The home gym equipment lets you stay fit and healthy without having to set foot outside. Exercise is essential for your physical and mental health, and outfitting your space with home gym equipment is an easy, convenient solution.
And it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Building a home gym might seem daunting, but you can honestly do it on a budget. You also don’t need a ton of space.
Focus on a few key pieces of home gym equipment that are affordable, have a small footprint and meet your exercise needs.
Home Gym Equipment
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rowing Machine
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Inexpensive, Easy to assemble Weight capacity up to 350 pounds | Resistance is somewhat lacking |
Rowing machines aren’t the sexiest or most exciting piece of gym equipment, but it gets the cardio and muscle-toning job done. It gives you a full-body workout in your legs, arms, back and core. And rowing is a lower impact than running, so your knees and ankles will be spared. The Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine has 350 pounds, 12 levels of resistance and an LCD showing time, count, calories burned. In addition, the fully padded seat and non-slip handles provide maximum comfort.
BlenderBottle Strada
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| High-quality steel construction Vacuum-insulated design Locking lid cap with push-button release, Multiple colors | No extra features or accessories |
The best protein shaker should be an equal mix of value and functionality, and the BlenderBottle Strada fits the bill for most pre-and/or post-workout needs. This 24-ounce shaker is made from 316 surgical-grade stainless steel, which is rated to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. The leakproof design includes a foolproof locking mechanism on the lid to keep your liquid nutrition off the floor and in your gullet. The BlenderBottle Strada comes in five elegant colour choices, too, so you’re sure to find one to match your style. The top screws on smoothly and cleanly, and just as advertised, the Strada is leakproof once you lock the lid. The double-walled insulation works well, too.
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Sturdy construction, HD touchscreen Free year of iFit app | Expensive |
NordicTrack is a trusted brand that has produced reliable, steady treadmills for years. The Commercial 1750 is the best lineup that combines extraordinary features, convenience, and affordability. For under $2,000, you get a treadmill with a decent-sized screen, FlexSelect cushioning, an automated fan for cooling and a space-saving design that folds up. In addition, the Commercial 1750 comes with one year of iFit, which streams on-demand, interactive trainer-led global and studio workouts.
Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebells
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| High-quality cast iron material Durable vinyl coating, Affordable price | Some have uneven bottoms |
Kettlebells are often overlooked at gyms, but they can engage multiple muscle groups of your body with it. They’re great for building a base of strength and mobility. Kettlebell swings will get your heart pumping, fat burning and muscle toning. The Yes4All kettlebells have a vinyl coating and range from 5 to 45 pounds.
Tempo Studio
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Attractive tower design Robust fitness class offerings, Excellent step-by-step instruction | Expensive cost of entry + monthly membership Can’t listen to your music |
The Tempo Studio smart home gym isn’t cheap, but it’s a worthwhile investment. If you enjoy gamifying your weight-training workouts, there’s an awful lot to like about the Tempo Studio. The Tempo Studio is a sizeable mirror-like device with a screen that displays the life and recorded workouts — much like Mirror, Tonal, and Vault. A few accessories, like dumbbells and a workout mat, are included. What sets the Tempo apart from the competition are 3D motion sensors that analyze your body as you exercise and make suggestions to improve your form.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 Elliptical Machine
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Stable, strong construction Weight capacity up to 330 pounds, Variety of workout modes | Noisy Somewhat difficult to assemble |
Elliptical machines are some of the most famous pieces of equipment at any gym. The devices provide an excellent cardio workout, as well as high-intensity interval training, but with a lot less stress on your joints than running. And many elliptical machines have handles, which work out the upper body simultaneously as the lower body. The Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Machine does all that for a very affordable price. The Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Machine features 16 adjustable levels of resistance and 24 workout modes. The digital monitor displays time, speed, distance, calories and distance. The hand sensors monitor your heart rate.
Trideer Exercise Ball
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Heavy-duty material Inexpensive, Comes with pump | Strong odor at first |
An exercise ball is one of the most versatile pieces of home gym equipment you can get. It can strengthen your core, improve your flexibility, and balance and help with back pain. In addition, using an exercise ball as a chair when you’re working can be beneficial for your posture. The Trideer Exercise Ball is one of the highest density balls you can get, with 2,000 micrometres in thickness and a weight capacity of 2,200 pounds. The Trideer Exercise Ball is easy to inflate and comes in various sizes and colours. In addition, it’s made of non-toxic PVC material, with no BPAs or heavy metals.
Choosing the Home Gym Equipment
As far as workouts are concerned, you may want to consider an exercise bike or a treadmill if you prefer cardio. If you’re going to engage in strength training, dumbbells and kettlebells are popular pieces of home gym equipment. A rowing machine or elliptical machine target multiple muscle groups and get your heart rate up for total body workouts.
Size is something to think about, as well, since you might not have a lot of space for home gym equipment. Consider machines that fold up and stow away. Resistance bands and ab rollers are two items that are small and portable.
Price plays a tremendous role in what kind of home gym equipment you buy. Luckily, there are more choices out there, whether you’re on a budget or you can afford to splurge. Cheap pieces like a yoga mat and a jump rope are versatile and valuable in all kinds of workouts.