Reached An Exercise Plateau? Try This To Take Your Workouts To The Next Level

Best for limited space

Tonal

Tonal is an amped-up cable machine that allows you to perform typical cable exercises like bicep curls, tricep pushdowns, and rows, but it also works for compound lifts, such as squats and deadlifts. The best part is the machine’s small footprint. It attaches to the wall and takes up a very minimal amount of space, but you won’t have to sacrifice results or your favorite compound exercises by using Tonal. Even better? No need to store multiple weights or accessories.

The machine caters to every fitness level, so it’s one piece of equipment you won’t outgrow. The resistance goes up to 200 pounds, with heavy strength training encouraged. Virtual coaches provide motivation and structure for your workouts, making Tonal ideal for those who want the convenience of home workouts, but still appreciate expert-led programming.

We’re big fans of NordicTrack treadmills, and the Commercial Series 1750 is one of the best compact treadmills for running. With speeds up to 12 miles per hour and an up to 15% incline, this treadmill is a highly versatile pick for those looking for an indoor running option. The machine also comes equipped with integrated running workouts (with a paid membership), auto-adjusting functions, and additional workout options. It holds up to 364 pounds and is made from commercial-grade materials, making it a valuable, sturdy piece of cardio equipment that’s built to last.

What’s more, the machine is foldable for easy storage, and is actually very easy to set up. Although, the brand does offer white-glove delivery if you’d rather.

Rowing machines are tough to beat when it comes to getting an effective full-body workout. These machines work your upper and lower body, and also provide a heart-pumping cardio challenge. 

That said, using a rower at home can be tedious, performing the same motion over and over. The Aviron Strong Series rower stands out above the rest as an engaging and motivating cardio machine. The 22-inch HD screen even has gaming and streaming capabilities, including Netflix, Youtube, and Spotify. Yup, you can play games while you row, enter live competitions, join coached and guided programs, or choose scenic rowing to immerse yourself in a natural landscape.

Other key features include accessible seating and frame size. The Strong Series has a large ergonomic seat and adjustable foot width, a low handrail, and a higher seat for an easier time getting on and off the rower. It also has a higher-than-average weight capacity of 507 pounds and accommodates people up to 6-foot-8, while still being surprisingly compact and easy to store upright. Another plus? If you tend to experience back pain, you can add lumbar support.

One downside is that you’ll need a monthly subscription if you want to access the Aviron classes, which seems to be the only complaint amongst hundreds of positive reviews.

The Nuobell adjustable dumbbells are among the easiest to use of any adjustable set we’ve tested, and they take up a minimal amount of space—a huge selling point for adjustable dumbbells. These stand out due to their knurled steel handles and steel plates, which are uncommon among adjustable sets. These features make the Nuobell dumbbells feel more like traditional dumbbells. 

The higher weight range of up to 80 pounds makes these ideal for anyone consistently progressing in their strength training routine. If you are a stronger individual or wish to perform compound movements using large muscle groups for building strength, such squats, bench presses, deadlifts, and rows, you’ll come to appreciate the higher-weight options. And if you’re not quite ready to work up to 80 pounds, opt for the less expensive 50 pound set.

Having personally tested the Nuobells against other adjustable dumbbells, they feel the most natural and functional to use. Other versions can be bulky and make it difficult to perform certain movements properly.

Just note, these do have sharper corners, which make them not ideal for movements like goblet squats, or anything that requires grasping them by the platelets.

This upright bike offers high-performance cardio with features like Terrain Control Technology and high-quality design and engineering. It has weighted and strapped petals to keep your feet in place, plus an ergonomic seat and handlebars for maximum comfort—both of which can be adjusted to your desired specifications.

Bonus extras include Bluetooth speakers, a media shelf, a USB port, and a 7-inch LCD screen. This bike is an excellent choice for home gyms, and includes a year’s access to the JRNY® adaptive fitness platform, with full access to coaching and classes.The Terrain Control allows you to select resistances and speeds that mimic outdoor conditions. It’s also a very affordable bike in comparison to some other best at-home exercise bikes, potentially leaving you with more room in the budget to expand your home gym equipment beyond cardio machines.

While the initial cost of this full home gym set up seems high, the all-in-one value is fantastic. If you want to build a home gym on a budget, instead of scouring the internet for each individual piece of equipment, buying everything you’ll need in one bundled package will save you money in the long run. This set includes a squat rack, Olympic barbell, adjustable bench, weight plates (5, 10, 25, 35, and 45 pounds), and barbell collars.

With a complete setup ready to go, including 700 pounds of weight, this bundle will take you from beginner to home-gym-enthusiast, with everything you need to get started on a serious lifting routine.

There are nearly 700 reviews for this set on the Better Body website, and it maintains a 4.7 out of 5 overall rating. Reviewers are “surprised by its solidity” and say it is “the best bang for your buck if you train at home.”

This all-in-one home gym option comes with everything you need to take your at-home setup to the next level. The set combines a power rack, functional trainer, smith machine, chin-up station, and core trainer, all in the footprint of a standard power rack. The design includes smart storage solutions for your barbells, plates, and cable attachments, ideal for small spaces, without sacrificing quality.

This system is plate-loaded and uses strong cable pulleys to provide resistance. With the smith machine option, you’ll feel safe performing heavy lifts such as squats and bench presses. The smith machine allows for up to 772 pounds of Olympic weight plates, ensuring you can progress your workout safely. You’ll be able to perform 75 different exercises using the cables and 18 included attachments. The chin-up bar station allows for classic grip, hammer grip, wide grip, narrow grip, pronated grip, underhand, overhand, and more and is rated up to 1500 pounds.

Rouge is a powerhouse when it comes to home gym equipment, making extremely high-quality, USA-produced gear and storage solutions. The brand carries a variety of barbells, including the Ohio bar, which comes in a wide range of styles and finishes. The bars are made from steel, with dual-knurling for excellent grip—and they also have bronze brushings, with coating options for added durability, such as stainless steel, cerakote, and black zinc.

As far as value goes, the Ohio bar boasts a lifetime warranty against bending. Another unique feature is the range of color options, so if you feel like matching your home gym to the rest of your aesthetic, you’re in luck.

Tempo offers excellent versatility and value. It’s unique from other mirror-based home gym equipment because it includes free weight plates, allowing for a more natural and familiar workout experience. 

The smart AI has 3D tracking sensors that scan and monitor your movement to automatically count your reps and provide valuable technique and form correction feedback. The guided AI will even tell you if you are, perhaps, lifting too heavy for your abilities and lets you know when to progress your training.

There’s a 30-day trial period if you want to test out Tempo Studio risk-free, and purchases come with 3 months of free one-on-one personal training to get you started. Choose from three package options which include various ranges of weight plates, dumbbell handles, barbell, bench, mat, and more.

If you are new to working out on your own, starting with trainer-led fitness classes and basic equipment is a great way to dip your toe into home workouts. Obé is a subscription-based exercise platform with a wide variety of workout modalities, including strength, meditation, cardio, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, boxing, barre, and more. Obé offers live or pre-recorded classes, and longer programs, with several beginner-level options.

Whether you plan to subscribe to the platform or not, the brand’s Level Up Kit is a great beginner-friendly equipment kit that will amp up any home workout. It includes a set of two sliders, a barre ball, one pair of 1.5 pound ankle weights, and two resistance loops. If you do sign up for a membership, you’ll be able to filter the classes by which type of equipment you’d like to use (or not use) that day.