1. A dumbbells set, a must-have for anyone who is trying to increase their strength because it comes with a set of 3-, 5-, and 8-pound weights so you can easily grab the next weight up when you realize that you’re ready for more of a challenge.
Promising review: “This dumbbell set is great for anyone looking to do some home workouts. The neoprene coating is comfortable and easy to grip. They are also very durable — I dropped the 8-lb on the ground cause I tripped on my own feet, and there wasn’t even a mark on it (unlike my floor). I also really like the hexagon shape since I don’t have to worry about them rolling away between sets. I haven’t noticed any uneven weight distribution or balance issues either. Even though I bought the 3-lb, 5-lb, and 8-lb set it would be easy and affordable to add more dumbbells that match in higher weights when I’m ready. The stand is a little flimsy so you have to be careful when grabbing or putting away a weight, but it’s held up so far and does the job.” —Rachel Fuji
Get the three-pair set from Amazon for $20.39+ (also available as multiple set sizes from 1–20 pounds).
2. And a pack of bodyweight and dumbbell exercise cards if you’re not quite sure how to get started. Each card has an illustrated guide on how to complete the exercise. Plus, it will mix up your routine because you won’t know what exercise is coming next. *Please not burpees🤞*
Palace Learning is a small business creating educational, anatomy, art, fitness and more posters.
Promising reviews: “I love these cards! I get bored of doing the same workouts over and over and then lose my motivation, but with these, it’s easy to quickly change up your routine. I love the art style of the illustrations (ones with faces creep me out!) and the detail on the back of the cards, explaining how to properly do the exercise, as well as what muscles are targeted, and the amount of reps to aim for. I’ve been choosing about 6 cards to lay on the bench/floor, and then pairing them with an app which automatically times my intervals for me, and it keeps me focused for the full length of my workout!” —Alanna
Get it from Amazon for $17.97.
3. A reversible yoga mat designed with a textured surface to help keep your hands from sliding when they get sweaty. It also has 6mm of cushioning, making it so your body will be comfy and supported as you make your way through a sun salutation.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Genevieve Scarano says, “I work out at home a lot, so it’s important for me to have an exercise mat that’s cushy, sturdy, and easy to roll up and put away. I received this Gaiam yoga mat as a sample and really enjoy using it for yoga and Pilates! It’s so comfortable to stand, sit, and lay down on, and I don’t have to worry about sliding around, thanks to a grippy material. It’s also fun to flip the sides (my mat above came with light blue and dark blue sides) — I’ve never had a yoga mat with this design before! And if you don’t have a lot of space, no worries, because this mat rolls up to a compact size when you’re done exercising.”
Get it from Amazon for $29.98+ (available in four sizes and eight colors).
4. A weighted fitness hoop about to ~turn~ up your workout while making you feel like you’re a kid again. Reviewers say this is great for not only strengthening your core but also helping relieve back aches from sitting for too long.
Promising review: “Like everyone else, I saw this on TikTok and decided to give it a shot. Super fun to use. I’ll admit it’s difficult to start, but once you get the hang of it after a few minutes, it’s super easy and fun. It is a little loud but nothing unbearable. The pieces are easy to add on, and the weight is not too heavy or light.” —Richard Enriquez
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three sizes and two colors).
5. Or an illustrated yoga mat here to help guide you through a yoga flow without having to venture out to a class or have an instructor at all. You’ll be able to see exactly how the poses look and use it to switch up your practice, keeping your workout fresh and fun.
NewMe Fitness is a small business creating high-quality fitness products for strength training, weight training, and yoga. The mat is 24” wide x 68″ long and 5mm thick! It’s made with a moisture-wicking material that’ll keep sweat at bay and is great for hot yoga, too.
Promising reviews: “I use this mat more than I ever took classes. Not sure if it is good for beginners, but if you have basic class instruction already, it gives you a great sequence of moves you are familiar with. Most I can do, a few I have never done.” —Mng Parker
“This mat is great for a quick guide to various yoga poses. The length, thickness, and comfort make it a great purchase. I look forward to many future uses.” —Baglady
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in six colors).
6. Push-up bars you’ll have ~a-round~ for a long time because they’ll make doing push-ups on the floor more comfortable and also an even better workout. The handles let you get a good grip and then rotate as you go down, so you don’t slip or slide at all. These are also great for anyone who’s still working on their push-up game (it’s okay, I am too) because they work just as well if you’re on your knees.
Promising review: “The first time I used them, I felt burn (the good kind) in the back/neck area. I looked up a diagram of musculature online, and it corresponded precisely with the trapezius muscles. I know that a product can’t cure lazy, but knowing that I’m doing push-ups the right way and being able to feel the results makes me want to do more push-ups.” —mbca
Get them from Amazon for $18.74.
7. An exercise ball great if you’re looking to work on improving your posture, balance, core strength, and more. It’s also helpful for both modifying exercises (especially if you have a hard time getting all the way down to the floor) and making others more challenging. All a~round~, this is a great tool to have in your corner.
UrbnFit is a small business creating a variety of different pieces of fitness equipment.
Promising review: “I bought this stability ball for at-home workouts. By the time I got home from work, my husband had the ball inflated and ready for me to use. He did not have any problems inflating or plugging it up. I have used it a couple of times and so far it has performed to my satisfaction. It feels like the ones I used at the gym — in regards to the vinyl thickness.” —Terah A. eden
Get it from Amazon for $16.79+ (available in five sizes and 11 colors).
8. A yoga strap to help improve your flexibility and ability to hold certain yoga poses. Reviewers love this one because it’s inexpensive yet good quality.
Promising review: “Nicely woven yoga strap. It’s relatively soft, but durable and strong. The rings are a good thickness, and it works well for me. I’ve only been using it for a month for at-home beginner’s yoga, but it’s perfect for getting into and/or holding poses I wouldn’t be able to otherwise.” —Mary Alston
Get it from Amazon for $7.07+ (available in three sizes and 20 colors).
9. A 10-in-1 exercise kit if you don’t really know where to start and just want some equipment to help. This set includes an ab wheel, thick knee mat, push-up grip handles, jump rope, wrist wraps, two resistance bands, an eight-shaped stretch band, and a guidebook to show you exactly what you need to do.
Promising review: “It was easy to assemble using directions given. Very sturdy and easy to use. I bought it for exercising/gym workouts at home, and I have been loving it.” —TyrellAkola Gray
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in two colors).
10. A simple jump rope with a digital counter that’s great if you’re a beginner who is looking for ways to ~switch~ up your cardio routine. You’ll ~jump~ at the chance to use the counter to start a mini-competition with yourself to see how many reps you can get every day.
Promising review: “I am impressed with this product! It’s super lightweight, easy to use and hold, and has made working out fun again! The buttons are easy to use, it took less than a minute to set up, and it keeps track of how many jumps and feels comfortable in the hands. I find myself using it daily and since the handles keep track of how many jumps, I try to break the previous day’s records! Definitely would recommend!” —cassandra
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four colors).
11. Or a cordless version ensuring that you can jump, hop, and skip to your heart’s content without having to worry about a rope thwacking your floor and ceiling. This is great for anyone who lives in an apartment and doesn’t want to disrupt your neighbors too much, but it’s also super portable, meaning you can take it anywhere with you.
Promising review: “These rope-less jump trainers are perfect for me. I had tried them in a gym setting once before and fell in love because they offered solutions for my work travel and low ceilings at home during the winter. They provide the upper body workout with just enough weight in the attached balls. Would order again and again.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in four colors).
12. A Chopper here to help you live out your lumberjack fantasy while also getting a ~killer~ workout in. You can just pick it up and chop away or use the free app to follow one of the 60 pre-built circuits.
Promising review: “I’ll admit that I thought this was a gimmick at first. That being said, it is a lot of fun chopping away after a stressful day at work. I just put on my favorite TV show and go to town. This isn’t meant to be a magic fitness tool. It is just a novel/fun way to get you to exercise without thinking about it too much. The free app has some nice workout routines you can try as well.” —CAT
Get it from Amazon for $89.95+ (also available in a pro bundle).
13. A weighted fitness hoop, which will quickly become your favorite workout once you get into the ~swing~ of things. It’s super easy to use (especially if you’ve ever hula hooped as a child) and works to help strengthen your hips, abs, and legs.
Promising review: “This hoop is GREAT! It is just so much fun to exercise with this thing. I play music and try to dance too lol. But I have experience, they used to have a weighted hoop in the gym I went to and I did it all the time. Highly recommend. You just need to make sure it’s clicked together correctly or it’ll come undone! Don’t worry if it happens to you, though, it’s totally fixable. It happened to me I think twice before I got it down. Anyway, if you’re looking for a weighted hoop, look no more!” —Molls
Get it from Amazon for $39.50.
14. A Kettle Gryp great for anyone who wants to try a kettlebell workout without having to commit to buying another piece of heavy equipment. This genius device wraps around a dumbbell to transform it into a kettlebell and make it super easy to hold onto.
Promising review: “I’ve recently gotten into kettlebell training, and I’ve been trying to find 15-lb kettlebells to purchase, but can’t find them anywhere. I do have a complete set of dumbbells from 5 lbs up, and with the help of the Kettle Gryp, I can quickly turn the plain vanilla hex dumbbell into a kettlebell within seconds. I really love the versatility of this product and am delighted that I won’t ever have to buy kettlebells ever again. These really maximize the utility of my already existing dumbbells and save me tons of money. They are also durable and easy to use. Thumbs up!” —Jonathan G. Smith
Get it from Amazon for $34.95.
15. Wrist buddy yoga blocks with a cutout design that gives you a place to put your hands during your yoga practice. The block is designed to optimize the angle of your hands and take away 60% of the pressure on your wrists. It also maximizes your control and stability. If you hate using yoga blocks, you may want to give this a try. Reviewers call it a game-changer!
Wrist Buddy is a small business founded by a chiropractor who pivoted to creating ergonomic fitness products to elevate your workout routine!
Promising review: “These blocks have been awesome for my yoga practice!! It makes so much sense for yoga blocks to conform to the shape of your hand instead of being just a square block. I broke my left wrist several years ago and recently sprained it playing tennis. Using the Wrist Buddy yoga blocks instead of my usual ones puts a lot less strain on my wrist — and I feel much more comfortable and confident in the poses. Plus, I can do poses with these blocks that I couldn’t before because of the support they provide. I have recommended them to my friends!!” —Katharine O’Donovan
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in four colors).
16. An ab roller wheel for when you’re on a ~roll~ and want to strengthen your core. The wheel will increase your stability, allowing you to move and use your ab muscles even more.
Plus, it comes with a resistance band to help get your obliques in the exercises and can hold up to 600 pounds.
Promising review: “This wheel has had a huge impact on me in just under a week of use. I have been rolling out on this wheel for fifteen reps in three sets every day since it has arrived and already I feel much stronger. I hesitate to say that I am starting to see results in such a short period of time, but I am confident that if I keep up the hard work the results will be obvious.” —Ahmad
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
17. A pair of adjustable ankle weights designed with separate weight bags in them, so you can start off with 1 pound and work your way all the way up to 5 pounds in one small piece of equipment. No more scrambling to find the next size when you realize the weight you’re using is getting too easy.
Amazon
Promising review: “These ankle weights are easy to use, with the velcro straps. You can strap it to your bare legs or to your leggings. The leggings made it slightly better against the skin. When secured, it will not roll down during leg lifts. I especially liked the fact that it was adjustable so you could start with 2 pounds and work your way up to 5 pounds per leg. As a woman over 50, I appreciated adding these to my hip stretches to tone my hip flexors and strengthen my joints.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in three weights and five colors).
18. A set of yoga rocks — which you actually stick to your mat to help you activate your hand and arm muscles more while in plank and downward dog. If you find your hands slipping a lot during your practice, these can also work as a marker to keep them in place.
The yoga rocks are waterproof, heat resistant, and antimicrobial. They do recommend sprinkling sea salt on your mat to help these stick. You can read the full instructions here. And you can remove them from your yoga mat using boiling water!
The Yoga Rocks is a Belleville, Illinois-based small business!
Promising review: “I have loved using the yoga rocks. I suffer from shoulder problems, and downward facing dog was an issue before. I was always slipping and not able to support the pose for long without ‘rolling’ my shoulder out. I was not expecting it to help in that way. I was hoping it would solely just prevent slipping and so forth. The product has just the right firmness and softness. It sticks well to the mat. I will be honest — I did not do the sea salt that was suggested, so I hope it continues to stay. It has a great adhesive and seems to be working wonderfully. I would recommend it!” —Sarah
Get it from The Yoga Rocks for $35 (available in five colors).
19. A set of resistance bands made out of fabric that’s designed not to roll or snap so you can ~stretch~ your workout and get more out of your squats, lunges, and other exercises.
Promising review: “I love these bands! They are comfortable, they don’t slide around, and they are very durable. The colors are exactly as pictured, with the light blue being the easiest, pink being medium, and purple being the most difficult. I use at least one every day! They come with a little bag for storage, and instructions/exercises. I work out from home, and these bands have really added intensity to my workouts. You can also use them in arm workouts as well. These are definitely worth the money, especially if you are trying to target your hips and booty.” —Tricksynixie
Get a set of three from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four color combinations).
20. A mini Pilates ball here to help you engage your muscles while doing “simple” exercises. Calf raises seem like no big deal until you have to hold this ball between your legs while you do it. This small tool will help you take your pilates and barre workouts the ~extra mile~.
Promising review: “I really love this Pilates ball. It’s super easy to inflate and use straight out of the box. It comes with directions on the different ways you can use the ball, and I found this really helpful as this is a new way of exercising for me. My Pilates instructor suggested I purchase one, and I am glad I did.” —kahuna Girl
Get it from Amazon for $5.09+ (available in four colors).
21. A set of color-coded resistance bands if you don’t want to have a bunch of weights cluttering up your home but still want to get into strength training. Each band is a different level or resistance, so you can adjust to make sure you’re maximizing your results.
The set includes five bands of different weights: the yellow is 10 lbs, the blue is 20 lbs, green is 30 lbs, black is 40 lbs, and the red is 50 lbs. Plus, you get two handles.
Promising review: “I was hesitant at first due to the number of resistance bands out there. However, I was able to use these in my basement with little to no issue at all and they have been a blessing. I started with the 40-pound bands and quickly moved up to the 60-pound bands and they are incredible. The variety of workouts I have been able to get done in my home without the hassle of leaving the house and the efficiency is awesome. I’ve had a great experience thus far and look forward to seeing even more results as I continue to use these.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $21.24+ (available in 17 set options).
22. An upper-body workout bar you can attach to a doorway to make doing pull-ups a breeze. Plus, you can take it on and off to help you with other exercises, such as tricep dips, and then put it right back on the door when you’re done.
The bar fits in up to 35.4-inch door frames. Plus, it has three grip positions; narrow, wide, and neutral.
Promising review: “I love this bar. I live in an apartment with no gym nearby. This was one of the best purchases I have made. I leave it on one of the door frames, and it reminds me to try and do a few pull-ups whenever I pass it. It’s great for push-ups as well since my wrists hurt when I lay them flat on the ground.” —Roger
Get it from Amazon for $27.20+ (available in three other styles).
23. Core sliders to give your planks, push-ups, mountain climbers, and more a little extra ~oomph~. You’ll be feeling the burn while using these, trust me.
Promising review: “I’ve been using these sliders for almost a month now, and they are great. I have used them both barefoot and with shoes on with no issues. They work well on carpet, rugs, and tile. For the tile, I flip them over so the soft side is facing down, that way nothing gets scratched. So far they have provided great results with my workouts, I use them almost every day. They seem so simple and easy, but they provide intense workouts when used properly.” —Eric
Get them from Amazon for $10.95 (available in four colors).
24. An under-desk electric treadmill perfect for anyone who has been DEEP in walking pad TikTok for months now and is finally ready to take the plunge. Reviewers love this option because it has an LED display that shows the time, speed, and distance, a quiet motor, and Bluetooth capabilities so you can play music through it. You’ll be able to get all your steps in so you can sit back and actually relax after work.
See it in action in this TikTok here. The speed range is 0.5–6mph, and it can hold up to 220 pounds.
Promising review: “This thing is awesome. I’m a small, not technical person and managed to haul this thing up two flights of stairs (slowly), unbox, turn on and even connect my phone to the Bluetooth in it. No assembly. Simple instructions. Distance and time measurements seem to be accurate, but the ‘calories’ might be missing a decimal point. No squealing or groaning under my walking. Not too loud. Slides right under my bed. Didn’t need to adjust the belt, though the tool to do so is included. Packaging says to oil every 30 hours. The remote is needed to make the treadmill function. It is extremely cheap — like dollar store cheap. I hope the company has a remote replacement for if/when the remote bites it. Even still, I would 100% buy this again. Great treadmill!” —Crowells
Get it from Amazon for $230.99+ (available in four colors).
25. Or compact, foldable treadmill designed so the handrail on the machine can be raised or lowered, meaning you can walk, jog, or even run while staying in the same place. And when you’re done, just slide it under your bed.
Promising reviews: “Obsessed. I’ve been working from home since March 2020 and have struggled with a sedentary life. Since I got this treadmill for under my desk, I actually look forward to starting work, feel more productive, and have been easily getting in 15,000–20,000+ steps a day. Wish I did this sooner!” —Lauren O.
Get it from Amazon for $223.99+ (available in six colors).
26. A Stealth core trainer perfect for anyone who needs a little extra motivation to get a workout in. This genius tool is a video game balancing board where you use your abs to get high scores. How cool is that?!?
Amazon
Don’t forget to download the app before you get started so you can play the four free games!
Stealth Fitness is a small business that created this to help make working out fun.
Promising review: “I really don’t enjoy exercise. Using this board, with the app, has made planking more tolerable. I like that it’s game-based, so that I can feel more like I’m playing a game than exercising. And I will say, the games make me want to go back and do more so that I can better my score. A nice way to make planking a little less dull and a little less like an exhausting routine.” —Ally Cat
Get it from Amazon for $94+ (available in three styles).
27. Or Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch, if you prefer to play video games. In this game, you explore a fantasy world and battle enemies, all while never leaving your living room.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga says: “This may seem like a childish adventure from Nintendo, but JEEZ within moments I’m sweating my butt off. To play, you’ll place a JoyCon into both the ring con and a leg strap so your movements are monitored. To move through each level you have to physically run in place and each time you ‘battle’ an enemy you have to do 15 reps of an exercise of your choosing. For example, each time I complete a squat the enemy receives a ‘kick.’ It’s so fun I don’t realize I’m working out until the game reminds me to take a break and have some water. It even monitors your heart rate for you. It’s more intense than you’d expect!”
Get it from Amazon for $79.99.
28. A mat about to change your whole workout game — it’s designed to fold in fourths so you don’t have to deal with rolling your mat at all, either during your workout or after when it’s time to put it away.
Stakt
I first came across this mat while scrolling TikTok and thought it was such a cool idea. Ever since I saw it, it has been on my wishlist. Rolling up a yoga mat can be so challenging sometimes, especially when you’re in the middle of the workout and need some extra support on your wrist while in a plank. This mat folds up in fourths, so you can give your knees or hands some extra padding. Plus, it’s way easier to store flat. It’s also two times thicker than the average yoga mat.
Stakt is a woman-founded small business!
Get it from Stakt for $86 (available in seven colors).
29. Or a training stand to easily transform your regular bike into a stationary one, meaning you won’t have to worry about storing *two* bikes in your home.
Promising review: “This thing is awesome! I ride my bike a lot; this is going to make it so I can train all winter. Plus, I’ve always wanted an exercise bike in my apartment but I don’t have the space. This folds up and can fit so nicely in my closet, then I take my bike back to the bike room. Not to mention, now I am spinning and watching TV and playing video games! VIDEO GAMES!” —Mike Peters
Get it from Amazon for $69.80+ (available in two colors).
30. A portable elliptical compact enough that you can store it in a corner, closet, or even under your bed. Plus, since you can move it around so easily, you can set it in front of your TV and catch up on your shows as you work up a sweat.
Promising review: “I am not one to take time to write a review, but I LOVE THIS! It takes a few minutes to get used to the balance, but I walk in a backward motion on it all the time now. I seem to go faster and smoother in a reverse motion. It had a slight squeak when I first got it, but no longer, it’s quiet and so compact. I jump on anytime and watch TV or Netflix. I’ve exercised on and off my whole life, this is by far my favorite machine ever!! I look forward to getting on and catching up with the news or whatever is on TV, but not just sitting there and being able to exercise at the same time is so easy now. I’m ordering a second one today to keep in my bedroom when my children take over the basement with their friends and my elliptical. Don’t hesitate to buy this — you won’t regret it!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $107.78+ (available in four colors).
31. A foldable mini trampoline you’ll ~spring~ out of bed to use in the morning because it’s a super-easy way to get a good cardio workout in while feeling like a kid bouncing away.
Promising review: “I am a fitness fanatic and wanted something to stay in shape during the winter. I love hiking and walking, but living in the Northeast prevents me from enjoying the outdoors during the winter. This has provided me with an excellent opportunity to jog in place, walk in place, and jump to add some fun to it. I find it to be an excellent workout and place it in my living room while I’m watching TV. I haven’t had to fold it yet as it is light enough to move around and may even fit in my closet to get it out of the way. I highly recommend this for all ages!” —Paula
Get it from Amazon for $50.99+ (available in four colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
