If you want to start regularly working out, investing in a home gym is a great place to start. Having a gym in the comfort of your own home is easy, dependable, and eliminates any excuse to not work out.
But what equipment is best for a home workout?
Read on to discover the benefits of working out at home, as well as the best equipment to complement your personal fitness goals and needs.
Benefits of Working Out at Home
There are many reasons why working out at home is a great idea. Many people already work from home, so having a home gym is the perfect way to get a sweat in before or after work — or even during a lunch break. You don’t have to waste your time gathering your belongings and driving to and from the gym when everything you need is in the next room.
You also don’t have to be held back by the gym. If you work out at home, you won’t be limited by a gym’s operating hours, class schedule, or the often too-prying eyes of strangers. You can work out whenever you want. You also don’t have to worry about the equipment being occupied by another gymgoer.
Exercising from home is a great option for gym beginners or people who are less comfortable in public settings. Working out in the comfort of your own home takes away some of the added pressure that you may feel in a gym full of people. You’re free to learn at your own pace without worrying about feeling as though anyone is judging you.
While buying your own exercise equipment may feel costly at first, it’s an investment that will save money in the end. Gym memberships can get very expensive, so purchasing and using equipment at home will likely be cheaper in the long run. Plus, you can earn money back by selling any unwanted equipment once it no longer serves your fitness needs.
Best Full-Body Workout Equipment
Whether you have limited space or are looking for equipment with many purposes, there are plenty of types of equipment to build an all-in-one home gym. The equipment below represents the best options on the market.
Here are just a few pieces of equipment to consider buying for a great full-body burn:
Force USA X20 Pro
Price: $4,499
The Force USA X20 Pro is six strength training machines in one. This incredible machine contains a full power rack, a functional trainer with dual integrated 289 lb weight stacks, a chin-up bar, a torso training tool, a suspension trainer, and a low-row station. There’s not much you can’t do with this machine.
If this isn’t enough, you can choose from a variety of upgrade kits that offer extra equipment to attach to the machine.
Tonal
Price: $2,295
The Tonal machine is one of the hottest strength-training tools around in 2022. This is a smart home gym that easily attaches to a wall to lead you through a full-body workout. The machine includes an interactive touch screen and electromagnetic pulleys that allow you to train with up to 200 lbs of resistance.
Tonal is a great option for those who want some guidance for their workouts. This smart home gym has a wide variety of on-demand, instructor-led workouts. You can choose a pre-recorded workout or join a live Tonal class.
Body-Solid StrengthTech EXM2500S
Price: $1,499
Named Consumer Magazine‘s Best Home Gym, the Body-Solid StrengthTech EXM2500S has it all. This machine has a pec station, arm press, leg developer, high, mid, and low pulleys, and up to 250 lbs of weight to work with.
This machine is not light, weighing in at 423 lbs. However, once you get it assembled and in place, you can count on it every day for a great full-body workout.
REP Fitness FT 3000 Compact Functional Trainer
Price: $2,149
The REP Fitness FT 3000 Compact Functional Trainer is one of the best cable machines on the market. It features 15 cable positions with dual weight adding up to 180 lbs. It comes with a magnetic-tipped pin to effortlessly change and select your weight.
This trainer is perfect for home gyms as it is only 34″ deep, allowing it to fit through a standard doorway. Make sure you have some help setting this machine up, however, as it weighs a whopping 770 lbs when fully assembled.
Best Upper Body Workout Equipment
If you are looking to focus on the upper body, there are many options for you to consider. Consider these options to get lifting without leaving the house.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Price: $429
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are perfect for those who want a little something extra for their upper body without investing in an entire machine. These dumbbells are also perfect for smaller spaces: you can replace a whole set of weights with Bowflex’s adjustable dumbbells.
Depending on the exercise, you can adjust these dumbbells to weigh anywhere between 5 and 52.5 lbs per dumbbell. This will allow you to shift between exercises easily and target different areas in the upper body.
XMark Voodoo Commercial 7′ Olympic Bar
Price: $265
Barbells are a great option for those who want to perform upper-body exercises such as presses, curls, skull crushers, and rows. The XMark Voodoo Commercial 7′ Olympic bar is perfect for both experienced gymgoers and beginners. It has a 1,500-lb weight capacity and is made with incredibly durable heat-treated alloy steel.
To take this product to the next level, you could consider purchasing a power rack to function as a mechanical spotter.
Rogue P-5V Garage Pull-Up System
Price: $140
The Rogue P-5V Garage Pull-Up System mounts onto a sturdy ceiling or wall mount and gives you the perfect place to practice pull-ups to strengthen your upper body. This piece of equipment is great for smaller spaces as it only measures 52″ across.
Best Lower Body Workout Equipment
There are also some incredible additions that you can make to your gym to enhance your lower body burn. The lower-body workout equipment below offers several choices to take your workout to the next level.
Titan Seated Leg Curl/Extension Machine
Price: $699
The Titan Seated Leg Curl/Extension Machine is perfect for hamstring curls and leg extensions. These exercises strengthen your quads and the ligaments around the knee. This is also a great machine for beginners as it doesn’t require much of a learning curve.
This specific machine is one of the best on the market and is designed with seven seat-depth positions and three seat-angle positions, allowing for easy customization based on your height and weight.
Body Solid Inner and Outer Thigh Machine
Price: $2,099
The inner and outer thighs can be difficult to target in many exercises: This is where the Body Solid Inner and Outer Thigh Machine comes in. This machine allows you to do both abductor and adductor exercises from one seated position. It comes with five range of motion adjustments, including an adjustable back pad and swiveling knee pads to make you as comfortable as possible.
You can choose from a 210-lb stack or a 310-lb stack. This machine is great for people with knee issues as it allows you to focus on your thigh muscles without putting stress on your knees. Working on your thigh strength can also help with other exercises, such as squats and deadlifts.
Bowflex Max Trainer M6
Price: $1,499
If you are interested in doing cardio as well as strengthening your lower body, you should consider purchasing a Bowflex. The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is a compact cardio machine. It is smaller than the average elliptical and treadmill, making it a great option for small spaces.
This machine offers 16 levels of resistance to give you a great lower-body workout as well as a solid burn. This machine is also compatible with the JRNY app, a digital fitness platform that provides you with workout plans and fitness information. If you buy your Bowflex directly from their website, a one-year subscription to the app is included.
Best Home Gym Equipment for Women vs. Men
Does everyone benefit from the same workout equipment? You may be curious about the difference in home workout equipment for men vs. women. Everyone can do the same exercises on the same equipment, so don’t let anything stop you from buying the tools you want to use. However, some fitness trends are more common by sex and may influence the equipment you want to use.
Women often want to build lean muscle and lose fat. For this reason, women may want to focus on heavier cardio and lighter weights. Some popular cardio tools on the market today include:
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Peloton Bike
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Ergatta Water Rower
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NordicTrack Treadmill
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Bowflex Elliptical
In addition to these cardio machines, women may want to pick up a light set of dumbbells, such as the ones offered by the Tempo Mini Home Gym or Titan Fitness. But don’t let stereotypes keep you from lifting heavy if that is what you want to do! Any of the equipment mentioned above works great for women and for men.
Men are often more focused on bulking up and building more muscle. To do this, you’ll want to focus on resistance training that is offered by any of the equipment listed above. Heavy lifting is the best way to add muscle mass if this aligns with your fitness goals.
Best Home Exercise Equipment for Beginners
If all of this equipment feels like too much for you as a beginner, don’t worry! There are plenty of essential pieces of equipment to get you started on your at-home fitness journey.
TRX Straps
TRX bands help you use your body weight to build muscle and increase strength. These straps are typically suspended from the ceiling, wall, or secure bar and allow you to turn any space into your own personal gym. TRX straps contain a variety of heavy-duty adjustable hand and foot straps and handles. These various straps and handles can allow you to perform hundreds of different exercises that will work your whole body.
Basic Dumbbells
You don’t have to start lifting hundreds of pounds right away. You can invest in a small set of dumbbells to keep in your home gym. Even adding 5-10 lbs to certain moves can make a huge difference in your workout. If you don’t have space for many dumbbells, then you may want to consider purchasing an adjustable pair, like the Bowflex set mentioned above.
Ankle and Wrist Weights
If you aren’t ready for dumbbells, purchase a set of ankle and wrist weights to add a little extra to your fitness routine. You can use these weights to take your cardio and bodyweight exercises to the next level. These weights often come in 1- and 5-lb options.
Treadmill
If you’re going to purchase one piece of cardio equipment, then the treadmill is the way to go. You can do a variety of exercises such as walking, jogging, running, or HIIT training with this versatile tool. A basic treadmill will get the job done, but if you want more instruction, you could always consider purchasing the Peloton treadmill, which comes with guided classes.
Foam Roller
It is also important to prioritize your recovery. If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on an electric massager, then head to the store and grab a $20 foam roller. You can use your foam roller to massage and work out knots, relieve inflammation, and get yourself ready for your next workout. In addition to the foam roller, make sure you are taking proper rest days in between your heavy or difficult workouts.
What Is the Best Equipment for a Home Workout?
So, the best equipment for a home workout is whatever meets your specific fitness needs. Whether you are a beginner or a gym expert, you can turn your space into the perfect home gym. Start with a few basics and work your way up to having the best gym on the block.
Working out at home can be extremely effective as long as you hold yourself accountable and stick to a routine. Take the leap to prioritize your health and set up your home gym today.
