Best Compact Exercise Equipment For Your Home Gym

Exercise equipment has a long and colorful history. Stretching back to the 18th century, the first mechanical exercise bike was designed as a rehabilitative medical device. Yet it has only been in the last 40 years that at-home, electronic equipment took off in popularity.

Space Savers: What's the Most Compact Exercise Equipment?

As house and office sizes have gotten smaller, it has become even more important for exercise equipment to get the memo. For most buyers, it's too inconvenient to own a whole array of cardio, muscle, and strength-enhancing equipment. In recent years, compact exercise equipment has virtually become its own category in the market.

Compact exercise equipment simulates the performance of full-sized devices you can find at the local gym. Now, there's no shortage of foldable bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals; even pull-up bars and suspension trainers have been minified.

Compact equipment is built to be used under desks or slipped under furniture after the workout. In contrast with bulkier devices, compact equipment is less likely to damage sensitive flooring. Not only are these devices easier to move, they are often significantly less expensive than their full-size counterparts.

How To Choose Your Compact Exercise Equipment?

Before you opt for just any machine, you'll want to consider your space-saving requirements. Some devices are designed for use under the desk, while others can fold after a workout and slide under furniture. Think about what space you'll want to use the machine in.

For a high intensity workout, we recommend foldable treadmills and vertical climbers. Most folding treadmills can reach speeds up to 10 mph with adjustable levels of incline, allowing them to rival the performance of full-sized treadmills. Vertical climbers provide a full body workout that better enhances muscle tone.

For a more passive workout, we suggest under-the-desk compact striders, mini-steppers, and balance boards. These devices can all be used while you primarily focus on work while still providing a low-impact, non-intensive exercise.

What Are the Trusted Brands?

Thankfully, there's no shortage of budget-friendly, effective compact exercise equipment out there. Most major exercise equipment brands have released specialized lines of small, slim, or foldable machines.

Among the most trusted brands are Stamina, Sunny Health, Marcy, and ExerPeutic, which all feature unique lines of cardio-focused compact equipment.

Founded in the late eighties, Stamina Health has been on the forefront of compact equipment for decades. Stamina machines are designed to build endurance, flexibility, strength, and muscle tone through low-impact movement. The brand was one of the first to market in-stride markets as a serious exercise tool.

By contrast, Sunny Health & Fitness provides less expensive exercise equipment for the average consumer. Their line of durable, low-maintenance mini-ellipticals and bikes extremely popular amongst dedicated buyers. Most Sunny equipment comes with a lifetime warranty that covers hardware failures.

ExerPeutic features a whole line of exercise equipment meant for the office. From adjustable desk bikes to foldable recumbent bikes, ExerPeutic machines are valued for their sturdy material construction. Most ExerPeutic foldable bikes are heavier weight than competitor products, allowing them to accommodate users up to 300 pounds.

The Most Popular Compact Equipment

Below, we have compiled a list of the most popular varieties of compact exercise equipment. Each type has been selected for its distinct cardio-enhancing and muscle-toning benefits.

Best Folding Treadmills

Folding treadmills are very convenient for small studio apartments. With a pivoting foldable deck, these lightweight machines are designed to slip under a couch or bed directly after use. Alternatively, they can be slid upright into pantries or up against the wall.

The most popular brands include Torpedo, NordicTrack, and ProForm, which each feature over a dozen varieties of foldable treadmills. Many new runners opt for the XTERRA machine since it doesn't come with the high price tag of the major brands yet still boasts powerful operation.

Users should be aware that folding treadmills often have a sleeker, less tech-heavy control panel. Though they can reach speeds that match standard treadmills, it's unlikely for most of these products to come with advanced incline settings or dozens of preset workout programs.

Best Mini Ellipticals

For the average person, ellipticals are a luxury best reserved for the gym; after all, most are too bulky to be kept in the house. To accommodate consumer need, many manufacturers have started releasing portable mini-ellipticals.

Weighing no more than 30 pounds, these slimmer devices function just like the machines you spot at the gym, yet are much more well-suited for apartments. Most either come with optional, rope-pulled handlebars or no handlebars at all, making them perfect for use under desks.

Currently, the leading mini-elliptical product is the Cubii Jr. Buyers appreciate the machine's smooth, gliding motion, eight levels of resistance, and ultra-low impact on joints. The built-in, unobtrusive monitor keeps you updated on calories burnt, rotations per minute, and distance trekked.

So, are they just as effective as standard ellipticals? The answer: it depends. Some argue the convenience makes it much more likely you'll be active throughout the day, while others state it's harder to achieve the full range of motion.

Best Vertical Climbers

Vertical climbers are the perfect device for those that want to be tired, out-of-breath, and sore after just 30 minutes. Built to provide significant muscle and cardio toning, vertical climbers realistically simulate rock climbing (without requiring any death-defying walls).

On average, a one-hour workout will burn 500 calories and tone the arms, glutes, core, and legs. Unlike traditional devices, vertical climbers provide a low-impact workout that doesn't put unnecessary strain on the knees.

Better yet, most vertical climbers are designed to be space-saving. The CityBirds climber boasts an 80 percent size reduction when folded, making it easy to slide under furniture or up against the wall.

Alternatively, popular brands like the Miageek and ReLife-Rebuild market climbers with lifetime warranties, bright LCD screens, adjustable levels for those of different heights.

Best Folding Exercise Bikes

Folding exercise bikes are constructed from a solid, X-frame design that folds tightly when you're done with your workout. These bikes are meant to be lightweight, which keeps them easy to move and reduces the chance of floor damage.

Compared with other minified equipment, folding bikes provide a consistently good, low impact cardio workout. No matter your fitness level, virtually ever rider is comfortable with a stationary bike; they are excellent for those looking to slowly build up muscle around the sensitive knee joints.

The Xterra fitness bike folds down to just 20.5" by 20" when not in use. Users appreciate the padded lower back support, spacious seating, and easily readable LCD screen.

Potential buyers should be aware that most foldable bikes lack truly realistic pedal action: it's difficult for these devices to achieve the same smooth, gliding motion of upright bikes. Brands like the ExerPeutic and FitDesk have tried to improve pedal tracking in their most recent folding and desk bike designs.

Best Vibration Machines

Using the power of whole-body vibration, vibration machines force the body's muscles to contract and relax continuously for a movement-free workout. After standing on the machine for mere minutes, users report fatigue and post-exercise muscle soreness. In a single second, one muscle group can deeply contract and relax over a dozen times.

Though these machines come in a huge variety of sizes, the LifePro brand markets some of the most popular compact designs. The LifePro Waver comes with a spectrum of speed settings, allowing users to gradually maximize their workout every session on the slim, deck-free board.

Other top brands include VT, Confidence Fitness, Hurtle, and Pinty Fitness. Machines may differ based on the frequency and type of vibration they produce, including: oscillation, lateral workout, and pulsation. Pricier systems often come with multiple unique vibration settings.

Best Balance Boards

Though most think they are a novelty item, balance-training boards come with their fair share of perks. Not only do they help strengthen muscles, balance boards boost coordination, promote good posture, prevent injury, and can even reduce back pain over time.

Balance boards come in a wide variety. While some include a flat board with external rolling sticks, others are just a slightly off-kilter board with a built-in round point under the deck. The EveryMile, Yes4All, and Simply Fit boards are some of the most popular, owing to their low price point and compact design.

In particular, users highly rate the EveryMile Wobble board, which features an anti-skid platform, 360 degree rotation, in-line handles, and a light weight.

Balance boards can be used for meditation, standing desks, push-ups, and to aid other body weight exercises.

Best Mini Steppers

A mini stepper is a compact, low-impact resistance machine that simulates walking on soft terrain completely in-place. Small enough to slide under a standing desk, mini steppers became popular as an alternative to the more expensive desk treadmills and bulky stepping machines.

Unlike full-size stepping devices, mini steppers don't feature any upper-deck or central console. Typically, these devices are hands-free and primarily help to provide leg muscle tone and cardio training.

For a more intensive workout, some buyers suggest the Sunny Health mini-stepper. It features removable resistance bands that help to tighten over 20 different core muscles while still achieving a low-impact aerobic workout.

Popular alternatives include the Beouzo, L-Now, and Stamina stepper. Those with mobility issues may find it difficult to balance properly on the stepper and should consider ones with detachable handle bars.

Best Pedal Exercisers

Also known as a floor exercise bike, a pedal exerciser is essentially a mini-bike that's meant to engage the lower body in an aerobic workout. The pedal device helps to simulate the smooth motion of a standard bicycle yet lack the upright handlebars of a full-sized machine.

Most invest in pedal exercisers to slide under their work desk since these machines can provide light activity throughout the day without much strain. The most popular brands include MagneTrainer, DeskCycle, and Vive.

While the MagneTrainer-ER may be best for low-tech users, many have turned to the Vive Pedal bike. The small, slim pedaler connects to the Vibe Fit smartphone app, which carries statistics concerning your heart rate, calories burnt, and distance traversed.

Best Air Walk Trainers

Air walk trainers are wallet-friendly, low-impact devices that are remarkably similar to elliptical machines. These machines use your body weight to enhance bone strength, build full-body muscle tone, and elevate your heart rate.

Both air walk trainers and ellipticals simultaneously work out the upper and the lower body; however, air walk trainers are much slimmer for better space saving. Typically, these machines have a slightly shorter stride length than full-size ellipticals.

The most popular air walk machine is, by far, the Sunny Health SF-E902. When not in use, the machine folds up more than half its length. Users appreciate the bright LCD monitor, broad footpads, and upright handlebars.

Air walk trainers are great for those with mobility impairments and poor balance. Users can customize their workout intensity to their skill level and comfort. Just 20 minutes of sustained activity can help users low or control their weight.

Best Compact Striders

The compact strider is a lean, lightweight in-motion device that allows users to pedal at home or in the office. With an average size of just 24" by 18", these machines are extremely versatile for any size apartment. Moreover, their light design means they won't ding sensitive wood floors.

Unlike other in-place pedal devices, compact striders simulate a full range of up and downward motion for the feet. Even when it's used sitting down, the wide-ranging motion helps to tone the calves, thighs, and glutes.

Sunny Health, Stamina InMotion, and Cubii all provide the most popular compact strider devices on the the market.

In particular, the Stamina InMotion strider is recommended for gamers and office workers. Users appreciate the smooth foot action and low attention required for striding on the machine.

Users should be aware that it's not possible to achieve a complete workout on a compact strider. It's most ideal for promoting passive exercise during rest periods or work.