Compact Home Gyms
Top 14 Best Compact Home Gym Setups for Tight Spaces Reviewed in 2023

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Products analyzed
14 Best chosen

Stuck inside because the weather is bad? Can’t make it to the gym? Working from home? All of these are GREAT reasons to create your own gym at home! If you are tight on space, you need a compact home gym solution. That’s why we created this list of the 12 best compact homes gyms of 2022 for you.

If you live in an apartment, condo, small home, or just plain don’t have space for a lot of bulky equipment, this is the list for you! In addition to providing you with reviews of these 15 excellent home gym solutions for small spaces, we also included a compact home gym buying guide and FAQs to answer all your questions.

What to consider when buying Compact Home Gyms

  • Price – The first thing you need to consider when buying any new equipment is your budget. Home gyms vary widely in prices, as some offer more features than others, so you need to consider your specific needs and how much you want to spend.
  • Customer & Expert Reviews – When choosing a product, it’s always a great idea to consider the experiences other people have with it, as well as professional reviews of the product.
  • Size – Home gyms differ widely in size, so it’s important to pay attention to their measurements, especially if you don’t have a lot of space to spare.
  • Extensions – You should look for the extensions you need: An integrated leg press, for example, a preacher pad, a leg extension unit, or any other that will make it easier for you to target the desired muscles.
  • Weight Stack & Resistance Levels – Make sure that you get a home gym that offers you enough room to grow. Some can be upgraded by buying more plates, but some come with a fixed level of resistance and that should not be less than you’ll need in the near future.

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This is how we select and evaluate products on GGP

In this article, we review a number of popular products that we have found using in-depth research and analysis work. The products you find in the article are sold by one or more of our partners. Although these partnerships may influence the range of products in the article, our recommendations are based on an overall assessment of the product.

We evaluate and compare products in the article based on:

    1
  • Official and impartial product tests
  • 2
  • Customer reviews and opinions about the product
  • 3
  • Data on user behavior and preferences
  • 4
  • Specifications, characteristics, and disadvantages of the product
  • 5
  • Guarantees, service, and reputation of the dealer

Apart from that, we compare the price and quality of each product and deliver our subjective assessments and recommendations to our readers. The position of the product in the list does not necessarily reflect its quality, as all the products we review are picked as the best choice for certain users.

Best Overall

Bowflex Blaze- Best home gym overall

The Bowflex Blaze is an outstanding compact home gym that offers a variety of exercises, a great weight range, and adjustments for your needs.

  • 60 plus exercises for a full body workout
  • Folding bench and wheels provide easy storage
  • 7 free trainer-built workout regimens
BowFlex Blaze Home Gym
  • FULL BODY WORKOUT: 60+ exercises for a full body workout.
  • POWER ROD RESISTANCE: 210 lbs of Power Rod resistance, upgradable to 310 lbs or 410 lbs.
  • WORKOUTS INCLUDED: Bowflex provides 7 free trainer-built workout regimens.
  • AEROBIC ROWING: Sliding seat rail allows you to perform aerobic rowing and leg presses.
  • PULLEY SYSTEM: Multiple cable/pulley positions enable custom workouts.
Bowflex Blaze

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

BowFlex have always produced full home-gym equipment. They’re a company whose reputation is built around versatile equipment and a ‘one stop’ for compact exercise equipment. The Blaze is our favorite because it’s the perfect one-product home gym solution – with over 60+ billed options.

Pros and cons for Bowflex Blaze

Pros

  • Great range of exercises
  • Highest weight potential (up to 410lbs)
  • High quality build with great durability
  • Sliding seat opens up many workout options

Cons

  • One of the most expensive on today’s list
  • Requires a lot of space in one piece of equipment

What you need to know about the Blaze

The Blaze offers over 60 workout options, including great movements like the bench press and lat pulldown, which are popular and effective, as well as smaller exercises like curls and reverse flyes, so in terms of extensions, you won’t find a compact home gym that offers more, especially not in this pricerange. 

It comes with a standard 210lbs of elastic resistance, with an additional 200lbs weight range (410lbs total) available. The sliding seat rail is also great for rowing and adjusting to meet user height needs. With a leg extension and leg curl attachment, this product also offers something for the lower body. This is a key area to look out for with compact exercise equipment for a true full-body workout.

It is a bit more pricey than the other compact gyms on our list, but considering what it offers, it’s still a bargain. The waste majority of users agree – this gym is extremely praised for its stability, as well as the versatility of the workouts it offers.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • No. of exercises: 60+
  • Resistance: Power Rod Resistance 210 lb. (upgradable to 410 lb.)
  • Bench Press: Horizontal
  • Dimensions: 90 x 38 x 83 inches
Premium Choice

Bowflex Xceed- Best home gym for small spaces

Xceed is a great choice for building a stronger, more muscular upper body and has some options for the lower body, too. The size and price are great, making this the Bowflex product for anyone short on space but still looking to get a great compact home gym.

  • Upgradable resistance
  • Integrated lat tower with angled lat bar
  • Designed for serious strength training
BowFlex Xceed Home Gym
  • FULL BODY WORKOUT: Compact home gym for full body workout from over 65 gym quality exercises.
  • POWER ROD RESISTANCE: Provides as little as 5 or as much as 210 pounds of resistance with Bowflex Power Rods.
  • LAT TOWER: Integrated lat tower with angled lat bar helps to build back and shoulder muscles quickly.
  • ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Leg extension/leg curl attachment can be removed for squats.
  • UPGRADES: Upgradable resistance up to 310 lbs (sold separately).
Bowflex Xceed

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

Xceed is a smaller compact home gym than the Blaze, making it better for small spaces. The range of exercises and weight range are slightly smaller but it trades off space and cost with a lower price point.

Pros and cons for Bowflex Xceed

Pros

  • Smaller space-demands than the Blaze
  • Great pulley-locking system for more versatility
  • Great weight potential (up to 310lbs)
  • Great for smaller spaces like garage gyms

Cons

  • Lower weight capacity than the Bowflex Blaze
  • Still more expensive than many items on today’s list

What you need to know about the Xceed

This product is 53” by 49”, making it a great choice for garages, basements, and many other spaces that Blaze won’t fit. The lighter frame and smaller design do mean a lower top-end at 310lbs but this is more than enough for long-term progress in an apartment or garage gym.

Xceed covers many of the same important exercises and facilities that Blaze did: a lat pulldown, cable attachments, leg extension, and a fantastic locking pulley system. The build quality and durability are as good as you’d expect from Bowflex, meaning a long life and plenty of years of good training ahead.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

  • No. of Exercises: 65+
  • Resistance: Power Rod Resistance 210 lb. (upgradable to 410 lb.)
  • Bench Press: Vertical
  • Dimensions: 53 x 49 x 82 inches
Editor’s Choice

Bowflex PR1000- Perfect for small Spaces

The PR1000 is the perfect solution for the home gym enthusiast with limited space or funds.

  • 25plus exercises that cover the entire body
  • Bench converts for aerobic rowing
  • Maximize space with vertical folding bench
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BowFlex PR1000 Home Gym
  • FULL BODY WORKOUT: 25 plus exercises that cover the entire body.
  • POWER ROD RESISTANCE: Over 200 lb. Power Rod resistance.
  • PULLEY POSITIONS: Multiple cable pulley position allows you to easily change the angle of resistance and increase effectiveness of many exercises.
  • AEROBIC ROWING: Vertical bench press with incline and flat adjustment and converts to a rolling seat for aerobic rowing.
  • DEVICE HOLDER: New integrated device holder to support your smart device.
Bowflex PR1000

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

The PR1000 is a great compromise between the space-saving of the Xceed and the functional range of the Blaze, and therefore our Editor’s Choice. This model does lack some of the premium features of the Blaze and Xceed – such as the locking pulley arms – but the reduction in price and size, this is a small price to pay for the same quality and full-body workout at a lower cost.

Pros and cons for Bowflex PR1000

Pros

  • A smaller, cheaper version of the Blaze
  • Great exercise variety
  • Good 210lbs weight potential
  • Sturdy for its size with great build quality

Cons

  • Lacks the upper-end weight and feature set of the Blaze
  • Missing the sliding and locking seat function

What you need to know about the PR1000

The PR1000 is a ‘stripped down’ version of the Blaze featuring the same base system with a smaller design, lower price, and a focus on the most important exercises. This means a 210lbs upper weight range, adjustable pulleys, and a variety of attachments.

Bowflex claim this product offers 25+ exercises, but it’s definitely far more. The PR1000 offers many of the “big” exercises like bench press, lat pulldown, seated cable rows, and shoulder presses, so you can get a great workout in even without getting creative.

Despite the smaller size and lighter construction, the PR1000 is relatively sturdy due to the smart foot-plate design. It has a wide base and rubberized feet to prevent slipping, keep you stuck to the floor, and ensure that you get all the sturdiness you need for a great workout.

Users praise it for its foldability, as it takes up much less space this way than other equipment would. It does not offer quite as much of a variety in exercises as the Blaze, but it still is a great machine for the average person – the best proof of that are the amazing customer reviews it got.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • No. of Exercises: 25+
  • Resistance: Power Rod Resistance 210 lb.
  • Bench Press: Horizontal
  • Dimensions: 103 x 80 x 82 inches

GR8FLEX High Performance Gym- XL Model in military look

Ultra robust and versatile home gym, in unique military design, with over 100 different exercises options.

  • Lifetime warranty for registered owners
  • 15 different resistance levels
  • No assembly required
GR8FLEX High Performance Gym with Total Over 100 Workout Exercises (Military Model)
  • Lifetime warranty for registered owners on the entire machine including all parts and accessories
  • All accessories and kits included are: wing bar, dip bars, leg harness/pulley system, cellphone holder/stand, EZ curl bar, crunch ab accessory, soft grip handles, extra large squat stand, resistance bands, and mats to protect carpet/floor.
  • 15 different resistance levels plus additional 10 lb, 15 lb, 20 lb, 25 lb, 30 lb, 35 lb, 40 lb, or 50 lb with the resistance bands on top of your resistance level.
  • Perform gym quality exercises on total stylish GR8FLEX designed home gym
  • No assembly required and enjoy the workout efficiently
GR8FLEX High Performance Gym

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

The gliding board style all-in-one compact home gym on steroids, with more resistance, more weight capacity, and more attachments than most of the other models. It comes with a slightly larger price tag than similar equipment, but it’s a high-quality product that is well worth the extra money.

Pros and cons for GR8FLEX High Performance Gym

Pros

  • Tons of attachments – lat pull down, EZ curl bar, squat bar, etc.
  • Can add resistance bands for even more resistance.
  • Folds up for easy storage.

Cons

  • Exercise demos and manual are all online

What you need to know about the GR8FLEX

The GR8FLEX allows you to add on resistance bands to up the challenge, so it’s not limited to just angle and body weight for resistance.

It is a very robust machine, as evidenced by its 450 lb user weight capacity. This is the all-in-one for big guys.

It is a bit pricier than other models, but definitely worth the investment, as this piece of equipment is built to last for years to come.

That’s why it has glowing customer reviews saying that it helps make workouts convenient, enjoyable, and versatile enough that you can duplicate almost anything you would do in a gym.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • resistance level: 15
  • mas user weight: 450 lb

Finer Form Workout Bench- Most Versatile Workout Bench

This is a product that does more than one thing – and it does it well. This is the key to great compact home gym equipment. It’s not for the powerlifter, but it pairs perfectly with adjustable dumbbells to save space and offer full-body workouts at a great price.

  • Includes digital workout chart
  • Comfortable and Sturdy
  • All-in-one Adjustable Weight Bench
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Finer Form Multi-Functional Gym Bench for Full All-in-One Body Workout – Versatile Fitness Equipment for Hyper Back Extension, Roman Chair, Adjustable Situp, Decline, Flat Bench
  • Full-Body Adjustable Weight Bench - Work your arms, back, chest, glutes, hamstrings and core. Use for bench press, as a back extension machine or for hundreds of other weight training exercises.
  • Lift with Confidence - Our multi-functional workout bench works well with dumbbell sets or dumbbell weights and are made with high grade steel for hard workouts. No wobbling! Great exercise bench for home gym.
  • Comfortable and Sturdy - This multi-functional adjustable bench is designed with triangular base support and 3 inch thick cushion pad. Beats most other Roman Chair exercise equipment.
  • Easy to Assemble - The Finer Form Multi-Functional Weight Bench and work out bench assembles in about 30 mins. Also works as sit up exercise equipment. 5 star customer service team standing by.
  • Perfect for Hyperextensions and Ab Work - Weight bench adjustable for 100s of exercises. Replaces multiple weight benches for home gym. Sturdy and highly-rated among workout benches for home use.
Finer Form Workout Bench

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

While Bowflex are trying to provide a compact home gym all at once, the Finer Form Multifunctional Exercise Bench is about saving space and making the most of each product. It unlocks full-body workouts all by itself – with options beyond just pressing.

Pros and cons for Finer Form Workout Bench

Pros

  • Wide range of exercise options from pressing to back extensions
  • Core exercise pegs for most popular decline movements
  • Great price and small size compared to alternatives

Cons

  • Not as good for heavy lifting as other workout benches

What you need to know about the Finer Form Bench

The Finer Form bench works great as a normal bench. It has flat and decline options, allowing you to train presses and curls. However, this product also has core exercise pegs to open up decline crunches and sit-ups and a top pad that allows you to perform back extensions and reverse hyperextensions to build stronger buttocks, hamstrings, and spinal erectors.

This is a great product to expand the range of exercises in your home gym with a product you probably needed anyway. It gets the most out of workout benches, saving you hundreds of dollars on a back extension stand or complicated core exercise equipment.

It does not offer as many whole-body exercise options as home gyms but is also a lot more affordable which is perfect for beginners. Users praise it for its high-quality build, which provides superb stability even for larger people.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Weight Capacity: 660 lbs
  • Length of Back Pad: 42.5 inches
  • Dimensions: 60 x 23 x 30 inches
  • Material: ‎Alloy Steel

Total Gym Apex Training Deck- Best Compact Gym Without Weights

If you want a versatile and health-conscious training tool that won’t break the bank, Total Gym Apex could be perfect for you.

  • Comes with lots of attachments
  • So versatile it allows for over 80 exercises
  • Supports 375 lbs. of total weight
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Total Gym APEX Versatile Indoor Home Gym Workout Total Body Strength Training Fitness Equipment with Levels of Resistance and Attachments
  • Variety of Workouts: Workout machine lets you start a workout program at home with 10 adjustable levels of resistance and 80 plus exercises with low impact and fluid movements
  • Total Body Method: Uses total body workout or targets specific upper or lower body muscle groups, including chest, back, shoulders, legs, arms, and abs, with weight training equipment that folds easily
  • Accessories Included: Features a cable pulley system with embroidered nylon handles, padded rolling glide board, plus pillow headrest and features auto-lock height adjustment
  • Quick Workouts: Just 15 to 20 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week at your home gym will make a difference; For all fitness levels ages 8-80; Supports a maximum weight of 375 pounds
  • Exercise Machine Specifications: Measures 93 inches long, 15.5 inches wide, and 8 inches tall; Suitable for cardio, strength, stretching, pilates, circuit training, and more
Total Gym Apex Training Deck

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

Total Gym’s Apex training deck takes a little from the world of weight training and a lot from pilates. The result is a bodyweight home gym that takes up very little space and requires no weights. The resistance on this product is lighter than external resistance like the Bowflex but makes up for it with constant tension, space-saving, and a great price tag.

Pros and cons for Total Gym Apex Training Deck

Pros

  • Doesn’t require any weights to get a great workout
  • 10 options for high (and thus resistance)
  • Comes with a built-in footpad for extra workout variety
  • Folds away for easy storage
  • Doubles up as an amazing mobility and joint health tool

Cons

  • More expensive than the smaller, 6-height version

What you need to know about the Total Gym Apex Training Deck

With adjustable resistance built on your own weight and leverage, this product is very compact. It has a much smaller footprint than the Bowflex products and uses your body weight to provide resistance. The constant tension is perfect for practicality and it offers 10 leverage-based resistance settings.

The 10-height version is the most expensive but most effective with more options for progressing and a better ‘weight range’ at the top end, as you support more of your body weight.

The constant tension of the pulley system and the scaleable resistance make this perfect for people with less training experience. You can build strength, flexibility, and fitness all at the same time. This also makes the Total Gym Apex a great joint-health and mobility investment for more-experienced trainees.

Customers love it for its stability and overall high-quality feel, while also being super easy to fold and store, making it another perfect choice for very small spaces.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Number of Exercises: 80+ exercises
  • Levels of Resistance: 10 levels of resistance
  • Maximum User Weight: 375 pounds
  • Dimensions: 93 x 17.5 x 43.25 inches

Total Gym Apex 6-Height- Best Budget Home Workouts

This is a smaller and cheaper version of the Apex 10-resistance tower we discussed above. The reduced scope for resistance is fine if you’re a newer user, looking for mobility and joint health benefit, or if you’re just not sure how strong you are going to be. You can get a great fitness-boosting workout with this product, without the space or price of its larger counterpart.

  • with 6 levels of resistance and 60+ exercises
  • Quality steel frame construction
  • For all fitness levels, ages 8-80
Total Gym APEX G1 Versatile Indoor Home Gym Workout Total Body Strength Training Fitness Equipment with 6 Levels of Resistance and Attachments
  • Start a workout program at home with 6 adjustable levels of resistance and more than 60 exercises with low impact, fluid movements, and effortlessly transition from a single exercise to the next
  • For fitness enthusiasts of all levels and supports a maximum weight of 300 pounds for cardio, strength, stretching, pilates, circuit training, and more with a quality steel frame construction machine
  • Equipped to do whole body workout or target upper or lower body muscle groups, including chest, back, shoulders, legs, arms, and abs; Weight training equipment that folds for easy storage
  • Features a cable pulley system with embroidered nylon handles, padded rolling glide board, and pillow headrest; Equipped with auto-lock height adjustment
  • Includes wing attachments, the most versatile attachment for the upper and lower body; Measures 50.5 x 15.5 x 8 inches when folded; Measures 93 x 15.5 x 43.25 inches overall; Weighs 53.2 pounds
Total Gym Apex 6-Height

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

The 6-height adjustable tower is a great place to start if you’re unsure and want to make a small investment. The upper-end resistance is lower due to the reduced amount of bodyweight used at this height, but it’s plenty for the beginner to make great gains in muscle, strength, and mobility.

Pros and cons for Total Gym Apex 6-Height

Pros

  • Smaller and cheaper than the full 10-height training deck
  • Great size for storage and home use - even in apartments
  • Amazing value for money with a great price tag
  • Best for beginners and use as a mobility and joint health tool

Cons

  • Lacks the extra resistance and progression options of the 10-height version

What you need to know about the Apex 6-Height

The 6-height model of the Total Home Gym Apex is a smaller and cheaper version that offers many of the same features. It uses leverage and pulleys for a full-body home workout with no frills.

The reduced height also makes it easy to store and – like the larger version – it folds away to almost nothing for easy storage. The footprint is smaller and it doesn’t require the dedicated foot-plate of the larger version.

You can get all the best movements from this product, just like the larger counterpart, and the “bang for your buck” is incredible for this super-compact home gym equipment. 

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Number of Exercises: 60+ exercises
  • Maximum User Weight: 300 pounds
  • Dimensions: 93 x 16.25 x 43.25 inches
  • Levels of Resistance: 6 levels of resistance

Keppi Adjustable Weight Bench- Most Versatile Bench for Heavy Lifting

Keppi’s bench is a high-quality adjustable bench with multi functions that save you money and space. It’s also perfect for heavy barbell and dumbbell exercise.

  • Strong & Stable for Various Exercises
  • Takes up 20% of the space when folded
  • 2 years frame warranty
Keppi Adjustable Weight Bench, Foldable Workout Bench Press for Full Body Strength Training, Incline Decline Bench with Fast Folding
  • KEPPI New Design Weight Bench - KEPPI has been specializing in the development and production of fitness equipment for more than 10 years. Bench500 is the new upgraded of the weight bench that is perfect for all kinds of full body workout training.
  • Bench500 has been Certified by ASTM and EN20957 - ASTM sets standards for properties and performance in areas such as materials, products, systems and services, and EN20957 is the standards of fitness product quality. KEPPI promises that we provide product with quality assurance.
  • 11+4+3 Adjustable Workout Bench - Our adjustable workout bench designed with 11 back Adjustments & 4 seat Adjustments & 3 foot Adjustments for Full Body Workout where you just pull the FAST BOLT, adjust the position that fits you with an automatic lock safely!
  • Weight Capacity: Up to 900 LBs - The adjustable weight bench is designed with a unique frame in a triangular structure and made of heavy-duty commercial quality steel. With it being 800lbs, the weight capacity gives you a safe fitness experience without any no worry of instability.
  • Easy to Fold and Only Take Up 20% Place - Don't need to loose a lot of screws, pull out three pins and lay down the pad then you can finish the folding, folded size:37"x24.8"x11", you can put it against the wall or under the bed.
Keppi Adjustable Weight Bench

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

Keppi’s adjustable weight bench is a great product and offers a sturdier, more focused experience than the FinerForm workout bench. It’s not as versatile as the FinerForm bench, but it’s better for pure bench functions with better stability, incline and decline options, and extra weight rating. 

Pros and cons for Keppi Adjustable Weight Bench

Pros

  • Great durability and stability for heavy lifting
  • Adjustable weight bench with decline and incline options for more training variety
  • Great weight capacity compared to the Finer Form workout bench
  • Core pegs for stable decline exercise

Cons

  • Doesn’t fold away very easily
  • Doesn’t provide as many training options as other, more complex benches

What you need to know about the Keppi Adjustable Weight Bench

It’s a fantastic bench for heavy lifting with a range of incline and decline angles for lying and seated exercise. It’s also got stronger construction in the moving parts with a very sturdy supporting arm and a great weight tolerance. Where it lacks the additional back extension pad, it makes up for this with better bench press and shoulder press function.

Keppi also maintains the core exercise pegs that allow you to perform great core exercises, saving you the safety of jerry-rigging a decline bench or buying specific equipment. It even offers adjustable foot positions and a fantastic value adjustable weight bench.

It’s an amazing product for the price, which is in the lower end, and customers love it for its versatility, how quick and easy it is to change positions, and how comfortable and sturdy the bench is.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Item Weight: ‎26 Pounds
  • Weight Limit: 600 Pounds
  • Dimensions: 44.1 x 24 x 49.2 inches

Best Compact Bodyweight Home Gym Options

Bodyweight training, also known as calisthenics, is a great way to stay in shape from home, using little to no equipment.

If you want to know more about bodyweight fitness, I wrote the guide on it!

Check out my calisthenics guide here.

The following compact home gym setup consists of just a pull-up bar. Pretty simple, right? But that’s all you need to stay in shape using calisthenics.

SportsRoyals Power Tower- Compact Power Tower

It offers the best calisthenics exercises, fits in small spaces, and has great value for money. It’s one of the best investments for a compact home gym and should be near the top of your priority list.

  • 8 support points by extended steel
  • 6 adjustable heights & 7 backrest positions
  • Safety locknut technology
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Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip Station Pull Up Bar for Home Gym Strength Training Workout Equipment Newer Version 450LBS.
  • 【Super Sturdiness and Stability】With a weight capacity of 450lbs, you can feel confident and secure during your intense workouts. Whether you are performing pull-ups, dips, knee raises, or other exercises, The Sportsroyals Power Tower remains steady without any wobbling or shaking, ensuring a safe and effective workout session.
  • 【Variety of Exercises】From classic pull-ups and chin-ups to challenging dips and leg raises, it caters to a wide range of strength training needs. This multifunctional design makes it a fantastic all-in-one solution for anyone looking to target different muscle groups and achieve a full-body workout.
  • 【Powerful Adaptability】The pull up bar is perfectly positioned, providing a comfortable grip and allowing for various hand positions to target different muscle areas. This adaptability ensures that you can perform a diverse range of pull-up variations, keeping your workouts fresh and engaging.
  • 【Designed for Comfort】The 10 degree reclined position, padded armrests and backrest add an extra level of comfort during exercises like dips, making the workout experience more enjoyable and less strenuous on your joints. The 6 adjustable height and 7 adjustable wide-fitted backrest meet the whole family workout needs.
  • 【Space Efficient Machine】The compact design of the pull up bar station is a bonus for home gym setups with limited space. It doesn't take up much floor space, making it a practical addition to any home gym, garage, or workout area.
SportsRoyals Power Tower

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

A power tower is one of the best ways to exercise at home with the most important bodyweight exercises. The SportsRoyals power tower offers an amazing upper body and core workout with one piece of equipment, that will fit into pretty much any space. 

Pros and cons for SportsRoyals Power Tower

Pros

  • A great weight capacity
  • All the most important calisthenics handles and features
  • Great size for a home gym - maximising return on space
  • Stable, sturdy, and durable

Cons

  • May require a lot of space compared to a pull-up bar, for example

What you need to know about the SportsRoyals Power Tower

Dips and pull-ups alone are worth the investment – 2 of the most powerful muscle-building exercises. You’ll get extra value from advanced core options with hanging leg raises, knee tucks, and side crunches, too.

The power tower is great for small spaces – especially since stable bars, pull-up bars, and dip attachments might not suit your space. They can also be expensive compared to a single power tower. 

SportsRoyals’ power tower has a 400lbs weight capacity making it perfect for bigger users. This also means you can add weight to your dips and pull-ups for long-term muscle-building progress.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Max Capacity: 400LBS
  • Adjustable Height: 6 Heights (64.56''~88.18'')
  • Material: ‎Steel alloy
  • Base Design: "H" Shape Base

Rogue P3 Pull-Up System- Best Pull Up Bar for Home

The rogue fitness P3 is a high-quality, simple pull-up bar that comes with the Rogue hallmark quality and design fidelity. The result is an effective, space-saving pull-up bar for a home gym that only requires a little space and a wall that can support it.

  • A single, compact unit designed for ceiling m
  • Weight Capacity: 500+LB
  • Manufactured in Ohio
Check Price o Rogue Fitness
Rogue P3 Pull-Up System

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

Adding a pull-up bar doesn’t offer the same variety and scope as a power tower, but maximises on space-saving. If you’re able to add heavy bolts to your walls, the Rogue p3 pull-up bar is a great way to expand your training with almost no space-demand.

Pros and cons for Rogue P3 Pull-Up System

Pros

  • One of the most space-efficient piece of equipment
  • Can be used to hold gymnastic rings for a wide range of workouts
  • Easy to use and versatile, to be used both in and outdoors

Cons

  • Only offers overhead pulling by itself - not as versatile as some products

What you need to know about the Rogue P3

Pull-up bars are a small addition that allow you to train pull-ups, chin-ups, hanging core exercises, and even more advanced exercises like muscle-ups. The P3 is a perfect example of this with a simple, single knurled pull-up bar. It’s a sturdy and reliable frame that fits into a wall with multiple attachments for stability and reliability.

The P3 is suitable for both indoor and outdoor fixation, which is the ultimate space-saver if you’ve got the weather for it. You can add gymnastic rings to this product for a complete home gym bodyweight training tool. 

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Product Weight: 31LB
  • Steel Notes: 1x2" 11-Gauge Steel
  • Weight Capacity: 500+LB

Best Compact Home Gym Cardio Options

It’s important to maintain good cardiovascular health, and if you want to keep the pounds from creeping up on you, you need to include some cardio in your workout routine.

This can be a challenge if space is a limiting factor, but the following cardio solutions are perfect for a compact home gym.

Barwing Exercise Bike- Best Recline Exercise Bike

The compact home gym isn’t just about lifting weights and building muscle. Barwing’s folding exercise bike means cardio workouts are easy and quiet in small spaces like an apartment.

  • 16 Levels adjustable magnetic resistance
  • 4 in 1 total body workout
  • Can be fully folded to occupy minimal space
KURONO Stationary Exercise Bike for Home Workout, 4 IN 1 Foldable Indoor Cycling Bike for Seniors, 330LB Capacity, 16-Level Magnetic Resistance, Seat Backrest Adjustments
  • 【 KURONO EXERCISE BIKE】 16-8-2-3: 16 Levels adjustable magnetic resistance. 8 Seat height adjustments. 2 Seat angle adjustments. 3 Workout bike posture adjustments: upright, recline, and folding. KURONO’s X-bike allows you to exercise more freely and comfortably, and burn your calories as much as you like.
  • 【SUPER QUIET】 The upgraded magnetic resistance keeps the exercise bike very quiet while riding, it also provides 16 levels of gear adjustment for you to ride freely. Heavy-duty steel frame combined with X-type design physical balance theory, provide you a stable exercise bike, support limited to 330 LB Capacity
  • 【SIMPLE ASSEMBLY: 90 Minutes】 Tailored for diverse demographics, including adults, seniors, and individuals with varying levels of tool proficiency, the average time from unboxing to complete assembly is 90 minutes. The product boasts a user-friendly structural design accompanied by comprehensive installation instructions.
  • ❤️【Great Value Gift for Seniors, Parents】Compared with other bikes, KURONO X-Bike is the more suitable gift for parents' health. It has more adjustments, less noise, takes up less space, simpler installation methods, more portable folding storage functions, and a more stable support structure.
  • 【SATISFACTION GUARANTEE SERVICE】KURONO can provide a 1-year warranty service. No need to worry about any issues with the product you've received. Our after-sales team is here to address all your concerns and challenges with the utmost professionalism and efficiency.
Barwing Exercise Bike

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

The Barwing is a perfect place to start with cardio for the non-specialist. It’s perfect for building better fitness and helping you lose fat, making it a perfect addition to a well-rounded compact home gym setup. It’s not for the elite cyclist but the Barwing exercise bike has all the hallmarks of a great cardio workout at home.

Pros and cons for Barwing Exercise Bike

Pros

  • Good reclined bike for the non-specialist with relaxed hip and knee positioning
  • Foldable for easier storage
  • Great range of resistance settings for accessibility and progression

Cons

  • Doesn’t have the top-range cycling features you’d want for competitive riding

What you need to know about the Barwing Exercise Bike

The Barwing exercise bike is multi-functional with 16 levels of adjustable resistance and easy-folding for storage. It’s a perfect piece of compact exercise equipment for easy use and has great features for the price.

The adjustable resistance is obviously great for everyone, allowing you to fit the bike to your needs and progress at your own pace. It’s a slightly reclined bike which takes pressure off the knees and hips, allows you to relax on the bike, and has an integral LCD monitor.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Dimensions: 32.3 x 19.5 x 46.5 inches
  • Resistance: Magnetic
  • Maximum Weight Recommendation: 300 Pounds

PooBoo X5- Best Folding Exercise Bike for Beginners

The PooBoo x5 is a multipurpose exercise bike in the same vein as the BarWing but offers a slightly different set of priorities. The focus is on affordable, comfortable cycling on a tight budget – trimming some of the luxuries down. 

  • Three-in-one Workout Station
  • 8-Level Magnetic Resistance
  • LCD Monitor & Pulse Sensor
Sale
pooboo Folding Exercise Bike, Fitness Stationary Bike Machine, Upright Indoor Cycling Bike, 4-in-1 Magnetic X-Bike with 8-Level Adjustable Resistance, Bottle Holder, Arm Resistance Bands, Pulse Sensor & Back Support Cushion for Home Gym Workout (red)
  • 【Guaranteed Customer Service】POOBOO offers excellent customer service, guaranteeing responses to our customers within 24 hours, and providing a 1-year warranty service. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you encounter any issues with the product you've received. (Please DO NOT CALL our service number because it is not correct. You can simply reach out to us using the methods mentioned below. Thank you.) We'll definitely help you resolve it!
  • 【CONTACT US】Whether you have questions before or after your purchase, here's how to get in touch with us: Look for "activitylife" below the "Buy Now" button on the product page. Click on "activitylife," and then choose "Ask a Question" to contact us. Follow the provided prompts to send your message. You can read and respond to our messages in your Account > Message Center > Your Messages > Buyer/Seller Messages.
  • 【4-IN-1 Folding Exercise Bike for Home Workout】The upright posture of this bike provides you with high-intensity exercise, helping you burn more calories. The semi-recumbent posture offers a low-impact and more comfortable riding experience. Additionally, this bike comes with arm resistance bands to help tone your upper muscles and provide a complete body workout.
  • 【Bottle Holder】We've intentionally added a Bottle Holder to this bike, which is something that other X-BIKE models don't have. Conveniently located at arm's length, it helps you stay hydrated during your cardio workouts. The adjustable size design accommodates different bottle types.
  • 【Compact Design & Easy to Move】The folding exercise bike is extremely suitable for the small living room because it doesn't take up too much space. And it can be fully folded up to occupy minimal space for storage when not in use. It comes with transport wheels for you to move this exercise bike easily from room to room in your home gym.
PooBoo X5

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

This is an affordable bike that skips out on frills to provide the best price tag possible while still maintaining the important functions you need. It’s adjustable, foldable, and simple in the best way to burn fat without burning money or precious square feet.

Pros and cons for PooBoo X5

Pros

  • Cheaper than the Barwing
  • Full-featured with a simplified LCD monitor
  • Perfect for a recreational cyclist or burning body fat

Cons

  • Lacks the complete feature set of the Barwing or premium exercise bikes

What you need to know about the PooBoo X5

The workouts themselves are comparable but PooBoo only offers 8 resistance settings. These are still effective, and the reduced adjustability trades off with a better value for money approach and an even more space-savvy exercise bike.

The seat is extra large and includes a back-rest as standard, helping reduce postural stress and making the most of the reclined position. This makes it a great choice for everyday use and perfect for use while watching TV – perfect for long rides in a home gym.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Maximum Weight Recommendation: 300 Pounds
  • Number of Resistance Levels: 8
  • Resistance Mechanism: Magnetic

If you are really tight on space or your budget, then there are other options for you, that will still allow you to train your whole body at home. Various resistance bands and adjustable weights can provide a lot of variety in your workout routine.

Workout equipment for tight spaces

Sure, you have to figure out on your own which exercise to perform, but that is the beauty, your knowledge of lifting is the only limit. There are tons of videos on YouTube and apps that will suggest weight lifting routines that use dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells, so if you are willing to do a little homework, you can create a really powerful workout.

Plus…

Most of the weight lifting equipment can be moved out of the way at the end of a workout if space is an issue.

FusionMotion Portably Gym- Workout Equipment for Small Spaces

The FusionMotion portable gym is a new and affordable take on the unfolding compact home gym. It’s an easy-storage floor plate that integrates resistance bands and bodyweight exercise. These are notoriously easy to use, store, and pack away even in a small bedroom.

  • Eight different attachments to tone and shape
  • Built to handle heavier, more intense workout
  • 200 exercises to strengthen your body
Fusion Motion Portable Gym with 8 Accessories Including Heavy Resistance Bands, Tricep Bar, Ab Roller Wheel, Pulleys and More - Full Body Workout Home Exercise Equipment to Build Muscle and Burn Fat
  • GYM-QUALITY RESULTS ANYWHERE: Why pay for an expensive gym membership when you can get the SAME results from your living room? Now you can, with the Fusion Motion home gym! Sculpt your dream body from anywhere in the world, whether you’re maintaining your exercise routine from a hotel, getting in a forearm grip workout on your favorite trail, or working your quads under a sunrise on the beach. With a lightweight folding base and easy carrying handle, there’s nowhere you can’t take it!
  • TONE, SHAPE AND FIRM YOUR WHOLE BODY: Effortlessly sculpt your upper and lower body with eight different attachments to tone and shape. Work your arms, legs and butt with two different workout resistance bands, achieve the perfect pushups with your choice of dynamic or static handle bars, stimulate your core with the ab roller wheel and feel the burn with the Fusion tricep bar! You’ll also get a heavy-duty door anchor and dynamic pulse attachments for hardcore resistance sessions.
  • STEEL-REINFORCED FOR HEAVIER WORKOUTS: Made with exclusive estructural polyethylene, this bad boy is built like a tank to handle heavier, more intense workouts. While other home gym bundles only support light and normal loads, it’s built tough to handle heavy resistance bands, too. Pop them on and instantly transform your Fusion Motion into a mini squat machine or perform high-intensity resistance curls for shredded upper arms. How many portable gyms do THAT? Maximum Weight Capacity: 290 pounds.
  • DETAILED GUIDE WITH 200 EXERCISES: Don’t let another awkward gym stare discourage you from working out. With our detailed instruction guide, you’ll get 200 different exercises to perform right from the comfort of your home. Learn specific exercises for the muscle group you want to train, recommendations for your skill level (beginner, intermediate or advanced) which accessories you need and how to assemble them, plus the correct form to train most efficiently for powerful results!
  • FOR BEGINNERS OR ADVANCED TRAINERS: Whether you’re just starting your workout journey or a hardcore trainer looking to beef up your arsenal, the Fusion Motion is perfect for men and women of all ages and skill levels. Even if you’ve never done a single exercise, this incredible all-in-one tool makes it easy to perform whole body workouts in just 20 minutes or less. There’s no better time to get in the best shape of your life and no better home gym than the Fusion Motion!
FusionMotion Portably Gym

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

The FusionMotion is all about easy use, easy storage, and getting the absolute best of both bodyweight and resistance band workouts.

Pros and cons for FusionMotion Portably Gym

Pros

  • Great range of exercises for small spaces and exercise in an apartment
  • Adjustable band tension in the base and with multiple band strengths
  • Range of resisted and bodyweight exercises available
  • Price efficient with a great range of attachments as-standard

Cons

  • Does lack some of the higher-resistance exercise of weights and cable systems

What you need to know about the FusionMotion Portably Gym

FusionMotion’s design expands on resistance band tension with a tension-adjuster in the plate so you can increase tension to suit the exercise and your strength levels. This gets the most out of the power-development and joint health benefits of resistance band workouts.

You also get a range of attachments and 2 strengths of resistance band to open up more training options. 

Dual handles allow exercises like curls and presses. The wheel attachment is great for ab rollouts – and makes them a lot easier.

The bar attachment lets you practice lighter versions of squats, deadlifts, rows, and other weight training classics. Door anchors open up a whole new plane of training with horizontal resistance. Paralette handles make for great bodyweight training.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Material: ‎Steel, Polyethylene

Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells- Best Adjustable Weights for Home Use

Bowflex are the masters of the compact home gym. Their adjustable dumbbells are one of the classics of the market because they save you thousands of dollars against a full rack of dumbbells. Not only that, but they offer some of the absolute best exercises at home.

  • Includes 1-Year JRNY Membership
  • Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds
  • Compact and easy to store
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells (Pair)
  • WIDER WEIGHT RANGE: Each dumbbell adjust from 5 to 52.5 lb. in 2.5 lb. increments up to 25 lb.
  • TURN OF A DIAL: Select the weight you want with the turn of the dial – no more picking up 15 different dumbbells to give you the results you want.
  • SPACE EFFICIENT: Say goodbye to 15 sets of dumbbells cluttering your workout space.
  • 2-MONTH FREE TRIAL: Try our JRNY All-Access Membership for 2 months, free.*
  • JRNY MOBILE-ONLY MEMBERSHIP: Get Motion Tracking, strength-training and bodyweight workouts, at home and on the go from your phone or tablet.*
Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells

Garage Gym Power's Takeaway

Bowflex’s adjustable dumbbells don’t just save you hundreds of dollars or tons of space, they offer you the best exercises for building muscle and getting fit at home. No compact home gym is complete without them and they’re the perfect addition to your setup.

Pros and cons for Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells

Pros

  • Great range of weights (5lbs to 52.5lbs)
  • Saves $100s compared to individual dumbbell sets
  • Selectorised with reliable locking mechanisms
  • Easy to store and takes up very little space

Cons

  • More expensive than plate-loaded budget dumbbell sets

What you need to know about the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells

Adjustable dumbbells are one of the best investments for a home gym, giving you access to bench and overhead presses, rows, deadlifts, lunges, and countless other resistance exercises. These offer maximum results in minimum time – and the SelectTech dumbbells are perfect.

The bowflex SelectTech 552 offer a weight range from 5lbs to 52.5lbs – perfect for most people. Additionally, the selectorised mechanism saves you hundreds of dollars against a rack of dumbbells – typically $1000+ for the same weight range. 

Not only are they a great investment for training, but they come with a 2-year warranty on all parts and plates. This is a great reassurance that you’re getting a high-quality product – especially since it covers the moving parts, which usually wear out fastest.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • No. of Settings: 15
  • Product Weight: 55.6 lbs each (base included)
  • Weight Settings: 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 52.5 lbs

Choosing the Best Compact Home Gym for Small Spaces

What some folks consider compact may not be so small to others. Some of us have maybe just one small corner of a bedroom or living room to work with, while others can use more space.

You may be in a living situation where you need to put your gym equipment away after each workout. Or you may have a little more space and are able to leave your gym equipment set up and ready to use.

If you absolutely cannot leave your equipment out after a workout, machines like the Weider Ultimate Body Works, which can be folded and put under the bed, might be ideal.

What Fitness Goals are You Aiming to Accomplish with Your Compact Home Gym?

If weight loss is your goal:

If your goal is to lose weight, adding some cardio to your routine is a good bet. A low impact option like a folding bike is a good bet for those with bad knees, who are not fit right now or who have a significant amount of weight to lose.

Of course, adding strength training to your routine is proven to improve your physique because it changes your balance of hormones towards a leaner body that burns fat, so a set of dumbbells and a solid dumbbell routine is one way to add in a strength training routine.

If building muscle is your goal:

I highly recommend you invest in a compact weightlifting gym if you plan to build serious muscle. This includes a folding rack, barbell and weight plate set, a weight bench and possibly a set of dumbbells or set of kettlebells.

There is just no getting around it, the best way to gain serious muscle is by lifting heavy weight!

If overall fitness is your goal:

If your goal is overall fitness, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and staying active, an all in one glide board style home gym, like the Total Gym or GR8FLEX Total Gym system allow you to do resistance training and cardiovascular training that covers the entire body on one machine.

What is Your Budget for Your Compact Home Gym?

Decide what your budget for your compact home gym is. There are options for all budgets.

The budget option of Weider Ultimate Body Works can be had for about the price of a nice dinner and trip to the theatre.

While the Altas Strength AL-2003 is a high-end option that costs more, but offers a weight stack that delivers 400 lbs of resistance and many solid strength training exercises all on one machine.

 

The mid-range option for building strength is the folding rack with a barbell and weight plate set and bench, which costs about half the price of the Altas strength machine, but is powerful in terms of building muscle.

Summary

I hope that this article helps you get your compact gym setup with the equipment that meets your needs and fits your budget.

If you want just one more cardio option for your home gym, have you ever considered a punching bag?

They do not take up too much space and are a great way to blow off steam after a stressful day. Some may even say they are FUN!

Check out this list of the best punching bags for apartments and small spaces here.

Don’t forget, if you love garage gym and home gym gear, sign up for the Garage Gym Power newsletter and we will let you know when new articles come out!

FAQ

What is the Best Compact Home Gym?
The best compact home gym depends on how much space you have and if you can leave equipment set up or not. If you cannot have equipment lying around, your best bet is a set of dumbbells or the Weider Ultimate body works, which can both be stored out of the way when not in use. If you can have equipment left out and set up, and you have a little bit more space, the Altas AL-2003 or a power tower are great options that offer several different exercises all on one machine.
What do I Need for a Small Home Gym?
You need to know your fitness goals, your budget and how much space you are working with. For example: If your goal is building muscle, but you are so limited on space that you must put the equipment away after use, a set of dumbbells or the GR8FLEX all in one gym system are muscle building options that can be stored away when not in use. If your goal is weight loss, a cardio option like a folding treadmill or folding bike might be the best choice for your small home gym.

Previously Highlighted Products - Now Discontinued

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Below, you’ll find products that we reviewed and highlighted in the past, but are now discontinued. We were unable to find dealers that still sell them, but have kept them in the article because the information could still benefit you as a reader.

KiCode Power Tower