Articles about: Roundup

Cable machines aren’t most people’s first choice when it comes to picking out equipment for their home gyms, but they are certainly a worthwhile investment for those who have the space and money for them. They’re a versatile piece of equipment, offer great strength training benefits, help you build muscle, and generally last a long time (assuming you take care of your machine).    The best cable machine for home gym use is the one that fits your training needs,  » Read more about: The Best Cable Machines for Home Gyms    »

We round up all of the best online workout programs for building strength, increasing endurance, and reaching all of your fitness goals this year.

With so many options on the market, we took a look at some of the best adjustable kettlebells to find out which deserve a place in your home gym.

Looking for the best resistance bands to add to your home gym? Look no further, because the GGR team has compiled our top picks for every need.

Sandbags are a versatile weight training tool for building full-body strength. Find the best workout sandbag for your home gym with our guide.

There are a lot of different jump ropes out there. There are speed ropes; weighted ropes; beginner jump ropes; beaded ropes; fancy ropes with wooden handles and memory foam grips. There are even smart jump ropes and ropeless jump ropes. But which jump rope is the best jump rope? I’ll help you figure that out if you keep scrolling.  Why You Should Trust Us I know a lot more than I ever thought I cared to know about jump ropes.  » Read more about: Best Jump Rope 2022: Speed Ropes, Weighted Ropes, and Smart Ropes, Oh My  »

We've compiled the best fitness gifts for just about anyone in your life: beginners, weightlifters, runners, and tech junkies! Plus, find budget-friendly and stocking stuffer ideas.

Thanks to technology and sheer innovation, many good things now come in small packages: We wear tiny computers on our wrists (love my Apple Watch), and we geek out over things like portable, foldable, reusable straws (it comes with a case!).  The same concepts apply to fitness equipment. Manufacturers recognize the need to accommodate people–like me–who live in small spaces and don’t have room for 300-pound, commercial-sized treadmills and squat racks.  » Read more about: The Best Compact Exercise Equipment for Small Spaces (2022)  »

What are the best shoes for deadlifting? Some people say none, but we’ve compiled six of our top picks that we think get the job done.

The best folding exercise bikes are easy to store and transport, have adjustable seats and pedals, and multiple levels of resistance.

After testing dozens of sneakers, and researching many others, we’ve created our list of the 10 best cross-training shoes for 2021.

You can break PRs without having to break the bank. Check out our top picks for the best budget barbell on the market.

Home gyms just keep getting more and more futuristic. Between Peloton, Apple Watch, Hydrow, and all of the other smart home gym equipment out there, you can completely ditch your gym membership for a super high-tech home fitness space. We personally think a workout mirror is one of the best investments you could make if you decide to go this route—and after testing nearly 10 of them,  » Read more about: Best Workout Mirrors in 2022: Tonal, Tempo, MIRROR, Vault  »

The best massage guns are powerful, quiet, and portable. Here are our top picks for percussive massage devices in 2021.

Looking for the best folding treadmill for your home? I’ve compiled my four favorites – and there is something for everyone.

I’ve tried out dozens of the best exercise bikes for your home gym in the quest to find the best Peloton alternatives.

Home gyms are changing. Rusty old equipment in a garage is no longer the norm, although I totally still love that vibe. Smart home gym equipment has played a huge role in the shifting landscape of the home gym, as people are realizing it’s pretty dang cool to stream live workout classes from a high-tech device that tracks your reps and other stats.  Instead of going to the gym, work out in the comfort,  » Read more about: Guide to the Best Smart Home Gym Equipment (2022)  »

I’ve hand picked 5 of the best manual treadmills on the market. Read why I think these could be worth adding to your home gym.

If you’re looking for the best weightlifting shoes for squats, Olympic lifting, or conditioning, we have you covered with our top picks from Nike, Adidas, and Reebok.

After researching over 70 exercise bikes, and using a majority myself, I've decided to create a list of the 10 best exercise bikes at various budgets. This isn't a comprehensive list like some of the others on Garage Gym Reviews, but rather quick suggestions depending on how much you have to spend.

When it comes to blending strength and conditioning, the kettlebell might be the most versatile piece of equipment there is. Read on to find the different kettlebells I like and why.

Our team of expert product reviewers have found the best dumbbells based on unique factors, manufacturing practices, warranties, shipping, and customer service.

I get asked a lot “Coop, what’s the best cardio machine for my home gym?” Well readers, I personally think that’s a very loaded question. There are so many different kinds of cardio machines –rowers, elliptical machines, motorized treadmills, non-motorized treadmills, air bikes, exercise bikes, and ski machines. It would be almost impossible for me to pick just one overarching best cardio machine because each one does something different.I picked my top 12 best cardio machines to give you a variety of options no matter what you’re looking for. I’ve tested tons of equipment and always strive to give you high-quality and honest reviews. I know that there are lots of options out there and it can get confusing to decide what’s best for you. I’m here to help you figure out what’s optimal for your budget, space, and wants.

Weight plates are a staple in any home gym. With them, you can perform virtually any exercise you can think of. The best weight plates will resist damage, have minimal to no bounce, fit snugly on anOlympic barbell, and look good while you’re smashing PRs left and right. In truth, the “best” weight plates will be different for everyone and which plates are the best for you depends largely on your training style and goals, yourhome gym setup, and your budget. This guide to weight plates should help you make a smart decision. RELATED: The Best Barbells for Your Home Gym in 2021

Fitness trackersare not a new invention. For decades, people have been counting their daily steps with things like primitive pedometers. Today’swearableshave much more to offer in terms of durability, aesthetics, and technology.I personally tested some of the best fitness trackers on the market to analyze a variety of features including activity tracking, GPS, sleep data, and recovery information. In this roundup of best fitness trackers, I’ll talk you through the positives and negatives of each to help you get the most out of your hard earned dollars.

In the last year, an overwhelming number of people finally realized what I’ve known for a long time: working out at home rules (thanks, COVID). More than ever, exercise enthusiasts are building gyms right in their own houses. The best home gyms around have barbells, exercise bikes, dumbbells and more.If you’re looking for a home gym, specifically, for your home gym, there’s a lot on the market. A “home gym” could refer to an all-in-one squat rack, a cable cross machine, an interactive screen and any other piece of equipment that essentially works the majority of your muscle groups. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the multitude of options available, so I put together the list of the pieces I like best.

For a great cardio workout that’s easy on the joints, the elliptical machine tops the list. Running on pavement or even the best treadmill can be problematic for many people because of the pounding it creates on knees and hips. Using an elliptical trainer forces the body into more of a gliding pattern as opposed to picking up the feet and putting them down on a hard surface.I personally tested some of the best ellipticals on the market to determine which could work best for you, based on your needs. While these are often large and expensive machines, they do offer significant benefits for those looking for a low-impact workout at home. Also, the best fitness trackers on the market today have a setting specifically for elliptical workouts, so you can sync your progress.Below are my recommendations for the top ellipticals you can buy right now.

Last year brought an onslaught of at-home workout demands. Consumers ran themselves ragged online in search of the best treadmills and fitness equipment. I have personally unboxed, assembled, researched and tested countless running machines to bring you the best of what 2021 has to offer.Whether you’re new to exercise or a seasoned runner, there is a treadmill on the market for you. For each of our nine machines below, I’ll let you know what I liked and what you should be aware of before you run head first toward such a sizable purchase.RELATED: The best ellipticals for 2021

Adjustable dumbbells are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can add to your home gym. Not only are they an incredibly more space saving alternative to owning an entire dumbbell set in different weights, but they're also a most cost efficient option.Understandably, not every home gym owner is going to have the space or the budget for an entire weight set. That's where the adjustable dumbbell comes in. Within seconds, you can transform a 10-pound dumbbell to a 20-pound, 30-pound, or heavier to match your workout. Plus, you can easily store them away without taking up much space at all.Over the past eight years, I’ve used and reviewed 17 of the most popular adjustable dumbbell options and believe the Powerblock Elite Series are the best adjustable dumbbells for most people. Though if you have other features you're looking for or a tighter budget, you might like one of my other top picks more. Let's get into it!

Weighted Vests are one of the best value pieces of equipment you can add to your home gym. They’re relatively affordable compared to barbells, racks, and plates yet can be used for a wide variety of movements. After researching more than 50 weight vests and evaluating 19, we believe the Rogue Plate Carrier is the best weight vest for most people. It’s a minimalist vest that does everything you want right and leaves out the rest. If you want to go heavier than 40 LB, our runner-up the Kensui EZ Vest may suit you better.

The foundation of every home gym is quite literally what’s on the floor. I bought and tested the best home gym flooring options (as well as some obscure mats) to determine what works best for most people. The thing is, no two home gyms are alike. Some people lift weights in the garage, some do yoga in the living room, some turn an upstairs bedroom into a high-intensity cardio studio.There are a number of different options for the DIY home gym fanatic. I’ll break down the best gym floor mats, tiles and even vinyl planks so you can determine what works best for your workout space.

Building a home gym takes a lot of time and money. The biggest problem I see is people forgoing the most important and versatile pieces of equipment and instead going after what’s glistening to the eye.Here’s what you need to understand as you build a home gym: Despite all the pieces of home gym equipment you may end up buying, you’ll likely only use a few pieces for 90% of your training. So, I suggest starting with the basics here in my best home gym equipment list, and buy quality equipment from the start. I recommend building your home gym on essentials that you can use often and for a large variety of movements.

After many years of training with and without a belt—and fielding questions about the best weightlifting belts and when to wear one—I decided to put together a guide to the best belts for weightlifting, plus everything you should know about how and when to use a weightlifting belt.Why You Should Trust UsIn the name of blatant honesty, this is one of the hardest product roundups I’ve ever created. I thought our guide to the best barbell was tough, but this guide to the best weightlifting belts takes the cake. This category might have more products than any other home gym equipment category we’ve covered yet—seems everyone and their mother is making (or importing) some sort of weightlifting belt.But we’ve tested dozens and used many for years on end. We’ve consulted with some of the strongest athletes in the world and observed elite competitors and the belts they use. Between our expertise in the fitness equipment industry and our hands-on testing process, we’ve created the most thorough guide to weightlifting belts you’ll find online.

After researching over 87 barbell clamps, using 46 of them, and legitimately testing 32 of them by using them for workouts like squats, bench press, deadlift, and snatches, as well as dropping them, throwing them, and seeing the max weight they can hold–we believe the Rogue USA Aluminum Collars are the best barbell collars for most people. However, they aren't the only collars worth considering.

After researching more than 100 weight benches, using more than 50 of them, and legitimately testing 23 of them for bench press, dumbbell work, and other movements, I’ve determined that the REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench is the best flat utility bench for most people, and the REP Fitness AB-5200 Adjustable Bench is the best adjustable bench for most people.It is rare for the same company to take two of the top spots, but these are the best weight benches in 2021 on a value basis for those training in a home gym.There are four necessary pieces of home gym equipment: a barbell, squat rack, weight plates, and a weight bench. These are the essentials and because of this, each one of these categories has thousands of different options to choose from.For weight benches, in particular, there are adjustable benches, FID Benches, flat utility benches, and then a myriad of unique benches for certain movements. In this guide, I will be distilling all of the options that I’ve tested and reviewed over the years and giving you my recommendations for the best weight benches for every price point and strength level.

After researching over 70 bumper plates and using 32 of them, we've determined that the best bumper plates for most people are the FringeSport Bumper Plates. The best competition bumper plates for most people are the Rogue Black Training Bumper Plates. Taking into consideration rubber used, durability, noise, appearance, price, warranty, and availability, these bumper plates will work well for any home gym, commercial gym, or CrossFit Affiliate.

The squat rack is the centerpiece of just about every home and garage gym in the world. As such, it should be versatile, durable, useful, and fit the space it will be used in. I have tested countless of today’s best options, putting them through heavy squats, bench presses, pull-ups (when applicable) and a number of other exercises.Based upon my use, experience, and community input, I’ve compiled the best power rack, half rack, squat stand, and fold-away squat rack for most people—including recommendations for various budgets.

After researching and using nearly 30 trap bars, we've determined that there is still much to be desired in a trap bar we'd recommend for most people. Despite this, currently, for 2021, our Top Pick for the best trap/hex bar is the Rogue TB-1 Trap Bar. It offers the best value among the trap bars currently on the market, although there's still much room for improvement. This said, many would be just fine choosing one of our more budget-friendly recommendations.

After using resistance bands from all of the major manufacturers in various settings with various workouts over the course of two months, we've determined that the X-Over Bands by FitCord are one of the best tube resistance bands available.

After researching over 50 power bars and legitimately testing 11 of them, we've determined that the Rogue Ohio Power Bar is the best power bar for most people. Considering the price, tensile strength, warranty, performance, knurling, availability, general consensus, and durability, the Rogue Ohio Power Bar offers the best quality for the price of any powerlifting barbell currently on the market.

Just about everyone loves the idea of walking out of your garage door or into your basement or even into a bedroom and having a place where you can hone your physical and mental abilities. Unfortunately, many people have the idea that a home gym or garage gym has to be expensive; we’re here to crush that notion. Here is the best budget home gym equipmentfor those on a budget so you can start training at home on your time without breaking the bank.

The general purpose barbell is the barbell for anybody at anytime. It can be used for most movements and do a good job at all of them. These are our picks.

CrossFit is a training style made up of constantly varied, high-intensity functional movements. As such, you want a barbell that can perform a wide variety of movements and last a long time.A good CrossFit Barbell will have many features similar to a general purpose barbell; the best CrossFit barbell makes Olympic lifting, powerlifting, CrossFit metcons, and accessory work all feel smooth and natural. The main differences I see in CrossFit bars compared to general barbells is that a solid CrossFit barbell must have increased durability and allow athletes to easily cycle the bar (that is, it must be great for high-repetition workouts with a variety of movements).A big reason CrossFit bars require increased durability? Most barbells made for CrossFit are used in an affiliate setting, not just a garage gym. This means tons of people use the bars every day and don’t necessarily take the same care of them that the owner would.CrossFit bars are often dropped from overhead, slammed into the ground, and chalked up as if the person using it was drowning in their own sweat. (I've also seen some weird stuff done to barbells at affiliates, like using a barbell as if it was a shovel and straight up throwing the bar.) So, yeah, durability is key.The best CrossFit barbells enable athletes to perform all of the Olympic lifts (snatches, cleans, and jerks), all of the power lifts (back squat, bench press, deadlift), and any type of accessory work. If you're into Olympic lifting or powerlifting, check out our guides to the best Olympic barbells and thebest powerlifting barbells as well.As CrossFit continues to soar in popularity, everyone and their brother wants to sell you a CrossFit bar. To be frank, there are a lot of low quality CrossFit bars out there now. That’s why I decided to compare the best of the best CrossFit barbells all in one place. Keep reading for my top picks for the best CrossFit barbells.RELATED: Looking to build the ultimate CrossFit home gym? Check out our guide to the best CrossFit equipment for a home gym for more details!

After wearing and testing nearly every current shoe designed for general training and CrossFit type workouts, my team and I determined that the best CrossFit shoes for 2021 are the Reebok Nano X1, with the Nike Metcon 6 close behind. Although this is a fierce debate and our runner-up could easily hold the top spot depending on preferences, we had to go with one.There are so many factors to take into consideration when looking at shoes, like durability, cushioning, if they are breathable, if they fit your foot. Honestly, it’s pretty subjective because what works for a wide foot won’t be great for a narrow foot. I had several people try out all kinds of shoes to bring you the best picks for what you should put on your feet.Why You Should Trust UsFirst of all, it’s me, Coop, who lives, eats and breathes fitness equipment (I don’t actually eat the equipment … all the time). I started training for CrossFit nearly a decade ago and have competed multiple times. I also had several other people on my team–including a CrossFit L1 trainer and CrossFit box owner Kate Meier, who happens to be on our expert panel here at Garage Gym Reviews–test the shoes you’ll find here (along with many, many others).We actually put these shoes on (along with our CrossFit-friendly gymnastics grips) and wore them for all kinds of metcons, lifting sessions, runs and jumps. The shoes go through an eight-point testing methodology where we evaluate everything from construction and performance to delivery and other user reviews. That’s how we rank and score each pair you’ll find on this page.

Build your own fitness space for around $2,000 with the best budget home gym equipment on Amazon.

CrossFit requires constantly varied movements performed at a high-intensity. Therefore, a home gym designed for CrossFit will require varied pieces of home gym equipment made of high-quality (due to the intensity and work required.) These are the pieces of equipment and our suggestions for each to build the ultimate CrossFit home gym.

We have researched 25 grips and personally tested around a dozen to bring you the best gymnastics grips for CrossFit.

After researching 18 air bikes, using 11 of them, and legitimately testing 8 of them, we've determined that the Rogue Echo Bikehas dethroned the previous victor, the Schwinn Airdyne Pro as the best air bike for most people. Factoring in price, warranty, performance, durability, and ease of use, the Rogue Echo Bike offers the best performance and least amount of maintenance among all its competitors including the ever-popular Assault Bike.

After researching more than 65 rowing machines, using 13 of them, and legitimately testing five of them, I’ve pulled together a list of the best rowing machines on the market today. I took into account durability, performance, warranty, price and availability when assessing each item.Although the Concept 2 Model D Rower came out on top, there are still some great picks here depending on what you’re looking for. Read on to learn more about each one, find out exactly how I tested these, and also what to look for when buying a rower.

After researching 14 Safety Squat Bars and testing 7 of them during training sessions featuring squats (regular, box, and front,) good mornings, lunges, JM Presses, and more, we think that the Titan Safety Squat Bar V2 is the best Safety Squat Bar for most people. Our previous pick was the EliteFTS SS Yoke Bar; although we still love the SS Yoke, version two of the Titan SSB is almost identical at a much lower price, especially when shipping is considered. It features heavy-duty steel, removable handles, thick padding, and chrome plating. There isn't a warranty which is unfortunate, but we doubt you'll ever need to use it.

A barbell is the most versatile tool in any commercial or home gym. Check out our top picks to find the right one for you.