The Best Home Gym Equipment for 2025

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Embarking on a health and fitness journey? Sick of having to wait around for equipment at the gym? You should consider a smart home gym machine. There's no shortage of workout machines on the market, so we've rounded up the best smart treadmills, stationary bikes, rowers, smart mirrors, and strength training equipment we have tested to help you pick the right one. At PCMag, we have been reviewing home gym machines since the original Peloton Bike kickstarted an interactive fitness revolution, and we've covered other fitness technologies like fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and workout apps for over a decade. Workout machines have come a long way in recent years, so read on for details of the models we recommend, plus insights and tips to help you narrow your options.

What Makes a Fitness Machine Smart?

At the most basic level, smart home gym equipment connects to the internet. Most machines have a screen on which you can stream workouts, but some work with a companion app that lets you view classes on your phone or TV. With all of the options on this list, a reliable Wi-Fi signal is a must.

Smart fitness devices allow for a whole other level of interactivity than their more affordable, non-connected counterparts. Most offer large libraries of guided classes with knowledgeable instructors, in addition to customized workouts and programs based on your goals and current fitness level. It's like having a personal trainer in the comfort, safety, and privacy of your home.

Many machines also feature live classes with competitive leaderboards, giving you an extra jolt of motivation to run, row, or cycle your way to victory. This also fosters a sense of community and helps you feel like you're not working out alone. The Peloton community is so active that members often become friends in real life, bonding over their shared love of the experience. Smart fitness machines also generally keep track of your progress and congratulate you when you meet your goals.

Some, like iFit-powered NordicTrack devices and the Peloton Bike+, can automatically adjust your speed and resistance, so you don't have to fiddle with knobs or buttons during your workout. Many also support wireless headphones so you can stream classes without disturbing others, heart rate monitors so you can glance at the screen to see how hard you're working out, and fitness apps like Fitbit and Strava for keeping your stats in one place.

All of these features work together to relieve boredom and keep you coming back day after day. If you need a little motivation on your wellness journey, a smart fitness machine is an excellent investment.

How Much Should You Spend on Smart Fitness Equipment?

As you can see from our top picks, smart fitness machines are pricey. Most of our favorites come in around at least $1,500. High-end treadmills are among the most expensive and can easily run you $3,000 or more.

Generally speaking, a machine with a screen is going to cost more than one without, and a bigger screen is going to cost more than a smaller one. If you're into scenic outdoor content, like the hikes you can watch on iFit-connected treadmills, a large screen adds a lot to the experience, but it also drives up the price.

Some companies, like NordicTrack, cater to different budgets by offering machines with a range of screen sizes. Bowflex, Echelon, and others sell screen-less models that work with your phone or tablet.

When budgeting for a smart fitness machine, don't forget to include the membership fee in your calculations. They all require a subscription that typically costs between $29 and $44 per month. Those memberships unlock access to on-demand and live-streaming classes and/or other interactive features.

You also have to factor in the price of accessories, like the special cycling shoes you need with a Peloton, as well as delivery and installation fees, which can run up to around $250. Given that these devices are often large, heavy, and sometimes complicated to assemble, springing for assembly is a good idea (and sometimes mandatory, like with the Tonal), unless you're particularly strong and handy.

The good news is that most smart fitness equipment manufacturers offer financing options to make the cost more manageable. And depending on how much you pay for your gym membership, working out at home can potentially save you money in the long run. In each of our reviews, we break down the costs and the delivery/assembly process, so you know what to expect.

The Best Smart Treadmills

Treadmills are the most popular at-home fitness machines, and for good reason. They support a variety of exercises on a single machine: walking, jogging, running, sprinting, and even simulated hiking if you have a machine that can incline. Rowing machines can feel intimidating to a beginner without the knowledge of proper technique, and cycling bike seats can be a literal pain. Treadmills are comparatively more user-friendly, accessible, and comfortable; walking is an activity most of us do daily, after all.

On the downside, treadmills are typically quite expensive, complicated to assemble, loud, and large. When evaluating whether your ceiling is high enough for a specific treadmill, consider its deck height at maximum incline, plus the height of the tallest person in your household. This article does a good job of explaining how to determine whether a treadmill can fit in your space.

Smart treadmills typically give you access to a plethora of workouts beyond just running, including strength and yoga, adding value to their membership. Some can automatically adjust your speed, incline, and decline, offering an immersive experience when paired with scenic streaming workouts.

The Best Smart Stationary Bikes

If you're looking for a fitness machine that won't wake the baby or a sleeping partner, consider a stationary bike. Coupled with a pair of Bluetooth headphones, which most smart models support, they're essentially soundless. All involve a bit of discomfort at first when you're getting used to the seat, but not many other forms of exercise, outside of hot yoga, will leave you quite as drenched in sweat as an indoor cycling class.

If you love boutique cycling classes with competitive leaderboards, good music, and high-energy instructors, you can have a similar experience from the comfort of home on the Peloton Bike and the rival Echelon EX5S (or the flashier EX-8S).

On SoulCycle's competing bike, there are no leaderboards. Instead, your goal is to match your cadence with the beat of the music. When you finish a SoulCycle workout, a summary screen shows your Beat Match score from zero to 100%, indicating how much of the time your cadence matched the rhythm of the music.

The NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle can automatically adjust your resistance and incline for a more immersive experience, a feature also available on the Peloton Bike+. The Bowflex VeloCore can lean side to side for a full-body workout and a more-lifelike riding experience.

For more, see the best exercise bikes we've tested.

The Best Smart Rowing Machines

Rowing can be one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise. It's also one of the most effective, offering a full-body low-impact cardio workout that puts minimal stress on your knees and other joints.

The thing about rowing is that it's a technical sport that requires coaching and practice to learn. It might look like it mostly involves your arms, but if you're doing it right, it's actually 60 percent legs. If you do it incorrectly, you can hurt your back, which would be a major setback toward any fitness goals.

On smart rowing machines like the Hydrow and the NordicTrack RW900, the instructors break down the rowing technique to help you learn how to row and constantly stress proper form. Both offer scenic outdoor rows filmed in a variety of locations around the world, led by excellent instructors, including world champions and Olympians.

Another nice thing about rowing machines is that they're fairly compact, especially compared with, say, a treadmill. Measuring 80 by 19 by 43 inches (LWH) and weighing 102 pounds, the Hydrow Wave is one of the smallest models we have tested. To save space, you can even store most models vertically when you aren't using them. For safety, be sure to secure it with a wall anchor (typically included in the box) when it's in the upright storage position.

For more, see the best rowing machines we've tested.

The Best Smart Workout Mirrors

If you're short on space, a smart mirror is another excellent option. You can mount most to your wall, so they take up zero floor space. The NordicTrack Vault is an excellent freestanding option that features a hidden cabinet for your weights.

When you're working out with a fitness mirror, you just need enough room to put down a yoga mat. During a class, you can see the instructor as well as your reflection in the mirror, which makes it easy to check your form. When not in use, it looks like a regular mirror, so you can even put it in your main living space.

Smart workout mirrors typically offer a wide range of classes, including boxing, cardio, pilates, strength, stretching, and yoga. Most of the classes don't require any equipment, but some require weights, which you need to buy if you want to participate.

The Best Smart Strength Training Machines

Like smart mirrors, smart strength training machines are good if you don't have the space for a large piece of fitness equipment. That's especially true for the wall-mounted Tonal, but the Tempo also has a pretty small footprint.

Both are excellent options that help you build muscle. They keep track of how much weight you should be lifting, count your reps, and offer feedback about your form. They also offer plenty of classes and programs, all led by experienced instructors who walk you through each move.

The Tempo and Tonal are more expensive than most people can afford, but there are many more affordable smart strength training options, including the Tempo Move and the Peloton Guide, both of which cost less than $500.

For more, see the best strength training equipment we've tested.

More Tech to Help You Stay Fit

If none of the options here strikes your fancy, rest assured that we regularly update this story with the new smart home gym equipment we review. Make sure to check back soon.

And if a smart fitness machine is out of your budget, there are plenty of more affordable technologies that can help you get moving, sleep better, and improve your overall health, including inexpensive and free workout apps.

If you're on a fitness journey, it's a good idea to invest in a fitness tracker that can measure your performance, encourage you to stay active, and help you meet your goals. If swimming is your exercise of choice, a waterproof fitness tracker is a must. No matter what type of exercise you prefer, you can use a heart rate monitor and smart scale to track your progress.

Taking steps to improve your sleep and reduce stress can also have a positive impact on your health. If you're struggling in those areas, check out our lists of the best sleep tech and meditation apps.