Want to lift weights at home? Dying to clock up some steps in between video calls? Or do you want to add some extra tension to bodyweight workouts once you’ve put the kids to bed?
If you’ve decided you want convenience, comfort and cost-effectiveness from your workouts then it’s worth taking a look at the best cheap gym equipment money can buy.
Whether you’re looking to grow muscle, get stronger, boost your cardio fitness or all of the above, the best at-home gym equipment can help you get there — and better yet, there’s no costly membership or constrictive timetables necessary.
What’s the most useful piece of gym equipment and why?
This will be dependent on you, your space and your workout goals. For example, there’s no point in buying a treadmill if you prefer running outside. The same goes for buying a skipping rope if you don’t intend on skipping. However, if you are looking for a place to start, personal trainer Sarah Campus, the founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS, says she couldn’t live without her dumbbells.
“Exercising with dumbbells offers a wide range of benefits that can help you achieve your fitness goals and create a healthy and active lifestyle,” the expert says. “Dumbbells are versatile and can be used to target a wide range of muscle groups. By challenging your muscles, you can increase your strength and improve your overall fitness level. Whether you’re looking to tone your arms, build strength in your legs, or work on your core, dumbbells can help you achieve your fitness goals,” Campus adds.
What should you factor in when buying at-home gym equipment?
Along with your budget and health goals, you’ll also need to take your space into consideration. “The space that you’re going to be working out in is important, because you may not have enough room to do certain exercises or set up certain equipment,” Chloe Thomas, the PT, nutrition & mindset coach behind Chloe Inspires, explains.
“Also, if you’re living in an apartment or flat, you may not be able to do certain exercises because of the noise depending on what time of day you work out,” the PT adds.
“Your budget is also important, because you may not be able to do certain exercises if the equipment is out of your budget. However, I would recommend looking at charity shops or secondhand websites online for people selling equipment in your local area.”
To help you discover the best cheap gym equipment available right now, we’ve tested out a range of options — from weights and resistance bands to foam rollers and exercise machines — and whittled it down to the top-rated additions below. Plus, with prices starting from £4 and going up to £160, there’s something for all.
Best cheap gym equipment at a glance:
- Best barbell: Weight Training Bar - £29.99, Decathlon
- Best resistance bands: USA Pro Woven Resistance Band Trio - £7, Sports Direct
- Best Pilates and yoga mat: JLL Yoga/Pilates Mat Extra Thick - £17.99, Amazon
- Best weights bench: Tiltable Weights Bench with Collapsible Pegs - £109, Decathlon
- Best TRX: TRX - £134.99, Argos
- Best kettlebell: Metis Neoprene 10kg kettlebell - £26.99, Amazon
- Best dumbbells: Dumbbells Set Heavy Weights Hex, £22.99, Amazon
- Best skipping rope: Muza Skipping Rope Adult - £3.69, Amazon
- Best treadmill: Space Saving Motorised Treadmill - £159.99, Home Fitness Code
- Best foam roller: Core Balance Foam Roller - £11.89, Amazon
Decathlon Weight Training Bar
Best: barbell
If you intend on chest pressing, squatting, deadlifting, curling, thrusting and/or all the above-mentioned, that’s where a barbell, like this 5ft Weight Training Bar, comes into its own. We say this because we’re yet to find a long list of exercises you can’t do with a barbell. Whether you want to train your upper body, core or legs, once armed with this lightweight and easy-to-store steel bar, you can take at-home workout sessions up a notch.
Like most barbells found in a workout class or gym, this priced-at-under-£30 option comes with little ridges on the bar to help you increase your friction on the grip. While it might not be classed as an ‘Olympic bar’ (you know, those that come with 2-inch rotating sleeves), it can hold up to 160 kg in weight. Just remember to pick up compatible 28 mm weight plates like this 10 kg Rubber Weight Disc with Handles and some 28mm Weight Training Disc Collars to ensure they don't slip or fall off while you’re lifting.
Buy now £29.99, Decathlon
USA Pro Woven Resistance Band Trio
Best: resistance bands
Resistance bands might be one of the most underrated pieces of fitness kit out there. Helping to strengthen bones and muscles and fire up the friction for bodyweight exercises, this £7 trio of USA Pro Woven Resistance Bands will help you level up any workout by adding some extra tension. The closed-loop bands come in three levels of resistance.
Pop them in your bag or suitcase if you’re travelling and in a drawer or cupboard once you’ve finished with them. We tested out a couple of rubber bands, but found that these options were the perfect blend of polyester, nylon, and latex so kinder on your skin and bound to last (and last).
Buy now £7.00, Sports Direct
JLL Yoga Mat Extra Thick
Best: Pilates and yoga mat
One of the best things about this soft yet grippy JLL Yoga Mat which topped our list of the best Pilates mats for at-home use? It’s extra cushioned 15 mm of thickness which your body will thank you for as you squat, scissor or shavasana.
In our humble opinion, if you’re attending classes or bringing workouts to your living room, a yoga or Pilates mat is essential for cushioning your joints, stopping you from sliding and protecting your floors from any dropped weights. It’s true, you can find cheaper options. But this priced-at-under-£20 solution from JLL is made from durable rubber foam (so it will last), has non-slip traction and an antibacterial finish. So you can roll out, exercise, wipe clean and repeat.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
Tiltable Weights Bench with Collapsible Pegs
Best: weights bench
Remember that barbell we recommended? Well, this steel Tiltable Weights Bench with Collapsible Pegs is the perfect accompaniment and will help support your back and body as you perform each weight-lifting exercise thanks to its rack and bench. Most benches you spot in a gym come separate from the rack that holds the bar. But this one is different.
Essentially, for the price of just under £110, you’ll get a foldable bench and rack, which has adjustable pegs meaning you can set the right height for each exercise. You can also switch between two backrest positions (0° and 30°). Just note: it will take at least 30 minutes (or less if you’re good at DIY) to assemble this piece of kit.
Buy now £109.99, Decathlon
TRX
Best: TRX
Lightweight, easy to use, portable and so very multi-functional, if you’re interested in functional workouts and only want to buy one piece of kit for your home gym, a TRX might just be it. A TRX uses gravity and body weight to help you perform workouts for balance, core stability, flexibility and strength.
We tied the suspension anchor from this TRX to a tree and got moving. From squats and lunges to hinges and planks, you can work out every inch of your body with this piece of kit. What’s even handier is that this inclusion comes with a 30-day free trial to the TRX Training Club. So if you’re stuck for workout ideas, this is bound to keep things fresh. For under £140, you have essentially got your own portable home gym without having to pay the price of a monthly membership.
Buy now £134.95, Argos
Metis Neoprene 10kg kettlebell
Best: kettlebell
Most kettlebells are made pretty similar. Typically speaking, they don’t take up much space and come with a handle and a bell-shaped bottom. However, this Metis Neoprene 10kg kettlebell stands out from the crowd - and for two reasons. Firstly, it’s pink — and if you were to buy an 8kg, 12kg or 14kg weight from the same brand you’ll find that all kettlebells in the range are kitted out with a different colourway. This makes it easy to differentiate from weight to weight.
And secondly? They come with a neoprene bottom. Meaning your floors will be protected from any scuffs or drops. Priced at under £30, this full-body piece of kit is one of the best cheap gym equipment additions money can buy.
Buy now £26.99, Amazon
Dumbbells Set Heavy Weights Hex
Best: dumbbells
Kitted out with a hexagonal design to prevent rolling, knurling on the handle for extra grip and rubber on the ends to protect your floors, these reasonably-priced Heavy Weights Hex Dumbbells are ideal for curling, lifting and pressing. Coming in a set, you can train both sides of your body at once.
That said, if you need a mix of weights for both upper and lower body exercises, we’d recommend these space-saving Adjustable Dumbbells from Everlast. Simply twist the dial to increase (or decrease) the weight. For Just over £100, you’re essentially getting 10 dumbbells for the price of one.
Buy now £22.99, Amazon
Muza Skipping Rope Adult
Best: skipping rope
If you’re hoping to boost your cardio and strength and elevate your heart rate then this Muza Skipping Rope can help you get there. Skipping isn’t for the faint-hearted. Neither is it just something you did at school. Hopping from one foot to the other can help you improve balance and coordination, build bone density and get those endorphins pumping.
If you’re just learning the ropes again, this PVC option is a well-worthy contender. Along with being the same price as a coffee (if not less), it’s adjustable, so if there’s more than one of you looking to skip, you can tailor the length to you.
Buy now £3.69, Amazon
Home Fitness Code Space Saving Motorised Treadmill
Best: treadmill
If you work from home, you might be looking for ways to increase your step count and decrease the amount of time you sit. If that’s the case: we named Home Fitness Code’s Space Saving Motorised Treadmill as one of the best treadmills — and for good reason.
Coming in three different colours, ranging from black and grey to pink, this compact and low-in-price machine comes with an LCD display and has speeds of up to 10 km/h. This means you can walk or jog and get a sweat on without stepping foot outside your house if you want to. Or if you can multitask, you could slip this underneath a standing desk and tick off two tasks at the same time. Productivity at its finest!
Buy now £159.99, Home Fitness Code
Core Balance Foam Roller
Best: foam roller
While we can’t say this item is the most relaxing piece of gym equipment, this Core Balance Foam Roller will help you roll away any tightness and tension and target trigger points after a long week of workouts. It can also work wonders if you have any scar tissue you’re hoping to break up and increase your range of motion.
Coming with a plastic coat and an EVA foam grid exterior which retains its shape, we popped it under our hamstrings and behind our back and rolled on top of it to really loosen any achy spots — and that it did. For the price of £12, you can’t go wrong. This lightweight and portable roller essentially gives you some myofascial release in minutes.
Buy now £11.89, Amazon
