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10 Best Home Gym Equipment for Beginners (2023): Full Review

Michael Garrico
Published by Michael Garrico | Co-Founder & Marketing Director
Last updated: September 4, 2023

As a beginner, when exercising at home, it's critical to invest in a diverse set of equipment that allows you to work every one of your muscle groups.

As a certified fitness trainer, I've made it my norm to help my clients and readers obtain the best equipment that suits their needs.

Together with a few colleagues, we visited a couple of fitness stores to see if we could get the best home gym equipment to begin with.

In this article, I will provide the equipment that stood out among the many we placed in our routine test.

Editor's Choice
CTA of Rogue T-15 LB Technique Bar
Rogue T-15 LB Technique Bar
Performance
5.0
Durability
4.9
Convenience
5.0
Price
4.8
Overall Score 4.9
4.9
Click For Best Price
#2nd Best Choice
CTA of Trx Home-gym System
TRX Home-gym System
Performance
4.8
Durability
4.8
Convenience
4.9
Price
4.8
Overall Score 4.8
4.8
Check Current Price
#3rd Best Choice
CTA of Rep Fitness Kettlebells
Rep Fitness Kettlebells
Performance
4.8
Durability
4.7
Convenience
4.7
Price
4.7
Overall Score 4.7
4.7
Check Current Price

Our Top Home Gym Equipment for Beginners (September 2023)

1 - Rogue T-15 LB Technique Bar (Editor's Choice)

CTA of Rogue T-15 LB Technique Bar
Performance
5.0
Durability
4.9
Convenience
5.0
Price
4.8
Overall Score 4.9
4.9

Everything Rogue is well-made and high-quality, and the Rogue T-15 Technique Bar is no exception.

At only 15 pounds, the Rogue Technique Bar has a similar feel to a regular option, allowing the user to become acquainted with proper hand placement as well as dual knurling [1].

You can also increase the intensity by incorporating resistance bands.

Furthermore, the Rogue Technique Bar is compatible with standard bumper plates, allowing a novice to learn to load and unload their barbell.

However, it is essential to note that the Technique Bar can only support a maximum weight of 45 pounds.

"It's tempting to buy the greatest barbell and dumbbells, but if you don't know how to utilize them, they're worthless, and you might injure yourself."

- Anthony O'Reilly, Certified Personal Trainer

Product Facts:

  • Brand : Rogue Fitness
  • Weight : 15 lbs
  • Material : Aluminium and Zinc
Pros
  • Excellent for perfecting technique while learning how to use a standard weightlifting barbell
  • Compatibility with standard bumper plates
  • Knurling bar with two knurlings
  • The bar weighs 15 pounds
Cons
  • Can only hold weight up to 45 pounds

2 - TRX Home-gym System

CTA of Trx Home-gym System
Performance
4.8
Durability
4.8
Convenience
4.9
Price
4.8
Overall Score 4.8
4.8

While the firm does offer a more complex kit, the TRX Home-gym System is a great starting point for beginners. It comes with a TRX suspension exercise strap, a mesh travel pouch, and a door anchor.

It's a quality suspension trainer, which include a system of lifting straps and grips, allow you to do a full-body muscle building workout without using weights.

This trainer leverages gravity and your body weight to generate resistance during workouts such as lunges, planks, squats, pushups, and pull-ups. Be sure to employ a yoga mat to avoid slippage.

The suspension straps also make workouts more challenging by introducing an element of imbalance to bodyweight exercises, allowing you to employ more of your core muscles [2].

Furthermore, because of its lightweight and adaptable design, the device is ideal for tight areas and individuals of different sizes and fitness levels.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : TRX
  • Weight : 1.5 lbs
  • Material : Nylon, Foam Handles
Pros
  • Includes a handbook and access to a coaching app
  • Quick setup and disassembly
  • Lightweight, with comfortable grips that are easy to hold
Cons
  • Requires strong anchor points

3 - Rep Fitness Kettlebells

CTA of Rep Fitness Kettlebells
Performance
4.8
Durability
4.7
Convenience
4.7
Price
4.7
Overall Score 4.7
4.7

Rep Fitness Kettlebells are ideal for novices who want to establish their own home gym.

These are available in various weights ranging from 9 pounds to 106 pounds. They're also quite inexpensive.

One of the most cost-effective features of these kettlebells is their ability to conduct various strength training and ballistic workouts with only one [3].

If you wish to add load options, Rep Fitness color-codes the handles, rendering it simple to grab and adjust to your preferred kettlebell while training in your home gym.

The Rep Fitness Kettlebells are also gravity die-cast, which makes them more robust and precise. Furthermore, even while sweating, the matte finish prevents your hands from sliding from the grip.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : Rep Fitness
  • Weight : 9 to 106 lbs
  • Material : Cast Iron
Pros
  • Has color-coded grips that keep you coordinated when you're in the gym
  • Weights are available in a variety of sizes
  • Its matte finish reduces slippage
Cons
  • Some people may find it too heavy or too light

4 - Titan Fitness Adjustable Pull-up Bar

CTA of Titan Fitness Adjustable Pull-up Bar
Performance
4.7
Durability
4.6
Convenience
4.5
Price
4.6
Overall Score 4.6
4.6

This simple piece of strength training equipment has a lot of adaptability and doesn't take up much space, which is often the ideal combo for a home gym.

This highly rated pull-up bar has a 52" bar that is broad enough for many grip variants. It is 32" away from the wall, allowing for kipping pull-ups and even knee raises [4].

I appreciate how the basic design is simple yet stable, and how additional pull-up bars can be quickly daisy-chained together to build more stations if needed.

This bar has a large weight limit and will allow you to simply employ the best resistance bands as you build up to your pull-up.

Users may also buy a set of gymnastic rings to connect to the mount, which will assist them in developing their upper-body with bodyweight.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : Titan Fitness
  • Weight : 25 lbs
  • Material : 11-Gauge Steel
Pros
  • It has a reasonable price
  • It features a simple but sturdy design that allows you to employ resistance bands
  • Multiple bars may be easily daisy-chained together
Cons
  • The hole in the crossbar is too small to accommodate the fastening hex bolt

5 - CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set

CTA of CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set
Performance
4.6
Durability
4.7
Convenience
4.5
Price
4.5
Overall Score 4.6
4.6

For novices, the CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set simplifies the exercise routine.

You'll get five unique sets of dumbbells varying in weight from 5 to 25 pounds. Furthermore, this kit includes a stand (how handy).

As a novice, it's more vital to focus on form than throwing huge weights straight away [5].

This set is great since it offers lesser weights you can develop as you become more familiar with different moves.

These dumbbells resemble classic weights you may have seen at the gym (think hexagon ends made with steel and iron).

I prefer hexagonal dumbbells for novices since they don't roll away when you set them down as round dumbbells do.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : CAP Barbell
  • Weight : 5 to 25 lbs
  • Material : Alloy Steel, Cast Iron
Pros
  • Has a variety of lighter dumbbells
  • Has a good price and comes with a rack
  • Has good knurling
Cons
  • Comes with a 30-day warranty

6 - Bowflex SelectTech 552

CTA of Bowflex Selecttech 552
Performance
4.5
Durability
4.5
Convenience
4.4
Price
4.5
Overall Score 4.5
4.5

Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells are flexible fitness devices that may be used for various exercises, including biceps curls, Russian twists, triceps kickbacks, and weighted lunges.

These customizable dumbbells are both small and effective, with 15 weights in one.

The dumbbells are changeable from 5 to 52.5 pounds in 2.5-pound increments with a simple dial-turn.

These dumbbells, though, may be too light for anyone wishing to lift greater weights since they only scale up to 52.5 pounds. As a result, it is suitable for beginners.

I like how they're a quiet, space-saving substitute to a regular dumbbell set.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : Bowflex
  • Weight : 5 to 52.5 lbs
  • Material : Steel, Thermoplastic Rubber
Pros
  • It features a compact design
  • It has a handy storage tray
  • It is simple to change from one weight to another
Cons
  • The dumbbell might be too light for some

7 - Sunny Health & Fitness Cycling Bike

CTA of Sunny Health & Fitness Cycling Bike
Performance
4.4
Durability
4.4
Convenience
4.4
Price
4.3
Overall Score 4.4
4.4

This exercise bike has a 40-pound chromium flywheel that gives a smooth, solid ride.

And all you should do to raise the flywheel's strength and get intense workouts is adjust the handle on the top of the bike [6].

Additionally, you can adjust the bike's quality seat and multi-grip handlebars to modify your comfort.

Though this affordable exercise bike has a small footprint, the base is fitted with levelers to keep it steady when riding. You can use a yoga mat to give it a stable area.

It's easy to put together, and I especially enjoy the front roller wheels, which make it simple to stow away from the way when you're done working out.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : Sunny Health and Fitness
  • Weight : 97 lbs
  • Material : Steel
Pros
  • It is small and lightweight
  • Its magnetic resistance ensures a smooth ride
  • It has a monitor for tracking performance
Cons
  • The seat is much less comfortable than the alternatives

8 - Garmin Vivosmart 4

CTA of Garmin Vivosmart 4
Performance
4.4
Durability
4.4
Convenience
4.3
Price
4.3
Overall Score 4.4
4.4

Garmin Vivosmart 4 is a slimline swim-friendly device that comes filled with great workout and well-being features to assist you in becoming more active, healthier, and less susceptible to burnout and stress.

It accomplishes this through a variety of sensors and features: such as a pulse ox detector, which indicates blood oxygen level, a heart-rate optical sensor, stress tracking, and guided breathing.

It also has Body Battery energy tracking, which assists you in determining when you're prepped to be active or when you may be required to rest.

It has a highly slender design and a comfy silicone band; however, the screen is occasionally too small.

It worked fine at the pool; however, the smaller screen was difficult to view and engage with while wet.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : Garmin
  • Weight : 0.04 lbs
  • Material : Silicone
Pros
  • It features a slim design
  • It is powered by a long-lasting battery
  • It has a battery body metric
Cons
  • Has a small screen that may be unresponsive when wet

9 - Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates

CTA of Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates
Performance
4.3
Durability
4.3
Convenience
4.3
Price
4.3
Overall Score 4.3
4.3

The Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates are an excellent deal, and I recommend using them in conjunction with the Rogue Technique Bar, a highly-rated barbell perfect for your home gym along with a regulation-sized barbell as you gain strength.

Furthermore, unlike other brands, Fringe Sport provides a full-year guarantee on their 10 and 15 pound plates.

Lighter plates, for example, tend to break first, especially when dropped. This has not been my experience with Fringe Sports' bumper plates; in fact, the company states explicitly that dropping their plates of all weights is OK.

There's a lot to like about the Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates: they come in pairs, are composed of high-quality rubber, and ship for free. It's essentially a no-brainer.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : Fringe Sport
  • Weight : 10 to 55 lbs
  • Material : Stainless Steel
Pros
  • It is sold in pairs and sets and is made of virgin rubber
  • Highly dense 10- and 15-lb plates are long-lasting when dropped
  • Excellent value for money, with free shipping
Cons
  • The 10-pound plate is smaller in diameter than the others

10 - URBNFit Balance Disc

CTA of URBNFit Balance Disc
Performance
4.3
Durability
4.2
Convenience
4.2
Price
4.3
Overall Score 4.3
4.3

URBNFit Balance Discs are devoid of glues, chlorides,  toluene, phthalates, and latex. When it comes to providing safe health goods, they've got your back.

The URBNFit Balance discs appealed to me since they are a fun and simple approach to help you stay alert and focused on your activity.

Set them on a good exercise mat or a chair, and the non-slip base keeps the disc from sliding.

Use the raised massage areas to boost circulation or turn it around to improve exercises. Each disc has a diameter of 13 inches.

There are five different colors to pick from, a complimentary balancing disc training program, and a hand pump. This disc is also backed by a money-back guarantee.

Product Facts:

  • Brand : URBNFit
  • Weight : 2.9 lbs
  • Material : Durable PVC
Pros
  • Has big spikes that ensure the disc's maximum grip
  • It includes a free pump for adjusting the air level to your specifications
  • Its Tumaz wobbling cushions are built of sturdy and robust materials that can withstand 1,000 pounds
Cons
  • It can be slippery on some surfaces

Beginner Home Gym Equipment Buyer's Guide

A person in the gym shopping on his phone

Sorting through all of the different equipment may be overwhelming, especially if you're just getting started. Most beginners start with a yoga mat.

You must research the types of workouts you are interested in before you begin creating your home gym.

“The type and quality of equipment you'll need depends on the sort of gym you plan to establish.”

- Jonathan Valdez, Certified Personal Trainer & Registered Dietitian

Individual concerns may vary, but there are a few general guidelines to follow when establishing your home gym.

Budget

Although this may seem obvious, folks who are new to purchasing exercise equipment should have a budget in place.

And don't be concerned if you don't think you have enough money to spend.

You can get great exercise without busting the wallet.

There are several possibilities for low-cost strength training equipment.

While you may have to forego certain sophisticated features, you may still receive the necessary home exercise equipment to continue working on your fitness journey.

Dimensions

A person measuring dimensions of gym equipment

Fitness equipment might be large and rarely matches your home design. As a result, you must ensure that you have adequate room.

There are several space-saving choices to consider, like small cardio machines as well as other foldable mobile equipment.

When it gets to the dimensions of your home exercise equipment, clearance is another element to consider.

Even if the tiniest studios have space for resistance bands or adjustable dumbbells, you must be careful not to hit your ceiling and walls when using the equipment.

When purchasing bigger products, such as ellipticals, read the manufacturer's specifications to see how much headspace is required when in use.

“Before purchasing fitness equipment, you should be familiar with the various types and their applications. Knowing the types can help you choose which ones you need.”

- Jay Cardiello, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist

Ease of Use

Even home gym fitness experts dislike dealing with sophisticated equipment.

When presented with equipment that causes anxiety before you can even foot on it, you may quickly leave it.

As a result, it is critical to examine the manufacturer's specifications and consumer reviews.

This will provide you feedback from genuine users on whether the equipment causes you to sweat or cry.

Who Should Invest in Home Gym Equipment for Beginners?

A person online shopping for home gym equipment

You should invest in home gym equipment for beginners if you've just started exercising, want to try new gym equipment, or strength training programs.

Also, if you're a cardio fanatic who wants to improve your cardiovascular fitness, and general performance, consider investing in these best home gym equipment.

Who Shouldn't Invest in Home Gym Equipment for Beginners?

You shouldn't invest in home gym equipment for beginners if you don't have a home gym and if you are susceptible to injuries, as they may cause unpleasant injuries to your body if not used appropriately.

Also, powerlifters, bodybuilders, and autocrats who are pros in utilizing exercise equipment should not invest in home equipment.

FAQs

What Gym Equipment Is Best for Beginners at Home?

The gym equipment that is best for beginners comes with a guide on how to use it, is easy to assemble and use, and is not expensive.

What Home Workout Equipment Should I Buy First?

The home workout equipment you should buy first are resistance bands, core or stability balls, and a set of dumbbells. These exercise equipment and your body weight are enough to get you started.

What Should a Beginner Avoid in the Gym?

What a beginner should avoid in the gym is doing too much, not having a plan, not warming up, and using equipment that is too heavy or complex for them.

The Best Gym Equipment for Beginners

We placed much equipment into our routine test, and most of them stood out as the best in their respective domains.

However, I would recommend starting with the Rogue T-15 LB Technique Bar for a beginner. It is lightweight and compatible with standard bumper plates, allowing you to learn to load and unload your barbell.

They are constructed of Aluminium and have a strong zinc coating to keep your bar reasonably clean.

If you are investing in the ideal garage gym, you will want to ensure that the exercise equipment will withstand the test of time.

Our #1 Recommendation

Rogue T-15 LB Technique Bar

CTA of Rogue T-15 LB Technique Bar
Performance
5.0
Durability
4.9
Convenience
5.0
Price
4.8
Overall Score 4.9
4.9
Pros
  • Excellent for perfecting technique while learning how to use a standard weightlifting barbell
  • Compatibility with standard bumper plates
  • Knurling bar with two knurlings
  • The bar weighs 15 pounds
  • Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
Cons
  • Can only hold weight up to 45 pounds
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