Exercise Equipment Comparison: 18 Options Ranked for Your Home Workout

Creating the perfect home gym doesn't require a massive budget or dedicated room. Whether you're a student in shared accommodation or a young professional in a city apartment, the right exercise equipment can transform any space into your personal fitness sanctuary.

The home fitness revolution has fundamentally changed how we approach staying active, with 76% of millennials now preferring home workouts over traditional gym memberships. This shift is about convenience and creating sustainable fitness habits that fit seamlessly into busy lifestyles and tight budgets.

College Life has partnered closely with Les Mills to bring you expert insights on maximising your home workout potential. Their world-renowned fitness programmes pair perfectly with basic home gym setups, proving you don't need expensive machines to achieve professional-level results from your living room.

Essential Home Exercise Equipment for Small Spaces

When space is at a premium, every piece of equipment needs to earn its place. These compact options deliver maximum versatility whilst fitting comfortably in even the smallest apartments.

1. Resistance Bands

Resistance bands top our list for their incredible versatility and minimal storage requirements. These simple tools can replicate nearly every gym exercise, from squats and rows to chest presses and shoulder raises. Available in various resistance levels, they're perfect for progressive training as your strength develops.

The beauty of resistance bands lies in their adaptability to Les Mills BODYPUMP routines, allowing you to follow structured strength training programmes without heavy weights. At under £20 for a complete set, they offer exceptional value for money whilst taking up less space than a textbook.

2. Adjustable Dumbbells

Adjustable dumbbells are a compact, budget-friendly solution to traditional weights. Modern versions such as PowerBlocks or Bowflex SelectTech can replace entire weight rooms, adjusting from 2kg to 24kg per dumbbell in seconds.

These versatile tools integrate seamlessly with Les Mills strength programmes, providing the weighted resistance needed for proper muscle development. Whilst the initial investment seems substantial at £200-400, the cost-per-exercise works out significantly cheaper than gym memberships over time.

3. Yoga Mat

A high-quality yoga mat serves as the foundation for countless exercises beyond yoga itself. From core workouts and stretching to bodyweight circuits and meditation, it defines your workout space whilst protecting joints from hard floors.

The mat becomes essential for Les Mills BODYBALANCE sessions, providing the grip and cushioning needed for flowing movements and static holds. Premium mats cost around £50-80 but last for years with proper care, making them one of the most cost-effective workout essentials.

4. Suspension Trainer

Suspension trainers, such as TRX systems, use only bodyweight and gravity to deliver functional, full-body training. These portable systems anchor to doors, trees, or pull-up bars, providing hundreds of exercise variations that scale from beginner to advanced levels.

Easy to pack in luggage, their portable design is ideal for hotel sessions or outdoor training. At £100-150, they deliver excellent exercise variety, particularly for those who enjoy bodyweight training challenges.

5. Kettlebells

Kettlebells deliver a blend of cardiovascular and strength training through powerful, compound movements. Their unique shape allows for swings, carries, and rotational exercises impossible with traditional dumbbells, making them incredibly efficient for time-pressed individuals.

Single kettlebells work beautifully with Les Mills BODYCOMBAT variations, adding resistance to martial arts-inspired movements. Starting with a 12-16kg kettlebell costs £40-60 and provides months of progression before requiring additional weights.

6. Foam Roller

Many people often overlook recovery equipment, but foam rollers play a crucial role in maintaining flexibility and preventing injury. Regular rolling helps release muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce post-workout soreness that can derail consistent training.

Compact foam rollers easily fit under beds or in wardrobes when not in use. At £25-50 for quality options, they're modest investments that significantly impact your fitness goals by keeping you training consistently without training setbacks.

Best Home Gym Systems for Apartments

Apartment living requires creative solutions that maximise effectiveness whilst respecting space constraints and potentially noise-conscious neighbours below.

7. Pull-Up Bar

Door-frame pull-up bars require no permanent installation while providing upper body and core strengthening opportunities. Modern designs spread weight evenly across door frames without damage, making them ideal for rental properties.

Pull-ups, chin-ups, and hanging exercises target muscles difficult to work effectively with other bodyweight movements. Quality bars cost £30-60 and instantly expand your exercise repertoire, particularly for developing the pulling strength often neglected in push-up routines.

8. Exercise Ball

Exercise balls, also known as stability balls, add instability to traditional exercises, forcing core engagement whilst improving balance and coordination. They double as active seating options, promoting better posture during work-from-home sessions.

These versatile tools enhance Les Mills BODYBALANCE routines by adding challenge to traditional poses and stretches. At £15-30 for quality options, they represent one of the most affordable ways to add variety and core challenge to home workouts.

9. Battle Ropes

Battle ropes provide intense cardiovascular and strength training through wave-generating movements. These thick, heavy ropes anchor to sturdy points and deliver full-body conditioning that builds both power and endurance in short, efficient sessions.

The high-intensity nature aligns perfectly with Les Mills GRIT philosophy of maximum results in minimal time. Whilst requiring outdoor space or very tolerant neighbours due to noise, they offer unparalleled conditioning benefits for those with appropriate workout areas.

10. Jump Rope

Jump ropes deliver exceptional cardiovascular benefits in minimal space and time. Modern weighted ropes provide upper body engagement whilst improving coordination, agility, and foot speed in ways that complement other training modalities.

Just 15 minutes of jump rope matches the calorie burn of a 30-minute jog, making it incredibly time-efficient for busy schedules. Quality ropes cost £15-40 and pack easily for travel, ensuring consistent cardio options regardless of location or weather.

11. Resistance Loop Bands

Mini resistance bands, also known as loop bands, target smaller muscle groups often overlooked by larger equipment. These compact tools excel at activation exercises, rehabilitation work, and adding resistance to bodyweight movements such as squats and lateral walks.

They integrate beautifully with Les Mills mobility and activation routines, helping prepare muscles for more intense training. Sets of various resistances cost £10-25 and fit in desk drawers, making them perfect for office workers seeking movement breaks.

12. Ab Wheel

Ab wheels provide intense core strengthening through controlled rolling movements that engage the entire anterior chain. Despite their simple appearance, they deliver some of the most challenging and impactful abdominal exercises available.

Proper ab wheel technique requires significant strength and control, making it an excellent progression tool as fitness levels advance. At £15-30, they offer professional-level core training in a device smaller than most textbooks, perfect for focused abdominal development.

Advanced Workout Machines for Home Fitness Systems

For those with larger spaces and budgets, these machines provide gym-quality workouts with the convenience of home access.

13. Rowing Machine

Rowing machines provide full-body, low-impact cardiovascular exercise while engaging 86% of muscles with each stroke. They are excellent alternatives to running for those with joint concerns whilst building both cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength.

The rhythmic, controlled movements translate well to Les Mills RPM principles of sustainable, efficient training. Quality machines cost £300-800 but often fold for storage, making them viable options even in small spaces with creative planning.

14. Exercise Bike

Modern exercise bikes equipped with smart technology provide interactive workouts through routes, training plans, and online features, delivering immersive cycling experiences. They ensure consistent cardiovascular training regardless of the weather while protecting knees from impact stress.

The integration with Les Mills virtual cycling classes creates engaging, coach-led experiences that maintain motivation through structured programming. Investment ranges from £200 to 2000, depending on features, but even basic models provide years of reliable cardiovascular training.

15. Treadmill

Treadmill ownership brings consistent running and walking opportunities into homes, eliminating weather and safety concerns that can disrupt outdoor cardio routines. Modern compact designs fold vertically or horizontally to minimise floor space when not in use.

Quality treadmills, priced £500–2000+, are durable investments that deliver reliable use for committed runners. They work particularly well for those integrating cardio into a comprehensive daily routine focused on health and productivity.

16. Multi-Station Home Gym

All-in-one home gyms combine multiple exercise stations in a single unit, which provides comprehensive strength training options without requiring separate machines for each muscle group. They typically include cable systems, pull-up bars, and various attachment points.

These systems maximise the effectiveness of Les Mills strength programmes by providing the varied equipment needed for comprehensive training. Whilst expensive at £800-3000+, they offer excellent value for serious fitness enthusiasts with appropriate space and budget planning.

17. Smith Machine

Smith machines provide guided barbell movements with built-in safety features, making heavy lifting safer for solo training sessions. The guided bar path helps maintain proper form whilst allowing progressive overload without requiring spotters.

These professional-grade machines require significant space and investment (between £600 and 2000+) but provide gym-quality strength training for serious lifters. They are suitable for those committed to heavy resistance training as their primary fitness focus.

18. Cable Machine

Cable machines offer variable resistance through complete ranges of motion, providing smooth, joint-friendly strength training that accommodates all fitness levels. The adjustable height and multiple attachment options create hundreds of exercise variations.

The functional movement patterns align with Les Mills' training philosophy of practical, applicable fitness. Whilst requiring substantial investment (£400-1500+), they provide versatile training options that grow with developing fitness levels over the years of use.

Conclusion

Building an effective home gym doesn't require every piece of equipment on this list. Start with basics like resistance bands, a yoga mat, and adjustable dumbbells to establish consistent training habits before expanding your collection. The most expensive equipment in the world won't benefit you if it sits unused due to intimidation or complexity.

Remember that consistency trumps perfection when it comes to fitness success. Select equipment that excites you to exercise, fits your space constraints, and aligns with your mental health and wellness goals. Your home gym should inspire movement, not create additional stress about storage or complexity.