These Are The Home Gym Essentials You Actually Need

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These Are The Home Gym Essentials You Actually Need

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Finding time for a workout can often be a daunting task. To make it easier, set your home up with the best at-home gym equipment to minimize even the most well-intentioned excuses.

The best home gym setup starts with quality equipment. Our recommendations for the top gear and machines are based upon years of testing across many of these categories. For us, what defines good equipment is something that is easy to use, performs well, and is reliable and safe. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or looking for the best home gym equipment for beginners, our top picks have something for everyone.

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1) Neoprene Dumbbells

Fitness experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute regularly test dumbbells and hand weights for their durability, grip comfort, and stability. We also take into account how these items may look stored in your home and their practicality.

For the price, Amazon Basics does a great job with their fitness equipment and it can be tough to find a better value than these neoprene dumbbells. You can opt for a set of two from 1 - 20 pounds, or chose a set with 2-, 3-, and 5-lb weights. We also like their Rubber Encased Hex Hand Dumbbells if you're looking for heavier weights.

3/32 SLIDES © Bowflex

2) SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

There's nothing dumb about these weights that essentially combine 15 sets of weights into a single piece of equipment. If you're looking for a compact home gym, these weights can adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds without any additional components, and in 2.5 pound increments from 5-25 pounds.

Just twist the knob on the end to easily alternate weight for, say, lunges with higher weight and curls with lighter weight. This set is great for keeping designated home gym space organized and clutter-free.

4/32 SLIDES © GoFit

3) Kettlebells

$89.99

During our kettlebell tests, this was a top pick for us in the given its sturdy construction and comfortable handle. The smooth vinyl coating on the base of the kettlebell makes it a good choice for home gyms as it won't scratch your flooring, and it comes in a variety of weight sizes.

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4) KettlebellConnect Smart Kettlebell

$229.99

This smart kettlebell wowed us with its special features and integration with your smartphone (their app allows you to track reps and workouts, and also connects with Apple Health). Kettlebell Connect is adjustable, and weights range from 12-42 lbs in 6lb increments. For the price, you're essentially getting six kettlebells in one which is also space-efficient.

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5) Heavy Duty Fitness Kettlebell Rack

$64.99

Storage is just as important as equipment when it comes to creating the ultimate home gym. We tested this sturdy kettlebell rack that can hold up to 100lbs on the top shelf and 140lbs on the bottom shelf. The durability of the shelf impressed us, as well as the the two tier design that saves much-needed space in your home gym. The one thing to note is that it can scratch easily, so you'll want smooth vinyl coated kettlebells for this (it can also hold dumbbells too).

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6) Commercial 1750 Treadmill

$2750.00

This treadmill includes a 1-year membership to the coaching platform iFit, which offers an expansive library (12,000+!) of empowering workouts and includes the ability to live-stream workouts onto the 7" touchscreen monitor. You can set up to four profiles to track performance to help keep you accountable and motivated during your workout journey.

8/32 SLIDES © Peloton

7) Indoor Exercise Bike

$2245.00

Our Engineering Lab fell in love with this Peloton bike when it first debuted in 2014 thanks to its ingeniously tech-y yet simple concept: a large touchscreen mounted on a high-performance bike enabling you to livestream classes from studio classes. The bike monitors calories burned, power output, distance traveled, and cadence (pedaling rate). You can ride with the motivation of top fitness instructors, or take a virtual scenic ride on the bike for a leisurely stroll. We also love the corresponding Peloton Digital app that offers a ton of off-bike fitness classes (think strength training, yoga, HIIT) to help you become a well-rounded athlete.

9/32 SLIDES © Schwinn

8) Schwinn 170 Upright Exercise Bike

$549.99

Schwinn is known for its top-of-the-line exercise equipment. Reviewers like the smooth ride and say that it was relatively easy to assemble. The bike has 25 levels of resistance to chose from, and also features upgraded wider pedals and bluetooth connection making it VR compatible. Although this bike is an investment, it's far more reasonable than other bikes on the market.

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9) Weighted Medicine Ball

$34.99

A top pick on Amazon with an overall 4.7 out of 5 star rating, reviewers say that these durable balls are compact and have a great grip to them given the textured surface. This ball is also designed to have a little bounce off of hard surfaces. Medicine balls are great for building muscular strength and stability during workouts.

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10) Exercise Ball (55 cm)

$27.97

This versatile exercise ball can be used for working on posture, balance, core stability, and more. With over 3,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, reviewers say that the ball is sturdy and great quality for the price. Plus, many remark that it has a good grip to it and also comes in a great variety of colors to suit your home gym aesthetic.

12/32 SLIDES © Perform Better

11) Exercise Resistance Bands

This much-loved set of resistance bands includes four bands of varying intensities (yellow = light, green = medium, blue = heavy, black = extra heavy), so you can use different ones for different exercises (or keep extras for group workouts). They're super portable to pop into your bag when on-the-go, and can be used for upper and lower body training exercises.

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12) DE Total Body Set

$69.00

These durable bands designed by Dannah Bollig, a certified personal trainer and former division one athlete, feature an anti-slip grip inside which can prevent them from bunching or rolling up. They are hand-washable and excellent quality. They performed exceptionally well in our tests and make a perfect addition to any home gym.

14/32 SLIDES © Gliding Pro

13) Gliding Discs Individual Kit

$29.99

Make workouts more interesting with gliding discs, which create a smooth sliding surface for all your upper- and lower-body workouts. Plus, they require you to engage your core and create stabilization throughout the body. This style has two sides: one that slides on carpet, the other on hardwood, so it'll fit every space of your home gym.

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14) Ultimate P.volve Package

$174.99

P.volve is known for its low-impact movements that help strengthen, sculpt, and energize the body. They also offer workout equipment on their site, ranging from individual sets of dumbbells to large equipment bundles that include everything you need for a tone and sculpt home gym in one kit (you can purchase the equipment with or without a P.volve membership). Our fitness experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Wellness Lab were impressed by the high quality and durability of their products, especially the ankle weights and gliders.

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15) Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS

$146.95

The Good Housekeeping Wellness Lab regularly tests the best fitness trackers, and the Charge 4 is an all-around great pick. It can last a week on a single charge, is designed for use while swimming, and has an integrated heart rate monitor. We also love that it has a built-in GPS to evaluate your pace and distance, as well as sleep tracking and new Spotify integration.

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16) Pedometer with Lanyard

$24.99

Pedometers are straightforward and uncomplicated, and we love this top pick on Amazon that doesn't require any smartphone syncing or bluetooth connection. Just press the button and go! Reviewers like that it's simple to use and comes with a lanyard so you can alternatively wear it around your neck.

18/32 SLIDES © Trigger Point

17) TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller

The go-to brand for foam rollers, this roller is able to provide muscle recovery, pain relief, and improved flexibility. Its durable construction is comprised of a foam exterior over a rigid, hollow core that maintains its shape and integrity after prolonged usage.

19/32 SLIDES © Rumble Roller

18) Textured Muscle Foam Roller

The smooth but firm bumps on this foam roller allow you to dig into those muscular nooks and crannies with ease and essentially allow you to perform a deep tissue massage post-workout. We found that this foam roller assisted in quicker and more effective recovery time.

20/32 SLIDES © Hyperice

19) Vyper 2.0 High-Intensity Vibrating Fitness Roller

You get the best of both worlds with this recovery tool that essentially combines a massage gun and foam roller together. The vibration helps to improve circulation and can also alleviate pain, allowing you to foam roll for longer and enhance recovery. It has three powerful vibration speeds and has a very firm and solid structure.

21/32 SLIDES © Theragun

20) PRO 4th Generation Percussive Therapy Massage Gun

$599.00

TheraGun is well-known as a leader in workout recovery equipment, and their 4th Generation Massage Gun is top quality and extremely effective at relaxing sore and stiff muscles post-workout. It's an investment, but this piece of recovery equipment is versatile and used by professionals all over the world. If you're a workout enthusiast and hitting your workouts hard, this massage gun can help with efficient recovery.

22/32 SLIDES © TRX

21) GO Suspension Training

$129.95

This kit includes everything you need for full body workouts, even if you are tight on space — the all-in-one set can be used so long as you have access to a door, tree, or wall studs. And because you are using your own weight resistance, workouts can easily be customized to your fitness level. Our tests proved it was super-quick to set up and offered a full-body workout in minutes.

23/32 SLIDES © Step

22) Original Aerobic Platform

$31.25

Great for aerobic exercise and strength training, The Step is a staple in gyms around the country. Why not yours? Vary the workout intensity by adjusting the risers on this versatile platform. It comes 4" off the ground, but bump it up to 6" with two of the risers, or all the way up to 8" by using all four risers.

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23) Original Yoga Mat

$149.95

The Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textiles and Wellness Labs evaluate yoga mats by measuring the mats' thickness, weight, volume when rolled up, and ease of cleaning in the Labs. Their top pick is this mat by Liforme that received high scores across the board and has alignment markers that help guide you through positions.

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24) Reversible Yoga Mat

$34.98

In yoga mat testing performed by the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textiles and Wellness Labs, this reversible mat from Gaiam was lightweight and noted to have great cushioning. Not only is it a more affordable pick than other mats on the market, but it also comes in a ton of prints with reversible designs so you get two looks for the price of one.

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25) Woven Rope Storage Baskets

$22.98

The last thing you need is a ton of home gym workout equipment scattered across the floor. We love this sturdy and stylish woven storage basket that is spacious and can keep things tidy. After your workout, roll up your yoga mat and store it in here alongside any blocks, bands, and other miscellaneous equipment. You can also opt for cubed shelves to store hand towels, resistance bands, water bottles, and more.

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26) Yoga Block

$26.31

Gaiam delivers a lightweight yet sturdy foam yoga block to help you reach those tough positions and hold deeper stretches during your practice. The beveled edges allow for greater comfort and grip while helping maintain stability and alignment. We also love that it comes in a variety of colors, which you can match to your yoga mat.

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27) Wunder Under High-Rise Tight

$98.00

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab frequently evaluates workout leggings, analyzing construction, stretch recovery, moisture management, opacity, pilling resistance, colorfastness, and washability. This legging from Lululemon is their top pick given its breathability, durability, and soft comfy feel.

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28) Women's High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets

$24.98

This Amazon best-seller has over 6,500 five-star ratings from reviewers who say they're comfortable and surprisingly good quality for the price. Textile experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute like that the pants have deep pockets as well to fit your phone while your out for a run.

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29) Women's Gel-DS Trainer 24 Running Shoes

$79.95

Footwear experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab work alongside a large panel of testers and podiatrists to evaluate all different types of workout sneakers. This top pick performed well in their tests, and the high abrasion rubber sole had excellent grip when running outside or CrossFit training. This trainer model has the brand’s signature FlyteFoam Lyte technology for a lightweight midsole that still provides ample cushioning.

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30) Women's FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker

$38.99

In walking sneaker test conducted by Textile experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute, testers and podiatrists both loved this lightweight sneaker for all types of workouts. Top features included cushioning, overall comfortable feel, and breathable knit upper to accommodate for wider feet. Plus, these shoes have over 5,000 rave Amazon reviews and are very affordable compared to other sneakers on the market.

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31) Women's Stackable Silicone Ring

$11.95

Afraid of banging up your wedding ring during your workout? We are fans of this functional yet stylish silicone rings that are a durable alternative to your nice jewelry. During our tests, we barely felt them while working out and found them very comfortable. They come in a variety of styles for men and women, and also feature stackable options.

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