Should I buy a Peloton or a regular exercise bike?

A Peloton requires a £44/month subscription to unlock its primary value. A Schwinn IC4 or Bowflex C6 pairs with Peloton's app at a cheaper subscription rate and costs half the hardware price.

Best Home Fitness for Strength Training (2026)

Best for Strength Training

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Replaces 15 pairs of dumbbells. Turn the dial, pick 2.5–24kg in 2 seconds.

★★★★☆ 4.7 (26,200 Amazon reviews)

✓ Replaces 15 dumbbell sets (2.5–24kg) in footprint of one pair

✓ 2-second dial adjustment — no fumbling between sets

✓ Compact storage tray included

Price range: Mid-Range

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

Best Value

PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells

2.5–50kg per hand. Expandable to 90kg. The most compact heavy-duty adjustable dumbbell.

★★★★☆ 4.6 (9,400 Amazon reviews)

✓ Expandable: add Stage 2 and 3 kits to reach 90kg per hand

✓ More compact than Bowflex — takes up less floor space

✓ 1.25kg increments at lower weights for precise progression

Price range: Mid-Range

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

Also Recommended

Onnit Primal Kettlebell (16kg)

Competition-spec cast iron. Flat base. The most popular single kettlebell for home training.

★★★★☆ 4.8 (6,200 Amazon reviews)

✓ Competition-specification dimensions — consistent feel across all weights

✓ Flat base for push-up variations and renegade rows

✓ Single-piece casting with no welds or seams that catch on calluses

Price range: Mid-Range

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

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Why These Made Our List

#1: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Best for: Home gym builders wanting a complete weight range in minimal space. Best space-to-capability ratio in strength training.

The SelectTech 552 made home strength training practical for non-dedicated spaces. Two dumbbells on a tray, 15 weight options, 2-second adjustment. For anyone building a home gym with space constraints, this is typically the first purchase we'd recommend.

Full verdict →

#2: PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells

Best for: Intermediate to advanced lifters who want a heavy range (up to 50kg+) and plan to expand their weight range over time.

PowerBlock's expandable system is the long-game choice for home gym builders. Start at 50kg per hand and grow to 90kg as your strength increases — without buying a whole new set. More compact than Bowflex and built to commercial standard.

Full verdict →

#3: Onnit Primal Kettlebell (16kg)

Best for: Those starting kettlebell training or looking for a quality cast-iron bell at the most versatile starting weight.

The Onnit Primal Kettlebell delivers competition-specification quality at a home gym price. The flat base opens swing and push-up combinations that round-bottom bells can't. At 16kg it's the ideal entry weight for most adults. Quality that lasts decades.

Full verdict →

How to Choose: Home Fitness for Strength Training

Home gym equipment is a significant purchase — and the market is full of brands that look impressive in photos but fall apart within a year. Our verdict is based on build quality, long-term reliability data, and whether the equipment will actually get used.

What to Look For

These are the factors that genuinely separate good purchases from regretted ones:

Weight Capacity & Frame Quality

Never buy a treadmill or bike without checking the weight limit and frame warranty. Steel frames with powder coating outlast aluminium.

Motor Quality (treadmills)

Continuous duty horsepower (CHP) is the figure that matters, not peak HP. For running: 2.5 CHP minimum. Under-powered motors burn out within 18 months of regular use.

Noise Level

Critical if you live in a flat or have family members asleep. Belt-drive bikes and magnetic resistance treadmills are quietest. Anything under 60dB is genuinely quiet.

Footprint & Foldability

Measure your space including the safety zone (1.5m behind treadmill belts). Folding treadmills save space but add weight and complexity.

Console & Connectivity

Bluetooth heart rate, Strava/Zwift compatibility, and incline controls add genuine motivation value. Proprietary app lock-in is a long-term cost consideration.

Warranty Terms

Frame/motor/parts/labour warranties are all separate. A 'lifetime frame warranty' with 90-day labour is essentially worthless. Look for balanced coverage across all four.

Mistakes to Avoid

⚠ Buying a folding treadmill to save space — they're heavier and harder to fold than the photos suggest
⚠ Ignoring the weight limit on a bike or treadmill as 'only a guideline'
⚠ Buying smart fitness equipment without checking the ongoing app subscription cost
⚠ Underestimating the noise impact on neighbours — especially for running at 6am

Understanding the Price Ranges

Under 200: Entry-level equipment. Fine for walking or light use. Not suitable for daily running.

200–500: Mid-range. Suitable for regular moderate use. Good 2–3 year lifespan with proper use.

500–1000: Semi-professional. Daily use viable. Expect 5+ year lifespan.

1000+: Professional grade. Commercial-quality build. 10+ year lifespan for serious athletes.

Price Ranges Explained

under-200

Entry-level equipment. Fine for walking or light use. Not suitable for daily running.

200-500

Mid-range. Suitable for regular moderate use. Good 2–3 year lifespan with proper use.

500-1000

Semi-professional. Daily use viable. Expect 5+ year lifespan.

1000-plus

Professional grade. Commercial-quality build. 10+ year lifespan for serious athletes.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a home gym actually cheaper than a gym membership?

Over 3 years, usually yes. A £1,000 treadmill vs £50/month gym membership breaks even at 20 months. The caveat: home equipment only saves money if you actually use it.

What's the best home gym equipment for small spaces?

Adjustable dumbbells, a folding resistance bench, and a pull-up bar. These cover 80% of strength training in a 2x2 metre footprint. For cardio: a stationary bike is narrower than a treadmill.

Are cheap treadmills worth buying?

For walking (up to 6km/h), a £200–300 treadmill is fine. For running, no — underpowered motors overheat and the frame vibrates at speed. Spend at least £500 for a treadmill you intend to run on regularly.