Gym memberships are expensive. It’s also very difficult to manage time during busy days. So, even if we have membership cards, we sort of always end up wasting it. However, taking care of our body and mind is essential, so it’s also not an option to skip a workout, is it? For that, home exercises are a must. When you have the mind to do it, they can be just as effective as the gym.
There are so many home exercise equipments you can buy online, and these are very cost-effective for most people. For example- ellipticals, exercise bikes, treadmills, dumbbells, steppers are some of the top choices. Whatever your goal is to reduce weight, build abs, or complete your daily cardio, you’ll find the ideal equipment you need to achieve it.
There are some aspects you should always keep in mind before buying exercise equipment, and one of them is- your aim. You have to select equipment that serves that purpose, so you don’t end up wasting your time and money. Therefore, in this article, I have listed the best overall exercise equipment for home use, along with their purpose and how they work.
The Best 11 Home Workout Equipment
Remember one thing, our bodies are different, and so are our needs. Hence, always be sure of what your goals are and how to achieve them.
If you are confused, you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by all the different types of equipment out there. Read the following list to understand what each piece of equipment does to your body, and how they work. Hopefully, it will be beneficial to you!
1. Elliptical Machines
You may have noticed the lines people make to use the elliptical machines when you have been to a gym. A big part of the reason is, this machine is among the most effective cardio equipment you can think of. It’s low impact but works amazingly in a small amount of time. It’s perfect for all kinds of users, and that includes beginners too.
Ellipticals work on your legs and arms mainly. The constant movement of your lower body and upper body ensures a full-body workout. It’s quite similar to walking, running, and baking altogether, and as you know, these are all aerobic exercises. You can increase your resistance and incline levels to burn more calories, within a short period.
Apart from legs, arms, and joints, ellipticals also work on your abdominal muscles and hips. Your abs would burn when your legs move in a constant motion for a while, so this would also target belly fats. Again, when your hands are moving, you’d feel the burn on the sides of your back, and hips. So, technically the elliptical works for your whole body.
Ellipticals are also very good for boosting your stamina and metabolism. This workout will help you be more active throughout your daily life by assisting your heart and lungs to work harder, and therefore it supplies your body with more blood flow and oxygen. If you are injured, ellipticals can also help you to get on track with your exercises, due to their low effort system.
Don’t worry about this exercise machine hovering over all your home extra space, because there are very compact ellipticals, for example, Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905. You can store them anywhere in your house. They also come with digital monitors and pulse sensors, that can track your heart rate, speed, and burnt calories.
2. Treadmills
Running is one of the most beneficial exercises you can do. You can lose weight, increase stamina and take advantage of the crisp air as well when you run outside. Even so, it is understandable that not everyone can run outside every day. So, if you love running, you can invest in a treadmill.
The benefits of a treadmill include weight loss, good heart health, and stronger muscles. When you are running on a treadmill, the bottom surface is a comparatively softer material than the pavements, so it doesn’t put too much pressure back on your ankles and joints. So, even if you are running fast, it won’t hurt your legs later. Muscle pain for beginners is natural, however.
Treadmills are also very user-friendly for their preset workout programs. You can choose the inclines and resistance levels as per your need, and body type. It will provide you a sense of running in a marathon and makes the workout more fun and exciting. Most treadmills will also have the option to make customized programs, so you can also take the advantage of that.
The digital monitors attached to the machine let you keep a track of your progress, where you can see how many miles you’ve run, and how many calories you’ve burnt. It’s very easy to lose weight, as only 20 minutes at 10km/h would burn approximately 200 calories. You can create multiple user profiles if your entire family uses the treadmill, to check everyone’s progress.
For home use, you need a treadmill that is compact and has all the options mentioned above. So, if you want to buy a treadmill, you can go for NordicTrack T Series treadmills, because it’s foldable, and the size is perfect for small apartment settings. It is very easy to assemble and provides you the best service.
3. Exercise Bikes
Exercise bikes are best for muscle toning and strengthening. The machine is very simple to use and ideal for those who would like to tone their whole leg, hip, and thigh muscles. This has become extremely popular throughout the time, for both gym and home use. Moreover, it is ideal for people who prefer working out with cardio exercises over aerobics.
You can easily burn 300-400 calories (depending on your weight) by only biking for 30 minutes. That is an insane amount of calories, if you understand how difficult it is so shed some extra pounds. Have you noticed how amazing cyclists’ legs are? The reason for that is, they pedal regularly, which strengthens muscles in their glutes, thighs, and quads as well as their skin.
If your posture is right, you can use these stationary bikes for the joint pains on your back, legs, and thighs. When you push the pedal, it strengthens your quads, making them more flexible at the same time. Then when you pull the pedal, it stimulates your hamstrings. If you want to put less pressure on your knees, you can hold the handles to support your body weight.
The best part about an exercise bike would be, that you can use it whenever you want; when you have it at home. Running, jogging, and walking will be so much easier, and you can even use it while you watch your favorite shows on TV, or listen to music. As it’s a small machine, you can store it anywhere, including your patio.
While buying, look for a comfortable seat with a cushion, and longer handles with pulse sensors. Make sure your exercise bike’s monitor is digital, so you can keep track of your gains, and burnt calories. XTERRA Fitness FB150 is one of the best in the market right now and has all the attachments you’d need for safe and effective home workouts.
4. Rowing Machines
Rowing machines are multipurpose aerobics workout equipment. Many people struggle with this because it’s quite complicated in the earlier stages of use. However, don’t worry, as it gets easier with time and practice if you can understand the proper system. Remember, if you do it incorrectly, then the exercise will not be as effective as it claims to be.
So, let me break it for you- when you are in the catch position, you should pull the handle towards your chest with your arms, extend your legs, and strengthen your core. The next step is to reverse this exact system, till you are in your previous position. The most power (60%) during this exercise comes from your legs, so expect your leg muscles to hurt the following morning.
Even if it seems quite complex than the other exercises, it has its added benefits too. A full-body rowing exercise engages 86% muscles of your body. It’s remarkable! A 40-minute session on this machine would burn between 500-550 calories. This would also improve your cardiovascular health in 15 minutes, while also intensifying your aerobic fitness in general.
Other added benefits include- lesser injury risks and better lower torso conditioning. As this exercise engages your legs more, so you can say, your lower body does the majority of the work. Therefore, it makes it stronger, while also improving your posture. For better results, your back muscles should be aligned with your legs when you are exercising.
You can also adjust your speed, resistance, and distance as per your needs. This way, you wouldn’t have to put too much strain on yourself if you don’t want it. Concept2 Model D has all the features you’d need for effective workouts. Plus, the size is small, so you won’t have a hard time storing it either. It comes with transportation wheels; hence, it’s easier to manage.
5. Squat Machines
Squat machines are used for users who are focused more on their legs, thighs, and bottoms. It is more effective to do squats with weights, than to do it normally with other cardio exercises during a workout session. So, naturally, a squat machine works much more effectively than both of those methods.
A proper form during a squat is very important, as this engages our desired muscles. If not done correctly, it can cause leg cramps and other back injuries. It takes practice and a strong core to hold on to a squat for more than 2 -3 minutes. You have to remain stable during this time, as the muscles need time to activate.
In this manner, a squat machine facilitates developing the correct form while maintaining balance. Additionally, it adds extra resistance, so you would sense the burn in your lower body. This equipment would benefit beginner bodybuilders who are working to strengthen their core muscles. It provides the same effort as weight lifting, minus the fear of dropping the weight.
To build more endurance, this machine can be an excellent choice, and you’d sure see the outcomes very quickly. Sunny Health & Fitness Row-N-Ride 007 would be a wonderful addition to your home. It’s small in size and very inexpensive in comparison to other models available. This squat assist machine can also be used as a row and ride exercise machine.
6. Suspension Trainers
Suspension trainers are not as traditional exercise machines; neither are they machines. However, I am sure you’ve seen them around the gym. These trainers usually come with straps with handles that can be attached anywhere vertically. Then you can literally do any exercises with it as you like.
The stapes should be attached 7-9 feet above the ground, or according to your height. The higher, the better. Then you would have to grip the straps, and like that you can do pull-ups, squats, or any other exercises. You can even place your feet on the straps and do push-ups, planks, and yoga. During these exercises, most of your weight would be supported by your legs.
One Clue: The closer you are to the floor, the harder the exercises would become for you. There are so many health benefits to suspension trainers, and one of them is- high versatility. This means, there’s nothing you can’t do with a suspension trainer. As, you have to stop moving while using it to keep your position, hence, naturally, you’d have to engage your muscles.
Another amazing advantage is, you can store this anywhere you want because it’s just a couple of straps. You can use it anywhere in your home, and even in your backyard, by attaching it to a tree. Lifeline Jungle LLJGXT is one of the best. It’s durable and quite handy. It also comes with 3 set workout straps, and other attachments, so it’s quite good for its price.
7. Kettlebells
Kettlebells are very versatile and contain all aspects of an ideal workout, which are- strength, flexibility, balance, and resilience. And the most fun part is, it’s just a small piece of equipment. A perfect fit for home environments and compact settings. Unfortunately, people are still very skeptical about this, because it doesn’t look that efficient as other equipment per se.
Let’s see what else a kettlebell is effective for, shall we? Firstly, it will improve your core muscle strength and your overall balance. All of your core muscles, as well as your back and hip muscles, will be targeted during the exercise. That helps you to be more aware of your body because you will have to focus on maintaining your balance.
Not to mention, you will feel your core muscles burning while you hold on to your positions. It’s very effective for burning that extra belly fat you want to get rid of. It burns approximately 20 calories in only one minute! Kettlebells are also astonishing because you can burn fat even after you are done exercising. After all, it increases your metabolism capacity.
Likewise, it will also improve your posture. There are some specific exercises that you can do all alone in the comfort of your home, for example- ballistic movements. This means, you will be running faster, jumping higher and your kicks will become stronger with time. It is also great for users who have previous injuries because it puts a small amount of pressure on your joints!
While buying a kettlebell remember to check its weight, and if it’s compatible with you. Various companies are selling these, and for that, it’s just not that easy to choose from them. However, keep in mind, there is nothing fancy about this equipment, so any of them would do. One example is- Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell.
8. Stepper Machines
Stepper machines simulate steps or climbing stairs. It’s more like a walking exercise to be clear. This will also work as toning your legs and hip muscles. For its low-impact aerobic exercise pattern, steppers lead to good cardiovascular exercise. This means the health benefits include improved heart, lungs, and kidney performance.
For home use, it’s ideal for its size, because it’s significantly smaller than a treadmill and ellipticals. So you can keep it anywhere around the house, and get it out when you want to use it. Another great advantage of this machine is, it works amazing for individuals who have knee problems, as it mainly focuses on your knee joints. You can set its resistance as per your needs.
If you want to lose weight, it will serve you in that sector too. One hour on a stepper would burn 400 calories (varies on your weight). Over time, your glutes and legs would become more toned and stronger. Some of the steppers also come with added digital monitors that can track your pulse, heart rate, and burnt calories.
Whenever you are purchasing a stepper, examine if its pedals are non-slip and big enough for everyone’s use. And as you will be using it at home, buying a small size would be perfect. For instance, Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper. It covers everything you will need from a stepper.
9. Abdominal Roller Trainers
The abdominal roller, also known as the ab roller, is a minimalistic piece of equipment. It’s practically a wheel with two handles on each side of it. This roller works as a core trainer, that forms abs way quicker than any other equipment or exercise there is. It’s perfect for home exercises because of its size, and easy-to-use nature.
One of the few pieces of equipment that target all of your core muscles, including glutes, upper back, lower back, and pelvis, is ab trainers. This feature lets you get rid of the hours you spend on pushups, squats, planks, and other exercises that you do for forming the perfect 6 abs. With an ab roller, all you gotta do is, push and pull yourself while holding it.
If you use an ab roller correctly, it will work all over your body, and not just on your stomach. As the positioning of the workout requires you to balance on the wheels, while only holding the handles, it forces you to put pressure on your upper body. It’s a great way to stretch, and strengthen back muscles. Also, people with back injuries can benefit a lot from this equipment.
Additionally, since it’s mainly designed for your stomach, it’ll help reduce the belly fat you’ve been trying to lose for quite some time. It increases your metabolism too, and that makes you lose weight faster. By doing the exercise for a long time, your leg muscles will also get stronger, since you would be forced to keep your legs straight and balanced.
So if you want to build the perfect abs while sitting at home, you can purchase one abdominal roller without any doubts. Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller is one of the best you can get for home workouts!
10. Jump Ropes
It is a classic, yet so underrated. Jump ropes are one of the most effective cardio workouts you can think of, that you can do easily at home. It’s such a simple technique but has a lot of health benefits. If you ever go to a dietitian, I’m sure they will recommend you to jump rope for at least 10 minutes every day.
If you want to burn calories, then this can be your go-to easy exercise routine. Because jumping ropes can shed 250-300 calories in just 15 minutes. The reason why you can burn so many calories is, all your major muscles, which are- core, legs, arms, and back are engaged while you are jumping in a rhythm.
It also improves your heart health, as while jumping, you will be exhausted in a small amount of time, and your heart would pump more blood. Hence, it will also increase your body’s oxygen level. Jump rope does not have to be your whole workout routine, you should just include this in your daily activities. For example- 15 minutes before or after any exercise you like doing.
You can buy jump ropes almost anywhere, and it’s very affordable. Since it is so small, you won’t also have to worry about the amount of space it would need in your home. Before buying one, do look for non-slip grips and the proper length of the rope, here’s a great one- Ytnqd Jump Rope.
11. Dumbbells
Dumbbells are excellent for home workouts. People who prefer muscular hands should try it. However, it’s a misconception that dumbbells are only used for biceps exercises, whereas, using them would work on your triceps, back, and chest muscles altogether. With proper exercise, you’ll get rid of skinny hands, and have stronger bones.
As dumbbell exercises produce both inter and intramuscular collaboration, it stimulates several muscles in a short time. This enables better exercise with a diminished risk of injury. It would help you to build more strength, gain proper balance, and would also lower your chances of muscle cramps after workouts.
You can either workout with them on their own, or incorporate them with other cardio exercises you like doing. You can easily do lunges by holding one dumbbell in your hand. It would create pressure and weight on your lower body, which will end up helping you keep proper posture and balance.
For home exercises, it’s better if you buy dumbbells that weigh 5-7 pounds. Or you can buy a set, which comes with a combination of different adjustments as per your needs, like this one – Portzon Neoprene Dumbbell. It comes in various colors too.
Tips for Choosing Home Exercise Equipment
Before you invest in purchasing an exercise machine for your home, you have to consider some aspects. Read the list below to know what they are!
1. Available Space
A piece of exercise equipment takes up a lot of space, so you need to decide where you are going to put it, once you buy it. Make sure that the available space is not too congested.
If small space is the issue for you, then you can also try putting the equipment in your patio, or garage. If you decide to do it, then you’d also have to look for waterproof machines.
2. Your Overall Budget
Make a budget before you start looking at which equipment you want on the internet. It would make it easier for you to decide.
Whatever price you see online, keep at least 10% extra than that amount, just to be on the safe size. You also might need to buy other attachments with the equipment.
3. Your Goals
Make a list of what you want to achieve by exercising. Not all exercise machines work the same way, nor do they serve the same purpose.
So, buying a piece of equipment that would help you reach your goal makes more sense. So, don’t waste your money on buying random equipment that you won’t need or use.
Conclusion
Home equipment should be user-friendly, and comfortable. There are so many options available for you. So, choosing the right one or one for your specific needs shouldn’t be that much difficult.
I hope this article has helped you to know the best overall exercise equipment for home. I believe it would be easier for you to shop now. Thanks for reading, and take care!
