The pandemic has taught us that health is truly wealth. Regularly working out is equally as important as having a proper diet to keep a healthy body. And if you're one who prefers to workout in the comfort of your own home, workout equipment for your space is a good investment.
Below is a buying guide, fact-checked by fitness coach Michelle Estuar, on how to choose the best home workout equipment. We also have a list of our top picks of items for beginners to more advanced users. Whether you are just starting out your fitness journey, easing back into working out, or have made exercising a part of your lifestyle, there's surely an item for you!
Quick List - Top Home Workout Equipment
Michelle Estuar is the Head Coach of one of the indoor cycling studios in Metro Manila. She trains individuals interested in becoming cycling coaches. She also designs and develops programs to meet fitness goals. To add to that, she is a former triathlete, running coach, and ultra-marathoner, and has completed long-distance events such as a 102km run and a 10km open water swim. Michelle is addicted to anything related to sports and fitness as well as diet and nutrition. She has tried (and will keep on trying) the latest trends in diets, apps, equipment, gears, and accessories—she will do anything to stay fit and healthy.
Katrina is a freelance writer who joined the myBest PH team in January 2021. She is interested in writing about hobbies and anything that falls under entertainment. When not writing on the Internet, you can find her in bookstores and cinemas, or engaged in a conversation about art and media.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
Before diving right away into buying a piece of equipment, first assess your level and set a clear goal. What do you want to achieve? Do you want to lose weight? Gain muscle and strength? Tone your body? All these will help you find a piece of workout equipment that will be effective for you to reach your goal.
Cardio workouts are a great way to speed up your heart rate and get you started with burning calories. Doing cardio is also a good exercise to condition your lungs and heart, and improve blood flow.
The good thing about cardio is that you can do it with or without the use of any equipment. Exercises without the use of equipment include marching or jogging in place, jumping jacks, dancing, and many more.
Most popular cardio equipment, such as treadmills, elliptical trainers, rowing machines, and stationary bikes, comes with a hefty price. But if you decide to buy these kinds, make sure that they are from a trusted brand so that they will last you a long time. If you prefer something more affordable, you can opt for a jump rope, aerobic step, a pair of dumbbells, and many more.
Cardio-based programs, nowadays, also make use of a variety of equipment, such as weighted gloves, hula hoops, stability balls, and sticks, to add more fun and variety to your workout.
Strength training is not just about getting buffed or packing on rock-hard musclesーalthough they sure do look good! Strength training is important because our muscle mass depletes as we age. Regular training keeps us capable of doing even the simplest daily activities like going up the stairs or standing up from a chair.
A few examples of equipment to build up muscles include ankle weights, weighted vests, dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, and a pull-up bar. If you’re a beginner, we recommend getting weights that you know you can easily carry.
For instance, you may first try 0.5-1 kg dumbbells first and then eventually level up with heavier ones as you get stronger. If you have the budget, it would be a nice idea to have at least 2-3 weight selections. With this, you can choose which one suits your workout and match it to your strength, too!
Yoga poses range from easy, such as the standing tree position, to advanced ones, like the one-handed tree poseーso don't think that you won't break a sweat! Yoga and pilates are great for post-workout stretching, and to improve one's flexibility. These types of workouts emphasize breathing, which promotes relaxation.
Generally, you would only need a yoga mat. However, you can also opt to use straps, blocks, foam rollers, and yoga balls for a deeper and more intense stretch.
Getting started or getting back on track with your fitness journey is one thing. However, in order to achieve and maintain your goal, you have to consistently workout and keep challenging yourself.
It’s important to choose equipment that you know you will enjoy so that you can continue using it while you’re having fun. Otherwise, you’ll quickly lose interest and get back to square one of your fitness journey.
If you like playing games, consider games and consoles that you can use for workouts as well. For instance, if you like dancing, you can try Just Dance. Ring Fit Adventure, on the other hand, requires you to do several things like squats, overhead presses, and many more!
If you’re a beginner and you need a workout guide, try browsing the thousands of workout channels on YouTube, and check which ones suit your fitness level, interests, and personal needs or concerns. There are tons of content that range from beginner to advanced level, no impact to high impact. Plus, you can choose the type of workout you prefer and try other programs that are new to you. They're free, very accessible, and there's no viewing limit!
Aside from YouTube, there are also Android and iOS apps available from popular sports brands like the Nike Training Club app and Adidas Training app. These apps offer free workout guides according to your level and goals. You can download these for free, but you may need to purchase in-app to unlock other content.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Luxlife Weighted Skipping Rope | ![]() | Adjustable Jump Rope to Improve Your Cardio | |
2 | Kool Non-Slip Mat for Workout | ![]() | Non-Slip Yoga Mat to Help You Hold Your Poses | |
3 | Domyos Hex Dumbbell 7.5 kg | ![]() | Tone and Build Muscle at Home | |
4 | Trigger Point GRID Foam Roller | ![]() | A Recovery Tool That's the Closest Thing to a Massage | |
5 | Elite Fitness Anti-Burst Gym Ball With Hand Pump | ![]() | Enhance Your Posture While Working | |
6 | Fitness & Athletics Ultimate Power Tube 25 lbs | ![]() | For More Intense Squats, Rows, Presses, and Curls | |
7 | Nyamba Weighted ToneBall Medicine Ball 3 Kg / Diameter 22 Cm | ![]() | Explosive Training for Explosive Results | |
8 | Excalibur Premium Canvas Punching Bag | ![]() | Relieve Stress While Staying in Shape | |
9 | Kemilng Foldable Singe Function Treadmill|M10 | ![]() | Foldable Treadmill for Indoor Running or Walking Exercises | |
10 | Elite Loop Resistance Bands (Set of 3) | ![]() | Get That Peach Bottom in No Time |
Looking for inexpensive home workout equipment for beginners? You can never go wrong with a jump rope. Jump ropes provide a full-body workout that improves cardio and coordination. This one is made from a durable PVC material and has a ball-bearing system that prevents twisting and tangling. It also has soft, sweat-absorbing handles for an ergonomic grip.
This skipping rope is conveniently adjustable, so you can also set it on different lengths depending on your height. Plus, it only weighs around 400g, allowing you to skip faster and work on your technique. Lastly, it has a free bag to store the rope, so you can easily use it for a quick and fun yet still highly effective workout.
A yoga mat is versatile workout equipment. It helps you balance, and it cushions the pressure from exercises such as sit-ups. This eco-friendly mat from Kool is made from 100% thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) that provides excellent traction and grip even when you're sweating. It's water-repellant, too, making it incredibly easy to sanitize.
Moreover, this yoga mat is extremely lightweight as it measures 183cm x 61cm and is only 6mm thick. It also comes with a carry strap for convenience and easy storage. Finally, the design is reversible, allowing you to switch between two colors at any time.
For those who want to build and tone their muscles, dumbbells are a no-brainer. They are great for cross-training and maintaining physical fitness. This high-quality dumbbell from Domyos gives you the most bang for your buck, providing 7.5kg of weight at only a little over a thousand pesos.
What's great about this dumbbell is its hexagonal shape, making the weights stay put during sets. This feature makes it significantly safer and more convenient than those round-shaped ones. Overall, if you plan to purchase dumbbells for your home, this one is the one to get.
Recover faster using this high-quality foam roller from Trigger Point. Its design features a multi-density foam surface and firm compression that mimics the massage you can get from an actual therapist's hands. It is a hollow foam roller made with high-quality EVA foam that is highly durable and will last you for years.
This can also be used for stretching before working out to prevent injuries or when you just need to relax and get rid of muscle knots and tightness! Many reviewers say that they use this product for therapy on injuries, improving mobility and flexibility, relaxation, and maintaining health.
Back problems are common among those who are in a work-from-home setup. A simple yet highly effective remedy to this is to swap your office chair with a gym ball occasionally. Sitting on it enhances your posture and drastically reduces lower back pain, especially during long periods of sitting.
This particular anti-burst ball from Elite is flexible and durable, with a maximum capacity of 200kg. It comes with a hand pump, so you can inflate it on your own. If you want to make the most out of this equipment, you can also use it for different upper and lower-body workouts. It is best, however, for workouts that aim to strengthen your core.
This resistance band is made with a high-quality latex tube that provides a smooth and consistent stretch with an equivalent weight of up to 25 lbs. Its handles also include foam for comfort and a secure grip so that with each use, you'll be able to power up and tone your upper and lower body.
It's a piece of versatile workout equipment that you can also use for stretching to enhance mobility and prevent injuries or for cardio workouts to torch fats and calories. You can choose the resistance level from 5 lbs to 30 lbs, depending on your preferred intensity.
A medicine ball is an all-around piece of workout equipment that can be used for both cardio exercises and strength training and works on different muscle groups. It can help fire up your metabolism, strengthen your body, tone your muscles, and improve coordination and balance.
This medicine ball from Nyamba weighs 3kg, which could be a little challenging for beginners but an easy pick for intermediate users. It is made with 100% rubber which makes it wear-resistant and won't damage your floors! If you live in an apartment or condominium, just be careful not to slam your medicine ball too hard because it might disturb your neighbors!
Exercising is a great way to relieve stress, and if you're not into yoga, then boxing might be for you! Boxing offers many benefits, including building strength and endurance, as well as improving your mood and boxing technique. If you want to explore this hobby, a heavy bag is a practical equipment to have at home as it allows you to train even without a sparring partner.
This filled punching bag from well-known combat training brand Excalibur is made of anti-tear PVC material and reinforced with a heavy-duty zipper so that you can rely on it for a long time. It can be installed indoors or outdoors, as long as you have a hook to hang the bag onto and ample space to perform your punches and jabs.
Running or even just walking is a great low-impact exercise, but in reality, it's not always convenient or safe for everyone to go outdoors for a run or a walk. Fortunately, treadmills allow us to do just that in the comfort of our own homes. This foldable treadmill from Kemilng has all the standard features you need, plus a price tag that won't hurt your pocket.
It has an LED screen that displays all the important information, such as calories, speed, time, distance, and steps taken. However, some buyers note in their reviews that the running belt is a little narrow, but with the LED display and the built-in speaker, they said it's still well worth its price.
Want to add some variety to your workout routine? Resistance bands or booty bands are the way to go! Aside from increasing the intensity, they also improve flexibility, strength, and balance. Resistance bands are great for targeting your glutes, hips, and shoulders. Activating these areas will help your muscles be more prominent and take on a more rounded shape.
This resistance band set from Elite comes in three colors corresponding to different resistance levels. It's made of high-quality latex for a softer and more durable stretch. If you're doing yoga and pilates, using these bands is an excellent way to add a challenge to your poses.
Down below we have more recommendations for products home like yoga mats and foam rollers to help you achieve your dream body. Just click on the link!
Re-editor: Katrina Balingit
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Luxlife|Weighted Skipping Rope
No. 2: Kool|Non-Slip Mat for Workout
No. 3: Domyos|Hex Dumbbell 7.5 kg
No. 4: Trigger Point|GRID Foam Roller
No. 5: Elite|Fitness Anti-Burst Gym Ball With Hand Pump
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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