The Best Portable Gym Sets

BodyBoss 2.0 Full Portable Home Gym

BodyBoss’ big idea was to bring the entire gym to you in the most compact and lightweight system possible. This collection’s non-stick base folds up, which may imply that it’s flimsy, but it becomes surprisingly sturdy due to its retractable anchors. Once you’ve secured that in place, you can pick from any number of on-demand or live streamed workouts that target any area of the body you feel like working. All the attachments are entirely adjustable, so you can figure out what level of difficulty works best for you. When you’re finished, everything folds up nicely and can easily fit under a bed or in a closet.

Pros:

• Available in 12 different colors
• Every attachment can be used for multiple different exercises

Con:

• You have to purchase a membership to access tutorial videos

Fusion Motion Portable Gym

With this one product, Fusion Motion provides you with over two hundred workouts, which might be enough to make you kiss your gym membership goodbye forever. This all-inclusive pack includes everything you could need to ensure your workout is as thorough as can be. In addition to the main base, you’ll get two levels of resistance bands, an ab roller, a pullup bar, pushup handles, and more. The accompanying guide could not be more helpful, as it is super detailed and provides alternative exercise options based on your skill level.

Pros:

• Everything is packed in a convenient travel bag to ensure all pieces stay together when you’re on the go
• Can support up to 290 lbs, which is the highest we came across
• Easy to assemble — no extra tools needed

Con:

• Resistance bands may be difficult for taller individuals to use

OYO Full Body Gym

All of these gyms discussed here are portable, but absolutely nothing beats the convenience of OYO’s Full Body Gym. Believe it or not, this item actually folds up so much that it will fit inside a desk drawer, which means that it can be used anywhere, at any time. The secret is the special “SpiraFlex” pack attachments, which provide 5 and 10 lbs of resistance that mimic the feel of free weights. And the coolest part — you’ll be using the same equipment that NASA utilizes, as the OYO system was initially created to be brought into space to help astronauts fight muscle loss while in zero gravity.

Pros:

• You’re given access to 60 on-demand workout videos
• Ready to use right from the box

Con:

• Resistance maxes out at 25 lbs

Brrrn At-Home Slide Board

In our opinion, the best workout is one that doesn’t feel like one, which is why we love the concept of Brrrn’s slide board. Though many of these workouts are low-impact, they’re deceivingly simple, and you’ll be shocked at how tired you are afterward.  Simply slip the included booties on over your shoes, take a second to find your footing, and start gliding side-to-side like a speed skater. The on-demand class library is broken down into workouts by time (anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes), as well as focus, such as slide, yoga, and cardio boot camp — with the huge varieties of options offered, we think you’ll have a hard time getting bored.

Pros:

• Extremely apartment-friendly, as it’s quiet and is easily stored under a bed or couch
• The monthly subscription fee is reasonably priced

Con:

• The unconventional movement style may take some practice

For some people, the best part of a gym is utilizing the dozens of classes offered with the helpful aid of an in-person instructor. However, this can be problematic for an array of reasons, such as the timings not aligning with your schedule or classes filling up too quickly. But now, thanks to Echelon, that problem becomes virtually (pun intended) non-existent. This system includes hundreds of classes — both live and for 24/7 on-demand use — set to the soundtrack of some of today’s best upbeat music. No matter what your workout of choice is, you’ll likely find it here, as the offerings range from yoga to HIIT to boxing. And we think the best part is that all of your stats are saved, so you’ll always know how your performance progresses.

Pros:

• No intrusive gym equipment — when not in use, this simply looks like a regular mirror
• You can use your smartphone as a remote control
• Easy to set up

Con

• You will need very reliable Wi-Fi for workouts to run smoothly

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some basic things I should consider before setting up my home gym?

We think the most important thing to think about is space. Some exercise regimens are fairly compact, while others may take up more room and require a larger area. If you’re trying to work out in a space that’s too small, you’ll do yourself a disservice if you’re not able to freely move about. Another thing you want to take into consideration is the acoustics of your home. Though most of these products highlighted here are relatively quiet, you’ll definitely want to ensure that you’re not bothering those around you, whether they’re in your home, below you, or next door.

Even if I’m the only one using the equipment, do I still have to clean everything?

The equipment itself should be cleaned and sanitized every time it’s used to prevent any germy build-up. Mats should also be wiped down regularly, and even if you’re not standing directly on the floor, the area you use should be given a thorough mopping about once a week, as sweat particles can easily drip and splatter unbeknownst to you.