Best At-Home Gym Subscriptions

Tonal is our pick for best at-home gym subscription

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Woman lifting weights at home gym subscription

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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

Tonal logo

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

Pros
  • 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 

Cons
  • 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

Nike Training Club

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

Pros
  • Free

  • Wide range of classes

  • Additional wellness content and podcasts

Cons
  • 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

Peloton
Courtesy of 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

Pros
  • Ability to finance the bike

  • Wide range of classes, including live classes

  • Experience is comparable to a studio cycling class

Cons
  • 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

Lululemon Studio Mirror

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

Pros
  • 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

Cons
  • 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

The Ness

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

Pros
  • Very unique concept

  • Free 20-minute consultation to help you get started

  • Special seasonal programming

Cons
  • 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

Tempo Move

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

Pros
  • One-on-one fitness coaching available

  • Great for small spaces

  • Budget-friendly alternative to other at-home gym options

Cons
  • 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

The Pilates Class

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

Pros
  • Wide variety of class lengths 

  • Monthly challenges to help you stay accountable

  • Multiple intensity levels

Cons
  • 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

P.volve

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

Pros
  • Innovative equipment

  • Low-impact exercises

  • Focus on functional fitness

Cons
  • 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.

Edited by Ally Hirschlag
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
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  2. Working Group of Gender Cardiovascular Disease of the Italian Society of Cardiology, Cugusi L, Manca A, et al. Effects of a mini-trampoline rebounding exercise program on functional parameters, body composition and quality of life in overweight women. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2018;58(3). doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06588-9

  3. Posch M, Schranz A, Lener M, et al. Effectiveness of a mini-trampoline training program on balance and functional mobility, gait performance, strength, fear of falling and bone mineral density in older women with osteopenia. Clin Interv Aging. 2019;14:2281-2293. doi:10.2147/CIA.S230008

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