Do you want to work out at home but do not know what machines and products are worth it? You have hundreds of options, from treadmills to benches to multi-use personal gyms. Finding one that meets your workout, space, and financial needs takes time and research.
Gym equipment can help you get and stay in shape. Having home gym equipment is more convenient than going to a gym and is better for social distancing, given COVID-19. If you are looking for the best home gym equipment for your budget, check out the best exercise equipment for beginners to professionals for cardio, strength, flexibility, and more.
Although not as popular as treadmills and bicycles, rowing machines give you a full-body workout by engaging around 85 percent of your muscles. Rowing is a low-impact movement that works the upper body, core, and lower body.
The Hydrow Rower is the top of the line when it comes to rowing machines. It is as smooth to use as it is visually sleek. This full range of motion row is certainly no eyesore. But it also comes at a top price of $2,245.
The more budget-friendly option is the Stamina ATS Air Rower for around $310. While it does not have the large screen of more expensive models, it monitors your calories, speed, distance, and workout time. Its foldable frame has built-in wheels, so you can easily move it.
Dumbbells can activate and stimulate muscles, and you can focus on one or multiple muscles. You can pick up sets as low as 1 pound to 120 pounds. They also range in price from just a couple of bucks to hundreds of dollars.
Dumbbells do not take up much space, so you can store them under a bed, in a closet, or your garage. If you do not have much room, adjustable dumbbells are space savers since they replace several sets.
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds yet take up minimal space. You can change the weight in 2.5 or 5-pound increments using the dial. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells cost $300 to $400 per set.
The Les Mills Body Pump at home system can motivate and train you into a leaner and toner body. The on-demand class uses the BODYPUMP, SMARTSTEP, and SMARTBAR set. You can purchase equipment and a workout plan.
Resistance bands are versatile tools for strength training at home or in the gym. They are flexible and can fit in a drawer or storage bag.
The Bodylastic Resistance Bands are stackable with slip-resistant handles. Each band has a specific weight of max tension, allowing you to customize the resistance to your workout. The bands’ color notes its strength, from 3 pounds to 19 pounds.
Sets come with a storage bag, handles, ankle straps, door anchors, and as the following:
- 5 bands, up to 96 pounds
- 6 bands, up to 142 pounds
- 7 bands, up to 202 pounds
- 17 bands, up to 404 pounds
The top squat machine for home workouts also uses resistance bands. The Zeno Gym adds a squat board to its three bands, at the weight of 15, 30, and 50 pounds. You can use the Zeno Gym squat board and bands to take your home workout to the next level.
The Bowflex Sport Home Gym use to be the most popular piece of equipment until it was discontinued. The home gym used resistance rods and several other functions still popular in today’s models.
Bowflex revolutionizes the home gym industry. And, fitting enough, the company released the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym. The new model comes with:
- A leg extension.
- Vertical bench press.
- Preacher curl attachment.
- Leg press station.
- Resistance arms adjustable to 10 positions.
Keep in mind that the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym and others like it are bulky and not easily moved once set up. The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym also costs around $2,500, and other home gyms can cost upwards of $5,000.
Ab rollers are a great way to tone your core, improve your posture, and prevent back pain. Ab rollers force you to engage multiple muscles in your core and upper body. Ab rollers can have one or multiple wheels of different thicknesses, affecting how difficult the exercise will be.
The Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro is inexpensive at $37. The simple tool has a wide thread and ergonomic handles to help stabilize beginners. It also has a resistance mechanism to make the movement more challenging.
The most popular home exercise machine is the Peloton Bike and Tread. All Peloton Bike and Tread models are equipped with a monitor that lets you stream live classes daily from the 24-hour studio. The machines also track your workout time, pace, speed, heart rate, and more.
Peloton current has the following cardio machines for home workouts:
- Bike, starting at $1,895
- Bike+, starting at $2,495
- Tread, starting at $2,495
- Tread+, starting at $4,295
Peloton offers financing and has total body fitness classes that come with the household subscription.
Treadmills and exercise bikes are popular for home workouts. But you may consider a vertical climber, rowing machine, elliptical, or a fitness mirror.
Barre is a workout inspired by ballet, Pilates, and yoga. Barre workouts focus on cardio, strength training, and stretching. Most movements in barre use a ballet barre for stretching and balance.
You do not need to install a ballet bar in your living room to enjoy doing a barre workout at home, as you can use the back of a chair for several barre exercises. Some of these include:
- Allongée Propellers
- Allongée Swiveling Glute Burners
- Arabesque Pulses
- Assemblé Pulses
- Ballerina Squats
- Barre Assemblés
- Four-Part Arabesque Lunge
- Thigh Super Burner
Most lightweight chairs in your home have backs that come up to the ballet barre height. If that feels unstable, you may be able to use a window still, couch, or table.