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Home gym equipment that fits a small space
16
items Sixteen pieces of home gym gear that earn their floor space: adjustable dumbbells, a fold-flat bench, a suspension trainer, bands and mats, cardio that tucks away, and a couple of recovery tools. Built for flats, spare rooms and the corner of a livin...
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Contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Sections
4
Strength without the floor space
Cardio that tucks away
Bands, mats and small tools
Recovery
Strength without the floor space
Dials from 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell, so one pair stands in for around fifteen sets of weights. The biggest space saver on this list, but it's also the priciest, so I'd start here only if lifting is your main workout.
BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
A boxier design than the BowFlex with a smaller footprint, and the weight range can be expanded later with add-on kits. The Stage 1 set tops out at 50 lb per dumbbell. Worth comparing if floor space is really tight.
PowerBlock Elite EXP Dumbbells Stage 1 5-50 lb
Folds flat for storage and adjusts through flat, incline and decline positions, so it works with the adjustable dumbbells above. It's a full-size bench, so it needs a spot to stand, but it tucks behind a door when you're done.
FLYBIRD Foldable Adjustable Weight Bench
Anchors over a door and gives you hundreds of bodyweight exercises from something that packs into a drawer. Takes no floor space at all. I picked the GO as the compact, travel-friendly version of TRX's suspension trainers.
TRX GO suspension trainer
Hooks over a doorframe without screws and comes down in seconds. It also works on the floor for push-ups and dips. Check your door trim is sturdy and flat before you trust it with your full body weight.
Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym doorway pull-up bar
Cardio that tucks away
A compact walking pad that slides under a sofa or bed when you're done and lets you walk during calls. Brand is lesser-known, so check the weight limit and noise level against your own needs. A realistic option if a full treadmill won't fit.
Vhorilix under-desk walking pad treadmill
Folds in half and rolls away after a session, with quiet magnetic resistance that's friendly to apartments. A low-impact way to get cardio in without giving up a corner of the room. It's a lighter-duty frame than a full upright bike.
Sunny Health & Fitness foldable magnetic X-Bike
An adjustable speed rope for cardio that needs only a metre or so of clear space. It weighs almost nothing and goes in a bag when you travel. Cheap, quick to set up, and the easiest way to get your heart rate up in a small flat.
WOD Nation adjustable speed jump rope
Bands, mats and small tools
Five resistance levels for glutes, legs and rehab-style work, in something small enough for a pocket. The cheapest useful thing on this list, and a good place to start if you're not sure how often you'll actually train at home.
Fit Simplify resistance loop bands, set of 5
Stackable tube bands with handles, ankle straps and a door anchor, so you can train the whole body from one small bag. They pack away when guests come over. A step up from loop bands if you want to do rows and presses.
WHATAFIT resistance bands set with handles
Enough cushioning for floor work on a hard floor, and it rolls up behind a door with the included strap. A good entry-level mat at a fair price. Go thicker like this if your knees and wrists complain on bare floor.
Amazon Basics 1/2-inch extra thick yoga mat
Dense, non-slip and built to last for years rather than seasons. It's the splurge on this list, so it only makes sense if the mat is the one piece of kit you'll use almost daily. Otherwise the Amazon Basics mat above does the job.
Manduka PRO yoga mat, 6mm
A cheap, tough core tool that stores in a drawer and comes with a knee pad. Start on your knees and only roll out as far as you can control it, because it's harder than it looks.
VINSGUIR ab roller wheel with knee pad
Silicone-coated weights that add resistance to walks, yoga and pilates without any equipment on the floor. They look good enough to leave out on a shelf. Light resistance only, so think of them as a booster, not a replacement for dumbbells.
Bala Bangles wrist and ankle weights
Recovery
A firmer, textured roller that holds its shape much longer than a basic foam one. The short 13 inch version is easier to store and travels well. Good for loosening up after a session when you don't have a gym to stretch in.
TriggerPoint GRID foam roller, 13 inch
A quiet, handheld percussion device that fits in a gym bag or drawer. It's the recovery upgrade for people who train at home regularly, and the priciest thing in this section, so it's a nice-to-have rather than a must.
Therabody Theragun Mini (3rd gen) massage gun