Best Workout Equipment For Home
If you're planning to purchase fitness equipment for home use, make sure that it has all the essential components for the exercises you're planning to perform. For example, a power rack and bench press are crucial equipment that will aid in building strength.
If you're limited on space, you can go for a high-quality home fitness center like Tonal or Tempo. These gyms offer an all-body workout as well as a variety workouts in the smallest footprint.
1. Treadmill
You can keep your cardiovascular fitness up by having a treadmill in your home if it's too cold, wet or dark to exercise. Many treadmills offer streaming studio classes that can encourage you to step on the treadmill even when you're not feeling your best.
A premium treadmill, such as the Peloton Tread+ has a elegant and striking design that makes it a show-stopper in any home gym. It features a large tilting screen that displays the workout statistics, and it streams high-energy classes taught by an instructor who is virtual. The high price and monthly subscription fees could be prohibitive to some users.
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is a budget-friendly, but smart choice recommended by Forbes Vetted Gear Editor Cam Vigliotta. Its 14-inch smart HD touchscreen can be tilted and pivoted to recreate a real-world class environment, and its it's integrated Google Maps workout technology lets you run or walk anywhere in the world (requires an iFit membership). It also has handrails with pulse sensors to monitor your heart rate and speed buttons on the handrails to boost your speed.
2. Elliptical
The elliptical machine is a excellent choice for those seeking an exercise that's low impact and will work both your lower and upper body. They're great for a single cardio session as a warm-up or "a full-body workout prior to strength training, which can help to avoid injury," says exercise physiologist and personal trainer Cara D'Orazio.
Kate Meier, GGR's head for content, recommends looking for a bike that has a comfortable stride and large, textured foot pedals and handles that can move or are stationary. Also consider an elliptical with an integrated speaker system to play your music. If you plan to use your equipment in a public area, such as the living room, you may think about a machine that is portable so you can move it away when you're not using it.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is our pick for best overall elliptical because of its innovative features, including compatibility with the iFIT platform of live and on-demand workouts. Best workout equipment for home 's also compact and comes with an ultra-quiet magnetic drive system that lets you to work out without disturbing your children or roommates.
3. Rower
Rowing is a total-body cardio exercise that builds strength and endurance without putting too much strain on your joints. It's also relatively low-impact in comparison to other exercises that boost your heart rate, which is why it's a great option for those who aren't able to perform high-impact exercises or have pre-existing injuries.
You'll find rowers in most gyms however they're also an excellent piece of home fitness equipment. They're smaller than treadmills and ellipticals so they fit into smaller spaces and require less floor space when being used.
If you're looking for a more sophisticated rower, look for one with a touchscreen monitor. The Concept2 RowErg is a top-rated option that comes with classic workouts as well as a solid warranty, but it's missing the features that make other innovative options stand out (like an integrated tablet holder or live streaming of class). The NordicTrack RW900 rower is an excellent budget option that has an 22-inch display that shows iFit workouts, including instructor-led rowing classes as well as live races between peers. Its smooth magnetic resistance and quiet operation are also impressive.
4. Dumbbells
If you have a dedicated space for your workout, then a pair of dumbbells will be a great addition to any home gym. It's crucial to pick one that is compatible with your fitness goals, says Zocchi. "A general rule of thumb is that you want to have a variety of sizes of weights, so that you can progress and regress exercises as needed."
The best dumbbells are simple to store. Kelli McGrane Healthline's fitness and nutrition editor, suggests an item similar to the Amazon Basics Neoprene Weights that won't take up much space in your storage area. They're also compact enough to fit in most cubbies.
Hex-style dumbbells like those manufactured by Cap Barbell are also a great option for an at-home gym. Their blocked shape makes them less likely to roll on the floor, which is useful when you need to reposition them between sets or avoid flying equipment post-set.
5. Kettlebells
Kettlebells can be used to burn calories in a variety of ways. Studies have shown that a 20-minute kettlebell workout can burn the same amount of calories as a six minute mile. It's important to choose the right set that is safe for your body.
The best kettlebells are built from high-quality materials that won't slide or tip over during swings and snatches. The handle is long for a comfortable grip. If you're looking to compete, choose competition kettlebells that are standard and color-coded to match particular competition regulations.
Whether you're a beginner or a professional athlete, it's best to purchase the complete kettlebell set. This way, you'll easily progress to a rigorous kettlebell workout that's comparable to an in-person class. You can take your kettlebells with you anywhere, even when you go on vacation!
6. Weight Plates
Weight plates might not be as stylish like a rower or smart home gym, but they can provide a full-body workout that's equally effective as the majority of machines. You can do everything from barbell back squats to dumbbell bench presses and clean and jerks with them as well as accessories such as biceps curls, good mornings, and biceps.
Look for bumper plates that are resistant to damage, are low in 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 with virgin rubber, which is strong and able to endure a lot of drops without cracking.
For an all-in-one home gym that lets you lift heavy, consider this squat rack as well as a functional trainer combo. It comes fully assembled with a pull-up and lever arms and can be upgraded to include additional accessories such as landmine attachments. It also has an 210-pound weight stack as well as a compact footprint that fits most workout space.
7. Ab Wheels
Ab rollers are an affordable, efficient and simple piece of fitness equipment. They can also boost the strength of your core. If you want to use them at home or on the go pick one that is easy to use and robust. This one from Vinsguir features a central wheel that's more robust than the majority and handles that are plush but slim enough to allow your hands to be comfortably.
If you want to take your core workouts to the next level, you should try the ab roller wheels that work in tandem. They are more stable than a single unit, and they work your lower back and obliques. While pricier than some models, this one comes from Perfect Fitness is designed to be durable and features carbon steel springs that holds up over time. It also comes with a small foam pad that keeps your knees comfortable. The application that comes with it which has strength workouts, yoga flow and HIIT sessions, is a nice bonus.
8. Stability Ball
Braun says that using an exercise ball will aid in working your core muscles in a way that a barbell or bench will not. But picking the right size is important because a smaller ball can make exercises more difficult and larger ones are difficult to maintain. Consult a sizing chart to find the perfect size.
The most stable stability ball comes with an incredibly supportive, thick surface and a durable exterior. They also feature an anti-burst layer that keeps them from puncturing and deflating easily. Experts suggest looking for a texture that is smooth enough to minimize slippage, but not too sticky that it sticks to loose hairs or attracts the lint.
A smart home gym provides you access to interactive fitness programming that's not limited to the equipment you have. The most effective options let you train using a treadmill, elliptical as well as a rower. You can also add resistance bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, or a functional trainer.
9. Resistance Bands
The resistance bands are a great addition to any home gym. They provide a versatile and space-saving method to build strength without having to use the entire set of weights. The best ones are made available in various colors to indicate the range of tension and some even have an extra safety feature that prevents them from snapping if they are stretched too far.
If you're looking to save money take a look at Iron Bull Strength for six tubes for just $30. The bands vary from light to x-heavy, so they'll suit most needs--and you can pack them in your bag to train on the go.
The best bands are made from high-quality materials, that can be able to withstand repeated stretching without losing the elasticity or snapping. These bands may have reinforced seams on the handles or anchor points, and will lose less elasticity over time as compared to the cheaper alternatives. The majority of resistance bands must be re-tightened periodically to maintain their shape. They tend to emit a strong smell of latex which is not ideal for those who suffer from sensitivities or allergies.