Fitness
Trainers Say These Are The Best Portable Gyms To Get Ripped
Of course, the biggest perk of a portable home gym is convenience, says personal trainer Stacy Orsborn, NASM, “The time needed to commute to and from the gym is gone, and there’s an added convenience of having all the necessary things to train with right there—especially if you have small children, are unable to leave the house, or need to workout at odd hours.”
A portable gym can certainly make your life and fitness journey easier, but there’s some key factors worth considering before you click add to cart. Ahead, trainers break down exactly what to look for when shopping for the best portable home gym.
What To Consider
Size and weight
Before investing in a portable home gym, Williamson says you want to consider how large it is and the size of your available space. Most equipment has exact size measurements, so do your due diligence to ensure it properly fits in your home. A portable home gym should also be lightweight, yet sturdy, says Williamson. It shouldn’t include heavyweights like dumbbells or kettlebells, so look for portable, compact options like resistance bands, exercise tubes, TRX straps, or a walking pad, she says.
Maximum resistance
Many portable home gyms are designed for you to lift heavy resistance without purchasing free weights, so always look for the maximum resistance capabilities depending on your needs and skill level. For example, some portable home gyms only use your bodyweight, while others, such as resistance bands and exercise tubes, offer a higher range of difficulty, says Williamson.
Style
A lot comes down to your goals, workout preference, ability, and space, but you want to be mindful about the style of your portable home gym. If you’re a beginner, Williamson suggests looking for a versatile system that includes resistance bands to provide a full-body workout with a range of tension. If you’re a more advanced athlete, opt for a home gym that allows you to increase heavier tension and target different ranges of motions and planes of movement, she says.
How We Chose
The WH team, including contributor Andi Breitowich, consulted two certified personal trainers to determine what factors make the best portable home gym equipment stand out from the rest. We also researched the bestselling gear and combed through extensive testing notes to narrow down the top seven picks. To build our list, we focused on key features like size, weight, style, and maximum resistance.
Keep reading to find the best picks for your specific needs, according to trainers.
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Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Includes over 500 on-demand workouts
Cons
- Adjusting the straps between exercises can be time consuming
Among the portable home gym equipment we tested and reviewed, the TRX All-in-One Suspension Training System came out on top because it’s compact, portable, and designed for full-body workouts, says Williamson. The lightweight kit includes straps that you can easily anchor to doors, rafters, and beams at home, as well as trees, poles, or posts while outdoors. For context, suspension training uses bodyweight to encourage body awareness as you pull, push, lift, lunge, hinge, or row.
You can easily customize the intensity of your workouts by positioning yourself closer or further away from the anchor point of the straps. Williamson notes the portable gym is great for throwing in your suitcase or gym bag for on-the-go workouts.
Also noteworthy: The TRX straps include a two-year warranty and access to a library of over 500 on-demand workouts via the TRX Training Club app.
Read more: The Best Home Gym Equipment
| Size | 53 x 1.5 x 6 in. |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.7 lbs |
| Style | Suspension trainer |
| Maximum resistance | Bodyweight |
Pros
- Super affordable compared to other top picks
- Includes a variety of resistance bands
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- May not include a set-up guide according to testers
If you’re looking for the total package without breaking the bank, the Hotwave Push Up Board is it. The compact device packs a major punch and includes a foldable push-up board, bar, eight resistance bands (ranging from light to heavy resistance), two ankle straps, a door anchor, and an ab roller. In other words, it provides a versatile, full-body workout that can target your upper body, lower body, and core. Think push-ups, squats, glute kickbacks, lateral raises, and beyond.
The entire device only weighs just over eight pounds, which is great for easy transportation. The non-slip pad is also steady and safe on any type of floor.
| Size | 15.51 x 11.73 x 4.69 in. |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.1 lbs |
| Style | Resistance bands, ab roller, push-up board |
| Maximum Resistance | 120 lbs |
Pros
- Compact for small spaces
- Silicone cushioning stays quiet with every step
Cons
- Automatically decreases resistance after 30 minutes
Small space? No problem. This Niceday Mini Stair Stepper is portable, easy to store under your desk or closet, and perfect for toning your glutes and arms. The silicone cushioning is not only soft on your joints, but also absorbs sound to keep noise at a minimum. Compared to our top pick, this options is great for someone who enjoys more cardio movement.
The device comes with a stride adjustment knob at the bottom so you can customize the height of your steps to target different muscles. Plus, it includes elastic, attachable resistance bands if you want an additional upper body workout. It’s important to note the stepper will only maintain resistance for 30 minutes in each exercise cycle before gradually decreasing in intensity to help you cool down.
| Size | 13.5 x 12.5 x 16 in. |
|---|---|
| Weight | 16 lbs |
| Style | Stepper and resistance bands |
| Maximum resistance | Strides range between five to 15 inches |
Pros
- Can handle up to 400 pounds of resistance
- Includes exercise programs and training manuals
- Good for travel
Cons
- Only has a one year warranty
If you’re looking for workout equipment that has high resistance, this pick by Nomadic Fitness is a great option, says Williamson. It comes with a workout bar, resistance bands, handles, a base, and carrying pouch. It’s especially great for progressive overload since it can handle up to 400 pounds of resistance. What is that? In its simplest terms, it means to gradually increase weight and intensity. It looks very similar to the Hotwave Push Up Board, but this option can handle 280 more pounds of resistance. It offers a full-body workout so you can squat, push, pull, hinge, and lift.
The device includes either six, eight, or 10 band configurations (more bands equals higher difficulty). You never have to worry about durability since the rubber top and aluminum body is made to withstand wear and tear. Plus, you get access to a library of exercise programs and training manuals.
| Size | 17.2 x 13.78 x 4.96 in. |
|---|---|
| Weight | 16.2 lbs |
| Style | Incremental resistance bands |
| Maximum resistance | 400 lbs |
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.
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