Best Home Gym Equipment When You Have Limited Space
Investing in your health is the single best decision you can make. As a certified trainer with over two decades of experience, I’ve always valued the convenience of a home gym and getting home gym equipment for my home, ensuring I never have an excuse to miss a workout.
But I know that not everyone has the desire or the space to build a massive, multi-thousand-dollar fitness sanctuary in their basement.
That’s exactly why I created this guide. We’re going to cover the absolute best home gym equipment that delivers maximum results when you have limited space.
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This article breaks down the key pieces of home gym equipment that I personally recommend for their value, versatility, and compact footprint. These are the items that give you the best bang for your buck.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways When Looking for Home Gym Equipment
- Prioritize Versatility: The best home gym equipment for small spaces serves multiple functions, like adjustable dumbbells that replace an entire rack or a pull-up bar that can also be used for push-ups and dips.
- Think Portability: Items like resistance bands and jump ropes require almost no storage space and are perfect for taking your workout on the road.
- Measure Before You Buy: For larger items like a power rack, always measure your ceiling height and floor space. The Body-Solid Power Rack, for example, is 82 inches tall, so you need to ensure you have adequate clearance.
- Start Small and Build Up: You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with a foundation of resistance bands or adjustable dumbbells and add pieces as your fitness journey progresses.
What is the Best Home Gym Equipment for a Small Space?
Remember, you don’t need every piece of equipment listed below to create an effective home gym. My goal here is to give you my professional opinion on the items that offer the most value and versatility. Whether you’re carving out a corner of your living room or a section of your garage, you can build a powerful workout space by choosing your equipment wisely.
1. Bodylastic Resistance Band Set
This is arguably the single best piece of home gym equipment when space is minimal. I’m a huge advocate for investing in a Bodylastic Resistance Band Set because it functions as a complete gym in a bag. Their sets allow you to get a full-body workout using very little equipment in a tiny footprint.
What sets Bodylastics apart is their focus on safety and versatility. Their patented Snap Guard technology contains an inner cord that prevents the bands from overstretching, a common reason why cheaper bands snap. Most sets come with multiple stackable resistance bands, a durable door anchor, ankle straps, handles, and a carrying bag. This modular design means you can perform hundreds of exercises, from chest presses to squats, and easily take your workout with you on vacation. It’s why I recommend them to every client for an effective at-home resistance band workout.
2. Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
If you’re ready to level up from bands, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are a fantastic investment. These replace 15 pairs of individual dumbbells, saving an incredible amount of space. They can be easily stored in a closet or under a bed.
With a quick turn of a dial, you can adjust the weight from 5 to 52.5 pounds. The weight changes in 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds, which is perfect for progressive overload on smaller muscle groups. These are some of the highest-rated adjustable dumbbells on the market, with over 25,000 reviews on Amazon averaging 4.8 stars. For stronger lifters, Bowflex also offers the SelectTech 1090 model, which goes up to 90 pounds.
3. ProsourceFit Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar
If you have a doorway, you have a gym. A doorway pull-up bar is one of the most effective tools for building upper body strength. The ProsourceFit Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar is excellent because its 12 grips allow you to target your back and biceps from various angles with pull-ups, chin-ups, and neutral-grip positions.
It doesn’t just work your back. You can move it to the floor to perform deep push-ups, tricep dips, and even sit-ups. This bar supports up to 300 pounds and fits most doorways up to 36 inches wide. When you’re finished with your workout, you can easily store it in a closet or slide it under the bed.
4. Body-Solid Power Rack
When you get serious about lifting at home, a power rack is the centerpiece of your gym. It provides a safe and versatile station for major compound lifts like squats, bench presses, and overhead presses. The Body-Solid Power Rack (PPR200X) is a fantastic option that balances footprint and function.
This rack offers a 600-pound capacity, 18 adjustment levels for its J-hooks, and heat-tempered safety bars so you can lift heavy without a spotter. It also includes a pull-up bar. Critically for small spaces, its dimensions are 82″ H x 48″ L x 47″ W, allowing it to fit in many spare rooms or garages with standard ceiling heights. Always measure your space twice before buying!
Related Article: Build This Affordable DIY Squat Rack for Your Dream Home Gym
5. Body-Solid Adjustable Weight Bench
An adjustable bench is essential for unlocking hundreds of new exercises, whether you use it with dumbbells or inside a power rack. The Body-Solid Adjustable Weight Bench (PFID125X) is a smart choice because it’s sturdy, versatile, and designed to save space.
It features seven adjustment positions, including flat, incline, and decline, and can handle a 500-pound capacity. The best feature for small homes is that it arrives fully assembled and folds completely flat for storage. This allows you to slide it right under a bed or stand it up in a closet, which is a feature most heavy-duty benches lack.
6. CAP 300-Pound Barbell and Weight Set
If you decide a power rack is right for you, you’ll need a barbell and weights. The most economical way to start is with a complete package like the CAP 300-pound barbell and weight set. I’ve bought several of these myself because the value for the price is tough to beat for a home gym setup.
This set typically includes:
- A 7-foot Olympic barbell (45 lbs)
- An assortment of cast iron plates (pairs of 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, and 2.5 lbs)
- Two spring clip collars
The included barbell generally has a 500-pound capacity, which is more than enough for most people starting a home gym. This one purchase provides everything you need to start lifting heavy.
7. Stability Ball
A stability ball is an incredibly versatile tool, but my number one rule is to get an anti-burst model. Brands like TheraBand or URBNFit are known for their durability, often rated to withstand over 2,000 pounds of static weight. It’s a fantastic piece of home gym equipment for core exercises, hamstring curls, and even as a bench for dumbbell presses to challenge your stabilizing muscles.
While it takes up some floor space, it can double as an office chair to improve your posture. Just be sure to get the right size for your height to use it safely and effectively.
| Your Height | Recommended Ball Size |
|---|---|
| Under 5′ 1″ | 45 cm |
| 5′ 1″ to 5′ 7″ | 55 cm |
| 5′ 8″ to 6′ 1″ | 65 cm |
| Over 6′ 2″ | 75 cm |
8. Valeo Jump Rope
Dedicated cardio machines are often out of the question in a small space. The good news is you don’t need them. A simple jump rope is one of the most efficient cardio tools you can own. Research has shown that 10 minutes of jumping rope can be as effective for cardiovascular improvement as 30 minutes of jogging.
The Valeo jump rope is an inexpensive, durable option that takes up virtually no storage space. All you need is a small patch of floor with enough ceiling clearance. If space is tight indoors, you can easily take it outside or to a garage to get your heart pumping and burn a serious number of calories.
Home Gym Equipment FAQs
1. What is the single most important piece of home gym equipment for a small space?
For pure versatility and space efficiency, adjustable dumbbells like the Bowflex SelectTech 552 are the top choice. They allow for a true full-body strength workout and replace an entire rack of weights, making them the best foundation for a serious home gym with limited space.
2. How can I get a good cardio workout at home without a machine?
A jump rope is your best bet for an intense, low-cost cardio workout that requires minimal space. Other great options include bodyweight circuits combining exercises like burpees, high knees, and jumping jacks. These high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts can elevate your heart rate and burn calories effectively in just 15-20 minutes.
3. How do I protect my floors from weights?
The easiest solution is to buy interlocking rubber gym flooring tiles. You can find them at most sporting goods stores or on Amazon. They are dense, durable, and you can customize the size of your workout area. For a cheaper, temporary solution, a heavy-duty yoga mat can provide some protection for light dumbbell work.
4. Is a power rack necessary to build muscle at home?
No, a power rack is not necessary, but it is the safest option for heavy barbell lifting. You can build a significant amount of muscle and strength using just adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands, and a pull-up bar. A power rack becomes more important as you advance to lifting very heavy weights and need the safety of spotter arms.
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