Fitness Awards 2023: Best Home Gym Equipment

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Home gyms have been a thing for decades, but they used to be just for the very rich or the very fanatical. Now, more and more new homes are built to incorporate home gyms as luxurious options, becoming about as common as home cinemas, while online communities have sprouted up, seemingly overnight, dedicated to helping people convert sections of their basement or garage into a proper workout space.

Needless to say, home gym equipment can get very pricey, so rather than pick the most expensive, most exclusive items we could find, we took price and accessibility into consideration when making our choices. Sure, some of our award winners will cost you in excess of a thousand dollars, but big-ticket items like treadmills and squat racks also tend to be built to last, allowing you to get years and years of enjoyment out of them.

Our categories are also broad enough that you can do some savvy shopping and put together a budget home gym or living room workout setup that will allow you to get a great sweat session in without jeopardizing your financial stability or converting your entire garage into a gym, forcing your spouse to park outside in the colder months.

Here are our picks for the best home gym equipment of 2023:

Sure, you could run outside, but the weather isn't always cooperative, and some people live with snow and ice for months every year, so treadmills are understandably popular home gym items. The best-selling NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is one of the most popular home treadmill options, and for good reason: it boasts a 14-inch HD touchscreen display, the ability to incline to up to 15 degrees or decline to -3 degrees, built-in dual-band WiFi connectivity, and one of the most quiet motors we tested, meaning you can train in the AM without waking up the whole family. Perhaps best of all, especially for home users: the 1750 can fold vertically, minimizing its footprint when not in use.

$2,299 at NordicTrack.com

If you already own a standing desk, to help reduce the amount of time you spend sitting each day, why not take things a notch further and pick up an under-desk treadmill, so you can add to your step count and burn calories while you work? This category of products exploded since the era of social distancing and working from home, but one design stood out from the competition: the WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill. It uses a remote control with a screen display to give you control over the speed, but you can also use their dedicated app to control things from your phone, plus the treadmill itself uses smart controls to determine the desired speed based on your foot placement: if your stride is hitting towards the top of the treadmill, it will speed up, and if it's hitting towards the back, it will slow down. The real benefit of this model is the small footprint, however: it fits under most desk designs with ease, while it's capable of folding almost in half when you’re ready to put it away.

$499 at WalkingPad.com

Whether you’re a serious rower, looking for a way to train away from the water, or just love the impact-free burn of a good rowing session, the Hydrow Rower is a versatile and stylish upgrade from the traditional erg machine. Featuring a vibrant 22-inch touchscreen display, a lightweight aluminum and steel frame with built-in wheels for easy transport, and the ability to store vertically when not in use, this is a space-saving rowing machine with a clever twist: it eschews fans and chains for an electromagnetic drag mechanism that's both much more silent than competing models and much less vulnerable to normal wear and tear. The optional Hydrow Membership ($44 per month) dramatically expands the functionality of your rower, giving you access to over 4,000 workouts (including yoga and pilates classes), plus live workouts led by experienced trainers and fitness professionals, and even weekly races so you can compete against people of similar ability all across the world.

$2,245 at Hydrow.com

If you want the best home stationary bike and are prepared to pay for the privilege, our pick is the NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike. It has a 22-inch HD touchscreen and built-in speakers, so you can immerse yourself in your workout without the use of headphones, as well as fans built into the display to help keep you cool on longer rides. The standout feature is definitely the bike's design, though: there are 24 different resistance levels, as well as a base that can tilt backwards for an incline of up to 20% or forwards for a decline of -10%. Even the handlebars have been cleverly designed, with built-in gas shocks allowing you to adjust them up or down, plus dedicated space for two three-pound dumbbells.

$1,999 at NordicTrack.com

There's huge variation in quality in the elliptical marketplace, but if you want a unit that offers the build quality, durability and feature set of a commercial unit without having to pay the steep price tag, check out the Schwinn 470. For just over $1,000 you get a full 20-inch stride designed to mimic a natural running motion, plus five incline and five resistance settings and extra-large footplates, making this unit every bit as comfortable for long-term use as ellipticals that cost two and three times as much. Most impressive of all, however, is the technological integration: the unit has memory for up to 12 distinct profiles, so every member of your household can maintain their own unique profile, plus 25 different resistance settings, heart rate tracking, and Bluetooth connectivity to enable integration with some of the most popular fitness apps, including GoogleFit, Apple Health, MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun.

$1,099 at SchwinnFitness.com

If you’re short on space and want an all-in-one workout hub, something that can guide you through a wide variety of workouts without taking up your entire living room, check out the Tempo Move. The premise is simple: when not in use, it's about the size of a small cabinet or side table, but when it's workout time, you can open the Move to reveal adjustable weights and barbells, plus two collars, and an optional yoga mat. The Move cuts down on costs by connecting to your television to broadcast workouts, but does require a membership fee ($16 per month with a two-year commitment), which unlocks guided workouts. The coolest feature? You’re not just watching the workout; the Move is also watching you, allowing it to track 25 different joints to ensure you’re using proper form, recommend weight, rep and set schemes, and adjust the difficulty level of your workouts in real time.

From $395 at Tempo.fit

REP has been quietly revolutionizing the home gym industry in recent years, pushing the design envelope when other companies were playing it safe, and the hugely popular FT-5000 is a perfect case in point. Historically, cable machines were too heavy, too expensive and too difficult to assemble to be a good fit for the home gym market, but REP's engineers have thought through every detail of their design. The result is an 11-gauge steel unit with 448 pounds of movable weight stacks and butter-smooth transitions between height settings. Premium touches, such as the laser-etched numbers on the uprights, an electrostatic powder coating to protect the steel surface, and aluminum (not plastic!) pulleys, all give this unit the look and feel of a commercial gym unit. The multi-grip pull-up bar, one-hand trolley design and included attachments all combine to make this the frontrunner in a very competitive category.

$2,499.99 at REPFitness.com

There are cheaper options in this segment, and there are more heavy-duty options in this segment, but we dare you to find a better adjustable bench for the price. REP has once again knocked it out of the park for the home market, offering a combination of sought-after features (like the ability to adjust the bench through six incline positions and a decline position, built-in leg rollers, a wide, thick pad for superior support, and a wheeled base to make it easier to move around) and great value. With a 1,000-pound weight capacity, a powder coated finish, and the option of five different color schemes, this is the go-to bench for a home gym in 2023.

$319.99 at REPFitness.com

Whether you’re squatting 100 pounds or 500 pounds, you’ll want a rack you can feel safe and secure in, something that's both stable and versatile, and capable of growing with you as your training progresses. Rogue has been the industry leader in this category for a while, and their best-selling R-3 shows why. It combines incredible construction (they’re famous for using the best-quality steel in the business) with a bevy of potential attachments and upgrades, including plate storage, a landmine or dip attachment, and pegs to do band work. You also get a ton of customization options before you check out, giving you the choice of multiple pull-up bars, two upright heights, and a concrete kit in case you want to anchor this into your garage or basement floor.

$795 at RogueFitness.com

Whether you’re looking to bench, squat or do curls, or even take up CrossFit, the Gladiator MX from REP is the barbell for you. The medium-depth knurling makes it a capable performer during heavy deadlifts without being so harsh that it will tear your skin during higher rep workouts, while the 1,500-pound weight capacity and rust-resistant chrome coating all attest to its incredible build quality.

$359.99 at REPFitness.com

If you have the space (and the budget) for a dedicated dumbbell set, pick up this 5-50 pound set of hex dumbbells from REP Fitness. They’re made from premium rubber, which won't peel or tear even after months of hard drops, and they arrive virtually odor-free, which already sets these dumbbells apart from their less expensive competitors.

$1,099.99 at REPFitness.com

Dumbbells are wonderful and all, but they have one major drawback for home gym owners: they take up a ton of space. Adjustable dumbbells were designed to give you the versatility of a dumbbell without the hassle of having to find space for a dumbbell rack. The PowerBlock Elite USA adjusts in 2.5-pound increments from between 5 and 50 pounds, with the option of adding a second kit to take the unit up to 70 pounds and even a third kit to extend the weight range up to 90 pounds.

$419 at PowerBlock.com

Like dumbbells and plates, kettlebells can get away with being basic and inexpensive, which is why we love this cast iron series from CAP. These units are made from solid cast iron, without seams or welds, which adds dramatically to their durability and longevity. The flat bottom of the kettlebell keeps it stable when you set it down, while the wide handle makes it easy to grip, even with two hands, opening up a wider variety of movements.

From $24.95 at Amazon.com

Weight plates can get very pricey, but they’re also a great place to save some money, especially if you can pick them up second-hand. If you want a new set, though, we highly recommend these urethane bumper plates from Titan Fitness. They’re in the standard formats of 10, 25, 35, 45 and 55 pounds and can be purchased in either pairs of specific weights or in larger sets. We love the raised plate lip for easier handling and offloading, as well as the reinforced steel collar to help protect them from repeated drops.

From $79.99 at Titan.fitness

If you’re pressed for space, ditch iron weights completely and pick up a sandbag, like the GORUCK 2.0. It's available in four colors and two weight options (40 and 60 pounds), and features some of the highest quality design and construction we’ve seen in this segment. Double pass stitching reinforces every single seam, while the main material is 1000 Denier Cordura, the same material trusted by the American military to secure personnel gear.

$130 at GORUCK.com

Lightweight, portable and relatively inexpensive, battle ropes are a phenomenal choice for cardio at home, delivering a heart-pounding workout in mere minutes. This model from GEARDO is made from 100% dacron covered with a protective nylon sleeve, and extra-long, ten-inch heat shrink handles. The ropes are available in three lengths (30-, 40- and 50-feet) at either 1.5- or 2-inch thicknesses, so you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect size for your needs.

From $79.98 at Amazon.com

If you’re going to buy a barbell, it's worth dropping a bit more cash on a model that's both versatile and durable. After all, you’re trusting the barbell with your life every time you squat or overhead press. Rogue's famous Ohio bar deserves all the praise and acclaim it gets, and then some. It's made in the United States from the highest quality 190,000-PSI steel, polished to a smooth finish, and treated with black oxide and zinc to secure it against corrosion and rust. In the hand, whether you’re executing a deadlift, bench press or Olympic lift.

$320 at RogueFitness.com

Resistance bands are another great home workout solution, capable of delivering a full-body workout without requiring the sacrifice of your basement or garage. For their versatility, sturdy construction, and high resistance levels, we favor the GoFit ProGym Extreme bands. Each set comes with four resistant tubes allowing for 12 weight combinations and a maximum additional resistance of 140 pounds, which is very high for this segment. Metal connection rings, door anchors, padded ankle straps and soft, grippy handles round out the set, while an included exercise manual walks you through the massive variety of workouts you can perform.

$69.99 at GoFit.net

Ever wonder if you’re strong enough to draw a bow like Legolas or a medieval archer? The best-selling Gorilla Bow is an ingenious workout tool designed to help you build total body strength while keeping the stress on your joints and tendons to a minimum. The bow itself is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and can accommodate up to four resistance bands totalling 300 pounds of weighted resistance. Your purchase also grants you access to their live and on-demand classes, so you can learn new techniques to get the most out of your new fitness tool.

$199.99 at GorillaBow.com

Fitness mirrors have vaulted into prominence in tandem with the rising popularity of home gyms, and it's easy to see why: their sleek, minimalist designs offer guided workouts without requiring you to sacrifice space in your garage or basement. Of all the offerings in this segment, lululemon Studio's Mirror offers the best combination of value and features. It boasts a carbon steel frame with a beautiful mineral bronze finish, a 43" HD display with a 178-degree viewing angle, four high-fidelity speakers with two woofers, and a 5 megapixel camera to help broadcast your workout to friends or a personal trainer. The real benefits are unlocked with a lululemon Studio membership, though: access to over 10,000 workouts across over 60 class types, including yoga, dance, boxing, cardio and strength training, dedicated member profiles for up to six household members to help you track your progress, and even in-store discounts and early access to new lululemon clothing and gear.

From $995 at Mirror.co

Measuring just 13 inches long and 5.5 inches wide, the TriggerPoint Grid foam roller can easily fit inside most gym bags or tuck away discreetly in your home gym, but don't let the small size fool you: this handy foam roller packs some serious muscle rehabilitation prowess. Starting from the outside in, it boasts an extremely rigid, hollow core, with a maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds. Wrapped around the core is a multi-density exterior deliberately designed to offer a variety of patterns for optimal muscle massage, including a low, flat pattern, a tubular design that mimics human fingers, and high and firm pattern for a deeper massage.

$34.98 at Amazon.com

Yoga is a fantastic full-body workout, one that combines strength and flexibility and even mindfulness, and it's especially suited to home workouts because all the equipment you need is your body and a comfortable yoga mat. We love all of GAIAM's offerings, but the Athletic Dynamat stands out. It's made from durable PVC and measures 26 inches wide by 78 inches long and 5mm thick, which is longer, wider and thicker than the standard yoga mat, giving you more room for your poses and movements. The surface is even non-slip, so you can always feel secure, even during one-legged work.

$39.98 at GAIAM.com

One of the drawbacks of a home gym, especially if it's in the garage, is cooling. Most garages don't have dedicated AC ventilation, and so when the warmer months arrive, your home gym can quickly become a sauna. Thankfully, there's an inexpensive solution: the Lasko High Velocity floor fan. It features a stable base for floor use and a wall-mounting bracket if you’d like to keep it off the ground. Metal blades and a powerful motor combine to generate lots of cooling power across three dedicated fan speeds, while a built-in carry handle makes transport easy.

$80.24 at Amazon.com

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