So you’ve decided to create a home gym. Maybe you want to save yourself the drive to your local gym, or perhaps you’d like to pocket those membership fees. Whatever your reasoning, building your very own home gym is an exciting, yet daunting adventure. One of the biggest questions you’ll ask is, “What equipment do I need?”.

In this guide, we’ll go over our recommended picks when it comes to the best gym equipment, followed by some useful information that will help you create the best workout space right in your home. Let’s get started.

What Is the Best Gym Equipment to Have at Home?

This is a loaded question because the answer depends on your fitness goals and what you’re trying to accomplish. However, to help you get started, we’ve outlined our top starter picks you’ll definitely want to consider.

Dumbbells

It’s always nice to walk into a gym and see a whole section filled with dumbbells. However, you don’t need an entire weight bench system to give your body a workout.

Invest in a few pairs for your home gym. Go with a light, medium, and heavy weight depending on your fitness level. With dumbbells, you’ll have plenty of exercise options to choose from, ranging from arms to legs to core workouts.

Have more than one person using your home gym? Consider investing in adjustable dumbbells. These will save space and money since you won’t need to purchase multiple individual weights for every person who plans on using the gym.

Adjustable Bench

There are several reasons to incorporate an adjustable bench into your home gym. For starters, they’re useful for so many different exercises like step-ups, presses, flys, rows, and more. And since you’re able to change angles, you can target different muscle groups. Most adjustable benches also fold or have wheels, making them great for small spaces.

Another great perk to adjustable benches is that you can pair them with several other items on this list. For example, you can use resistance bands or dumbbells if you want to perform isolation exercises for the back, chest, arms, legs, and shoulders. With an adjustable bench, the possibilities are endless!

Pull-up Bar

Commonly referred to as a chin-up bar, you can’t go wrong by adding a pull-up bar to your home workout. They offer a great way to exercise your core, arms, and chest. And, they take up very little room. You can either mount it onto your doorway, wall, or ceiling.

The best option for you depends on the amount of weight you need the chin-up bar to support or whether you want a drill-free pull-up bar. While doorway options are more convenient, wall or ceiling-mounted varieties offer increased stability.

Jump Rope

This next must-have will take you back to your childhood. You probably remember jumping rope during physical education classes or among friends. To this day, it remains an excellent way to stay active and get the heart rate up.

Jump rope to warm up or to incorporate cardio into your workouts. You’ll quickly find this activity helps improve coordination, gets your heart rate going, and burns calories, among other benefits. Plus, it’s travel-friendly, so you can easily pack it with you if you want to get a quick workout in during vacation!

Resistance Bands

We wanted to start with a simple way to add tension to any workout: resistance bands. These are a must-have for any home workout, as you can use them for just about any body part.

Want to work out your chest? Anchor the band behind you (around a door or pole), grip the handles, and push forward like you would a bench press. Need to exercise your legs? Step on the band, hold the handles at shoulder height, and squat down as normal.

These versatile, budget-friendly bands are perfect for at-home workouts. And because of how compact and portable they are, you can easily take your workout outdoors.

Exercise Mat

If you don’t have one already, you’ll be glad you invested in a quality exercise mat for stretching, working on your abs, or doing floor work. Not only do they provide a comfortable spot to lie on, but they also offer cushioning for your joints, prevent slipping, and protect your flooring from scuffs, sweat, or equipment damage.

Stability Ball

Enhance your overall fitness routine with a stability ball. These versatile tools are useful for core strengthening, improving posture, and balance training. Like many of the must-have picks on this list, stability balls have multiple uses. 

You can use them to stretch, perform planks, squats, and more. If you decide to add this to your home gym, ensure you choose a stability ball that fits your height.

Cardio Equipment

We can’t wrap up our list of best starter picks without even mentioning cardio equipment.

If your budget allows and you have the space for it, consider incorporating one piece of cardio equipment. We’ve listed our top picks below, along with a brief pros and cons.

• Stationary bikes work wonders for raising your heart rate and burning fat; they offer a low-impact workout and strengthen the lower body. You may burn fewer calories compared to cycling outside, but the added convenience of a Speediance VeloNix is a great bonus.

• Treadmills offer great control over speed and incline, are great for weight loss, and allow you to run regardless of the weather. However, they are bulky and, since they’re high impact, can lead to joint pain.

• Elliptical machines are a cross between treadmills and indoor bikes. They’re great for calorie burning, are low impact, and work out the lower and upper body. However, these machines are very large and oftentimes pricey.

• Rowing machines, like ellipticals, are very large and can be expensive. However, if you have the space and budget, they’re great if you’re looking for a full-body workout. They’re also low-impact and great for all fitness levels.

Why You Should Consider an All-In-One Smart Home Gym Instead

All-in-one smart home gyms like the Gym Monster 2 are rising in popularity and for good reason. They offer space-saving capabilities, smart features, improved safety, and more.

Here are four reasons to consider a smart home gym in the comfort of your home.

Space Saver

All-in-one smart home machines are extremely versatile. One unit alone can replace multiple machines, attachments, and pieces of equipment.

Want to do chest flys? Check. Deadlifts? Check. Lateral pulldowns? Check.

Because they support a wide range of exercises and are equipped with several attachments, you don’t need to jump around from one machine to the next. This makes them ideal for small home gyms because of their space-saving capabilities.

Smart Features

Machines like the Gym Monster 2 have several smart features. For example, you can adjust resistance digitally, as opposed to manually adjusting plates. This smart feature also offers improved precision and helps maintain consistent weight loads.

Further, the large touchscreen allows for guided workouts, feedback, and tracking. These features are attractive for individuals looking for an innovative, smart gym experience. Sounds impressive, right? And this is just the beginning of the smart features offered!

Tracking and Programming

Smart machines like the Gym Monster 2 feature built-in software and guided workouts that help you stay on track and remain consistent with your workouts. It logs progress, suggests resistance adjustments, and compares workouts. It’s almost like having a personal trainer keeping you on track and helping you stay motivated!

Safety and Ease of Use

Since these machines are made up of cable-based, smart resistive systems, there’s less risk for injury when compared to free weights. You can increase or decrease the weight at the touch of a button. And, if you’re a beginner or solo user, we have good news! Due to its smart safety features, no spotter is necessary to load or unload safely.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Home Gym?

Which is better: a home gym or going to the gym? Here are a few reasons individuals recommend the home gym route.

No Gym Membership Fees

Home gyms don’t require any gym membership fees (or hidden costs!). Sure, you’ll need to invest in home gym equipment, but this is a one-time purchase. And, you’ll get to keep the equipment used afterward.

All-in-one machines like the Gym Monster 2 also offer guided programs. Think about how much it costs to hire a personal trainer at a gym on top of the membership fee. You can use this money toward a smart machine, saving you money in the long run.

Home Gyms are Always Open

How many times have you skipped going to the gym because you were too comfortable in your home? For many, it’s a daunting task to get out of the house and to the gym. Or perhaps you got to the gym a little too late and are rushing to squeeze a workout in before they close.

You’ll eliminate both of these problems immediately by working out right in your home. Say goodbye to commutes and hours of operation! When you have a fitness space in your home, your gym is open 24/7.

Convenience is Unmatched

When your gym is located within the comfort of your home, you enjoy unmatched convenience, like having access to your favorite equipment without having to leave your house. 

When you factor in the time it takes you to get ready to head out for the gym, the drive time, and then the wait to use your favorite equipment, you need to factor in 2-3 hours just to get your workout in.

Therefore, nothing beats the convenience of having a dedicated fitness space right in your home, as you can design it to work for you.

Cheaper in the Long Run

It’s no surprise that home gyms are cheaper long-term. Aside from membership dues, you’ll save money on gas, car wear, and lost time. If you have others in your household who also exercise, a home gym offers shared value, as it eliminates the need to pay for multiple memberships.

What To Consider When Choosing Home Gym Equipment

As with any large purchase, there are factors to consider before finalizing the items in your shopping cart. These include fitness goals, available space, budget, and warranty.

Let’s break each of them down.

Fitness Goals

Understanding your fitness goals will help you determine the type of equipment you need. If your main goal is cardio, then you’ll want to invest in equipment like a treadmill, rowing machine, jump rope, or a spin bike. If your focus is strength, opt for dumbbells, a cable machine, an adjustable bench, or kettlebells.

Available Space

Where in your home do you want to set up shop? How much space does this area have?

Knowing how much space you can dedicate to your home gym is crucial. Luckily, if you’re working with a small area, there are many space-saving options like all-in-one machines, adjustable dumbbells, or equipment that folds away.

Budget

How much can you afford? This is a simple question that varies from person to person. Think about how much you already spend a year on a gym membership. Calculating this number is a good starting point since this is money you’re spending already.

When you figure out how much you can afford to spend, knowing what equipment you need becomes easier. Familiarize yourself with the prices of different gym equipment to make an informed shopping decision. And remember, you don’t need to buy everything at once! Start with the basics and go from there.

Warranty

Home gym equipment can be expensive; therefore, you want to ensure the equipment you buy includes a warranty. Most reputable brands offer warranties, but always ask if you’re unsure. Depending on the product and brand, coverage may be for a few years or lifetime support. Make sure this is top of mind when building your home gym.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Most Effective Home Exercise Equipment?

It’s difficult to say since this depends largely on your fitness goals, space, and budget. If your goal is cardio, then a treadmill or stairmaster can be a good choice. If you’re looking for strength training options, dumbbells or a cable station may be more effective. An all-in-one solution can also be excellent as it replaces multiple machines, attachments, and equipment.

What Equipment Should Every Home Gym Have?

While the right equipment for home gyms varies from person to person, here are our top picks to help you get started: Resistance bands, dumbbells, pull-up bar, jump rope, exercise mat, stability ball, adjustable bench, and a cardio machine of your choice.

Final Thoughts

While it can feel daunting, having a home gym is one of the best investments you can make for your health. With the right setup, you can enjoy 24/7 access to a space that is personalized just for you. Start with simple essentials like dumbbells and resistance bands, or invest in an all-in-one smart home gym, such as the Gym Monster 2.

Shop Speediance today and transform your home into the ultimate training space!