Those of you who want to maintain a healthy work-life balance should create a dedicated space in your house that serves as an at-home gym. Yes, it’s an investment. But, rather than continually rotating between couches and screens all day long, you can break up the hours at home by squeezing in some much-needed cardio or weight training. In the end, you’ll be able to live, work, exercise, and stay healthy, all without leaving your home.
Here is a selection of top-notch fitness equipment to consider, many of which are smart or internet-connected. We’ve also included some accessories to help build out your home gym in ways both traditional and innovative.
If you love to cycle or simply want the hottest, trendiest piece of equipment you can buy right now, look no further than Peloton’s exercise bike. The best part is it’s great for all fitness levels, so if you’re a total newbie to spin bikes, you’ll catch on quickly and be able to burn a ton of calories in a relatively short amount of time for a true full-body workout. This makes it easy for you to jump into any routine with your smart home gym equipment – without having to make time for live classes or a personal trainer. The optional leaderboard allows you to work out with your Peloton community and match that tempo, no studio required.
If you’d like a similar experience for a lower upfront and monthly costs or if you just want to buck the trendy option, check out our list of the best Peloton alternatives.
Pros
Brand recognition can’t be beatLive classes and on-demand workout selection are some of the biggest and bestSolid, minimalistic design that defined an entire category of imitators
Cons
That brand recognition comes at a costConnected features are extremely limited without $39/month subscription
The service costs $20 a month or $149 annually. It’s worth noting that, if you’d rather avoid the monthly fee, you can use your VeloCore without it. Pros
Leaning Mode increases immersion and adds core muscles to workoutsFirst year of required service and free weights are both includedIncluded Bluetooth HR armband allows tracking of off-bike workouts as wellJRNY companion app is about half the price of Peloton’s after the first year at $19.99 per month
Cons
Screen resolution isn’t as high Peloton’s No live workouts, only on-demand and virtual ridesSmaller number of available workouts and exercise types than some competing services like Peloton and Echelon
The first of these is Bowflex’s Treadmill 22. This unit features a huge 22-inch display, as the name would suggest, offering a lot of screen real estate to display the massive library of on-demand and adaptive workouts made available through the JRNY app. It also lets runners needing some distraction watch content from Netflix and Disney+. Even without all of these advanced, connected features taken into account, the Tread 22 is still an excellent treadmill from a construction and hardware standpoint, offering a top speed of 12MPH, maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds, and inclines of up to a grueling 20%. Pros
Commercial-grade build qualityBuilt-in streaming support means you can skip the tablet for content consumptionBuilt-in streaming services to keep boredom away
Cons
PriceyJRNY subscription required for connected running programsTakes up considerable floor space
Comfort features like NordicTrack’s Reflex Cushioning and built-in Bluetooth connectivity for your favorite workout headphones make this unit a complete. albeit pricey, package. If you want something cheaper, but with a smaller screen, the Nordictrack X22i is $2,799 and offers the majority of the same features. Pros
40% incline does an excellent job of simulating mountain hikes and supporting HIIT workouts4.25HP motor is one of the most powerful we’ve seen Massive screen provides immersive virtual running experiences
Cons
That $4,000 price tagOnly a single month of iFit included while less expensive models offer a yearRequires ample floor space
The Hydrow is a high-end smart rower. It features a 22-inch full HD screen, electromagnetic resistance, a cushioned seat, and adjustable pedals. It also works with a $38-per-month (or $456 for a year) subscription that offers on-demand and live workouts, including classes with “Olympians and world-class rowers.” Even better, a single membership works for your entire family, allowing multiple members of the household to make use of the device and its companion app. Pros
Live and on-demand workouts with real trainers in real watercraftRelatively lightweight and easy to move, compared to larger machines on the listStrava support for tracking fitness goals, heart rate, etc.
Cons
Laser-focused with no support for non-rowing workoutsTakes up considerable floor space
Still, NordicTrack is an established name. Its RW900 rower offers a 22-inch HD screen with access to the iFit live and on-demand rowing and other classes. The rowing machine itself offers 26 digital resistance levels, an inertia-enhanced flywheel, pivoting pedals, and the entire machine is foldable from the get-go. Pros
Cheaper than the Hydrow with similar build qualityCompanion iFit platform offers comprehensive fitness content for other exercisesFolds for easier storage
Cons
Lower maximum resistance weight than HydrowiFit subscription required for most advanced features.
The literal, full-length mirror includes a 43-inch LCD screen to display stats and content. It lives behind the reflective cover that you can use to check your form while taking live and on-demand fitness classes ($39-per-month membership required). There are classes for a broad range of activities, such as yoga, strength, and cardio – all with different lengths and fitness levels. The service even offers one-on-one personal training, which takes advantage of the built-in camera so that your trainer can interact with you to provide real-time feedback. The mirror comes with a Bluetooth heart-rate monitor and six fitness bands, too. Pros
One-on-one interactivity with live trainers offers an experience most machines on this list can’t matchTakes up no floor spaceMinimalist design would be at home in nearly any bedroom or home gym
Cons
Installation is a bit more complex than most alternatives on this listSome might find the live trainer and connected webcam more of a privacy risk than featureSome supported exercise programs require additional equipment
Offering up to 200 pounds of resistance, Tonal can provide the user with serious weights for a variety of lifting workouts thanks to its highly positionable arms. Combined with guided workouts, real-time feedback, and on-the-fly resistance adjustment, the unit offers a comprehensive home gym experience for those wanting the most connected workout possible. Pros
Compact alternative to massive, weight-based home gymsSupports a variety of traditional weight training exercisesOn-handle controls provide access to weight changes without dropping them
Cons
A pricey way to replace weights and resistance devicesWorkouts require $49 per month membershipBuilt-in resistance requires sturdy, possibly professional installation
Other bonus accessories include a heart rate monitor, a workout mat, and a foam roller. Like other smart exercise equipment in this guide, you can use the Tempo to participate in live and on-demand classes for $39 a month. Workouts range from high-intensity interval training to strength training. It also uses AI and its built-in camera to watch you workout and give tips on your form and progress. Tempo also now offers its Tempo Move alternative, a small cabinet unit that still includes a set of free weights and dumbbells. But it relies on your television and iPhone for the display and connectivity required for its workouts. It uses the same $39 a month membership to provide workouts as its more comprehensive cousin. Pros
Compact design offers a small, one-stop solution for free weight and bodyweight workoutsClear color coding and simplistic setup offer stress free ways to vary your routineFreestanding unit doesn’t require professional installationBuilt-in AI can correct bad form and improve workout effectiveness
Cons
Takes up more floorspace than similar, wall-mounted solutionsStill requires a $39/month membership for full functionality
The base FightCamp package, which includes the wraps and required sensors, costs $399. Adding a free-standing punching bag to the mix raises the cost to $999. As for FightCamp’s classes, those are part of a $39-per-month subscription. For that price, you gain access to hundreds of on-demand sessions with guided boxing techniques. Since there’s no screen included, you’ll have to use your own TV or mobile device to interface with the systems’ sensor data. Pros
Low buy-in cost if you’ve already got a heavy bag availableUnique offering allows for stress-relieving boxing workouts at home or in the gymOptional live and in-person coaching services are available with monthly subscription package
Cons
Requires you to provide a mobile device for all functionalityRequired hand wraps eventually will need to be replaced
The elliptical is fully integrated with iFit, providing access to elite personal trainers and guided workouts where you’re taken through terrain in places like the Canary Islands. The simulated workout experience automatically adjusts both incline and resistance on your machine as you go. You get one month of iFit for free with the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9, and then it’s $180 for the annual individual plan, $39 per month for a family plan, or $396 for a full year of the family plan (iFit no longer offers a monthly subscription for the individual plan). The machine will work without iFit, but you won’t have access to guided workouts without it. Pros
High level of adjustability makes strides feel right for any size userWorkout fan provides simulated breezes and keeps you coolIncluded Bluetooth support pairs with your favorite earbuds
Cons
Screen is on the smaller side, which isn’t great for immersionStationary screen makes it hard to use iFit’s “total body” training courses
Whichever type of machine you’re looking to replace, this model offers a low-impact piece of home fitness equipment that can help you stay in shape without stressing your joints. While the unusual mechanism doesn’t come cheaply, that price also buys you a 10-inch HD touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as connectivity with the iFit platform of live and on-demand classes. Pros
Unique stride motion can’t be duplicated by any other machineOffers some of the most varied exercises available in a single unit Automated incline and resistance adjustments allow for more realistic virtual runs
Cons
Stride adjustment levels are somewhat narrowHybrid design takes up considerable floor spaceSmaller screen than many similarly priced machines
If you’re looking for a high-tech, dynamic stair stepper that’s relatively compact and provides access to virtual classes, this is the machine for you. It also has a built-in device holder that allows you to use a smartphone or tablet for more advanced JRNY features while relying on its built-in backlit display for other workout metrics. Pros
Provides a similar low-impact workout to an elliptical while taking up far less floor spaceCan track heart rate via built-in handles or compatible Bluetooth devicesStepper/elliptical design offers a more complete workout than a bike or treadmill
Cons
Quite pricey for a machine without a large, built-in display for classesRequires fairly extensive assembly
Here is your decision tree:
At the bare minimum, we’d say a cardio machine such as an indoor bike or treadmill is a safe choice, but you could also consider a specialty machine for a more varied way to get your heart rate up. Options like the Mirror will also offer you at-home personal training, while the Tempo Studio and Tonal can help with strengthening your muscles. The most important thing is that you set your goals and use this list to help you find the right products, within your budget, to meet them.
If you’re looking to set up a complete home gym, we recommend starting with a fitness or yoga mat. From there, pick up a “dumb” exercise kit, such as resistance bands, pull-up bars, jump ropes, punching bags, or free weights. Finally, get yourself a roller to soothe your sore muscles, and a fitness tracker like the Versa 3 to track your fitness goals.
Of course, your priorities here depend on which of the featured machines, if any, you selected. Its entirely possible to get an excellent workout in with just the lower-cost items included in this section. However, it will require more work on your part to seek out and track workout routines. But for many athletes, that extra challenge might actually be attractive.
If you went all in and purchased one of each of the machines and products we featured here, you won’t save much money. But, you will save time on your commute to the gym and will gain the convenience of being able to work out whenever you want, however you want, wearing whatever you want – not to mention never having to worry about fielding unwanted comments on your form. All in all, deciding to set up a home gym shouldn’t be about cost alone, though we understand it is a big piece of the pie. That’s why we provided you with a range of options across different price points. Feel free to buy in as much or as little as you feel comfortable with based on your personal goals and commitments.
On top of convenience, a home gym offers you additional privacy. You get to work out in a way that is most comfortable for you.
Over time, a home gym also can save you money. If you work out regularly and use your equipment often, you’ll be able to squeeze additional value out of your home gym by skipping the monthly fee that a gym requires.
For free weight, yoga, and bodyweight resistance exercises where you’ll be standing directly on the floor, a fitness or yoga mat is ideal at the very least. Foam and rubber panels that snap together are relatively cheap, and they also will protect your joints as well as your floor.
