Best Core Sliders

Synergee Core Sliders

$10 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Synergeefitness.com

Who They’re For

Best for all fitness levels, especially for those looking to add a new challenge to movements like glute bridges, leg curls, mountain climbers, planks, and more.

Why We Love Them

Core sliders, or exercise sliders, are lightweight, versatile fitness accessories that you can use to increase the difficulty level of many exercises. Our favorite exercise sliders, Synergee’s Core Sliders, allow us to quickly intensify conventional ab exercises, like mountain climbers, knee tucks, and more.

When we tested these sliders, we found them super easy to use with no setup required. We also like the grippy foam pad on one side of the sliders, which helps us maintain our grip with our hands and feet when performing exercises like ab pikes, where our feet or hands are positioned on the sliders and we’re sliding back and forth.

Thanks to their double-sided design, the sliders effortlessly glide across various surfaces, including carpet and hardwood. Their slim design also makes them exceptionally easy to store, fitting under furniture, on a shelf, or in a container. We also love that these lightweight sliders are travel-friendly, allowing you to get a great core workout workout on the go.

Potential Flaws

• The sliders may show wear over time. After a few repetitions of mountain climbers, we noticed surface scratches on the plastic side of the product.
  

Best Adjustable Dumbbells

BCBIG Adjustable Dumbbells Set

$70 at Amazon View on Walmart

Who They’re For

Best for beginners and intermediate lifters looking for an easy-to-use, grippy set of adjustable dumbbells that double as a barbell.

Why We Love Them

BCBIG’s Adjustable Dumbbells offer an excellent entry-level option for beginner and intermediate exercisers who want the flexibility to use both barbells and dumbbells in their home gym. The weights are easy to use and simple to adjust. We like that the dumbbells come in four weight options (from 10 to 40 pounds per dumbbell). Each option comes with multiple weight plates, allowing you to adjust the weight of each dumbbell in smaller increments as you progress. Each weight plate can be fastened onto the dumbbells with the included barbell collars.

The dumbbells’ handles feel comfortable to grip, even when we start to sweat. We like that you can easily transform the dumbbells into a barbell with the included connecting rod, making this set even more versatile. Plus, it only took us a few minutes to assemble these weights right out of the box, and we didn’t need to use any tools to do so. Once taken apart, all of the weights were a breeze to store in a smaller space, making this set a great option for anyone who prefers more streamlined weightlifting equipment.

Potential Flaws

•  The material feels less durable than other, more expensive options.
• These dumbbells feel a bit clunky in our hands because they’re not shaped like traditional dumbbells. This makes certain classic weightlifting exercises less comfortable to perform. 

Best Ankle Weights

Pvolve Ankle Weights

$30

$28 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Pvolve.com

Who They’re For

Best for beginner to intermediate exercisers who value comfort and style and are looking to add extra resistance to their bodyweight workouts.

Why We Love Them

Ankle weights are a small but mighty workout accessory that can easily add resistance to bodyweight workouts and daily movement. One of our favorites, P. Volve’s 3 Lb Ankle Weights are a comfortable and versatile option that won’t break the bank. They can be used on your ankles or wrists for moves like glute kickbacks and tricep extensions, and can also be fastened around your wrists to add resistance to daily walks.

When we tested these ankle weights, the material felt plush and soft and didn’t irritate our sensitive skin. We also like that the product’s dark grey color looks sleek and never dirty, even after sweaty workout sessions.

These ankle weights come in 1.5- and 3-pound options (per pair). When testing the 1.5-pound pair we were surprised at how challenging our bodyweight exercises felt. Ankle weights can help add an extra layer of difficulty to exercises, even at a lower weight, and these left us pleasantly sore after each workout. They stayed securely in place, which was particularly helpful during our more intense treadmill circuits.

Potential Flaws

• While the weights fit us well, they may not work for those with smaller ankles. 

Best Dumbbells

BalanceFrom Rubber Encased Hex Dumbbells

$41 at Amazon

$36

$25 at Walmart

Who They’re For

Best for all fitness levels, especially for those looking for a grippy, high-quality, and durable dumbbell set.

Why We Love Them

Whether you’re focusing on getting stronger or leaner (or both), a good set of dumbbells can be a game-changer for your home workout routine. We like BalanceFrom’s Rubber Coated Hex Dumbbell Weight Set because it’s a practical, high-quality option with no unnecessary bells and whistles. Plus, this dumbbell set is very durable—it didn’t show any signs of wear and tear, even when we tested it for durability by dropping it multiple times from shoulder height onto hard concrete. 

We also love the textured grip on these dumbbells, which helped us feel confident and safe as we performed more rigorous moves. We appreciate that the hexagonal shape of these dumbbells keeps them in place and helps prevent them from rolling, even when we quickly place them on the floor between exercises. These dumbbells are convenient to store and we can easily fit them into corners of our apartment and stack them neatly between uses.

Potential Flaws

• While we didn’t notice an odor when using these dumbbells, some users reported a rubber-like smell when unboxing the product.

Best Foam Roller

Amazon Basics Foam Roller

$23

$21 at Amazon

Who It’s For

Best for generally healthy individuals looking for a budget-friendly, lightweight, and effective recovery tool to add to their warmup and cooldown routines.

Why We Love It

Amazon Basics’ Foam Roller is a great recovery tool for pre- and post-exercise. You can roll it on your back, legs, and glutes to find relief from pressure points through self-myofascial release. We like that it comes in four size options, which allows you to pick the right size based on your height and weight. We tested the 12-inch option, which was just the right size for targeting smaller and larger muscle groups. After using it almost every day for a month, we can confidently say that it helped relieve tension and knots and helped us better recover after exercising.

The foam roller’s material is smooth and feels comfortable to use on various parts of our body. We also love that it never sticks to our skin or pulls on body hair, even when we’re sweaty. It’s lightweight and compact, and you can easily store it in a corner of your room or home gym when you’re not using it. 

Potential Flaws

• If you have mobility issues, very sensitive joints, or are recovering from an injury, you should check with your healthcare provider before foam rolling for the first time.

Best Indoor Cycling Bike

YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike

$330

$240 at Amazon View on Walmart

Who It’s For

Best for beginner exercisers who want a high-quality, no-frills indoor cycling bike.

Why We Love It

For such a budget-friendly price, we were excited to see YOSUDA’s Indoor Cycling Bike easily withstand our rigorous testing process, which included interval circuits, resistance circuits, and longer rides. We also appreciate that it offers 100 resistance levels and that the resistance is easy to adjust with a simple turn of the dial. 

The bike feels stable during our rides, even when we start cranking up the resistance and picking up speed. Plus, the large and comfortable seat has plenty of cushioning and support, which is especially nice during longer cycling sessions. Ultimately, we love how we feel in this bike’s saddle, how easy it is to assemble, and its space-saving design.

Potential Flaws

• This bike isn’t as high-tech as some other pricier options. But, since those bikes can cost three or four times as much as this one, we think the trade-off is well worth it.

Best Kettlebell

Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebell

View on Amazon View on Walmart

Who It’s For

Best for all fitness levels looking for an easy-to-use kettlebell with a comfortable, grippy handle.

Why We Love It

As a small and versatile piece of workout equipment, a kettlebell can easily be incorporated into many strength training and cardio exercises, including goblet squats, kettlebell swings, suitcase carries, and more. We like that this kettlebell comes in 15 different weight options—from 5 to 65 pounds—so you can easily find a weight that suits your fitness level.

When we tested this kettlebell, we found it easy to use for various exercises. We particularly liked its large, textured handle, which offered great grip even during sweatier workout sessions. We also love that its rubber base protects floors from getting scuffed and prevents the kettlebell from rolling when we place it on the floor between exercises. 

Potential Flaws

• While we didn’t notice any scuffs or scratches when testing this kettlebell, some users have reported wear and tear over time. 

Best Plyo Box

Yes4All 3-in-1 Wooden Plyo Box

$52 at Amazon View on Walmart

Who It’s For

Best for exercisers of all fitness levels looking for a space-saving plyo box that’s easy to move around.

Why We Love It

If you’re looking for a versatile, space-saving addition to your home gym, look no further than Yes4All’s 3 in 1 Wooden Plyo Box. We love using this plyo box for exercises like box jumps and weighted step-ups, and to add elevation to exercises like pushups and planks. You can use a plyo box for both cardio and strength training exercises that work your whole body, making this a truly versatile piece of equipment.

We like that this product comes in three height options, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your height, fitness level, and exercise selection. When testing plyo boxes, we found this one easy to pair with other workout equipment, like dumbbells, to create a workout routine that mimicked what we’d be able to do at a commercial gym. We also like that the box has convenient handles, which make it easy to move and store after use.

Potential Flaws

• Heavier individuals may find the box isn’t sturdy enough for certain exercises. To solve this problem, prop the plyo box against a wall during use.

Best Punching Bag

BoxerPoint Double End Bag

$40

$36 at Amazon

Who It’s For

Best for intermediate to advanced exercisers who want a space-saving, adjustable punching bag.

Why We Love It

BOXERPOINT’s Double End Bag is a high-quality, space-saving option that’s easy to adjust based on the user’s height and space. When we tested this punching bag, we found it easy to fill with the included air pump. This speed bag is particularly useful for boxers looking to improve the speed and precision of their punches. Since the punching bag springs back quickly when you hit it, it offers a great cardio workout. The bag’s smaller surface area makes it challenging for intermediate and advanced boxers. 

We love how durable the entire product feels, and we gave it a perfect score for durability when testing. In addition to an air pump, the punching bag also comes with boxing hand wraps and a convenient carry bag for easy transportation. This pick is great for small spaces since it’s smaller than other punching bags. 

Potential Flaws

• While this punching bag's smaller surface area and quick bounce-back is great for advanced boxers, it may be too challenging for beginners.

Best Resistance Bands

GYMB Non-Slip Resistance Bands

$16

$14 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Bed Bath & Beyond

Who They’re For

Best for intermediate and advanced exercisers looking for a set of versatile, high-quality resistance bands for warmups and workouts.

Why We Love Them

Gymb’s Premium Resistance Bands easily add intensity to bodyweight workouts when you don’t have access to traditional weights. We like that this set comes with three loop bands of varying resistance—including a medium, light, and strong band—so you can use the band that matches your fitness level and progress over time as you get stronger.

When testing this resistance band, we found it particularly useful for adding resistance to bodyweight exercises for the lower body, like glute bridges, kickbacks, and hip abductions. We also like using these loop bands to activate our muscles before a lower-body strength training workout with weights. 

These bands stay secure without slipping, even when we start to get sweaty during workouts. We like the grippy material on the inside of each band, which prevents it from slipping and sliding. Even after our month-long testing period, these bands held up with no signs of wear and tear. We also like that they’re very compact, which makes them easy to store in a gym bag or a corner of your home. 

Potential Flaws

• These bands offered heavier resistance, which may be too challenging for beginners.

Best Mini Trampoline

Fitness Gear Mini Trampoline

$60 at Dicks Sporting Goods

Who It’s For

Best for the home gym owner looking for a space-saving, fun cardio workout.

Why We Love It

When testing trampolines and rebounders, we were impressed by this one’s effortless setup and space-saving design. With just three parts to assemble—the jump mat, spring cover, and legs—Fitness Gear’s Mini Trampoline was a breeze to set up and start using.

During our workout session, we found the trampoline remarkably stable and well-constructed, which gave us the confidence to jump on it without worrying about it breaking. We also really like that this trampoline’s jump mat provides consistent bounce throughout the entire surface area, allowing us to jump anywhere on the trampoline during workouts.

While this mini trampoline is very compact, the 36-inch jump mat is spacious enough for various body sizes and heights. It provides plenty of room to move around as we cycle through exercises. Once we complete our workouts, this lightweight trampoline is easy to move and store.

Potential Flaws

• Thanks to its compact size, this trampoline was easy to store, but it would have been even easier if it were foldable.

Best Weight Bench

Pasyou Adjustable Weight Bench

$120

$76 at Amazon View on Homefitnesscorp.com

Who It’s For

Best for weightlifters looking for a stable, well-cushioned, and adjustable workout bench.

Why We Love It

PASYOU’s Adjustable Weight Bench features a backrest that can be adjusted in several ways, including flat, decline, and incline. This allows for a lot of workout versatility, letting you use it for exercises that work your whole body, from incline chest presses to decline situps and weighted step-ups (when the bench is flat). Despite weighing only 26 pounds, it boasts a robust 500-pound weight capacity, making it stable enough to support heavier lifts and bodies. 

When we tested this weight bench, we appreciated its solid feel and firm yet comfortable padding. We also love its slim, foldable design, which makes it a great option for anyone who plans on storing the bench in a smaller space when they’re not using it. Overall, this bench is a valuable addition to any home gym, with its impressive features surpassing its expected price point.

Potential Flaws

• While padded, the leg roller attachment on this bench may be too small for some users.
• The weight bench's backrest can be adjusted, but the seat remains fixed.

Best Exercise Ball

Wacces Exercise Ball

View on Amazon View on Bed Bath & Beyond

Who It’s For

Best for beginner to intermediate exercisers who have limited space and want to make their bodyweight workouts more intense.

Why We Love It

An exercise ball is a great tool for elevating your at-home workouts. You can use a stability ball to work your whole body—we like to use it for exercises like leg curls, elevated planks, wall sits, and more. But not all exercise balls are created equal, and when we tested 16 different options, the Wacces Exercise Ball was one of our favorites.

We like this exercise ball because it’s easy to set up, won’t burst when you put your weight on it, and comes in three size options so you can find the right size for your needs. We also love that it comes with useful setup instructions and illustrations of a few basic exercises to help you get started.

When we tested this exercise ball, we found it easy to use. We could easily grip it with dry hands and feet during workouts without it sliding off or irritating our skin. Once we wrapped up our workout, we were able to deflate the exercise ball in minutes and easily tucked it away out of sight. This exercise tool's compact size makes it a great option for small spaces. 

Potential Flaws

• While we were able to maintain a good grip on the ball with dry hands and feet, we did notice that we started slipping a bit once we got really sweaty during the workout. People who sweat a lot during exercise may notice some slipping when using this exercise ball. 

Best Vibration Plate

AXV Vibration Plate Exercise Machine

$130

$100 at Amazon

Who It’s For

Best for tech-loving exercisers seeking a compact vibration plate to enhance workouts and recovery. 

Why We Love It

AXV's Vibration Plate is an excellent space-saving option that easily enhances bodyweight workouts and helps you recover post-workout. It features a remote control that lets you easily toggle between the device’s 120 speed settings and resistance bands that allow you to work out your upper body as well. We like the built-in Bluetooth speaker that lets you stream your favorite tunes while working out.

When we tested this vibration plate, we loved how easy it was to set up, making it a great fit for beginners who have never used this type of product. The compact and lightweight design made it a breeze to move around and store when not in use. We also appreciate how stable and grippy the platform feels during workouts, making it easy to perform various moves, like step-ups and planks. The five training modes allow for even more workout versatility, and the LED touchscreen display allows us to track stats like time, speed, and calories burned.

Potential Flaws

• The smaller platform makes it difficult to perform certain exercises, like squats and lunges. 
  

Best Yoga Mat

Gaiam Classic Solid 5mm Yoga Mat

$29

$26 at Amazon $25 at Target View on Academy.com

Who It’s For

Best for those seeking a thick, supportive yoga mat. 

Why We Love It

When we tested Gaiam’s Classic Solid Yoga Mat, its supportive cushioning and grip provided excellent comfort and stability throughout our yoga flows and other mat workouts. Its remarkable grip also helped us feel confident maintaining our footing, even during more challenging moves. We like that while its cushioning is thick, it still feels firm enough that we’re not sinking into the mat during poses.

After our session, the mat was easy to roll up, making it a great pick to take on the go. We especially like using this mat for power yoga, hot yoga, or cardio, but it’s also versatile enough for other exercises, like mat Pilates and meditation sessions.

Potential Flaws

• Although the mat is easy to roll up to on the go, we wish it came with a carry strap for easier transport. 

Best Yoga Towel

Shandali Sticky Fiber Towel

$22

$20 at Amazon View on Shandali.com View on Sears.com

Who It’s For

Best for yogis looking for a durable, comfy, and absorbent towel.

Why We Love It

Shandali’s Sticky Fiber Towel exceeded our expectations during our hot yoga sessions. Its remarkable absorbency kept our sweat from pooling during sweaty sessions, while its grippy texture kept it securely in place under our hands and feet during various poses. 

When we attempted more difficult poses, we noticed that this towel never bunched up, and its waffle texture continued to provide comfortable support. As we continue to test this yoga towel during our everyday exercise routines, its performance keeps impressing us, and it hasn’t shown any signs of wear and tear over time.

Potential Flaws

• Although it didn’t last long, we noticed a slight chemical odor when first unboxing this yoga towel.

Best Elliptical

EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine

View on Amazon View on Zoovaa.com

Who It’s For

Best for beginner and intermediate exercisers looking for a compact elliptical that’s easy to move around between uses for low-impact cardio workouts.

Why We Love It

When we tested EFITMENT’s Magnetic Elliptical Machine, it felt smooth and fluid during both moderate steady-state sessions and more intense interval workouts. The elliptical offers eight resistance levels, allowing us to increase or decrease our workout intensity depending on our fitness level and goals. Plus, the machine feels stable, never wobbling or shaking even at its highest intensity level.

When we want to move this compact elliptical around, the convenient wheels and slim design make it easy. Despite not being foldable, its small footprint allows this machine to work well in both larger and smaller home gyms. This pick is the most affordable out of all the ellipticals we tested, making it an incredible value for an effective cardio machine, especially one that features an LCD display and is easy to assemble. 

Potential Flaws

• Since this elliptical features a manual dial instead of a touchscreen or buttons, we found the resistance more difficult to adjust than pricier options.
• While not a deal breaker, it would be nice if this machine had a spot to place our water bottle during workouts.