Best Home Workouts For Every Budget

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With everything going on these days, people have no choice (or excuse) but to exercise at home. I have not belonged to a gym in over six years, yet I work out more now than ever before. I thought I’d share some of my favorite at-home workouts with you.

Check with your local gym as many of them offer an at-home streaming option. Most of the workouts below have been around for years and have it all figured it out.

I personally have tried every one of these workouts (with the exception of two), and as always, I only recommend things I deem worth sharing.

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Favorite At-Home Workouts

1. Peloton

If you’ve followed my blog for any time (or subscribe to my newsletter), you know how I feel about Peloton. Never before has a workout program motivated me more.

Whether you choose to use the Peloton Digital app or purchase the Peloton bike or Tread, I have a feeling you’ll soon agree with me.

Cost:

Peloton Membership: $39 per month plus the cost of the Peloton Bike or Peloton Tread. Financing is available for both. Note, effective June 1, 2022, Peloton raised the monthly membership to $44 per month.

• Current price of the Peloton Bike: $1445 plus $250 shipping and delivery, not including shoes, weights, mat, and anything else you wish to add.
• Current price of the Bike+: $1995 (down from $2495). No shipping or delivery charge. This does not include shoes, weights, mat, and other accessories.
• Current price of the Tread: $2695 (down from $2845) plus a $350 shipping and assembly fee.
• The Tread Plus is still not on the market after the recall.

Digital App Only: $12.99 per month. Accounts cannot be shared with family members.

This gives you full access to all live and on-demand classes. Some metrics cannot be tracked and you cannot place on the leaderboard. For more about info, check out this post about the Peloton App. Bike costs vary but here are some alternative bikes and treadmills that I recommend using with the app.

You can also use the app without any equipment at all as there are plenty of cardio, weight, yoga, meditation classes, and more.

Pros:

• So many classes to choose from (cardio, outdoor runs and walks, yoga, meditation, stretching, weights, full-body strength, and more)
• Thousands of live and on-demand classes
• The Facebook community really provides a cheering squad for you. The official page is a great starting point but you’ll find your own online tribes and groups perfectly suited to you.
• Motivating, fun, great music. Here’s my cheat sheet to some of the best Peloton rides and this one with Peloton rides featuring TV, movie, and Broadway musical soundtracks.
• Ability to earn virtual badges and participate in motivating challenges
• You can get the Peloton Guide sold separately to help you with your form during strength classes

Cons:

• You need a designated space for a spin bike or treadmill in your home
• Peloton Tread takes up a lot of space
• Peloton Bike and Tread are expensive

Check out this blog post 15 Ways to Keep Your Peloton Streak Going.

2. Les Mills On Demand

Cost:

Depending on your plan, price varies.

• Annual Membership: $9.99 per month
• 3-month Membership: $11 per month
• Monthly: $9.99 per month

You can get a 30 day free trial by using my link here.

Pros:

• Many gyms use Les Mills programs so you may be familiar with their classes
• Huge variety of classes including BodyPump, Bodycombat, CXWorx, Grit, and Barre
• Many classes require little to no equipment

Cons:

• Expensive equipment may be needed for some classes–example, a SmartBar with weights and a SmartStep
• Camera often focuses on the entire class, rather than just the instructor, making it hard to sometimes follow along, especially on a small screen like an iPhone
• Music is a lot more clubby than Peloton if that’s not your thing
• Teachers have New Zealand accents so can take you a while to catch everything they’re saying

3. FightCamp

From the moment I saw FightCamp, I was intrigued. They sent me their equipment to try out and I loved it. I want to get a pair of kid boxing gloves for my son to use.

Cost:

• $1219 for equipment, includes punching bag, boxing gloves, mat, wraps, and sensors
• $39 per month. Can be shared with household members.
• $439 if you already have your own punching bag and gloves. Get the Connect package which includes only the wraps and sensors. You’ll still have to pay the monthly fee
• Some free workouts on the app but you’ll still need a bag, gloves, wraps, and the sensors

Pros:

• Workouts are intense but fun!
• Classes incorporate bodyweight exercises too, like planks and crunches
• Great Facebook community where members motivate you and answer all your questions
• Virtual Badges awarded for achievements
• You can use your own bag and gloves
• Kids can use it too

Cons:

• You need to fill the bag with 400 pounds of sand (preferred) or 270 lbs of water
• Bag takes up a good amount of room (24-inch diameter at the bottom)

4. The Ring Fit Adventure

This smart Pilates ring works with the Nintendo Switch. Either exercise using the short drills or use your physical skills in the video game portion to kill Dragaux. My kids love this game as do I.

Cost:

• $79.99 for Ring Adventure Fit game (includes leg strap and Ring-con)
• $300 for the Nintendo Switch $300

Pros:

• So fun that you don’t realize you’re working out
• A workout you can do with your kids

Cons:

• Lots of jumping (moms will understand–wink, wink)
• Not a strong storyline
• Sold out everywhere! But check Amazon regularly because it does come back

5. MyYogaWorks

Before Peloton, this was my go-to at-home yoga class. MyYogaWorks offers over 1,000 classes online.

Cost:

• Free 2-week trial
• $15 per month
• Check out some free classes on their website

Tip: Groupon often has amazing deals for MyYogaWorks. Be on the lookout. Combine Groupon with Rakuten (formerly Ebates) for the best deal. Here’s my link to save you $30 off your first purchase. Note: amount back subject to change. (For more on how I save using Rakuten, read the blog post here).

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Over 1000 yoga classes
• Classes for every level
• Fun classes like puppy yoga and journey classes
• Little equipment needed besides a yoga mat and yoga blocks. Optional equipment includes a strap (you can use a belt) and a blanket

Cons:

• No live classes
• No music

6. Aaptiv

Cost:

• Free 7-day trial
• $14.99 per month
• $99 per year
• $399.99 lifetime membership

Pros:

• 30 classes added every week, including spin, runs, yoga, strength training
• Fun music
• “Personalized” workout plan based upon your fitness level

Cons:

• Audio only (I much prefer video workouts, especially for spin class)
• You can read my full Aaptiv review here.

7. Beach Body on Demand

Remember the old Beachbody DVDs? Well, now you can stream them.

Cost:

• free 14-day trial
• $39 for a 3-month plan
• $59 for a 6-month plan
• $99 per year

*without the Shakeology shakes

Pros:

• You get full access to energizing workouts such as 21-Day Fix, P90X, and Insanity and famous trainers like Autumn Calabrese and Shaun T.
• Workouts start at 20 minutes

Cons:

• If you add in their nutritional program, Shakeology, it gets expensive

8. Dribble Up Medicine Ball

I ordered my son a smart soccer ball for his birthday. I was so impressed with it. DribbleUp sent me one of their 10-pound smart medicine balls to review.

Cost:

• $99 for a 6 lb. ball
• $109 for a 10 lb. ball

Pros:

• No subscription
• Fun and quick workouts
• Uses your device’s camera and the ball’s smart technology to evaluate your moves
• Tracks your progress via the app (iPhone, Android, or Smart TV)
• Takes up very little room

Cons:

• Sometimes the app registers a “lazy” move on my part as correct

Check out my new DribbleUp Smart Boxing Review here.

9. BitGym

This app (IOS and Android) provides scenic trails from around the world

Cost:

• Free during the quarantine period
• $8 per month

Pros:

• Uses the camera on your device to gage cadence and movement
• The app can be used on various types of cardio equipment, such as the treadmill, spin bike, or elliptical. (I find ellipticals very boring which is how I discovered this app).
• Guided tours: coach leads you through the workout with preselected music
• Immersive tours: allow you to go at your own pace, with nature sounds and trail facts

Cons:

• Only 200 trails to choose from

10. Couch to 5K

I first used the c25k app about a decade ago, after my son was born. It does exactly what its name says: it gets you running a 5K 9 weeks.

Cost:

• Free version
• $2.99 for the paid version

Pros:

• Only 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week
• Uses interval training (like the Fun Runs in the Peloton app)

Cons:

• You’ll want to add some strength training into your week too

Home Workouts I Haven’t Tried (but Want to)

Mirror Home Gym

A smart full-length mirror that shows your reflection and gives feedback, as you follow along with an instructor to kickboxing, pilates, yoga, cardio, and strength classes.

Cost:

• $1495 (includes resistance bands, heart rate monitor, and cleaning kit) + $250 set up and delivery
• $39 per month subscription

Pros:

• 70 weekly live classes
• Over 10,000 on-demand classes
• Use the mirror to see your own reflection
• Get corrections to make sure you’re doing exercises properly
• Like Peloton you get shout-outs

Cons:

• Expensive
• Additional equipment such as weight and mat purchased separately

Tonal Fitness

Advertised as the “most intelligent home gym,” Tonal enables you to do arms and legs exercises, up to 200 pounds.

Cost:

• $2995 plus tax and delivery
• $495 for smart accessories (Smart Handles, Smart Bar, Rope, Bench, Mat Roller)
• $49 monthly subscription

Pros:

• Full-body strength program
• Takes up little room. Just hang it on the wall. Right now, I have a home gym filled with equipment; this could eliminate all that clutter.
• No need for free weights, which can get pricey
• The amount of weights digitally lower when you enter burnout mode or struggle

Cons:

• Very expensive

Benefits of Exercising at Home

• Working out at home is cheaper than my gym membership
• Nothing beats the convenience of having a gym in your house
• I work out when the kids are sick, on snow days, or when I have only a small window of time

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, the Peloton and also the digital app, gives you the most bang for your bucks. You get a cardio workout plus strength training. There are yoga classes, meditation, and outdoor classes to choose from every day.

If you have the room and the money, FightCamp is really fun and gives you a full-body workout.

If space is an issue, then either Tonal or the Mirror would give you an amazing workout. However, not all of us can afford their equipment, especially in today’s economy. For a less expensive option, try out Beachbody on Demand and YogaWorks. Throw in the Dribble Up Medicine Ball.

What would I have in my dream home gym? If money were no object, I would spring for the Peloton (both the spin bike and Tread) and the Tonal for a complete home gym.

Pin for later!

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