The Best Home Gyms That Streamline Your Workouts (2024)

Korin Miller

Contributor

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Leoni Jesner

Contributor

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Bowflex has been a major player in the home gym space for decades, and with good reason—the company’s equipment allows you to perform a range of strength training exercises at home in a single semi-compact package. The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE features up to 210 pounds of resistance from the company’s “power rods,” which work like free weights but offer a smoother range of motion. (You have the option to purchase more resistance separately as you get stronger and your needs grow.)

There’s no need to change cables with this gym—you can simply transition from leg to arm workouts as you see fit, all without skipping a beat. Other features include a lat tower, four-position lower pulley and squat station, leg extension, ab crunch shoulder harness and more than 70 different exercises to cycle through. You’ll receive a manual with suggested workouts to help you get started, and the whole package comes in at a price point that’s considered modest for the home gym market, especially when you consider how comprehensive this station is.

Pros:

• Bowflex Power Rod adds up to 210 pounds of resistance
• 70+ exercises deliver dynamic workout opportunities
• 7-year warranty on the machine adds confidence to the purchase

Cons:

• Must buy add-on attachments to increase resistance
• Takes up space

Tempo Studio delivers plenty of the perks you’d enjoy at a “regular” gym, but all these perks can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. Choose from live and on-demand strength training classes led by expert trainers and receive feedback on your form and rep counts during your workout thanks to 3D sensors (for certain exercises). All that modern technology allows you to get in the zone without having to do math in the process.

An easel-style gym neatly packs away your weights but the structure is surprisingly mobile, so you can take your workout to another room if needed (but don’t get the wrong idea—even when it’s not stocked with weights, it’s still pretty heavy, so you probably won’t want to move it every day). And, while the base price of $2,495 isn’t cheap, there’s also a much less expensive Tempo Move that uses your phone and TV to achieve a similar workout for just $395.

Pros:

• 3D Tempo Vision tracks your form and reps
• Compact design saves valuable space
• Modern design with an HD touchscreen

Cons:

• Expensive when it’s not on sale
• Must purchase a membership separately for on-demand and live classes
• Equipment only comes with a 3-year limited warranty

FightCamp brings interactive, on-demand boxing to your living room, so you can master boxing skills anytime. The Trackers + Bag package features a freestanding boxing bag (measuring 5 feet, 7 inches tall by 2 feet wide), with the option to add water or sand to its base for enhanced stability.

Also included are two gel-padded quick wraps (small and large sizes available) to provide additional cushioning about your hands, alongside two trackers that can be tucked inside the hand wrap’s pocket to measure real-time metrics and track your progress. Plus, a jump rope and heart rate monitor are thrown in as freebies for good measure. And if you already own boxing equipment, the quick wraps and trackers can be purchased on their own for $99.

The FightCamp membership (purchased separately) offers over 1,000 on-demand classes with experienced trainers to guide you through workouts. Keep in mind, the equipment has a one-year warranty from the date of original delivery.

Pros:

• Trackable metrics make every workout entertaining
• Over 1,000 workouts available
• Up to five fitness profiles per membership

Cons:

• Membership must be purchased separately
• FightCamp gloves and freestanding base are not included in the price

Lit Axis by Lit Method is a smart resistance training system for on-the-go workouts. A multi-functional apparatus for strength and resistance training, high intensity interval training, cardio and recovery, it's also your answer to an at-home reformer-style pilates workout (without the bulky equipment). Rather than fumble with tedious equipment, handles, ankle cuffs and adjustable Lit bands will work muscle groups both small and large, some of which you may not know exist.

Whilst it may seem expensive for a bundle of cables, the system features state-of-the-art technology that justifies the price tag. Unlike traditional suspension equipment, Lit’s setup relies on built-in sensors that pinpoint your axis of movement to track muscle imbalances and maintain form. It also counts reps, records the duration of your workouts and measures resistance, acting as your personal coach.

Tucked into a sleek carrying case, it’s also super portable if you want to take your workout outdoors or on vacation.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable design offers care-free transport
• Three months of complimentary access to the Lit Training app
• Five-year warranty on accessories

Cons:

• Anchor points are required for most exercises

Fitness label Mirror pioneered the genre of smart fitness mirrors, and it’s still a formidable choice for those in need of a sleek, concealed home gym. This particular Mirror model offers a wide array of classes that include yoga, Pilates, boxing and many others, all of which are taught by expert trainers that appear in the display (and when the unit powers down, it looks like a traditional mirror). Simply hang it from the wall like you would any other mirror, or lean it against the wall so you don’t have to drill any holes.

A built-in camera allows you to workout with fellow Mirror-owning friends and receive the occasional live feedback and shoutout from trainers while you work up a sweat. The Mirror Pro kit comes with a slew of accessories to help you along the way, including a yoga mat, free weights, resistance bands and stretching strap.

Pros:

• Includes a slew of at-home equipment
• Surround sound and LED display create an immersive experience
• Bluetooth compatibility supports your favorite tunes and podcasts

Cons:

• Membership not included
• Only comes with a one-year warranty

Total Gym Apex G3

The Total Gym is a cable-based piece of equipment that allows you to to cycle through eight levels of resistance training with low impact to your joints. The Apex G3 features a padded, ergonomic glide board that allows you to use your bodyweight as a means of getting stronger, thereby eliminating complex systems. Easily work your way through dynamic exercises for your upper and lower body, and choose from more than 70 different moves in all.

This setup includes a slew of accessories, such as a wing attachment, squat stand, leg pull accessory and dip bars. You’ll also get access to Total Gym TV, an on-demand platform that lets you stream workouts. When you’re done working out, the whole thing folds away to save valuable space. This is a great option if you’re self-motivated and familiar with proper form and preferred workouts because this design doesn’t feature any extras like workout subscriptions or online training options—what you see is what you get.

Pros:

• Variety of bodyweight workouts keeps the process entertaining
• Accessories included
• Foldable design saves space when it’s not in use

Cons:

• System only supports up to 300 pounds
• Multiple comments highlight difficult assembly

If floorspace is at a premium in your home or apartment, Tonal definitely makes a case for the perfect home gym thanks to its minimalistic design. It secures firmly into your wall like a mirror without touching the ground, but it looks more like a piece of modern art when it’s not in use (and yes, it must be mounted on the wall, so that probably means you should consider other options if you’re renting).

Tonal contains all the weight you need through a pair of resistance-bearing arms that protrude from the sides of the device. It features thousands of live and on-demand workouts in a range of genres including HIIT, yoga, cardio and more, so there’s always something to keep you moving. And tonal also tracks your reps, sets and workouts over time, so you can see how much progress you’ve made without referring to your phone. The setup includes accessories like handles, a bar, rope and a weight bench.

Pros:

• Design mounts to the wall, saving on space
• Tailored personal training helps you dial in every workout
• Customized metrics offer much-needed fitness insights

Cons:

• Expensive setup
• Smart accessories come at an additional cost
• 12-month Tonal membership required

NordicTrack Fusion CST

The NordicTrack Fusion CST combines elements of more classic home gyms with smart features of the latest-and-greatest gyms to modernize your experience. The sleek machine features a pulley system with 20 resistance levels to help you push yourself, and a tablet screen lets you stream workouts, including ones where trainers can actually adjust your resistance to max out your workout.

This machine focuses on strength training and cardio, allowing you to check all your workout boxes at once. You’ll also receive a year’s worth of access to NordicTrack iFit, which allows you to stream your favorite workouts—and new ones are added daily to keep things fresh.

Pros:

• 20 resistance settings dial in every workout
• Delivers strength and cardio exercises
• High-tech HD touchscreen tablet modernizes the experience

Cons:

• Pricey setup
• Takes up a lot of space