The Best Home Gym Equipment So You Can Finally Break Up With Your Gym

The benefits of working out at home are aplenty. Beyond cutting the cost of a gym membership, you also save time and have more flexibility with your schedule and family. Essential to exercising at home is making sure you have the best fitness app and you’re stocked with the best home gym equipment so that you’re getting a gym-worthy workout from the comfort of your living room, bedroom, or dedicated exercise room. Because yes, you don’t actually need a gym to build muscle, flexibility, and endurance. All it takes is a personal trainer or workout routine that’s motivating, fun, and challenging (in a good way). You don’t need the newest high-tech equipment, either.

Whether you’re interested in weight training, cardio workouts, weight loss, suspension training, or low-impact movement like barre, there are so many space-saving, affordable, and high-tech pieces of equipment to try out. And we’re here to give you all the recommendations. Ahead, after thorough testing, we found the best home gym equipment at every price point that’s worth your hard-earning dollars. This gear is versatile, accessible, and vetted for all fitness levels. You’ll find treadmills, rowing machines, resistance bands, kettlebells, and more from brands you know and love like NordicTrack and Bowflex, as well as brands you might not know yet like Hydrow and Triggerpoint. We cover everything you need to know about the gear, including pros and cons, price, and specs, so you don’t have to spend more time searching.

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed by the team. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader.

• Best Resistance Bands – Gorilla Bow Resistance Bands
• Best Adjustable Dumbbells – Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells
• Best Kettlebells – Rogue Fitness E-Coat Kettlebells
• Best Barbell – CAP OB-86B Barbell
• Best Treadmill – NordicTrack Commercial 1750
• Best Free Weights – AmazonBasics Rubber Encased Hex Dumbbells
• Best Rowing Machine – Hydrow Rower
• Best Foam Roller – Triggerpoint Grid 13” Foam Roller
• Best Exercise Bike – NordicTrack S22i
• Best Pull Up Bar – Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Pull-Up Bar
• Best Squat Rack – CAP FM-905Q Power Rack Squat Stand
• Best Workout Mirror – Tonal

We love resistance bands for all kinds of full-body workouts, from HIIT to Pilates to strength training. If you’re one to switch up your workout routine, they’re versatile enough that they likely won’t go to waste. The Gorilla Bow is our pick because it’s an innovative piece of equipment, with a bow and arrow-like design, resistance bands made with layers of strong latex, and unique programming for $15 per month. Though it looks intimidating at first, once you get the hang of the Gorilla Bow, you can do pretty much any standard lift, like squats, deadlifts, curls, and flys—without dumbbells or barbells.

On the flipside, the Gorilla Bow is that it can be more difficult to maneuver for beginners than a typical circle band. This piece of equipment is more pricey than other resistance bands because of its innovation and versatility. It comes with four levels of resistance that are pretty standard across the board. If you want different levels of tension, you can purchase them separately.

The “As Seen on TV” brand Bowflex isn’t typically known for state-of-the-art equipment, however, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells have an excellent value. Starting at 5 lbs and going up to 52.5 lbs, the weight plates go up by 2.5 lb. increments up to 25 lbs, and from there they go up in 5 lb increments. The dial makes changing the weight quick and easy for supersets and when you want to switch up your exercise. As with any dumbbells, you can work all of the major muscle groups with this heavy-duty set. What’s more, if you decide to purchase these, it comes with a free one-year JRNY membership, giving you access to live classes and on-demand full-body workouts.

As with any equipment, there are a few things about these dumbbells that we don’t love. The plates between the weights are plastic that wear down with repeated use, creating a safety risk, as plates can fall off the weight during exercises. What’s more, if you’re someone who uses lighter weights, an adjustable set might not give you the best bang for your buck.

If you’ve been a gym member, chances are you’ve seen these kettlebells around. If that’s not enough of an endorsement in itself, we’ll give you a few more reasons to buy. Rogue’s kettlebells are made in Michigan with ductile iron, which is tougher than traditional cast iron. They come in 12 lb Increments, from nine to 88 lbs, making them accessible for all fitness levels. What really sets these apart though is the E-coat finish. While some KBs have a powder finish, the E-coat makes the bells shiny and easy to clean and keeps the texture of the bell.

Some reviewers note that the E-coat does sacrifice grip—especially if you’re one to get sweaty—and that the texture feels rough on the hands after prolonged use. What’s more, if you only use kettlebells once in a while, these are on the more expensive side. But that’s not without reason, considering the high-quality and sourcing of the materials.

A barbell is beneficial for all kinds of training, from CrossFit to basic lifts. We love the CAP Beast barbell for its versatility, quality, and value. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t even need weight plates to train with barbells; if you’re just getting started with barbell training, this tough 44 lb barbell is decently heavy on its own. It has deep grips to keep you feeling secure through squats, deadlifts, and presses, plus a 1,000 lb weight capacity means you can add huge weight plates without sacrificing the structural integrity of the bar.

One downside to this bestselling barbell? Some reviewers note that during the first few months of use, they noticed metal splinters (or shavings) when they slid on weight plates and clips. Once the metal wears down this won’t continue to happen, but it’s not ideal that it happens in the first place. However, for the price of this bar, it’s an overall great value for what you get.

NordicTrack is a fitness industry mainstay, and this treadmill only solidifies that. The Commercial 1750 treadmill has a road-like response and offers incline (up to 15 percent) and decline (down to -3 percent) training. It also has an HD touchscreen with iFit connectivity (you get a free iFit trial after you purchase the treadmill), speakers with Bluetooth capability, and built-in fans. With iFit, Automatic Trainer Control allows your trainer to digitally adjust your incline, decline, and speed.

This machine takes up a lot of space, and although it folds up and can be stowed away when you’re not using it, it’s too large to fit in a closet or under a bed. If you have a home gym or a spacious garage, then this treadmill will be ideal for you. What’s more, if you’re not a dedicated runner or walker, a pricey treadmill might not be the best investment for you.

No matter what your fitness goals are, chances are, a set (or several sets) of dumbbells will help you reach them. You can easily implement dumbbells into pretty much any workout, whether you want a strength boost during your Peloton workout or to level up a basic set of lunges. These dumbbells from AmazonBasics have more than 30,000 five-star reviews from home exercisers like you. Made with a durable cast iron core, contoured chrome handle, and hexagonal and rubber-encased ends, they’re an affordable and easy way to add weights into your home gym. They go from 10 to 50 lbs in 5 lb increments, so you can find a weight range that feels right for your fitness goals.

There isn’t much critical feedback on these top-rated dumbbells, save for notes that they come out of the box quite greasy with an odd scent. Many metal pieces of gym equipment do feel greasy and slick when they’re new, but if it doesn’t subside, contact customer support. Similarly, a rubbery scent is to be expected at first, but it should fade after being aired out.

If you love the competitive nature of a group fitness environment or indoor cycling ride from Peloton or SoulCycle, the Hydrow offers a similar style—but for rowing. Its sleek frame features a magnetic resistance belt offering up to 300 pounds of resistance, and a 22” HD screen, which displays on-demand and live rowing classes filmed on bodies of water across the globe. You can connect your Apple Watch or other heart rate monitor, use the leaderboard for competition, and add your friends, too—all of which can be motivating when working towards your goals. It’s a high-quality machine with incredible features and an aesthetic design that’s also functional.

The issue with the Hydrow is with storage. It doesn’t store upright against a wall like some competitors, and at 145 lbs, it can be difficult to move if you live in a small space. The brand offers an $80 storage kit if you’d like to store it upright. What’s more, it’s quite pricey. If you don’t know how often you’d use the interactive programming or the rower itself, there are cheaper, easy-to-store options.

Ample recovery and mobility work are key for achieving and maintaining your strength and endurance. And sure, nothing feels better than lounging on the couch all day as rest, but doing some form of active recovery work through stretching or using equipment like massage guns, foam rollers, or compression boots is encouraged. TriggerPoint’s Grid foam roller is deeply textured with grooves and ridges to really get into your muscles and knead out tension. What’s more, it has a small footprint so you can easily toss it in your closet or under the bed when you’re not using it.

If you’re new to foam rolling, a textured foam roller might not be the best option, as they might feel too intense or painful compared to smooth foam rollers. But if you’re ready for more pressure, this one is your best bet. It’s made with durable EVA and despite its hollow center, it has a high weight capacity.

There are hundreds of stationary bikes on the market, each with different features that set it apart. The NordicTrack SS2i is our top pick because it’s unrivaled in its ability to channel an outdoor ride—indoors, thanks to an incline and decline feature that allows you up to a 20 percent grade and down to -10. This, plus the inertia-enhanced 32-pound flywheel and large, interactive screen make the SS2i worth buying. The pedals are compatible with both SPD and Look Delta cleats, and if you don’t have cycling shoes you can slide your feet into the cages.

It has 24 resistance levels for all kinds of lower body cardio drills, plus 30 free days of iFit connectivity which gives you access to classes and takes you along trails around the world. Though the footprint is relatively small as far as gym machines go, this bike is heavy and might be hard for one person to move. What’s more, it requires time-consuming assembly with many parts.

If you have a small space you want to convert into a home gym, having a freestanding pull-up bar situation is probably not the best use of your square footage. Luckily, over-the-door pull-up bars exist, and they’re a great return on investment for your upper body. Perfect Fitness’s Multi-Gym Pull-Up Bar is easy to put together and mount, and it has multiple grips: wide, close, and hammer. Plus, you can take it off the door and use it on the ground for dips, sit-ups, and push-ups.

As with any over-the-door equipment, this pull-up bar can smudge your doorframe or chip the paint. Our reviewer also notes that the foam grips are not as durable as they could be, and wear down quickly. But for the price, it’s a pretty good value, especially if you’re not going to use it every single day.

If you’re a weightlifter, you know how much convincing it takes to break up with your gym. It can be tough to find commercial-grade gear at an affordable price that will also fit in your space. The CAP Power Rack Squat Stand is stable, multi-functional, and financially accessible. It has both a squat rack for barbells and a pull-up bar, and you can use it for calisthenics and even aerial yoga, too. Reviewers note that even when used outdoors, it doesn’t rust, thanks to the heavy-duty steel frame.

Obviously, a free standing squat rack has a pretty big footprint, so before buying, make sure that you have enough space. You’ll also want to have a friend with you for assembly. Though it’s not complicated to put together, since it’s a larger piece of equipment, the more hands the better.

The Tonal smart gym has top-tier software and interactivity when it comes to all-in-one home gyms. With the Tonal, you can perform up to 170 different exercises, including a range of full-body moves. The longer you workout with Tonal, the more the AI knows your preferences and can check your form as you exercise. If you’re a fitness buff, you can lift up to 200 lbs in digital resistance. Some folks have asked the brand for higher weight, but so far it remains 200 lbs.

White glove installation is included in the price of the Tonal, so you don’t have to worry about assembly. However, the price tag is pretty hefty here. With the versatility and amount of live and on-demand classes, as well as the high-quality hardware and software it does make sense, but much of the (pretty crucial) equipment comes a la carte, making the price even higher. Overall, the Tonal is great for people who want a space-saving home gym with top-of-the-line tech.

What Are the Benefits of Working Out At Home?

When you work out at home, you’re saving more time than if you commuted to a gym or studio. Along with that, you might be saving money, too. Though there are plenty of subscriptions, apps, and types of immersive home gym equipment that cost money, if you work out at home often enough, you can easily justify the cost. Working out at home is also enjoyable for many people who don’t like crowded gym environments or exercising in a group setting. It allows you freedom, time management, and flexibility that leaving your home to exercise doesn’t.

How Can You Find the Best Home Workout Equipment?

You’re off to a great start by reading our reviews! Research is key when buying home exercise equipment, plus you should consider your skill level, the durability of the equipment, and the cost. You can get recommendations from trusted reviewers (like us!), fitness experts, and even your favorite fitness instructors.

Things to Consider When Building Your Home Gym

Space

The size of your home and workout space is before buying equipment. If you have a large space, you have more freedom to buy larger things like treadmills or exercise bikes, whereas if you’re in an apartment or studio, items like mats, dumbbells, and resistance bands would be better suited for you.

Cost

Some home gym equipment is quite economical for all kinds of income levels, like resistance bands and dumbbells, which cost between $10-20 at their lowest. These affordable pieces are great for all kinds of workouts, too, from strength training to cardio and more. If you want to make an investment, you can always buy more high-end equipment or opt for larger-ticket items like rowing machines or workout systems like Tonal.

Skill Level

Just starting out on your exercise journey? Plenty of equipment is beginner-friendly.  Things like dumbbells, resistance bands, treadmills, and more are there to help you find your ideal workout safely and comfortably, and to deepen their strengthening and endorphin-boosting power. It’s always ideal to learn how to use the equipment from a professional, and know that you don’t have to use any at all if it feels too complex.

Other Factors to Consider in Home Gym Equipment

Size

Home gym equipment can be anywhere from small (resistance bands and balls) to large (treadmills and squat racks). The equipment you purchase will depend wholly on the size of your home gym space. Some cardio equipment—especially nowadays—fold up or roll, making them easy to store, but most strength training equipment can’t do that. However, smaller items such as resistance bands and foam rollers, require very little space and storage.

Durability

With any product you buy, you want it to stand the test of time. Your home gym equipment should be hardwearing and sturdy for well-over multiple uses. To ensure that you’re getting high-quality home gym equipment, find it through articles like this one, look through reviews, and ask your favorite instructors what they recommend.

Accessibility

Home gym equipment should come with thorough instructions or a link to tutorials. It should also mention user weight limit or weight requirement, while being suitable for a wide range of body sizes and types. The equipment should be easy to get on (in the case of treadmills or bikes), grip, or slide onto your body (like resistance bands).