Best Workout Equipment For Home
If you're going to purchase workout equipment for your home, be sure it has all the requisite elements for the exercises you'd like do. A bench press and power rack are essentials for building strength.
If you are limited in space, you can go for a smart home fitness center such as Tonal or Tempo. These gyms offer the full body workout and a variety workouts in small footprints.
1. Treadmill
You can keep your cardiovascular fitness high by having a treadmill in your home when it's too cold, rainy or dark to run. Many treadmills offer streaming studio classes that can motivate you to get on the machine even when you're not feeling great.
A premium treadmill such as the Peloton Tread+ has a sleek and impressive design that makes it a must-have in any home gym. It has a large tilting touchscreen that displays fitness statistics and high-energy streaming classes guided by an online trainer. However, its price and monthly subscription costs could be too much for some users.
For a budget-friendly model that's nevertheless packed with features, Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta recommends the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. Its 14-inch smart HD touchscreen can be tilted and pivoted to simulate a real-life class setting, and the it's integrated Google Maps workout technology lets you run or walk anyplace in the world (requires an iFit membership). It also features pulse sensors on the handlerails to allow heart rate monitoring as well as speed buttons that can help you increase your speed.
2. Elliptical
If you're looking for a low-impact workout that works your upper and lower body an elliptical is the way to go. They can be used as a standalone cardio session for warm-ups, or to "workout the entire body before exercise" Cara D'Orazio, exercise physiologist, and personal trainer.
Kate Meier, GGR's head of content, suggests you look for a treadmill with a comfortable stride, large, textured foot pedals and handles that move or sit stationary. Look into an elliptical with a a built-in sound system for your music. If you plan to use your equipment in a public space like the living room, you may think about a machine that is portable, so you can move it away when you are not using it.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is our pick for best overall elliptical because of its tech-savvy features, including the ability to connect to the iFIT platform, which offers live and on-demand workouts. It's also compact and comes with an ultra-quiet magnetic drive system that lets you to exercise without disturbing your children or roommates.
3. Rower
It's a great cardio workout for the whole body that builds strength and endurance, without putting too much strain on your joints. It's also relatively low-impact compared to other exercises that boost your heart rate, which is why it's an ideal option for those who aren't able to perform high-impact exercises or have pre-existing injuries.
Rowers are found in most gyms. They are also excellent home fitness equipment. They are smaller than treadmills and ellipticals, which means they can be incorporated into smaller space.
If you're looking for a more sophisticated rower, you should look for one that has a touchscreen monitor. 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 class streaming) that make other smart rowers stand out. The NordicTrack RW900 rower is a great budget option that has an 22-inch display that shows iFit workouts, including trainer-led rowing classes and live races between peers. Its quiet operation and smooth magnetic resistance are also excellent.
4. Dumbbells
If you have a designated space for your workout A good set of dumbbells could be a great addition to your home fitness center. Zocchi says it's important to pick dumbbells that fits your fitness goals. "A general rule of thumb is that you want to own a range of sizes of weights, so that you can progress and regress as you need to."
The best dumbbells can also be easily stored. Kelli McGrane Healthline's nutrition and fitness marketing editor, recommends an option similar to the Amazon Basics Neoprene Weights that will not take up much space in your storage area. They are also short enough to fit in most cubbies.
Hex-style dumbbells like those made by Cap Barbell are also a good option for an at-home gym. They are designed to stop rolling, which is helpful when you need to relocate dumbbells between sets or avoid flying equipment after a set.
5. Kettlebells
Kettlebells can be utilized to burn calories in many ways. Studies show that a 20 minute kettlebell workout will burn the same amount of calories as a 6 minute mile. It's crucial to select a set that is safe for your body.
The best kettlebells are made with quality materials that don't slide or tip over during swings and take snatches. The handle is large for an ergonomic grip. If you prefer competing with kettlebells, select competition kettlebells that are color-coded and standardized to comply with specific competition rules.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned athlete, it's a good idea to purchase the complete kettlebell set. You can build up to a more intense kettlebell workout, similar to a class in person. You can even take your kettlebells on vacation with you!
6. Weight Plates
Weight plates might not be as flashy like a rower or smart home gym, but they can provide a full-body workout that's exactly as effective as other machines. Weight plates can be used for anything from dumbbell backsquats with barbells, bench press, clean and jerks, to accessories like biceps curls and good mornings.
Find bumper plates that resist the effects of abrasion, have a low bounce and can be easily fitted onto an Olympic barbell for a comfortable and easy lift. These bumpers from Iron Bull are a top choice, since they're made of rubber that's virgin, which is durable and withstands plenty of drops without cracking.
This squatrack and functional trainer combo is a fantastic all-in-one home gym. It allows you to lift a lot of weight. It comes fully assembled with lever arms and a pull-up and is able to be upgraded to include additional accessories like landmine attachments. It has a 210-pound stack of weights, and a compact footprint that can fit in most workout spaces.
7. Ab Wheels
Ab rollers are easy inexpensive and effective fitness equipment that will help increase core strength. If you intend to use them at home or while on the road pick one that is simple to use and sturdy. This model from Vinsguir comes with a larger central wheel than most of them, and handles that are wide but plush enough to fit comfortably in your hands.
If you're looking to take your core exercise routine to the next level, try 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. Although it is more expensive than other models such as this one from Perfect Fitness is designed to be durable and features carbon steel springs that holds up over time. It also has a small foam pad that keeps your knees comfortable. The app that comes with it that includes strength training as well as yoga flow and HIIT sessions, is a nice bonus.
8. Stability Ball
Braun says that using an exercise ball can aid in working your core muscles in a way that a bench or barbell will not. However, picking the right size is crucial because a smaller ball could make exercises more difficult, and a larger one can be difficult to keep on. Look up fitness bicycles for sale of sizes to find the ideal fit.
The most stable stability balls feature a thick, supportive texture and a durable exterior. They also feature an anti-burst layer that keeps them from puncturing and deflating easily. Experts suggest choosing the texture that is grippy, which will reduce slippage, but not too sticky that it can attract hairs or loose lint.
A smart home gym allows you to access an interactive fitness program that isn't limited to the equipment you use. The best options allow you to exercise on a treadmill, rower, elliptical, and even add dumbbells or kettlebells.
9. Resistance Bands
The resistance bands are a great addition to any home gym. They offer a flexible and space-saving method to build strength, without having to use complete sets of weights. The best ones come with a variety of colors to show the amount of tension that is available, and some feature an exclusive safety mechanism that keeps them from snapping when overstretched.
If you're on a tight budget look into Iron Bull Strength for six tubes for under $30. These bands are available in a variety of weights ranging from light to heavy. They'll meet your needs in all ways and you can easily pack them into your bag for training on the go.
The most durable bands are constructed of high-quality materials that are able to stand up to repeated stretching without losing their elasticity or snapping. They could also have anchor points or handles that have reinforced seams and are less likely to lose their elasticity over time than cheaper alternatives. However, most resistance bands require regular re-tensioning to maintain their shape. They are known to emit a strong smell of latex which is not a good choice for those who suffer from sensitivities or allergies.