Work out without leaving the house with our pick of the best home gym equipment…
Looking for the best home gym equipment to kick-start you new year fitness plans? If you don’t live close enough to a gym, don’t have time to go or just can’t justify the price of membership at the moment, it makes a lot of sense to turn to your home set-up for your daily workouts.
If you’re looking to enhance your arsenal of home gym equipment, read on to discover our top picks. We’ve selected the best kit from our individual buyer’s guides, ensuring you get the best bang for your buck when you start to kit out your home gym.
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Our pick of the best home gym equipment 2024
- Resistance bands – Gorilla Bow Travel, amazon.com
- Dumbbells – JaxJox 22.6kg DumbbellConnect, amazon.com
- Skipping ropes – Crossrope Speed Performance Set, crossrope.com
- Kettlebell – JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0, amazon.com
- Exercise bikes – Wattbike Atom, wattbike.com
- Treadmills – Peloton Tread, onepeloton.com
- Air bikes – Assault Bike Classic, amazon.com
- Gym balls – Technogym Wellness Ball Active Sitting, technogym.com
- Massage guns – Theragun Elite, amazon.com
- Exercise mats – the Lululemon (Big) Mat, lululemon.com
- Adjustable dumbbell sets – Primal Strength Personal Series 75lb / 34kg, primalstrength.com
- Exercise bench – Primal Personal Series HIIT Bench, primalstrength.com
- Squat rack accessory – Signature Fitness Plate-Loaded Lever Arm Rack Attachment, signaturefit.com
Gorilla Bow Travel
Best resistance band
Men’s Fitness verdict
This powerhouse band system provides a gruelling full-body workout. You can use multiple bands to layer resistance, however loading heavier bands can be tricky.- Powerful full-body system
- Supports multiple bands simultaneously
- Priciest band system on test
- Will be too large and cumbersome for some
| Resistance: | Up to 350lb (158.8kg) |
| Colours: | Black with coloured bands |
| Number of bands: | 4, 9 or 11 |
| Features: | 3-piece bow, simultaneous band use, carry case |
The Gorilla Bow Travel will appeal to those who like the idea of investing in a system that covers full-body fitness. With two different sets available offering 9 or 11 bands and up to 330lb (149.7kg) or 350lb (158.8kg) or resistance respectively, you can dial in the right intensity for a highly effective workout.
You can load the bow with up to four bands, giving you four resistance strengths to choose from when you use one band at a time. Or you can use multiple bands simultaneously to layer resistance. This meant we found it easy to quickly drop the weight when fatigue hit – perfect for drop sets.
Roughly 55in (140cm) tall when assembled, we found the Gorilla Bow to be a pretty bulky and imposing fitness band system. In its travel version, though, it detaches into three elements that help it fit easily in a large bag or small suitcase.
- Read our full Gorilla Bow Travel review
JaxJox 22.6kg DumbbellConnect
Best dumbbell
Men’s Fitness verdict
JaxJox hasn’t overcomplicated things despite its tech-heavy dumbbells. Set-up is quick and easy, thanks to clear instructions. Simply choose your weight digitally and start lifting.- Quick and easy to change weight
- Smart features with app connectivity
- Dumbbells have to be charged before use
- Screen can be difficult to see clearly
| Weight range: | 8lb – 50lb / 3.6kg – 22.6kg |
| Increments: | 8 |
| Dimensions: | 19.5 x 7.5 x 7in / 495 x 191 x 178mm |
| Warranty: | 1 year |
| Features: | JaxJox app, free 30-day trial subscription, fast-charging USB-C connector |
With a digital docking station and performance tracking app, these JaxJox adjustable dumbbells would be an impressive addition to any home gym.
They use a USB-powered digital dock for weight selection and a companion app to suggest exercises and track progress. During testing, we found it easy to sync the app for real-time data such as reps, weight, sets, time, average power and total volume.
They do the basics well, too – including a robust design, comfortable grooved handles and secure locking plates.
Just remember to charge via USB, or you won’t be able to change weights.
- Read our full JaxJox 22.6kg DumbbellConnect review
Crossrope Speed Performance Set
Best skipping rope
Men’s Fitness verdict
It may be pricey but this is a high-quality rope set for life – guaranteed. It’s a smooth-rotating system that’s easy to switch between rope weights though there are lighter choices for speed work.- Good variation of rope weights
- Great handle rotation
- A little too heavy for speed work
- Lifetime warranty comes at a price
| Materials: | Wire inner, PVC coating |
| Rope weights: | 3oz (85g) / 6oz (170g) / 9oz (255g) |
| Length: | 8ft (2.45m) / 8ft 6in (2.6m) / 9ft (2.75m) / 9ft 6in (2.9m) |
| Features: | Fast Clip connection system |
| Included: | 30 days free membership using the Crossrope app, lifetime handle warranty |
Weighted speed ropes are the best way to take your double-unders to the next level, and Crossrope’s Speed Performance Set gives you three weights to choose from. Swapping between the 3oz, 6oz and 9oz rope between workouts is speedy, too, with its Fast Clip connection system.
While testing, we found the handles comfortable to hold and they rotated well, so there’s no hand chafing to worry about. Not many ropes come with a lifetime warranty, and this alone justifies the price tag. Alongside the quality equipment, there’s a subscription-based app with more than a thousand workouts to inspire you in your home gym, too.
- Read our full Crossrope Speed Performance Set review
JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0
Best kettlebell
Men’s Fitness verdict
With on-demand content, coaching and smart tracking, JaxJox is revolutionising kettlebell workouts. These smarts don’t come cheap though.- Decent top weight
- Counts reps, sets and weight
- Bulky with a big footprint
- Hardware and premium app are pricey
| Weight range: | 12.1lb to 41.9lb / 5.5kg to 19kg |
| Number of weights: | 6 |
| Features: | JaxJox app integration; motion sensors track reps, sets, weight, power, average volume and time; fast-charging USB-C connection |
If you like to track your drills or prefer more immersive workouts, you might want to check out the JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0. Likewise if you don’t have the floor space in your home gym for a collection of kettlebells. That’s because the JaxJox is a smart adjustable kettlebell that can internally select six weights between 5.5kg and 19kg, and packs motion sensors that track reps, sets and power.
We were impressed by the fact you can also follow complete drill-by-drill workouts on your smartphone, or join on-demand coach-led classes, tracking stats as you go. However, you’ll have to pay a Peloton-style premium to access these features. Although you need power for the selection and smart training features, we found you could get around 14 hours of training time on a single charge.
- Read our full JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0 review
Wattbike Atom
Best exercise bike
Men’s Fitness verdict
One of the closest experiences to real road ridings we’ve found. It’s a significant investment but the insights from the Atom Hub will definitely improve your fitness.- Easy set-up
- Genuine real-ride feel
- A wealth of useful insights
- Noisy
- Feels more geared towards experienced riders
The latest version of the Wattbike Atom has improved what has already become the industry standard for exercise bikes, with an electromagnetic resistance monitor for a quieter and smoother ride, especially when shifting gears. Data points are now read 1,000 times a second (it doesn’t get more real-time than that) with accuracy levels of +/- 1%.
We love how the bike automatically reacts with increased resistance to elevation changes, bringing unparalleled realism to virtual mountain stages. With great connectivity and plenty of custom set-up options, as well as free trails to partner apps including Zwift, Rouvy and Strava, we’d say it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone who’s serious about their cycling and a great all-round choice if you’re looking for the best home gym equipment.
- Read our full Wattbike Atom review
Peloton Tread
Best treadmill
Men’s Fitness verdict
With the wide range of workouts on offer the Peloton Tread is an ideal alternative to a gym membership. If you can take the initial price hit you’ll get years of enjoyment and fitness benefits.- Plenty of workouts to suit everyone
- Useful instruction and insights
- Clear touchscreen and great sound
- No custom mode
- Expensive
With membership giving you access to thousands of Peloton classes, you’ll never get tired of the Peloton Tread. It has speeds of up to 12.5mph (20kpm) and can replicate gradients up to 12.5%, providing enormous variety to walking, hiking and running exercises – as well as providing yoga or lifting exercises for a thorough all-body workout.
We especially loved the 23.8in (60cm) HD touchscreen operation, which is intuitive and features all the on-screen metrics you need. The carbon steel platform will withstand the rigours of regular use, and Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity means it’ll play nicely with any heart rate monitor or other smart kit. If you’re looking for an alternative to gym membership, the Peloton Tread might just be it.
- Read our full Peloton Tread review
AssaultBike Classic
Best air bike
Men’s Fitness verdict
There’s a reason why we see the iconic AssaultBike in so many fitness spaces: it’s a robust, no-nonsense machine that just gets the job done. It’s super-simple to use too.- Robust design
- Easy to programme
- Upgradeable parts
- Console can be hard to read
| Frame: | High tensile steel |
| Features: | 6-way adjustable seat, 25in (63.5cm) steel fan |
| Warranty: | 5 years frame, 2 years replacement parts |
If you’re looking to invest in some of the best home gym equipment, why not try an air bike? Pro athletes, CrossFitters and regular gym-goers alike test their stamina on this no-nonsense machine, and it’s easy to see why. Now seen as industry standard in both enthusiast and elite fitness spaces, even this cheapest version in the range has everything you need for calorie-torching workouts.
With almost all moving parts available as aftermarket spares, the AssaultBike Classic is a sound investment that’ll provide years of cardio training. In our opinion, Assault Fitness has got all the basics right, with a robust design, good ergonomics, easy-to-access workouts and comfortable and adjustable contact points. It’s also protected by a five-year warranty, for extra peace of mind, and comes in two other versions with upgraded connectivity.
- Read our full AssaultBike Classic review
Technogym Wellness Ball Active Sitting
Best gym ball
Men’s Fitness verdict
Exercise balls don’t get better (or more expensive) than this. Firmness, durability and comfort are all top-notch and it makes a useful core-engaging office chair too.- Burst-resistance material
- Doubles up as a chair
- Expensive
- Only one size
| Size: | 21.5in (55cm) |
| Pump included: | No |
| Weight limit: | 353lb / 160kg |
| Colour: | Black |
There’s no getting away from that eye-watering price but the Italian-made Technogym Wellness Ball Active Sitting could be your exercise ball for life. It also doubles up as a robust, ergonomic office chair. However, there are cheaper versions with lower specs if you really can’t justify the price.
Sitting on the Wellness Ball involves constant micro-movements, which improves the spine-stabilising action of your abdominal and lumbar muscles. A denser lower half is designed to improve stability and ensure it won’t roll away mid-exercise, which we found to be true. Extra points from me for the removeable multi-layered fabric, which improves support, cushioning and grip. We also like the added handle for easy transportation.
- Read our full Technogym Wellness Ball Active Sitting review
Theragun Elite
Best massage gun
Men’s Fitness verdict
Theragun has improved on older models to produce a dependable and customisable massage gun. The new OLED screen makes it intuitive to use too.- Effective 16mm pummeling amplitude
- Useful app insights
- Customisable
- Expensive
- Not the best battery life
| Battery life: | 120 minutes |
| Details: | Smart app integration with Bluetooth; OLED screen with force meter |
| Colours: | Black, white |
If you’re looking to buy the best home gym equipment, you’ll probably be focusing on strength and cardio kit. However, it’s important to also prioritise recovery. The Theragun Elite has a pummelling head with an amplitude of 0.6in (16mm) that gets deep into muscles and sees off knots and tight spots with 40 percussions per second and up to 40lb (18kg) of force.
With older models it wasn’t easy to know when you were using them right, but this latest generation Elite is a whole lot smarter, with an OLED screen and a force sensor. We also love how it syncs to a smartphone app that tells you if you’re applying the right pressure and serves up real-time move-by-move guides for everything from easing tight hamstrings to unstiffening shoulders.
We found the new Elite to be much, quieter and more customisable than older models, too. It comes with five built-in speeds, but you can also use the app to set the percussions per minute anywhere within the 1750-2400 range.
You get 120-minute massage time on a single charge and just two minutes’ attention to each muscle group can help stifle post-workout soreness.
The Lululemon (Big) Mat
Best exercise mat
Men’s Fitness verdict
Extra thick, extra wide and extra stylish. It seems that Lululemon has done the impossible and reinvented one of the simplest pieces of fitness kit you can buy.- Longest on test
- Reversible
- Expensive
- Not suitable for those with rubber or latex allergies
| Materials: | FSC-certified natural rubber |
| Dimensions: | 83.9 x 27.9in / 213 x 71cm |
| Features: | Reversible, antimicrobial additive |
| Colours: | 6 multi-coloured designs |
A good quality exercise mat is an essential bit of home gym equipment. The Lululemon (Big) Mat may seem on the pricey side but its FSC-certified rubber construction has such a long-lasting, quality feel that it could easily be your mat for life. Its top layer absorbs moisture and an antimicrobial layer keeps mould, mildew and bad smells at bay – it felt shop-fresh each time we used it.
It’s called the (Big) Mat for a reason, as it’s around 4in (10cm) wider and a whopping 12in (30cm) longer than regular mats. It’s reversible too, so you can swap between smooth and grippy surfaces depending on your workout. We found it soft and pleasant to the touch, and easy to wipe down and clean after each session. There are six eye-catching marble designs available, too.
- Read our full The Lululemon (Big) Mat review
Primal Strength Personal Series 75lb / 34kg
Best adjustable dumbbells
Men’s Fitness verdict
This beastly set of bells is straightforward to set up and offers a massive 21 different weights to work with. They are on the more expensive side, but it’s worth remembering these come as a pair.- Easy to adjust and use
- Wide, comfortable grip
- Extensive weight range
- Relatively large footprint
| Weight range: | 11lb-75lb / 5kg-34kg |
| Increments: | 21 |
| Dimensions: | 21.3 x 8.5 x 7.2in / 542 x 216 x 183mm |
If you’re looking for the best home gym equipment, a pair of dumbbells is a great place to start. The Primal Strength 75lb / 34kg adjustable dumbbells are a high-quality, versatile investment for any home gym user. You get a whopping 21 different weights to work with, over nearly a 65lb (30kg) range. That should satisfy even the most experienced weight trainer.
They’re longer than most adjustable dumbbells, but we found the slider selection system to be simple and intuitive to use and the textured-grip handles stay comfortable throughout long workouts.
- Read our full Primal Strength Personal Series 34kg review
Primal Personal Series HIIT Bench
Best exercise bench
Men’s Fitness verdict
With plenty of storage for the included weights and accessories, there’s much more to this HIIT bench than meets the eye. It’s a pricey but worthwhile investment.- Good amount of storage
- Comes with a wide range of accessories
- Easy manoeuvrability with attached wheels
- Heavy and expensive
- Not ideal for small rooms
| Accessories: | 2x adjustable dumbbells, adjustable kettlebell, foam roller, resistance band, glute band, battle rope, power band |
| Warranty: | 1 year parts |
| Net weight: | 104lb / 47kg |
| Dimensions: | 51.2 x 33.5 x 23.2in / 130 x 85 x 59cm |
Far more than just an adjustable exercise bench, Primal’s Personal Series bench is an all-in-one mini gym, featuring the company’s popular adjustable dumbbells and kettlebell – which if bought individually would cost almost as much as this entire set.
All of the included accessories (there’s also a foam roller, resistance band, glute band, battle rope and power band) stow away inside the unit. Together, we’d say it’s a strength and HIIT training powerhouse that’s well worth the investment if you’re looking for the best home gym equipment.
- Read our full Primal Personal Series HIIT Bench review
Signature Fitness Plate-Loaded Lever Arm Rack Attachment
Best squat rack accessory
Men’s Fitness verdict
If you want an alternative for lower-body training, or a way to perform different exercises with limited space to spare, then this is a solid item to have.- Allows you to squat without pressure on the spine
- Can be used for curls, rows and other exercises
- Easy to set up
- Can only hold Olympic plates
- Dip belt not included
| Materials: | Black powder-coated 11-gauge steel |
| Warranty: | 2 years |
| Net weight: | 15lb / 6.8kg |
| Dimensions: | 31.25 x 14.25 x 3.5in / 79.38 x 36.20 x 8.90cm. Fits 2 x 2in, 3 x 2in, 3 x 3in squat racks, with rack hole diameters of 5/8in or larger |
An ideal accessory for those with a squat rack at home, this level arm can be a real gamechanger. Just attach to your own dip belt and you can be doing back-friendly belt squats in no time. We found it simple to set up and store. Plus, it fits on most squat racks and can be used for rows and curls too. What’s more, it’s not going to break the bank either.
How we test the best home gym equipment
Our team of testers and reviewers has a wealth of experience in putting new gym equipment through its paces. They spend a significant period of time with each product, testing its limits and limitations and working through its entire range of intended uses to give an honest and objective review. That gives you everything you need to make an informed decision in choosing a product that’s right for you and your fitness goals.
Benefits of setting up a home gym
Upgrading your home gym offers a range of perks. Firstly, after initially splashing some cash on your new set-up, you won’t need to pay any monthly or yearly gym membership fees, meaning your kit will pay for itself in no time. Secondly, a home gym can be a more time-effective way to squeeze in a workout when you’re busy, with no need for any lengthy commutes or queuing times at the weight rack.
And even if you do still structure your training week around regular gym visits, it’s still worth buying equipment to use at home. Having weight training or mobility gear to hand can help you plan regular pre-work sessions or squeeze in ad-hoc workouts between work and family commitments.
Home gym vs. gym membership
While there’s no concrete right or wrong when it comes to choosing between visiting a local gym or kitting out your home gym, there are various factors that might sway you one way or the other.
With no need to commute, queue or pay monthly fees, home gyms offer a myriad of benefits, as outlined above. On the other hand, gym memberships certainly pack some perks, too. For starters, you won’t need to spend hours researching, buying and setting up your new equipment – you can just sign up and go. Plus, for many people, actively leaving the house and entering a designated fitness space can work wonders for boosting workout motivation.
How to set up your home gym
If you’re building a home gym from scratch, it can be tricky to know where to start. With a huge selection on the market, what equipment do you actually need? Well, whatever your focus – strength training, CrossFit and cardio or mobility, or keeping in shape for outdoor pursuits such as athletics, cycling or team sports – it pays to have regular access to weights or resistance bands, as well as exercise balls, skipping ropes and exercise mats in your home gym. Recovery kit like foam rollers and massage guns are useful, too, particularly after heavy sessions.
Of course, high-end equipment such as air bikes, exercise bikes, rowers, treadmills and weights benches, traditionally the preserve of high-street gyms, are useful investments and are making their way into more and more home gyms and garages.
The key to any effective training routine is regularity, and that means easy access. As long as you tailor your home gym kit to focus on your goals, the only thing that’s stopping you from achieving them is you. Not having time to get to the gym is no longer an excuse. You’re much more accountable for your training with a well kitted-out home gym, and that can only be a good thing.
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