Best Workout Equipment For Home
If you're planning to purchase fitness equipment for your home, make sure that it has all the essential elements for the exercises that you plan to do. For instance, a power rack and bench press are essentials that will aid in building strength.
If you're limited on space, you could opt for a smart home fitness center, such as Tonal or Tempo. These gyms offer the full body workout and various workouts within small footprints.
1. Treadmill
Having a treadmill at home can allow you to maintain your fitness when it's too cold, wet or dark to run. Many treadmills also feature streaming studio classes, which can inspire you to get on the treadmill even if you're not feeling the best.
A top treadmill like the Peloton Tread+ has a elegant and attractive design that makes it a show-stopper in any home gym. It comes with a huge, tilting touchscreen for workout stats and high-energy streamed classes guided by a virtual trainer. The high cost and monthly subscription fee may be too much for some users.
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is a budget-friendly, yet smart option recommended by Forbes Vetted Gear Editor Cam Vigliotta. The 14-inch HD touchscreen can be angled and repositioned to simulate a class. Google Maps technology allows users to run or walk anywhere in the world (requires iFit membership). It also features pulse sensors on the handlerails to allow heart rate monitoring and quick speed buttons that can help you increase your pace.
2. Elliptical
The elliptical machine is a excellent choice for those looking for an exercise that is low-impact and will work both lower and upper body. They're great for a single cardio session, a warm-up, or "a full-body workout prior 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 machine with a stride that is comfortable and large, textured foot pedals, and handles that move or sit stationary. Look into an elliptical with a an integrated sound system to play your music. If you plan to use your equipment in a public place, such as the living room, you may want to consider a machine that is portable, so you can easily move it away when you are not using it.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is our choice for the best overall elliptical, because of its innovative features, including integration with the iFIT platform of live and on-demand workouts. It's also compact and has an ultra-quiet magnetic drive system that lets you to exercise without disturbing kids or roommates.
3. Rower
It's a great cardio exercise for the entire body, which will build strength and endurance, without putting undue stress on your joints. It's also low-impact in comparison to other exercises that increase your heart rate. This makes it an ideal choice for those who are unable to perform high-impact workouts or have a an injury that is already present.
Rowers are found in most gyms. They're also excellent home fitness equipment. They're smaller than treadmills and ellipticals making them fit in smaller spaces and take up less floor space when in use.
If you're looking for a smarter model, go for one with touchscreen. The Concept2 RowErg is a top-rated option that comes with classic workouts and a great warranty, but it is lacking the features that make other intelligent options stand out (like an integrated tablet holder or live class streaming). The NordicTrack RW900 is an affordable rower with 22" screen that shows iFit exercises, which include rowing classes led by trainers and live peer-to-peer races. Its quiet operation and the smooth magnetic resistance are excellent.
4. Dumbbells
If you have a designated space for your workout then a set of dumbbells will be a great addition to any home gym. It's important to select one that is compatible with your fitness goals, says Zocchi. "A general rule of thumb is that you want to have a variety of weight sizes to allow you to progress and reverse exercises as needed."
The best dumbbells can be easily stored. For instance, a set of rubber or neoprene coated dumbbells like the Amazon Basics Neoprene weights won't take up much room in your storage area and are small enough to fit into the majority of cubbies, recommends Healthline nutrition and fitness marketing editor Kelli McGrane.
Hex-style dumbbells, like those from Cap Barbell are a different option that works well in the home gym. They are designed to stop rolling, which is useful when you need to relocate dumbbells in between sets or to avoid flying equipment after an exercise.
5. Kettlebells
Kettlebells are a useful piece of equipment for workouts that can help you burn calories at an impressive rate. 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 a set that is safe for your body.
The best kettlebells are constructed of top quality materials, to ensure they don't rattle when you swing or grab. The handle is long to provide a comfortable grip. If you prefer competing in competition, you should choose kettlebells for competition that are standardized and color-coded to match particular competition regulations.
Whether you're a beginner or a professional athlete, you should purchase the complete kettlebell set. You can progress to a high level kettlebell workout, like a class in person. You can also carry your kettlebells anywhere, even on vacation!
6. Weight Plates
Weight plates may not be as flashy like a rower or smart home gym, but they can provide a full-body workout that's equally effective as the majority of machines. Weight plates are a great option for everything from barbell backsquats, 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 low bounce, and fit snugly onto an Olympic barbell. This allows you to lift easily. The ones from Iron Bull are a top pick, as they're made of virgin rubber that's durable and withstands a variety of drops without cracking.
This squatrack and functional trainer combo is a fantastic all-in-one home gym. It lets you lift heavy. It's fully assembled, and includes the pull-up bar as well as lever arms and can be upgraded by adding other accessories, such as landmine attachments a dip pad, a seal row pad and band pegs. best home exercise machine comes with a 210-pound weight stack and a compact footprint that fits the majority of workout space.
7. Ab Wheels
Ab rollers are an affordable, efficient and easy piece of fitness equipment. They can also boost core strength. If you intend to use them at home or while on the road make sure you choose one that's simple to use and robust. This model from Vinsguir has a more substantial central wheel than most models, and handles that are wide but comfortable enough to comfortably fit into your hands.
If you're looking to improve your core exercises, think about using two 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. This model from Perfect Fitness, while more expensive than others but is built to last and features a carbon-steel spring that will last for a long time. It also includes a small cushion to ensure your knees are in good condition. Its companion app that includes strength training yoga flows, yoga workouts, and HIIT sessions, is an added bonus.
8. Stability Ball
Utilizing an exercise ball during your workouts can help to energize the core muscles in ways you wouldn't get from a barbell or bench, Braun says. But picking the right size is essential as a smaller size can make exercises more difficult, and larger ones are difficult to keep on. Use a sizing chart to determine the ideal size.
The best stability ball features a firm, supportive surface and a durable outer. The material is anti-burst, which prevents puncturing or deflating. Experts advise looking for a texture that is sufficient grippy to prevent slippage but not so sticky that it sticks to loose hairs or draws lint.
A smart home gym provides you access to fitness programs that are interactive that's not restricted to the equipment you have. The most effective options let you train using a treadmill, elliptical and rower, and then add dumbbells, resistance bands, kettlebells, or an exercise trainer that is functional.
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 invest in complete sets of weights. The best ones are made available in a variety of colors to show the tension range and some even have 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. These bands are available in a variety of sizes from light to heavy and will meet your needs--and you can pack them in your bag for training on the move.
The most durable bands are made from high-quality materials, that can endure repeated stretching without losing elasticity or snapping. They could also have anchor points or handles with reinforced seams and are less likely to lose elasticity over time than cheaper options. Most resistance bands have to be tightened on a regular basis to keep their shape. They also tend to emit a strong smell of latex which isn't a good thing for people with allergies or sensitivities.