Best Workout Equipment For Home
If you're planning to purchase fitness equipment for your home, ensure it has all the requisite components for the exercises you want to do. A power rack and bench presses are crucial to build strength.
If you are limited in space, you can go for a high-quality home fitness center, such as Tonal or Tempo. These gyms offer the full body workout and various workouts within the smallest footprint.
1. Treadmill
You can keep your cardio fitness level up by having a treadmill in your home when it's too cold, wet, or dark to run. Many treadmills offer streaming studio classes that can inspire you to step on the treadmill even when you're not feeling your best.
A top treadmill such as the Peloton Tread+ offers a elegant design and a powerful construction that makes it an absolute showpiece in any home gym. It features a large tilting screen that displays the workout statistics, and it also streams high-energy classes led by an instructor online. The price is high and the monthly subscription fee may be too much for some users.
For a budget-friendly option 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 create a realistic 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 includes handrails that have pulse sensors for heart-rate monitoring and quick speed buttons on the handrails to boost your pace.
2. Elliptical
The elliptical machine is great option for those who want an exercise that's low impact and will strengthen both your lower and upper body. They are ideal for a cardio session on their own as a warm-up or "a full-body workout prior to strength training, which helps prevent injury," says exercise physiologist and personal trainer Cara D'Orazio.
Kate Meier, GGR's head for content, suggests looking for a bike with a stride that is comfortable with large, textured feet pedals and handles that move or are stationary. Also, think about an elliptical with a an integrated speaker system that can play your music. And if you're using your equipment in the living room or other public spaces, you should consider the option of the ability to move it around so that you move it out of sight when you're not working out.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is our pick for the best overall elliptical, because of its advanced features, such as the ability to connect to the iFIT platform, which offers live and on-demand workouts. It's also small and has an ultra-quiet magnetic drive system that allows you to work out without disturbing kids or roommates.
3. Rower
Rowing is a full-body cardio workout that builds endurance and strength without placing too much stress on your joints. It's also low-impact when compared to other workouts that increase your heart rate. This makes it an ideal choice for those who cannot do high-impact exercises or have an injury from which they are suffering.
Rowers are found in most gyms. They are also excellent home fitness equipment. They are smaller than treadmills or ellipticals so they can fit into smaller spaces.
If you're looking for a better 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 intelligent options stand out (like an integrated tablet holder or live streaming of classes). The NordicTrack RW900 is a budget-friendly rower that has a 22" monitor that plays iFit exercises, including training classes for rowers led by trainers as well as live peer-to-peer races. Its smooth magnetic resistance and quiet operation are excellent.
4. Dumbbells
If you have a designated space for your workout and you have a gym that is well-equipped, a pair of dumbbells could be a great addition to your home fitness center. Zocchi says it's important to select the right set of dumbbells that are appropriate for your fitness goals. "A general rule of thumb is that you want to own a range of weights so that you can advance and reverse exercises as needed."
The best dumbbells are simple to store. For example the rubber or neoprene-coated dumbbells such as the Amazon Basics Neoprene weights won't take up much room in your storage area and are small enough to fit in most cubbies, says Healthline nutrition and fitness marketing editor Kelli McGrane.
Hex-style dumbbells like those produced by Cap Barbell are also a great option for a home gym. They are designed to resist rolling, which is beneficial when you need to move dumbbells between sets, or keep from falling equipment after a set.
5. Kettlebells
Kettlebells can be used to burn calories in various ways. In stationary bikes exercise bikes , research shows that a 20-minute kettlebell exercise can burn as many calories as a 6-minute mile. It's important to choose an exercise that is safe for your body.
The best kettlebells are constructed of top quality materials, to ensure they don't rattle when you swing them or grab them. The handle is long for an ergonomic grip. If you are looking to compete, select kettlebells with standardized colors and markings that match competition regulations.
If you're a beginner or a seasoned athlete, it's a good idea to invest in the complete kettlebell set. You can build up to a high level kettlebell workout that is similar to a class person. You can even take your kettlebells on vacation with you!
6. Weight Plates
Weight plates may not look as stylish as a rower or a smart home gym, but they give you a full-body workout just as effective as most machines. Weight plates can be used for anything from barbell backsquats to dumbbell bench press and clean and jerks, as well as accessories such as biceps curls and good mornings.
Choose bumpers that are resistant to damage, have a minimal bounce, and fit snugly on an Olympic barbell. This will allow you to lift with ease. These bumper plates from Iron Bull are the best because they're made from pure rubber, which is durable and can withstand many drops without cracking.
To get a home gym that allows you to lift heavy, consider this squat rack and functional trainer combination. It's fully assembled, includes the pull-up bar as well as lever arms. It can also be upgraded with additional accessories, such as landmine attachments dip pads and an insulated row pad and band pegs. It has a 210-pound stack of weights and a small footprint that can fit in the majority of gym spaces.
7. Ab Wheels
Ab rollers can be an affordable, effective and simple piece of fitness equipment. They also increase core strength. If you plan to use them at home or on the go make sure you choose one that's easy to use and durable. This one from Vinsguir comes with an inner wheel that's larger than the majority and handles that are soft but slim enough to comfortably fit your hands.
If you're looking to take your core exercises to the next level, try a pair of ab roller wheels that work in tandem. They challenge your stability more than a single unit and engage your obliques, transverse abs, and lower back muscles. This model from Perfect Fitness, while more expensive than other models, is built to last and features a carbon-steel spring that will stand the test of time. It also comes with a small pad to ensure your knees are in good condition. Its companion app, which includes strength workouts as well as yoga flows and HIIT sessions, is an added bonus.
8. Stability Ball
Braun says that using an exercise ball will aid in working your core muscles in a way that a bench or barbell cannot. But picking the right size is important because a smaller ball will make exercises more difficult and a larger one can be difficult to maintain. Consult a sizing chart to find the perfect size.
The most stable stability balls feature a thick, supportive texture and a tough exterior. The material is anti-burst, which stops the ball from deflating or puncturing. Experts suggest selecting the texture that is grippy, which will reduce slippage, but not too sticky that it attracts hairs that are loose or lint.
stationary bikes exercise bikes provides you access to interactive fitness programming that's not restricted to the equipment you have. The most effective options let you train on a treadmill rower, elliptical, and even add dumbbells or kettlebells.
9. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are an excellent addition to any gym at home and offer a variety of ways to build strength without taking up space with full sets of free weights. The best ones are available in different colors to indicate the range of tension and some come with an extra safety feature that prevents them from snapping if they are stretched beyond their limits.
Iron Bull Strength comes with a set of six tubes under $30. The bands are available in a range of weights, from light to heavy. They'll meet your needs in all ways and you can easily put them in your bag for on-the-go training.
The best bands are made of high-quality materials, which can be able to withstand repeated stretching without losing the elasticity or snapping. They might also come with anchor points or handles with reinforced seams, and are less likely to lose their elasticity with time than less expensive options. Most resistance bands have to be re-tightened periodically to maintain their shape. They also tend to smell heavily of latex which isn't a good thing for people who have sensitivities or allergies.