Upgrade Your Home Gym With These Types of Smart Fitness Equipment

Smart home gym equipment can turn a small amount of space into your ideal workout environment.

You wake up, stroll across the hall in your bunny slippers, and find yourself in a world-class gym, built just for you. It has no membership fee, no crowded locker rooms, and most importantly, no one hogging the squat rack. Sounds good, doesn't it?

With the right smart fitness devices, you can turn that unused corner of your basement or even your living room into your very own personal fitness paradise—a place where technology and health collide.

There are three kinds of equipment you might consider: cardio, strength training, and flexibility. As you'll see, home workouts have become so much more than yoga DVDs and rusty dumbbells.

Whether you prefer running, cycling, or another form of cardio exercise, these types of smart home gym equipment can upgrade your workouts.

Smart fitness products can transform your workout routine and send your fitness to new levels. Smart treadmills are high-tech running machines that combine the sweat-inducing power of traditional treadmills with the awe-inspiring wonder of technology, bringing the world's trails right into your home.

One such smart treadmill is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. This beauty brings the outside world in with interactive personal training right on your treadmill. It has a sizable 22" HD touchscreen display that will make you feel like you're immersed in the great outdoors.

It also offers a library of on-demand, trainer-led workouts from iFIT (including running, hiking, and even strength training workouts), and you can fold it up to save space when not in use. Further, with monthly challenges and SmartAdjust machine learning technology, you'll be able to keep your workouts fresh inside even when it might be snowing outside.

Another option is the ProForm SMART Pro 5000, which features a smaller 10" smart HD touchscreen but is less than half the price of the NordicTrack. What's neat is that your digital coach can control your treadmill's speed and incline.

If community-based fitness is more your jam, then the Peloton Tread could be your ideal fitness partner. In addition to an on-demand library of exercises, Peloton also offers live classes daily streamed direct from their studio in NYC.

Hitting the open road on two wheels has its charms—the wind in your hair, the rush of adrenaline, the white-knuckled terror of oncoming traffic... If your vision of a stationary bike involves a rickety piece of equipment gathering dust in your grandmother's attic, prepare to be amazed. Smart stationary bikes offer a dynamic, immersive, and, dare we say, fun cycling experience without leaving your home.

The Peloton Bike sets the bar high in this league. With access to thousands of on-demand classes ranging from high-intensity interval training to scenic rides through French vineyards (oui oui!), your workout will never be dull. The Peloton Bike tracks your performance in real-time, so you can chart your progress and aim for new personal bests.

For those looking for a sleek, budget-friendly alternative, the Echelon Smart Connect might be a game-changer. It offers 40 daily live classes and 15,000 on-demand classes led by over 30 professional trainers who offer fun, engaging, and sweaty workouts. Plus, by linking the device with the companion app, the performance tracking feature helps keep you accountable.

If you prefer something different, the MYXfitness Bike includes a heart rate monitor and personalized coaching. It's like having a personal trainer in your living room.

These devices bring the rowing experience to you, minus the risk of capsizing. It's all the sweat-drenching, muscle-building glory of rowing on your terms.

One notable option is the Hydrow. This machine delivers an incredibly immersive rowing experience. You'll feel as if you're genuinely part of a team, with world-class athletes guiding you through workouts on the waterways. And with its performance analytics, you can keep track of every stroke's impact on your fitness journey.

Alternatively, the Ergatta rowing machine gamifies your workout with competitive races and personalized performance-based programs. It's like playing a video game that also happens to burn calories—a win-win if we've ever seen one.

Both options fold up to stay out of the way when you aren't using them.

To save additional space, you might also consider some of the best workout apps for small living spaces.

A home gym wouldn't be complete without strength training equipment to build muscle and track your progress.

Remember the good old days of clanging dumbbells and weights bigger than dinner plates? Well, we're here to tell you that those days are as outdated as fax machines and dial-up internet.

One example of smart strength training equipment is Tonal, a sleek, wall-mounted device that uses resistance to simulate weights without a single plate in sight. Its personalized training programs adapt to your strength and dynamically adjust based on your performance.

And with real-time feedback, you'll get instant updates on your form and technique. It's like having a personal trainer who lives on your wall.

Then there's the NordicTrack Fusion CST. This device combines cardio and strength in one efficient workout. It offers a range of trainer-led resistance workouts that adapt to your unique capabilities. Plus, the real-time feedback on your power output helps keep you pushing forward, even when your muscles start to quiver.

And for an even more futuristic workout, why not check out a smart fitness mirror?

Functional training and flexibility are important to reduce the risk of injury and over-training. Consider including some of these devices to round out your home smart gym.

If you've ever wanted to take up yoga but can't find the time or desire to visit a studio, help is at hand in the form of smart yoga mats. These tech-savvy mats are like having your very own yoga guru at your beck and call. They're designed to correct your poses, guide your alignment, and track your progress.

For example, the YogiFi mat is packed with features designed to take your practice to new heights. Its technology provides real-time feedback on your poses, guiding you to the correct alignment and ensuring that you're holding the pose correctly.

Remember, the best workout space isn't the one with the most expensive equipment or the largest square footage; it's the one you feel most comfortable in. With these types of smart exercise equipment, you're not just building a home workout space—you're creating a personal wellness sanctuary.

And while your smart home gym is a step towards a healthier, happier you, keep in mind that the only thing smarter than these devices is the person who decides to use them.

Sean is a long-time tech-enthusiast and early adopter who enjoys keeping up with the latest technological advances. He focuses on exploring how tech such as wearables and AI are impacting people's health and wellbeing. He has a master's degree and, before writing for MakeUseOf, spent time as a technology instructor. He's been writing about technology for over 10 years. When he's not at his standing desk, you’ll find him on the volleyball court or on a mountain.