11 Best Low Impact Exercise Equipment for Home

Staying active is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves, for both our mental and physical health. If you’re up against roadblocks like a busy schedule or expensive gym membership, then exercising from the comfort of your own home might just be the key to sticking with a routine.

To create a strong foundation for at-home workouts, you’ll need compact, versatile exercise equipment that elevates your heart rate—out of excitement. 

From under-desk ellipticals and walking pads that you can use while working to vibration plates and resistance bands that enhance your gains, here are some of the best low impact exercise equipment options.

#1 Stationary Exercise Bikes

Biking outdoors isn’t for everyone, especially if you live in a city with poor cycling infrastructure or frequent inclement weather.

A stationary bike is the perfect home gym solution to both of these problems. You can find exercise bikes that are small enough to fit under a desk or in front of a couch for an easy and accessible cardio workout. And these same compact bikes aren’t just for your legs—with a few quick adjustments, you can pedal with your arms for powerful muscle strengthening and toning. 

#2 Under-Desk Ellipticals 

For calves of steel without time-consuming trips to the gym, try an under-desk elliptical. 

This compact piece of cardio equipment is perfect for work-from-home workouts. There are many under desk bike benefits. Because the elliptical machine is low-impact and you are seated, you can put together presentation decks, take work calls, and answer emails all while keeping your body in motion. 

#3 Treadmills or Walking Pads

Walking is one of the best low-impact cardio exercises for people of all ages. It’s lauded for a wide array of health benefits, including¹:

• Soothing stiff joints
• Boosting immune function
• Curbing sugary cravings

Full-sized treadmills can be cost-prohibitive and often take up a significant amount of space. With a portable treadmill or walking pad tucked away under your standing desk, you can easily meet your step goal during a busy work day or when the weather has you avoiding the outdoors. 

#4 Vibration Plates

The buzz around vibration plates is all true: they’re powerful tools for maximizing the positive effects of any workout, and the benefits of vibration plates are not unfounded. 

The whole-body vibrations induce rapid muscle contractions, which, when combined with low-impact exercises like squats and lunges, can increase muscle strength and flexibility. They immediately amplify a simple exercise routine.

#5 Rowing Machines

Rowing is one of the less accessible types of exercise, but with a rowing machine, you can do it right from your living room. 

Rowing machines work your whole body, great for burning calories and toning muscles. Make your workout as low impact as you need by changing the resistance or slowing your rowing speed. 

#6 Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent bikes are similar to stationary bikes, but they have one key difference: they’re reclined. 

When it comes to home gym equipment, if you have any type of back or shoulder pain, a recumbent exercise bike is a great alternative to other stationary bicycles. You can still squeeze in an incredible workout, without the tension or pain. 

#7 Free Weights or Adjustable Dumbbells 

Using free weights can be daunting for those who are new to working out, but their versatility allows you to exercise your way. Plus, the adjustment period is usually quick and painless. 

Here are a few simple exercises you can do to work your body:

• Bicep curls
• Goblet squats
• Russian twists

As you continue to work out, you’ll find that you can move up in weight. That’s why adjustable dumbbells are so convenient. Instead of buying another set of weights, you can simply add—or remove—a couple of extra pounds whenever you want to. There are many types of dumbbells to choose from, but adjustable ones may be the best place to start. Learn more about the many benefits of adjustable dumbbells in our blog.

#8 Foam Rollers

You should always take a recovery day or two to let the effects of your hard work settle in. Foam rollers are perfect for stretching tight muscles to enhance performance and recover more quickly. 

Do your muscles need some extra TLC? Use a vibrating foam roller for twice the impact. 

#9 Resistance Bands

If you’re looking to add an additional challenge to your workout routine, try resistance bands. These rubber bands are adaptable for many exercises and can add tension to either upper- or lower-body routines.

Learn more about dumbbells vs resistance bands in our blog to help you decide what home gym equipment is best for you.

#10 Stability Balls

Stability balls—commonly called “yoga balls”—can be used for both static and active core strengthening exercises. Swap it with your desk chair to engage your strength and balance while you work, or incorporate it into your normal workout routine when completing seated exercises. 

#11 Balance Trainers

A good workout isn’t all about burning calories and bulking up. Building balance is an essential skill that every exercise enthusiast needs. 

Balance trainers are similar to stability balls but have a flat bottom instead, so you can stand on top of it, either with the flat side down or, for increased difficulty, the ball side down. By standing on a balance trainer or half exercise ball for virtually any exercise, whether with one foot planted or two, you’ll be instantly upping the difficulty level of your low-impact routine. Try standard squats, pistol squats, or simply balance on one leg to see how long you last. Work to increase your time with each subsequent workout.

Explore Low-Impact Exercise Equipment from Lifepro

As you can see, there’s more to at-home workouts than just treadmills and dumbbells. 

No matter which pieces of equipment you choose to bring home, you can design a low-impact workout routine that keeps your whole body active and engaged. 

Many people choose to invest in at-home exercise equipment instead of buying a gym membership. If that’s so, you want equipment that will last. For high-quality equipment you can trust, browse Lifepro’s extensive collection now.

Sources: 

1. Harvard Health Publishing. 5 surprising benefits of walking. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking 

Author

Joel Gottehrer

Joel Gottehrer is the Co-Founder of Lifepro Fitness and has dedicated his life to helping people transform theirs. With over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and owner of two personal training studios, Joel has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping transform lives. After suffering from physical injuries, Joel and his business partner, Abraham Brach, came together with a common goal to alleviate the pain caused by their injuries.

They continued to find themselves disappointed with the results stemming from various products promising to relieve their pain, and with that – Lifepro Fitness was born. Joel's mission is to have a positive impact on millions of lives with the Lifepro brand. Whether it's finding new and innovative ways to help people recover from injuries or developing products to improve overall wellness, Joel is always looking for ways to push the boundaries. Thanks to his commitment to help people live their lives free of pain, Lifepro has been able to do this for thousands of people since its founding in 2017.