| Awards |  |  |  | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 List | $110 List | $179 List $118.49 at Amazon | $170 List $129.95 at Amazon | $155 List $139.99 at Amazon |
| Overall Score | 78 | 77 | 75 | 72 | 70 |
| Star Rating |
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| Pros | Tons of options, detailed directions, sturdy build | Many exercise options, compact, good directions, simple to use | Sturdy base, comfortable bar, lightweight | Very smooth, highly portable, many free extras | Good options, durable design, simple components |
| Cons | Bulky, no extras available | Limited resistance, no additional parts available | Limited variety, awkward resistance bands | Harder to learn, low resistance, short cables | Limited resistance, awkward bench press |
| Bottom Line | This system offers plenty of exercise options and variety all in one easy package | Exceptionally portable with a great variety of uses for less than you might expect | A simple and reasonably versatile home gym that's more portable than similar models | A lightweight option that eliminates the unevenness of resistance bands and an impressive amount of options | A variety of exercise options with a single level of resistance bands to add consistency to your workout |
| Rating Categories | Gonex Portable Home... | Gymwell Portable Ho... | BodyBoss 2.0 Full Gym | OYO Personal Gym | INNSTAR Portable Gy... |
| Exercise Options (35%) | 9.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| Usability (30%) | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Portability (20%) | 5.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| (15%) | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Specs | Gonex Portable Home... | Gymwell Portable Ho... | BodyBoss 2.0 Full Gym | OYO Personal Gym | INNSTAR Portable Gy... |
| Total Unit Weight | 17.1 lbs | 8.3 lbs | 13.0 lbs | 2.5 lbs | 7.8 lbs |
| Dimensions | Packed bag: 24" x 13" x 3" Board: 34" x 19.5" x 1" Folded board: 18” x 19.5” x 1.7” Bar: 39.5" or 47.2" | Packed up: 25.5" x 10" x 5" Bar length: 43" | Packed up: 23" x 11" x 3" Board: 33.75" x 19.75" x 1.25" Folded board: 18" x 19.75" x 2" Bar: 41.5" | 24.5" x 6" x 2" | Packed up: 23.5" x 9.5" x 5" Bar length: 38" |
| Number of Unique Exercise Components | 9 (base board, bar, resistance bands, push up handles, handles, ab rollers, ankle straps, door anchor, and post landmine sleeve) | 6 (bar, resistance bands, ankle/foot straps, handles, door anchor, and anchor strap) | 6 (base board, bar, resistance bands, handles, ankle straps, and door anchor) | 3 (unit + resistance packs, ankle straps, door anchor) | 7 (bar, bench press band, long bands, foot straps, door anchors, and ankle cuffs) |
| Range/ Increments | 60 - 160 lbs 30 lb and 50 lb pairs | 60 - 240 lbs 30-35 lb bands (2x) and 45-50 lb bands | 30 - 80 lbs (single set of bands; can buy more) | 10 - 25 lbs, increments of 5 | Max is based on the set you buy. Our bands were 17.5 lbs each |
Best Portable Home Gym
Gonex Portable Home Gym
78
OVERALL
SCORE
Exercise Options9.0
Usability8.0
Portability5.0
Durability & Safety8.0
REASONS TO BUY
Tons of exercise options and components
Detailed directions and safety manual
Solid build and covered resistance bands
Adjustable and large enough for wider range of users
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy, large, and bulky
No additional components for purchase (to extend range)
The Gonex Portable Home Gym is our top choice for a compact set of home exercise equipment that will facilitate full-body workouts. This kit features tons of components to maximize the number and types of movements available — it even comes with less-frequently included bits like a post landmine sleeve and an extra segment to elongate the bar for wider-stance exercises like squats. The large, solidly built board has all its anchor points on the top for easy swapping between components. Fabric-covered resistance bands add extra protection and a detailed booklet helps you choose what muscles to push and gives useful pointers on proper form.
The Gonex is one of the largest and heaviest home gyms we tested, so it's not ideal for travel. The baseboard folds in half but doesn't fit into the bulky carrying case. And if you're hoping to find a progression of resistance bands that let you add more as you gain strength, you'll have to purchase these elsewhere, as Gonex doesn't currently make any add-ons for this gym. This option is more expensive than many of its rivals in our review, but we're huge fans of the wide variety of exercises it facilitates for people of all sizes, and if you're a frequent user, we think the price is worth it. Those who prefer a smaller and lighter model may prefer the travel-friendly Gymwell Portable Home Gym.
Best Bang for Your Buck
Gymwell Portable Home Gym
77
OVERALL
SCORE
Exercise Options8.0
Usability8.0
Portability7.0
Durability & Safety7.0
REASONS TO BUY
Multi-use components provide wide range of exercises
Compact and travel-friendly
Great directions and suggestions
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited resistance options
No additional components for purchase (to extend range)
If you're willing to forego a baseboard and instead use your feet and ankles to anchor your bands, take a look at the Gymwell Portable Home Gym. This is our favorite kit of this type — and it's also super affordable. Its numerous components offer multiple uses, making this setup far more convenient to use than many. The ankle/foot straps are one of our favorites, combining the convenience and comfort of padded ankle straps with the security of an under-foot stirrup, as well as multiple anchor points to allow you to perform tons of exercises without having to switch pieces as often. This system has one of the longer bars among our contenders, making it a better fit for wide-stance movements. This set also includes posters of exercises and two thick stacks of exercise cards on rings, helping you find the perfect movements — and proper form, described in detail on the back of each card — for each targeted muscle group. The entire set is more portable than most we tested, packing up easily into an impressively compact bag.
The Gymwell comes with two lengths and two options for resistance levels, but the manufacturer does not currently offer any extra bands. If you're looking for an incremental step program rather than a consistent level, you will have to purchase bands from another manufacturer. It includes both long and short bands, but oddly enough, only the long ones come in two possible resistance strengths. Minor inconveniences aside, we love the versatility, portability, and included ideas and instructions of this less expensive home gym. If you would like to expand your home gym with additional resistance bands from the same manufacturer, look at another model like the Gorilla Bow.
Smooth and Consistent
OYO Personal Gym
72
OVERALL
SCORE
Exercise Options6.0
Usability7.0
Portability8.0
Durability & Safety9.0
REASONS TO BUY
Smoother resistance than with bands
Highly portable and good for discrete use
Lots of free extras available online
REASONS TO AVOID
Fairly intense learning curve
Very low resistance and no way to increase
Cables are short for taller users
Hate the uneven feeling of working out with giant rubber bands, aka resistance bands? If so, take a look at the OYO Personal Gym. Made using the same technology popularized by Bowflex, the OYO is smooth and consistent due to a crisscrossing cable and pulley systems. These cables are also more durable than any latex band, and since they're never under massive tension, you're not in danger of having one snap back at your face during a workout. This futuristic-looking unit is also impressively compact and portable, requiring far less setup and component changing during use than just about any other model we tested. The icing on the (low-carb) cake? We found OYO's website filled with tons of extra information, exercise videos, and multi-week plans available for free.
After the learning curve of figuring out how to use this unique piece of gear, we found it relatively straightforward to use. Our only complaint about this unusual portable gym is that the cables are rather short, limiting its range of motion even among our smaller testers. Compact resistance packs snap on and off for quick changing between motions yet offer very little range and no way to extend it. In fact, the unit tops out at just 25 pounds of resistance, making this model better for users who prefer more reps at a lower weight. One tester mused that her senior citizen-aged relatives would love the OYO, while another suggested it as a great option to take to the office and do small workouts during short breaks. But if 25 pounds is far too light, look for a model that tops out at a higher resistance weight like the Gymwell Portable Home Gym.
Best Exercise Bow
Gorilla Bow Portable Home Gym
57
OVERALL
SCORE
Exercise Options4.0
Usability7.0
Portability5.0
Durability & Safety8.0
Resistance Range: 10-110 lbs | Packed Size: 55.5" x 9.5" x 3"
REASONS TO BUY
Can use full resistance range in small increments
Tough, durable build
Simple to use
REASONS TO AVOID
More limited usage than many others
While we were excited to test some exercise bows alongside more traditional home gym models, in comparison, we're not convinced they're worth the hype. However, if you're sold on the interesting and surprisingly versatile usage of an exercise bow, the Gorilla Bow is our pick. It's one of the very few gym kits we tested that comes with a good range of resistance bands and has plenty of extra options that allow for incremental increases if you're working on progression in your strength and movements. You can purchase additional bands separately to increase resistance considerably — Gorilla Bow sells kits that go up to 340 pounds. The bow itself is highly durable, and even the simple, uncovered resistance bands are stronger than most others we tested. The Gorilla Bow is also extremely simple to set up, thereby cutting down the time spent swapping various pieces in the middle of your routine.
Of course, with limited components comes a somewhat limited range of possible exercises. The bent "bar" of the bow adds a layer of awkwardness to smaller motions like chest presses and is a bit too heavy and long for many single-handed motions. There are still plenty of things you can do with the Gorilla Bow, though, so if you love the concept, this one could be right for you.
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Why You Should Trust Us
We began the testing process with hours of research to find the most promising portable home gym options. After selecting our contenders, we purchased them all for side-by-side comparison and testing. We then spent weeks trying out their myriad uses, configurations, and available ranges. We performed hundreds of exercises to test door anchors, ankle straps, and resistance bands. Our testing team included both men and women, ranging in height from 5'4" to 6'1" and representing various fitness goals and strategies. We're not here to tell you how to exercise, but we can help you find the right tools for your home workout regimen, whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out.
Our testing of portable home gyms is divided across four rating metrics:
- Exercise Options (35% of total score weighting)
- Usability (30% weighting)
- Portability (20% weighting)
- Durability & Safety (15% weighting)
Senior Review Editor Maggie Nichols heads up this review. Even before the restrictions of the COVID pandemic set in, Maggie was an at-home fitness enthusiast. She has made it a priority to incorporate a wide variety of exercises into her routine — none of which involve a gym membership. From running several days a week and practicing yoga in her office to lifting free weights and doing calisthenics in her garage, she's always on the move. For this review, she also enlisted the help of several friends and family members to test the range and options of each model. Maggie has been testing gear and home goods for GearLab since 2017.
Analysis and Test Results
Not everyone wants the same thing from their workout — some of us want to get stronger, while others are focused on maintaining overall health or challenging themself to work toward a specific new goal. When it comes to your personal fitness, as long as safety is your number one concern, any goal can be a good goal for you. With this wide variety of possible reasons for purchasing a portable home gym in mind, we set out to test each of these products in its full capacity so that you understand which is best for your unique goals. We divided our testing into four overarching metrics that, when combined, give an overall picture of each portable gym. To learn more about our testing process and which models perform best in specific areas, read on.
Value
There is no shortage of best exercise equipment on the market for you to spend your money on, but figuring out which system will give you the workout you want for the cash you're willing to spend is another story. While all of the portable home gyms we tested will give you plenty of options, some offer a greater diversity of use than others.
The Gymwell is our top choice when it comes to the most bang for your buck. It comes with a plethora of anchors, straps, bars, and different levels of resistance bands, as well as super helpful instructions to make the most of a surprisingly compact exercise set. Sometimes, however, some extra cash will get you a significant upgrade that's worth the investment — such is the case with the Gonex. It's more expensive but includes a ton of extras and some unique components not found on any other home gym we tested.
Exercise Options
One of the most important aspects of any portable home gym is the number of exercises you can actually do with it. To evaluate this, we considered many factors, including the number of different components each model has and their versatility for different uses targeting various muscles and muscle groups. We evaluated the range of resistance these gyms have to offer, the increments at which they can be changed, and additional pieces that can expand that range. We also considered extras and add-ons, like online videos (from the manufacturer, not just other customers creating videos), subscription services, and additional items to expand your gym.
Staying Safe
As with any exercise, whether it's a new routine or one you've been doing for years, be sure to do it safely. Read the directions that come with your home gym and consult the manufacturer's website — and ideally your doctor as well — before beginning to use any new equipment. Ensure that you follow included safety directions and listen to your body's limits to avoid serious injury.
It's hard to beat the Gonex Home Gym for the sheer number of included components and possible exercises they enable. This gym includes a wide baseboard and the typical assortment of ankle straps, foot stirrups, handles, and door anchors, and it also features two ab roller wheels, a post landmine sleeve, and an additional segment to elongate and pad the bar for wider-set exercises. Included with all of this is a corresponding in-depth booklet full of ideas and instructions to help you tailor your workout to your goals.
Though it lacks a footboard or ab rollers, the Gymwell system is also impressive in its diversity of offerings. It features two different strengths of resistance bands, a tree/post anchor, and ankle/foot combination anchors to add options while cutting down the time spent swapping out different components. The Gymwell also comes with our favorite on-paper workout instructions — a set of posters as well as two decks of cards (connected on a ring, for easy flipping) with very detailed directions to keep your form sharp and your training targeted.
The BodyBoss 2.0 and INNSTAR 3.0 both scored above average here as well. The BodyBoss doesn't have quite as many components as similar models but still includes a baseboard, anchors, and all the right straps to get a full workout. Additional components are available for purchase, allowing you to add on and get more out of this system. The INNSTAR's numerous components add to its versatility (like a bar and unique bench press band), but you're forced to purchase a whole new set if you want to change the amount of resistance in your bands.
The OYO Personal Gym is a neat little contraption that we like the idea of but find to be a little bit limited. It has only low resistance options and far fewer add-ons and components than many others — better suited for repetition than building serious muscle.
Usability
Another crucial part of any exercise equipment is its usability. To test this, we assessed numerous facets during use. When working out, we checked smoothness, grip comfort, stability, and overall feel. Between exercises, we evaluated the ease of changing and adjusting equipment to various positions and resistance levels. Before and after our sessions, we noted how easy each gym is to set up and put away. And we took note of how intuitive each model is — i.e., do you need the booklet or website every time, or are the exercise options straightforward?
Maximizing Your Efforts
In order to make your workouts both safe and effective, take some time to learn about proper techniques for using your equipment. By practicing consistent, appropriate techniques for every exercise you perform, you'll help yourself twice, both in gains from the movement itself and avoiding injuries often sustained from improper exercise form.
Once again, the Gonex proves itself a step above the rest in terms of usability and adaptability. It's the only model we tested that includes an extra segment to lengthen the bar and a padded sleeve that is exceptionally comfortable to use during squats. With metal anchors on the top of the baseboard, it's quick and easy to change between components without losing your workout momentum. And while it comes with a thorough instruction booklet, we found its components to be quite intuitive to set up and use. The Gymwell system is also impressively useful and versatile, with a longer-than-average bar with firmly attached padded sections that add noticeable comfort. The BodyBoss 2.0 also comes with a longer-than-average bar that's comfortably padded and a very sturdy baseboard with easy-to-use anchors and grips for solid foot placement.
The INNSTAR 3.0 kit is rather easy to use in most respects as well. Its thick, sturdy bands and solid attachments provide clean, smooth movements. The Gorilla Bow is very easy to set up, and its simple design means you don't have to switch out components between routines, and swapping resistance bands when needed is a cinch. It also offers one of the smallest increments of change of any model we tested. The OYO Personal Gym is another that's quite usable in many ways. While at first appearing complicated, the system itself is surprisingly simple, allowing you to perform a wide variety of exercises without having to change anything about the unit's setup. When you do need to change resistance levels, simple round packs can be quickly snapped on or off the center of the frame.
The NYPOT Bow is nearly as easy to set up as the Gorilla Bow, with the added step of assembling the bow itself, which simply clicks into place with metal buttons. Swapping bands is easy and straightforward.
Portability
Testing the portability of each gym involved a combination of measurements and perceived exercise value. We weighed and measured every packed-up portable gym and evaluated its compactness when considering travel restrictions. We then assessed the likelihood that we would actually travel with such a thing — whether to the park down the street or on a work trip for a week.
By their very nature, every one of these gym systems is more portable than even the slimmest exercise bike or the most compact free weight set. If your goal in the search for portability is to save space at home and be able to keep your equipment in the closet when not in use, every one of the models we tested fits the bill. On the other hand, if you're hoping to take some fitness gear to use discretely during work breaks or maintain health goals while traveling, some are more conducive to being stuck in a suitcase or duffel bag.
The OYO Personal Gym is fairly compact and could easily be brought along on vacation. Though a bit bulkier and heavier, the Gymwell or INNSTAR 3.0 could arguably be carted to work or your neighborhood park without too much inconvenience. The BodyBoss 2.0 isn't much larger, and its additional workout options may make it the perfect travel companion.
The Gonex is a large, heavy, and bulky baseboard system. While we enjoy its size and plethora of additions for home use, it's a bit much to travel with and best left in the closet at home. The Gorilla Bow claims to be portable, but the idea of carrying around a solid 4.5-foot bar of metal isn't exactly appealing. The NYPOT Bow breaks down into three sections that fit into a simple carry bag, making it a much better option for true travel ease.
Durability & Safety
This metric combines our own observations of the quality of materials and build of every unit with the relative safety of using each one. We scrutinized and compared every component, using our longtime experience in the field to gauge relative toughness. We then scoured the internet for other outstanding user complaints of equipment failure and considered the safety information that came with each gym (if applicable). From the obvious advice to consult your physician to specific directions on proper form during individual exercises, no element went unobserved.
Breaking Bands
Many portable home gyms use some form of latex, rubber, or other stretchy bands to create the resistance used in workouts. These bands will degrade over time, offering decreased resistance and potentially cracking, ripping, or even snapping during a workout. It's important that you read the directions for care included with your home gym and follow them to extend the lifespan of your equipment. If you're worried about being snapped by a broken latex strap, consider purchasing a model with fabric-enclosed bands that offer protection in the event of a break.
The OYO Personal Gym is the only system we tested that doesn't rely on breakable resistance bands, opting instead for sturdy cables and a pulley system to minimize stress to the unit during use. It also has fewer pieces to snap on and off, further lowering potential breakable components over prolonged use.
When it comes to resistance band units, the INNSTAR bands are among the sturdiest we tested, further supported by protective fabric sheaths. The Gonex and BodyBoss 2.0 are quite durable as well, with numerous components of metal and thick plastic, and tough resistance bands covered with protective fabric.
The Gorilla Bow is quite durable, with an exceptionally thick metal — same for the NYPOT 3-piece portable bow system. However, we're far more impressed by the Gorilla's latex bands than we are by the weaker NYPOT bands that seemed to attract every stray dog hair nearby. Regarding safety and instruction, the Gonex and Gymwell included copious amounts of information on how to use their equipment effectively and safely. The OYO system has abundant extras online for using this unique piece of equipment, including many multi-week challenges and other life tips and fitness advice.
Conclusion
Whether you're trying to save money on a gym membership, stay healthy without leaving home, or just looking for something to add variety to your exercise, there's a portable home gym for you. We sweated it out, testing each one and comparing them together to help you determine which one will guide you toward your fitness goals.
