The perks of a home gym are hard to ignore: no commuting, savings on gym memberships, utmost privacy, and complete freedom and control over your workout environment.
In this review, I discuss the gym tools essential to my home gym and workout routine. This research is a compilation of my search for the best gym equipment for my home.
At a Glance
I discuss six types of exercise equipment in this guide. But if you’re short on time, here are my top three recommendations.
Powerline Functional Trainer
Best overall home gym exercise equipment. The all-in-one functional trainer packs an accessory rack, a standard pull-up bar, and a no-cable change design.
TRX Suspension Trainer Bundle
Best home exercise equipment for core workouts. The suspension trainer offers excellent versatility, stability, and ergonomics for a wide variety of exercises.
Endurance Spirit Treadmill
Best home exercise equipment for cardiovascular fitness. The treadmill has a 2.5 CHP motor, pro cushion suspension, and various inbuilt workout programs.
6 Home Gym Equipment for Aussies
To choose the best home gym equipment for Australians, I looked at what actually matters: durability, workout variety, ease of use, value for money, and real customer feedback. I shortlisted the equipment that can handle regular use, support a range of exercises, and deliver strong results without wasting space or money. Here’s what I found.
1. Powerline Functional Trainer
Best Overall Home Exercise Equipment
Pulley placement: Side-by-Side Swivel
Weight capacity: 95 kg
Skill level: Beginner
The Powerline PFT100 is a strong choice for full-body training. It works as a functional trainer for exercises like upright rows, cable crossovers, incline presses, bench work, pec flys, shoulder presses, leg kickbacks, and pull-ups. It also comes with a standard pull-up bar, an accessory rack, and dual independent weight stacks that give each side its own dedicated resistance.
The machine's extra-wide mainframe helps keep it steady, and you also have the option to bolt it to the floor for added security. The vertically adjustable pulleys move smoothly through a 180-degree range of motion, while the no-cable-change design makes it easy to move between exercises without slowing down your workout. The 72 kg weight stacks are enough for many users, but you can upgrade them to 95 kg if you need more resistance.
Because it’s a heavy piece of home gym equipment, the Powerline PFT100 is not something you’ll want to move around often after installation. That said, it’s a practical option for home gyms where space is limited, especially since it fits under a standard 2.4 m ceiling.
Pros
- Strong, stable build
- Smooth adjustable pulleys
- Dual weight stacks
- Beginner-friendly
- Optional weight upgrade
Cons
- Heavy and hard to move
- Weight upgrade costs extra
- Not ideal if you rearrange your gym often
2. TRX All-in-One Suspension Trainer Bundle
Best for Core Workouts
Style: All-in-One Bundle
Weight capacity: 317 kg
Skill level: Intermediate
The TRX All-in-One Suspension Trainer Bundle is my top pick for core strengthening. It gives you a simple but effective way to train at home, helping you build a stronger core, improve flexibility, and develop more defined muscles without needing bulky equipment.
The setup is quick and flexible. The handles and foot cradles also support key movements like squats, hinges, rotations, pushes, pulls, lunges, and planks. And the carabiner can support up to 317 kg, making the system strong enough for a wide range of bodyweight exercises, including chest presses, bicep curls, chest flys, and core-focused workouts.
To adjust the straps, press the locking anchor to lengthen them, or pull the tab to shorten them and change the difficulty of your workout. Before each use, we recommend checking the straps, ropes, carabiners, and anchor points for wear or damage, and setting the height at a safe, comfortable level.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Great for core training
- Adjustable strap length
- Strong weight capacity
- Good grip handles
Cons
- Foot cradles feel small
- Needs a strong anchor point
3. Everfit Magnetic Rowing Machine
Best for a Total Body Workout from one machine
Style: Magnetic
Power source: Battery-Powered
Skill level: Beginner
The Everfit Magnetic Rowing Machine is a home rower for cardio and strength training. It helps improve endurance, burn calories, and work major muscle groups, including your arms, legs, back, and core.
Its main strength is the adjustable resistance. With multiple manual resistance levels, you can start light while learning proper rowing technique, then increase the intensity as you get stronger. The magnetic resistance system also keeps workouts smooth and quiet, making it more suitable for home use.
The machine is compact and foldable. It has large anti-slip footrests, an ergonomic seat, a solid steel frame, durable pulling straps, and a 150 kg weight capacity. The main downside is that taller users, especially those over 180 cm, may find the space between the seat and front unit a little tight.
Pros
- Compact and foldable
- Quiet magnetic resistance
- Adjustable intensity
- Supports up to 150 kg
- Affordable home rower
Cons
- May feel tight for tall users
- Manual resistance adjustment
- Basic LCD monitor
4. Endurance Spirit Treadmill
Best for Cardiovascular Fitness
Horsepower: 2.5 CHP
Weight capacity: 150 kg
Skill level: Beginner
The Endurance Spirit Home Treadmill is a compact, convenient option for at-home cardio. It gives you a soft, supportive surface for walking, jogging, and running, making it a good fit if you want regular cardio without leaving home.
It runs on a 2.5-CHP motor, which helps keep movement smooth even at higher speeds. The pro cushion suspension adds extra comfort by absorbing impact from each step, helping reduce pressure on your knees, joints, and back. And it's built-in workout programs, plus automatic incline and speed adjustments to keep your sessions varied and challenging.
The treadmill's foldable design is a major plus if you’re working with limited space, and it arrives fully assembled, so you can start using it straight away. The main drawback is that the wheels do not move easily on carpet, especially thicker carpet, so repositioning them can take more effort.
Pros
- Smooth 2.5-CHP motor
- Cushioned running surface
- Built-in workout programs
- Automatic incline and speed adjustment
- Foldable design
Cons
- Wheels struggle on carpet
- Not ideal for frequent movement
5. NordicTrack Dumbbells
Best for Joint Isolation Exercises
Style: Adjustable Dumbbells
Number of pieces: 2
Skill level: Beginner
The NordicTrack Dumbbell Set is a practical choice for isolation exercises. You can use it for dumbbell flys, lateral raises, bicep curls, hammer curls, tricep extensions, and other movements that target specific muscle groups.
Each dumbbell adjusts from 4.5 kg to 24.9 kg, giving you a wide range of resistance without needing a full rack of fixed weights. You can change the weight in 1.1 kg or 2.2 kg increments using the adjustment levers. Its custom-moulded trays keep the dumbbells organised and make storage simple, which is helpful if you’re working with limited home gym space.
The build combines hardened plastic and steel, while the knurled handles give you a secure, non-slip grip. The downside is that the weight jumps don't always feel smooth for every exercise, and the plates can fall out of alignment if you don’t place the dumbbells back into the trays carefully.
Pros
- Adjustable weight range
- Replaces multiple fixed dumbbells
- Simple lever adjustment
- Non-slip grip handles
- Easy to store
Cons
- Weight jumps may feel uneven
- Plates can misalign in the tray
- Not as smooth as fixed dumbbells
6. ATTIVO ZY18 Power Rack
Best for Free Weight Barbell Exercises
Style: Multifunctional Power Rack
Weight capacity: 220 kg
Skill level: Intermediate
The ATTIVO ZY18 Power Rack supports key strength exercises like back squats, front squats, rack pulls, pull-ups, and other compound movements. The 2x2 upright steel construction gives it a durable feel, while the heavy-duty structure supports up to 220 kg.
You can also bolt the rack to the floor using the pre-drilled footplates for extra stability during heavier lifts. The multi-grip pull-up bar adds more training variety, with adjustable positions for narrow and wide-grip pull-ups.
The rack includes two J-hooks with 17 height levels, making it easier to set your barbell for different exercises. It has protective liners to reduce noise and protect the bar’s knurling, plus weight plate holders and safety clips for safer training. The only problem is that floor fixings are not included, so you’ll need to buy bolts separately, and there are no built-in storage hooks.
Pros
- Supports up to 220 kg
- Multi-grip pull-up bar
- 17 adjustable J-hook levels
- Weight plate holders included
- Strong steel frame
Cons
- Floor bolts not included
- No built-in storage hooks
Other Notable Mentions
There are a few home gym tools I haven’t included, as their functionality is covered by other exercise equipment. Nevertheless, you can get them if you have the resources and a large enough gym space.
- Elliptical Machine for full-body cardio
- Exercise Bike for low-impact cardio
- Exercise Ball for balance and core work
- Battle Ropes for HIIT workouts
- Plyo Box for explosive lower-body training
- Vibration Plate for circulation and flexibility support
Remember, the best gym equipment is the one you will use consistently. I recommend trying different equipment and exercises to find what works best for you. If you frequent the gym often, you should also know which equipment is crucial to your fitness journey and goals.
How to Choose the Best Equipment?
Choosing the right workout equipment for your home gym isn't a one-size-fits-all affair. The best gear for your setup hinges on a few key considerations:
#1 - Fitness Goals
You must assess your fitness goals to find the best home gym equipment. People have many fitness goals, including:
- Burn fat and lose weight
- Grow stronger glutes
- Build a stronger core
- Improve upper body strength
- Enhance your cardiovascular fitness and endurance
- Increase your flexibility
- Muscle strengthening
Knowing your training goals can help you pick the best exercise equipment for home use. If your goal is to burn fat and lose weight, a treadmill, a functional trainer, or a rowing machine is the best.
#2 - Gym Space
This is essential if you have minimal space to set up your home gym. Ensure the equipment will fit perfectly in your compact space and leave enough room for movement and safety during workouts.
Take measurements of your minimal space and use them as a reference when looking for large pieces of gym equipment, such as a treadmill, personal trainer, rowing machine, or power cage.
#3 - Budget
You must set a realistic budget to build a reliable home gym with the best equipment for your fitness goals. Know how much you can spend on the equipment and prioritise gym essentials. Determine which gym equipment products will provide the most comprehensive workout without taking too much floor space.
Home Exercise Safety Tips
For home exercising, always create a safe workout space before you start. Clear the area of anything you could trip over, check that your equipment is in good condition, and make sure you have enough room to move properly.
We also recommend warming up for 5–10 minutes with light movement, such as jogging in place, jumping jacks, or brisk walking. This helps increase blood flow, loosen your muscles, and prepare your body for exercise. You can follow it with gentle stretching to improve mobility.
Most importantly, listen to your body. Push yourself, but never through pain. Stop if something feels wrong, keep your form controlled, and avoid doing too much too soon. Consistent, lighter workouts are usually better than overtraining and needing time off to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about home gym equipment.
What is the most useful piece of gym equipment?
Some commonly recommended items include a training bench, dumbbell set, barbell set, kettlebell set, pull-up frame and bar, treadmill, stationary bicycle, rowing machine, resistance bands, suspension training system, adjustable weight bench, and a jump rope. Each piece of equipment can be used for various exercises targeting different muscle groups, making them versatile and valuable additions to any gym setup.
What is the best machine for muscle growth?
The best machines for muscle growth include the Smith Machine, Cable Machine, Hack Squat, Chest Supported Row, and Pullover Machine. The Lat Pulldown machine is also highly recommended as it helps sculpt a strong, muscular back and works the latissimus dorsi or lats, a large muscle group starting near the back of the armpit and extending down the torso to the pelvis in a wing shape.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of these machines can be maximized with proper form, technique, and a well-rounded exercise routine. As always, I recommend consulting a fitness professional to ensure exercises are performed correctly and safely.
What gym equipment is best for beginners?
For beginners, I recommend starting with simple and versatile gym equipment. Some of the best gym equipment for beginners include:
- Dumbbells: They are versatile and can be used for a variety of exercises targeting different muscle groups.
- Barbell: It's great for compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
- Weight Plates: They are used with barbells for strength training.
- Resistance Bands: They offer variable resistance and are good for strength training and flexibility exercises.
- Jump Rope: It's a simple and effective tool for improving cardiovascular fitness.
- Pull-up Bar: It's used for upper body exercises.
- Balance Trainer Ball: It improves balance and core strength.
- Yoga Mat: It's essential for floor exercises and yoga.
- Workout Bench: It's used for a variety of weight-lifting exercises.
- Cardiovascular Machines: Such as exercise bikes, treadmills, stairmasters, and rowing machines.
Remember to learn the correct form and technique for each exercise to prevent injuries.
Laura Kemp
Wrapping Up
Working out at home should feel simple, enjoyable, and safe. The right equipment makes it easier to stay consistent, train with purpose, and get more from every session. Based on my research and testing, the Powerline Functional Trainer stands out as the best overall home gym equipment because it supports a wide range of full-body exercises.
That said, the best choice depends on your fitness goals, available space, budget, and the type of training you enjoy. Whether you want to build strength, improve cardio, or create a more balanced routine, the right mix of equipment can help you build a home gym you’ll actually use. Share your thoughts or favourite home gym essentials in the comments below.
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