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There are lots of reasons to avoid the gym. It can be crowded, loud, expensive, and possibly a little disgusting with people sweating all over the exercise equipment. However, no matter your beef with your local workout spot, you shouldn’t let its drawbacks dissaude you from following through with your fitness objectives. Instead of heading out in an effort to lose weight, drop your gym membership and bring the gym into your personal space. Investing in the best home exercise equipment for weight loss is a smart way to manage your weight and work on your overall health.
To help you figure out which pieces of equipment you should consider, we spent months testing countless machines. Of all the ones we reviewed, we found that the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill offered the best overall value. It’s priced right, it’s easy to use, and it can provide an exciting challenge for users of all skill levels.
Keep reading to learn more about what this treadmill and our other top choices have to offer. We’ll also help you learn more about what you need to think about before making your first purchase. Losing weight isn’t always easy, but investing in the right equipment is a huge step in the right direction.
1. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill – Best Home Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss for Multitaskers
Burn fat and lose weight while watching TV, talking on the phone, and more
If you’re not a fan of exercise, you’ll find that time goes by quicker when you can concentrate on something else, like a television program or a phone call with a friend. However, not a lot of cardio machines can handle multitasking because they cause too much movement or require you to pay attention to your form. That’s not the case with a treadmill, and especially not with the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill — one of the best treadmills we’ve reviewed.
This machine offers a huge walking surface measuring 16 x 50 inches. When you’ve got this much room to maneuver, you don’t have to keep your eyes on where you’re going. Instead, just hold on to the handrails and turn your attention elsewhere.
When you find yourself curious about your calories burned, distance traveled, and more, just check out the 5-inch LCD display in front of you. The black-and-white screen offers an array of stats so you can see how your exercise session is going.
No matter your fitness level, you’ll find that the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill can offer up a challenge. You can adjust the speed from 0.5 to 10 miles per hour, and you can set three manual inclines for a harder, steeper walk (or run). We would have preferred to push a button to change the incline, but you’ll find that manually changing it isn’t that much of a chore.
If you’re looking for more variety in your workout, take advantage of the machine’s 12 preset exercise programs. They’ll automatically change the speed and overall intensity of your workout at regular or random intervals to keep you on your toes.
The only other thing we didn’t like about this treadmill is that it has a weight limit of 250 lbs. We know lots of people who couldn’t use this machine for that reason alone, so if you fall into that group, you’ll want to try one XTERRA Fitness’ other models, like the TRX3500 or TRX4500.
What I Liked
- Large walking surface helps ensure you won’t accidentally trip
- Compact, lightweight design that easily folds for quick storage
- Faster speed and steep incline adjustments to create more challenging workouts
What I Didn’t Like
- No automatic incline — you have to manually adjust the machine
- 250 lb weight limit puts this machine out of the reach of some people
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine – Best Home Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss for a Total Body Workout
Best exercise equipment for working your upper and lower body at the same time
For many years, fitness buffs have turned to rowing machines to achieve a great cardio workout. That’s because this classic piece of gym equipment gives you a full-body workout, from your arms to your legs and everything in between. It’s designed to have you mimic the motion of rowing a boat, so you can see how your entire body has to get in on the action. Of all the ones we reviewed, we liked the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine best.
One of our favorite things about this rowing machine is that it’s designed to accomodate users of all sizes. It has a 48-inch rail with a 44-inch inseam. This means that even if you have long legs, you’ve got the room to fully stretch out for each rep.
Most older rowing machines use air or hydraulic pressure to create resistance. Today, this type of technology is typically found in cheaper machines, but they’re harder to use because it’s more difficult to set the resitance. The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine uses magnetic resistance, which we find so much better. In addition to being virtually silent (machines that use air are so loud!), you can set the resistance with just a turn of a knob.
If you’re working out to lose weight, you’ll find this machine’s LCD console to be a big help. It shows you how long you’ve been exercising, how many calories you’ve burned, and how many reps you’ve completed.
Like other cardio machines on this list, this rowing machine is easy to store so that it doesn’t take up too much space in your living area. It has built-in wheels, so all you have to do is lift and move it where needed.
What I Liked
- Extra-long rail can accomodate tall users
- LCD screen offers lots of info for tracking weight loss
- Built-in wheels make it easy to move the machine for storage
What I Didn’t Like
- Entry-level machine isn’t designed for heavy use and parts may prematurely wear out
- Rowing motion isn’t suitable for users with back issues
3. Body Rider Elliptical Trainer and Exercise Bike – Best Home Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss and Low-Impact Workouts
Home gym equipment that’s easy on your joints
We like the Body Rider Elliptical Trainer and Exercise Bike because it’s such a versatile piece of home gym equipment. Use it as an elliptical machine by standing, or enjoy an easier workout by sitting and using the machine more like a stationary bike.
When we tested the machine, we found that spending a few minutes pedaling was sufficient to get us warmed up, and then after completing our workout with the elliptical machine, we turned back to the bike function to cool down.
If you’re aiming for weight loss and toning your upper body, you’ll definitely want to spend more time with the elliptical portion. The exercise mimics climbing stairs, so it offers a full-body workout — but it’s not hard on your joints at all. That’s because even though your legs are moving as if you’re running, you’re not making contact with the ground — there’s no downward force putting pressure on your body.
To accomodate users of varying sizes, this exercise machine offers seven height settings for the seat and three height settings for the handlebars. Both the seat and handles are cushioned for your comfort, so you don’t have to worry about sore behinds and palms after an intense workout.
As we’d expect from top cardio machines, this product comes with an LCD screen so you can track your progress. It’s not as sophisticated as others we’ve seen, but it does offer calories burned, workout time, and distance. When we compared the calorie burn to our fitness watch, the results were similar, so that’s a reassuring thing to see.
This elliptical-bike combo isn’t foldable, but it does have integrated wheels at the front to help with moving it from place to place. It’s got a small footprint, so it’s suitable for keeping in the corner of a room if you’ve got the space.
What I Liked
- Two-in-one elliptical and bike combo for more versatility
- Offers low-impact exercising that’s kind to your joints
- Adjustable seat and handle heights for a perfect fit
What I Didn’t Like
- LCD tracker offers only the most basic info
- Not foldable or collapsible for easier storage
4. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike – Best Home Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss and Toning Your Lower Body
Stationary bike works the large muscle groups in your legs
Stationary bikes are among the best cardio machines for burning fat and working out your lower body. They’re low-impact, so if you often suffer from sore joints, you can work out with less pain when you use a bike. A bike is also the best exercise machine to use if you suffer from arm, shoulder, or other upper-body injuries or conditions that prevent you from using equipment like rowers and ellipticals.
We chose the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike for our list of the best equipment for weight loss at home because it’s affordable, effective, and easy to store.
If you’re new to working out with equipment, a bike’s a good first choice. You most likely already understand the mechanics; and even if you don’t, all you have to do is hop on and start pedaling — you don’t even have to worry about maintaining your balance.
This particular bike measures just 31 x 19 inches after assembly, so it takes up very little space. But it’s also foldable, so if you need to put it away, you can easily fold and store it in a corner or closet. This is a huge benefit if you’re living in an apartment or otherwise have minimal space.
Despite its small size and lower price tag, this bike is solid. We somewhat expected a little bit of wobbling or moving across the floor with rigorous use, but we experienced none of that. As a matter of fact, we used the bike for a HIIT workout, and it performed wonderfully, even as we pedaled as hard as we could.
The bike has eight resistance levels, so if you find yourself wanting a challenge, you can adjust how hard it is to pedal by just turning a knob. You can also keep track of calories burned, exercise time, distance, and pulse with the LCD display.
What I Liked
- Exercise bike has a tiny footprint for smaller areas
- Eight levels of resistance for a more challenging workout
- Folding design allows for easier storage
What I Didn’t Like
- Small size might be uncomfortable for larger riders
- Mileage tracker resets after 999 miles
5. DEGOL Jump Rope with Ball Bearings – Best Home Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss for Anytime and Anywhere Use
Enjoy an aerobic workout with minimal equipment
We know what you’re thinking: A jump rope? As exercise equipment? Don’t let a jump rope’s small size and low price confuse you. Jump ropes are incredible tools that should be a part of every home gym. Because they’re so compact, you can store or use them nearly anywhere — work in a quick cardio session while watching TV, waiting for takeout to arrive, in the morning before your shower, or while watching the kids.
We tested lots of jump ropes, but we liked the DEGOL Jump Rope with Ball Bearings best. It’s made with ball bearings in the handle to allow for smooth rotation as you skip. That means you don’t put as much stress on your wrists, all while giving the rest of your body a thorough workout.
Speaking of the handles, they’re really nice. The outer part is a cushioned foam that’s soft and comfortable to hold. It’s also lightweight, so you won’t suffer from hand fatigue.
The rope itself is made from wire and wrapped in durable PVC. It’ll last nearly forever if you use it on smooth surfaces like tile or carpet, but you may notice wear if you scrape it on concrete, especially if it’s too long for you.
Should you find that the jumping rope is too long, you can easily adjust it for a perfect fit. It’s just over nine feet long out of the box, but we took a little length off following the manufacturer’s instructions — it took just a few minutes.
When it comes to the rope’s performance, we have no real complaints. It’s a great tool for those just getting into exercise, those looking for a solid way to warm up, or those wanting to incorporate a different workout into their HIIT program. If you’re still unsure about jumping rope, give it a try: It’s easy, and 10 minutes of skipping is roughly the equivalent of 30 minutes of running!
What I Liked
- Lightweight jump rope with comfortable foam handles
- Ball bearings in the handles allow for smooth rotation
- Easy to adjust your workout, going as slow or as fast as you’d like
What I Didn’t Like
- Rope is adjustable, but it requires cutting, so not suitable for multiple users
- PVC may show premature signs of wear if used on concrete
What We Looked For in the Best Home Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss
There are tons of options when it comes to home exercise equipment, and nearly all of it promises you swift weight loss with little effort. But as you surely know by now, getting fit depends largely on how much effort you put in.
We’ve got lots of experience when it comes to fitness and working to lose weight, and we want to help you find the best home exercise equipment for weight loss. In order to create this list, we thoroughly tested machine after machine, using a specific set of criteria:
- Price —Exercise equipment can be expensive, putting it out of reach of the average person. As we reviewed equipment, we looked for pieces that offered good value for the money. We wanted to present pieces that were affordable, but also well-made so that you’re not throwing away your money.
- Size — Not everyone has the space for a dedicated home gym, so we looked for equipment that had a smaller footprint. Compact work-out machines afford you the opportunity to turn a corner of your living room, bedroom, or other space into a place you can work towards your fitness goals.
- Effectiveness —If your fitness journey includes weight loss, you need equipment that will actually help you burn calories. While those that help you with building muscle or endurance have huge benefits, we looked for machines that would give you a full-body workout so you can lose weight.
How to Choose the Best Home Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss
Of all the weight loss equipment we tested, we found that the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill offers the most complete package. It’s affordable, it’s versatile, and it’s suitable for users of all age, skill, and mobility levels.
However, we understand that you may have other pieces of equipment in mind for your cardio workout routines. To help you pick something that will assist you on your weight loss journey, we’ve rounded up the most important considerations when shopping for home gym equipment.
Function
Whether you’re shopping for the best gym equipment for the first time or are simply adding to your existing collection, it’s important that you choose pieces that burn calories and actually interest you. After all, if you hate the idea of rowing or have an injury or condition that limits your upper-body mobility, you’re not going to find much motivation to use rowing machines or elliptical machines.
When deciding which piece of equipment to choose, consider the types of exercise you like doing now. Also consider your fitness level and whether your chosen machine offers enough resistance to continue benefiting you as you build endurance. Treadmills and stationary bikes are good examples of low-impact, easy-to-use machines with settings that can challenge beginners and beyond.
Size
Many households don’t have room for a dedicated workout space. If you fall into this category, you may feel limited in what you can bring into your home. However, you should know that many pieces of exercise equipment are now built with limited space in mind. As such, they’re made with smaller footprints and/or offer easy storage options. For example, most treadmills today feature a folding design and wheels so you can collapse the machine and store it in a corner or possibly under your bed.
Budget
No matter the type of equipment, you’ll find that there are lots of options in every price range. There are several factors that go into deciding how much to spend on a machine. For example, if you’re unsure whether you’ll like a particular piece of equipment, you may choose an entryl-level model that doesn’t cost very much. On the other hand, if you’ve used a treadmill before and love that type of exercise, you may be inclined to spend more on a more luxurious unit with better features and durability.
Wrapping Up
The types of exercises you like, how much space you have, and how much you’re willing to spend all play a big role in which types of exercise equipment for losing weight you should purchase.
Personally, we don’t think you can go wrong with the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill. It’s suitable for users of all levels (whether you’re a beginner or long-time gym visitor), and you can change up the intensity of your workout by simply adjusting the speed or incline of the machine.
Exercising is an important component of losing weight, but so is eating right. Check out our guide to proper meal planning for weight loss for tips on getting started with a healthier diet.