11 Best Calisthenics Equipment for Your Home Gym to Boost Your Fitness

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Do you have a home gym but can’t find the space or budget to cram equipment in it? Then, what you really need to do is focus on calisthenics exercises.

These exercises need minimal calisthenics equipment. And they’re ideal for building upper body muscle strength.

Calisthenics is a rhythmic and systematic type of bodyweight strength training.

The exercises usually involve many movements that target large muscle groups. Such movements include pushing, standing, jumping, or grasping

The purpose of the exercises is to increase your

• flexibility,
• fitness, and
• strength levels.

Calisthenics exercises can help boost your agility, balance, and coordination capabilities. Aso, they can help improve your posture, strength, and body composition.

You don’t need any equipment for many of the exercises. But using various calisthenic equipment to support your training can add different dimensions to your exercises. They can also help you to achieve better results.

There are many types of calisthenics equipment available to target different body muscles. Choosing the right equipment could be a difficult task for many.

To help you make the right decision, we have picked the 11 best calisthenics equipment for your home gym so you can make an informed decision.

So, without any further ado, here are the best calisthenics equipment for your home gym to vamp up your workout. These are the most essential we believe you should consider having in your home gym.

These calisthenics equipment can help you achieve your fitness goals and the body of your dreams.

A Quick Look At Our Top Calisthenics Equipment

Best Resistance Bands: Whatafit Resistance Bands at Amazon
Color-coded, compact with exceptional features. A great way to add resistance to your exercises on a budget. Read More…

Best Wooden Gymnastic Rings Overall: Rogue Gymnastic Wood Rings at Rogue Fitness
Well-built with a second to none finish. Possibly the best gymnastic rings your money can buy. Read More …

Best Wooden Gymnastic Rings for the Money: Titan Fitness Wooden Gymnastics Rings at Amazon
Made from solid wood with a finely sanded finish, A quality pick for the budget-conscious. Read More …

Best Plastic Gymnastic Rings: Elite Sportz Gymnastic Rings at Amazon
Very high build quality. Can safely be used indoors and outdoors. Read More …

Best Suspension Trainers: TRX All-in-One Suspension Trainer at Amazon
The original and the best-selling all-in-one suspension trainer that uses your body weight to help you burn fat and build strength. Read More …

Best Dip Bars: ProsourceFit Dip Stand Station at Amazon
For those looking for a well-built calisthenics equipment to train their chest, shoulders, and triceps without an expensive gym membership. Read More …

Best Free Standing Dip Station: Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip at Amazon
If you’re looking for a calisthenics equipment that can help you define and tone your upper body, develop strong back muscles, and tone your abs, then this dip workout station is for you. Read More …

Best Pull-Up Bar: Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull Up Bar at Amazon
Simple but effective. For those looking for a bar with multiple non-slip grip positions and different installation options. Read More …

Best Compact Power Station: SportsRoyals Multi Function Pull Up Station at Amazon
A multi-function whole body workout station designed specifically for your home gym. A well-built, sturdy, and durable fitness equipment with many customizable settings. Read More …

Best Parallette Bars Overall: Rogue Bolt Together Parallette Set
With 100% metal construction, this tool is built to handle both your gymnastic and Crossfit moves. The one to aspire for your home gym. Read More ...

Best Parallette Bars for the Money: Body Power Push Up Parallettes at Amazon
All-metal construction with rubber feet for those on a budget. Well-built and study for those weighing under 400 pounds. Read More …

Best Exercise Balls: URBNFit Exercise Ball at Amazon
Comes in different colors and sizes. Has an anti-burst coating finish that stops the ball from exploding in your face and a non-slip surface to prevent sliding. Read More …

Best Exercise Wheel or Ab Roller Overall: Rogue Ab Wheel at Rogue Fitness
Built with premium quality materials and solidly built with an indestructible feel. Has exceptional features and is designed to give you better performance. An equipment you can pass over to your kids. Read More …

Best Exercise Wheel or Ab Roller for the Money: Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller Wheel at Amazon
Portable with a wide wheel. It will suit both beginner and seasoned fitness enthusiasts. Has built-in resistance capabilities. Comes with foam pads for your knees to make you comfortable when rolling. Read More …

Best Foam Roller Overall: Trigger Point Performance GRID 1.0 Foam Roller at Amazon
Constructed with high-quality materials that will withstand continuous use for a very long time. Its features and qualities make it a very popular self-massage tool for all types of fitness and sports personalities. Read More …

Best Foam Roller for Beginners: Rogue Foam Roller at Rogue Fitness
Built with high-quality materials, making it easy for the roller to hold its shape to help you soothe your muscles for a speedy recovery. Read More …

Best Adjustable Dumbbells Overall: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells at Amazon
Can easily be adjusted from 5 pounds to 52.5 pounds in 2.5-pound increments for progressive overload by simply turning a dial. Will save you space for 15 sets of weights. Read More …

Best Adjustable Dumbbells for the Money: FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell at Amazon
Compact and space-saving with smooth adjustments. A quality calisthenic equipment for those on a budget. Read More …

Best Workout Bench or Weight Bench Overall: Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench at Amazon
Space-saving excellent piece of foldable and adjustable equipment. Built to very high standards with commercial-grade components. A must-have for your home gym. Read More …

Best Workout Bench or Weight Bench for the Money: FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench at Amazon
Adjustable and foldable space-saving bench for those looking for a reliable fitness equipment without spending a fortune. Read More …

Best Exercise Mat: ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Exercise Mat at Amazon
Large and heavily padded trifold mat with a waterproof vinyl cover to give you all the support and comfort you need – ideal for all your indoor and outdoor exercises. Read More …

Best Full Finger Weightlifting Gloves Overall: Mechanix Original Gloves at Rogue Fitness
A touchscreen-capable synthetic leather product designed to improve your grip and performance while giving you all the comfort you need. Read More …

Best Fingerless Weightlifting Gloves Overall: Trideer Padded Workout Gloves at Amazon
All-purpose gloves that are suitable for a variety of exercises, training, and other activities, such as cycling. Read More …

Best Calisthenics Equipment That Can Help Boost Your Fitness Goals

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are one of the best calisthenics equipment that can help you meet your strength training goals. They are large rubber bands designed to increase the intensity of your exercises without the support of weights.

We recommend you buy a variety pack. With such a pack you can use the heavier resistance loops for exercises that target the lower body. You can then use the tubes with less resistance for your upper body exercises.

Whatafit Resistance Bands

Gymnastics Rings

Gymnastics rings are highly versatile pieces of calisthenics workout equipment. They are hoops made of wood or plastic that have straps attached to them.

Gymnastics rings are very inexpensive to buy and easy to set up. We will recommend you get the wooden version if you are just starting or working out indoors. You wouldn’t need chalk when using wooden rings.

But you should go for plastic ones if you are installing and working out outside. Plastic rings can be slippery, especially when your hands get sweaty. So, it is always advisable to use chalk when exercising with this type of calisthenics equipment.

We also recommend you get the FIG version if you have smaller hands. These are smaller and will give you better control.

Rogue Gymnastic Wood Rings

Titan Fitness Wooden Gymnastics Rings

Elite Sportz Gymnastic Rings

Suspension Trainers

Suspension trainers are like gymnastics rings but more advanced. The most common brand of suspension trainers is the TRX suspension trainer.

Suspension trainers are built to augment many of the moves we make when exercising. Using suspension trainers, you can easily adjust the load you apply to your body weight to make it possible for you to pull, push, lunge, plank, hinge, rotate, and squat. You have all the freedom to adjust the intensity of the exercises to suit the situation.

TRX All-in-One Suspension Trainer

Dip Bars

Dip bars are u-shaped pieces of fitness equipment. You will, in most cases, find them in pairs and you can use them to support your dips exercises.

ProsourceFit Dip Stand Station

Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip

Pull-Up Bar

The pull-up bar is one of the most common at-home calisthenics equipment for home gyms. It can be used for a variety of exercises, but it’s mainly for pull-ups.

Factors to consider when buying a Pull-up Bar

Weight capacity of the bar – the maximum weight of the pull up bar should be good enough to support your weight, not only now but in the years to come.

Other factors to consider are

• where to locate the calisthenic equipment,
• how much space you need to install it, and
• how easy you can install it could be other factors.

A portable pull-up bar that you can install on a door frame could be a good choice if you live in a flat or have little space. You can take one like this with you on vacation or install it at different locations to fit into your lifestyle.

Other options available to you may include

• free-standing versions,
• those that you can install on a wall or ceiling, or
• those that you can install into the ground
• Your fitness goals can also be another factor.

If you intend to do more than chin-ups or pull-ups, then, you may want to consider a bar that offers different grip options. Another option to consider is one that makes it possible for you to do different exercises.

Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull Up Bar

The bar can handle weights up to 300 pounds. This makes it very suitable for most people. It has several options for assembly and is very straightforward to put together.

Its budget-friendly price will hardly make a dent in your bank account.

SportsRoyals Multi Function Pull Up Station

It is a well-built, sturdy, and durable workout station and equipment with several customizable settings.

It has a unique dual-triangular base for firmness and to keep you safe when using the equipment. Thus, you will find the Power Station sturdy for your controlled bar dips, leg and knee raises, pullups, push-ups, etc.

The SportsRoyals Multi Function Pull Up Station is quite easy to put together and comes with all the tools you will need for assembly and installation.

Parallette Bars

Parallette bars are also known as parallettes, dipping bars, or gymnastic bars. They are small and versatile and usually come in pairs. They look like dip bars but much shorter. Like dip bars, you can use parallettes for pushups, L-sits, arm balances, and dips.

Rogue Bolt Together Parallette Set

One thing though, the build quality is also reflected in the price which is at the higher end.

Thus, some may find them a bit pricey and may not want to stretch their budget that far. But if quality and safety are paramount to you, then, it is worth every cent. The Rogue Bolt-Together Parallettes is miles apart from all others.

Body Power Non-Slip Parallettes

Exercise Balls

Also known as a Swiss ball. fit ball, or physioball, an exercise ball is a large, inflated spherical ball.

You can use an exercise ball when looking for ways to stretch or strengthen your body without any complex or expensive equipment. It is one of the calisthenics equipment that is usually undervalued by fitness enthusiasts. But it is quite effective for working and improving the stability of your core.

URBNFit Exercise Ball

The URBNFit Exercise Ball comes with a non-slip surface to protect you from slipping when working out with the ball. And it works well on different floor types.

It ships with a pump to help you inflate the ball, though the quality of the pump may not be as high as we would expect. Another worry is the fact that the ball could easily lose air. This may not happen very often, though.

Its budget-friendly price makes it suitable for everyone and would be a valuable addition to your home gym.

Exercise Wheel or Ab Roller

The exercise wheel, ab roller, or ab wheel is a classic calisthenics equipment that can help you train and tone your entire core. It has long been the go-to fitness tool for anyone looking for ways to develop a stable and stronger core.

Factors to consider when buying an Exercise Wheel

To get the best out of your ab wheel, it may be a good idea to invest in one with padded or foam handles. This is because the rolling action can put lots of pressure on your hands. Thus, you need one with softer and comfortable handles to help you cope with the strain. One with textured handles could also benefit you when your hands get sweaty.

We also recommend an ab roller with a wider wheel, especially, if you are a beginner. A wider wheel tends to make the roller more stable, making it easier for you to focus on your actions. Experienced users may opt for one with a thinner wheel as that may engage the core muscles much better.

Rogue Ab Wheel

As one user put it. “This is the ab wheel you buy when you’re ready to put the toys away. It’s high enough and wide enough for all ab exercises. It is built well enough to hand down to your kids and theirs. When not in use keep in a safe place. This is a serious piece of exercise equipment.”

Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller Wheel

The curvatures on the wide wheel are designed to help you work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles.

The Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller Wheel comes with well-stuffed pads for your knees to make you comfortable when rolling and a 21-day workout plan to help you do your core training.

The wide treaded wheel makes it suitable for beginners but will suit experienced users as well due to its design and features.

Foam Roller

Foam rollers are great for massaging your muscles. They’re cylinders made of foam that can be rolled onto the muscles to relax them.

A foam roller may not be the standard fitness equipment you may consider for your home gym. But how do you warm up your body for your strenuous workout or how do you cool down your body after exercise? The answer is, with a foam roller.

We recommend you start with a type that has a smooth dense surface if you have no or little experience with foam rolling. These have even texture and are not expensive to buy.

Experienced users can go for textured rollers. These have knobs and ridges on them. These are more effective when it comes to getting rid of knots and tensions in your body as they can work deeper into your muscles.

TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller

Constructed with high-quality EVA foam over a hollow core, the foam roller is built to withstand rigorous use. Its build quality is very high and would last for a very long time. It’s very light in weight, portable, and very easy to store.

The TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller comes in many different colors and your purchase will give you access to a free online instructional video library developed by the experts at TriggerPoint

It’s a bit pricey, compared to many others, but its build quality and features are hard to beat.

Rogue Foam Roller

The different textures of the roller mean you can target different muscle pains to get the results you want.

The shorter version of the Rogue Foam Roller will easily fit into your luggage, making it great for traveling.

Just a word of caution. The Rogue Foam Roller may be difficult to use on a rug or carpet. But will be perfect for a hard surface or an exercise mat.

The Rogue Foam Roller is reasonably priced. It will suit beginners in particular, but experienced exercisers and athletes will benefit from it too.

Other equipment to consider for your home gym

Besides the above listed, here are some other equipment worth investing in

Adjustable Dumbbells

The one piece of equipment every fitness enthusiast who wants targeted muscles should consider having in their home gym are dumbbells. They are the go-to equipment for building your triceps, abs, and back.

With adjustable dumbbells, you need very little space for storage. You can easily replace 15 different dumbbells with one pair of adjustable dumbbells, saving you so much storage space.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Unfortunately, the price of the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells is at the higher end and some may not want to stretch their budget that far. If that be the case and the price is outside your budget, you can opt for the FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbells

Workout Bench or Weight Bench

A workout bench, also known as a gym bench or weight bench, is a versatile piece of equipment that makes it possible for you to target and hone in on different muscles.

You can use a workout bench for a wide variety of compound exercises. It can help you with your cardio exercises and resistance training as well.

Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench

Some reviewers complain about the gap between the high-density foam padded seat and the backrest. This may not suit every user.

But the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench from a well-known and trusted fitness equipment manufacturer is a high-quality well-built piece of calisthenics equipment and one to aspire for. It is built to last with heavy-duty commercial-grade components and construction.

You can buy the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench through Amazon or directly from Bowflex

The premium price point of the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench may be an issue for some. If you find the price outside your budget, then, you can opt for the FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench

The seat FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench is quite comfortable and covered with easy to clean durable leather. It comes with non-slip rubber feet for stability and to protect your floor

The build quality and materials are, however, not to the level of the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench. But it is very sturdy and well-built. Moreover, you can pick one up at a fraction of the price of the Bowflex. Thus, if you are looking for a good quality workout bench without spending a fortune, you won’t go wrong with the FLYBIRD

Exercise Mat

You can’t do calisthenics or any other exercise on the floor. That’s just uncomfortable. With an exercise mat, you create a comfortable environment that’s friendly on the bones. A good exercise mat will protect your floor and keep you safe from slipping

ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Exercise Mat

The easy-to-clean waterproof vinyl cover makes it suitable for both indoors and outdoors and most surfaces. It also ensures you are protected from any bacteria.

Its trifold feature makes it easy to fold and store, while the built-in handle means you can take it to wherever you want

Some users find the surface a bit hard for them, but the ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Mat is one of the best-rated exercise mats on Amazon and will not disappoint

Weightlifting Gloves

These gloves prevent your hands from blistering and help maintain a good grip on your equipment. Use these for exercises on pull-up bars and gymnastics rings.

Mechanix Original Gloves

They are very good-looking all-purpose work gloves that could serve you for a considerable time.

The Mechanix Original Gloves are not just for weightlifting or CrossFit, they will also be good for any exercise in the gym. They are very good-looking all-purpose work gloves that could serve you for a considerable time.

Trideer Padded Workout Gloves

The wrist wrap ensures the gloves will not come off, while the silica gel antiskid palm helps to give you a firm grip on whatever you are grasping.

The Trideer Padded Workout Gloves come in different sizes and there are versions for both males and females. The budget-friendly price point will not leave a dent in your bank account

Why Should You Do Calisthenics

• Calisthenics provides the following benefits over traditional exercises
• Improves mobility and reduces aches.
• Easy to perform at home with minimal equipment.
• Better for losing weight.
• Good for toning muscles.
• Relatively safer than weight training.

Why Use Calisthenics Equipment?

You don’t need any major or expensive fitness equipment to do calisthenics.

But there are some exercises that may need changes in your body position. Such changes can help you to change your routine or push yourself. It is worth considering adding some calisthenics equipment to your training for such exercises.

By using calisthenics equipment, you can do various exercises that involve pushing or pulling.

If your exercises involve some resistance training, then utilizing some calisthenics equipment will

• help you tone and improve your muscle strength
• help you develop and maintain balance and flexibility.

In effect, with calisthenics equipment, you can add various twists to your training routines. That can be an effective way to take your training and fitness to different levels.

What Should You Wear for Calisthenics?

Aside from calisthenics equipment, you should pay attention to what you wear as well.

• Choose breathable clothes that facilitate extra movement, especially around the armpits and knees.
• Avoid clothes with long sleeves, such as long-sleeve shirts or pants. Instead, opt for shorts and tank tops.
  Tank tops or sports bras are the best for women as they leave your arms free for movement. But loose T-shirts are also highly recommended.
• Wear comfortable shoes that are extra flexible if you’re going to do exercises with many foot activities or movements.
• Some exercisers may choose to wear gloves and smartwatches.
• Smartwatches, and also, fitness trackers could be a great addition to your calisthenics equipment. Such devices can help you monitor your fitness levels, calories burnt, distance covered, exercise duration, and heart rate, among many others.

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Tonny Sly has been in the fitness industry for many years, both as a writer and a fitness enthusiast. As a researcher, analyst, therapist, and health fanatic Tonny enjoys and likes investigating and studying nutrition, health, and wellness issues. Tonni has been practicing yoga and other related disciplines since the 1970s. Every product you will find recommended on this page has been carefully selected. They have all been tried, tested, and honestly reviewed by many people with diverse experiences.