Best Workout Equipment For Home
If you're going to purchase workout equipment for your home, be sure it has all the requisite components for the exercises you want to do. A power rack and bench press are essentials for building strength.
If you're limited on space, you could opt for a smart home fitness center, such as Tonal or Tempo. These gyms offer the full body workout and numerous workouts within small footprints.
1. Treadmill
You can keep your cardio fitness up by having a treadmill in your home if it's too cold, wet or dark to exercise. Many treadmills also offer streaming studio classes, which can inspire you to get on the treadmill even if you're not feeling your best.
fitness bike for sale like the Peloton Tread+ has a sleek and impressive design that makes it a standout in any home gym. It features a large tilting touchscreen that displays workout stats, and it broadcasts high-energy classes taught by an instructor online. But its high price tag and monthly subscription cost may be prohibitive for some users.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option still packed with smart features, Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta recommends the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. Its 14-inch smart HD touchscreen can be flipped and tilted to simulate a real-life class environment, and its integrated Google Maps workout technology lets you run or walk anywhere in the world (requires an iFit membership). It also includes pulse sensors on the handrails to monitor your heart rate and speed buttons on the handrails to boost your speed.
2. Elliptical
The elliptical is a great option for those looking for a low impact workout that will strengthen both lower and upper bodies. These machines can be used for an individual cardio workout, as a warm-up or to "workout the entire body prior to strengthening exercises" Cara D'Orazio, exercise physiologist, and personal trainer.
Kate Meier, GGR's head for content, recommends looking for a bike with a stride that is comfortable and large, textured foot pedals and handles that move or are stationary. Think about an elliptical that comes with an integrated sound system to play your music. If you're using your equipment in the living room or any other public spaces, you should consider a machine with an adjustable design that lets you move it out of sight when you're not working out.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is our pick for the best overall elliptical due to of its tech-savvy features, including compatibility with the iFIT platform of live and on-demand workouts. It's also small and has a hyper-quiet magnetic drive system that allows you to work out without disturbing your children or roommates.
3. Rower
Rowing is a full-body aerobic workout that builds strength and endurance without putting too much stress on joints. It's also relatively low-impact in comparison to other exercises that boost your heart rate, so it's a great option for people who can't perform intense exercise or have pre-existing injuries.
Rowers are found in most gyms. They are also excellent home fitness equipment. They're smaller than treadmills and ellipticals making them fit in smaller spaces and require less floor space when not in use.
If you're looking for a smarter model, choose one with touchscreen. The Concept2 RowErg offers a classic workout with a high-quality warranty, but it does not have the smart features (like the tablet stand that is integrated or live streaming of classes) that make other smart rowers stand out. The NordicTrack RW900 rower is an excellent budget pick with a 22-inch monitor that plays iFit workouts, including training classes led by a trainer and live peer-to-peer races. Its smooth magnetic resistance and quiet operation are impressive.
4. Dumbbells
If you have an established area for your workouts, then a pair of dumbbells is a great addition to any home gym. Zocchi says it's important to choose a set of dumbbells that are appropriate for your fitness goals. "A general rule of thumb is that you want to own a range of sizes of weights, to allow you to progress and regress as you need to."
The best dumbbells are easily stored. Kelli McGrane, Healthline's nutrition and fitness marketing editor, recommends an option similar to the Amazon Basics Neoprene Weights that won't take up much space in your storage area. They're also small enough to fit into the majority of cubbies.
Hex-style dumbbells like those made by Cap Barbell are an excellent choice for an at-home gym. They are designed to stop rolling, which is useful when you need to relocate dumbbells between sets, or keep from flying equipment after a set.
5. Kettlebells
Kettlebells are a useful piece of exercise equipment that can help you burn calories at a rapid rate. Research has shown that a 20 minute kettlebell workout can produce the same amount of calories as a 6 minute mile. However, it is important to choose a set of high-quality kettlebells that are safe for your body.
The best kettlebells are constructed with quality materials that don't shake or tip over during swings or take snatches. They also have a large handle opening for a comfortable grip. If you like to compete, choose kettlebells that have standardized colors and markings to match specific competition rules.
It is best to purchase kettlebells in a complete set regardless of whether you're an experienced athlete or beginner. You can progress to a high level kettlebell workout that is like a class in person. You can even take your kettlebells with you on vacation! you!
6. Weight Plates
Weight plates are not as flashy as rowers or smart home gyms, however they provide full body exercise that is as effective as other machines. You can do everything from back squats with barbells to dumbbell bench press exercises and clean and jerks and accessories like biceps curls, good mornings, and biceps.
Choose bumper plates that are resistant to the effects of abrasion, have a low bounce, and are able to be slid onto an Olympic barbell for a comfortable and easy lift. These bumper plates from Iron Bull are the best because they're made of natural rubber that is durable and can endure a lot of drops without cracking.
This functional trainer and squatrack combination is a great all-in-one home gym. It lets you lift weights that are heavy. It's fully assembled, and includes the pull-up bar as well as lever arms, and can be upgraded with other accessories, such as landmine attachments a dip pad as well as an insulated row pad and band pegs. It comes with a 210-pound stack of weights, and a compact footprint to fit the majority of workout areas.
7. Ab Wheels
Ab rollers are an affordable, effective and easy piece of fitness equipment. They can also help increase core strength. Whether you need them for a workout at home or to take with you on your travels, you should choose one that's sturdy and easy to use. This model by Vinsguir comes with a larger central wheel than the majority of them, and handles that are large but plush enough to comfortably fit in your hands.
If you want to take your core workouts to the next level, consider a pair of ab roller wheels that work in tandem. They challenge your stability more than a single one and will work your obliques transverse abs, and lower back muscles. This model from Perfect Fitness, while more expensive than others, is constructed to last and comes with a carbon-steel spring that can last for a long time. It also has a foam pad which keeps your knees in a comfortable position. The companion app that includes strength training, yoga flows, and HIIT sessions, is an added bonus.
8. Stability Ball
Using an exercise ball for your workouts can help to energize the muscles of your core in ways you can't get from a bench or barbells, Braun says. However, picking the right size is important; a smaller one can make exercises more difficult and larger ones are hard to stay on. Consult the chart of sizes to determine the perfect fit.
The best stability ball has an incredibly supportive, thick surface and a durable exterior. They also come with an anti-burst material that prevents puncturing and deflating easily. Experts suggest selecting the texture that is grippy, which will reduce slippage, but not so sticky as to attract hairs that are loose or lint.
A smart home gym will give you access to fitness-related programming that's not restricted to the equipment you have. The most effective options let you train using a treadmill, elliptical, and rower and add in dumbbells, resistance bands kettlebells, kettlebells, or a functional trainer.
9. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are an excellent addition to any home gym and offer a variety of ways to build strength without taking up space with full sets of free weights. The best ones come in multiple colors to indicate the amount of tension that is available and some come with an exclusive safety mechanism that prevents them from snapping when stretched to the max.
If you're on a tight budget, consider Iron Bull Strength for a set of six tubes for under $30. These bands vary from light to x-heavy, so they'll suit most requirements. You can even put them in your bag for training on the move.
The most durable bands are constructed of high-quality materials that are able to endure repeated stretching without losing their elasticity or snapping. They may also have reinforced seams on the handles or anchor points and will lose less elasticity over time compared to less expensive alternatives. However, most resistance bands require periodic re-tensioning to keep their shape. They can smell strongly of latex, which is not ideal for those who suffer from allergies or sensitivities.