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Equipment Reviews

Honest, no-nonsense reviews to help you find the right gear for your training.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on these pages are affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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8 reviews in Home Gym

★★★★★ £100-£400

Adjustable Dumbbells Buyer's Guide: Replace an Entire Rack With One Pair

Find the best adjustable dumbbells for your home gym. We compare Bowflex, PowerBlock, and budget UK options from £100 to £400.

Best for: Home gym strength training — the single most versatile piece of equipment
Essential
★★★★★ £80-£400

Barbell Buyer's Guide: The Most Important Bar in Your Home Gym

Find the best barbell for squats, deadlifts, and bench press. Olympic bars compared from budget to premium — £80 to £400.

Best for: Squats, deadlifts, bench, rows — every major lift
Essential
★★★★☆ £10-£40

Exercise Mat Buyer's Guide: Protect Your Joints and Your Floors

Find the best exercise mat for home workouts, yoga, and stretching. Thickness, grip, and material compared — from £10 to £40.

Best for: Floor work, stretching, yoga, and core exercises
Essential
★★★★★ £20-£80 (per bell)

Kettlebell Buyer's Guide: One Bell, Hundreds of Exercises

Find the best kettlebell for swings, squats, and conditioning. Cast iron and competition bells compared — from £20 to £80.

Best for: Swings, goblet squats, Turkish get-ups, and conditioning
Essential
★★★★★ £200-£800

Power Rack Buyer's Guide: Train Heavy at Home Without a Spotter

Find the best power rack for your home gym. Full racks, half racks, and squat stands compared — from £200 to £800.

Best for: Squats, bench press, and heavy barbell work at home
★★★★★ £15-£60

Pull-Up Bar Buyer's Guide: The Best Bodyweight Back Exercise for £15

Find the best pull-up bar for your home. Doorframe, wall-mounted, and multi-grip options compared — from £15 to £60.

Best for: Pull-ups, chin-ups, hanging, and core work
Essential
★★★★★ £80-£300

Weight Bench Buyer's Guide: The Foundation of Every Home Gym

Find the best weight bench for your home gym. Flat, adjustable, and folding benches compared — from £80 to £300.

Best for: Bench press, incline work, seated exercises
Essential
★★★★★ £1-£3 per kg

Weight Plates Buyer's Guide: Bumper vs Cast Iron for Your Home Gym

Find the best weight plates for your barbell. Bumper plates vs cast iron, pricing per kg, and where to buy — £1 to £3 per kg.

Best for: Loading barbells and machines
Essential

Frequently Asked Questions

What gym equipment do I actually need?
For a commercial gym, just bring a water bottle and a towel. Optional but useful: lifting straps, chalk, resistance bands (for warm-ups), and a gym bag. A belt and lifting shoes are worth investing in once you're squatting and deadlifting heavier weights.
What equipment do I need for a home gym?
Start with adjustable dumbbells and a pull-up bar — these two items unlock hundreds of exercises. Add a weight bench next, then a barbell and plates. A power rack is the ultimate upgrade for safe heavy lifting at home. Budget around £500-£1000 for a solid starter setup.
Are the reviews independent?
Yes. Some links on our review pages are affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn't influence our ratings or recommendations — we recommend what we'd genuinely use ourselves.

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