The best home workout equipment

Best value weights

Core Balance Hex Dumbells
Buy now from Amazon

Technical details

• Soft-grip neoprene coating
• Sizes: 1kg-10kg (we tested the 7kg size)
• Price: from £10.99 for a pair

What we loved about them

• Non-slip hexagonal design
• High-quality cast iron inner that makes them feel sturdy
• Super easy to clean
• Decent price

What we didn’t like:

• Not as compact as other weights

What our testers said

“I bloody love these. The hexagonal design is so clever, and means you can do push-ups and other exercises on a mat with them and they won’t slide around: plus, they’re much easier to store because they’ll stay put. Very reasonably priced for a pair, and I love the soft outer ‘skin’.”

Best for online workouts

Les Mills The Essentials
Buy now from Les Mills

Technical details

• Soft-grip rubberised coating
• Includes two 1kg and two 2.5kg weights plus band
• Price: £149

What we loved about them

• More versatile than standard plates
• Works with Les Mills online classes
• Rubberised coating for comfort and grip

What we didn’t like:

• You’ll need to add to your collection soon
• Not cheap

What our testers said

“If you’ve ever done a Les Mills class at the gym, you’ll be familiar with the equipment used. This set includes two 1kg weights, two 2.5kg weights and a Smartband ( a resistance band with handles). The weights are deceptively clever little (and some not so little) things. First off they have rubberised coating that allows you to grip them easily but more importantly at this time of the year means they don’t feel too cold to the touch. There are three places you can grab the plate, either side or in the middle. This means you can easily grab the centre to do bicep curls as you would with a dumbbell or use one of the side hand holds and use it more like a kettlebell. This makes the weights much more versatile than a standard plate you’d put on a bar – though these weights do attach to a bar too though this isn’t included with this set.

“The set also comes with a free 3 month LES MILLS+ Premium membership. This is very much a starter bundle that you can add to as you build strength and confidence. I do, however, think you’ll be outgrowing the weights pretty soon and want to upgrade to heavier so it’s quite expensive for something that you might need to add to in a couple of months.”

Best exercise bike

Wattbike Atom
Buy now at Watt Bike

Technical details

• Size in use: 150cm (height) x 50cm (width) 100cm (length)
• Weight: 45kg
• Gears: 1-22
• Price: £2,399

Wattbike Atom pros:

• High-quality, sturdy and secure piece of kit
• Accompanying app that offers a fantastic range of workouts as well as instant data feedback
• Easily adjustable seat, handlebars etc for the perfect ride

Wattbike Atom cons:

• External power required
• App required for instant data feedback, gear changes etc – there’s no built-in screen here
• Pricey

What our testers said:

“The ride is smooth, and feels much like a real outdoor bike, and transitions feel super smooth. I love being able to change gear via the app rather than a physical crank or button. For any runner who wants to pack in some more cross-training time, regardless of ability or experience, the Atom will definitely do the job.”

To find out more, read our full Wattbike Atom review.

Best treadmill

JLL S300 digital folding treadmill
Buy now from Amazon

Technical details:

• Size in use:158 cm (length) x 70 cm (width) x 128 cm (height)
• Folded dimensions: 100 cm (length) x 70 cm (width) x 141 cm (height)
• Top speed: 16km/h
• Incline: 20-level
• Price: £549.99

What we loved:

• Great speakers with device connectivity
• A variety of running programmes
• A good choice for regular runners

What we didn’t love:

• A little bulky

What our testers said:

“For features and quality, the JLL S300 Folding Treadmill measures up well against other machines in the same price bracket and I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to add treadmill running into their training or looking for an indoor alternative through the winter.”

To find out more, read our full JLL S300 folding treadmill review.

Best walking pad

UREVO SpaceWalk E4 Treadmill
Buy it now

Technical details:

• Price: £199
• 40.2 x 15 inches
• 2.25HP motor
• Maximum load capacity of 265 lbs
• 0.6-4mph speed
• LED Display and Remote Control

What we loved:

• Easy to use
• Quiet
• Easy to store

What we didn’t love:

• Not suitable for running

What our testers said:

“It was really easy to do: you just plug it in and press a button and then you’re away. This walking pad has a maximum speed of 4mph which means it’s firmly a walking pad and not designed for running. But walking at full speed was still pretty fast. The walking pad itself was surprisingly quiet. However, the noise of me walking rather heavy footed on it did make it annoying for whoever was downstairs.”

Read: I used a walking pad for a week and the results surprised me

Best massage gun

Bob and Brad C2
Buy now from Amazon

Technical details:

• Product dimensions: 17.3 (length) x 6.1 (width) x 13 (height) CM
• Weight: 0.89 KG
• Rechargeable
• Price: £89.99

Bob and Brad C2 pros:

• Powerful motor
• Great value for money
• Compact size making it ideal for travelling
• Multiple massage head attachments to target different muscles
• Long battery life

Bob and Brad C2 cons:

• We found no issues!

What our testers said:

“If you’re having doubts as to whether a massage gun is worth the money, I’d highly recommend giving this one a shot. It’s so affordable for what it offers, and the expert guidance you can find through Bob and Brad is incomparable to your average instruction manual.”

To find out more, read our full Bob and Brad C2 massage gun review.

Best exercise ball

UMI Exercise Ball
Buy now on Amazon

Technical details

• Extra-thick exercise ball
• Non-toxic, BPA-free PVC material
• Available in three sizes 55cm-75cm
• Price: from £16.14

What we loved about it

• Thick, puncture-resistant material
• Felt really sturdy and took my full weight
• Great for loads of different exercises
• Easy to blow up and stayed inflated for months
• Came with a pump

What we didn’t

• Hard to store between uses (true for all exercise balls!)

What our testers said

“Full disclosure, I got this ball for sitting on during pregnancy as I’ve heard it’s supposed to be helpful. But as soon as it arrived, I found myself wondering why I hadn’t bought one before. It was super-easy to blow up and kept its inflation really well. In fact, I haven’t had to add more air in the past six months, which speaks for itself! It’s made from really thick material that is resistant to punctures. It’s also supposed to have a clever system to avoid you falling flat on the floor if it does pop during use, though I haven’t had any experience of that myself! I used it for all manner of core and balancing exercises, and found that it took my full weight without feeling unstable.”

Best resistance bands

Meglio Resistance Loops
Buy now on Amazon

Technical details

• Latex-free and odourless
• Non-slip
• 4 resistance options
• Price: £8.99 for a 4-pack

What we loved about them

• Great range of strengths
• Super versatile and useful for lots of different forms of cross-training
• Good value

What we didn’t

• A little small for some movements

What our testers said

“A good set of resistance bands is vital for strength training, and these are the best quality for the lowest price that I’ve come across so far. I’d recommend going for multipack – you get all five different resistance bands, so whether you’re working through an injury or just building strength in a particular area then you can really notice the difference as you increase intensity. I absolutely love them, but if I was going to give any criticism then I’d say that I had a few hairy moments when I thought the bands might snap while using them in particularly big circles, with knee exercises for example. However, a roll of material in each strength is available so you could opt for this for a bit more dosh and make your own bands to exact sizes.”

Best slam ball

Core Balance Slam Ball
Buy now on Amazon

Technical details

• Weight: 8-15KG
• Material: PVC
• No-bounce design
• Sand-filled core
• Price: from £20.99

What we loved

• Good value for money
• Helps to activate your arms and upper body
• Great grip

What we didn’t

• No complaints!

What our tester said:

“Slam balls activate your arms and get your upper body and core working hard. Working on these areas of the body is so essential for us runners (and so often forgotten) as it’s these we rely on during longer runs and races when that core strength helps us keep our form on point and hit PBs.

It’s a cheap addition to my home gym, and it’s incredibly versatile, at home or in groups: slam balls are just one exercise, but you can also use it for Russian Twists, or to (carefully) throw between partners – the grip round the outside is great, so it’s perfect for this one, even in wet weather. My ball was 8kg, but it’s available up to 15kg, depending on your needs. It’s always a bonus to do any work on arms, which many of us neglect in our training schedules, and this is a cost-effective way of doing that. Another benefit is that I love using this for stress relief, as I find it really helps me release pent-up energy or tension!”

Best exercise mat

Core Balance TPE Yoga Mat
Buy now on Amazon

Technical details

• Material: TPE foam
• Dimensions: 13L x 13W x 65Th centimetres
• Weight: 860 g
• Non-slip
• Price: £24.99

What we loved about it

• Reasonably-priced and great quality
• Great cushioned support – really comfortable on knees and elbows
• laser-etched Asana Alignment lines

What we didn’t

• No complaints

What our testers said

“This reasonably-priced yoga mat has a two-layer design. Not only do you have a great grip on the top of the mat, but the bottom also holds still on slippery floors. This meant I could confidently tackle standing balances and flows without the mat sliding around beneath me. With a thickness of 6mm, this mat gives a firm non-slip feel and allows the cushioning to work when I was putting additional pressure on it, feeling really comfortable on my knees and elbows. I love that this mat has laser-etched Asana Alignment lines which helped guide my hands and feet into position. It also has a holding strap included, and is a great price for a quality mat that is just as good, if not better, than other pricier ones on the market.”

Best kettlebell

Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Kettlebell
Buy now on Amazon

Technical details

• Weights:3.5-18kg
• Customize your resistance with a turn of a dial
• Price: £229

What we loved about it

• Six different weights in one block
• Easily stored
• Impressive quality
• 24 online workout videos included

What we didn’t

• Pricey
• Heavy to move the whole block

What our testers said

“If space is limited, this stacking weights system can easily be stored behind furniture or in the corner of a cupboard. What you get is six different weights in one block: 3.5, 5.5, 9, 11, 16 or 18kg. There’s a dial on the top to select which weight you want, which is easy to use, although if you’re lifting/moving the whole block, it’s heavy! The quality of the weights and the stacking system is impressive, and I really liked that this company provides 24 videos online, so you’re not just doing the same boring routine over and over.”

Best value kettlebell

Body Sculpture 12kg Kettlebell

Buy now on Amazon

Technical details

• Weights: 12kg or 6kg
• Large handle
• Price: £27

What we loved about it

• Large handle
• Soft grip
• Good quality

What we didn’t

• Only two weights

What our testers said

“This kettlebell is excellent value. The metal weight has a plastic outer coating that means it’s softer to grip and less prone to extreme temperatures. The handle is also super wide which means you can grab it easily with two hands. This makes it more versatile as you can do deadlifts with it more comfortably than a narrower handle where you struggle to get both hands on.”

The best barbells

Blowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar 36kg

Technical details

• Includes straight barbell and curl bar
• Weight settings: 9, 13.5, 18, 22.5, 27, 31.5 and 36kg
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 150 x 30.5 x 33 cm
• Price: £649

What we loved about it

• Comes with exercise videos to help with your workouts
• Doesn’t take up too much room
• Lots of options, with multiple bars and weights

What we didn’t

• A pricey investment

What our testers said

“This bar set is a quality product, and one of its best features is the speed at which you can select a new weight between sets. It takes up little room and looks stylish compared to the usual stacks of weight plates on home gym kits. The barbell and curling bar sit in a sturdy docking station where you just click a dial to select the weight needed. The bar weight ranges from 9kg to 36kg at a click, which is ideal for a weights-based class where you find yourself swapping plates all the time. The curling bar provides even more choice, and full video tutorials are available for new users.”

The best for core strength

GoBalance Sport

Technical details

• Price: £99.99
• App-enabled balance board
• Smart 3D sensor
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Includes 12 free games

What we loved about it

• Makes core work fun
• Easy to set up and use
• Suitable for kids

What we didn’t

• Not cheap

What our testers said

“I was sceptical of whether I would actually use this, but it made doing core work a lot of fun. Nobody likes doing plank. NOBODY! But everyone likes playing games and that’s how this tricks you into doing planks and hard ones at that. The balance board connects easily to your phone and you use it to control your player in various games. My son loved it too and didn’t even see it as exercise.”

The best for space-saving

Gymproluxe Band & Bar Set 2.0

Technical details

• Price: £170
• All-in-one home gym solution
• Detachable bar, belt and belt tubes
• Resistance of up to 90kg

What we loved about it

• Provides lots of resistance without taking up any space
• Lifetime access to accompanying workout app
• Easy-to-follow workouts

What we didn’t

• App is a bit clunky to set up

What our testers said

“For those of us fed up with pricey gym memberships or hoarding weights at home, the GymProLuxe Band & Bar aims to provide a cost-effective answer. The set comes with a detachable bar, an exercise belt and six adjustable belt tubes – together, they create a clever resistance training kit of up to 90KG to help you build muscle from the comfort of your living room.

The workouts are simple to follow, with a friendly feel that was accessible for a newbie like me. The GymProLuxe website suggests that ‘complete muscle exhaustion’ should be possible, which is meant to make gains even greater. I’m not sure I achieved complete exhaustion, but I certainly felt the effects!”

Best mobility aid

Eastnole Yoback

Technical details

• RRP: £114.99
• 3-in-1 Back Roller, Squat Wedge, Yoga Blocks & Foam Roller for Back Pain Relief, Calf Massager, Plantar Fasciitis, Ankle Support & Shin Splints
• Modular design

What we loved about it

• Clip-together design makes it easy to store & travel with
• Easy to use and a huge range of uses
• Can be adjusted to suit your level of mobility
• Great add-on to a standing desk to prevent calf ache

What our testers said

“As is often the way with great ideas, this is disarmingly simple. In the box, you get three curved sections of a circle, as well as two pairs of ‘feet’ and an instruction booklet. The sections slot neatly together to form either a complete circle, or can be used separately with the feet as individual curved pieces. The idea is that you can stretch different parts of your back and body on the various sections, depending on your needs.

So – nothing technical to get your head round (phew). Looks-wise, it’s a lovely bit of kit, finished in cork, that I don’t mind having in the corner of the kitchen. It’s been designed for easy, frequent use to increase mobility and help with injuries, so it’s great that it’s something you’re happy to have on show in the home.

As the ‘back’ in Yoback alludes to, it began life as an aid for those of us with back issues, and for this, I absolutely love it. My back is so stiff and unaccommodating, I can’t use the Yoback as a full circle, so I use it instead as two curved pieces, and I get considerable relief from back aches and niggles just resting with it on the mat.

It also comes into its own with a standing desk. I can pop the two curved sections under my desk and I’m able to stretch my calves and ankles while I’m working. For ease of use, practicality and for solving issues before they arise, I’ve found this indispensable.””