Fitness Equipment Worth Adding to a Home Gym Setup
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells win overall since one pair replaces a full rack of weights. Want the most exercises per square foot? The TRX ALL-IN-ONE Suspension Trainer covers that. On a tight budget? Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Bands are the cheapest useful starting point.
Equipping a home gym with gear that actually gets used starts with the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells. Want the most coverage per square foot? The TRX ALL-IN-ONE Suspension Trainer delivers that. Starting cheap? Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Bands cost the least of any useful option here.
Choosing home equipment is hard because the spec sheet rarely predicts what stays in use. Single purpose machines cover one movement and occupy a corner permanently, while a small amount of versatile gear covers a whole programme. We compared exercise range, footprint, weight capacity and what owners report about equipment still in use months later to rank the seven below.
How to pick the right one
Should you buy versatile equipment or specialised machines first? Equipment that keeps getting used covers many exercises rather than one. A pair of adjustable dumbbells and a bench supports a complete strength programme. A dedicated abdominal machine covers one movement pattern, then sits in a corner unused. On a limited budget, prioritise adjustable weights, a bench and a suspension trainer over anything with a single function.
How much space does home fitness equipment really need? Footprint is the obvious constraint, and ceiling height is the one people forget. Treadmill users need clearance above the deck, overhead presses need room above your reach, and a suspension trainer needs an anchor with swing space beneath it. Also factor in the space used during exercise, considerably larger than stored footprint. Equipment that must be moved before use tends not to get used.
Which home gym equipment is quiet enough for apartments? In an apartment or a house with people sleeping, noise decides when you can train. Magnetic resistance rowers and bikes run near silent. Treadmill motors and footfall carry through floors. Dropping dumbbells or kettlebells on a hard floor sends impact straight into the structure below. Rubber mats help considerably, and picking magnetic over air or fan based resistance solves most of it at purchase.
How do you avoid buying equipment that ends up unused? Be honest about the training you enjoy, not the training you intend to start. Cardio equipment gets used by people who already like cardio. Strength equipment gets used by people who follow a programme. Not sure yet? Start with bands, a suspension trainer and one kettlebell, all cheap and easy to store, then buy larger items once a habit exists. Most unused home gyms were bought in the wrong order.
The top picks, ranked
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
One pair adjusts across a range that would otherwise need fifteen sets of fixed dumbbells, using a dial that engages plates as you lift the handle from its cradle. Increments stay small enough at the low end for real progressive overload. Owners report the space saving is the actual benefit, since a full dumbbell rack is what usually stops home training before it starts.
Pros
- Enormous weight range in one footprint
- Fine increments allow real progression
- Fast to change between sets
Cons
- Plastic selection mechanism dislikes being dropped
- Longer than fixed dumbbells at low weights
TRX ALL-IN-ONE Suspension Trainer
Two adjustable straps anchor over a door, around a beam or to a wall mount, turning bodyweight into resistance scaled by changing your angle. It packs into a bag the size of a lunch box. Owners report this stays in use when space runs tight, storing in a drawer at home and working just as well in a hotel room.
Pros
- Covers a full body programme with no floor footprint
- Resistance scales without adding weight
- Packs away completely between sessions
Cons
- Requires a solid anchor point
- Learning correct form takes some time
Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine
Magnetic resistance keeps this rower quiet enough for an apartment, and it folds up against a wall, the key practical difference from a treadmill. Rowing works legs, back and arms together, covering more ground than most single purpose cardio machines. Owners report the magnetic system stays quiet for years while air rowers grow progressively louder.
Pros
- Quiet enough for shared walls and apartments
- Folds upright to free the floor
- Full body cardio rather than legs only
Cons
- Seat comfort needs a pad for long sessions
- Monitor is basic with no app connectivity
Marcy Adjustable Utility Weight Bench SB-670
This bench moves from flat through incline to decline, unlocking most of what a set of dumbbells can do. Its frame is powder coated steel on a wide, stable base. Owners report the adjustment range is what makes dumbbells worth owning, since pressing from the floor limits both load and range of motion.
Pros
- Adjustment range unlocks dumbbell training properly
- Stable base does not rock under load
- Simple pin adjustment between angles
Cons
- Does not fold flat for storage
- Pad is firm rather than plush
CAP Barbell Cast Iron Kettlebell
A single cast iron kettlebell with a smooth handle spans a wide weight range, so buying exactly what you need is simple. There are no moving parts, no adjustment mechanism, nothing to fail. Owners report two kettlebells at sensible weights cover swings, squats, presses and carries in less space than any machine.
Pros
- No mechanism to break or wear out
- Covers swings, carries, squats and presses
- Takes up almost no floor space
Cons
- Fixed weight, so progression means buying another
- Painted finish chips if dropped on hard floors
NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
A cushioned deck and powered incline make this folding treadmill an option regardless of weather outside. The deck folds vertically with hydraulic assist. Owners report the incline gets used most, since walking at a grade is far easier on joints than running while still raising heart rate.
Pros
- Weather independent walking and running
- Powered incline adds intensity without impact
- Folds to reduce footprint between uses
Cons
- Still the largest and heaviest item here
- Motor noise carries through floors in apartments
Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands
Five latex loop bands in graded resistances handle warm ups, hip and shoulder work, and added tension for bodyweight movements. They weigh almost nothing and fit in a bag pocket. Owners report these are the item most likely to travel and get used, the cheapest way to test whether home training will stick.
Pros
- Costs very little to find out if home training suits you
- Excellent for warm ups and hip stability work
- Packs into any bag
Cons
- Resistance ceiling is low for strength training
- Latex bands perish and eventually snap
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Weight range | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells | 5 to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | TRX ALL-IN-ONE Suspension Trainer | Suspension trainer with adjustable straps | Best for small spaces | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine | Eight level magnetic tension | Best cardio | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Marcy Adjustable Utility Weight Bench SB-670 | Flat, multiple incline and decline settings | Best bench | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | CAP Barbell Cast Iron Kettlebell | Solid cast iron with painted finish | Best value strength | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | NordicTrack T Series Treadmill | Cushioned running deck | Best for walking and running | 8.2 | Check price |
| 7 | Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands | Five bands in graded resistance levels | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
What should I buy first for a home gym?
Adjustable dumbbells and an adjustable bench cover the widest range of useful training for the space they occupy. Tighter on budget or space? A suspension trainer and a set of resistance bands cost far less and store in a drawer, a sensible way to build the habit before committing to larger equipment.
Are adjustable dumbbells as good as fixed ones?
For home use, yes, with two caveats. The selection mechanism is plastic on most models and dislikes being dropped, and the dumbbells run physically longer at low weights than fixed ones, affecting some exercises. In exchange, one pair replaces a whole rack, usually the deciding factor at home.
Is a rowing machine better than a treadmill for a small space?
Often, yes. Rowers fold upright, run near silently on magnetic resistance and work upper and lower body together. Treadmills take more space, make more noise through floors and cover only walking and running. The treadmill wins if walking or running is specifically what you enjoy, since that is what you will keep doing.
How much floor space do I really need for a home gym?
Less than most people assume for strength training. A bench, a pair of adjustable dumbbells and room to lie down and stand up covers roughly the area of a small rug. Cardio machines need their own footprint plus clearance. The bigger constraint is usually finding somewhere to leave things set up.
Do I need a mat under exercise equipment?
On hard floors, yes. A rubber mat protects the floor from dropped weights, reduces noise transmission to rooms below, and stops cardio machines walking across the room from vibration. It also defines a training area, which matters more than it sounds in a shared space.
Are resistance bands enough on their own for strength training?
For warm ups, mobility and hip stability work, they excel. Beyond the early stages, the resistance ceiling is too low and the tension curve too uneven for building real strength. Treat them as a valuable supplement and a good starting point rather than a full replacement for weights.
What weight kettlebell should I start with?
Most adults starting out do well with a moderate weight for swings and a lighter one for pressing and single arm work, since a swing tolerates far more load than an overhead press. Buying two at different weights beats one compromise weight that is too heavy for one job and too light for the other.
How do I stop home equipment from gathering dust?
Leave it visible and set up rather than stored away, keep a written programme so no decision is needed before training, and start with equipment matching something you already enjoy. Most abandoned home gyms trace back to buying large single purpose machines before a training habit existed.
What is the best home gym equipment for a small apartment?
The TRX ALL-IN-ONE Suspension Trainer and Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Bands both pack into a bag and need no dedicated floor space at all.
Dumbbells vs kettlebells, which should I buy first?
Adjustable dumbbells cover more exercises and progress in smaller increments, making them the better first purchase. Kettlebells add value later for swings and carries that dumbbells handle awkwardly.
Our take
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells change what is possible in a spare room, since one pair covers the range that would otherwise fill a rack. Pair them with the Marcy SB-670 bench for a complete strength setup, and add the TRX ALL-IN-ONE Suspension Trainer when space is genuinely tight or training happens away from home.
Derek Holt
Derek has a background coaching recreational and amateur athletes and has worked the sales floor at specialty fitness retailers. He focuses on equipment durability, ergonomics and realistic use cases rather than marketing claims.
