The Best Compact Home Gyms to Workout in a Small Space

In the market for a home gym, but tight on space? Our guide to the best compact home gyms of 2024 will help you find the perfect setup.

Author:
Matthew Dustin, fitness coach
Updated:
Jan 11, 2024

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A home gym is a fantastic investment for anyone serious about their health and fitness. After all, nothing beats the convenience of being able to enjoy a workout without stepping foot outside your door.

Whether you’re focused on strength training, yoga, cardio or anything in between, a home gym is the perfect way to stay in shape all year long, and you’ll finally be able to cancel your gym membership.

There’s just one problem. Not everyone has a spare room, basement or garage to build a dedicated home gym. If you’re living in a small space, you likely don’t have room for large pieces of equipment.

So, if space is a concern and you want to get a great home workout, without filling your living room with exercise equipment, we’ve got you covered. Our guide to the best compact home gyms will help you choose the perfect equipment, regardless of how much free space you have to set up a gym.

Our Picks for the Best Compact Home Gym in 2024:

Best Compact Home Gym with Accessories: NordicTrack Vault
Best Compact Home Gym with Pulleys: Tonal
Best Compact Home Gym for Cardio: Proform City
Best Portable Compact Home Gym: TRX Home2 System
Best Compact Squat Rack for Home Gyms: Rep Fitness Wall Mount Rack
Best Versatile Compact Home Gym: Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
Best Compact Home Gym Dumbells: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Best Compact Home Gym with Accessories: NordicTrack Vault

Key Features:

Large touchscreen display that opens to reveal a hidden storage compartment
With iFit, you’ll have an endless options of classes to follow
Compact, space-saving design

If you like the idea of using a home workout gym, but prefer to use equipment instead of your bodyweight, the NordicTrack Vault is a great choice. It comes fully loaded with dumbbells, kettlebells and resistance bands as well as equipment for yoga, pilates and strength training accessories providing a total gym experience.

The Vault includes built-in storage behind the touchscreen display, allowing you to easily hide all of your accessories between uses. The Vault is perfect for small spaces, with dimensions of 14 inches x 24.25 inches x 72.65 inches.

Check out our Vault review for more information on this NordicTrack home gym.

The Complete Vault costs $999, and comes fully stocked with accessories. However, you can also purchase the Vault without accessories for $699 and stock it with your personal favorite workout equipment.

This Vault is designed to work with iFit, NordicTrack’s virtual training system with thousands of on-demand classes, with more added daily. The membership has three pricing options: a Yearly Family Plan for $396/year, a Monthly Family Plan for $39/month and a Yearly Individual Plan for $180/year.

Pros:

Large, gorgeous touch-screen display
The Vault opens to store all of your accessories when not in use
iFit has an ever-growing workout library, with all sorts of workouts to choose from

Cons:

The standard package doesn’t include any accessories
You’ll need an active iFit subscription to take advantage of the virtual classes

Best Compact Home Gym with Pulleys: Tonal

Key Features:

Designed to be an all-in-one training system built around a pulley system for smooth resistance
Provides up to 200 pounds of resistance, with no additional weights needed
One-Year Warranty

If you’re looking for an all-in-one home gym featuring cable resistance with a pulley system, check out Tonal. It’s one of our favorite smart home gyms because you don’t have to worry about using a spotter or dropping weight on yourself when using cable training. Tonal provides a safe, low-impact workout that feels like using the cable machine at your local gym all from the convenience of your own home.

A large display allows you to follow along with on-demand trainer-led workouts. However, rather than using your bodyweight, you’ll be training with Tonal’s adjustable cable arms, which provide up to 200 pounds of total resistance.

Built-in AI sensors track your performance in real-time and correct your form, and you can easily adjust the resistance on the fly to provide an adequate challenge. The Tonal trainers provide a variety of exercises to choose from, allowing you to enjoy versatility and the ability to try new types of workouts whenever you feel bored.

While Tonal is wall-mounted to save space, you do still need a large wall area, and room around it to move the arms. Tonal recommends a seven feet by seven feet floor space, seven feet of unobstructed wall space and a ceiling height of at least seven feet 10 inches for proper use.

Pros:

A large library of workouts led by Tonal trainers
Adjustable cable arms
Built-in form correction and workout instruction as you workout

Cons:

It needs to be professionally installed and mounted to a sturdy wall, which could be a challenge in small spaces
The classes require a $59.95/month subscription

Best Compact Home Gym for Cardio: Proform City

Key Features:

Small, foldable treadmill designed specifically for small spaces
Budget-friendly
10-year frame warranty, one-year parts and labor warranty

If you’re looking to get in some cardio, but don’t have space for a massive treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike, the Proform City treadmill is the perfect choice. Folding treadmills are designed for home use and easy storage after you’re done.

Designed with space-saving living in mind, the treadmill has a small, easily foldable size with built-in wheels, perfect for rolling under a bed or couch between uses. The motor allows you to reach speeds of up to eight miles per hour, but there’s no incline setting which is the trade-off of choosing a smaller design.

However, if you don’t need to use the incline setting, this is the best way to save space while still having an easy way to get in more daily steps without leaving your house.

Related Post: The Best Compact Cardio Equipment

Pros:

Light treadmill that easily folds
Budget-friendly for most
Designed for city-living, which usually means smaller apartments

Cons:

The motor isn’t very strong and there’s no incline setting
Taller individuals, or those with longer legs, may find the treadmill a little bit small

Best Portable Compact Home Gym: TRX Home2 System

A woman using the TRX straps to perform a single leg squat — TRX

Key Features:

Easy to use suspension trainer that allows you to get a full-body workout in with no other equipment
Can be easily folded up and stored in a small space between uses
Two-year warranty

If you like to train with your bodyweight and need to save as much space as possible, the TRX HOME2 System may be the most compact option on our list. You can work on your strength, cardio and mobility all in this portable home gym.

The TRX HOME2 System allows you to perform a near-endless variety of movements, using only your bodyweight. Whether you’re looking to build muscle, improve your balance or get more explosive for sports, you’ll be able to tackle your fitness goals from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or new to working out, we like that this equipment is adaptable for all fitness levels. You can adjust your resistance levels by changing the angle of your body.

When you’re not using the TRX, you can easily pack it up in its small travel bag and stash it in a drawer or closet to save space. We also love that it’s portable enough to bring with you on a trip, if you want to work out while you’re away from home.

Note that you will need a sturdy anchor point to mount the TRX, and the HOME2 System does include a door-mounting kit.

Pros:

High-quality suspension that unlocks hundreds of bodyweight exercises
The kit provides door anchor so you can set it up in any doorway
Very small and easy to put away between uses

Cons:

You need to make sure your door frame is sturdy enough to support your entire body weight

Best Compact Squat Rack for Home Gyms: Rep Fitness Wall Mount Rack

Key Features:

Sturdy, heavy-duty squat rack that can fold up against the wall to save space
Allows you to safely rack up to 1,000 pounds on the bar

If you’re a weightlifter, you know that having a squat rack is an excellent tool for your training arsenal. You’ll be able to load up barbells to safely perform a squat, overhead press or any other exercise that starts with the barbell off the ground.

However, power racks can be quite large, which is why the REP Fitness Wall Mount Rack is a game-changer. If you have a basement or garage with wall space, this foldable wall rack allows you to easily set up a secure, stable squat rack that easily folds back up to the wall when not in use.

There are two depth options, and when folded up, only extend six inches or 24 inches of space from the wall. You’ll be able to safely load a barbell with up to 1,000 pounds, more than most people will ever need.

This compact squat rack is likely too big for a small room, but the ability to fold it into a wall makes it the perfect choice for your garage or basement gym.

Pros:

The smaller model only extends six inches from the wall when not in use
Heavy enough to handle any load without damage

Cons:

Too big for a small apartment or workout area, but it will save space in a garage or basement gym

Best Versatile Compact Home Gym: Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE

Key Features:

Cable resistance for a smooth, low-impact workout
You can perform over 70 exercises with a single machine

If you’re looking for a piece of gym equipment that let’s you target your upper body then seamless transition to a leg workout, you’ll want to check out the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE. It’s our top pick for the best versatile compact home gym.

This home gym machine features Bowflex’s no-change pulley system, allowing you to easily change between exercises without having to adjust the cables. You can perform up to 70 different exercises targeting different muscle groups, like a chest press, lat pulldown, leg extension and dozens more.

The default gym provides up to 210 pounds of resistance and if you purchase the expansion weights, the gym can be upgraded to 310 pounds of resistance. If you want even more from your workout, you can select additional upgrades like a preacher curl, tricep rope, lumbar pad or power rod.

Now, it’s not the smallest piece of equipment, with workout dimensions of 96 inches x 78 inches, but if you have a dedicated workout area, this single piece of equipment will allow you to train your whole body. You won’t have to take up space with multiple machines.

Pros:

Full-body workout with one machine
Up to 210 pounds of resistance included

Cons:

It’s not the smallest home gym, but it does replace the need for multiple machines

Best Compact Home Gym Dumbells: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Key Features:

2.5 pound weight increment adjustments
Five to 52.5 pound weight range
Built to last, and a good price for dumbbells

When it comes to saving space, adjustable dumbbells are a no-brainer and the Bowflex SelectTech 552 are some of the best on the market for home fitness. Training with free weights is a great way to build strength, balance and muscle, but traditional dumbbells can take up quite a bit of space.

With these adjustable dumbbells, you’ll be able to choose a weight between five to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell, with 2.5 pound increment adjustments. Whether you’re trying to build major muscles or just toning, with this system you can find the right weights to target your triceps, crush deadlifts or knock out whatever workout is in your fitness routine.

The grip is designed to be a comfortable, soft rubber texture, avoiding the rough metal knurling many other dumbbells use.

Dumbbells are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can choose, and the Bowflex SelectTech 552s are easy to use, space-saving and our top choice for a set of home dumbbells.

Pros:

Eliminates the need to buy multiple pairs of dumbbells
Compact design saves space
2.5 pound increment adjustments are a nice feature, as other brands often use five pound increments

Cons:

The maximum weight of 52.5 pounds per dumbbell may be too light for advanced lifters.

Bonus Recommendation: Future

Get 50% off your first month

If you’re looking for personalized help from an expert, we highly recommend checking out Future.

Future connects you with a real-life personal trainer perfectly suited to your fitness goals, available equipment and training preferences. Future trainers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and you’ll be matched with the perfect trainer for your individual needs. If you’re ever unhappy, you can switch trainers at any time.

You’ll tell your trainer what equipment you have access to, and they’ll build you a customized workout making it perfect for space-saving workouts or training in small spaces.

We think Future is a great option for workout beginners because your Future trainer will create a custom training plan and hold you accountable every step of the way. To learn more, check out our in-depth Future review.

How to choose the best compact home gym for you

When choosing a home gym, the most important factor is going to be how much space you have available.

For some, a small home gym may mean a dedicated room in your house, perhaps a spare bedroom or home office. For others, you may only have a little bit of floor space in your living room, and need something that can be folded up and put away between uses.

Once you’ve figured out how much room you have, think about your training goals. If you’re primarily a weight lifter, you likely don’t need to buy a piece of cardio equipment and runners won’t want to use their limited home space on a large weightlifting gym.

Figure out how much room you have first, and then choose the equipment for your individual goals. There’s no single piece of equipment that’s perfect for every space and goal.

How we chose the best compact home gyms

When we assembled our list, we made sure to include equipment that fits any budget, training goal and available space.

Some may have room to mount something like a Tonal, while others need to use something like the TRX System, which can be stored between uses. We made sure to include something for everyone on this list, regardless of your fitness goals or home gym size.

FAQs

How can I hide my home gym equipment?

If you’re living in a small space, you’ll need to get creative with your fitness equipment when not in use.

Some equipment is very easy to move, like the TRX Home2 System , and can be stored in a closet, under a bed or behind a piece of furniture when not in use. This is the easiest option and best for those who want to hide their equipment after your workout.

For bigger equipment, you likely won’t be able to hide it completely, but you can always put decorative furniture in front of it, or put it in a spare bedroom (if you have one).

What is the first home gym I should buy for a small space?

Without knowing your training goals, it’s hard to make a perfect recommendation.

Those looking for a cardio workout at home will likely want to choose the Proform City treadmill, which is lightweight and compact. Most elliptical machines and stationary bikes will be significantly bigger and can’t be stored between uses. (You can find our writeup on the best compact elliptical machines here).

If you’re training for strength, bodybuilding or any type of muscle building, you have more options, so choose something that fits both your space and budget.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right home gym for a small space can feel daunting, but we hope this guide helps you.

Whether you need something that stores under the bed between uses, or you’re simply trying to set up a garage workout area while still leaving room for your car, you’ll find the perfect compact home gym in this buyer’s guide.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.