The Best Small-Space-Friendly Gym Equipment for Breaking a Sweat at Home
No room for a treadmill or bike? No problem. Create a convenient and easy-to-store gym with this space-savvy exercise equipment.
Living in a smaller home means that I don't exactly have room for a treadmill, stationary bike or even a medicine ball. (I wish, though!) So, when my local gym closed in 2020 and took all of my favorite exercise equipment with it, I knew I needed to either rethink my fitness goals or find some small space-friendly alternatives.
Lucky for me (and you!), there's a ton of great workout gear that takes up barely any square footage. Plus, they cost much less than an annual gym membership. If you want to make the most of your small at-home gym, here are my top fitness equipment picks that are truly ideal for apartment and rental dwellers.
Probably the most compact workout accessory on this list, these dual-sided sliders add a balance and stability challenge to every move, which can help target and engage your core muscles. The foam side works best on hard, smooth surfaces like hardwood floors, and the plastic side works best on softer surfaces, like carpet or turf.
Transform any door into a total-body resistance trainer with this space-savvy kit. This resistance band set is designed to provide your entire body with an intense workout anywhere you want. It helps you build your core and sculpt your body using the natural force of gravity and your bodyweight for exceptional results. With five different colors and weights, all exercise bands are can be used alone stacked or in any combination to a maximum equivalent of 100 pounds. You can use the resistance bands with ankle straps and door attachments to exercise everywhere.
The best thing about yoga mats is that they roll up out of the way when you're done using them. Stretch in style with this plum-colored platform, which features a non-slip base and three-millimeter cushioning.
Keep your heart rate up and track calories burned with this smart jump rope from Tangram Factory. The compact device connects to a compatible fitness app, so you can monitor your progress and complete interval training and challenges. It's available in four different colors and is easy to store.
Strengthen and sculpt your core with this handy little ab roller from health coach Sweat With Bec. Grooved wheels ensure that the roller works on any flat surface, while the included "Booty Band" lets you switch up the resistance.
Leg Day just got a whole lot easier! Treat your thighs to one satisfying burn with nothing more than a chair and this electric yellow thigh toner. The padded unit barely weighs a pound, so it's incredibly light and easy to stash on a bookcase or in a plastic crate.
Need a little extra challenge? Increase the intensity of your standard workouts with weighted wrist and ankle bands. Available in a variety of colors, choose from one- or two-pound weights.
Complete lunges, squats, presses and more at home with this convenient three-piece kettlebell set. You'll love the varying weights of five, 10 and 15 pounds almost as much as their sleek storage rack, which lets you push your new gear up against any wall or underneath the couch.
No space for a bulky weight machine or weight rack? No problem. Fit in your strength-training exercises with a compact, adjustable dumbbell. With four weight increment options in one dumbbell, choose from two max weights: 27.5 pounds or 40 pounds.
For the ultimate gym experience in one neat, space-saving package, look no further than this step deck from Escape Fitness. The versatile design boasts 16 different configurations, so you can use it as everything from a step-deck to a curling and press bench. Best of all? The inner chamber doubles as a storage bin, so you even have a place to put all of your equipment.
Create an all-in-one station for your yoga mat, resistance bands, weights and more with this sturdy storage rack. A black anti-rust powder coating ensures that it'll last for years to come and can be installed anywhere from your bedroom to the garage.
