The (3) Most Underrated Piece of Home Gym Equipment

When home gym owners talk about upgrading their setup, we are normally talking about a new bar, cable attachment, or upgrading the whole dang thing. But what if the equipment that makes the biggest difference isn’t necessarily the most expensive? A recent discussion on r/HomeGym asked members to name their most underrated piece of home gym equipment. With hundreds of comments, the answers revealed an interesting pattern: some of the most valuable additions to a home gym are inexpensive, versatile, and easy to overlook.

Gymnastic Rings Keep Coming Up

Gymnastic Rings were one of those things that got recommended in the early days of home gyms because we didn’t have a lot. Then kind of lost their flair when we had every opportunity to add everything else on the planet to our gyms.

But as I’ve trained more and more “normal” people alongside kiddos in my gym, I can relate to how often people commented that rings were their Most Underrated Piece of Home Gym Equipment. They take up almost no space at all, they can be repurposed as a cable attachment, they help you do pull-ups, push-ups, flyes, core work, and more.

I’ve even seen people rig them up for a fancy smancy DIY Pendulum Squat. That might be a little crazier than this article aims to get after, but the idea is… Rings might just be a huge win for you. Plus, they are adjustable. Which means you can use them, your kids, your grandma, everyone. And if you have kids, I can almost promise that swinging from the rings is going to make them immediately fall in love with the gym.

For a home gym where space is limited, that’s a pretty impressive return on investment.

Don’t Underestimate a Good Fan

I wasn’t surprised by this one at all, because a fan is at the top of my list for Most Underrated Piece of Home Gym Equipment. I’ve mentioned it in a few podcasts, I’ve included it in my Home Gym Basics list alongside a bar and plates, and I’ve had a fan (or two) in every iteration of my home gym.

This is a good reminder that building a better home gym isn’t always about adding another exercise. Sometimes it’s about making the environment better so you actually want to train. We went through an entire overhaul a couple years back and insulated the walls, installed a mini-split, you name it. But we still run BOTH of our fans on a regular basis, even with the mini-split on. They help circulate that cold air and keep the space fresh.

Air conditioning, heaters and dehumidifiers received similar praise from commenters dealing with extreme temperatures or humidity.

Small Accessories Can Make a Big Difference

Resistance bands, squat wedges, fractional plates, pulley attachments, Nordic curl accessories, collars and even pieces of scrap plywood all received love.

The common thread? They solve problems at a budget prize without taking up space.

We actually have an entire section of the gym dedicated to storing accessories and doodads. Not one workout goes bye without us pulling out a piece or two. And they often help even more when you have multiple athletes. One person is too tall, the other is too short, and now an accessory or two makes it all work.

None of these items necessarily make for an impressive Instagram photo. But they’re the kinds of things that can make you think, “How did I train without this?”

Versatility Is the Real Home Gym Superpower

Perhaps the biggest lesson from the discussion is that home gym owners value versatility.

A cable machine can dramatically expand exercise selection. Rings can train most of the upper body. Bands can be used for dozens of movements. A Nordic Bench can provide a dozen new lower-body exercises. This is especially important when you’re working with limited space.

Instead of asking, “What’s the coolest piece of equipment I can buy?” it may be smarter to ask, “What problem in my gym keeps annoying me?” Or my favorite… What is my goal? And what is keeping me from it?

The answer might be a $20 accessory rather than a $2,000 machine.

That’s one of the best things about building a home gym: you don’t have to copy a commercial gym. You can build a collection of equipment around the way you train and what yours goals are. A bit of a difference between the dude who wants to be Mr Olympia and the one who wants to keep up with their grandkids.

And sometimes, the little things end up being the equipment you use the most.