Invest in the 12 Best At-Home Gym Equipment Items for a Revamped Workout Routine

If you don’t have much money to spend on a home gym, this budget-friendly option is a wise choice. For less than $200, you can get your steps in with a compact machine that offers shock protection for your joints, operates quietly (less than 45 decibels), and features an LED screen to track calories burned, distance, speed, and workout duration. At 4.13 inches (in) high, 42.44 in long, and 20.24 in wide, it’s compact and can easily slide under a couch or bed. We also like that you can operate it using a remote.

All that said, the device only reaches 3.8 miles per hour (mph), so it isn’t meant for anything more than a brisk walk or a light jog. It also doesn’t have an incline feature, but for the price, it’s a great buy.

So you’re a serious (or aspiring-serious) runner who’s ready to commit to your practice? You’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Echelon Stride-6 treadmill. Reaching high speeds of up to 12 MPH, it has an impact-absorbing running belt, an ultra-quiet motor, 12 adjustable incline options, and Bluetooth syncing with the Echelon Fit app for health and performance tracking. For another $399 per year, you can also get gamified racing worlds, AI-powered insights, and other perks.

At 64 in long and 32 in wide, it won’t dominate your living space. Plus, automatic folding and multi-directional wheels make it easy to move around. “It has a sleek design and fits in small spaces, making it great for a home gym,” said writer Grace Gallagher. She said it felt high-performance and was quiet enough to be used near her husband’s home office without disturbing him. Just note that the treadmill doesn’t have downward incline options. The device also doesn’t have a screen for performance tracking.

Made from steel and capable of carrying up to 350 pounds (lbs), the bike is solid. Our research found that the assembly is quick, and the machine is quiet. It also offers 100 levels of resistance and features an adjustable seat and handlebars. Finally, you can use it with an app that tracks performance stats and offers virtual races. Just note that the LCD screen is on the basic side, lacking metrics like heart-rate monitoring and app connectivity.

If you’re ready to splurge on an exercise bike that feels just as solid as the ones at your favorite studio, the Sole SB1200 is a strong contender. Its 35-lb flywheel and magnetic resistance system create a smooth, steady, and quiet ride — perfect if you have roomies you don’t want to wake up with your early-morning workout.

The machine stands out for its versatility. You can stream Netflix or YouTube right on the console, or mirror your favorite cycling apps like Peloton or Zwift, giving you the freedom to use whatever platform motivates you the most. The bike is backed by a lifetime warranty and is heavy-duty, with a 330-lb weight capacity. It is ergonomically designed, with fully adjustable handlebars and seat, so you can dial in your exact fit. However, our research found that the screen is smaller than competitors' and that the handlebars could use more padding.

At under $200, it’s a modest investment, and the heavy-duty steel frame is sturdy enough to make you feel secure while you jump. The adjustable foam handlebar offers the extra balance and support that beginners need and has four height settings (from about 2'6" up to 3'5"). We also love that it folds down easily to a quarter of its size. Note that the bounce can feel firm at first, so it may need a little breaking-in time.

Combine cardio, balance work, strength training, and core work with the versatile MXL Maximus Pro Folding Rebounder. More than just a trampoline, it has a balance bar to keep you steady and comes with resistance bands and sand weights for additional strength-training and toning. These features allow you to perform bicep curls, chest presses, and shoulder raises while on an unstable surface, helping you develop your balance. You can use sand weights to add resistance while bouncing.

We love that your purchase gives you access to a library of online workouts that guide you through a variety of drills and exercises. We also love that it folds down, so you can safely tuck it away or potentially transport it. However, our research found that learning to fold it up can be a challenge. It also weighs 22 lbs, so it’s a bit heavy to carry around.

All of that said, the small size means there’s less room on the pad than with some competitors’ products. However, this is a plus for smaller spaces. Egofit Walker Pro may not be suitable for taller users or those with long strides. Plus, with a max speed of about 3 mph, the machine is purely for walking. 

“It is truly the essentials at a great price,” says writer Julia Childs Heyl. The tools in this kit force you to engage and stabilize your core, develop greater body awareness and balance, and engage your muscles with minimal joint stress. As a result, this kit is a great, safe option for at-home workouts. But note that some competitors include more in their kits, such as grippy socks to keep you stable. Also, as you progress in your Pilates practice, you may find you want tools with more resistance. 

“These dumbbells can be used by a wide range of fitness levels, as they have a wide range of weights,” says editor Olivia Campbell.“It's easy to adjust the mechanism to change how much weight is on the dumbbell, so it's seamless to go from one user to another.” Of course, not having to purchase multiple sets of weights can be a real money-saver. You may want to note that because the dumbbell’s length doesn’t change, no matter what weight you’re using, it can feel unwieldy or awkward during exercises like bicep curls. Our research also found that these can feel slippery when your hands are wet from sweat, so you may want to use chalk when using them. 

BowFlex strikes again with these adjustable kettlebells that span 8 to 40 lbs, saving you space and your hard-earned cash. Whether you’re doing presses, squats, or swings, these kettlebells replace the need for a full stack of gear. The adjustment dial makes it easy to switch weights in seconds, which can be helpful when doing circuits or super-sets with varying intensities.

“It's great for ramping up your weight amount or for households where there are many members who are at different fitness levels, and you need to be able to quickly and easily adjust the weight amount,” Campbell says. Keep in mind that if you’re an experienced weight lifter used to heavy loads, this set might not be for you. Also, some may find the handle thin, and it can become slippery when sweating — so again, you may want to use chalk when using this product. 

The Hovert 3D Vibration Plate features lateral, oscillating, and 3D vibration — and it ups the ante with resistance and loop bands, so that you can combine movement with vibration therapy for more benefits. We love the degree of precision you can gain with a full 99 speed levels, and as a bonus, the machine is small and easy to transport.

“I cannot stress enough how amazing this piece of equipment is,” writer Raki Swanson said. “Everyone needs one of these in their life. They help with lymphatic drainage, they give you a workout … You can use them in such a variety of ways.” 

Just keep in mind that the device can get a little noisy. Also, this machine can produce high-intensity vibration, which may cause muscle fatigue as your body adjusts.

Versatility is key when building an at-home gym. Make the most of your space with the Bullbar 2.0, a foldable, portable pull-up bar, core workout, and dip station that sets up in less than a minute and can easily fit in a closet. It has a heavy-duty, industrial-grade steel frame that holds up to 400 lbs, so you can feel confident as you crush your workout. We love its clean, open design with no bulky back pads or central posts in the way.

“This equipment is easy to install,” said Swanson, who also highlighted how high-quality the machine is. “It’s movable, made of quality metal, smooth, nice-looking … It’s just amazing.”

It’s worth noting that due to its size, taller people may have to bend their knees a little when doing full hangs. Also, our research found that the foam handles can get soft and less grippy over time.