Building the perfect home gym can be tricky. Most of us are at least somewhat constrained by space, so we need home gym equipment that’s storable. And home gym essentials can also get expensive fast, so we’d love cheap home gym equipment when possible too. And, of course, we want the home gym gear that we’ll actually use and will be effective — what’s the point of investing in a piece of workout equipment that doesn’t do its job, or that we don’t know how to use? Whether we’re looking for a foldable treadmill for cardio, resistance equipment for strength training, or a mix of both, it can be hard to figure out what home gym essentials to shop.
This list of editor-approved home gym equipment is a great place to start. We’ve got everything from an exercise mat that will cushion your joints during your workouts to a 3-in-1 resistance band kit that will take you through every workout to a suspension trainer system that’ll leave you dripping in sweat. Plus, we found the cheap home workout equipment picks that’ll save you money while you build your dream home gym. Whether you’re building out a brand new room or just looking to set up some space in your studio apartment, this is the fitness gear you’re going to want to shop. So, get ready to get sweaty.
Stakt Foldable Yoga Mat ($88)
With a multi-purpose design in mind, the Stakt foldable mat is a unique pick for any fitness enthusiast. Featuring a non-slip surface, the mat can be folded during a workout session or for easy storage. Portable and lightweight, this foldable mat from Stakt is perfect for small spaces and home gyms. To learn more, read through our health and fitness staff writer’s review of the Stakt Mat here.
XTERRA Fitness TR Folding Treadmill ($491, originally $578)
Foldable treadmills got so popular over the past few years, with people using them to get their steps in while working from home. This particular model is our favorite because it folds up small but goes fast enough to actually let you run, not just walk, making it especially versatile.
PS 8lb Soft-Shell Kettlebell ($20)
A kettlebell is a real workhorse piece of equipment, so it makes a ton of sense to invest in one as part of your your home gym essentials. This periwinkle option has a soft coating, so it won’t rip up your hands while you’re doing kettlebell swings, shoulder presses, or other kettlebell exercises.
Stakt Adjustable Hand Weights ($98)
The Stakt Adjustable Hand Weights offer a convenient and versatile solution for strength training. Each hand weight clocks in at two pounds, but comes with two, two-pound screw-on attachments, meaning you can turn them into four- or six-pound weights too. The compact, ergonomic design makes them perfect for a variety of exercises, from low-impact classes at home to full-body conditioning. Read our health and fitness staff writer’s review of the Stakt Hand Weights here. (PS, we love the four color options too.)
Ikea Dajlien Exercise Mat ($50)
Ikea released their Dajlien line, which is full of home gym essentials meant to blend seamlessly with the rest of your decor. We love this exercise mat. It’s nice and big — so much room for activities — and because it’s an oval instead of the traditional rectangle, it looks more like a rug than an exercise mat at first glance.
PS Fabric Hip Bands ($15)
This pack or two hip bands are designed for lower-body exercises, and they’re genius: because they’re fabric, they won’t roll up mid-move or dig into your skin uncomfortably. They stay in place, without hurting you, so you can focus on getting the best burn possible.
TriggerPoint GRID Patented Multi-Density Foam Massage Roller ($63)
No home gym would be complete without a foam roller for recovery. This one is one of the highest rated on Amazon. People love it because it’s firm enough to really get the kinks out, but the padding is soft enough to avoid feeling like a torture device. This 15-minute foam roller routine is a great place to start.
Aurora Athletica Gym Towel ($15)
When you’re working out at home, a good towel is an essential piece of home gym equipment — you don’t want your drips of sweat to mess up your hardwood floors or sink into your carpet. We love this gym towel, which has a luxe feel and is good for sensitive skin.
PS 3-in-1 Resistance Tube Kit with Interchangeable Tubes ($20)
You’ll get light, medium, and heavy strengths with this kit, and the hands are padded to feel comfortable on your skin as you perform tricep kickbacks, bicep curls, and more. If you’re not sure about investing in dumbbells, tubes are a fantastic alternative, as you can perform many of the same strength moves and even get a full-body workout — and they save so much space.
TRX Strong System Workout Kit ($180)
This suspension trainer from TRX is a versatile tool, designed for everyone from complete fitness newbies to elite athletes. This kit comes with a suspension anchor (it can be used with a ceiling mount or other anchoring points) and a door anchor, and allows you to add extra challenge to your bodyweight workouts, mobility workouts, and even cardio.
Theragun Sense from Therabody ($199, originally $299)
For post-workout recovery, percussion-based modalities have been rising in popularity. Theragun Sense massage gun from Therabody even offers guided breathwork sessions through an app. Read our shopping editor’s full review here.
PS Step Deck ($30)
You heard it here first: step aerobics is back in a big way. These workouts are so much fun — you might not even notice how hard you’re working (but you definitely will the next day, when your lower body will be intensely sore). Plus, they can be adjusted to be low-impact if that’s a concern. This stable step deck is a must have if you’re interested in trying out a step-up workout, and it can be used in your everyday routine for knee-ups, split squats, and more.
Centr Weight Vest ($65)
The 20lb adjustable weight vest from Centr, a fitness brand founded by Chris Hemsworth, is designed to enhance your workout by adding extra resistance for increased intensity. With its customizable weight settings, it provides a comfortable and secure fit for a variety of exercises. There are 16 removable sand bags (weighing 1.25 lbs apiece) allowing you to swap out the weight, depending on the exercise. It’s even great for just walking (aka, rucking).
— Additional reporting by Mirel Zaman and Jade Esmeralda
India Yaffe was an associate editor on the Shopping team at PS for five years. She focused on curating the best fitness, fashion, beauty, and home products on the market for the PS audience.
Mirel Zaman (she/her) is the health and fitness director at PS. She has over 15 years of experience working in the health and wellness space, covering fitness, general health, mental health, relationships and sex, food and nutrition, spirituality, family and parenting, culture, and news.
Jade Esmeralda (she/her), MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.
