Equipment Reviews

Q: What equipment do I need for a home gym?

Start with adjustable dumbbells and a pull-up bar. Add a weight bench, then a barbell and plates. A power rack is the ultimate upgrade. Budget around £500-£1000 for a starter setup.

Q: Are the reviews independent?

Yes. Some links are affiliate links earning a small commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn't influence our ratings — we recommend what we'd genuinely use ourselves.

Honest, no-nonsense reviews to help you find the right gear for your training.

Quick answer

Start with the gear that removes friction from your training: shoes that fit, a simple gym bag, bands for warm-ups, and only then specialist kit like belts, straps, racks, or watches.

Prioritise fit and use case over hype
Add affiliate picks by activity
Track mileage and replacement timing in PT Tracker

gear guides and reviews

Activity

filters for sport-specific buying intent

Offers

ready for tracked affiliate URLs

Honest

disclosures on commercial pages

Affiliate disclosure: some links on these pages are affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Lifting Home Gym Running CrossFit Rucking Recovery Boxing

More (6)

Cycling Swimming Yoga Climbing Rugby Football

8 reviews in Home Gym

★★★★★ £100-£400

Adjustable Dumbbells Buyer's Guide: Replace an Entire Rack With One Pair

Find the best adjustable dumbbells for your home gym. We compare Bowflex, PowerBlock, and budget UK options from £100 to £400.

Best for: Home gym strength training — the single most versatile piece of equipment

Essential

★★★★★ £80-£400

Barbell Buyer's Guide: The Most Important Bar in Your Home Gym

Find the best barbell for squats, deadlifts, and bench press. Olympic bars compared from budget to premium — £80 to £400.

Best for: Squats, deadlifts, bench, rows — every major lift

Essential

★★★★☆ £10-£40

Exercise Mat Buyer's Guide: Protect Your Joints and Your Floors

Find the best exercise mat for home workouts, yoga, and stretching. Thickness, grip, and material compared — from £10 to £40.

Best for: Floor work, stretching, yoga, and core exercises

Essential

★★★★★ £20-£80 (per bell)

Kettlebell Buyer's Guide: One Bell, Hundreds of Exercises

Find the best kettlebell for swings, squats, and conditioning. Cast iron and competition bells compared — from £20 to £80.

Best for: Swings, goblet squats, Turkish get-ups, and conditioning

Essential

★★★★★ £200-£800

Power Rack Buyer's Guide: Train Heavy at Home Without a Spotter

Find the best power rack for your home gym. Full racks, half racks, and squat stands compared — from £200 to £800.

Best for: Squats, bench press, and heavy barbell work at home

★★★★★ £15-£60

Pull-Up Bar Buyer's Guide: The Best Bodyweight Back Exercise for £15

Find the best pull-up bar for your home. Doorframe, wall-mounted, and multi-grip options compared — from £15 to £60.

Best for: Pull-ups, chin-ups, hanging, and core work

Essential

★★★★★ £80-£300

Weight Bench Buyer's Guide: The Foundation of Every Home Gym

Find the best weight bench for your home gym. Flat, adjustable, and folding benches compared — from £80 to £300.

Best for: Bench press, incline work, seated exercises

Essential

★★★★★ £1-£3 per kg

Weight Plates Buyer's Guide: Bumper vs Cast Iron for Your Home Gym

Find the best weight plates for your barbell. Bumper plates vs cast iron, pricing per kg, and where to buy — £1 to £3 per kg.

Best for: Loading barbells and machines

Essential

Frequently Asked Questions

What gym equipment do I actually need?

For a commercial gym, just bring a water bottle and a towel. Optional but useful: lifting straps, chalk, resistance bands (for warm-ups), and a gym bag. A belt and lifting shoes are worth investing in once you're squatting and deadlifting heavier weights.

What equipment do I need for a home gym?

Start with adjustable dumbbells and a pull-up bar — these two items unlock hundreds of exercises. Add a weight bench next, then a barbell and plates. A power rack is the ultimate upgrade for safe heavy lifting at home. Budget around £500-£1000 for a solid starter setup.

Are the reviews independent?

Yes. Some links on our review pages are affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn't influence our ratings or recommendations — we recommend what we'd genuinely use ourselves.

Ready to transform your training?

Track workouts, nutrition, and progress in one place. Start for free, then upgrade when the premium tools make sense for you.

Get Started Free Explore Features