We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. Resistance bands that are perfect for a quick set of squats or leg raises. These babies will stay in place on your thighs and won't roll up mid-workout, thanks to anti-slip material and a body-hugging fit. Plus, you can work your way up from light, to medium, to heavy resistance over time!
Promising review: "I really like this type of resistance band. It has a nice modern style and it’s able to maintain its shape as you move up and down with it, rather than the material just bunching up around your legs like the regular rubber material, it just stays put. I like that it comes in different levels of resistance so you can challenge yourself from light medium to heavy. I’m glad I bought this! Going to be doing a lot of fun workouts with these." —Keisha Dennis
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $13.89 (available in three colors).
2. A Pilates ring to wake up your core and target muscles in your arms. You can strengthen your abs and biceps with squeezing and rotating movements. Plus, it'll make your mat routine a little more fun if you're looking for exercise variety!
Promising review: "Nice that there is a choice of colors which always makes exercising more fun! I take a 'Sit and Be Fit' class twice a week; although, for the duration of the class, we're not always sitting! The Pilates ring is one of the pieces of equipment used in the class that provides many benefits. It's so well-constructed and weighted enough to use effectively in arm and leg movements. I'm quite impressed with the quality of the ring and am loving the pink color!!" —Ellen Weber
Get it from Amazon for $26.95 (available in five colors).
3. An exercise ball with resistance bands that'll give you so many ways to work out your entire body. Leg raises? Check. Bicep curls? Check. Elevated crunches? Check. Oh, and it doubles as a comfy seat that'll help you sit up straight if you're working at a desk or watching TV.
This exercise ball comes with two attachable resistance bands and a stability ball workout poster.
Promising review: "I'm not ready to head back to the gym yet, but need something fun to do at home. I've always loved stability balls but adding the resistance bands is a whole new way to work out! It requires balance at the same time you are working out different muscles. This is something I think I will stick with because it is fun and simple. I did one workout with the resistance bands and can definitely feel it already!" —Patti H.
Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in two colors).
4. Adjustable Bala Bangles to add a lil' resistance (not to mention style) to your routine. They only weigh 1 pound each, but they'll help boost strength whenever you're doing cardio or strength training. You'll probably forget you're even wearing 'em during workouts.
Just wrap them on your wrists or ankles for a little workout pick-me-up.
BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly loves these bangles and said: "I've bought, used, and then promptly forgotten about wrist/ankle weights before but I ADORE these. They're really nice looking (as you can see) and I've never had trouble with them coming off my wrists or ankles during HIIT workouts." Read more of her Bala Bangles review (it's #7).
Promising review: "Got these as a gift and then started using them myself! Great quality wrist weights, they really are super sleek compared to others out there. You’re paying for quality but I also like the way they look. The great thing about them is you can use them with a number of workouts, so they are super versatile. I highly recommend these if you want some quality wrist weights." —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in two sizes and 13 colors).
5. Or a Bala Power Ring if the thought of using wrist weights or dumbbells makes you cringe. This 10-lb. circle can be used in so many ways: lift it up or down during Pilates, hold it while you complete squats, *or* swing it if you'd like to strengthen your arms. Plus, it'll look really cool in your workout space!
Promising review: "I love this! I bought it after getting the little wrist weights as a gift, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s so nice to add to regular workouts for an extra oomph. It’s a really cute color pink and just makes me feel like I’m working out harder than I really am!" —MB
Get it from Amazon for $85 (available in six colors).
6. A yoga mat with illustrated poses, so you can improve your flow with a little guidance and not have to Google poses! It shows 70 yoga positions that vary from Goddess Squat to Warrior III and makes it easy to quickly check on your form.
This mat is 24” wide x 68" long and 5mm thick! It's also made with a moisture-wicking material that'll help keep sweat at bay while you're practicing yoga.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this and so does my 7-year-old! He and I enjoy doing the poses on the mat and it helps me figure out which is being referred to by name. It's a great thickness although I still use my kneeling pad for my old knees! As a beginner in the yoga world this is perfect for staying on track and not feeling totally lost!! I would definitely buy again!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in nine colors).
7. Exercise dice with 36 different workouts to try: Roll from two orange dice for HIIT movements like mountain climbers and lateral lunges *or* a green dice for stretches and yoga poses. Never again will you be bored, because there will be so many combo circuits to try with this cool set!
Fitness instructors also swear by these dice for group workouts!
Promising reviews: "These are so cool, and I never knew they existed. My wife started shouting, 'Those are so cool? Where did you get those? I love them.' She works out about 50 minutes a day, 6 days a week. She immediately started rolling these every morning for her workout. And, she posted pictures of these to show all her workout friends on Facebook within about 10 minutes of getting them. She had to promise to bring them into the gym so everyone could see them. Do not hesitate to pick these up if you do these kinds of exercises or you work out in small groups." —Andrew A. Russell
"I teach fitness classes for both children and adults. I love the variety of exercises on the various dice. The quality is great and have added an element of fun to my group classes!" —Kristen M. Dallhoff
Get a set of three from Amazon for $27.95.
8. Or a pack of dumbbell exercise cards that'll mix up your indoor training routine with weighted planks, thrusters, and shoulder presses galore. You'll never know what's coming up next in the deck and your arms, legs, and core will be like, "Hello, where have you been all my life?"
Not about dumbbells? No worries, because there are other exercise card decks that focus on bodyweight movements, gym equipment, and resistance bands.
Promising review: "I bought these to get some new ideas to mix up my gym routine. I got a lot of new ideas from these cards. Some were reminders of ones I already know, but there are a bunch of really interesting ones that I've been mixing in. The countless combinations you can create is making my workouts more fun and motivating." —Paisley
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 20 volumes).
9. A Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure game because you can high-knee, jog, and sprint through a fantasy world where you exercise to defeat enemies. With an interactive Ring-Con and leg strap, you'll complete different movements to jump over obstacles and fire projectiles in the game. This could be a fun alternative to walking around your block for the hundredth time.
This set comes with a Ring-Con, leg strap, and Ring Fit Adventure game that's compatible with the Nintendo Switch. Just place a JoyCon in both the leg strap and Ring-Con (both track your movements throughout the game!), slip on the leg strap, hold the Ring-Con, and you're good to start playing!
BuzzFeed editor Heather Braga loves using this game to work out and said: "I've also been using this game as a way to supplement my trips to the gym. This may seem like a childish adventure from Nintendo, but JEEZ within moments I'm sweating my butt off. To move through each level you have to physically run in place and each time you 'battle' an enemy you have to do 15 reps of an exercise of your choosing. It's so fun I don't realize I'm working out until the game reminds me to take a break and have some water." Read more of her full Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure game review.
10. An ab roller so you can ~roll~ your way to a stronger core on your living room floor. If you don't like doing crunches and sit-ups, this compact gadget will put your muscles to work in less time than a typical ab circuit.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this!!! I have been trying to get motivated to get up and work out. This is fun and easy to do. The price is very reasonable. I like using this during commercial breaks. It takes zero time to set up, and is super effective. I can already see a difference and have only had it a couple of weeks." —Christopher Hancock
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
11. A fitness trampoline that'll give you an amazing workout on cardio days. Complete aerobic exercises on this piece of equipment that'll work your core, leg, and butt muscles, plus help improve your balance! 'Tis time to ~jump for joy~ and give your treadmill a little break.
Read more about the potential benefits of rebounding exercise!
Promising reviews: "Before I got this trampoline I was using a dinky rebounder that had springs, and let me tell you, the bungee chords on these trampolines make such a big difference! I wasn't expecting it to feel so much softer (and its quieter too)! I've been consistently using this rebounder 1-2x a week for over a year and it is still in such great condition. If you want to experience all the cardiovascular benefits of activities like running, but your body doesn't like all that impact, definitely try out rebounding. It's such a great way to not only get in your cardio, but strengthen your muscles." —Katrina Falor
"Exercise has never been so much fun. I use it every day! Excellent product, really happy with it. It’s very versatile, helps with balance and coordination, love it! And it’s quiet, so my downstairs neighbor is not annoyed. I purchased the 48”, so glad I did so I can do jumping jacks, etc." —Falcor
Get it from Amazon for $219.95 (available in two sizes and seven colors).
12. A weighted fitness hoop for your next workout session at home. It's a sweet throwback to your PE class and you'll be able to strengthen your hips, abs, and legs in a garage corner, driveway, or living room.
Promising review: "This hoop is GREAT! It is just so much fun to exercise with this thing. I play music and try to dance too lol. But I have experience, they used to have a weighted hoop in the gym I went to and I did it all the time. Highly recommend. You just need to make sure it's clicked together correctly or it'll come undone! Don't worry if it happens to you, though, it's totally fixable. It happened to me I think twice before I got it down. Anyway, if you're looking for a weighted hoop, look no more!" —Molls
Get it from Amazon for $30.40.
13. A jump rope with a digital counter that'll count skips during reps. You can also time jump sessions and see how many calories you burned. If you're ready to do double-unders and get your heart rate going, this small piece of equipment will give you a fun sweat session.
Promising review: "I love how this jump rope has both a timer and a counter. This allows me to jump for a fixed length of time without having to check my phone. I usually jump for two minutes every set, and when the time is up the timer will beep to let me know, and then I rest for another minute before beginning another set. Also, it is difficult to keep counting when I am too exhausted from jumping, and I'm glad that the rope counts for me, so I don't have to worry about it." —Lynda
Get it from Amazon for $16.95 (available in six colors).
14. A tiny elliptical that doesn't even require you to get up from the couch or desk 😲: Slide your feet in and pedal away with eight resistance levels while you watch TV or write emails. You'll get an easy workout in without even going to the gym.
Promising review: "I’ve been working remotely and spending more time than I like on the sofa. With the Cubi Jr, I pedal constantly while working and watching TV, and feel my legs, thighs, buttocks, and ankles are at least being active. I pedal anytime I sit because you don’t realize you’re pedaling." —Marion
Get it from Amazon for $249 (available in two colors).
15. A Power Press Push-Up Board because it'll make improving your form and technique a fun challenge. It comes with a color-coded board system, so you can switch push-up positions to target specific muscles in your back, chest, shoulders, and triceps. Just place the included nonslip hand grips in the red, green, blue, or yellow slots and you'll be good to work out.
This board comes with a training manual and access to online training workouts. What's great about this board is workout versatility, you can change between 30 push-up positions and not stick with the same movements every time. Plus, the handle grips can help you properly align your body and avoid straining your hands and wrists.
Promising review: "I bought this because of the reviews, so it was only fair for me to leave one as well. I was so impressed by this equipment. I am so tired after doing push-ups all over the place on this thing. There is a chart that came with it that even gives combos to try with each hand in a different position. The board itself is color coded, so you don't even have to look at the chart to figure out what areas you want to hit. It's simple, but it is high quality. The handles lock in tight and do not wobble at all while you are using it. I love this, it is well worth the $50. If you are considering purchasing this but are on the fence, believe me you can trust the reviews." —Jason Lester
Get it from Amazon for $59.99.
16. Or push-up handles so you can complete push-ups without straining your wrists. A superior grip and secure treads make it easy to move up and down and align your body, even if you're doing reps on a hardwood floor.
Promising review: "I have deteriorating cartilage in my hands and wrists, which makes pushups painful. The round comfort grips and putting my hands in a comfortable position make pushups pain free. Two sessions at this point with 200 push-ups as part of a home chest routine and no pain afterwards. Completely happy with my purchase. Highly recommend these." —Target Customer
17. A weighted workout bar to ~step up~ any aerobics routine. Instead of only doing butt kicks or jumping jacks for your legs, you can add this piece of equipment to work out your arms and core too! (And, you can get it all done without spending a lot of time at the gym. 🙌)
Promising review: "There is so much you can do with this bar I’m so glad I ordered it! I got the 20 lb and I would definitely consider getting both a lighter and heavier bar to switch it up for different exercises. I really love this in place of dumbbells and it’s been fun finding different ways to use it. If you get this bar there’s really nothing else you need" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in 13 styles and with or without resistance bands).
18. A medicine ball so you can work your core beyond regular crunches. Strengthen your abs and arms at the same time by twisting side to side with it *or* lightly passing it in between sit-ups. It also has a textured surface that'll make it easy to grip, even if your hands are sweaty!
Promising review: "This is perfect. It's just like the ball my trainer has. He recommended it, in fact. I love using it for resistance training and power training by slamming it. I imagine I'm destroying all negativity in my life when I slam it down." —Abundant Love
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes).
19. Quiet Punch for an interactive workout that *gasp* doesn't require a complicated setup. It's a portable and smart punching bag that's made to fit in any doorway in your living space, so you can get in a quick boxing session when you need to. You'll feel like you're in a boxing ring and you can monitor your progress in an app!
The Quiet Punch fits in doorways between 28" and 36", and it has the option to be bought with or without a Quiet Punch Tracker.
Here's how the Quiet Punch Tracker works: it attaches to the back of the smart punching bag and connects to the Quiet Punch App, so you can keep track of the power of your punches and how many you complete during a workout.
Just starting out? No worries, because you'll get access to the Quiet Punch Play app that'll give you 100+ hours of on-demand training and 5- to 30-minute workout routines.
Promising review: "This saved me during quarantine, and I continue to use it frequently. Living in a small apartment, I find it hard to find any type of boxing equipment. This fits perfectly, and I like that you can easily take it with you. I love the lunchtime Zoom class and the prerecorded classes, but I also love just practicing and getting out all of my frustrations. Highly recommend this to anyone who likes boxing." —randi s
Get it from Quiet Punch for $159+ (originally $350; also available without a tracker).
20. Adjustable dumbbells because they'll help you level up your strength training sessions and are easy to use. Lift between 2.5 pounds to 15 pounds with this set that'll be great for arm-focused workouts. No more using multiple sets of weights anytime you're ready to break a sweat.
Promising review: "These are exactly what I needed. I can use the lighter settings for workout classes and I am building my strength with the 10-lb settings. I am looking forward to the point when that is too easy and I move up to the heavier weights. The system is easy to use, simple to switch between weights and was much less expensive than other brands. The handles are comfortable too." —LauraWin
Get a set of two from Amazon for $179.99.
21. An interactive Plankboard so you can hit all your key body areas (think core, legs, arms, and back) and boost your balance abilities while you play games on your smart TV or phone. You'll be so good at planks in no time and actually look forward to your next core-meets-bodyweight workout session.
Promising review: "I love it! The design is clean and simple. The games are basic, but still keep me in a plank longer than normal. I like the workout part, basically 30-second intervals of different exercises, you pick how many 30-second segments you want to do at a time. There is a daily challenge too. I would be bored to tears after one 40-second regular plank, I do over six minutes plus at each session on this and you really feel it strengthening your core." —WanderingTree
Get it from Amazon for $50.
22. An Obé Fitness membership guaranteed to make your fitness routine more exciting. Choose from barre, cardio boxing, HIIT, sculpt, yoga, and more engaging workouts that'll make your living room feel like a live studio. You can participate in 10-minute express classes or 28-minute live classes. Plus, there are 7,000+ on-demand classes available at any time!
As a web- and app-based service, Obé Fitness can be accessed on a computer, smartphone, or TV. (Tip: Having a wider screen does make taking classes and watching instructors a bit easier.) Just use an HDMI cable to connect to your TV or launch Obé from the app using Airplay, Apple TV, or Chromecast.
My colleague Abby Kass uses Obé Fitness and said: "I started using Obé and then went back to my old at-home workout and switched back to Obé again because I realized I liked it so much. The classes are a great workout, yet the 28 minutes go by super fast, and I’m not counting down the minutes till it’s over. You don't technically need any equipment for the workout, but you can level up with simple equipment, such as a resistance loop, weights, and sliders." Read more of her Obé Fitness review.
Get it from Obé Fitness for $27+ (monthly, quarterly, and annual memberships available).
23. A Core Max 2.0 because you can basically have a fun home gym without having to buy lots of equipment. You can do crunches, push-ups, and more exercises with this compact device. Your full body workout will be different every single time, making it more exciting and enjoyable to get moving.
Promising review: "I've turned my dining room into a gym and this perfect-sized piece of equipment is the right size. First thing I liked is there is no assembly! It comes with a guide on different exercises you can do. I have already used it and I'm headed back down to use it again." —April
Get it from Amazon for $89.98.
24. A 1-inch thick exercise mat that'll keep you comfy during workouts. Made with durable foam, this cushy essential feels nice to sit and stand on and it prevents you from sliding. Place this over the floor before your next yoga flow or 10-minute abs session.
This mat is great for anyone who lives in an apartment or studio, because it doesn't take up too much space and rolls up for easy storage. It also comes with a carrying strap, in case you'd like to take it to a gym or yoga studio.
Promising review: "I love my exercise classes, but I find that when we do floor work I have discomfort when laying on my side or sitting in certain positions on my bottom. I started googling to find a 'thicker than usual' workout mat and stumbled upon this one. I instantly noticed a difference the first time I used it. No more discomfort during floor exercises. The length is great — I usually keep my feet on the floor so I don't dirty the mat and I scoot to the end of it to do so, this leaves a ton of mat length left." —My Prerogative
Get it from Amazon for $43.99.
25. Or a large exercise mat so you'll be covered for strength training and HIIT. Reviewers love it because it has a nonskid bottom (no more slipping!), it's wide enough for different types of movement, and helps absorb shock from jumping jacks, burpees, and lifting weights.
This exercise mat is 6’ x 4’ and is 8.5 millimeters thick. It also comes with a 72"x 26" towel (goodbye, post-workout sweat) and a zippered case to store it in.
Promising review: "I love my mat for its large size and thickness. I no longer have knee pains after HIIT or low-impact whole body workouts. After over a month of use with my shoes on, I wipe it down and still looks new. This mat is also perfect for my yoga routines; wider than a regular yoga mat. It is a good investment for my home gym." —Luis L. Magdangal
Get it from Amazon for $139.97.
26. A balance board for different bodyweight workouts: It'll give you support while you do planks, push-ups, squats, and single-leg raises. You can even balance on it and challenge your core while you're working at a standing desk.
Promising review: "I've been using this daily for push-ups, and it seems sturdy so far. I like the extra effort I need to put in to counter the wobble when doing my push-ups. The handles feel strong in my hands. Very happy." —Aronjlove
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in two styles and 11 colors).
27. A sturdy foam roller to help soothe tight muscles after kickboxing, running on the treadmill, or lifting weights. It has triple grid massage zones that'll get to work on all sore areas, so you can enjoy your post-workout recovery time.
Promising review: "Nothing has been helping. From running, to walking uphill both ways to work (yes, this is possible), to wearing heels all day, my calves were tight. Nothing has been working. This roller was a godsend. I actually have more mobility after using it than traditional stretching, and I think there was a knot in each calf that it worked out. This is a must-have." —Raven
Get it from Amazon for $28.82 (available in four colors).
28. And a Stretch-Out strap for your post-workout routine: it helps minimize tightness in your calves and hammies after jogging or running. Just slip it around your foot and take deep breaths while you flex your muscles.
It also comes with a stretching guide that has information on how to stretch different body muscles!
Promising review: "I’m a very inflexible runner and this strap has definitely been very helpful in increasing my mobility, stability, balance. I would recommend for anyone wishing to become a more flexible athlete. Stretching regularly has reduced my injuries tenfold." —Mike
Get it from Amazon for $15.95.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!
