The Best Workout Equipment To Get In Shape

What to Look For

Once you’ve decided to get in shape, each piece of gear you buy should meet three specific criteria: Does it have a low learning curve? Will it fit in your home? Is it versatile enough to let you perform various exercises? We focused on highlighting gear that checked all three of those boxes. For example, our favorite pick was Crossrope’s weighted jump rope set, which is easy to use, takes up virtually no space, and is versatile enough to target various muscle groups. But jumping rope is more of a cardiovascular workout, so we also included resistance-based options like Iron Gym’s pull-up bar and Bowflex’s brilliant adjustable dumbbell set. Read on to learn more.

Crossrope Get Lean Weighted Jump Rope Set

Leap into fitness

Jump-roping is one of the simplest, most efficient forms of cardiovascular exercise, and this high-quality weighted set takes it to the next level.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

You don’t need to be the star of a boxing movie to get in shape using a jump rope. For decades upon decades, jump ropes were seen as fantastic training tools. But in recent years, most people seem to have forgotten just how effective jump-roping can be. It’s one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise there is — perhaps even more efficient than running — and this rope set is hands down one of the best on the market. Unlike other jump ropes, this set contains interchangeable ropes of different weights so that you can tweak the difficulty level of your jump session by adding extra resistance. We love this idea, because as well as providing a calorie-burning cardio session, this weighted rope will simultaneously strengthen your shoulders, forearms, and back

Pros:

• Can be used virtually anywhere — at home, the park, the gym, etc.
• Excellent for people who want to stay fit while traveling
• Fast-clip system makes it really easy to change the ropes
• Free app helps you track your workouts so that you can measure your progress over time

Cons:

• It is a bit pricy, but for the results it can provide, we think it’s well worth it

Iron Gym Doorway Pull-Up Bar

Learn to pull your weight

Few workout tools are as versatile, rewarding, and easy to use as this pull-up bar.

Best Pull-Up Bar

Find on Amazon

Because pull-up bars look so simple and unassuming, those without workout experience might not realize how versatile they are. They allow you to perform a myriad of exercises that can target just about every muscle group, all using gravity and the weight of your own body. This one from Iron Gym is our absolute favorite because it balances cost, quality, and ease of installation perfectly. All you have to do is attach the included safety brackets above a doorframe and you’ll be ready to dangle and pull yourself toward your strength goals.

Pros:

• Believe it or not, you don’t need to screw in this pull-up bar, so it won’t damage your walls
• Excellent price considering the quality
• Accommodates a large variety of doors

Cons:

• Since it doesn’t screw into the wall, it may not feel as secure as wall-mounted bars, but you’ll learn to trust it the more you use it

Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells

Big thing in a small package

Ideal for anyone who can't fit numerous dumbbells in their home, this might be the most clever set of dumbbells you've ever used.

Most Versatile

Find on Amazon

Dumbbells open up a world of workout possibilities. But to cover a wide range of exercises, you’ll need dumbbells of various weights, and most of us don’t have room in our homes to fit dozens of heavy dumbbells. This brilliant set from Bowflex offers the perfect solution in the form of two adjustable dumbbells. All you have to do is place the dumbbell in the housing base, turn a dial to select the weight you want, and then pull it out of the housing base to start lifting. The weights range from 5 to 52.5 pounds, so you should be able to do just about any exercise you can think of with this set.

Pros:

• The dumbbells rarely take up any space yet allow you to perform almost any type of weighted exercise
• Great for folks living in an apartment or small house
• Easy to adjust the weight
• Comes with a complimentary one-year membership to the JRNY digital fitness platform, which is quite valuable

Cons:

• They’re shaped a tad bit differently than other dumbbells, so it might take a little adapting to get used to them

Sportsroyals Home Gym Power Tower

Lean, mean workout machine

This nifty tower can help you strengthen your abs, perform tricep dips, practice pull-ups, and so much more.

Best Power Tower

Find on Amazon

Almost every gym has a power tower, and that’s because they enable you to perform tons of exercises without taking up much space. From classic movements like pull-ups and dips to more specialized ones like leg raises, this tower can help you target different muscle groups. If you have space for it in your home gym or yard, we highly recommend it.

Pros:

• Pull-up bar and backrest are height-adjustable
• The heavy-duty steel frame is the real deal
• High-quality hardware means this will last a long time

Cons:

• Takes a while to assemble, but the installation instructions are well-written

321 Strong Medium Density Foam Roller

Let it all go

Recovery is a crucial component to any good fitness regimen, and few tools can help you recover and relax like this foam roller.

Best Foam Roller

Find on Amazon

Odd-looking as they may be, foam rollers are one of the most useful tools you can have while you’re getting in shape. They can relieve muscle soreness, increase flexibility, enhance blood flow, and trigger myofascial release. In other words, by using a foam roller, you can feel a lot better and possibly recover quicker from your workouts, too. This foam roller is one of the best out there, and we love the wide variety of colors it’s offered in.

Pros:

• No learning curve — simply get on the floor, place the foam roller under you, and start rolling
• Great for those with muscle knots and general tightness
• Excellent price

Cons:

• Some may find it a bit small, but we think the size is perfect

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get better at working out?

Take it slow and learn to listen to your body. You don’t need to go from 0 to 100. Remember that any progress is progress, and sometimes you may backslide a bit. Progress isn’t always linear — we may experience peaks and valleys in our performance as we improve our fitness, and this is normal. Build a strong foundation by practicing good form and giving yourself adequate rest. Sometimes less is more.

Aside from having the right gear, what else should I know as I begin my fitness journey?

We believe there are four key pillars that support good fitness: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and rest. The last two are often neglected, but they’re invaluable. Often, people who are determined to get in shape accidentally push themselves into burnout. Working too hard can be counterproductive because when you push your body far beyond its limits, it doesn’t have the time to recover and rebuild. Plus, overdoing the workouts can lead to the excessive release of stress hormones that can hinder fat loss and muscle growth.

About the Author

If style and fashion tips are what you're after, Duddy is your man. He spent his formative years studying the works of artists, designers, stylists, and curators to learn what pleases the eye. But he isn't just interested in aesthetics — he also seeks out products that balance form with function. Thanks to his many years of reviewing products, he has a keen understanding of what makes a great buy.

Why Trust Us

Since 2001, our experts at TheFashionSpot have been providing millions of people with our take on the latest trends. TheFashionSpot is constantly looking for the hottest styles in clothing and accessories for people of all body types. Our team knows that beauty starts well before the closet, so we are also dedicated to finding the best products for your skin and hair.