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There are countless benefits to owning a home gym, but having a full-fledged setup at your disposal won’t be as effective if you’re constantly on the go. After all, you can’t exactly tote your home gym essentials with you during travel without a freight truck and a ton of patience. The best portable home gyms can help you stay on top...
The post The 7 Best Portable Home Gyms of 2023 appeared first on BarBend.
There are countless benefits to owning a home gym, but having a full-fledged setup at your disposal won’t be as effective if you’re constantly on the go. After all, you can’t exactly tote your home gym essentials with you during travel without a freight truck and a ton of patience. The best portable home gyms can help you stay on top of your fitness goals wherever you roam, packing in loads of challenging, engaging workouts into their compact, totable silhouettes.
Many top-performing portable home gyms focus on resistance training, which can be ideal for building muscle and tackling cardio during exercise while still keeping setups compact and convenient. (1) As such, you need to think through a few things — namely, how the resistance is created and how much you can work against — when deciding on a worthwhile profile for your training regimen. To help you filter your results, we tested and researched dozens of popular profiles to land on our favorite portable home gyms available today.
The 7 Best Portable Home Gyms of 2023
How We Tested
The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. In testing our 12 available portable home gyms, we used a multi-point methodology and rated each piece of equipment on a scale of 1 to 5.
Naturally, we first looked at the overall size of the exercise equipment — could these examples of compact exercise equipment be easily toted around for on-the-go-training? We also reviewed how simple each setup was, how engaging the workouts felt, and how challenging the available resistance was during exercise.
Our testers also looked at how efficient these portable home gyms could be as an alternative to their traditional training regimen and workout equipment. While some may want to use these portable home gyms day in and day out, others could view them as worthwhile replacements for staying in shape when their normal home workout routines aren’t feasible — a typical dilemma for jet-setting individuals.
Best Portable Home Gym Overall: TRX Home2 System
TRX Home2 System
TRX Home2 System
The TRX Home2 System provides a set of straps that you can incorporate into both strength and cardio training. The TRX system is based around seven classic exercises — the pull-up, push-up, lunge, plank, squat, rotation, and hinge — all of which can be modified to create varied workouts.
Shop TRX
Specs
Pros
Cons
Many of the best inventions are built to serve a need. That’s the story for the TRX Home2 System, which was created by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick in 1997 as a means to get in a solid workout during deployment where gym equipment was few and far between. While the system has evolved from its rugged roots, we still think TRX is the best portable home gym thanks to its versatility, simple setup, and convenient storage.
The TRX Home2 System features a sturdy nylon webbing strap with a weight capacity capable of supporting up to 350 pounds across the soft foam handles that also double as adjustable foot anchors. Additionally, you get a door anchor that uses the physics of a closed door to support your frame during exercise, as well as a suspension anchor and carabiner allowing you to clip onto a nearby squat rack, tree, pole, or other sturdy structure.
Having previously owned a Home2 System and with regular access to a unit at my local gym, I enjoy how simple it is to get this portable home gym up and running. After getting your equipment out of its lightweight and convenient mesh carry bag, just wrap your base strap around your structure or tuck the door anchor near the hinges of a door frame and shut the door.
From there, you can easily lean into your starting position for a wide range of TRX exercises targeting full-body strength and conditioning like push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, and others. You are working solely against your bodyweight, though, so athletes needing extra resistance may want to opt for a portable home gym with resistance bands or cables.
I do recommend choosing your anchor point wisely, though, especially when using the door anchor. Speaking from personal experience, you can put a lot of stress across the framing when in an angled workout, which can lead to some scary creaks and potential damage to your abode.
Additionally, we like how TRX compliments the Home2 System with a convenient TRX Training Club app, which is free for a 30-day trial and available afterward for $7.99 or $19.99 monthly, depending on whether you want access to instructor-led live classes or not.
According to our tester, Billy Brown, this service can provide a thorough library of over 1,000 workouts targeting strength, mobility, and cardio. “I like the app because it helps beginners get a handle on what you can do with TRX,” he states in reference to the platform’s ideal demographic. Because of this introductory arrangement of workouts — and the fact that you have to pay for the service — he rates the app at a 3 out of 5, noting that more experienced TRX users may find the library underwhelming.
This beginner-friendly app may be more helpful than you originally perceive, though. According to some customers, the included instructions — which outline how to set up your TRX and how to align your body for certain exercises — can be difficult to follow. “I find the large poster is cumbersome and, sometimes, the two photos don’t explain the movement well,” says one customer review.
Read our full TRX Home2 System Review.
Best Smart Portable Home Gym: MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym
MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym
MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym
This compact cable machine packs in up to 300 pounds of resistance to a footprint that measures just 6.77 square feet. Plus, the MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym is Bluetooth compatible for easier data monitoring and logging throughout your fitness journey.
Shop MAXPRO
Specs
Pros
Cons
Despite their small profiles, portable home gyms can come equipped with plenty of tech-heavy features like Bluetooth connectivity, integrated fitness apps for workout instruction, and more. Of the bunch, we found the MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym to be the clear standout. Outside of its impressive Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to seamlessly track your workout metrics like reps and time, training history, and progress, this slim, portable cable machine can reach a max resistance of 300 pounds.
The MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym sits at a meager 1.11 square-foot footprint and listed weight of 9 pounds, earning a 5 out of 5 for portability. Despite these metrics, though, we were pleasantly surprised at the power this portable home gym brings to your travel-ready fitness setup. The resistance range was more than enough to provide challenging exercise wherever we wanted to get a sweat session in.
Toggling the resistance was also a breeze thanks to the convenient side dials with clear markings for finding that perfect level of intensity. “I like that there is such a wide range, which makes this an ideal machine for athletes at different strength levels,” says our tester.
In terms of workout variety, this machine has a ton. Aside from the full-body workouts listed in the companion app, the MAXPRO is capable of both single- and dual-arm exercise since the cables are independent from one another. The cables are also 9 feet long, which allows for overhead presses — other machines may feature shorter cables, thus limiting which exercises you can perform in a given regimen.
We did notice, though, that while the cable mechanisms are convenient and sturdy, they aren’t entirely fluid and smooth-operating at first. “The cables have a break-in period, and won’t operate smoothly out of the gate,” notes our one tester. “After a few workouts, though, I found that they started rolling like butter.”
Additionally, those wanting an extended time under tension may be displeased with the MAXPRO’s operating style. The cables don’t load eccentrically, meaning you’ll only feel the resistance during the concentric portion of your exercise — when the cables are pushed or pulled upward.
While there are benefits to both concentric and eccentric training on their own, studies indicate that eccentric loading can support maximal muscle strength and power. (2) It would be nice to have such an opportunity in this portable home gym, especially when you’re paying a premium that rivals some standalone cable machines.
[Related: Your Guide to Concentric Vs. Eccentric Training]
Best for Portable Home Gym for Strength Training: Jaquish Biomedical X3 Bar
Jaquish Biomedical X3 Bar
Jaquish Biomedical X3 Bar
With four included bands capable of up to 300 pounds of resistance, the X3 Bar can be a suitable alternative to traditional strength training with free weights. The package includes a well-knurled barbell for added grip, as well as a convenient ground plate for easier bracing during heavy pulls.
Shop Jaquish Biomedical
Specs
Pros
Cons
Looking to boost your strength yet don’t have the available space for a roster of free weights, benches, and other training gear? Consider the X3 Bar from Jaquish Biomedical. Instead of training your muscles with weight plates and dumbbells, this portable home gym uses thick latex bands to tax your physique in training.
We’ve personally tested the X3 Bar and found the exercises to closely mimic our typical workouts with barbells and other free weights. “I really enjoy the feel of the bar included in this portable home gym,” says our tester. “It has great knurling, and I appreciate the bearings that make for smooth rotations during each lift.”
Plus, the included ground plate — essentially a platform for upward pulls — takes up just 1.32 square feet of flooring, which is much more compact than, say, a standalone power rack. Additionally, the X3 Bar’s total weight of 17 pounds makes it light enough for easy carrying yet dense and durable enough for hard-nosed training.
We like this portable home gym for strength training because of its reliance on bands over other resistance methods. Banded workouts have shown to provide similar strength gains when compared to training with conventional equipment. (3) Add in the fact that the four included bands feature 15 layers of latex, a 30 percent increase over other latex bands, according to the brand, and you’re set with a profile that’s capable of challenging your muscles with each grueling session.
Additionally, swapping one band for the next is also simple thanks to the hooked silhouette of the bar, as well as the channeled underside of the included ground plate. Because of these quick adjustments, along with the range of exercises you can perform with the bar setup, we give this portable home gym a 4.5 out of 5 for versatility.
Our testers also appreciated this included plate accessory, as it made it easier to brace the bands at the bottom of a lift. Other banded workouts call for you to step directly into the band, which can lead to imbalances in your stance (and the occasional upward snap if you’re not careful).
The only thing missing from this setup, outside of a convenient carrying case (sold separately) is a clear indication of how strong the bands are. There aren’t any stamped measurements across the bands, so you’re relying on feel when determining how much intensity you want to work against in training. We had no issues with creating a challenging workout, and the bands are identifiable given their differing thicknesses, but it would be nice to have a numeral tied to the resistance for a clearer, more defined training setup.
It’s also worth noting that the ground plate, while effective, is pretty compact at just 1.32 square feet. This could make it unusable for larger athletes or those that prefer a wider stance in training. Be sure to keep this in mind when considering this X3 Bar for your next on-the-go training session.
Best Compact Portable Home Gym: LIT Method AXIS Smart System
LIT Method LIT AXIS
LIT Method LIT AXIS
These resistance bands from LIT Method allow you to perform a wide variety of core movements. Plus, the corresponding app provides you with direction, motivation, and a path of progression.
Shop LIT Method
Specs
Pros
The post The 7 Best Portable Home Gyms of 2023 appeared first on BarBend.
There are countless benefits to owning a home gym, but having a full-fledged setup at your disposal won’t be as effective if you’re constantly on the go. After all, you can’t exactly tote your home gym essentials with you during travel without a freight truck and a ton of patience. The best portable home gyms can help you stay on top of your fitness goals wherever you roam, packing in loads of challenging, engaging workouts into their compact, totable silhouettes.
Many top-performing portable home gyms focus on resistance training, which can be ideal for building muscle and tackling cardio during exercise while still keeping setups compact and convenient. (1) As such, you need to think through a few things — namely, how the resistance is created and how much you can work against — when deciding on a worthwhile profile for your training regimen. To help you filter your results, we tested and researched dozens of popular profiles to land on our favorite portable home gyms available today.
The 7 Best Portable Home Gyms of 2023
- Best Portable Home Gym Overall: TRX Home2 System
- Best Smart Portable Home Gym: MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym
- Best for Portable Home Gym for Strength Training: Jaquish Biomedical X3 Bar
- Best Compact Portable Home Gym: LIT Method AXIS Smart System
- Best Lightweight Portable Home Gym: Gorilla Bow Travel
- Best Budget Portable Home Gym: Rogue Tube Bands
- Best All-in-One Portable Home Gym: BodyBoss Home Gym 2.0
How We Tested
The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. In testing our 12 available portable home gyms, we used a multi-point methodology and rated each piece of equipment on a scale of 1 to 5.
Naturally, we first looked at the overall size of the exercise equipment — could these examples of compact exercise equipment be easily toted around for on-the-go-training? We also reviewed how simple each setup was, how engaging the workouts felt, and how challenging the available resistance was during exercise.
Our testers also looked at how efficient these portable home gyms could be as an alternative to their traditional training regimen and workout equipment. While some may want to use these portable home gyms day in and day out, others could view them as worthwhile replacements for staying in shape when their normal home workout routines aren’t feasible — a typical dilemma for jet-setting individuals.
Best Portable Home Gym Overall: TRX Home2 System
TRX Home2 System
TRX Home2 System
The TRX Home2 System provides a set of straps that you can incorporate into both strength and cardio training. The TRX system is based around seven classic exercises — the pull-up, push-up, lunge, plank, squat, rotation, and hinge — all of which can be modified to create varied workouts.
Shop TRX
Specs
- Price: $229.95
- Footprint: N/A
- Workout Type: Bodyweight Resistance Training
- Available Resistance: Dependent on Your Bodyweight and Angle
- Accessories: Door Anchor, Suspension Anchor, Mesh Bag
Pros
- The durable nylon webbing straps can support athletes weighing up to 350 pounds.
- Setting up for exercise is as simple as finding a sturdy door frame or nearby pole.
- You can pair your workouts to the TRX Training Club app for access to TRX-certified trainers teaching live and on-demand classes.
Cons
- Finding a quality anchor for suspension training can be difficult at times.
- Some customers have said that the instructions aren’t clear, which can make it a challenge for novice athletes to confidently get into a workout.
- The suspension trainer’s carabiner doesn’t lock like other models, which limits security.
Many of the best inventions are built to serve a need. That’s the story for the TRX Home2 System, which was created by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick in 1997 as a means to get in a solid workout during deployment where gym equipment was few and far between. While the system has evolved from its rugged roots, we still think TRX is the best portable home gym thanks to its versatility, simple setup, and convenient storage.
The TRX Home2 System features a sturdy nylon webbing strap with a weight capacity capable of supporting up to 350 pounds across the soft foam handles that also double as adjustable foot anchors. Additionally, you get a door anchor that uses the physics of a closed door to support your frame during exercise, as well as a suspension anchor and carabiner allowing you to clip onto a nearby squat rack, tree, pole, or other sturdy structure.
Having previously owned a Home2 System and with regular access to a unit at my local gym, I enjoy how simple it is to get this portable home gym up and running. After getting your equipment out of its lightweight and convenient mesh carry bag, just wrap your base strap around your structure or tuck the door anchor near the hinges of a door frame and shut the door.
From there, you can easily lean into your starting position for a wide range of TRX exercises targeting full-body strength and conditioning like push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, and others. You are working solely against your bodyweight, though, so athletes needing extra resistance may want to opt for a portable home gym with resistance bands or cables.
I do recommend choosing your anchor point wisely, though, especially when using the door anchor. Speaking from personal experience, you can put a lot of stress across the framing when in an angled workout, which can lead to some scary creaks and potential damage to your abode.
Additionally, we like how TRX compliments the Home2 System with a convenient TRX Training Club app, which is free for a 30-day trial and available afterward for $7.99 or $19.99 monthly, depending on whether you want access to instructor-led live classes or not.
According to our tester, Billy Brown, this service can provide a thorough library of over 1,000 workouts targeting strength, mobility, and cardio. “I like the app because it helps beginners get a handle on what you can do with TRX,” he states in reference to the platform’s ideal demographic. Because of this introductory arrangement of workouts — and the fact that you have to pay for the service — he rates the app at a 3 out of 5, noting that more experienced TRX users may find the library underwhelming.
This beginner-friendly app may be more helpful than you originally perceive, though. According to some customers, the included instructions — which outline how to set up your TRX and how to align your body for certain exercises — can be difficult to follow. “I find the large poster is cumbersome and, sometimes, the two photos don’t explain the movement well,” says one customer review.
Read our full TRX Home2 System Review.
Best Smart Portable Home Gym: MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym
MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym
MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym
This compact cable machine packs in up to 300 pounds of resistance to a footprint that measures just 6.77 square feet. Plus, the MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym is Bluetooth compatible for easier data monitoring and logging throughout your fitness journey.
Shop MAXPRO
Specs
- Price: $979
- Footprint: 16? L x 10? W x 4? H
- Workout Type: Cable Resistance Training
- Available Resistance: 5-300lbs
- Accessories: Quick Connect Long Bar, Workout Handles, Ankle/Wrist Straps, Door Mount Brackets
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity allows you to easily track your track workout data, history, and progress.
- The 300-pound max resistance is impressive for a machine that takes up just 1.11 square feet of space.
- The machine supports single-arm and dual-arm exercises.
Cons
- There’s no eccentric load, meaning the resistance isn’t felt while returning to your starting position.
- The cables aren’t as fluid right out of the box, so expect a break-in period.
- Some athletes may not appreciate the near-$1,000 price tag for such a small device.
Despite their small profiles, portable home gyms can come equipped with plenty of tech-heavy features like Bluetooth connectivity, integrated fitness apps for workout instruction, and more. Of the bunch, we found the MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym to be the clear standout. Outside of its impressive Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to seamlessly track your workout metrics like reps and time, training history, and progress, this slim, portable cable machine can reach a max resistance of 300 pounds.
The MAXPRO Fitness Cable Home Gym sits at a meager 1.11 square-foot footprint and listed weight of 9 pounds, earning a 5 out of 5 for portability. Despite these metrics, though, we were pleasantly surprised at the power this portable home gym brings to your travel-ready fitness setup. The resistance range was more than enough to provide challenging exercise wherever we wanted to get a sweat session in.
Toggling the resistance was also a breeze thanks to the convenient side dials with clear markings for finding that perfect level of intensity. “I like that there is such a wide range, which makes this an ideal machine for athletes at different strength levels,” says our tester.
In terms of workout variety, this machine has a ton. Aside from the full-body workouts listed in the companion app, the MAXPRO is capable of both single- and dual-arm exercise since the cables are independent from one another. The cables are also 9 feet long, which allows for overhead presses — other machines may feature shorter cables, thus limiting which exercises you can perform in a given regimen.
We did notice, though, that while the cable mechanisms are convenient and sturdy, they aren’t entirely fluid and smooth-operating at first. “The cables have a break-in period, and won’t operate smoothly out of the gate,” notes our one tester. “After a few workouts, though, I found that they started rolling like butter.”
Additionally, those wanting an extended time under tension may be displeased with the MAXPRO’s operating style. The cables don’t load eccentrically, meaning you’ll only feel the resistance during the concentric portion of your exercise — when the cables are pushed or pulled upward.
While there are benefits to both concentric and eccentric training on their own, studies indicate that eccentric loading can support maximal muscle strength and power. (2) It would be nice to have such an opportunity in this portable home gym, especially when you’re paying a premium that rivals some standalone cable machines.
[Related: Your Guide to Concentric Vs. Eccentric Training]
Best for Portable Home Gym for Strength Training: Jaquish Biomedical X3 Bar
Jaquish Biomedical X3 Bar
Jaquish Biomedical X3 Bar
With four included bands capable of up to 300 pounds of resistance, the X3 Bar can be a suitable alternative to traditional strength training with free weights. The package includes a well-knurled barbell for added grip, as well as a convenient ground plate for easier bracing during heavy pulls.
Shop Jaquish Biomedical
Specs
- Price: $549
- Footprint: 10” L x 19” W x 1” H
- Workout Type: Band Resistance Training
- Available Resistance: Up to 300lbs
- Accessories: X3 Elite Bar, Ground Plate
Pros
- This kit includes a knurled bar to mimic strength movements like deadlifts, squats, and presses.
- The included bands feature 15 layers of latex for up to 30 percent more resistance than other layered latex bands.
- Purchase includes a 12-week program with instructional workout videos for easier understanding of how to use the device effectively.
Cons
- The carrying case for more convenient storage is sold separately.
- The bands do not list their resistance, so determining intensity is based on size rather than measured metrics.
- Larger athletes may find the ground plate to be too narrow for comfortable stances mid-workout.
Looking to boost your strength yet don’t have the available space for a roster of free weights, benches, and other training gear? Consider the X3 Bar from Jaquish Biomedical. Instead of training your muscles with weight plates and dumbbells, this portable home gym uses thick latex bands to tax your physique in training.
We’ve personally tested the X3 Bar and found the exercises to closely mimic our typical workouts with barbells and other free weights. “I really enjoy the feel of the bar included in this portable home gym,” says our tester. “It has great knurling, and I appreciate the bearings that make for smooth rotations during each lift.”
Plus, the included ground plate — essentially a platform for upward pulls — takes up just 1.32 square feet of flooring, which is much more compact than, say, a standalone power rack. Additionally, the X3 Bar’s total weight of 17 pounds makes it light enough for easy carrying yet dense and durable enough for hard-nosed training.
We like this portable home gym for strength training because of its reliance on bands over other resistance methods. Banded workouts have shown to provide similar strength gains when compared to training with conventional equipment. (3) Add in the fact that the four included bands feature 15 layers of latex, a 30 percent increase over other latex bands, according to the brand, and you’re set with a profile that’s capable of challenging your muscles with each grueling session.
Additionally, swapping one band for the next is also simple thanks to the hooked silhouette of the bar, as well as the channeled underside of the included ground plate. Because of these quick adjustments, along with the range of exercises you can perform with the bar setup, we give this portable home gym a 4.5 out of 5 for versatility.
Our testers also appreciated this included plate accessory, as it made it easier to brace the bands at the bottom of a lift. Other banded workouts call for you to step directly into the band, which can lead to imbalances in your stance (and the occasional upward snap if you’re not careful).
The only thing missing from this setup, outside of a convenient carrying case (sold separately) is a clear indication of how strong the bands are. There aren’t any stamped measurements across the bands, so you’re relying on feel when determining how much intensity you want to work against in training. We had no issues with creating a challenging workout, and the bands are identifiable given their differing thicknesses, but it would be nice to have a numeral tied to the resistance for a clearer, more defined training setup.
It’s also worth noting that the ground plate, while effective, is pretty compact at just 1.32 square feet. This could make it unusable for larger athletes or those that prefer a wider stance in training. Be sure to keep this in mind when considering this X3 Bar for your next on-the-go training session.
Best Compact Portable Home Gym: LIT Method AXIS Smart System
LIT Method LIT AXIS
LIT Method LIT AXIS
These resistance bands from LIT Method allow you to perform a wide variety of core movements. Plus, the corresponding app provides you with direction, motivation, and a path of progression.
Shop LIT Method
Specs
- Price: $199
- Footprint: 3.5” L x 1.5” W x 1” H
- Workout Type: Tube Band Resistance Training
- Available Resistance: Up to 200lbs
- Accessories: Handles, Ankle Cuffs, Universal Anchor, Carrying Case
Pros
- The entire kit fits into a 5.25-square-inch carrying case for convenient storage during travel.
- Each band features built-in sensors at the handles capable of tracking key...
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