While you could hop in your car or on the subway and trek to a gym to get your sweat on, you definitely don't have to. A corner of your bedroom or living room can double as an incredibly inviting home gym and save you valuable time every day, if you have the right gear.
For the ultimate personal gym, you’ll want to purchase the best home gym equipment that helps you meet your goals and matches your interests. Whether that’s a cardio machine or a set of dumbbells—whatever you invest in should level up your physical and mental health without intruding too much on your home.
Meet the expert: Gabbi Berkow, CPT, is a certified personal trainer.
That's a great starter pack. Then, if you want to build out your home gym even more, you can certainly invest in exercise equipment like a treadmill, elliptical, or more specialized home gym equipment like a Pilates reformer or barre studio.
Not sure how to get started creating your own at-home gym? No prob. This list of home workout equipment is all you need to build an effective exercise space that’s uniquely tailored to your own needs. Keep reading for 20 pieces of essential home gym equipment. Each one comes recommended by a certified personal trainer and/or fitness editor. On top of that, they also have five-star ratings from tons of reviewers on trusted sites like Amazon.
The Hydrow Wave has a lot going for it. It features a slim design, a wide variety of classes, smooth and quiet strokes, and bluetooth connectivity. It can store upright to occupy minimal home real estate when you're not rowing away.
Reviewer rave: "Hydrow is THE WAY TO GO!!!!!! Absolutely best experience EVER!!! I ordered online on a Wednesday evening and was doing my first row exactly a week to the day later!!!! The delivery guys were very professional and efficient and respectful! The instructors are the best ever!!! I did my first 30 min class today and cracked a good sweat, great music too!!!! Thank you Hydrow you are all number 1 in my book!!!!!"—Jane, shop.hydrow.com
This investment set of dumbbells consolidates a full weight room into the equivalent of a box of sneakers. Happy customers and trainers can't help but sing their praises. Dial the weights from 5 to 52.5 pounds for a wide range of strength moves for upper and lower body challenge.
Reviewer rave: "Just the space these dumbells save alone is worth every penny. I found it extremely easy to switch from one weight to another fairly quickly. My goal is to not rest between sets to keep my cardio up throughout the workout. These dumbells are EXACTLY what I was looking for and more. I realize the price tag is hefty; however, do yourself a favor and make the purchase. You deserve it."—Matt, amazon.com
Combine cardio and strength training with this incredibly fun (and challenging) connected boxing workout that makes it possible to step into the ring without stepping out your front door. The complete set-up includes a standing bag, mat, gloves with wraps, and punch trackers, plus access to a library of workout classes led by pros. You can keep tabs on your punch progress in realtime and compete against other members, friends, or yourself.
Reviewer rave: "Nothing short of amazing! The workouts are fresh and keep you constantly motivated to grow and be better every single day. The equipment is fantastic and the trainers are even better. I have and will continue to recommend the Fight Camp workouts to all my friends and family!"—Nate, joinfightcamp.com
There’s nothing more frustrating than doing a downward dog and seeing tears in your yoga mat, which is why you need a yoga mat that has longevity. This one is a fave among WH editors. It's made to last a lifetime with ultra-dense cushioning for stability and joint protection. It's also made of a closed-cell material that seals out moisture and bacteria and allows for easy cleaning.
Reviewer rave: "The mat works beautifully and is a joy to use everyday. Sturdy, cushioned, and solid. I would recommend this yoga mat to anyone looking for an upgrade or a long-term mat."—Elizabeth28, amazon.com
There's a reason all your friends and fam hopped on the Peloton Bike in the last two years. If you’re feeling the FOMO, consider investing in one yourself. Not only does it offer a vast selection of live and pre-recorded workouts featuring top instructors, a variety of themes, and great music, but the bike itself comes with a huge HD screen, cadence and resistance tracking, and rear speakers for crystal clear sound. (Or, consider upgrading to the Bike+ for an enhanced riding experience.)
Reviewer rave: "Fun, encouraging, great music and fabulous instructors. I'm addicted!" —Christine C., onepeloton.com
This complete set of resistance bands includes five different bands, interchangeable handles, a door anchor, and a bag to keep them all organized. You can get a tough strength session in, and the subdued colors may actually make you want to display them between sessions.
Reviewer rave: "Super easy to use. Bands are well made and don’t feel like they could possibly snap or does it feel overly stiff. Recommend."—Tiare, amazon.com
With over 16,000 on-demand workouts, as well as an option for live training, you’ll feel like you’re getting the gym experience without leaving your home. One-touch controls and a tread incline of up to 15 percent allows you to do power through both endurance runs and sprint workouts like hill drills.
Reviewer rave: “My kids are doing school virtually and this treadmill is a life saver! It’s super smooth, speakers are loud and the screen is big!" —Kellie, nordictrack.com
Being able to adjust the weights on these dumbbells means you won’t have to buy multiple options, therefore saving a ton of room if you live in a small space. This option also has non-slip handles for a firmer grip, premium lock collars for easy adjustments, and strong enamel plates, ensuring they’ll last for ages. Major bonus: It comes with a connecting rod to convert your pair of dumbbells into a barbell. Boom!
Reviewer rave: “These are great... just what I wanted. I was a bit hesitant to place the order (for the pair of 20 pound dumbbells), because there were absolutely no customer ratings at the time. But I went ahead, they arrived in less than a week, were exactly as pictured, and are well made.” —Anonymous, amazon.com
With foot pedals designed by physical therapists to ensure there’s no strain on the knees or joints, this is an elliptical created with comfort in mind. Bluetooth audio speakers, a USB port, and pulse monitors allow for great sound and tracking, while the 20 resistance levels allow you to build your endurance up over time.
Reviewer rave: “This is my second Sole elliptical. I sold the first because I was moving. I've had other makes of ellipticals that wore out or just never performed. This one is durable and smooth. Great customer support, too." —pearcy6297, soletreadmills.com
The adjustable length makes it perfect for men, women, and children alike. Consisting of ergonomic handles to reduce strain on wrists as well as quick, tangle-free materials, it’s something that can work for the whole family.
Reviewer rave: “I usually don't write reviews, but I had to let everyone know how great this jump rope is! The material is made well, never tangles, and I find the handles to be extremely comfortable to hold and use. Adjusting the rope to my height was really simple as well. I will be continuing to use this product since it has been an excellent form of exercise for me. Don't hesitate to purchase this product if you want a fun way to workout!” —DebGS, amazon.com
Created with an inclusive, at-home Pilates experience in mind, Flexia features a wider carriage and sturdy design. Embedded sensors track technique in realtime so you can quantify your progress (strength, stability, and flexibility). The Flexia Reformer includes everything you need to follow along with a growing library of on-demand classes—sitting box, jumpboard, padded footstrap, and standing platform.
Reviewer rave: "This reformer has fulfilled several dreams and I can't thank Flexia enough for this brilliant creation. I'm so glad I can take classes from the comfort of my home."—Christina H., flexiapilates.com
Built with high-quality iron and a vinyl coating, this is a sturdy KB option that’ll stand the test of time. It’s available in several different weights, and the handle is wide enough to grip with both hands.
Reviewer rave: “Great price for a very nice kettlebell. (Seriously, the quality is there, so why pay so much more, elsewhere?) Handle is wide enough for two hands, and the diameter of the handle—how large it is in the hand—is a good size for even my small hands to comfortably grip. The handle is also smooth, with no rough seams to chafe. Very pleased, and definitely plan on purchasing another, heavier weight from this maker as my needs change!” —PrincessD, amazon.com
This complete kit includes a pair of each YBell size, ranging from XS through XL. The four in one fitness equipment can replace kettlebells, dumbbells, medicine balls, and a pushup stand for all your at-home strength training needs. Plus, they are coated with nonslip, rust-free neoprene.
Reviewer rave: "I was blown away at how functional these weights were, thanks to the unique shape and ergonomic design."— Jacqueline Andriakos, WH Executive Health & Fitness Director
The portable design on this pullup bar makes it ideal for home gyms, and can easily attach to the wall or doorway with a strong grip, thanks to an easy, slip-in design. It’s also made of steel and foam, making it both comfortable and durable at the same time. Get ready to rep out pullups and chinups like a pro.
Reviewer rave: “So glad I chose this pullup bar! I like that this one has different grips, just like the gym. I was worried when I opened the box and took out all the pieces and screws that it would be too difficult to assemble but it was a cinch! And it latched onto my doorway very well. Gave it a few test pulls just to make sure it wasn't going to tear my doorway down. Overall, I'm very happy with this pull up bar!” —Rebecca M., amazon.com
This bag is made with super-tough leather to withstand all beatings, and it uses reinforced seams for added strength. It also boasts great rebound time, so you can be sure to get your cardio on.
Reviewer rave: “We ordered both the leather speed bag and the speed bag platform and have used them for a couple of weeks. They work well and we get a great workout. The instructions to put the platform together were easy to follow.” —Christine K., everlast.com
Wider than most ab rollers (at 3.2 inches), this portable piece of home gym equipment is great for beginners. A durable rubber wheel and grip bars also gives it incredible stability, and makes sure it provides the resistance needed for a killer core workout.
Reviewer rave: "Lightweight but strong enough for the job, the ab roller wheel really blasts your abs and gives them a real workout. Will require a certain level of fitness if you intend to stretch out and really use the roller! Great addition to my home exercise equipment."—P. Tan, amazon.com
If you're looking for something that can support all your weight and then some, this exercise ball is capable of resisting up to 2,200 pounds. It's 2000 micrometers thick and can be easily inflated using the foot pump that's included. Plus, it comes in multiple sizes and colors so you can pick the perf one for your workouts (and decor).
Reviewer rave: "Great exercise ball! I wasn’t expecting as good of quality as I got with this ball. I have been going to physical therapy lately and this ball seems to be better than the ones at the facility. Betty thick and strong material and easy to inflate. Came with its own foot pump which I may be able to use for other things as well. It didn’t tell me exactly how to measure the ball once it was fully inflated but I was able to guess when the ball was filled if it needed more air or not. If I had space I wouldn’t mind getting in other sizes. Good quality company." —Kristen, amazon.com
This smart home gym equipment blends seamlessly into your living space as a simple wall mirror when not in use. Then, with the click of a button, you're connected to live and on-demand workout classes of all kinds, personal training, and more. The optional add-ons transform it into a weight room or barre studio. Plus, you get a personal Fitness Concierge (real live coaches), who create custom plans to help you reach your health goals.
Reviewer rave: "The Forme Studio has literally changed my life. After my baby I struggled to get back into a fitness regimen and feel like my body was mine again. I feel excited every day to wake up and workout."—Samantha, formelife.com
Sometimes, basic really is best. These physical therapist-approved bands come in a variety of colors of varying resistance levels, so you can use them for stretching and both upper and lower body workouts. They’re also super durable, making them a great investment.
Reviewer rave: “These are exactly what they say they are and are made with great quality! I would recommend these bands!” —Macey Lauren Booth, amazon.com
For under $30, this step platform is an absolute bargain for leveling up strength and cardio moves. It can support 400 pounds and comes with risers that increase its height from four inches to six. The risers lock into the platform so that they're secure and sturdy.
Reviewer rave: "Very sturdy. I’ve been doing an intense workout with this step where I’m hopping on and off, jumping around it, doing pushups on it, and all sorts of stuff. It stays still and takes all the impact well. Definitely recommend." —Kerri, amazon.com
Jennifer Nied is the fitness editor at Women’s Health and has more than 10 years of experience in health and wellness journalism. She’s always out exploring—sweat-testing workouts and gear, hiking, snowboarding, running, and more—with her husband, daughter, and dog.