: the score helps you compare equipment; the link takes you to a place to buy it.
Read our affiliate disclosure →Find the equipment that fits you.
Put the criteria to work with a free home gym plan, or explore the product catalog.