We’re looking at the best home fitness equipment for 2023, including the best rowing machines, exercise bikes, treadmills, and yoga mats.
How many of us are still paying membership fees to a gym we haven’t been to in months? Maybe it’s time to stop using it and invest in the best home gym equipment instead? Exercising at home on a modern smart treadmill, exercise bike or rowing machine can save you money in the long run. But you need to know what equipment, such as weights and dumbbells, can be purchased inexpensively.
The Telegraph’s recommendations section has tested hundreds of home exercise machines over the years and spoken to dozens of fitness experts. We thought it was time to put it all together into a separate guide to suit any budget, with prices ranging from £13 to £2,500.
Whether you’re losing weight, getting in shape, or building muscle (you’ll also need protein powder and bars), here you’ll find full reviews and recommendations for the best cardio equipment, weight-lifting equipment including kettlebells and resistance bands, and the best yoga equipment. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our top five buys:
We’ve rounded up the best equipment, from treadmills to yoga mats, and talked to industry experts. We looked at features such as quality materials, handle, safety features, ergonomics and ease of use. Compact size is also an important factor. All of the following have either been tested by us or recommended by experts.
Treadmills are one of the most popular and also most expensive home exercise equipment, so it’s important to make the right choice. NHS and Aston Villa FC physiotherapist Alex Boardman recommends NordicTrack because of the simplicity of the built-in software.
“Treadmills with interval training are really helpful for structuring your workout,” says Alex. “They allow you to improve mobility and fitness in a controlled environment.” NordicTrack tops The Daily Telegraph’s list of best treadmills.
The Commercial 1750 features Runner’s Flex cushioning on the deck, which can be adjusted to provide extra impact support or simulate real-life road running, and also integrates with Google Maps, meaning you can simulate outdoor running anywhere in the world. It has an impressive gradient range of -3% to +15% and a top speed of 19 km/h.
When you purchase this treadmill, you also get a monthly subscription to iFit, which offers immersive on-demand and real-time workout classes (via the 14-inch HD touchscreen) that automatically adjusts your speed and incline as you run. There’s no reason to relax: just connect your Bluetooth running headphones and train with one of iFit’s elite trainers.
Apex Smart Bike is an affordable connected exercise bike. In fact, in our roundup of the best exercise bikes, we chose it over the Peloton. It’s cheaper because it doesn’t have an HD touchscreen. Instead, there is a tablet holder that you can connect your tablet or phone to and stream lessons through the app.
Good quality classes ranging from 15 minutes to an hour, with strength, flexibility and beginner-friendly exercises, are taught by British instructors from Boom Cycle Studios in London. The Apex is probably more suited to indoor and outdoor cyclists than to those looking to exercise, as there’s no way to simulate an outdoor ride.
In terms of design, the Apex bike is stylish enough to (almost) fit into your living room, thanks to its compact size (4 feet by 2 feet) and four color options. It has a wireless phone charger, a tablet holder for streaming activities, a water bottle holder and a weight rack (not included, but costs £25). The best part is that it is very durable and does not move when you pedal.
Although it is relatively light and has a very light flywheel, the drag range is large. The area is flat, quiet and less likely to cause disputes with neighbors, making it suitable for apartment development. The best part is that Apex bikes come fully assembled.
Rowing machines are the best cardio machines to invest in, according to personal trainer Claire Tupin, with the Concept2 Rower topping The Daily Telegraph’s list of the best rowing machines. “While you can run or cycle outdoors, if you want to burn calories and get a full-body workout at home, a rowing machine is a smart choice,” says Claire. “Rowing is an effective, all-around activity that combines cardiovascular work to improve endurance and strengthen muscles throughout the body. It works the shoulders, arms, back, abs, thighs and calves.”
The Concept 2 Model D is as quiet as an aerial rower can get. If you’ve been to the gym, you’ve most likely come across this rowing machine. It’s also the most durable option on this list, although that means it doesn’t fold. Therefore, you need to find a permanent place in a spare room or garage. However, if you want to store it for a while, it will be divided into two parts.
“The Concept 2 is a little more expensive, but for me it’s the best rowing machine,” says fitness instructor Born Barikor. “I’ve done a lot of training on it and I really like it. It’s easy to use, has ergonomic and comfortable handles and foot straps, and is adjustable. It also has a very easy to read display. If you have a little money and you ready to invest money in them, you should choose Concept 2.”
The exercise bench is one of the most versatile and basic devices that can be used with dumbbells to train the upper body, chest and triceps, or on its own for bodyweight exercises. If you’re looking for larger weightlifting equipment for your home gym, this is it.
Will Collard, lead rehabilitation trainer at the Sussex Back Pain Clinic, prefers the Weider Utility Bench because it is fully adjustable, allowing for a maximum range of exercises. “The bench has eight different settings and angles, which is great for effectively and safely training all muscle groups,” he says. The seat and back also work independently of each other, so people of all heights and weights can sit or lie in the correct position.
The Weider bench features high-density foam stitching and box stitching, making it a premium purchase. Potential exercises include triceps dips, lat dips, weighted squats and Russian crunches.
The JX Fitness Squat Rack features a durable, reinforced steel frame with anti-slip pads that provide extra stability and protect your floor from scratches. The adjustable squat rack comes with a two-year warranty.
Claire Turpin, personal trainer and founder of fitness brand CONTUR Sportswear, recommends a squat rack for the home gym, saying: “It can be used with a barbell for squats and shoulder presses. Add a training bench for a variety of chest presses or a full range of exercises.” cable. This set also allows you to perform pull-ups and chin-ups, and add resistance bands and bands for a complete full-body strength workout.”
Will Collard says: “If you’re looking to invest in a squat rack, your choice will depend on the space you have available and, of course, your budget. A cheaper option is to buy a standing squat rack. This way, it gets the job done. Done and it’s your choice to save money and space.
”If you have the space and money to invest, choosing a more durable and safer squat rack like this one from JX Fitness on Amazon will be a worthwhile investment.”
The JX Fitness Squat Rack is compatible with most barbells and weight benches, making it an ideal choice when paired with the Weider Universal Bench above.
If you need multiple dumbbells, Spinlock dumbbells are the most affordable type on the market and a great option for starting a home gym. They require the user to manually replace the weight plates. This York Fitness dumbbell comes with four 0.5kg weight plates, four 1.25kg weight plates and four 2.5kg weight plates. The maximum weight of dumbbells is 20 kg. Strong locks on the ends prevent the boards from rattling, and the set comes in a set of two.
“Dumbbells are great for training most muscle groups in the upper and lower body,” says Will Collard. “They offer a safer free-weight training option than barbells while still providing good resistance.” He likes spin-lock dumbbells because of their versatility.
The kettlebells may be small, but exercises like swings and squats work the entire body. Will Collard says you can’t go wrong with a cast iron option like this one from Amazon Basics, which costs just £23. “Kettlebells are extremely versatile and very economical,” he says. “They’re worth the investment because you can do more exercises than just dumbbells.”
This Amazon Basics kettlebell is made of high quality cast iron, has a loop handle and a painted surface for an easy grip. You can also purchase weights ranging from 4 to 20 kg in 2 kg increments. If you’re unsure and are only investing in one, Will Collard recommends going for the 10kg option, but warns that it may be too heavy for beginners.
A weightlifting belt can effectively reduce the pressure on your lower back when lifting weights and prevent your back from hyperextending during weightlifting. They are especially helpful for those new to weightlifting because they help teach you how to engage your abdominal muscles and reduce the stress on your spine when lifting weights.
A great place to start is the Nike Pro Waistband, available in a variety of sizes and made from lightweight, breathable stretch fabric with elastic straps for added support. “This Nike belt is very simple,” says Will Collard. “Some of the options on the market are overly complex and unnecessary. If you get the right size and the belt fits snugly across your stomach, this belt is a great option.”
Resistance bands are portable and designed to improve flexibility, strength and balance and require control and stability. They’re often affordable, like this set of three on Amazon, and can work most muscles in the body.
Will Collard says: “You can’t go wrong buying resistance bands online, but you’ll need a quality material such as latex. Most sets come in sets of three with different resistance levels. They can be used in a variety of outerwear and lower body workouts.” body. The Bionix set on Amazon is the best range I’ve found.”
What makes these Bionix resistance bands stand out is that they are 4.5mm thicker than most resistance bands while still maintaining flexibility. You also get a 30-day trial with free returns or replacements.
Unlike other fitness equipment, a yoga mat won’t drain your bank account and you can use it for slow workouts and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts. Lululemon is the best yoga mat money can buy. It is reversible, providing unparalleled grip, a stable surface and ample support.
£88 may seem like a lot of money for a yoga mat, but yoga expert Emma Henry from Triyoga insists it’s worth it. “There are some cheaper mats that are good, but they may not last as long. There’s nothing more frustrating than slipping during fast-paced Vinyasa yoga, so good grip is key to success,” she says.
Lululemon offers pads in a variety of thicknesses, but for joint support I would go with the 5mm pad. It’s the perfect size: longer and wider than most standard yoga mats, measuring 180 x 66cm, meaning there’s plenty of room to stretch out. Due to the slightly thicker construction, I find this to be the perfect combination for HIIT and strength training among my favorite workout leggings.
While it’s thicker than most, it’s not too heavy at 2.4kg. This is the upper limit of the weight that I would call comfortable to carry, but it means this mat will work well both at home and in the classroom.
The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a belt or bag, but that’s really a nitpick. In short, this is a great all-around product that is definitely worth the investment.
You may recognize them from the workout CDs from the 90s. Exercise balls, also known as Swiss balls, therapy balls, balance balls, and yoga balls, are excellent equipment for achieving ripped abs. They improve balance, muscle tone and core strength by forcing the user to maintain a center of gravity on the ball.
“Medicine balls are great for working out your abdominal muscles. They’re unstable, so using a medicine ball as a base for the plank allows you to engage your core,” says rehabilitation coach Will Collard. The market is pretty saturated, but he likes this URBNFit 65cm exercise ball from Amazon.
It is extremely durable thanks to its durable PVC outer surface and its non-slip surface provides better grip than other surfaces. The explosion-proof cover supports up to 272 kilograms of weight, and also comes with a pump and two air plugs in case boost is required later.
It’s worth investing in a decent massage gun for pre- and post-workout use. They help relieve muscle tension and relax muscles before and after workouts, promote muscle recovery, and reduce MOM—and in our quest for the best massage gun, no product comes close to Theragun Prime.
I love its sleek, streamlined design, ergonomic handle, and ease of use. A button on the top of the device turns the device on and off and also controls vibration, which can be set between 1,750 and 2,400 beats per minute (PPM). With continuous use, battery life is up to 120 minutes.
However, what makes this device great is the attention to detail that goes into its design. While most other pistols have a simple grip, the Theragun Prime has a patented triangle grip that allows me to reach hard to reach areas like the shoulders and lower back. The set also includes four attachments. It’s a little loud, but that’s definitely a nitpick.
If you are nervous about using a massage gun, you can use the Therabody app. He has specific sports programs for warming up, cooling down, and treating pain conditions such as plantar fasciitis and technical neck.
Physical rehabilitation coach Will Collard says kettlebells are the most beneficial and underrated piece of exercise equipment. “Kettlebells are more versatile than dumbbells, which makes them more economical because you don’t need many different weights of kettlebells to perform all the exercises,” he says. But a comprehensive home gym will also include the types of strength and cardio equipment mentioned above.
“Unfortunately, no amount of exercise equipment will help you lose weight,” Collard says. “The main factor in weight loss is diet: you need to maintain a calorie deficit. However, any type of cardiovascular exercise, such as a treadmill or stationary bike, will aid weight loss because it will help burn calories when you are in a caloric deficit.” This may not be the answer you’re looking for, but if weight loss is your main concern, this is good news to justify a more expensive cardio machine.
Or kettlebells, says Will Collard, because they’re so versatile. Kettlebell exercises are dynamic, but require core muscles for stability. Popular kettlebell exercises include Russian crunches, Turkish get-ups, and flat rows, but you can also get creative as long as you stay safe.
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Post time: Dec-26-2023