Best Compact Home Gym Equipment of 2024, According to Fitness Experts
The first step to building your dream (hidden) gym is figuring out what type of equipment will best suit your fitness goals. Whether you want to improve your strength training or increase your endurance with aerobic exercise, knowing the details to look out for will make the shopping process easier. In this case, weight, portability, and versatility are important factors.
Things to consider
weight and portability
While not all of the equipment on this list is small in size, they are all lightweight and portable. For example, the Merach Walking Pad is just over 45 inches long but has wheels for easy maneuverability. Because it is slim, it can be stored under the bed (!). Training equipment often has exact dimensions listed, so be sure to check the specifications before ordering.
versatility
Sheridan recommends choosing equipment that can be used for a variety of workouts. Our overall pick for the best TRX Home 2 system ticks the boxes perfectly when it comes to tackling strength training and cardio. Overall, it all depends on your fitness goals and personal preferences.
How we choose
To help you find the best compact home gym equipment, we first consulted physiotherapist Kieran Sheridan for recommendations on the key categories you should consider in your home gym depending on your goals. Then, as Women’s Health’s Fitness Commerce Editor, I test most of the recommended equipment and cross-reference my experience with previous tests conducted by Women’s Health experts and editors across categories to find the best fit. I found a device.
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Best Overall Compact Home Gym Equipment
TRX Home 2 System
Cons Most expensive option on this list
Our team has decided that the TRX Home 2 system is the best multipurpose piece of compact home gym equipment you can invest in because of its lightweight and versatile features. I love that my shoebox apartment takes up zero surface area while still supporting both strength training and cardio.
Simply hook the TRX Home 2 system to the back of a door, beam, or pole using the included anchor. Hooks and suspension straps stay in place while performing explosive movements like lunges and squats, which is essential for safety. I installed it on the back of the door in my apartment. I was able to install it properly on the first try and it did not budge no matter how much weight I applied to it.
I’ve used it over a dozen times and never felt unbalanced or at risk of injury. It may seem flimsy, but I have proven that it is strong and powerful. For added stability, the strap has a non-slip handle recommended by Sheridan.
What makes this product top-notch is its superior durability to withstand high-intensity, low-impact training. Even with weekly use, the anchor will not wear out and will feel like new. You get what you pay for. Additionally, the TRX Home 2 system was specifically designed and proven effective by Navy SEALs over 20 years ago.
As a runner, it’s a great way to cross-train muscles you don’t usually use or stretch out tired limbs. I also plan to use it for quick workouts in my hotel room while on vacation, as I need my daily endorphins.
Read more: Best portable home gyms
Weight 1.7 lbs Strength training Yes Cardio exercise Yes
Compact home gym equipment perfect for aerobic exercise
merak walking pad
There’s a reason walking pads are so popular. Achieve your step goals easily at home and take up minimal space. Whether you’re watching TV or working, the Merach Walking Pad is slim and weighs just 40 pounds, making it easy to pack away. I wouldn’t say it’s light, but compared to other brands like Sperax and SupeRun which are close to 50 pounds, it’s definitely easier to maneuver with the included wheels. The Merach Walking Pad is my go-to for walking with the sexy girl at my desk when I know I can’t go outside. It fits well and slides easily underneath. Compared to other walking pads, this is the most portable and mobile model we tested.
The Merach only reaches speeds of up to 6.1 km/h, making it ideal for long distance and endurance walking rather than speed. I wish the incline could be adjusted, but the non-slip and quiet belt makes up for that. The motor is designed to be inaudible and plates are added to the machine to reduce noise. This isn’t the only walking pad on the market with these features, but I can attest that this one actually does what it claims.
Weight: 40 lbs. No strength training, with aerobic exercise.
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best compact home gym equipment resistance bands
Pvolve P.Band
Pros No-slip, secure fit Built-in gloves and wrist straps Heavy duty Cons Upper body training only
Resistance bands are Sheridan’s favorite for strength training, stretching, and rehabilitation exercises. However, the Pvolve P.band is unique in that it is specifically made for arm, back, and shoulder training. This band isn’t compatible with leg workouts, but since I tend to get frustrated when bands slip or get tangled during lower body sessions, I like to do bodyweight or dumbbell movements on leg days anyway. What differentiates these bands is the built-in woven gloves and wrist straps that keep you securely in place during upper body workouts. The gloves provide individualized support and grip to each finger as you stretch the approximately 14-inch latex band, making it definitely feel safer compared to traditional resistance bands.
I love using this to do pull-aparts, banded push-ups, and rowing exercises. They’re only a fraction of the size of dumbbells, and the high tension will ignite your upper body while strengthening your core. It is also ideal for physical therapy practice and injury nursing because it has low impact and puts less strain on joints. Like the best overall picks, you can just toss it in the drawer after you’ve worked up a sweat. If you’re looking for a traditional set of bands for your upper and lower body, we recommend the editor-tested Fit Simplify resistance bands.
Weight 0.2 lbs Strength Training Yes Aerobic No
Compact home gym equipment perfect for strength training
LifePro Adjustable Dumbbell
Pros More affordable than other adjustable dumbbells Not too heavy, making it easy to carry Non-slip grip Cons Only weighs up to 25 pounds if you want to lift heavier weights
Using adjustable dumbbells is a shortcut to pumping heavy iron at home. This set from LifePro comes in five weight ranges: 5 lbs, 10 lbs, 15 lbs, 20 lbs, and 25 lbs, and is easily adjustable with a locked slider. We’re going to need more resistance,” Sheridan says. One adjustable set means you don’t have to keep buying new bells as you gain strength.
This LifePro set is our pick because it’s much more affordable and portable than other options on the market like Bowflex or NordicTrack. By the way, a set of Bowflex dumbbells costs over $400 and weighs over 100 pounds, while these dumbbells cost less than $200 and weigh 50 pounds. In our research, we found them to be easy to adjust and have the same non-slip grip as more expensive options.
When it comes to workouts, adjustable dumbbells are perfect for classic strength exercises like bicep curls and sumo squats, or as an addition to yoga to increase intensity. Plus, thanks to the non-slip grip, you don’t have to worry about losing control while moving.
Weight 50 lbs Strength Training Yes Cardio No
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meet an expert
Kieran Sheridan is a registered physiotherapist and founder of GulfPhysio, a physiotherapy supply store.
Nicolette Accardi is the Fitness Commerce Editor at Women’s Health, specializing in running content. She likes to test shoes and other running gear while training for a race to chase her next best time. Nicolette studied Journalism and Health Sociology at Rutgers University. She has written for NJ.com, VICE, Rolling Stone, NBC News Select, and US News & World Report.
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