If the thought of dragging yourself to the gym before or after a long workday makes you want to sink even deeper into the couch, you’re not alone — but I have good news. With a little space and the right gear, you can develop home workouts that never require you to wait in line for a squat rack.
Gym memberships aren’t always the best motivators — they can be crowded, expensive and all too easy to ignore once you’re a few hours into a Brooklyn 99 marathon. If you’re ready to peace out from the fitness center slog, I asked two certified personal trainers, Chris Gagliardi (ACE) and Jenny Liebl (ISSA), for advice on how to build a functional, flexible home setup. The good news? You don’t need a dedicated workout room or bulky machines to get moving. You just need a few smart picks that fit into the space where you live, work and binge-watch. Here’s how to get started.
Know your space and your budget
Before you add anything to your cart, figure out two things: how much you’re comfortable spending and how much room you actually have to work with. “There are so many options when it comes to outfitting your home gym, and decisions are often made based on budget, space, goals and equipment preferences,” Gagliardi says.
Start with your budget. Whether you have a few hundred dollars or a few thousand, the key is to prioritize what supports your current workout routine. Just because something’s considered a “staple” doesn’t mean you’ll actually use it — so start small. Instead of a full weight rack, try one lighter and one heavier set of dumbbells that match your current strength and goals. Or skip the treadmill and take your power walks outside. You can always build your collection gradually as your needs (and budget) grow.
Next, assess your space honestly. Do you have a dedicated room where everything can stay out 24/7? Or are you squeezing into a corner of your living room and sharing space with a dog bed? Either setup works, but safety is a priority. Ensure you have sufficient space to move through a full range of motion without bumping into furniture. A foldable bench or suspension trainer might make more sense than a massive rowing machine in a high-traffic area (speaking from experience).
Pro tip: Before buying a large piece of equipment, block out its footprint on the floor with painter’s tape. Try a few workouts in that space. If you’re constantly tripping or moving furniture, it’s probably not the right fit — no matter how glowing the reviews are.
Dumbbells and a kettlebell on a floor. (Getty Images)
Let your workouts be your guide
Before you start shopping, keep in mind that your fitness goals should shape your home gym, and not the other way around. “The essentialness of a piece of exercise equipment is really based on your goals and if you will actually use it,” Gagliardi says. In other words, skip the weights if they’ll just gather dust.
If your routine leans cardio and your goal is endurance, a stationary bike may do more than a pull-up bar. If you’re focused on building strength — such as easily lifting a 50-pound bag of dog food — opt for dumbbells or resistance bands that allow you to gradually increase resistance over time.
For weight loss, a mix of cardio and strength is key. Cardio helps burn calories and increase your daily metabolic rate; strength training builds muscle and boosts resting metabolism. So think less about choosing sides and more about building a toolkit: something for cardio, something for strength and including a few no-equipment exercises — like push-ups, squats, planks and jumping jacks — to round it all out.
Liebl agrees, “If you are trying to gain strength, you’ll need to have some heavier weights available. If you’re trying to lose weight … any type of exercise will be beneficial.”
Ultimately, there’s no universal checklist. Everyone’s goals are different — and so are the tools you’ll need to reach them. If you enjoy both cardio and strength workouts, aim for a balanced blend of equipment that supports both and gives you room to grow. Not sure where to start? Try mapping out a week of workouts you’d enjoy. That list will help you figure out what’s worth investing in right away and what can wait.
Types of workout equipment
You don’t need a full gym to make progress — just a few smart pieces that support your goals. Think about how you like to move and what you want to improve. If you’re after versatile, beginner-friendly options for both cardio and strength, Gagliardi and Liebl recommend starting with these basics as your must-have home gym equipment.
Strength and resistance
Suspension trainer: This is Gagliardi’s top pick for tight spaces — it works every major muscle group and can easily pack down small. These generally anchor to a doorway or something sturdy.
Dumbbells or kettlebells: If you don’t have the space to keep multiple sets, check out our picks for the best adjustable dumbbells. If you’re on a budget, Liebl says to start with two pairs: a lighter set ranging from 5 to 12 lbs. and a heavy set ranging from 15 to 30 lbs.
Check out a few of our favorite dumbbell and kettlebell workouts:
Adjustable weight bench: Gagliardi says that having one of these is a smart addition for exercises that require you to sit, lie down or kneel at different angles. They provide a stable, cushioned surface that helps improve form and reduce joint strain, especially during strength training moves like presses and rows. And because these benches adjust to multiple angles, they can help you target specific muscle groups to get more mileage out of a single pair of dumbbells.
Resistance bands and loops: These compact, affordable bands don’t look like much, but they’re powerhouses for building strength, improving stability and supporting a wide range of movements. They take up almost no space, travel easily and are great for living room workouts. Liebl prefers bands with handles and says, “if you can find two to three different intensity bands, that’s even better.” Varying resistance levels let you adjust your workouts as you gain strength or target different muscle groups. Our testers recommend the Living Fit resistance bands — they’re durable, comfortable, and anti-slip, with a lifetime warranty if one snaps. Check out our full-body resistance band workout if you need help getting started.
Pull-up bar: If you’re working on upper body strength, a pull-up bar is a compact, budget-friendly tool that targets your back, shoulders and arms. Gagliardi notes that it can also double as an anchor point for resistance bands, giving it similar functionality to a suspension trainer. You can either get one that hangs in your doorway or find a freestanding one if you have more floor space.
If you have a higher budget and your goals focus on strength training, Liebl recommends expanding your setup with a more comprehensive weight set that includes a power rack or squat rack, weight plates and barbell. While most people don’t need to outfit a home gym with a wall full of individual weight machines, you may want to consider a more universal weight machine or all-in-one gym with adjustable arms and pulleys that allows you to perform a wide range of exercises, or a compact smart system like the Amp machine. These types of exercise machines add versatility without taking up too much space.
Skipping Rope With Pink Dumbbells And Measurement Tape On Fitness Mat (AndreyPopov via Getty Images)
Stability and mobility
Exercise ball: Also known as yoga or stability balls, these create an unstable surface to engage more of your muscles during exercises — especially your core. They’re great for balance training, improving coordination and making stand-by moves like push-ups and sit-ups more challenging. You can also use one for supported stretches, spine mobility or as a posture-friendly chair — I use mine in my home office, and it helps me sit up straighter without even thinking about it.
Exercise mat: “Having a good mat can make things more comfortable when performing floor-based exercises,” Gagliardi says. This is especially true if you’re working out on a concrete floor, as it softens some of the harsh impact from jumping movements. If you have bad knees or want a little extra support, my yoga instructor recommends using two mats, giving you around half an inch of cushion.
Medicine balls: You can use these for a variety of exercises and to intensify rotational movements, and Gagliardi recommends them as a fun way to work out with a partner. “They can also be used to make movements more explosive by throwing or slamming the ball,” he says, though I wouldn’t recommend doing that in your living room.
Balance pad: Not to be confused with a wobbly balance board, these foam cushions give you a slightly unstable surface — just enough to activate your stabilizer muscles without throwing off your footing. They can be a great tool for low-impact balance training, postural training and improving body awareness.
Foam rollers: A foam roller is an excellent tool to help you work out post-exercise soreness and to help you limber up before you start a workout. They’re also generally affordable and easy to use.
At home Pilates equipment: If you’re a fan of Pilates, you’re in luck — there are a range of new at-home Pilates options hitting the market. These include small, portable boards that cost about $100 or much larger (but still foldable and storable) home-based Pilates reformers that allow you to mimic a studio-based workout.
Cardio
Cardio equipment: Anything from a jump rope to a treadmill or elliptical can work here. Liebl says to just make sure the type of impact you choose is appropriate for your knees. You can’t really go wrong with cardio, Gagliardi adds, so focus on exercise equipment that fits your space and that you actually enjoy using. For example, if running isn’t your thing or your knees cry out in pain when you jog, a stationary bike might be a better choice than a treadmill.
How to build a gym on a budget
If the list above feels like a lot, remember you don’t need a full lineup of gear on day one. The goal is progress, not perfection and there are definitely ways to tackle your fitness goals without splashing out on expensive gear.
Body weight
Exercise equipment isn’t required for a good workout. Your body weight can be used to build muscle and burn fat while training and performing cardio moves, Gagliardi says. Exercises like push-ups, burpees, planks and squats are a good start for tackling your fitness goals without any equipment and you can find loads of YouTube videos that can take you through bodyweight routines.
Buy secondhand
If you want to include things like dumbbells or a treadmill in your training, you may be able to find highly discounted equipment at thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace or other resale sites. You can also check with friends and family to see if they have anything they’d be willing to part with — especially if they’re not using it.
DIY your gym
Until you’re able to get what you need, you can always substitute workout equipment with household items. For instance, Gagliardi says, “using a gallon of milk to perform biceps curls could be a great way to add some resistance, but be sure to use a hammer grip and ensure the lid is on tight.” I’ve definitely used soup cans and water bottles for weights when I needed something lighter. But remember, these substitutions aren’t designed for exercise, so always prioritize safety: check your grip, avoid awkward movements and stop if anything feels unstable or uncomfortable.
Think before you buy
Gagliardi says you should always ask yourself how any piece of fitness equipment will help you reach your goals, and what will be different about your routine after you buy it. This can help ensure you’re making sound decisions when it comes to buying the best exercise equipment for your home gym, and you’re not left with equipment that’ll collect dust.
FAQ
How to choose the best gym equipment for home?
The best gym equipment for your home will fit in your space and budget while supporting your personal fitness goals. The first thing to consider is what types of workouts will help you meet your goals and keep you on track in terms of motivation. For instance, it makes no sense to lay out a lot of cash on a rowing machine if you can’t stand cardio workouts and you really want to develop more strength. You’d be better served to purchase a few dumbbells or a universal weight machine.
Next, you need to think about how much space you can reasonably dedicate to workout equipment. If you’re tight on space, an adjustable dumbbell set, a smart workout system like Tonal or Amp or a suspension trainer might be the best fit.
Finally, you need to think about your budget. You can pick up a few sets of dumbbells and a jump rope for less than $100, or you can splurge on a full garage gym of weight machines for thousands of bucks. There’s no need to overspend to get fit — set your budget and find equipment that aligns with your goals that won’t break the bank.
Meet our experts
-
Chris Gagliardi, ACE certified personal trainer and NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist
-
Jenny Liebl, ISSA-certified personal trainer
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.