Consumer Reports: Home gym for cheap
Consumer Reports tested home gym equipment to reveal the versatile and affordable essentials for at-home fitness
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Updated: 8:42 AM CDT Jul 20, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Mallory Anderson
Anchor/Reporter
ByConsumer Reports
Consumer Reports: Home gym for cheap
Consumer Reports tested home gym equipment to reveal the versatile and affordable essentials for at-home fitness
Updated: 8:42 AM CDT Jul 20, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Mallory Anderson
Anchor/Reporter
ByConsumer Reports
MILWAUKEE —
If you’re looking to get fit without paying for a pricey gym membership, creating a simple home gym can save you money. But what do you really need for a workout, and how much do you have to spend? Consumer Reports tested home gym equipment to reveal the versatile essentials for at-home fitness
Ana Termyna has been working out at home for years
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“I have dumbbells ranging from 2 pounds to 30 pounds,” said Termyna. “I have bands, I have ankle weights, I have sliders, I have resistance bands.”
Termyna says it helps her save money on gym memberships, and she gets a great workout without needing tons of space or equipment
“Now that I do it from home, I feel like you really don’t need a lot of space,” Termyna said
Consumer Reports says one of the smartest home gym purchases is a set of adjustable dumbbells. Instead of buying multiple weights, adjustable dumbbells let you change the resistance with a quick adjustment, saving money and space
Consumer Reports evaluated the dumbbells for things like ease of adjustment, comfort, versatility, and overall workout performance
“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,” said Consumer Reports’ Paul Hope
Two of the top-rated options are the NordicTrack 55-pound Select-A-Weight Dumbbells and the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set that goes up to 50 pounds. Both sell for under $400
Resistance bands are another affordable option. They are a lightweight, space-saving alternative to traditional weights. Experts say they can be just as effective for building strength, power, and muscular endurance. Consumer Reports recommends looking for bands that feel sturdy and checking them regularly for signs of wear and tear
“Resistance bands are one of the most versatile pieces of fitness equipment you can buy,” said Hope. “They’re relatively inexpensive and can be used by people at many different fitness levels.”
Whatafit Resistance Bands are a CR’s Smart Buy. Five bands sell for about $28
If music helps you keep moving, Consumer Reports recommends workout headphones that stay secure, resist sweat, and sound great. The Apple AirPods Pro can even track your heart rate, while the Beats Fit Pro feature flexible wingtips designed to stay put during exercise
Consumer Reports found during recent testing that some HomeProGym resistance bands could fail during use. If you own the company’s purple 60-pound or gray 70-pound bands, stop using them and check the recall
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