The Best Home Gym Essentials of 2025

Congrats! You've started your fitness journey (or you're thinking about it) and you're ready to make an investment in your health and home gym. Whether your goals are to get strong, increase speed, build muscle, rehab an injury, gain/lose weight, or support mental health, essential home gym equipment can provide you with a no-excuses zone for your training.

You won't have to hop in the car, drive to the gym, avoid the weird guy that works at the front desk (maybe that's just me), and wait for your favorite equipment when you can just roll out of bed and mosey on over to your own private sanctuary.

But figuring out exactly what you need can be overwhelming, and analysis paralysis can keep you from getting setup and building a routine! To help you cut through the noise and reap the benefits of your own home gym, we've put together the must-have home gym equipment for beginners just starting out to athletes returning to their fitness routine after time away.

The Best Home Gym Essentials

Note: The following products are featured in the Home Gym Essentials Package to help you get setup with the equipment you need. From the package's recommendations, you'll have the freedom to choose the products you want, seeing the cost of each selected product as you add it to your cart.

• Best Overall Power Rack: PR-5000
• Best Overall Adjustable Bench: BlackWing™ Adjustable Bench
• Best Budget Adjustable Bench: REP® Nighthawk™ Adjustable Bench
• Best Bench Attachment: Leg Curl Leg Extension Bench Attachment
• Best Multi-Use Bench Attachment: Leg Roller Attachment
• Best Overall Adjustable Dumbbells: REP® x PÉPIN™ FAST Series™ Adjustable Dumbbell
• Best Budget Adjustable Dumbbells: QuickDraw™ Adjustable Dumbbell
• Best Dumbbell Storage: Dumbbell Storage Cart
• Best Budget Dumbbell Storage: Adjustable Dumbbell Stand
• Best Mixed-Use Barbell: Colorado™ Mixed-Use Bar
• Best Powerlifting Barbell: Black Diamond™ Power Bar
• Best Bumpers: Black Bumper Plates
• Best Budget Plates: Old School Iron Plate Set

Shop the Home Gym Essentials Package

The Best Overall Power Rack: PR-5000

A power rack is a staple in a basic well-rounded home gym setup, and this piece of equipment will open the door to a wide array of training capabilities. It's built from a durable 11-gauge steel with a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds that'll support beginners, intermediate, and even elite level athletes. 

Th PR-5000 power rack is also compatible with the Athena® and REP® ARES™ 2.0 cable systems if you're looking to turn your rack into a functional trainer, and the Smith machine attachment if you're interested in guided stability for your lifts.

Bench Options

"If I was just starting out, I'd make sure I had an adjustable bench, some dumbbells, and a kettlebell," says strength coach Dan Berman, CSCS, NSCA. An adjustable bench allows you the ability to tackle flat, incline and decline bench press, dumbell flyes, overhead press, rows, step-ups, hip thrusts, Bulgarian split squats, ab work, and so much more.

Best Overall Adjustable Bench: BlackWing™ Adjustable Bench

The BlackWing™ adjustable bench is a bench that can support flat, incline, and decline training. It's also compatible with bench attachments like the Leg Extension Leg Curl Bench Attachment and Leg Roller Attachment. And when your work is done, this bench can be stowed away vertically.

Best Budget Adjustable Bench: REP® Nighthawk™ Adjustable Bench

The REP® Nighthawk™ Adjustable Bench is a solid choice, providing beginners with the ability to choose between seven angled back posiitons and four seat angles from -15 to 20-degrees. It's also the lowest priced bench from REP — at $449.99 — that offers compatibility with attachments like the Leg Curl/Leg Extension Bench Attachment so you can target your quadriceps and your hamstrings.

However, if you're not interested in decline functionality or in having the option to add attachments down the road, the AB-3100 Adjustable Weight Bench is our most budget-friendly option at $269.99 and can support incline and flat bench work.

Best Bench Attachment: Leg Curl Leg Extension Bench Attachment

This bench attachment allows you to target your quads and hamstrings without adding additional dedicated pieces of equipment to your setup. To make things even easier, you can also utilize weight plate, banded, or cable resistance for your training. 

Best Multi-Use Bench Attachment: Leg Roller Attachment

The Leg Roller attachment easily connects with your compatible adjustable bench, allowing you to secure yourself to your bench for added stability during decline work. It's made from a sturdy, 11-guage steel with a foam pad for comfort.

Adjustable Dumbbells

There's no need to line your walls with an assortment of dumbbells — all you need is one adjustable dumbbell that can challenge you as your strength grows.

Best Overall Adjustable Dumbbells: REP® x PÉPIN™ FAST Series™ Adjustable Dumbbell

If you're new to building out your home gym setup, but not new to lifting weights, the REP® x PÉPIN™ FAST Series™ adjustable dumbbell may be just the right tool for you. This adjustable dumbbell starts off at 85, 105, and 125 pounds, and can be adjusted in 10 pound increments, ideal for those looking to go heavy. Plus, with add-on weight, you can keep working with progressive overload as your strength grows.

Best Budget Adjustable Dumbbells: QuickDraw™ Adjustable Dumbbell

Dumbbells are versatile tools and a basic necessaity for most home gyms. Tackle upper body, lower body, and core work, and move bilaterally (both sides working) or unilaterally (one side). However, if you're just starting out, you may not want a full set, or know what weight will best suite the moves you'd like to tackle. The answer? The QuickDraw™ adjustable dumbell. 

These durable and space-saving dumbbells eliminate the need for multiple sets, allowing you to easily choose the weight in 5 pound increments by simply flipping one of the red Lock-N-Load switches. Transition from 5 to 60 pounds in a matter of moments. This budget-friendly adjustable dumbbell ranges in price from $335.99 for a 30-pound pair up to $575.99 for a 60-pound pair and is also available in kilograms.

Dumbbell Storage

You're loading up on the tools you need to support your strength goals, but where should you keep all of your new toys? Dumbbell storage can help you keep your gear off the floor and organized, so your workout space stays welcoming.

Best Dumbbell Storage: Dumbbell Storage Cart

The Dumbbell Storage Cart works with both the QuickDraw™ and REP® x PÉPIN™ FAST Series™ adjustable dumbbell. This cart keeps your adjustable dumbbells off the floor and at an easy-to-reach height, while also providing side peg storage and a large lower shelf to keep all of your accessories and workout gear.

Best Budget Dumbbell Storage: Adjustable Dumbbell Stand

This dumbbell stand features adjuatble height that allows you to have your adjustable dumbbells off the floor and ready for work. You'll also find swiveling-locking caster wheels that will keep your gear locked in place when tackling reps and rolled out of the way when your workout's done.

Barbells

A barbell with clips is a necessity for those just building out a home gym. Here are two of our favorite options:

Best Mixed-Use Barbell: Colorado™ Mixed-Use Bar

This mixed-use barbell, available in both 20kg and 15kg, is an excellent choice for those dipping their toes into building out a stacked home gym for the first time. This bar features a medium-depth, volcano style knurling — great for high rep ranges — and dual knurling marks for guided right hand placement during your lifts. 

Best Powerlifting Barbell: Black Diamond™ Power Bar

This 20kg Black Diamond™ powerlifting bar was engineered for lifters looking to go after their max, featuring an aggressive-depth volcano-style knurling that'll help keep your hands locked in under load. The bar can also support up to 1,500 pounds, which makes it a tool that'll continue to support you as you progress.

Weight Plates

You've got your power rack and a bar, now you'll need weight plates so you can tackle your lifts.

Best Bumpers: Black Bumper Plates

REP®'s Black Bumper Plates are great for home gyms, and are built to take a beating from your workout — tested to withstand more than 12,000 drops from a height of eight feet. While you'll want some type of mat to help keep your floors protected, these plates are made with rubber (with a steel 2-inch center hole) that helps to dampen noise and limit bounce when dropped. 

These plates are also ideal for the beginner who's got their eyes set on high-rep functional fitness and Olympic weightlifting, supporting moves like the snatch, and clean and jerk, where the bar tends to get dropped after your reps.

[Read more: What Are Bumper Plates?]

Best Budget Plates: Old School Iron Plate Set

These Old School Iron Plates are the most wallet-friendly weight plates offered by REP. They're a weight room classic, made from iron and incredibly durable. Each plate is marked in both pounds and kilograms with raised silver lettering, so you always know how much you're loading up your lift with.

Best Accessories

Your first home gym setup wouldn't be complete without accessories! Here are our favorite options to add some variety to your training routine.

• REP® x Kleva Built® Androit Landmine Attachment
• 1.25" Wood Gymnastic Rings
• 7' Competition Gymnsatic Straps and Wood Rings
• Short Loop Bands
• Resistance Band
• Competition Speed Rope
• Yoga Mat
• Premium Yoga Mat

Home Gym Starter Kit Considerations

Sometimes all you want is someone else to pick out what you need, especially with all of the options for home exercise equipment for beginners out there. Here are some curated packages that provide you with the gear you need to get going:

Home Gym Essential Package

This package gives you the best pieces highlighted above — starting with a PR-5000 power rack, and providing you with options to choose the adjustable bench, barbell, weight plates, bench attachments, and accessories. This package was built to support former athletes who are ready to get back into training and beginners looking for equipment that can grow alongside their progress.

Small Home Gym Package

The small home gym space saver package provides you with a wall-mounted Athena®™ attachment which fixes onto a 5000 Series wall-mounted fixed rack. You also get a pull-up bar, set of Old School Iron Plates, a Colorado Mixed-Use bar, and your choice of J-cups.

Garage Gym Starter Pack

Get set up with the essentials with the 5000 Series Garage Gym Starter Package.You'll get the PR-5000 power rack, a pull-up bar, safeties of your choice, the Colorado Mixed-Use Bar, and a weight plate set. Plus your choice of J-cups and the option to add on storage.

Or opt for the 4000 Series Garage Gym Starter Package, which swaps in the PR-4000 rack instead of the 5000 Series. This option can save you some money, however keep in mind that some new and upcoming products and attachments are more likely to work with the PR-5000 over the PR-4000.

$1,200 Home Gym Cost Saver Package

Suiting up your home gym can cost a pretty penny, which is why we put together a cost saving package with some essentials to kick off your training. This package provides you with the PR-1100 power rack, the FB-3000 flat bench, Delta™ mixed-use bar, spring clips, and a set of Old School Iron Plates to round out your training.

Additional Considerations

Check out more of our packages to help you build out the home gym of your dreams:

• Trailhead Home Gym Package
• Ares™ 2.0 Ultimate Home Gym Package
• Minimalist Home Gym Package
• Compact Home Gym Package

Takeaway

Building out your dream home gym and dedicating time to your fitness journey is the greatest investment you can make. Set your goals, figure out what type of training you're interested in, pick out your space, and set a budget — you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on these home gym products under $50 — and when you're ready, use this guide to help you navigate the best options for beginners. 

FAQs

What's the best home exercise equipment for beginners?

To navigate this question, first you need to understand your goals, available space, and budget. It's easy enough to start off with adjustable dumbbells, and as you improve your strength and familiarity with lifting, add more equipment that fits your needs and supports your training — like a barbell, weight plates, and a rack.

What basic home gym equipment should I buy first?

This depends on the type of training you're looking to tackle. Maybe you'll want to opt for adjustable dumbbells for their functionality, or if you're interested in powerlifting, a barbell, weight plates, rack, and adjustable bench should be on your list. 

Rosie Borchert is a NASM-CPT, former Nike Volleyball coach, and fitness writer whose work has appeared on BarBend and Tonal. If anyone would like to hire her to play beach volleyball, snowboard, binge watch TV, or go climbing, please get in touch.

This article was reviewed by Ashley Boyer, ACE-CPT, for accuracy.