Introduction
When a personal trainer tells you a piece of kit is worth investing in, it's worth paying attention. Debbie Macphee (@dmfitlife) trains five days a week and knows exactly what good equipment looks like. We asked her to give us her honest review of her Solo setup, the Signature Storage Bench, the Classic Med Ball Set and the 3 Ball Medicine Ball Rack.
Here's what she said, in her own words.
How the gym changed things day to day
Debbie trains five days a week, usually for 45 to 60 minutes a session. Her training is a mix of strength, HIIT and athletic conditioning, and her Solo setup covers all of it.
"It makes training so much easier to fit around work," she says. "As a personal trainer my days can be busy, so being able to walk into my own space and train straight away saves so much time."
The bench is central to almost everything she does. "I use it for everything from shoulder press, hip thrusts and Bulgarian split squats to step ups and core work." The med balls come in for power and rotational work, and the bands are her go-to for warm ups, mobility and activation.
What she thinks of the quality and design
"The quality has really impressed me," Debbie says. "Everything feels solid and well made, but it also looks great. The bench is really stable, the medicine balls are durable and the rack keeps everything organised without taking up loads of space. The yoga mat finishes the whole space off nicely too."
For Debbie, the combination of quality and practicality is what sets Solo apart. "The equipment looks great in a home but is still made to be properly trained with. The customer service has also been excellent, and everything feels built to last."
As a personal trainer, she's used a lot of gym equipment. She knows the difference between kit that looks good and kit that performs, and her verdict is that Solo does both.
What she'd say to someone thinking about investing
"It's a great investment," Debbie says. "It removes so many barriers to training and you really don't need loads of machines. A good bench, bands, medicine balls and a few versatile pieces of equipment can give you so many different ways to train with amazing results."
Her advice on budget? Don't compromise on quality. "Choosing durable, sturdy, high quality equipment means you'll enjoy using it for years, and it's something you'll benefit from every single day. When you think about the price per use, it really is an investment in yourself."
Debbie's setup
Here are the products at the heart of Debbie's space.
An adjustable bench with built-in storage for four pairs of dumbbells and two kettlebells. Flat, incline and decline positions. Available in Black, Bronze and Silver.
Classic Med Ball Set Tan Leather
3kg, 6kg and 9kg. For power, rotational work and HIIT.
Solo 3 Ball Medicine Ball Rack
Keeps the med balls organised and off the floor without taking up more space than necessary.
Shop Debbie's setup
Browse the products Debbie uses in her Solo home gym or if you're thinking about building a more complete setup, speak to our team about our gym design service.
