The Absolute Best Workout Gear and Subscriptions of 2023

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

The past few years proved one thing to me: Gyms are not merely fun adult play parks. When I don't goto the gym, I have so much untapped, unwound energy that I end up running and sliding around my apartment like an uncool version of Risky Business Tom Cruise. To cope, I decided that instead of overspending on gym memberships I could find ways to exude that extra energy in some kind of fitness-friendly way at home.

My problem, and probably your problem too, with self-driven workouts was the getting up and doing it. And then, hurting myself, because it turned out YouTube videos would not spot me; I injured myself trying to do home workouts in scenarios that looked like they were designed by Kevin McCallister. But these current social distancing parameters have forced me to properly learn how to use the gym gear I own, and better pinpoint ways to be fit without the help of massive machines. That's not to mention that working out at home has kept me energized and my anxiety levels down, just like the gym used to.

Here are some of the best products, services, and subscriptions I've found for getting (and staying) healthy at home, covering different interests, spatial needs, and price points. And don't worry, I have faith that you won't almost maim yourself trying them out.

The Guide

Peloton has gone from the hit bike sensation (with a few media whoopsies) to now having a fantastic rower that we just featured in our latest gadget awards. And now they're even taking it one step further. Don't have the space for a bike or a rower? Well, they have a web cam for you.

The new Peloton Guide helps, well, guide you through at home strength training by just setting the cam right on top of your TV. Peloton is offering several packages, ranging from just the camera for those who already have their weight set up, to a large 800 dollar pack with everything you'll need. One thing is for certain, Peloton continues to drive home workout innovation.

Bike+

Workout Mirror

Tonal is my favorite home gym. I said it. That's right. This thing helped me learn strength training. It has fantastic lessons, routines, customizability, along with some of the smartest and reactive technology out there to make sure you don't hurt yourself. The Tonal, with all of the accessories can replicate nearly every training machine you'd find at the gym, While the price tag may be higher, then say free weights, or most things, it's absolutely worth it in the long run.

Move

Now this is how you design free weights. Tempo blasted on to the scene with a dual weight storage system and mirror. They reduced that system to a more adorable and more flexible workout cabinet. The Tempo Move stores bars, free weights, and more in a smart cabined that hooks up to a monitor or TV so, you guessed it, can do guided workouts. This is complete with camera systems and health tracking. Plus the weights are made out of one of the most non-threatening rubbery matte materials, helping mitigate damage when we're klutzs or when we whip the weights at the ground because we forget we're not in public.

HOME2 SYSTEM

SLAM BALL

Mini

Work out mirrors are weird. Like let's just get it out there. It's like a ghost of resolutions past, and a constant secret reminder that you can always do more. But for those with commitment on lock, Fiture has one of the largest and most immense selections of workouts. And now it's all pushed into a smaller and more space-saving model, making it a perfect all in one guided home workout that can fit anywhere.

The Rower

I can safely say this is the prettiest machine on this list. I love rowing, I don't know if it's because I can do it sitting down, or that it feels like a little amusement park ride, but I love it. Take that, combine it with beautiful design, an ergonomic storage system, and a gameified work out, and I'm sold. The regatta can easily store hassle free vertically on a wall, meaning you only give up that precious square footage when your off hours. While the rowing idea is the same, the techonology and workout design adds some clever twists that make the workouts addicting.

Strong Series Rower

Commercial 1250 Series

AssaultRunner Pro, Portable

MYX II

This bike is more than a regular exercise bike. With the MYX system, you get your usual cycling workouts, along with guides for strength training, pilates, yoga, and beyond. The library of workouts built into the bike's impressively large mobile tablet is expansive, replacing all those personal training sessions and gym classes of years past. The MYX also comes with a set of dumbbells, a kettlebell, and mats to ensure you're fully prepared for all the classes. The best part is that you can always spice up your routine with what seems to be a never-ending supply of new content.

Watch Series 8

Apple practically owns the market on smartwatch tech, and now it's decided to try its hand at an Apple Watch-based fitness subscription service. Apple Fitness+ includes a ton of classes—yoga, pilates, HIIT, and more. It also integrates Apple Music to save you from the oftentimes exhausting music of workout classes. The Apple Watch itself is a phenomenal way to keep your goals in check while we live in this timeless void. You can even share your activity with friends to silently judge or enable each other. Watch paired with subscription is a fantastic tool to stay in shape, especially if you don’t have the space for equipment.

Hypervolt GO

The Hypervolt Go is a small, quiet, and perfectly portable percussive massager. Granted, Theragun released a Mini gun that is truly great, but Hypervolt took that idea, remodeled the shape, and added accessories that allow this little massager to clip right on the side of a gym or golf bag. The relief you’ll get, especially if you're just getting into percussive massagers, is unparalleled—for gym nuts and anyone stuck hunched in a chair all day alike.

Dara Smart Scale

I will start off by saying: Don't get a scale. The last thing any of us needs to worry about is weight. You know how your body feels, and with regular exercise, you will feel better. That's what's important.

With that said, if you want a scale, this is the one. The Dara scale tracks progress, while also providing a vast amount of information about weight, hydration, muscle mass, fat levels, body age, and more to both help you figure out how to shape a diet and exercise plan, and also convince you to give yourself a break on things that are out of your control. The app does a great job of motivating, as opposed to making you feel any sort of shame. If you're going to add a masochistic stressor to your life, and it's a scale during a time of self-isolation and peak Uber Eats orders, then at least get one that tries to be supportive.

Jump Rope

Weighted Jump Rope - 1lb.

6 Bodyweight

Your bodyweight is free, but figuring out how to find the burn with just bodyweight is a little bit funny. It involves increasingly difficult versions of the same move, and sometimes progress can be tough to visualize. The Onnit 6 program is the best foundational bodyweight program we've found in a long time. Not since the early 2000s heydey of P90X and Insanity, has there been such a great building block of bodyweight exercise.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Chances are you have a pair of dumbbells lying around somewhere, and if not, plenty of places are shipping these bad boys for cheap. Toss on some music, get pumped, and do bicep curls or overhead press or any of the thousands of exercises you can do with dumbbells. This Bowflex pair saves a ton of weight, and using them could not be any simpler. You pick up weight, move around a bit, and get stronger.

Kettlebells

Kettlebells, like dumbbells, are great. Easy to use and made for repetitions, they keep you on track with your workout without hurting you—no spotters necessary. They're hard to mess up. I personally love these pick-up-and-go workouts, which you can do for 10 minutes or an hour, based on your free time. The kettlebell design lends itself to different moves than the dumbells, with many centered around the lower back. Since I'm working from my living room, the best thing this bell did for me was crack the ever-loving shit out of my spine after a six-hour couch session.

Adjustable Weighted Vest, 30 lb

You Might Also Like

• Kid Cudi Is All Right

• 16 Best Shoe Organizers For Storing and Displaying Your Kicks