Consumer Reports highlights affordable home gym essentials

Consumer Reports highlights affordable home gym essentials
Updated: 8:50 PM EDT Jul 15, 2026
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Consumer Reports highlights affordable home gym essentials
Updated: 8:50 PM EDT Jul 15, 2026
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Consumer Reports has put home gym equipment to the test to reveal the essentials that can help you avoid a monthly gym membership bill.Ana Termyna has been working out at home for years.”I have dumbbells ranging from two pounds to thirty pounds. I have bands, I have ankle <a href="https://healthylife7.com/eye-on-scams-watch-out-for-this-weight-loss-product-scam/” title=”Eye on Scams: Watch out for this weight loss product scam”>weights. I have sliders. I have resistance bands,” Termyna said. She said working out at home is not only cost-effective but also requires minimal space. “Now that I do it from home, I feel like you really don’t need a lot of space,” she said. Consumer Reports identified adjustable dumbbells as one of the smartest investments for a home gym. These allow users to change resistance quickly, saving money and space compared to purchasing multiple sets of weights. Paul Hope, deputy editor for home at Consumer Reports, explained how the adjustable dumbbells were evaluated. “Our testers paid close attention to comfort, evaluating not only how the dumbbells felt to hold during a workout, but also how comfortable they were to rest on your legs, if you’re seated at a bench, when transitioning between exercises,” Hope said. Two top-rated options include the NordicTrack 55-pound Select-A-Weight Dumbbells and the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set, which goes up to 50 pounds. Both are priced under $400. Resistance bands are another affordable and space-saving alternative to traditional weights. Experts say they are effective for building strength, power and muscular endurance. “Resistance bands are one of the most versatile pieces of fitness equipment you can buy,” Hope said. “They’re relatively inexpensive and can be used by people at many different fitness levels.”Consumer Reports recommends the Whatafit Resistance Bands, which sell for about $28 and include five bands. Experts advise checking bands regularly for signs of wear and tear to ensure safety. For those who enjoy music during workouts, Consumer Reports suggests workout headphones that stay secure, resist sweat and deliver great sound. The Apple AirPods Pro can even track heart rate, while the Beats Fit Pro feature flexible wingtips designed to stay in place during exercise.Consumer Reports also advises comparing prices and shopping sales to save even more on home gym equipment.
MANCHESTER, N.H. —

Consumer Reports has put home gym equipment to the test to reveal the essentials that can help you avoid a monthly gym membership bill

Ana Termyna has been working out at home for years

“I have dumbbells ranging from two pounds to thirty pounds. I have bands, I have ankle weights. I have sliders. I have resistance bands,” Termyna said

She said working out at home is not only cost-effective but also requires minimal space

“Now that I do it from home, I feel like you really don’t need a lot of space,” she said

Consumer Reports identified adjustable dumbbells as one of the smartest investments for a home gym. These allow users to change resistance quickly, saving money and space compared to purchasing multiple sets of weights

Paul Hope, deputy editor for home at Consumer Reports, explained how the adjustable dumbbells were evaluated

“Our testers paid close attention to comfort, evaluating not only how the dumbbells felt to hold during a workout, but also how comfortable they were to rest on your legs, if you’re seated at a bench, when transitioning between exercises,” Hope said

Two top-rated options include the NordicTrack 55-pound Select-A-Weight Dumbbells and the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set, which goes up to 50 pounds. Both are priced under $400

Resistance bands are another affordable and space-saving alternative to traditional weights. Experts say they are effective for building strength, power and muscular endurance

“Resistance bands are one of the most versatile pieces of fitness equipment you can buy,” Hope said. “They’re relatively inexpensive and can be used by people at many different fitness levels.”

Consumer Reports recommends the Whatafit Resistance Bands, which sell for about $28 and include five bands. Experts advise checking bands regularly for signs of wear and tear to ensure safety

For those who enjoy music during workouts, Consumer Reports suggests workout headphones that stay secure, resist sweat and deliver great sound. The Apple AirPods Pro can even track heart rate, while the Beats Fit Pro feature flexible wingtips designed to stay in place during exercise

Consumer Reports also advises comparing prices and shopping sales to save even more on home gym equipment

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