The Best Home Gyms That Streamline Your Workouts
The best home gyms bring the perks of a fitness center to your own personal space, making the dreaded workout a more convenient task. Unlike crowded local gyms with pricey memberships, a home gym allows you to focus on your routine—there’s no need to share weights, stand in line for an elliptical or wipe someone else’s sweat off an old machine. And while an all-in-one home gym may seem pricey, the upfront cost will pay dividends in the long run when compared to monthly membership fees at your local fitness center. Be it a dedicated room filled with equipment or a spare set of dumbbells for the living room, there’s never been a better time to elevate your home gym.
Streamline your home gym with the best all-in-one workout systems.
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Having a clear vision in mind is the first step to successfully building out your home gym. Before leaping into a purchase, consider what types of workouts you enjoy, the available space in your home or apartment, and how the latest-and-greatest in workout equipment might factor into your routine. It’s also wise to reflect on your budget, as this will influence whether you’re willing to spend big bucks on a lavish treadmill, or if you should settle for simpler equipment. From there, you can test out your options in-person or evaluate online reviews to find equipment that meets your needs.
The all-in-one home gym market has skyrocketed in recent years as a result of the pandemic and modern technology that makes working out from home more convenient than ever before. It doesn’t hurt that today’s fitness equipment embraces vibrant screens, personal trainers and communities of fellow fitness enthusiasts—if you need any motivation, there’s plenty to go around. But because there’s no shortage of choices, we’ve taken the liberty of narrowing down your options to highlight the most reliable equipment that’s simple to set up and worth the expense. These are the best home gyms to maximize your at-home workouts.
If you’re looking for other award-winning fitness equipment, best sure to review our recommendations for the best rowing machines, weight benches and exercise bikes as well.
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Best Home Gym Overall
A Classic Gym with A Wealth of Strength Training Options
MOST POPULAR
Bowflex
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym
Bowflex has been a major player in the home gym space for decades, and with good reason—the company’s equipment allows you to perform a range of strength training exercises at home in a single semi-compact package. The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE features up to 210 pounds of resistance from the company’s “power rods,” which work like free weights but offer a smoother range of motion. (You have the option to purchase more resistance separately as you get stronger and your needs grow.)
There’s no need to change cables with this gym—you can simply transition from leg to arm workouts as you see fit, all without skipping a beat. Other features include a lat tower, four-position lower pulley and squat station, leg extension, ab crunch shoulder harness and more than 70 different exercises to cycle through. You’ll receive a manual with suggested workouts to help you get started, and the whole package comes in at a price point that’s considered modest for the home gym market, especially when you consider how comprehensive this station is.
Pros:
- Bowflex Power Rod adds up to 210 pounds of resistance
- 70+ exercises deliver dynamic workout opportunities
- 7-year warranty on the machine adds confidence to the purchase
Cons:
- Must buy add-on attachments to increase resistance
- Takes up space
Best Smart Home Gym
An All-In-One Gym That Offers Personalized Training
Tempo
Tempo Studio
Tempo Studio delivers plenty of the perks you’d enjoy at a “regular” gym, but all these perks can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. Choose from live and on-demand strength training classes led by expert trainers and receive feedback on your form and rep counts during your workout thanks to 3D sensors (for certain exercises). All that modern technology allows you to get in the zone without having to do math in the process.
An easel-style gym neatly packs away your weights but the structure is surprisingly mobile, so you can take your workout to another room if needed (but don’t get the wrong idea—even when it’s not stocked with weights, it’s still pretty heavy, so you probably won’t want to move it every day). And, while the base price of $2,495 isn’t cheap, there’s also a much less expensive Tempo Move that uses your phone and TV to achieve a similar workout for just $395.
Pros:
- 3D Tempo Vision tracks your form and reps
- Compact design saves valuable space
- Modern design with an HD touchscreen
Cons:
- Expensive when it’s not on sale
- Must purchase a membership separately for on-demand and live classes
- Equipment only comes with a 3-year limited warranty
Best Boxing Home Gym
Master Your Jabs And Hooks With Real-Time Tracking
FightCamp
FightCamp Trackers + Bag
FightCamp brings interactive, on-demand boxing to your living room, so you can master boxing skills anytime. The Trackers + Bag package features a freestanding boxing bag (measuring 5 feet, 7 inches tall by 2 feet wide), with the option to add water or sand to its base for enhanced stability.
Also included are two gel-padded quick wraps (small and large sizes available) to provide additional cushioning about your hands, alongside two trackers that can be tucked inside the hand wrap’s pocket to measure real-time metrics and track your progress. Plus, a jump rope and heart rate monitor are thrown in as freebies for good measure. And if you already own boxing equipment, the quick wraps and trackers can be purchased on their own for $99.
The FightCamp membership (purchased separately) offers over 1,000 on-demand classes with experienced trainers to guide you through workouts. Keep in mind, the equipment has a one-year warranty from the date of original delivery.
Pros:
- Trackable metrics make every workout entertaining
- Over 1,000 workouts available
- Up to five fitness profiles per membership
Cons:
- Membership must be purchased separately
- FightCamp gloves and freestanding base are not included in the price
Best Portable Home Gym
Mighty Workout Equipment With A Tiny Footprint
LIT Method
Lit Axis
Lit Axis by Lit Method is a smart resistance training system for on-the-go workouts. A multi-functional apparatus for strength and resistance training, high intensity interval training, cardio and recovery, it’s also your answer to an at-home reformer-style pilates workout (without the bulky equipment). Rather than fumble with tedious equipment, handles, ankle cuffs and adjustable Lit bands will work muscle groups both small and large, some of which you may not know exist.
Whilst it may seem expensive for a bundle of cables, the system features state-of-the-art technology that justifies the price tag. Unlike traditional suspension equipment, Lit’s setup relies on built-in sensors that pinpoint your axis of movement to track muscle imbalances and maintain form. It also counts reps, records the duration of your workouts and measures resistance, acting as your personal coach.
Tucked into a sleek carrying case, it’s also super portable if you want to take your workout outdoors or on vacation.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable design offers care-free transport
- Three months of complimentary access to the Lit Training app
- Five-year warranty on accessories
Cons:
- Anchor points are required for most exercises
Best Home Gym for Classes
The Classroom Feel (Without the Crowds)
Mirror
Mirror Pro
Fitness label Mirror pioneered the genre of smart fitness mirrors, and it’s still a formidable choice for those in need of a sleek, concealed home gym. This particular Mirror model offers a wide array of classes that include yoga, Pilates, boxing and many others, all of which are taught by expert trainers that appear in the display (and when the unit powers down, it looks like a traditional mirror). Simply hang it from the wall like you would any other mirror, or lean it against the wall so you don’t have to drill any holes.
A built-in camera allows you to workout with fellow Mirror-owning friends and receive the occasional live feedback and shoutout from trainers while you work up a sweat. The Mirror Pro kit comes with a slew of accessories to help you along the way, including a yoga mat, free weights, resistance bands and stretching strap.
Pros:
- Includes a slew of at-home equipment
- Surround sound and LED display create an immersive experience
- Bluetooth compatibility supports your favorite tunes and podcasts
Cons:
- Membership not included
- Only comes with a one-year warranty
Best Bodyweight Home Gym
A Just-The-Essentials Trainer If You Know What You Need
Amazon
Total Gym Apex G3
The Total Gym is a cable-based piece of equipment that allows you to to cycle through eight levels of resistance training with low impact to your joints. The Apex G3 features a padded, ergonomic glide board that allows you to use your bodyweight as a means of getting stronger, thereby eliminating complex systems. Easily work your way through dynamic exercises for your upper and lower body, and choose from more than 70 different moves in all.
This setup includes a slew of accessories, such as a wing attachment, squat stand, leg pull accessory and dip bars. You’ll also get access to Total Gym TV, an on-demand platform that lets you stream workouts. When you’re done working out, the whole thing folds away to save valuable space. This is a great option if you’re self-motivated and familiar with proper form and preferred workouts because this design doesn’t feature any extras like workout subscriptions or online training options—what you see is what you get.
Pros:
- Variety of bodyweight workouts keeps the process entertaining
- Accessories included
- Foldable design saves space when it’s not in use
Cons:
- System only supports up to 300 pounds
- Multiple comments highlight difficult assembly
Best Home Gym For Small Spaces
A Dynamic Machine That Doesn’t Take Up Space
Tonal
Tonal
If floorspace is at a premium in your home or apartment, Tonal definitely makes a case for the perfect home gym thanks to its minimalistic design. It secures firmly into your wall like a mirror without touching the ground, but it looks more like a piece of modern art when it’s not in use (and yes, it must be mounted on the wall, so that probably means you should consider other options if you’re renting).
Tonal contains all the weight you need through a pair of resistance-bearing arms that protrude from the sides of the device. It features thousands of live and on-demand workouts in a range of genres including HIIT, yoga, cardio and more, so there’s always something to keep you moving. And tonal also tracks your reps, sets and workouts over time, so you can see how much progress you’ve made without referring to your phone. The setup includes accessories like handles, a bar, rope and a weight bench.
Pros:
- Design mounts to the wall, saving on space
- Tailored personal training helps you dial in every workout
- Customized metrics offer much-needed fitness insights
Cons:
- Expensive setup
- Smart accessories come at an additional cost
- 12-month Tonal membership required
Best Home Gym For A Total-Body Workout
Push It To The Limit
Nordic Track
NordicTrack Fusion CST
The NordicTrack Fusion CST combines elements of more classic home gyms with smart features of the latest-and-greatest gyms to modernize your experience. The sleek machine features a pulley system with 20 resistance levels to help you push yourself, and a tablet screen lets you stream workouts, including ones where trainers can actually adjust your resistance to max out your workout.
This machine focuses on strength training and cardio, allowing you to check all your workout boxes at once. You’ll also receive a year’s worth of access to NordicTrack iFit, which allows you to stream your favorite workouts—and new ones are added daily to keep things fresh.
Pros:
- 20 resistance settings dial in every workout
- Delivers strength and cardio exercises
- High-tech HD touchscreen tablet modernizes the experience
Cons:
- Pricey setup
- Takes up a lot of space
How We Chose The Best Home Gyms
We relied on firsthand testing and independent, online reviews when selecting the best home gyms for your personal space. We tested some of these models ourselves (Forbes Vetted’s Gear Editor has used the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE, Mirror Pro and Total Gym Apex G3), and others we researched extensively, paying close to attention to reviews that highlight successes and shortcomings. When creating this list of the best home gyms, we considered product specifications, designs, features and particularities that set each model apart from the rest. And we regularly update our selection of the best home gyms to provide you with the latest information available. This piece was last updated January 2023.
Do Home Gyms Really Work?
As the saying goes, you get out what you put in—and that holds true for your workout, regardless of whether you’re curling dumbbells or participating in a cardio workout. Home gyms can help boost your motivation, especially through winter, and they provide an on-demand workout on your own time without requiring you to share equipment. Another factor to consider: Some home gyms can track and store personalized metrics to keep tabs on your progress, so you’ll always have valuable data at your fingertips.
Is It Cheaper To Build A Home Gym Or Purchase A Gym Membership?
Gym equipment can rack up an expensive bill, but you’ll save more in the long term when you build out a home gym, especially if you’re forking over hundreds every month for an exclusive gym membership with all the bells and whistles. On the other hand, if you’ve snagged yourself a bargain gym membership, a home gym may end up costing you more in the long run if you don’t workout very often. It’s not just about money though. Rather than traipsing to the gym before or after work or cutting into valuable hours during your weekend, maximizing time with an efficient home gym workout is also worth consideration. Ultimately, whether or not you should build out your home gym comes down to how often you’ll use it, and how much you’ll pay at your local gym.
Are Home Gyms Worth It?
How often do you workout? What types of exercise do you enjoy? Do you have a budget in mind and the space to setup a gym? These are key questions to consider before you start rearranging your living room for new equipment. Is a home gym worth the expense, hassle and space in your home if you have a local health club around the corner? If you’re after state-of-the-art technology not available in most gyms, a home gym is money well spent, especially if you prefer not to share your space or equipment with others. Even if you decide to keep your gym membership, you’ll quickly find that it’s nice to have some equipment available at home when you can’t make it to the gym or don’t have the energy to do so. A home gym is worth it no matter how big or small it may be.
