Designing a home gym sounds way more challenging than it actually is. As long as you know what kinds of workouts you’ll be doing, picking out the right equipment is easy. We’ve made a list of muscle-building home gym must-haves including treadmills, dumbbells, massage guns and more.
And although bringing your home gym to fruition sounds like a serious investment, but not everything costs an arm and a leg. In fact, the equipment we’ve provided below starts at just $5. So if you’re looking for something more cost-efficient, that’s totally doable. In the end, you’ll still get a killer workout.
Everything Your Home Gym Needs, For the Ultimate Workout
10 Must-Haves For Every Cardio Bunny
1. Running Man: Almost every complete home gym is equipped with a working treadmill. Whether you’d be using it to simply strut on an incline or sprint to your heart’s desire is entirely up to you. Find yourself a middle-grade treadmill that’s relatively quiet, not too heavy and foldable for storage purposes. It has a whopping 15 incline settings and can connect via Bluetooth so you can transfer all of your stats to your smart device. Plus, the shock absorbing system makes it more comfortable for you and a little easier on your floors (especially if it’s on the second story).
2. Spin Class at Home: Let’s be honest: who doesn’t love to get their heart rate going in a spin class? A Peloton stationary bike may be somewhat pricey, but it could be worth it to get your blood flowing. Weighing 135 pounds, it’s sturdy but still moveable and has wheels so you can move it around the room. The app’s membership costs extra, but you can use it for all kinds of workouts including yoga, guided treadmill runs, lifting circuits and more.
3. Work It: As a concept, the elliptical may get somewhat of a bad rap, but let’s face it: the ultra popular machine is fantastic for a low-impact workout. And Niceday’s Elliptical—Amazon’s “overall pick”—provides an ultra smooth yet challenging experience. It works super quietly and has up to 16 resistance levels, so there’s no way you’ll do the same workout twice. If you find it isn’t up to your standards, you can return it within 30 days.
4. Jumpin’ Jumpin’: Cardio doesn’t always require a machine. Having a jump rope on-hand is a quick and easy way to get your heart rate up. Plus, it costs so much less than your average treadmill or stationary bike. You can get a high-tech jump rope that’s weighted with an automatic counter to track your success Or opt for a low-tech option that simply comes with two plastic handles for just $5. Bonus points if you end up learning how to do double-dutch.
5. Boat Without Water: Make it feel like you’re cruising along the Hudson River sans the water! Erging enables you to go through the motions of rowing without requiring a team or even an actual boat. Sunny Health’s rower in particular is a super reliable option. It comes with a free app that helps you track your training. Plus, you can fold up the machine when you’re done using it if the space in your home gym is at all limited.
6. Bouncing: Again, electricity-free cardio is never a bad thing—in fact, it’s warmly welcomed. Options like trampolines allow you to increase your heart-rate without pressing any start buttons. Newan’s mini trampoline is silent and features an adjustable T-shaped handle, guaranteeing a safe and easy bounce. Find us here after our next meeting.
7. Reclined: Cardio doesn’t have to be hard on your back. Recumbent bikes allow you to cycle in a reclined position, so your workout doesn’t do a number on your lower back. You can adjust the seat to your liking and track your progress on the LCD monitor to ensure you’re getting in your desired RPMs. It also comes with a 12-month protection plan in case anything happens to your machine within the first year of ownership.
8. Steps: Getting a full-on StairMaster for your home gym isn’t super realistic. If you’ve ever used one at the gym, they’re large and extremely expensive! However, there are small versions called stair-steppers that let you build your glutes and improve your aerobic fitness with the same motions, on a tinier machine. We’d recommend the latter. In the end, your butt will thank you.
9. Cycle City: If you’d rather not invest in a Peloton—or get all that comes with it—you can get a regular stationary bike. Yosuda’s model won’t come with the interactive screen and all the bells and whistles, but as long as you push yourself as much as Cody Rigsby would, you’ll get just as good of a workout without having to pay the hefty price.
10. Arm Power: Whether you’re rehabilitating an injury or if you simply want to get a cardio workout without using your legs, an arm bike is a fantastic addition to your home gym. Magnetrainer’s comes with a small screen that tracks your RPMs—just like a regular bike—so you’ll get the same kind of stats. It also comes with a one-year warranty, so if you decide you don’t like it or if it isn’t working properly, you can get yourself a refund.
10 Gym Essentials For Pumping Iron
1. Pump It: If you own a rack of dumbbells, you can basically do any type of exercise imaginable. With weights ranging from 5 to 25 pounds, you’ll be able to work everything from small muscles in your wrists to your delts and even your quads. BalanceFrom’s basic set even comes with a reusable rack, too, so the weights won’t have to permanently live on your floor.
2. Kettle Swings: Sneak in all kinds of circuits with a set of kettlebells like swings, rows, snatches and goblet squats. Opting for a full set lets you choose different weights for every kind of workout. And fortunately, Fitvids’ happen to be rust resistant, so it won’t matter if you get a little sweaty when you’re using them.
3. Back Support: Angle your Flybird gym bench depending on what kind of exercise you’re doing — recline it for some skull crushers, or prop it upright to get in a few overhead presses. As long as it’s adjustable (like Flybird’s), it’s going to be a great fit for your workout space. It’s super easy to assemble, and if you don’t like it, you can return it for up to one year.
4. Out of the Box: Whether you’re doing box jumps or doing weighted step-ups, a plyometric jump box can be used for a variety of exercises. It’s made with high-density foam, which means it’ll stay put and won’t bruise your shins if you miss.
5. Stay Balanced: Even though it might not feel as though a balance board is helping you get ripped, it’s increasing balance and core strength. Spend a few minutes every day on it, and you’ll start to see a serious difference (and you’ll have long-term benefits!). Plus, it’s portable, so you can take it wherever you go.
6. Pull Ups: Deck out your doorway with an ergonomic pull-up bar. It comes with several grips, allowing you to work all kinds of muscles. And it stays in place with smart hooks, so it won’t take down the molding over your door (we promise!). Just make sure it’s installed securely so you won’t end up on the floor.
7. Quad Queen: Workout your hammies, glutes and quads with a leg press machine. Yes, it’s large and up there, price-wise, but it provides an easy way to build your lower-body strength. Waxman’s leg press comes with 30-day returns and customer support, too, in case you have any questions or issues with your machine.
8. Chest and Shoulders Day: Work your upper body with a pulley home gym machine. Do some fly’s, shoulder presses, lat pull-downs and more. Installation is easy, and you can also take advantage of 30-day returns, if you decide it isn’t right for you.
9. Leg Day: Get those quads fired up with a seated leg curl machine. It can load up to 600 pounds of weight, and it’s easy to adjust based on your height. The warranty for this is great, too — two years for frame issues, and one year for all the other parts, in case anything goes wrong.
10. Gains: Squat rack always taken at the gym? Get them in at home. The Harison Squat Rack comes with two barbell storage racks that can be adjusted to 10 different heights. It’s also super heavy duty and stable, so you don’t have to worry about piling on too much weight.
10 Accessories For Stretch, Recovery and More
1. Namaste: Whether you’re taking a virtual flow class in the comfort of your home gym or you’re simply stretching your hammies after a grueling workout, having a yoga mat is an easy reminder to get in a post-workout stretch. Grab a full set of non-slip mats so you and your family can each have your own—just remember to spray them down after each use.
2. Roll It Out: Regardless if you’re training for a race or simply getting in an after-work pump, foam rolling after will speed up the recovery process and prevent soreness. Amazon Basics’ High Density Foam Roller is less than $20 and it will totally get the job done.
3. Muscle Roller: Get rid of knots, increase circulation and prevent stiffness with a handheld muscle roller. Even though it’s similar to a foam roller, it allows you to target more specific muscle groups. The best part is that it’s portable and lightweight so you can take it anywhere.
4. Relaxation: There’s a reason why Theragun’s Therabody Massage Gun is so popular. It’s Bluetooth-enabled so you can customize your treatments in an app on your phone. It’s also incredibly lightweight and it comes with three attachments to get a different type of experience every time.
5. Stretch Strap: If you’ve ever gone to a yoga class, you’ve likely used a stretch strap. It helps you deepen your stretch and even comes with a book so you can go beyond your regular routine.
6. Slanted: Slant boards help you stretch your calves and hammies by providing an incline to step on for recovery and restoration. These inexpensive yet highly useful tools aren’t just for post-workout! You can also use them for squats and ankle mobility.
7. Baller: Use a yoga ball to make your situps a little harder, stretch your back and more. It’s free of metals and phthalates and can sustain up to 330 pounds. Just try not to let your pup play with it…from personal experience, this won’t end well for the yoga ball.
8. Goal Tracker: Make sure you’re hitting your goals with a fitness journal. Of course, you can just use a regular pad of paper, but this journal is designed to help you achieve your fitness goals. It comes with a calendar and logs to specifically track your body composition.
9. Resistance Bands: Whether you’re adding in a little strength training or working on physical therapy, resistance bands are a low-impact tool to help. Grab a set of resistance bands that come in different colors based on their strength levels to make sure you’re challenging yourself.
10. Wheel of Pain: Finish off your workout with an ab roller wheel. Even though it’s going to be a painful end to your workout, it’ll definitely pay off in the long run. It’s just $25 and because it’s equipped with two wheels, it’s sturdier than the average ab roller with a single wheel.
10 Accessories to Make the Space
1. Floor Safe: The foam flooring you often see at gyms isn’t for looks. It’s so your floor won’t be damaged after you accidentally drop a weight or by any of your cardio machines. You can get multiple sets of interlocking foam mats, but a set of 12 should do for a medium-sized space.
2. Make Mat: If you’d prefer a large mat to the interlocking foam floor cover, Gorilla Mats makes a 9’ x 6’ mat that’s nearly the size of a large rug. It’s easy to clean and it works on any type of floor (even carpeting) to protect it from damage inflicted by weights, cardio machines, sweat and more.
3. Strike a Pose: Aside from using a mirror to check out your progress (because seriously, you look amazing), a mirror will help you determine if your form is on-point. A full-length 48”x 60” wall mirror will allow you to see your entire body while you’re working out. That way, you can make sure you’re doing the correct motions during your lift.
4. Comes in Handy: Protect your hands during a long lifting sesh with a set of workout gloves. They’re ergonomic, providing joint and muscle protection. And you won’t experience nasty blisters when lifting heavy…that’s the goal.
5. Décor: What’s a gym without a few exercise posters? Vive’s workout posters provide you with suggestions for stretches, bodyweight workouts and yoga poses. That way, you’ll never start a workout without something in mind.
6. Run to the Beat: In a home gym, you don’t need to worry about putting in headphones—this is your house, baby! Blast your favorite tunes on Alexa’s newest speaker and ask her to switch the song if what you’re listening to just isn’t the vibe of your workout.
7. Channel Strength: If you’re more interested in disassociating to reality TV while you feel the burn, mount Insignia’s 24” TV to your wall. It’s only $70 and projects a pretty clear picture so you can watch the “Real Housewives” in HD.
8. Hydrate: There’s nothing worse than having to run to the kitchen during your workout to rehydrate. It’s your house, your rules—install a bottom-loading water cooler in your home gym. It’s less than $200 and it’s super easy to re-load…why not?
9. Wipe Down: Keep yourself and guests comfortable with a set of microfiber gym towels. Display them by the door to make your home gym feel like an Equinox—just don’t forget to throw them in the wash every once in a while!
10. Tidy Up: When you’re all done with your workout, keep things clean with Wipex Gym Cleaner Wipes. The mostly-vinegar solution is all-natural but kills odors and bacteria.
