Elevate Any Workout Space With The Best Home Gym Equipment Of 2024

The Tempo Studio puts an entire weight room (virtual trainer included) into one compact package. The main component is a self-standing touchscreen for queuing up classes anytime, anywhere. But what really sets it apart is its AI, which tracks your moves via 3D sensors and gives you real-time feedback on your form. There’s also automatic rep counting, weight guidance and personalized training plans that’ll help you make the most of your workout, as if you were working with a live trainer.

The Tempo Studio is available in three different packages, from the basic Starter set to the weight room-worthy Pro package. To stream workouts, you’ll have to purchase a Tempo membership, too (it’s $39 a month and offers up to six accounts). That said, both the app and the entire Tempo Studio are eligible for a 30-day trial period so you can feel confident about your investment.

What the reviews say: “Tempo is a great investment for people who want a quality way to exercise at home. The programs and videos can engage any user from novice to the most experienced. The weights are very high quality and the frame is not only used for displaying the video but provides storage for the weight plates and bars all within a very small footprint.”

Pros:

• An all-in-one home gym
• Compact for saving on space
• Infused with the latest technology

Cons:

• It’s pricey and therefore an investment piece

As long as you have a solid interior door, a hook screwed into a stud or a sturdy tree branch, you can execute dozens of different exercises—every one of them tailored to your abilities in terms of strength and mobility—using TRX straps.

Danielle Hirt, an NASM-certified personal trainer and RRCA-certified running coach with Formula Running Center says: “TRX straps offer a total body workout for any level. They’re a great foundational piece of equipment because all workouts can be modified. TRX straps are also great for recovery and mobility training, allowing you to use your own body weight to stretch your muscles more than you can on the floor alone.” 

Jess Glazer, former celebrity personal trainer and physical education instructor, adds that she’s “also a huge fan of the TRX home suspension system because it allows you to focus on all body parts and a variety of workouts from cardio and plyometrics to strength and stability.”

What the reviews say: “I have a smaller home so I hang mine on a hall door where it’s easy to use and reminds to do so. The TRX is so WELL made it was worth the extra expense! When I travel I just pack it into my suitcase and it takes very little space.” 

Pros:

• Super versatile for various workouts
• Compact and portable
• Also a useful stretching tool

Cons:

• Requires installation or a sturdy door for safe use

An elliptical is a form of low-impact cardio that can be “good for those with knee, ankle or back issues that find running uncomfortable or painful,” Sklar says. To choose the right one, Albert Matheny, R.D., C.S.C.S., co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab, recommends basing your decision on what you’ve liked using at the gym and the features you’ll most likely need for an impactful workout at home.

The Bowflex Max Trainer M9 delivers all the extras, including smart features for an efficient and powerful workout. Not only is it sleek in its award-winning design (it received the Plus X Award across five categories), it also boasts 20 resistance levels, 4-grip handlebars, heart rate hand grips and a Bluetooth armband to track your heart rate and other metrics. Bluetooth speakers allow your favorite songs to blare as you workout. It also has bragging rights to an HD touchscreen (Wi-Fi enabled) to catch up on your streaming.

A JRNY membership gives you access to on-demand classes as well as 200+ scenic routes to inspire your workout. Rather than pay upfront, Best Buy has the option to pay in installments of $83 a month (over 24 months).

What the reviews say: “The M9 is smooth, easy to control, and gives a great workout. The audio is excellent and the touch screen visuals make training fun and go by quickly.”

Pros:

• Adjustable 10-inch HD touchscreen
• 20 resistance levels
• Textured pedals for a secure workout

Cons:

• Expensive
• JNRY membership not included

If you have the space, a treadmill can be a great piece of cardio equipment to have at home. “Look for durability above all else,” Sklar advises. “Treadmills take a pounding, and they’re not cheap. Investing in something with strong reviews on longevity with minimal repair will give you a solid return on investment.” Another important thing to consider, if you like to go fast: Check the machine’s speed capacity. “Ability to incline and simulate hills is also a great perk, and fairly standard,” Sklar says.

The NordicTrack T Series is an Amazon bestseller featuring 10% OneTouch incline, belt speeds up to 10 mph and a foldable design for easy storage. Most notable, though, are its smart capabilities. It has a built-in 10-inch touch screen (there’s also the 5-inch screen model, if you want to save a couple hundred bucks) and is compatible with iFit, a service that lets you stream workouts. As mentioned above, an iFit subscription costs extra, but this package includes a free 30-day membership so you (and the fam) can try it out.

What the reviews say: “You get what you pay for and a bit more. All things being equal this is as good as it gets in this price range for a home treadmill. It’s not intended for heavy duty, high impact use, though sturdy. It’s more for walking and jogging. Sprinting in spurts.”

Pros:

• Wide tread platform
• Compatible with the iFIT app
• Foldable to save on space

Cons:

• Assembly can be tricky
• The treadmill is heavy (198 pounds)

Although rowing machines are known for giving an upper-body burn, they also offer total-body training. That makes them an excellent alternative if you’re looking for something beyond the typical treadmill or elliptical. If you’re shopping for a fuss-free rower that will get your heart rate pumping, the YOSUDA Rowing Machine may just fit the bill. The machine gives 16 levels of firey resistance via a non-contact magnetic resistance system that’s quiet—a must for working at home.

It also features an LCD monitor to track your date, as well as a phone or iPad holder for videos and shows as your row. You can shift it from A to B via transportation wheels. Plus, despite it being relatively lightweight at 58 pounds, it supports users 4”5 to 6”2 and up to 350 pounds.

What the reviews say: “Workouts on the rower are great. The tension is really good and the higher settings are going to give you a good challenge. The machine itself is very quiet when in use.”

Pros:

• Many reviews attest it’s quiet
• Simple assembly
• Built-in tablet holder

Cons:

• No Bluetooth connectivity

Plenty of people love ballistic and strength training with kettlebells thanks to their versatility. While you can use them as free weights, you can also easily swing kettlebells during jumping and explosive exercises. “If you do a lot of movements like planes and snatches, and train with kettlebells more often, you’ll want to look at buying three or four weights of standard,” says Matheny.

Another thing to consider: your floors. Kettlebells are often made of cast iron which, while incredibly durable, can damage floors if handled roughly. Kettlebells from Yes4All run from 5 to 50 pounds with vinyl coating to help protect your flooring.

What the reviews say: “The build quality is sturdy, and the grip feels comfortable in my hands. The weight distribution is even, which allows for smooth and controlled movements during my exercises.”

Pros:

• Affordable addition for your home gym
• Made from sturdy cast iron
• Vinyl-coated layer protects floors

Cons:

• A few reviews note the handle is too rough for tight gripping

The HolaHatha Neoprene Dumbbell Rack is ideal for a lightweight resistance workout, cardio-strength combined session or for throwing into your Yoga or Pilates workout too for an extra burn. The dumbbell rack keeps the five sets of weights (3, 5, 8, 10 and 12-pounders) organized and tidy—very important to keep your space decluttered. Simply pop the rack in the corner and grab the weights as and when you need them.&n