24 Best Home Workout Equipment, According to Fitness Experts 2023

Exercising at home is a great way to avoid crowded gyms, sidestep inclement weather, and make progress toward fitness goals on your own schedule. And adding the right equipment to those at-home workouts can help keep your routine fresh and challenging. Whether you have an entire room to fill or just a corner to spare, you can find some highly effective gear to fit your home gym setup. We’ve broken down the best home workout equipment available—for weightlifters, runners, yoga lovers, and more—according to fitness experts and SELF Home Fitness Award judges.

Jump to:

TreadmillsExercise bikesRowing machinesEllipticalsUnder-desk exercisersSmart home gymsDumbbellsKettlebellResistance bandsMedicine ballWearable weightsJump ropeYoga matMassagersFoam rollerSuspension trainer

The trusty treadmill is a staple of home gyms, so it makes sense that there are tons of models out there to choose from, from super-connected smart treadmills to portable folding treads with just the essential features. The NordicTrack 1705, for instance, is an extremely sturdy machine with techy bells and whistles like streamable classes and an HD touchscreen—and it comes highly recommended by multiple running coaches. Horizon’s T101 treadmill is another favorite among experts. It doesn’t have as many added features as NordicTrack, but it costs less and provides a reliable ride with several preset programs. Plus both fold upright to save space when not in use.

NordicTrack 1750 Commercial Treadmill

This treadmill (which comes with a one-year iFit subscription) is good for the average runner on a budget. According to Corinne Fitzgerald, head coach at Mile High Run Club, the on-demand running and bootcamp-style classes allow folks to switch up their routine with a variety of exercises and workouts, and for those who find themselves fumbling with the console buttons mid-run, she explains that “this model has the convenience of instant speed and incline with one tap.” Should you need more space to move around, she also likes that the wide belt is spacious enough for interval training.

Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill

Read more: Best Treadmills; Best Folding Treadmills

An indoor bike is a highly useful piece of equipment if you want to add low-impact cardio to your routine. Though it’s a bit of a splurge, the SELF Certified Peloton Bike+ truly lives up to the hype. Our tester found it “supercomfortable” and easy to use, and she noted that the classes were comparable to an in-studio experience—they were motivating, immersive, and fun. But you don’t have to spend a ton if your top priority is a straightforward workout rather than virtual instruction. In that case, Echelon’s Connect Sport bike is beginner-friendly and recommended by cycling instructors for its impressive resistance range.

Echelon Connect Sport Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

Read more: Best Exercise Bikes; Best Peloton Alternative Bikes

The workout you get from a rowing machine—part cardio, part strength-training—is certainly efficient. That’s why a rower is a great all-around piece of equipment to add to your home gym. For a high-tech option, the SELF-Certified Hydrow comes with hundreds of live and on-demand classes that should appeal to both beginners and more experienced users. Then there’s the long-standing industry standard, the Concept2’s Model D, which coaches and pros swear by for a solid, somewhat “old-school” workout.

Concept2 Model D Indoor Rower

Read more: Best Rowing Machines; Best Foldable Rowing Machines

An elliptical is another great option for low-impact cardio, especially if you want to do something akin to running but easier on your knees. Both of the machines featured here are recommended by personal trainers and mainly differ in terms of price and features. The Schwinn 470 costs slightly more and comes with app and Bluetooth connectivity, and Niceday’s machine lacks those add-ons but has 16 resistance levels and a lower price.

Schwinn Fitness 470 Elliptical

Niceday Elliptical Machine