Bodyweight training at home can be crucial for your strength training and weight loss ambitions. But like many gym tools, there is plenty of equipment that can let you down in the long run.
As a fitness trainer, I've received too many complaints from clients who experience these problems.
So, to help them make better choices, I teamed up with friends and colleagues here at TotalShape to test over 30 different bodyweight equipment pieces for home use over 5 weeks.
Together, we narrowed down to ten durable tools for home use, so let’s dive in.
10 Best Bodyweight Home Gym Equipment (September 2023)
1 - Rogue P-5V Garage Pull-up System (Editor's Choice)
Based on our experience and testing, the top-grade sturdiness and durability of the Rogue P-5V pull-up bar are second to none.
The bodyweight training equipment comes with 1x2" 11-gauge steel brackets that can be mounted on walls or ceilings and fit in any training space, including a small home gym setup.
We also loved that Rogue offers it in bracket pairs or as a complete system with a 52" pull-up bar to aid in more customization and versatility.
The only discrepancy is that it did not come with mounting hardware.
- A solid steel construction
- Excellent grip
- Offers ceiling and wall mounting options
- Adjustable pull bar
- Mounting hardware not included in the purchase
2 - Pull-up & Dip Portable Pull-Up Dip Bar
The Pull-up & Dip portable pull-up bar is an extremely versatile tool for bodyweight training that you can use to build your biceps, chest, shoulder, and middle back muscles [1].
According to the product description, there are over 35 exercises for varied full-body workouts, including pull-ups, muscle-ups, dips, and leg raises, all of which are beneficial for lower and upper body development.
What's most appealing about this item based on our firsthand experience is that you can carry it anywhere as it can fit outdoors on a pole, a tree, or the gym wall.
We also found it quite sturdy, at least from the many tests we performed on it. The description specifies weight support of up to 330 pounds.
- Solid structure that can sustain any bodyweight
- Easy to set up
- Portable
- Expensive
3 - TRX All-in-One Suspension Trainer
The TRX suspension trainer is based on TRX training, which researchers have found to be more beneficial for core endurance, balance, and flexibility than traditional training [2].
Based on our tests, we found it an effective and fun way to do a bodyweight workout if you want to spice up or take a break from your regular yoga, cardio, and weight lifting.
Most importantly, it's portable—you can take, carry, and fit it anywhere.
"Whether it's moving your body weight or with external weights, resistance training is a great way to help your body stay functional and healthy in the long run."
- Sivan Fagan, ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
- Easy to set up
- Durable and reliable
- Offers a variety of whole-body workouts
- Challenging for beginners
4 - BangTong & Li Power Tower
Doing dips with unstable equipment can be frustrating. But the BangTong&Li Power Tower's two auxiliary rods on its base and the non-slip end caps and skid handles ensure it remains stable and steady.
There are up to four workstations on this beast to perform exercises such as pull-ups, dips, etc. So you have no excuse not to achieve the upper-body strength you've always wanted.
Based on our first-hand experience, we found the thick elbow padding of about 40 mm (1.57 inch) thickness quite useful in regard to comfort when doing leg raises.
Just remember to rub the sweat off the padding between sets to avoid slipping.
Related Article: The Best Power Tower
- Can support up to 330 pounds of weight
- Comfortable armrests
- 6-level height adjustment
- Relatively small backrest pad
5 - One Two Fit Multifunctional Power Tower
This power tower features a multifunctional smart design that allows it to be wall mounted and transformed into a leg raise, dip, and pull-up station without taking up much space.
A unique feature of this power tower is the heavy-duty steel construction with a maximum weight capacity of 440 pounds, which speaks volumes about its durability.
Based on our tests, we found the armrest cushion quite comfortable, and the tear-resistant padded back support is also quite rugged, which is good for durability.
- It can be mounted at any height
- Saves lots of space
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Does not come with hardware for installation
6 - Double Circle Wood Gymnastics Rings
First, I must commend how fast this product was shipped. It arrived just two days after shipping.
That was fast compared to other products, which arrived 4–7 days later.
The 1.25-thick wooden gymnastic rings are helpful for someone who sweats a lot since wood absorbs moisture and doesn't slip.
Thanks to the convenient and sturdy 1.5-inch straps with four carabiners attached, we didn't experience any difficulties installing it.
- Four extra carabiners for strap length adjustment
- A free book for exercises included
- Wooden rings, double later straps for extra durability
- Are a bit heavy
7 - Rubberbanditz Parallettes Bars
The Rubberbanditz parallettes bars present some of the most inexpensive workout gear for home workouts.
The pieces are compact and sturdy, courtesy of the industry-grade 1-inch steel tube diameter with which the bars are made. This guarantees durability and performance.
The testing team loved the non-skid feet on the unit, which are good for stability and ensuring the station is not wobbly when performing a bodyweight workout.
The only reason it didn't make it into our top five is its low weight capacity of 200 pounds, as accounted for in its product description.
- Affordable
- Relatively light, hence easily portable
- A Wide, non-slip base to prevent injuries and sudden movements
- Low weight capacity of 200 pounds
8 - EnterSports Ab Rollers Wheel Kit
The ab roller, by itself, is a great bodyweight workout tool for strengthening the core and upper body strength [3].
As a fan of the ab wheel exercise, I love the combination of the roller and resistance band (it comes with two of these).
It means the upper body workouts are more challenging, which translates to more gains.
From the many tests we conducted, the unit seemed pretty solid and able to sustain heavy pressing (600 pounds, according to the product description).
Also included in the package are two kneecaps and two push-up bar handle grips, along with an instruction guidebook. All these at a reasonable price.
- A good package if you're looking to build a home gym
- Ability to advance workouts
- Reasonable price
- Quality control issues with the handles
9 - Perfect Fitness Rotating Push-Up Handles
Push-ups are not a cinch for me. However, the Perfect Fitness Rotating push-up handles might have changed my experience.
Push-ups can be painful if your wrist joints are not strong enough.
But these handles are designed to reduce the pressure on hands and wrists and help you focus on the right muscle groups to enable you to do perfect push-ups.
What's more? The ball-bearing system design enables the handles to rotate smoothly for a natural alignment of the arms and wrists.
It also allows you to engage your back, core, and inner pectorals and target more muscle groups.
In addition, this bodyweight workout equipment has a comfortable rubber grip with a non-slip base for stability during high reps.
- Comfortable handles and foam hand grips
- Comes with a pamphlet guide
- Suitable for people with arthritis and joint problems
- Some units have bearing issues
10 - Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set
The Black Mountain resistance bands are made of natural latex material, which, after conducting experiments, was found to not tear easily.
The unit comes in a set of five different resistance bands, each in its own color.
Each band is approximately 48", a pretty decent length for both tall and short people.
Now, although you can buy a single band, acquiring a set is more economical.
- Lifetime warranty on band breakage
- Lightweight, therefore easily portable
- Multiple bands for varying resistance
- The package contains only one ankle cuff
Buyer's Guide
Here are a few factors I’d advise you to keep in mind when buying home bodyweight equipment.
Budget
Unless you're training for a competition, staying within your budget and not going overboard is important.
Remember, you're only buying the tools for home use, not to produce income.
This is especially true when you're starting your very own home gym.
Begin with basic bodyweight workout equipment such as pull-up bars, ab rollers, resistance bands, and push-up handles, which are less costly.
Related Article: Best Budget Home Gym Equipment
Ceiling Space
Basement gyms tend to have height constraints.
And as you've seen, some bodyweight exercises, especially those involving pull-ups and power towers, tend to take up vertical space.
So, consider shorter models if you have a height or space issue in your basement gym.
Related Articles:
Durability
The last thing you want is a model that keeps breaking at every hint of force.
While more durable gear may not make sense cost-wise, remember that cheap is expensive.
FAQs
Are Home Bodyweight Workouts Effective?
Yes, home bodyweight workouts are effective in building muscle and improving muscle endurance and aerobic capacity. They are even more potent with added resistance from exercise equipment such as ankle and wrist weights, resistance bands, and weighted vests.
Can You Get Ripped With Just Bodyweight Exercises?
Yes, you can get ripped with just bodyweight exercises. The workouts are good not just for building muscle but for burning fat as well. For a ripped physique, focus on exercises that burn calories while building muscle.
Is It OK to Do Home Bodyweight Exercises Every Day?
Yes, it's OK to do home bodyweight exercises every day as long as you're not punching yourself too hard while focusing on the same muscle group. Still, you need to take time to recover. About 3-6 days of home bodyweight workouts are recommended.
What Is the Best Equipment for All Over Body Workout?
The best equipment for an all-over body workout is the Rogue P-5 Garage Pull-Up System, based on our research and tests on dozens of bodyweight pieces of equipment, which we found to be effective and durable.
The commercial-grade machine is also super affordable and can fit even in small home gym spaces by mounting it on the walls or ceiling.
Many of my clients recently purchased one and found it more sturdy and stable when doing pull-ups than other models they have used before, so make sure to check it out for yourself.
Our #1 Recommendation
Rogue P-5V Garage Pull-up System
- A solid steel construction
- Excellent grip
- Offers ceiling and wall mounting options
- Adjustable pull bar
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
- Mounting hardware not included in the purchase
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