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Top Compact Exercise Equipment & Machines That Are Worth Buying

    Do you live in an apartment or have only a little space to work out at home? Don’t worry! You can choose from a lot of efficient small exercise equipment for home.

    Regardless of your fitness goals, you will find a piece of compact exercise equipment from the list below.

    You will see that most compact exercise equipment provides a full-body workout, so you will not neglect any muscle groups. And if I have not told you yet, these products are pretty affordable.

    So, here are the top exercise pieces-of-equipment for small spaces suitable for both men and women. Find available items and compact exercise machines.

    1. Dumbbells Set

    exercise equipment

    Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

    I start my list with hand weights since they are the most versatile pieces of exercise equipment to shape the entire body. They are suitable for both power and cardio training, as they train your upper and lower body.

    You can perform squats for your leg muscles, presses for your chest and shoulders, or extensions for your triceps for additional resistance.

    You can buy traditional ones. But the best buy is the adjustable dumbbells, such as Bowflex and PowerBlock Elite, since you can increase or decrease the resistance by removing or adding plates.

    These dumbbell sets provide more possibilities to perform various exercises with different weights. Lastly, they are compact and come with trays for easy storage.

     Related:Best Adjustable Dumbbells – Reviews and Buying Guide for Weight Sets

    2. Power Towers

    Well, this bodyweight compact gym exercise equipment requires a bit more space to use and store. Still, it gives an excellent bodyweight workout experience.

    It lets you do the most beneficial upper body exercises for strength, such as pull-ups, chin-ups, dips, and even push-ups.

    With this compact gym exercise equipment, you can hang your knees and perform leg raises, which are killer exercises for your abs.

    The SportsRoyals is the best buy fitness station for a small apartment as it requires only a small space. Other power towers are quite big.

    exercise equipment

    SportsRoyals Power Tower

    3. Workout Bench

    exercise equipment

    FLYBIRD Workout Bench

    A weight bench is useful exercise equipment for strength training with dumbbells.

    These are the best buy because it lets you modify the backrest to various angles. With this feature, you can do incline, decline, or flat exercises.

    Most of these items are folding to store them under the bed or stand them in the room’s corner.

    FLYBIRD and Fitness Reality benches are the best buys for the home.

    The other alternative is the flat workout bench, which is more compact exercise equipment. The Finer Form flat bench is foldable and a suitable professional piece for someone with limited space.

    4. Suspension Training Kit

    The suspension trainer is equipped with a door anchor so installing and removing them is easy.

    The suspension training requires only a small space.

    With this device, you can strengthen each part of the body, and suitable for beginners and advanced trainers.

    exercise equipment

    TRX Suspension Trainers

    Here’s a list of suspension training kits that worth’s the buck.

     Related:Best Suspension Trainers Comparison  & Workout Straps Guide

    5. Doorway Pull-Up Bar

    exercise equipment pull-up bar

    Iron Gym Pull-Up Bar

    If you have such a small space that it is impossible to have a power tower, then the best alternative is the doorway pull-up bar.

    You can quickly install one on the top of the doorframe and do the mentioned bodyweight exercises except for the dips.

    The professional models provide different grip positions, and the maximum weight capacity is about 300 pounds. It is a beneficial piece of exercise equipment for apartments that is affordable but requires existing strength.

    You can shop for high-quality doorway pullup bars here.

    Are you on a budget?

    We have a guide for the best cheap items that are worth buying.

    6. Kettlebells

    exercise equipment kettleballs

    Best Choice Products Kettlebells

    Just like dumbbells, kettlebells are very versatile weight training equipment for your whole body. Their compact sizes make them an optimal choice having only a small space to work out.

    Kettlebell training helps you burn calories in a short time, which also strengthens your muscles.

    These kettlebells are pretty cheap and come in various sizes, so you can find one that suits your fitness level.

    Adjustable kettlebells are applicable if you want to save more space.

    7. Exercise Balls

    A stability ball is cheap but extremely versatile exercise equipment that you can use in your room.

    What makes it so useful is that performing the exercises is more complicated since you have to keep your balance and stability.

    This way, more muscles are engaged, especially your core muscles.

    exercise equipment exercise balls

    Trideer Exercise Ball

    For example, if you push-ups by placing your legs on the ball, it is harder to press yourself up.

    Sitting on the ball is also great for your spine health. They cost only a few bucks.

     Recommended:Best-Selling Exercise Balls on Amazon

    8. Ab Wheels

    An ab wheel is a portable piece of exercise equipment that shapes your midsection.

    Most of these ab wheels are simple, affordable, and compact. Thus, making them one of the best gym pieces of exercise equipment for abs requires only a small workout space.

    By rolling in and out the wheel, you will strengthen not only your entire core but also your chest and shoulders.

    exercise equipment ab wheels

    Fitnessery Ab Wheels

     Recommended:Best-Selling Ab Wheels on Amazon

    What are the best compact total gyms for a home?

    9. Resistance Bands

    exercise equipment resistance bands

    Whatafit Resistance Bands Set

    Do not underestimate the efficiency and versatility of the exercise bands.

    The advantage of using resistance bands is that your muscles are worked when you push and pull movements.

    Besides, they are excellent tools to add extra resistance to your cardio workouts. You can even perform hundreds of exercises that let you have a total-body workout.

    Usually, they are sold in a bundle with different resistance levels and cost only a few bucks.

     Recommended:Best-Selling Resistance Bands on Amazon

    10. Bosu Balls

    A Bosu ball is must-have exercise equipment for balance training.

    As you see, it looks like a half stability ball installed in a stable basement. But it can be used at an upside-down position as well.

    It is an excellent tool to make traditional exercises more challenging, such as squats and pushes ups. Bosu balls are especially beneficial for plyometric drills and great for living room training.

    exercise equipment bosu balls

    URBNFit Bosu Ball

     Recommended:Best-Selling Bosu Balls on Amazon

    11. Jump Ropes

    Cheap home gym exercise equipment for home to boost your cardio. MMA fighters and boxers use the jump rope almost each of their workouts.

    This space-saving exercise equipment boosts your cardio and endurance and helps burn calories in little time.

    Remember that you’ll need to have a higher ceiling and a bit more space to use it comfortably.

    exercise equipment jump ropes

    DEGOL Skipping Rope

     Recommended: Best-Selling Jump Ropes on Amazon

    12. Push-Up Bars

    exercise equipment push up bar

    Redipo Push-Up Bars

    Push-up is the most efficient bodyweight exercise for the upper body.

    With push-up stands, you can go deeper. It would be best if you had more muscle power to press yourself up, contributing to bigger and stronger muscles.

    Higher bars can also be used for L-sits that is great for your stomach. You can easily use it in a living room.

     Recommended: Best-Selling Push-Up Bars on Amazon

    13. Compact Rowing Machines

    exercise equipment rowing machine

    Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine

    If you are searching for compact cardio exercise equipment, there are rowing machines in small sizes. Meanwhile, you can also find foldable rowing machines online.

    Of course, they are not as professional as the giants in the gym. However, they still provide excellent full-body cardio training.

    Compared to the most famous models, such as Concept 2, they cost just a fraction of the price. Customers prefer the Sunny Health & Fitness rowing machine for its easy storage (lay flat).

     Recommended: Best-Selling Compact Rowing Machines on Amazon

    14. Compact Treadmills

    Running is the king of cardio activities. The folding treadmill is one of the best home exercise equipment you can have.

    The problem is that traditional professional treadmills are rather big and expensive. For a small space, a fold-flat treadmill is the only option.

    On the other hand, some treadmills are manufactured for small spaces and a living room.

    exercise equipment treadmills

    NordicTrack T Series Treadmill

    They come with a shorter running area and can be folded. Of, course they do not provide such an excellent user experience as the pro models, but they are still useful.

    These cheap workout machines let you have a walking or jogging workout routine to burn calories while you watch TV, for example. Some devices are equipped with heart rate sensors.

     Recommended: Best-Selling Compact Treadmills on Amazon

    15. Folding Magnetic Upright Bikes

    An upright exercise bike is a useful workout machine to have your daily low impact cardio workout and keep yourself healthy.

    Most of the upright bikes have a compact design and can be folded, so they are suitable for a living room.

    They provide various levels of resistance, check your heart rate, and provide a lot of other useful information about your training on the LCD monitor.

    Usually, a compact exercise bike comes with a unique tray at the top that lets you read while cycling.

    exercise equipment upright bikes

    Exerpeutic Upright Bike

    The recumbent bike is another option, but it’s large and not folding.

     Recommended: Best-Selling Upright Bikes on Amazon

    16. Vertical Climbers

    This foldable machine looks rather odd, but it is powerful compact exercise equipment for home that helps tone those problem areas such as the glutes, thighs, hips, and waist.

    And since you also use your upper body, it also works your back, arms, and shoulders.

    It engages many muscles at once and boosts your heart rate, making it an efficient fat-burning cardio training.

    The move is similar to rock climbing.

    The most popular model is the Maxi Climber, with a compact and foldable design that requires minimum floor space.

    exercise equipment climbers

    Maxi Climber

     Recommended: Best-Selling Vertical Climbers on Amazon

    17. Mini Cycles

    This is a piece of smart, compact exercise equipment for those who sit a lot.

    If you cannot afford an under desk treadmill, a mini cycle is the best option.

    It is portable and can be used in your office as well. It requires minimal floor space.

    One of the most reputable brands is the Hausse Pedal Bike, which can be used on arms and legs.

    exercise equipment mini cycles

    Hausse Pedal Bike

    18. Weight Vests

    exercise equipment weight vests

    Aduro Weighted Vest

    If you prefer bodyweight training and your strength level is great, you may feel that the traditional exercises don’t support your development anymore.

    That’s the point when the weighted vest comes in. You can have a much better strength training regimen with it.

     Recommended: Best-Selling Weight Vests on Amazon

    19. Dip Stations

    This equipment by Relife Rebuild Your Life is a powerful workstation that effectively helps you rebuild your life and body.

    If you intend to purchase gym exercise equipment that doesn’t cost much or consumes much space in your home, you should consider purchasing this exercise equipment.

    They help you perform full-body workouts using only your body weight to achieve maximum effect.

    The workout station is constructed with high-quality steel and is a beauty to behold.

    It is certainly suitable for your home and can hold weights of about 330 lbs. without rumbling.

    exercise equipment dip stations

    Relife Rebuild Dip Station

    Most dip stations feature suction cups at the base of their frame, which keeps them attached to the floor. It is also customizable by size, i.e., you can adjust its size to fit yours, thanks to its four levels of the backrest and nine height adjustment levels.

    Another great thing about this exercise equipment is its mobility and weight. It weighs just 60lbs, and you also get a one-year warranty on the frame of the equipment.

     Recommended: Best-Selling Dip Stations on Amazon

    20. Multifunctional Home Gym Station

    exercise equipment home gym

    Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym

    A multifunctional gym exercise equipment must be considered when you want to build a home gym. It is effective and works for different muscle groups.

    It is available in four primary tools: a preacher curl pad, a fly press, a chest press, and a leg developer.

    With this set of equipment, you will certainly get value for your money due to the work it performs on each muscle group in your body.

    This exercise equipment’s seats and backrests are also designed to help you maintain focus by protecting you from any form of back pain or injuries.

    The Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym will help you stay fit continually with its professional build and easy-to-use nature.

    Just like the rest, it is designed with heavy-duty steel to withstand weights of up to 150lbs; although it is a heavy machine, once you’ve selected the right spot, you won’t need to move it again.

    21. Aerobic Decks

    exercise equipment aerobic decks

    Reebok Professional Aerobic Deck

    This workout station also brings the luxury of a storage compartment, which helps you minimize space consumption. With its storage compartment, you can store your resistance tubes, hand weights, dumbbells, and other small workout accessories.

    The Reebok Professional Aerobic Deck provides you with a mixture of quality and efficiency – as it is one of the best exercise equipment to have in your home. It is suitable for personal workouts and family workouts, and you can perform different workout routines on it.

    You can perform some workout routines using the Reebok Aerobic Deck – front raises, triceps dips, Bulgarian squats, and low rows.

    This workout station features some handy clips and a non-slip rubber surface. It is lightweight and easy to carry about with a small size of 28lbs. With the Reebok Aerobic Deck, you are sure of achieving maximum results within the stipulated time.

    22. Elliptical Trainers

    exercise equipment elliptical trainers

    Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Trainer

    Elliptical trainers are a must-have for people who are intensive trainers.

    It comes readily available with a USB charging dock, an in-built adjustable fan, and a media shelf.

    Some machines feature a DualTrack LCD, which allows you to switch between the different programs available to you.

    The programs listed in the device are twenty-two in number, including another eight heart rate monitor settings.

    23. Heavy-Bag Kits

    exercise equipment heavy bag

    RDX Punching Bag Set

    You might have thought of purchasing a punching bag some time ago, but due to the cost of the bag, you changed your mind. Well, here is another opportunity for you to get an exclusive punching bag for your home workout.

    This new bag designed by this popular company is available at a great price and has an impressive physical appearance.

    The RDX heavy-bag kit offers an 8-piece boxing punching bag is manufactured with high-quality Maya hide leather.

    It retains its shape really well over time, making it ideal for MMA, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and more.

    Is Exercise Equipment Worth It?

    Whether you live in an apartment or have a small space in one of your rooms or garage, exercise equipment is worth the buck for building your mini-home gym station.

    As such, there are several pieces of compact and foldable exercise equipment to work out at home, like the ones mentioned above.

    Also, the things listed above are not expensive. With a proper diet and regular exercise at home, you can do a lot for your shape and health.

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    James Wright

    James (36) has been working out since he was 15 years old. He has a home gym where he pumps iron, does bodyweight workouts and boxing. He likes sharing his experiences with others who want to build a better physique.