Workout classes at a gym or exercise studio are great because they offer social interaction and accountability to actually show up (maybe because you paid $$ for the class!), but they’re far from the only way to get a workout in. Exercising at home can be better for people who live far from a gym, work a tight schedule, have caretaking or childcare constraints, don’t want to pay to exercise, or just want the privacy of sweating without strangers’ eyes on them. Plus, if you get a 15-minute break in your day, that may not be enough time to go to the gym, but it’s enough to make a difference if you can pop over to your home gym area and crank out some reps.
And yet — countless people have a treadmill or elliptical machine in their bedroom that gets more time as a clothes hanger than an exercise apparatus. Perhaps it gathers dust because you spend your evenings in the living room, where the machine is out of sight. But maybe moving it to the living room doesn’t really fit the feng shui of the space. What you need is a setup that’s small, convenient, and practical. Our fitness director Justin Kompf, Ph.D. has curated just the thing:
Dumbbells: Strength training is all the rage right now because muscle mass naturally diminishes over time, so unless you’re actively building muscle, you’re losing it as you age. That means your body fat percentage will increase over time if you don't do anything to replace the lean muscle you lose.
Study after study shows that strength training can help you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones, lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Stock your home gym with a couple of pairs of Rogue Fitness Dumbbells in varying weights. We like that the lighter (10 pounds and under) weights from Rogue have a smaller-diameter handle, making them easier for women’s hands to grip. If you’re new to lifting weights, Kompf recommends starting with a pair of 2.5- and 5-pound dumbbells; if you’re already on your strength journey, opt for 8 and 10 pounds; if you’re ready to level up, go with 10 and 15 pounds.
Yoga Mat: Even if you don’t do yoga, a mat is great for warming up, stretching, and for cushioning your body as you do certain bodyweight moves (these count as strength training because you’re using your own bodyweight), like core work on your back or push-ups on your knees. The IUGA Eco-Friendly Non-Slip TPE Yoga Mat is on the slimmer side, making it easy to roll up and tote to a yoga or pilates class — but it still has enough padding to cushion your knees, even on a tile floor. Both sides are coated in stay-put material so you won’t slip or slide even if you’re sweaty.
Workout bench: A workout bench can be a commitment, especially with space (Though it can pull double duty in a way a bike can’t. You can’t ask a guest to come in and have a seat on the saddle.) If you can manage it, though, benches are a great way to get more range of motion in your dumbbell exercises, says Kompf. He likes the sturdy, durable Rogue Flat Utility Bench 2.0 because it’s wider than some competitors’, making it more supportive for bodies of all sizes.
Walking pad: Walking is easy on joints, and studies show it can perk up your mood, aid your sleep, lower risk of heart disease, and help with weight loss. If you’re just getting started on your fitness journey or recovering from an injury, walking is especially great. And we’re not expecting you to invest in a pricey treadmill: A walking pad is like a much lighter, smaller, and less expensive version. The Lacuffy Walking Pad is compact enough to slide under your desk for a walking workday, or you can roll it out in front of your TV to clock miles while you watch your shows. Kompf likes that the Lacuffy has a higher weight limit, accommodating up to 300 lbs, meaning it’s also built for wherever you are in your journey.
Check out the other can’t-live-without winners of the 2025 WeightWatchers Awards
WW Awards reflect WW’s own nutrition, food preparation, and movement criteria and are intended to recognize products that align with WW’s approach to weight management. These awards do not constitute approval, endorsement, or certification by the FDA, or any other government agency or brand.