Small Space, Big Gains: Best Home Workout Equipment For 2025

(Photo by Alexandra Tran on Unsplash)

Setting up a home gym in a small space doesn’t mean compromising on your fitness goals. Whether you’re working with a tiny apartment corner or a modest spare room, the best home workout equipment of today offers smart solutions that maximize both space and effectiveness. We’ve analyzed 10 expert reviews and real user experiences to bring you the most highly recommended space-saving gym equipment as we head into the new year. From compact cardio machines to cleverly designed strength training gear, these tried-and-tested picks prove that you don’t need a massive space – or budget – to create an effective workout sanctuary at home.

StudyFinds is a research-driven platform that analyzes and synthesizes expert recommendations from trusted sources. Rather than writing reviews ourselves, we meticulously compile consensus findings from leading industry experts and established publications to save consumers valuable research time. Each article represents hours of analysis across multiple authoritative sources to identify the most consistently recommended choices.

Top 5 Home Workout Equipment Picks, According to Fitness Experts

1. The Mirror

CNN ranks The Mirror, now owned by Lululemon, at the top of its best home gym equipment list. “If you have some floorspace, The Mirror is an amazing device that gives you access to thousands of workouts in the comfort of your own home. It’s extremely thin, barely takes up any room and, most importantly, gives you a great workout. While the price is steep and you need to pay for a monthly subscription, we tried The Mirror ourselves and think it’s worth the investment.”

“In terms of compact home gyms, nothing is quite as chic as The Mirror!,” says E News. “While it looks like a piece of home décor, this sleek mirror offers a variety of sweat-friendly live and on-demand classes, from boxing to cardio to yoga and everything in between. You can customize your workout and music and track your progress via an app on your phone.”

“The Mirror might be pricey, but it’s worth the hype. Not only does the sleek device allow you to do numerous different workouts at home—including cardio, strength, Pilates, boxing, and more—but it also uses a two-way audio and video interface that makes it possible for you to virtually work out with a real personal trainer,” explains Well and Good.

2. Echelon Stride Treadmill

Active writes, “Meet the incredible shrinking treadmill! It sounds like an exaggeration, but seriously: This thing folds from just over 4 feet tall to just 10 inches. That’s a superpower! And unlike many foldable treadmills, reviewers rave about how easy it is to make the transition. But of course, that isn’t reason enough to buy if it’s not a legit treadmill! Fortunately, the Echelon Stride definitely is.”

“A treadmill doesn’t have to take up half of a room. With the Echelon Stride, you can keep it stored out of the way so the guest room can go back to being a guest room when you aren’t working out. Smaller size doesn’t mean lesser quality, either,” mentions Life Hacker. “Unlike some compact treadmills, the Echelon Stride still reaches high speeds and offers a solid incline, so sprint drills, long uphill climbs and other workouts are possible.”

Garage Gym Reviews ranks it at number two: “There are plenty of folding treadmills on the market, but the Echelon Stride is one of the most compact running machines out there. You can store it horizontally–like under a bed–or flip it up on the front wheels to store it vertically against a wall or behind a door.”

3. Tonal

“No floor space? No problem! Tonal is an entire strength-training gym that lives on your wall, using AI-powered technology to give on-demand personalized training sessions. And this all-in-one system is no one-trick pony, with 200 movements and thousands of workouts ranging from high-intensity to yoga,” says The Healthy.

Out of all the websites, Garage Gym Reviews ranks it at number one and adds, “It uses artificial intelligence to watch your movements as you move through your workout. Tonal can adjust your weight and offer form correction cues as you go. It will count your reps for you (huge bonus for those of us who space out a little in that area). There are even advanced features like Spotter Mode that will actually drop the resistance if Tonal senses that you’re struggling on an exercise.”

“Imagine having a live-in personal trainer and an entire gym that takes up less than two feet of wall space! Well, Tonal made it happen! The at-home gym offers thousands of live and on-demand workouts that tailor to your body’s specific needs,” writes E News.

4. Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell

CNET writes, “Kettlebells are an excellent all-in-one workout tool that lets you reap the benefits of strength and endurance training. If you’re new to kettlebells or want to brush up on your skills, it helps to follow some instructional videos to do the exercises safely. The Bowflex’s SelectTech 840 adjustable kettlebell is a great addition for your home gym because it replaces six kettlebell weights, ranging between 6 and 40 pounds, and can be adjusted using a dial.”

“Kettlebells are a fantastic way to torch fat and build some serious explosive power. They’re also small enough to fit in any home gym,” adds Showcase. “The Bowflex SelectTech 840 kettlebell takes things a step further, enabling you to adjust your resistance from 8 to 40 pounds with the simple turn of a dial. This adjustable kettlebell features an ergonomic handle for comfortable use and an easy-to-use dial for choosing between 8, 12, 20, 25, 35 and 40 pounds of resistance. This the perfect choice for first-timers and seasoned kettlebell-users alike.”

“One of the most challenging aspects of building out a complete home gym is finding the room for ALL THE WEIGHTS. You need a heavy kettlebell for farmers’ carries, a light kettlebell for overhead stability work, and one that’s juuuuuust right for swings. Put those side-by-side, and you just lost about 3 square feet of precious space. Then the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell swoops in like a hero with a space-efficient cape,” mentions Garage Gym Reviews.

5. Bala Bangles

“If you’ve carved out just enough space for a yoga, dance, or aerobic workout, adding wrist and ankle weights like Bala Bangles to the mix is sure to get your heart pumping and boost your muscle tone more efficiently. One-size-fits-all Bala Bangles weigh just one or two pounds each, and—one of our favorite points—are made of recycled stainless steel wrapped in soft silicone. Bala Bangles come in so many fun colors and patterns (more than a dozen) that you’ll probably also want to wear them while running errands and taking walks,” says The Healthy.

Apartment Therapy states, “Add intensity to any workout with these stylishly compact wrist and ankle weights. Available in three colors and made with a comfortable lining, the bangles can be worn during your regular neighborhood walk or run, and they’ll take your Zoom workout class to the next level.”

“For workout equipment that moves with you, you can’t go wrong with these Bala Bangles. Featured on Shark Tank, they’re as stylish as they are durable, made with only the highest-quality recycled steel and wrapped in baby-soft silicone. Don’t be surprised if people confuse them for actual bracelets! The design is unisex and one-size-fits-all, so there’s something for everyone. Customize the bracelet to your personal style and fitness goals with the large selection of colors and choice of one to two pounds of weight resistance. Then, strap them on and enjoy the extra challenge,” writes Travel + Leisure.

Sources:

You might also be interested in:

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.