DMoose offers a pull bar that easily fits into regular sized door frames without having to cut your drill and can hold up to 243 lbs. For a more permanent pull-up situation, consider the Titan Fitness wall-mounted pull-up bar (supports up to 400 pounds) or the REP Fitness bar (500-pound weight limit) that you can install on either a wall or ceiling.
One of the most versatile options for small gyms is an all-in-one system. For example, Force USA’s G1 combines five training machines: a power rack, functional trainer, suspension trainer, core trainer, and chin-up station.
And the Titan Nemesis is an all-in-one gym that the brand says allows for up to 1,000 different workouts, and is thinner and shorter than the G1, so it’ll fit more easily in a tight space. The smallest of all is the Bells of Steel all-in-one machine, which allows for hundreds of cable and barbell exercises.
As SELF has previously reported, ellipticals are ideal for those looking for a low-impact cardio option. The ProForm Carbon E7 is a compact machine that connects to iFit to give you personalized workouts (your trainer can even automatically adjust the resistance on the machine as you work out). The NordicTrack FS14i also includes iFit access, but with an even smaller footprint and customizable design. When we tested these machines, our reviewers raved about the adjustable stride length, which means they can be comfortable for people of different heights. The FS14i has 26 levels of resistance and features intelligent auto-adjust technology that matches the resistance and incline to the programs you use.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use elliptical, check out this option from Sunny Health & Fitness. It doesn’t have any advanced bells and whistles, but it does give you eight levels of resistance, a heart rate monitor, and an LCD display. Plus you can’t beat the price.
The benefits of compact exercise equipment
Essentially, home appliances offer a level of convenience that forces you to “delete your excuses.” Sydney Bueckert, NASM-CPThead fitness instructor at Sunny Health & Fitness in California, tells SELF. “You don’t have to travel to the gym, you don’t have to deal with bad weather, you have everything you need to get the job done. You’re going to have days where things come up, you’re going to have a long day at work, the kids need help with a school project.” Even if you only have a few minutes, having a home setup that helps you reap the benefits of short workouts is a big win.
If you don’t have a lot of square meters, compact equipment allows you to make the most of the space you have. Another plus: choosing multi-purpose equipment can often help you save money because you eliminate the need to buy a whole gym’s worth of equipment.
How to choose the best compact exercise equipment
To help you avoid excessive fatigue or decision fatigue, we’ve narrowed down what to consider when choosing solid training items across all equipment categories.
Portability
Not everyone has a dedicated gym at home. Some people buy compact equipment to put in a corner or closet when not in use. Products that are light, have wheels, or are small in size tend to be the most portable.
Versatility
The more a piece of equipment can do, the fewer items you need. So when you want to save space, think about the number of workouts or exercise modes you can do with the machine or tool.
Cost
Budget is an important factor when scouring the digital aisles for new workout gear. Indeed, Franco Calabrese, DPTa Chicago-based physical therapist, told SELF that cost is one of the most important considerations you’ll make when it comes to choosing your exercise equipment. While paying a monthly rental fee for machines and weights may seem excessive, when you consider the cost of gym memberships, you may realize that you save money in the long run.
Size
Not to state the obvious, but size matters when choosing home exercise equipment. Dr. Calabrese told SELF that small, versatile options like kettlebells, dumbbells, and resistance bands are winners for tight spaces: “They don’t take up a lot of space and can be easily moved from room to room or from inside to outside depending on the workout area which you prefer.”
