How to choose the best exercise equipment for a home gym

As soon as the New Year rolls around, so do vows to make the excesses of the holiday season a thing of the past and embrace health and fitness resolutions. While gym memberships traditionally spike in January, fitness facilities don’t fit everyone’s budget, lifestyle or daily routine. And even if you are an avid gym-goer, you might want to maintain the momentum with some home workouts between visits to the club.

Whether you need some hand weights that can be tucked under the bed when you’re done with them, or you’re looking to de-clutter your garage and transform it into a bells-and-whistles home gym, there are lots of flexible, portable and affordable fitness equipment options to help make your good intentions a reality this year.

Resistance bands are brilliant space-savers and very versatile for strength training. Small, cheap and lightweight, they're perfect for apartments, and travelling, and can provide a full-body workout when you know how to use them.

Adjustable dumbbells are one of the most popular small training tools for building upper body strength in the arms, chest, upper back and shoulders. Because they allow you to add more weights to the same bar, they take up less space than multiple fixed-weight versions, and are cheaper too.

Kettlebells, like dumbbells, are heavy but small enough to store easily. Designed to be held in either or both hands while performing a variety of movements, they can be used for whole-body workouts in a way that’s harder to achieve with dumbbells.

Slam balls are another small but powerful piece of functional training kit, popular with MMA enthusiasts for the explosive strength development exercises they can be used for.

The trusty treadmill is a staple of home cardio workouts. If you’re on board with the idea of running but know full well that you won’t pound the pavement when it’s too hot, cold, wet, windy or dark out, then a treadmill’s a great, safe all-weather option, and you can pick up entry-level models from a few hundred dollars.

If you have limited space, look for a model that folds away when not in use (many models from Lifespan Fitness have this function). When choosing a folding treadmill, look at how much floorspace it takes up, both when in use and when stored, and check its motor power, speed and incline range, weight capacity, and shock absorption for joint protection.

Exercise bikes (commonly called Spin bikes) can be a good choice if you don’t have a lot of space, and they can be quieter than treadmills too (which helps if you share your home). Online classes and apps can help elevate your casual bedroom pedalling to intensities more akin to classes at the gym.

Rowing machines offer fantastic full-body workouts, training both upper and lower body strength as well as cardio. Stylish wood and water models like those from WaterRower and Lifespan Fitness look aesthetically pleasing when stored upright (you won't even need to hide them in the laundry).

Cross trainers (also known as ellipticals) simulate walking, running or stair climbing without putting too much pressure on the joints, making them a good choice if your knees and hips are crying out for low-impact cardio workouts.

A power rack or squat rack is the cornerstone of any serious gymfloor. Look for one with a pull-up bar built in and accessorise it with Olympic barbells and weight plates.

An adjustable bench is essential for upper body weights work like chest press and triceps dips, and one with built-in preacher pad and leg extension functionality enables comfortable, supported leg and bicep strengthening.

A multi-purpose bench like the versatile Reebok Deck can be used for a range of chest and upper body workouts and double as a step platform for cardio. Almost a complete gym in one piece of apparatus, it’s a good choice if you don’t have a lot of room. Hey, it could even turn into a coffee table between workouts.

Whether you’re buying simple hand weights or advanced cardio equipment, take a look at any FAQs, customer reviews and warranty terms before heading to the checkout. Remember, even small fitness equipment can be extremely heavy, so you’ll want to avoid paying for shipping by buying from a retailer that offers free delivery.

Building a home gym doesn't usually happen overnight. Start with the basics and gradually add pieces as your fitness journey evolves. Whether you're in a compact apartment or a spacious house, there's equipment out there to help you crush your wellness goals at home.