The Best Compact Exercise Equipment for Small Spaces (2024)

If you live in a small space, you can’t have 10 pairs of dumbbells. Getting a pair of the best adjustable dumbbells means having multiple pairs of weights in just two items.

The REP Quickdraw Adjustable Dumbbells are only slightly bigger than a shoe box and provide the same amount of weight options as an entire rack of traditional fixed dumbbells. You get eight weights from 5 to 60 pounds (REP Fitness is planning to release heavier versions in the future). That’s still a win-win in our book, and that’s before you add in the fact that they’re nearly all-metal construction (they get a 4.5 out of 5 on our durability test), can be dropped from up to 32 inches in height (which can’t be said for many other adjustable dumbbells), and feel like a traditional dumbbell.

RELATED: REP x PÉPIN Fast Series Adjustable Dumbbell Review

Some of our prior picks for the best dumbbell set for small spaces, such as the iconic Powerblock adjustable dumbbells, didn’t feel like traditional dumbbells, while others, like the NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells, couldn’t be dropped due to the large amount of plastic that could crack. That’s all to say that the REP adjustable dumbbells are some of the best-built adjustable dumbbells we’ve ever tested.

We love the flat ends that sit comfortably on our thighs while setting up for shoulder presses, and the knurling is a happy medium that provides extra grip on high-rep exercises. “The knurling feels really nice in the hands,” says certified personal trainer and Garage Gym Reviews Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele. “It is slightly passive so it doesn’t feel like you are going to tear your hands up with dynamic movements like the snatch.”

There’s also minimal plate clanging, which was a huge plus for us in testing.

In our testing, we found it very easy to adjust the weights. You simply drop the weights in their cradle and turn the handle to your desired weight.

There is one major downside to these dumbbells: the 10-pound weight increments. This might not be a problem for experienced lifters, though it might be for people who are trying to get stronger through progressive overload. REP doesn’t sell magnetic plates to add weight to their dumbbells, but products like Platemates would work.

Get even more details on our REP Quickdraw Adjustable Dumbbells review.

Generally speaking, the best rowing machines aren’t really compact. They are around 6 to 7 feet long at minimum. However, you can find foldable rowing machines and those that store upright. We chose the Concept2 RowErg for this list because, while it doesn’t fold, it does easily store upright and it’s incredibly lightweight, so moving it around is easy.

I have owned a Concept2 for more than 5 years, and it still works as well as it did on Day One. Since I bought it, I have lived in a small apartment and then moved into a small house, where I kept it in my living room until I built a garage gym.

This scores a perfect 5 out of 5 on our portability rating because at just 57 pounds, it is so wildly easy to move. I have rolled it over carpet, hardwood, grass (gotta love rowing outside), and rubber flooring with zero issues. To store it, you just tilt it upright on the front wheels and flywheel. That’s it.

Having logged literally thousands of miles on the Concept2, I can tell you that this is a machine that is built to last. I’ve never had any maintenance issues with mine. However, I have also been a CrossFitter for close to 10 years, and in that time, I have seen those heavily-used rowers require deep cleans as well as new monitors on occasion.

RELATED: Hydrow Review

The monitor on the Concept2 RowErg is incredibly easy to use, spitting out all the metrics you need (and some you might even care much about unless you’re really data-driven). You can rotate through different screen views, like making the time the largest feature and the other metrics, like distance, splits, and stroke rate, smaller. I love that you can choose a preset program or even customize a program to count down calories, meters, or time (watching the meters tick off a 5K row is so satisfying).

This machine uses air resistance, so it isn’t quiet. There is a constant whooshing of air through the flywheel. I wouldn’t call it a disruptive noise if you have neighbors, but it isn’t as quiet as magnetic rowers.

Ergonomically speaking, the seat is hard plastic. It’s curved to take pressure off your back, but it isn’t cushioned. The longest row I’ve ever done is a 10K on it, and I had no issues. But if you remember the 2018 CrossFit Games, Event 4: Marathon Row, many of those athletes sat on towels to ease the literal pain in the a@@.

For more, check out our in-depth Concept2 RowErg review.

Exercise bikes are, in general, among the most compact cardio exercise equipment you can find. By nature, they are smaller than ellipticals and treadmills. So when determining which was the best exercise bike, our team looked at more than just the footprint and factored in how much value you’re getting out of the equipment. Based on that, it really doesn’t get better than the NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle line. 

Right off the bat, the Commercial S22i (and its sister, the S15i), are more than just exercise bikes. They use iFIT programming (you get a 30-day trial free with purchase), which gives you access not only to cycle workouts but also strength training, yoga and a host of other fitness classes. Both bikes have screens that swivel so you can rotate the display to do HIIT off to the side. 

I fell in love with this bike the minute I put my feet on the pedals and started moving. The Commercial S22i is like one of the best Peloton alternatives because it’s very similar to a Peloton: 22-inch touchscreen, interactive programming that includes live and on-demand classes, pair of dumbbells included. 

So essentially, this is almost like an inclusive home gym. It got perfect 5 out of 5 scores from our testers in customizations, tech capabilities, and the programming.

RELATED: Peloton Bike Review

Where the S22i stands out is that it has incline and decline capabilities, a feature you don’t often see on exercise bikes. When the bike first went into decline (which happens automatically during workouts thanks to iFIT’s auto-adjust feature), I was almost thrown off balance. It does feel like pedaling downhill, minus the wind in your hair.

This compact exercise bike packs in a lot of extras: A cooling fan, Bluetooth connectivity to headphones, dual water bottle holders, and a device holder. 

But, it isn’t perfect. First of all, I put together this bike myself, which I don’t recommend. It took me well over an hour because nothing comes preassembled, you have to run wires to the monitor, and attaching the large console really should be done with a buddy, because it’s large and awkward. If you can afford it, opt for the $200 professional assembly.

While there are transportation wheels on the front of the bike, the S22i weighs 200-plus pounds and isn’t exactly easy to move around, especially on carpet. Lastly, if you store any NordicTrack equipment in a non-temperature-controlled environment, the warranty may be voided. 

For more on this bike, check out our in-depth NordicTrack S22i review. 

Tonal is among best smart home gym equipment there is, as it has earned a 4.6 out of 5 stars from our expert product testers, many of which have used Tonal for years. A 4.6 is one of the highest scores we have ever given, but it’s because this wall-mounted screen delivers a high-tech, full-body workout — and it’s only a little over 4 feet tall and a little under 2 feet wide.

This is compact, however, there are two adjustable cable arms that extend from the screen. Because of those arms and the movements you use those cables for, Tonal suggests that you have a 7-foot-by-7-foot area in front of the machine to be able to exercise. 

With Tonal, you essentially have a personal trainer on your wall. It uses artificial intelligence to watch your movements as you move through your workout. Tonal can adjust your weight and offer form correction cues as you go. It will count your reps for you (a huge bonus for those of us who space out a little in that area). There are even advanced features like “Spotter Mode” that will actually drop the resistance if Tonal senses that you’re struggling with an exercise. 

With your subscription to Tonal, you get access to live and on-demand workouts. The live workouts were added in late 2021. “I think those workouts are good, but there are still some technical things Tonal needs to work through before the live classes rival those of, say, Peloton,” says Coop Mitchel, founder of Garage Gym Reviews and someone who has used Tonal over the course of several years. Still, it’s nice to virtually exercise alongside people when you’re doing intense cardio and strength sessions.

To really get the most out of Tonal, you need to have the smart accessories, and those are all sold separately. The unit itself is already around $4,00 plus a mandatory 12-month subscription, so the cost can really start adding up when you throw in the extras like the smart bar, rope, bench, and handles. 

(Pssst: Looking for a Tonal coupon?)

Also, keep in mind that Tonal is wall-mounted, so it isn’t portable. You’ll be bolting this into your wall, so if you live in an apartment, be aware that you’ll be drilling. Tonal also insists on professional installation only (you could void your warranty if you tried to do this on your own).

For more, check out our in-depth Tonal Smart Home Gym review.

We get it; no matter how much space a mobile workout app takes up on your phone, it’s not going to take up more physical space in your home gym. However, we like Caliber as the best home exercise app because it can provide personalized programming for any sort of home gym setup, whether it’s a compact minimal gym, or a decked out garage gym that rivals Dwayne “The Rock Johnson’s home gym.

Caliber also meets you where you are financially, with a free version, as well as two paid modes of coaching. The free version gives you full access to the app’s video library, workout suggestions, and workout tracker—just no access to coaching. 

A group class function (for $19 a month) allows you to sit in on instructor-led workouts, while a second tier of payment allows you to work one-on-one with a coach or trainer, at the cost of at least $200 a month.

While the app offers cardio and HIIT workouts, the app is focused on strength work, following the principles of strength training, earning a 5 out of 5 for progressive overload.

Although the cost is pricey, GGR expert product tester Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, says it’s definitely worth it, giving the program a 5 out of 5 for its value. “For individual fitness coaching, I don’t think there’s a more financially valuable model than what Caliber offers,” she says.

You can see more information on this workout app in our Caliber App review.

There are plenty of folding treadmills on the market, but the WalkingPad has to be one of the most compact. At just over 56 inches long and 21 inches wide, the under-desk treadmill can be folded to just 32 inches long, ensuring it can fit just about anywhere—under your bed, in your closet, or just in the corner of your home gym. 

GGR head of content and certified personal trainer Nicole Davis has used the WalkingPad for over a year and a half and rates the portability a 4.5 out of 5. Not only is the treadmill extremely compact, but the folding mechanism has held up over the years. “I’ve been folding and unfolding the WalkingPad multiple times each week since I’ve owned it, and the folding function still works like a charm,” she says.

For its compact and lightweight features, the WalkingPad had to make some sacrifices, namely in the size of the motor and construction. It gets a 3 out of 5 for construction and durability, as the user weight limit sits at 220 pounds, much lower than the industry standard of 275 pounds.

Additionally, the 1-horsepower motor on the WalkingPad won’t support more vigorous running; as the name suggests, it’s a walking treadmill. Shorter, lighter people may get away with some light jogging, but the WalkingPad maxes out at under 4 miles per hour. Still, if you want a small, compact cardio machine to supplement your cardiovascular exercise, this is a fine one to use, 

Check out our WalkingPad review for more information.

One of the most challenging aspects of building out a complete home gym is finding the room for all your weights. You need a heavy kettlebell for farmers’ carries, a light kettlebell for overhead stability work, and one that’s just right for swings. Put those side-by-side, and you just lost about 3 square feet of precious space.

Enter the PowerBlock Adjustable Kettlebells. Available in two sizes, these kettlebells can range from as little as 16 pounds to over 60 pounds, helping you fulfill your many kettlebell weight requirements. Each kettlebell replaces five typical kettlebells, making these one of the best adjustable kettlebells; plus, it has a compact footprint, earning a 4.5 out of 5 for its compactness.

The kettlebell is built solidly, earning a 5 out of 5 for its construction and durability. Our expert product tester liked that the pin remained secure while in use; he never felt like the kettlebell was going to come loose. “The flat shape of the kettlebell actually felt better than traditional, spherical kettlebells,” he notes, rating the feel of the kettlebell a 4 out of 5.

The maximum weight of 62 pounds may not be as heavy as some powerlifters want to go, so you may want a different adjustable kettlebell if that sounds like you. Still, for its great feel and compactness, we recommend this as a solid space-saver.

You can read more about this set in our PowerBlock Adjustable Kettlebell review. 

Obviously, a wall-mounted pull-up bar will save you a lot of floor space, since it will be off the floor. But there’s more to the Titan Fitness Pull-Up Bar that we like other than the compact footprint; it is our pick for the best pull-up bar, of course.

The pull-up bar is made solidly with 11-gauge steel, which gives it a substantial user weight capacity of 500 pounds. GGR founder Coop Mitchell appreciates the versatility of its installation. The bar is able to be mounted on studs that are 16, 32, or 52 inches apart, or on a concrete wall anywhere up to 52 inches apart. You get that solid build and versatility for under $100. Yeah it gets a 5 out of 5 for its value.

The black powder coat that comes with the Titan Pull-Up Bar is pretty standard for fitness equipment companies, but it’s not the grippiness texture.

If your home gym area has a low ceiling height, it may be difficult to use a wall-mounted pull-up bar properly. Exercises like bar muscle-ups will be completely out of the picture, and getting your chin over the bar may get your head close to the ceiling, too. If you don’t have the ceiling height—-or are renting and can’t bolt a pull-up bar into a wall—you may want to opt for a door-mounted pull-up bar. Still, if you can make the Titan bar work, it’s a real treat.

All the best weight benches are going to take up a fair amount of space (they do, after all, have to support a whole human), but the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 makes the most out of the space it takes up by offering incline and decline adjustments, a commercial-grade back pad, and 11 lockout angles.

For those in small spaces who need something easy to move, this earned a perfect 5 out of 5 on portability, thanks to vertical storage, a handle, and front transport wheels. That last piece is key because it allows you to safely stand the bench up when it’s not in use without the fear that it’s going to fall over and injure someone or cause damage.

Coop Mitchell, founder of Garage Gym Reviews, has this bench in his own home gym and uses it often. He loves the changes Ironmaster made between the first and second iterations: a handle for portability, laser-etched numbers for seat and pad adjustments, and a tapered pad.

The biggest reason we love this bench besides its attachments, which we’ll get to in a second, is just how sturdy it is. You can lift some serious weight on this thing and not feel it wobble at all—it has a 1,000-pound weight capacity when flat and a 600-pound limit when used as an incline bench, so unless you’re Tom Stoltman or Larry Wheels that should be more than enough for your lifting needs.

“The frame mixes 11- and 12-gauage steel,” Coop says. “I’d prefer 11-gauge throughout, but the mix does lighten the overall weight of the bench.”

Our one big beef with this weight bench is that the seat is at a 90-degree angle at all times and can’t be adjusted. The back pad is also 10.5 inches in width, when the industry standard is closer to 11.5 to 12 inches, so it may not be the best pick for bigger lifters.

If your workout space permits it, this bench can also be equipped with a number of different attachments:

For more, check out our full Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 review.

I’ve always been a fan of elliptical training for its low-impact, high-output style. It’s running without running, which is my favorite kind of running.

The ProForm Pro HIIT 14 is one of the most compact ellipticals out there. Whereas most home elliptical machines are around 7 to 8 feet long, this is just over 4 feet in length because it’s tall, not long. Its design is more of a stair stepper, which saves you substantial space.

RELATED: Best Compact Elliptical

Our product testers got a chance to test this out at the iFIT headquarters, and one of the first things they did was tray to move it. It weighs more than 200 pounds, but there are front transport wheels on it to make moving it a little easier.

“You can move this around a room using the transport wheels for just an average person, but you’d definitely need another set of hands for moving this up or down the stairs,” says GGR product tester Caroline Lubinsky.

Due to its compact nature, this resembles more of a vertical climber rather than an elliptical. Instead of long, running-like strides, the pedals glide in much more of an up-and-down motion. This gives you a swift kick in the glutes!

As far as workouts go, the Pro HIIT 14 is compatible with iFIT programming, which streams on the machine’s 14-inch touchscreen. You get a 30-day free trial with your purchase, unlocking access to literally thousands of live and on-demand workouts. iFIT auto-adjusts the speed on the machine so all you have to do is think about surviving your workout.

Like many high-end machines, this has a high price tag of around $1,700, though financing is available. Also, the assembly is complicated. We gave it a very low 2 out of 5 because you can expect the process to take a few hours. Keep that in mind you may want to tack on an extra $200 for in-home assembly.

Read more in our ProForm Pro HIIT 14 review.

Quality space-saving exercise equipment is often gear you can use in multiple ways. After testing out the best resistance bands, we like Living.Fit Resistance Bands for their value and versatility. Plus, they have latex-free options available for those with latex allergies.

The regular Living.Fit bands made with natural latex come in a set of four or six bands, ranging from 5 to 200 pounds of resistance between the thinnest and thickest band. The latex-free bands (in neat camo colors) are available in sets of four.

Let’s talk about space. Bands are compact, lightweight, and portable. They weigh just ounces each and are easily tossed into a drawer or basket, or hung on hooks in your garage. 

When it comes to practical use, large-loop tube resistance bands can do a lot:

• Warm-up exercises like pull-aparts
• Strength movements like good mornings, presses and squats
• Assistance for pull-ups and dips
• Mobility work like banded stretches

There’s not a lot of difference between resistance bands across brands, if we’re being honest. The biggest plus for us is the price of these bands; not only are they less expensive than competitors like Rogue or EliteFTS, but the bands are also often marked down. “This is a great price—especially when you buy the whole set,” says GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele, ISSA-CPT. She rates the value a perfect 5 out of 5.

Check out our Living.Fit Resistance Bands review to see if these bands would make a nice addition to your home gym.

When it comes to workout mirrors, the Tempo Studio makes a unique blend of smart tech and instruction mixed in with classic free weights and training. Taking up 2 feet wide and 1.6 feet deep, it’s very compact, but comes with a bar, plates, and dumbbells—-along with the smart mirror. You’ll also need space to move around near the Tempo Studio…but you’ll need that for any equipment.

With a variety of training modes from weight training to mobility work, Tempo uses motion-tracking sensors to count reps and give technique cues, too. GGR founder Coop MItchell found the technology fairly dependable. 

“It missed some reps every once in a while, and the form critiques felt pretty average, but overall I like the technology,” he says. “Because they’re using AI, the technology will only get better as the user base grows, so that’s encouraging.”

If you’re expecting a ton of weight with this, you’ll be sad to hear that it’s only change plates, with 10 pounds being the heaviest plate available. Coop also points out that weight changes can be time-consuming, and would prefer something more akin to an adjustable dumbbell. While this isn’t ideal for heavy lifters, it’s a great workout mirror for people wanting to get a decent sweat.

For a more in-depth look, read our Tempo Studio review.

When it comes to the best folding exercise bikes, there’s one thing you should know: These aren’t going to be high-tech, full-of-frills machines. Their value proposition is how small they are. If you go into it knowing that, then you have accurately calibrated your expectations and won’t set yourself up for disappointment. 

That’s the lens we had to take when testing multiple foldable bikes. Our staff writer, Amanda Capritto, says the Marcy Foldable Upright Exercise Bike tops the list and has even found a permanent spot in her home gym. Yes, it’s small and light and easy to move, like any other folding bike, but the quality construction sets it apart. Amanda gave this a 5 out of 5 for durability, noting the thick, 14-gauge steel makes the Marcy bike feel incredibly sturdy during workouts, even during hard pedaling. 

She also says that the LCD display on the Marcy bike is larger than most of the other screens you find on these compact bikes. True, it only displays time, calories, and distance, but that’s pretty standard for these machines. 

Amanda points out that while there aren’t many levels of resistance (just eight), this is great for beginners or can be used effectively in warm-ups and cool-downs. 

Get even more details from our in-depth Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike review.

If you’re looking for a home gym that will travel with you and your schedule, I recommend the X3 Bar. This unique full-body exercise equipment is a ground plate anchor, a series of resistance bands, and the unique X3 bar, which hooks onto the resistance bands, mimicking barbell work in a fraction of the space. Plus, the whole package weighs 17 pounds—19 pounds if you use the Elite band. It gets 4.5 out of 5 for its footprint and portability.

Resistance bands can get a bad reputation for not being as challenging as free weights, but that’s simply a myth. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis¹ looked at eight studies and found that elastic resistance bands promoted “similar strength gains to conventional resistance training, in different population profiles and using diverse protocols.”

The bands here give plenty of resistance—up to 300 pounds. The Elite band (sold separately) can be up to 600 pounds of resistance. That’s a lot of resistance for a deadlift or front squat.

The X3 Bar also comes with a 12-week program for free, which is nice if you want to take out the guesswork of programming for yourself. It’s a four-day push-pull split, meaning you’ll have two push days and two pull days each week. While we’re hesitant to believe outright the guarantee on burning fat and building muscle at the same time, the program also comes with nutrition tips…which should help.

Although many people may want the feel of free weights, we think this is pretty solid program. You can learn more in my X3 Bar review.

If you’ve ever done a TRX class, you know how challenging the work is. A former Navy Seal, Randy Hetrick, is credited with developing the patented method and equipment in the 1990s, though we saw Total Resistance eXercise really explode in the early 2000s when commercial gyms started offering classes.

Fortunately, you don’t have to step into a gym to do TRX anymore. These lightweight, highly portable straps can be mounted to your ceiling or secured in a doorway for a workout that targets all your major muscle groups. The entire kit–straps, door anchor and suspension anchor–can be tossed into the accompanying mesh bag for easy storage just about anywhere in your home.

Anyone at any fitness level can benefit from working out with the Suspension Trainer. I have used it for years, both in my own workouts as well as in training clients. It excels in areas like core stabilization, supported leg movements, and challenging upper body work. I had been doing CrossFit for years before I took my first TRX class. At the time, I thought I was incredibly fit, but that class proved to me that I had gaps in my fitness. 

Using the straps does require either knowledge of the exercises or some kind of guidance, so I wouldn’t exactly call these beginner-friendly. However, when you purchase the TRX Suspension Trainer, you get access to a seven-day trial of the TRX Training Club, which offers live and on-demand classes. After that, your options for subscription are as little as $4/month.