The Best Home Exercise Equipment for Strength and Cardio
The best home workout equipment for cardio, strength training, toning, flexibility, and weight loss. From the best elliptical machine, treadmill, and stationary bike to home weights, kettlebells, high-performance bands, and workout accessories.
Updated March 25, 2022
The Best Under $1000 Home Cardio Machines
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer
Ultra-quiet magnetic drive system. Quick start and easy to adjust range of resistance. Beyond the build and ease of use, we like how it can be rolled out of the way.
Schwinn Fitness 810 Treadmill
We like the blend of functionality, Schwinn strong build, and small-space friendliness. The track raises higher to free up space when the treadmill is not in use. Run up to 10 MPH while watching your tablet or phone.
YOSUDA Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike
We like the way this stationary bike provides a smooth and quiet performance for home workouts. A coup at a lower price than similar bikes in its class, complete with a solid build, adjustable resistance, and a comfortable, adjustable seat — plus a tablet/iPad rest on the handlebars. We don’t need to tell you how riding regularly will improve your endurance, burn calories, and strengthen your lower body.
The Best Dumbbell Weights and Kettlebells for Home Workouts
Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell
Improves functional strength, core strength and balance, and can be used for cardio and muscle endurance. Space efficient, making it ideal for home workouts and easy closet storage. A single dial twist lets you change the weight — options are 8, 12, 20, 25, 35, and 40 lbs. Includes 24 trainer-led exercise online videos for Kettlebell exercises, from beginner to advanced.
POWERBLOCK Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbell (2020 Model)
Two blocks delivering over a dozen weight options. Simply adjust each block’s clip to your weight of choice — from 5 lbs up to 50 lbs per dumbbell. We like its steel quality build and small footprint, making it easy to store in a closet. By far our most used home gym equipment over time.
POWERBLOCK Sport 24 Adjustable Dumbbells — 24 lbs per Hand
The lighter (and less expensive) sibling of the POWERBLOCK Elite, these adjustable dumbbells’ are even easier to move around and store. Buy this model if 24 lbs max per arm is all you need.
Fun, At-Home Sport Workouts for Full-Body & Cardio
Century The Original Wavemaster Training Bag
Boxing and kickboxing offer one of the most intense workouts, one quickly improving cardio, body toning, calorie-burning, and coordination. Century builds the most popular freestanding heavy punching bags. They’re commonly used at gyms, martial arts studios, and homes. We’re fans of punching bag workouts in general and Century’s upright punching bags in particular. We also like how theirs rolls away for storage on its curved edge base.
BATTIFE Water Rowing Machine
We’re huge fans of rowing machines. They deliver low-impact cardio and full-body strength workouts. Tone and strengthen your legs, abdomen, back, shoulders, arms, and forearms. We like how the BATTIFE Rower is hardwood throughout, unlike many other options in the under-$1000 rower price. We appreciate its ergonomics and the natural esthetics of its wood construction and water-driven resistance. We like bringing the look-and-feel of nature indoors. This rower’s natural wood build and high-quality slide mechanics help make it the best pick for its price. Note, though, its electronic display delivers just the basics. On the upside, it does come in multiple wood types.
The Best Under-$35 Full-Body Home Workout Equipment
Epitomie Fitness Sonic Boom M2 High Speed Jump Rope
Jumping rope provides a killer aerobic and full-body workout. It raises your heart rate quickly and burns calories fast. The exercise strengthens calves, legs, core, forearms, and shoulders. It improves your speed and agility. We like how the Epitomie Fitness jump rope integrates the best modern tech and engineering into the tried and true: a lightweight yet heavy-duty jump rope with ultra-smooth rotation. They use stainless steel silicone grip for the handles and a 360deg spin ball bearing system for speedy jumps. Comes with an extra adjustable polymer-coated speed cable.
URBNFit Exercise Ball
Get toned and more muscular while stretching. Build your core strength, upper body, and lower body through low impact, compound exercises. Exercise balls improve your balance and coordination and can be used as a base for lifting dumbbells. Thanks to its anti-burst, high-quality PVC coating, the URBNFit exercise ball stands out for its non-slip surface and durability. In addition, it comes in many colors and in multiple sizes (for different heights).
Allvodes Resistance Bands Set
Set of five looped bands made of natural latex. We like that this set includes handles, ankle straps, and door handles and that Allvodes Resistance Bands’ deliver more bands and higher quality bands than others in the $30-ish price range. Like all exercise bands, these are easy to store and are ultra-portable — great for tossing in the suitcase when traveling. Use them to work out all major muscle groups: Arms, abs, chest, shoulders, back, and legs.
The Best Home Gym Tech, Gear, and Accessories
The Fitbit Charge 5 & Apple Watch Series — The two best fitness trackers (activity monitors) for gym
Already own a recent generation Apple Watch (looking at you, Apple Watch Series 7)? Then you’re good to go. Want to spend closer to $100 versus $400 to track your workouts and fitness? The Fitbit Charge 5 is excellent. It covers all key bases: pulse rate feedback, fitness tracking, stress level indicator, plus sleep tracking. All with a minimalistic and simple to use interface.
Theragun Mini Massage Gun (4th Generation) — The best massager for post workouts
In addition to delivering a soothing and therapeutic massage, this massage gun is ergonomic, so it is easy to hold without strain. Theragun makes ultra-popular, top-rated massagers. In addition to its quality and strong reputation, we also like that, despite its power, it runs quietly. And despite its size, it’s portable.
The Best Wireless Earbud headphones for working out — Beats Fit Pro
Wireless and noise-canceling with a built-in high-quality microphone, the Beats Fit Pro are designed for a secure and comfortable fit, making them our top pick for working out — a spot further secured by their sweat and water resistance. In addition, they deliver high-quality and balanced sound — both for music and voice. They include a pocket-sized charging case and use the Apple H1 Chip for automatic switching and hands-free Siri. They come in black, white, gray, and “stone purple.”