We all know exercise is incredibly important for our mental and physical health. It is clinically proven to reduce stress and decrease the symptoms of anxiety and depression, making it an essential part of any well-rounded self-care routine. Aside from the mental health benefits, it can be great for hormone health, too. “Working out is naturally a stressful activity for the body, but it is equally important to support a well-functioning metabolism,” explains certified nutrition consultant and natural chef Katherine Haysbert.
Despite the documented benefits of physical movement, finding the time to hit a workout class or work with a personal trainer can sometimes feel impossible. Different schedules, goals, and budgets can make staying on track with a wellness routine challenging. Setting up an at-home gym experience, however, can make your health goals more attainable. We reviewed dozens of at-home gym subscriptions and picked our top eight. Nominations were based on innovation, price point, and unique user experience. From an ultra-luxe virtual Pilates class to a pulse-pumping trampoline experience, we’re confident there’s something for everyone on this list.
Best At-Home Gym Subscriptions of 2022
- Best Overall: Tonal
- Best Budget: Nike Training Club
- Best for Cycling: Peloton
- Best for Yoga: Lululemon Studio Mirror
- Best-Kept Secret: The Ness
- Best for Strength Training: Tempo Move
- Best for Pilates: The Pilates Class
- Best Variety: P.volve
Best Overall: Tonal
Key Specs
- Price: $3,495 for the machine, $495 for the accompanying equipment bundle, $49 a month membership fee
- Platforms: Web-based
- Free trial: No
Why We Chose It
Tonal combines a personal trainer and weight room into one sleek piece. It is super versatile thanks to its ability to swap out various accessories and even fits well in small spaces.
Pros & Cons
17 different sensors assess your form so you can get feedback
Customize your workout by adding on different pieces of equipment
Aesthetically pleasing
Compact for small spaces
Very expensive
Installation may be tricky
Your home’s walls must meet Tonal’s installation requirements
Overview
Tonal is a smart at-home gym that has modernized home-based workouts. Aly Orady founded this company after noticing how his life changed during his own fitness journey. In turn, he was inspired to make exercise more time-efficient and end the days of waiting for a weight machine at a crowded gym.
We love Tonal's overall aesthetic and tech-forward features. Thanks to its live classes and functions, it can easily replace a personal trainer since it can correct your form and even detect muscle fatigue. In short, this machine knows when your muscles are exhausted, when it is time to take a break, and when you could take your effort up a notch.
Tonal has a wide range of classes, from Pilates to weight training to golf. The variety of classes helps ensure there is something for everyone. It is pricey, but for those who are considering shelling out for personal training sessions, this may be a worthy investment.
Plans & Pricing
- To purchase the machine outright, you'll pay $3,495 plus an additional $495 for the accompanying equipment bundle. You are also responsible for monthly membership, which is $49 a month. Shipping and installation are an additional cost, which depends on your location.
- Financing options begin at $73 a month. It is worth noting that $73 a month is comparable to a boutique gym membership, making this worthwhile for some.
Best Budget: Nike Training Club
Key Specs
- Price: Free
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Free trial: N/A
Why We Chose It
Finances shouldn’t prohibit you from breaking a sweat. We love that the Nike Training App offers nearly 500 classes, including ones with and without equipment, for free.
Pros & Cons
Free
Wide range of classes
Additional wellness content and podcasts
Can only do one training program at a time
App only—no web access
No live classes
Overview
When it comes to working out on a budget, nothing compares to the Nike Training Club app. Launched in 2009 as Nike's first iPhone app, Nike Training Club is a fitness experience that offers community, health, and wellness. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the app cost $14.95 a month. However, the company halted all fees during the pandemic and subsequently transitioned to a free service, making it incredibly accessible. We love that there are workout videos of varying lengths for all levels. Cardio, yoga, weight training, and mobility classes are all offered.
It also has different training programs, some of which feature celebrities. For example, there is a six-workout boot camp hosted by Megan Thee Stallion. Another training program focuses on doing workouts synced with your menstrual cycle. It turns out this is an expert-backed approach to exercise. “A great tip for choosing an at-home workout is to choose one that supports which phase of your menstrual cycle you are currently in and what is most supportive to the body at that time,” says Haysbert.
Plans & Pricing
- This app is free and available to anyone with an iOS or Android device.
Best for Cycling Classes: Peloton
Key Specs
- Price: $12.99 to $44 a month for the app; bike starts at $1,445
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Fire TV, Roku TV, web-based
- Free trial: Yes
Why We Chose It
We can’t talk about at-home gym subscriptions without mentioning Peloton. Known for its groundbreaking technology that brings your favorite cycle studio to your home, it offers a great range of services for those who want to put the pedal to the metal.
Pros & Cons
Ability to finance the bike
Wide range of classes, including live classes
Experience is comparable to a studio cycling class
Cost-prohibitive for some
Cannot sync your own music to the classes
Have to pay for a membership on top of paying for the bike
Overview
Founded in 2012, Peloton is a widely renowned at-home cycling experience. It has a wide variety of live and on-demand classes. The classes are known for having some of the best soundtracks, an eclectic range of instructors, and themed rides like a nostalgic Backstreet Boys class. Pop into one of the live classes and prepare to be shocked by how similar it feels to an in-studio experience. The instructors may even shout out your username, making it not too different from those moments when you’re pouring sweat and the studio instructor encourages you to keep going.
If you’re someone who thrives off variety, fret not. There are also classes that incorporate hand weights, adding an element of strength training. The price tag is steep, but you have options to finance. If you’re someone who relies on spin classes as your primary form of exercise, this very well may be worth your money.
Plans & Pricing
- The basic app that is suitable for use without the bike costs $12.99 a month, and the first two months are free. The membership app required for use with the bike costs $44 a month.
- Bikes range from $1,445 to $2,495, and financing plans are available.
Best for Yoga: Lululemon Studio Mirror
Key Specs
- Price: Equipment costs $1,495 to $1,695; the app is $39 a month
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Free trial: No
Why We Chose It
The beloved activewear brand’s take on at-home gym equipment is easy on the eyes and perfect for those who want to stretch their yoga practice.
Pros & Cons
Sleek design makes it perfect for any place in the house
Can sync your classes with friends
Does not require a lot of wall space
Best for yoga and cardio
Have to buy extra equipment if you want to explore non-bodyweight exercises
Mirror is heavy and can be challenging to move
Overview
Lululemon Studio Mirror reminds us of hitting a luxury boutique gym. The equipment is sleek and modern—when it isn’t turned on, it just looks like a large mirror. It offers various workouts, including strength training, cardio boot camps, dance, barre, and boxing. However, it is our pick for the best at-home gym subscription for yoga for a reason—it has tons of yoga classes that only require you to use a mat and your bodyweight. Plus, the company has partnered with boutique studios Y7 and YogaSix to give you fresh yoga content on a regular basis. In total, there are over 10,000 classes and 60 fitness categories. You can count on accessing live classes every day and new content each week. Plus, there is a range of class levels and even options for family workouts.
If you like to incorporate workouts involving weights in addition to your yoga practice, be prepared to drop some money on accessories. Weighted ankle bands begin at $100, hand weights range from $85 to $340, and a heart monitor is $49.95.
Plans & Pricing
- The Mirror equipment costs $1,495 to $1,695, and accompanying accessories range from $49.95 to $340.
- The studio membership app (which you'll need to access classes) is $39 a month.
Best-Kept Secret: The Ness
Key Specs
- Price: $499.99 for the trampoline; $39.99 for the monthly digital subscription
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, web-based
- Free trial: Yes, 7-day free trial for the subscription
Why We Chose It
By far the most unique at-home gym subscription on this list, we love the lighthearted vibe of The Ness’s trampoline classes.
Pros & Cons
Very unique concept
Free 20-minute consultation to help you get started
Special seasonal programming
All trampoline sales are final
No live classes
Equipment might be bulky for storage in small spaces
Overview
Remember jumping on a trampoline when you were a kid? There’s such freedom and joy associated with these memories. After a long session of bouncing, you probably felt deliciously exhausted, and delirious from being suspended in the air. This exact form of underrated joy is why we picked The Ness as the Best-Kept Secret when it comes to at-home gym subscriptions. Trampoline exercise is a great aerobic workout that can decrease blood pressure. It can also help your functional mobility, keeping your joints healthy while boosting those endorphins.
Offering a wide range of trampoline classes, we love that this experience that is typically sequestered away in fitness studios is now accessible from your living room. You can purchase the trampoline directly through The Ness to pair with its digital subscription. Not ready to take the jump? The digital subscription offers plenty of Pilates-inspired on-demand sculpt classes that don’t require any equipment, and you can try it for free for seven days
Plans & Pricing
- The trampoline costs $499.99.
- The monthly digital subscription costs $39.99.
Best for Strength Training: Tempo Move
Key Specs
- Price: $59 to $69 a month, plus a $100 refundable deposit
- Platforms: iOS
- Free trial: No
Why We Chose It
We love Tempo Move as a budget-friendly option for those who wish for a strength training at-home gym subscription experience.
Pros & Cons
One-on-one fitness coaching available
Great for small spaces
Budget-friendly alternative to other at-home gym options
Not the best for heavy lifting
Requires an iPhone, TV, and HDMI cord to access
Not compatible with Android
Overview
Tempo Move wins for best strength-training subscription due to its affordability, AI technology, and compact set-up. The younger sibling to the Tempo Mirror, it is a smart home gym set-up that is perfect for those who live in small spaces or are on a tight budget. It stores up to 90 pounds and is nestled in a chic, unassuming container.
You connect your iPhone to your TV and then dock your phone on the Tempo Move. From there, you take the virtual classes streamed through your television. What makes this especially useful is that when you are all connected, the AI-powered system can track your reps and recognize the weight you're using. This means you get to receive form guidance in real time. There are over 2,000 classes, with new ones added weekly. You can also opt to join a live class.
Plans & Pricing
- You'll pay $59 a month for 50 pounds of adjustable weights and $69 for 90 pounds of weights, plus a refundable $100 deposit.
- The membership essentially operates as a rental, so you own the whole system after two years. You can also buy the system before the two years are up. The purchase price will depend on how long you’ve been a member, but it generally varies from $125 to $495.
Best for Pilates: The Pilates Class
Key Specs
- Price: $29 a month or $139 a year
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web-based
- Free trial: Yes, 7 days
Why We Chose It
The dreamy aesthetic, wide range of classes, and warm guidance from platform instructor Jacqui Kingswell makes The Pilates Class one of our all-time favorite Pilates programs.
Pros & Cons
Wide variety of class lengths
Monthly challenges to help you stay accountable
Multiple intensity levels
Only has one instructor, which may not be the best for those who need variety
Fewer classes on the platform than some competitors
Doesn’t only focus on classic Pilates
Overview
The Pilates Class is our pick for the best Pilates at-home gym subscription, thanks to its monthly accountability challenges and excellent instruction. Founded by former professional dancer Jacqui Kingswell, the virtual platform offers over 200 on-demand classes, including Pilates, barre, yoga, and even booty-busting boot camp classes. There isn’t any equipment required for these classes, though you’re welcome to add hand weights or ankle weights to some.
We love Jacqui’s style as the sole instructor on the platform. She is kind and funny but also provides strong encouragement. There is a focus on feeling good rather than having your body look a certain way. If you prefer live classes, consider checking out The Pilates Class's Instagram. Jacqui will occasionally lead a class on Instagram Live.
Plans & Pricing
- A subscription costs $29 a month or $139 a year. The Pilates Class offers a free seven-day trial.
Best Variety: P.volve
Key Specs
- Price: $19.99 a month or $95.58 a year for the virtual platform; equipment bundles range from $90 to $350
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web-based
- Free trial: Yes, 7-day free trial for the virtual platform
Why We Chose It
We love P.volve’s low-impact movements with inventive resistance equipment. It emphasizes functional movement, making the wide variety of exercises great for strength-building and overall physical longevity.
Pros & Cons
Innovative equipment
Low-impact exercises
Focus on functional fitness
Requires equipment
Not the best for those who want a sweaty workout experience
Form of some moves may be hard to master at home
Overview
P.volve takes the cake for the best variety out of the at-home gym subscriptions due to the wide range of exercises in its program. Standing for Personal Evolution, P.Volve’s low-impact program focuses on functional movement. Using ultramodern equipment, like a weight that you can strap between your thighs, you can expect to build muscle while avoiding high-impact exercises that can cause long-term joint damage.
This program has caused us to reevaluate how we think about variety. Sure, it has strength, cardio, recovery, and quickie classes, but what sets it apart is its innovative method that will take you through a range of unexpected movements. Every class can have you working tons of different muscles through exercises that challenge your mobility. Tag on some of the equipment, and you’ll start to notice some muscles you didn’t even know you had. P.volve currently offers on-demand and live virtual classes.
Plans & Pricing
- Access to P.volve’s virtual platform costs $19.99 monthly or $95.98 a year.
- Equipment bundles range from $90 to $350.
Final Verdict
While we love each of the at-home gym subscriptions we reviewed, we believe Tonal is the best of the best. While it is pricey, we found its wide range of functions and impressive technology to be unmatched in the current market. That being said, if you are looking to get fit while minding a tight budget, the Nike Training Club app is for you. Want something different that harks back to your childhood days? Try out The Ness’s trampoline classes.
Guide to Choosing the Best At-Home Gym Subscriptions
Are At-Home Gym Subscriptions Worth It?
At-home gym subscriptions can be a great fit for anyone looking to boost their physical health. For those who’ve mainly attended in-person classes, some of the pricier equipment may wind up being a better investment. Even though it may be a higher cost upfront, it’ll likely be cheaper in the long run than a few years of studio classes or personal trainer sessions.
If you’re super busy and find yourself constantly scrambling to book a session with a personal trainer or hit your local workout studio, the convenience of working out at home may be a complete game-changer. If you’re on a tight budget, the Nike Training Club app is free and features plenty of workouts that don’t require equipment.
How to Choose an At-Home Gym Subscription
Think an at-home gym subscription is for you but not sure which one to choose? Here are some things to keep in mind when considering an at-home gym experience.
- Pricing: Consider what your monthly budget is for your at-home gym subscription. Can you afford to invest in a large piece of equipment, or can you only handle a subscription right now? That will help you find the best at-home gym subscription for you.
- Type of classes: Do you like live classes? Or on-demand classes? Perhaps you want to try out both? Many platforms have a mix, but be sure to double-check before signing up.
- Equipment requirements: Some people may live in a small place while others might have a space in their home they can’t wait to transform into a gym. Be clear on how you’d like to handle the equipment you might need for your at-home gym subscription before you make an investment.
- Free trial: Scared of commitment? Trust us, we get it. Most subscriptions on this list offer a free trial. If you stumble across one that doesn’t, and you don't feel comfortable taking a chance, move onto the next option.
- Platforms: Do you prefer to stream your workouts through your smart TV? Would you rather have your workouts on an app so you can sweat on the go? Consider how you’d like your at-home gym subscription content delivered before settling on a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an At-Home Gym Subscription?
An at-home gym subscription is a virtual gym experience that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home. Some subscriptions require equipment, like the Peloton bike, while others are offered through an app, like The Pilates Class. We love that these subscriptions offer flexibility and a great workout, often for less than you'd pay for an in-person personal trainer.
How Much Do At-Home Gym Subscriptions Cost?
Pricing for at-home gym subscriptions varies. Some are free, like the Nike Training Club app. Others, like Tonal and the Lululemon Studio Mirror, can cost a few thousand dollars. If you find that you’re particularly interested in a pricier piece of equipment, there still might be an option for you to finance.
What Workouts Do At-Home Gym Subscriptions Offer?
Yoga, cycling, strength training, and Pilates are just a few examples of workouts you can explore with an at-home gym subscription. Some platforms have live workouts and thousands of classes while others may have a smaller selection of workouts, with the idea you will revisit them over and over.
Do You Need Equipment for At-Home Gym Subscriptions?
It depends. Some companies might require you to buy their equipment to access their services, like Peloton. Others have options to use some form of their services without purchasing their equipment. This is usually through an app or digital subscription where you can take bodyweight-focused classes.
Methodology
We reviewed 20 different companies before settling on our eight picks for best at-home gym subscriptions. We considered innovation, price point, and class length when making our selections. Nominations that included expensive equipment were scored against the average cost of an in-person studio membership to determine if it would be a worthwhile investment for some users. We also reached out to a health and wellness expert to provide insight into the benefits of at-home gym subscriptions.