Best Workout Equipment For Home
If you plan to purchase fitness equipment for your home ensure that it comes with all the required components for the exercises you plan to do. A power rack and bench press are essentials to build strength.
Those with limited space can think about a home gym such as Tonal or Tempo that offers a variety of workouts and a complete body workout in a small footprint.
1. Treadmill
You can keep your cardio fitness high by putting a treadmill in your home if it's too cold, wet or dark to exercise. Many treadmills also feature streaming studio classes that can motivate you to step on the machine even when you're not feeling great.
A premium treadmill such as the Peloton Tread+ offers a sleek design and impressive build that make it an absolute showpiece in any home gym. It comes with a huge tilting touchscreen that displays fitness statistics and high-energy streaming classes guided by a virtual trainer. However, its price and monthly subscription cost may be too expensive for some users.
For a budget-friendly option that's nonetheless packed with advanced features, Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta recommends the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. Its 14-inch smart HD touchscreen can be tilted and pivot to create a realistic class environment, and its it's integrated Google Maps workout technology lets you run or walk anyplace in the world (requires an iFit membership). It also has pulse sensors on the handlerails for heart rate monitoring as well as speed buttons that can help you increase your speed.
2. Elliptical
If you're looking for a low-impact exercise that strengthens your lower and upper body an elliptical machine is the way to go. These machines can be used as an individual cardio workout, as a warm-up or to "workout the entire body prior to strength training" says Cara D'Orazio, exercise physiologist, and personal trainer.
Kate Meier, GGR's director of content, suggests looking for a treadmill with a comfortable stride and large, textured foot pedals and handles that can move or sit stationary. Also, consider an elliptical that has a an integrated speaker system to play your music. If you're using your equipment in your living room or other public spaces, think about the option of an adjustable design that lets you move it out of sight when you're not working out.
The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is our top pick for the best overall elliptical, because of its tech-savvy features, including the ability to connect to the iFIT platform, which offers live and on-demand workouts. It is also small, and has a quiet magnetic drive system. This allows you to exercise without the noise of your children or roommates.
3. Rower
It's a great cardio workout for the whole body that will build endurance and strength without putting excessive stress on joints. It's also relatively low impact compared to other exercises that increase your heart rate, so it's an ideal option for those who cannot perform high-impact exercises or who have injuries from previous exercise.
They are common in gyms. They are also excellent home fitness equipment. fitness bike for sale than treadmills and ellipticals so they fit into smaller spaces and require less floor space when not being used.
If you want a smarter rower, look for one that has a touchscreen monitor. The Concept2 RowErg offers a classic workout and a great warranty however, it doesn't have the smart features (like the tablet stand that is integrated or live streaming of classes) that make other smart rowers stand out. The NordicTrack RW900 is a budget-friendly rower that has 22" monitor that plays iFit exercises, including rowing classes taught by trainers and live peer-to-peer races. Its quiet operation and smooth magnetic resistance are excellent.
4. Dumbbells
If you have an established area for your workouts, then a pair of dumbbells is an excellent addition to any home gym. Zocchi says it's important to pick the right set of dumbbells that are appropriate for your fitness goals. "A general rule of general application is to have a variety of weight sizes to allow you to progress and reverse exercises as needed."
The best dumbbells are easily stored. For instance the rubber or neoprene-coated dumbbells such as the Amazon Basics Neoprene weights won't take up much space in your storage area and are short enough to fit into most cubbies, says Healthline marketing and nutrition editor Kelli McGrane.
Hex-style dumbbells like the ones from Cap Barbell are a second option that works well in a home gym. They are designed to resist rolling, which is helpful when you have to reposition dumbbells between sets or avoid flying equipment after an exercise.
5. Kettlebells
Kettlebells can be utilized to burn calories in various ways. Studies have shown that a 20 minute kettlebell workout can generate the same number of calories as a 6 minute mile. However, it is important to choose a set of high-quality kettlebells that are safe for your body.
The best kettlebells are made of quality materials to ensure they don't rattle when you swing or grab. The handle is long for an ergonomic grip. If you like to compete, choose kettlebells with standardized colors and markings to match specific competition regulations.
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced athlete, you should purchase the complete kettlebell set. You can build up to a higher level kettlebell workout that is similar to a class in person. You can also carry your kettlebells wherever you go, even on vacation!
6. Weight Plates
Weight plates might not be as stylish as a rower or smart home gym, but they can provide a full-body workout that's exactly as effective as other machines. Weight plates can be used for everything from barbell backsquats, dumbbell bench press and clean and jerks to accessories like biceps curls and good mornings.
Look for bumper plates that are resistant to damage, have minimal bounce and fit snugly on an Olympic barbell to ensure a comfortable lift. The ones from Iron Bull are a top option, since they're constructed of rubber that's virgin, which is durable and withstands plenty of drops without cracking.
This functional trainer and squatrack combo is a fantastic all-in-one home gym. It lets you lift heavy. It is fully assembled, with a pull-up and lever arms and can be upgraded to add other accessories like landmine attachments. It comes with a 210-pound stack of weights and a compact footprint to fit the majority of workout areas.
7. Ab Wheels
Ab rollers can be an affordable, effective and simple piece of fitness equipment. They can also boost core strength. If you intend to use them at home or on the road make sure you choose one that's simple to use and robust. This one from Vinsguir comes with an inner wheel that's larger than others and handles that are plush but still narrow enough to allow your hands to be comfortably.
If you want to take your core exercise routine to the next level, consider an ab roller with two wheels that work together. 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 but is constructed to last and comes with carbon-steel springs that last for a long time. It also comes with a small pad to ensure your knees are comfortable. Its companion app that includes strength training, yoga flows, and HIIT sessions, is an added bonus.
8. Stability Ball
Using an exercise ball for your workouts will fire up the core muscles in ways you wouldn't get from a bench or barbells, Braun says. However, choosing the right size is important; a smaller one can make exercises more difficult and larger ones can be difficult to maintain. Check out a chart of sizes to determine the right size.
The most stable stability ball comes with a firm, supportive surface as well as a tough outer. They also have an anti-burst material that prevents puncturing and ballooning up easily. Experts suggest looking for a texture that's sufficient grippy to prevent slippage, but not so sticky that it binds loose hairs or draws lint.
A smart home gym will give you access to fitness-related programming that isn't limited to the equipment you own. The best options allow you to exercise on a treadmill, rower, elliptical, and even add kettlebells or dumbbells.
9. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are an excellent addition to any home gym they offer a flexible way to build strength without taking up space with full sets of free weights. The best ones are made available in different colors to indicate the range of tension and some come with a safety mechanism that prevents them from snapping when stretched beyond their limits.
If you're on a tight budget, consider Iron Bull Strength for a set of six tubes for under $30. The bands are available in a variety of weights ranging from light to heavy. They'll satisfy most needs and you can easily carry them in your bag to train on the go.
The best bands are made from high-quality materials, that can endure repeated stretching without losing elasticity or snapping. They may also feature anchor points or handles with reinforced seams, and are less likely to lose their elasticity over time than cheaper options. However most resistance bands require regular re-tensioning to keep their shape. They also tend to emit a strong smell of latex which isn't the best choice for people who have sensitivities or allergies.