All you need to train in the comfort of your own front room or garage [UPDATED]
You don’t have to spend a fortune to create a useful home gym. While many people kit out their garage like it’s a branch of Equinox, a few dumbbells, barbells and kettlebells in the corner can make working out cheaper as well as more convenient.
If you’re on a limited budget, we’ve selected some great value options, or if you’re a big spender then we’ve found the sleekest home dumbbell set on the market.
Jump to the kit you want:
- Best adjustable home weights
- Best premium home weights
- Best value home weights
- Best home gym accessories
For those who are low on space, we’ve picked out dumbbells and barbells that are easy to store, so you won’t end up with a living room looking like your local gym.
And if you’re looking to go heavy? Not a problem – keep reading to find out our top pick of Olympic lifting gear, and also our guides to the best pull-up bars.
Best adjustable weights
Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells
Bowflex’s SelectTech dumbbells allow you to select your weight with a handy dial system: you simply turn the dial at the end of the dumbbell to the weight you want to use, lift it out and you’re done. Each one is adjustable from 5lbs (2.3kg) to 52.5lbs (23.8kg), and you can quickly switch the weight by putting the handle back into the weight set and reselecting using the dial.
The first 25lbs of weight can be adjusted in small increases of 2.5lbs, meaning there are no major weight jumps to contend with – ideal for those who are new to lifting. Each barbell is fairly long and chunky, but the adjustable design makes them perfect if you don’t have space for tons of different weights dumbbells at home.
PowerBlock EXP Stage 1 Adjustable Dumbbells
To the unfamiliar eye, the PowerBlock EXP dumbbells can look very confusing, but once the mechanism is broken down it becomes clear they have an incredibly smart design. Using a selector pin, as you would with a weights machine at the gym, you select the weight you want to lift. This then connects the PowerBlock’s handle with the requisite weights (which sit at the side ends of the dumbbell, the bits that look like an iron bread loaf) and you’re lifting.
The PowerBlock EXP Stage 1, as we’ve featured here, has a weight range of 5lbs (2.3kg) to 50lbs (22.7kg), and can be expanded all the way up to 70lbs (32.8kg) or 90lbs (40.8kg) if you buy the Stage 2 and 3 kits.
While its chunky design may not be to everyone’s taste and could interfere with the ease of certain moves, there’s no denying the PowerBlock EXP dumbbell is a genius piece of kit.
Bowflex Selecttech 840 Kettlebell
Kettlebells offer a range of movements and benefits that are often difficult to achieve with dumbbells. Like dumbells, that range of exercises requires a varied selection of weights as you train different body parts. The problem is – even more so than with dumbbells – kettlebells are expensive and due to their awkward shape and size, aren’t a great choice for home workouts.
The Bowflex Selecttech 840 Kettlebell follows on from its Adjustable Dumbbell, offering a sleek and smart way to train with kettlebells within a limited space. The ‘kettlebell’ is essentially a compact set of weighted plates within the unit which are selected via a dial on the top. Just place the unit on the base, twist the handle to the desired weight and it’s ready to go.
When we first tested the 840 Kettlebell we were slightly concerned about stability when using it indoors due to the swinging motion of most kettlebell exercises. Fortunately, like the adjustable dumbbells, the build of the unit feels both secure and safe to use indoors.
The unit has six weighted options between 3.5 to 18kg, meaning it’s suitable for training across all muscle groups for most users. When compared to an actual kettlebell, the shape and size isn’t quite perfect in terms of feel and weight distribution, but it’s not far off meaning you can do anything from swings to Turkish get-ups.
For a list of exercises that can be done using the Bowflex Selecttech 840 Kettlebell click here.
Best for big budgets
Ironmaster Quick-lock Dumbbells
The Ironmaster dumbbell design is one of the nicest we’ve seen across the various options available. Not only does the square shape mean they don’t roll around, but the clever screw-style lock system means that they’re both easy to change and avoid the usual long pointy bar coming out each end.
The set comes with two 20kg adjustable dumbbells that can be modified from a starting weight of 2.2 kg. You can also increase the weight, using add-on kits, to beef them up to 74kg, which makes them perfect for anyone looking to invest in a long-term training plan with equipment that will last for decades to come.
LesMills Smartbar and Weights Set
If you’ve been to any of LesMills’ classes around the world it’s likely that you’ll have come across its Smartbar equipment. Unlike most barbell kit, the ‘gator teeth’ design is made to allow quick and easy changing of weights throughout a workout. Something that’s extremely useful if you’re doing a full-body session and only have a few seconds to increase or decrease the weight for different body parts.
The set comes with 17kg of plates to add to the 2.6kg bar, which should be more than enough for any HIIT workouts. Those plates also have a special ergonomic design which means you can use them for single-arm movements – saving you money buying a separate set of dumbbells as well.
Rogue Echo Bar 2.0
If you’re serious about you’re training and you plan to incorporate more advanced movements into your workouts you’re going to need a heavy-duty bar. Rogue is by far our favorite equipment supplier when it comes to workout kit designed for the serious athlete, creating tough, durable and well-made products that’ll have your garage doubling as a CrossFit box instantly.
The Echo Bar is the cheapest Olympic bar Rogue offer and isn’t far off some of the pricier alternatives on the site. It features 190,000 PSI tensile strength steel, Olympic knurl marks and comes with a durable Bright Zinc finish. As well as a one-year warranty, it also has an F8-R rating meaning it has the highest resistance against consistent drops from overhead lifting.
Best for value
Core Balance Medicine Slam Ball
Slam balls have become an incredibly popular fitness tool in recent years due to their versatility and value when it comes to training in the gym or at home. As the name suggests, they’re designed to be lifted and then propelled with force back at the ground, helping you to build functional strength and power – as well as allowing you to get out any excess anger you might have from the day.
This option from Core Balance is a great choice if you want to delve into the benefits of slam balls. It’s made from a thick PVC shell full of sand, meaning that once it hits the floor it stays there with zero bounce. There’s also a dimpled surface which makes it easy to hold, even with sweaty hands.
It comes in multiple weights, from 3kg all the way up to a serious 15kg option. So you can pick up the right one for you. We’d suggest picking up a lighter and a heavy option to allow you to perform different exercises as sticking with one ball can limit the exercises you can perform.
AmazonBasics Dumbbells (UK only)
Not everyone wants or needs a vast array of weights, so for those who want a more streamlined equipment collection or don’t want to invest in a large set, these AmazonBasics dumbbells are a great choice.
Buyers have the option of buying these dumbbells pair by pair, in a range of weights from 1lb (0.45kg) to 20lb (9kg), although the larger options are only available in the US. The lighter options are a useful addition to Pilates or barre routines, while the heavier weights are ideal for circuit training or high-rep weightlifting.
The neoprene coating on these dumbbells stops sweaty hands from slipping on the handles, plus the hexagonal design prevents them from rolling away should you drop them. A simple yet functional piece of kit that will serve you well for a variety of at-home workouts.
Mirafit 20kg Studio Pump Set (UK Only)
If you’re looking for a nice balance between affordability and function, the Mirafit Studio Pump Set is a great cost-effective option that’ll cover you for a range of full-body workouts.
If you’re working towards lifting heavy, then you’ll need to invest in a more advanced bar, however, if you’re looking to carry out full body conditioning workouts in the front room then this piece of kit will have you covered.
AmazonBasics Neoprene Dumbbell Set (US only)
This three-pair dumbbell set comes in a compact rack that can easily be stored in a cupboard or corner. The dumbbells come in 4lb (1.8kg), 8lb (3.6kg) and 12lb (5.4kg) weights, well suited for adding to aerobics, barre or Pilates-based workouts.
Each dumbbell has an iron core for weight and is coated with neoprene for a non-slip grip. An extra useful feature of this set is the handle attached to the rack, meaning it’s portable and simple to put away without having to unload or dismantle anything. A well-priced, versatile piece of equipment that’s ideal if you’re low on space.
Best accessories
Gymshark Medium Resistance Band
If you’re looking to fire up your muscles before you lift, if you’re into bodyweight workouts or if you’re rehabbing an injury, there’s one piece of kit you absolutely can’t live without – the resistance band.
It sounds obvious, but the humble resistance band is extremely versatile and useful no matter what level of fitness you’re at. This fabric band from Gymshark is a premium product, which will withstand workout after workout without the risk of you snapping it in a Hulk-like fashion.
The 7.5cm wide band and silicone taping on the inside means it won’t flip or twist as you train, like rubber ones tend to do. Whether you’re a runner, powerlifter or HIIT lover, this band is a must for your home gym collection.
Cap Barbell Olympic Trap Bar
Trap bars are brilliant for deadlifts, especially if you struggle with your form on straight bar ones. Instead of standing behind the weight, you’ll stand inside the hexagon shape and lift with the weight directly next to you, putting a bit more effort through your quads and going a bit more gently on your lower back.
This product from Cap Barbell measures a little smaller than the average trap bar at 127cm long, 74cm wide and 36cm high, making it a good shout for a home gym. It weighs just under 13kg, but can be loaded up to over 220kg according to the manufacturers.
TRX GO Suspension Trainer
If there’s one piece of kit that will take your home training to the next level it’s a TRX. Yes, it may just look like an expensive pile of straps but there’s a reason that people all over the world use a suspension trainer on a daily basis.
Bodyweight training is great and the amount of exercises you can do without the need for equipment can’t be underestimated. However, there are certain muscles that are extremely difficult to train without additional help. One of the main areas is the muscles in the back. Even if you have a pull-up bar somewhere in the house it’s fairly useless if you can’t actually do a pull-up. A TRX offers the ability to modify a number of back exercises to make them easier as well as allow you to focus on different parts of the back.
The other major plus point of a TRX is that it takes up very little space. Once you’ve finished your work out, take it down, stuff it in the bag and pop it in a drawer. Simple, easy and extremely effective. There’s even a partner app that gives you detailed information on loads of exercises that you can do with it.
Domyos Resistance Bands
Although they may appear to just be big loops of rubber, resistance bands are some of the most useful kit you can ever have in your home. Unlike weights, where the resistance comes from gravity, resistance bands come in a variety of sizes, with the larger ones offering greater levels of tensile strength.
The amount of things you can use them for is frankly enormous, from biceps curls and shoulder pulls to allowing complex modifications of exercises. They’re also extremely good for use in mobility drills, allowing muscles to be forced into positions and movements that are difficult to do without.
The other thing about resistance bands is that, in comparison to most home gym equipment, they’re extremely cheap – the cheapest bands coming in at around £4.
Meglio Latex Free Resistance Loops
Yes, more resistance bands (or loops in this case). However, unlike the Domyos option in this guide, this pick from Meglio offers a more lightweight and cost-effective addition to your home gym training.
The concept is still the same, allowing for a massive range of exercises covering Yoga, Pilates, core fitness and rehabilitation as well as flexibility and injury prevention. But these bands are made from a significantly thinner and lighter material. The benefit of that, aside from the money-saving aspects, is that you can store a wide range of different strength bands for your workouts.
This style of band loop doesn’t offer the same level of lengthening as the larger, thicker versions and they are less durable over time. But, at £5.99 for a pack of four different strength options, as well as a handy little bag to store them in, it’s incredible value and the number of workouts you can do with them is endless. Meglio also offers a range of free exercise guides to show you how to use them, as well as a selection of longer bands that aren’t looped.