Guides

The best leg press machine for small spaces is the PASYOU bench-and-leg-press, a 57 lb unit that packs a 12-level press and a nine-angle bench into about 10 square feet. Here are the three picks that fit a real room.

Weight lifting equipment for a home gym comes down to three pieces that cover almost every session: a power rack, an adjustable bench, and a bar. Here is what to buy first and what can wait.

The best Smith machine for a home gym for most people is the Mikolo HORUS Set, because its two weight stacks link into one 256 lb path for lat pulldowns and low rows, each side still runs independently for cable work, and the package adds a bench and 230 lb of plates. Here are the four worth the floor space.

The best folding squat rack for most home gyms is the Mikolo 2x2 wall rack, because it folds to about 5 inches off the wall, takes 1,000 lb, and costs around $300. Here are the two wall racks worth buying, and how to check your wall first.

The best dip bars for a home gym are the RELIFE Four-Height Dip Bar, because the rubber feet level the base on an uneven garage floor and the foam handles stay comfortable through high-rep sets. Here are the two stations worth buying.

The best pull up bar for a doorway is the Ally Peaks leverage bar, because it fits 24 to 32 inch frames, hangs without screws, and its silicone pads left no marks in our testing. Here are the two bars worth buying, and how to measure your door first.

The best squat rack for most home gyms is the Sportsroyals RK2, a 1,200 lb cage with a built-in lat pulldown and low row. Here are three racks worth the floor space, and who each one fits.

The best weight bench for most home gyms is the HANDBODE 1500, a 1,500 lb adjustable bench that covers flat, incline, and upright pressing at IPF-standard height for around $160. Here are the three benches worth the floor space, and who each one fits.

A bumper plate set for a home gym is a sizing decision, not a brand one. Here is how many plates to buy, how much sleeve they use, and the CAP sets that fit a garage.

The best adjustable kettlebell for most home gyms is the BowFlex SelectTech 840, because the base dial moves you from 8 to 40 lb in seconds, so a swing and a press use the same bell. Here are the three worth buying.

The best dumbbell set for most home gyms is the HANDBODE 150 lb rubber hex set, because the 5 to 25 lb pairs cover full-body training, the handles grip without shredding your palms, and its A-frame rack tucks into about two square feet. Here are the four sets worth buying.

The best kettlebell for most beginners is a 15 lb cast iron bell for presses, cleans, and swings, with a soft 10 lb bell for quiet floor work. Here is what weight to start with and which bell to buy first.

The best trap bar for most home gyms is the CAP Olympic Trap & Shrug Bar, a 500 lb hex bar for around $80 with raised neutral handles. Here are the three bars worth buying, and who each one fits.

The best lifting straps for deadlifts are the Gymreapers 18 inch cotton pair at about $15, because they wrap with one twist and the neoprene pad keeps the wrist comfortable. Here are the three grip aids worth buying, and when hooks beat straps.

The best kettlebell set for most home gyms is the Bintiva cast iron run of 5 to 30 lb, a buy-once set with a non-stick handle. Here are the four sets worth buying, and which one fits a beginner.

The best barbell for most home gyms is the LIONSCOOL 7ft Olympic Barbell, a 45 lb bar with a 4.7 inch center knurl that locks your back on squats, a 700 lb rating, and a limited lifetime warranty. Here are the three bars worth buying, and who each one fits.

The best bumper plates for most home gyms are the CAP 260 lb Economy set, a full run of color-coded rubber from 10 to 45 lb at about a dollar a pound. Here are the three buys worth it, and what each one costs per pound of plate.

The best adjustable dumbbells for home gyms, ranked by feel, range, and price. Picks for dial, knurled-handle, and budget buyers.

The best exercise bike for home for most people is the YOSUDA 002, because a 25 lb flywheel and a 300 lb frame stay steady through a hard ride at about 43 cents a ride. Here are the three bikes worth the floor space, with the footprint, noise, and cost numbers most other lists leave out.

The best air bike for most home gyms is the pooboo Air-Resistance Fan Bike, because the belt-and-chain drive stays quieter than a pure chain bike and the dual-action arms work the whole body. Here are three fan bikes worth the space.

The best recumbent bike for home for most riders is the MERACH S08, because the padded seat and backrest stay comfortable for a long ride and the 8-level magnetic drive stays quiet enough for a shared room. Here are the three recumbents worth the floor space and who each one fits.

The best elliptical machine for home for most people is the Dripex Elliptical, because its 16 resistance levels run on a quiet magnetic flywheel and the compact frame suits riders from 4 foot 9 to 6 foot 1 for under $200. Here are the three machines worth the floor space.

The best exercise bike for small spaces is the XTERRA FB150, because it folds to about 18 by 18 inches and rolls behind a door between rides. Here are the three compact bikes worth the floor space.

The best spin bike under $500 for most home gyms is the MERACH Magnetic Friction Bike, because its magnetic core and brake pad cover an easy spin to a standing push and it runs under 25 dB. Here are the three budget bikes worth buying.

The best treadmill for most homes under $1000 is the CURSOR FITNESS 16% Incline Walking Pad, a quiet 2.5HP machine with side handles and a 330 lb capacity. Here are the three picks worth buying, and who each one fits.

The best rowing machine for home is the Concept2 RowErg, an air rower that turns every stroke into comparable data and holds up for years of training. For apartments and casual cardio, the Merach Q1S is the quiet pick.

The best lat pulldown machine for a home gym is the GOIMU LS01, a freestanding three-station tower that covers pulldowns, rows, and crunches for under $200. Here are the three picks worth buying.

The best functional trainer for most home gyms is the Mikolo HORUS Set, a dual-stack all-in-one that links both stacks for 256 lb of lat pulldown and row resistance. Here are the four picks worth buying, and who each one fits.

The best cable machine for most home gyms is the Goimu WM1, a wall-mounted station that adds cable work in about three square feet. Here are the three picks worth buying, and who each one fits.

The best horse stall mats for a home gym are 3/4 inch rubber, and the American Floor Mats 4x6 is the one we would buy. Here are the three floors worth laying, and how to handle the weight and the smell.

The best home gym flooring for most rooms is the ProsourceFit 1/2-inch puzzle mat, a full-room foam floor that costs about a dollar a square foot. For grip under a rack or a bench, the rubber-top SUPERJARE tiles are the better call.