The home gym landscape has changed drastically over the past few years.
While a home gym was once considered a luxury, many people are now dedicating space to work out in their homes and garages.
From simple weights and yoga mats to high end cardio machines, there are many ways to stay in shape without setting foot in a gym.
To help you get started, we selected our favorite pieces of home gym equipment to fit a variety of fitness needs and budgets.
Best workout mat
Gaiam Premium Extra-Thick Yoga Mat
- Pros: textured surface prevents slipping, padding is comfortable for the joints
- Cons: paint may come off or smudge, too thin for some
A workout mat is a simple yet essential piece of exercise gear for everything from yoga and stretching to weightlifting and high intensity interval training.
While there’s an abundance of options to choose from, the Gaiam Premium Extra-Thick Yoga Mat is one of the best because it’s affordable, available in a variety of colors and styles, and easy to clean.
It also features a textured nonslip surface to keep you safe and secure while you sweat.
What’s more, the mat weighs just 3 pounds (1.4 kg) and is extra thick, with 6 mm of padding to keep you comfortable on almost any surface.
Best resistance bands
Whatafit Resistance Bands
- Pros: affordable, versatile, compact
- Cons: poor durability, may snap
Ideal for those tight on space, resistance bands offer a compact and budget-friendly way to add intensity to your workout.
When shopping for resistance bands, keep in mind that most are color-coded according to their tension level. Therefore, it’s best to buy a set for maximum versatility.
Many bands also include accessories, such as handles and door anchors, to improve your range of motion and allow for a greater number of exercises.
These highly rated bands from Whatafit are a great option, as they range from 10–50 pounds (4.5–22.7 kg) of resistance when used individually and can be combined for up to 150 pounds (68 kg) of resistance to help grow and strengthen your muscles.
In addition to five resistance bands, the kit includes two handles, two ankle straps, a door anchor, and a travel bag to keep all your equipment in one place.
