Are you feeling a little weak about your 2023 fitness resolutions? Well, there’s always next year.

With 2024 just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what sort of workout equipment to add to your home gym. The Shopping team has consulted experts on what to use when looking to bulk up and get toned, with recommendations for at-home devices and exercises to add to your routine.

For some, that may look like a can’t-beat indoor exercise bike. Others may prefer a rowing machine, while some people opt for an elliptical or treadmill. We’ve even found a few useful tools for those who have graduated to body weight workouts.

After shopping for the bigger items, get back into strength training with dumbbells, kettlebells and more. To help you find the best strength training equipment, we spoke to Everlast boxer Heather Hardy and Pvolve Los Angeles Lead Trainer Dani Coleman.

According to our experts, strength training (which is the practice of physical exercises that improve strength and endurance) offers many benefits.

“Strength training helps build bone density, which we start to lose over the age of 40,” said Dani Coleman, Pvolve Los Angeles Lead Trainer. “Not only does it make you stronger, it boosts your metabolism, helps prevent injury, reduces the risk of falls, can help manage your blood sugar levels and can boost your mood and self-esteem.”

Heather Hardy, Everlast boxer, said that “strength training helps reach so many different goals. Especially if you’re looking to be able to accomplish more in your daily life concerning strength and endurance.”

“Where I’ve seen it make the most difference with my clients is that it makes you feel good,” Hardy continued. “It gives you confidence when you reach a new goal and motivates you to make new ones.”

Obtaining strength training equipment isn’t as difficult as it sounds, as “strength training equipment is anything that you can use to help you build muscle and get stronger,” explained Hardy.

Hardy also said that people tend to gravitate toward barbells and dumbbells, although smaller pieces of equipment can also be used to target specific muscle groups.

Finding the best strength training equipment boils down to individual needs.

“People should look for something that will suit their body’s needs,” said Coleman. “Furthermore, taking into account things like the quality, longevity, investment and maintenance of the equipment.”

Hardy also placed emphasis on ensuring your equipment allows you to practice safely and correctly.

“There’s no use in squatting 200 pounds on the rack if it’s not being done properly. That’s how people get hurt,” said Hardy. “Especially for beginner lifters, weight racks can be really intimidating. Using products like kettlebells or a weighted vest can really help to prepare someone to take that step by building proper form and a bit of muscle.”

Separate from individual strength training equipment, full body home workout machines offer multiple components to target a variety of muscle groups. The Shopping team has scanned reviews and browsed a variety of retailers to hand-select some top finds.

Coleman said these are the perfect home gym companions.

“These weights are easily stored, compact and give you a myriad of options,” she said. “Furthermore, I love that they are sleek in design, comfortable to hold and do not generate a lot of noise when you are navigating them.” 

These weights also allow you to simply turn the dial and change up your resistance from 5 pounds to 52.5 pounds.

“Kettlebells allow for more dynamic movement, incorporating cardio and strength training into one exercise, which is crucial for a boxer,” said Hardy. “They’re flexible and can be used for HIIT workouts targeting your arms, legs and even core, depending on how you use it.”

This Everlast kettlebell features heavy-duty cast iron and a textured handle, and it can be purchased in various weight options.

“It is the most versatile total-body toning system,” said Coleman — and we agree.

The system includes a resistance band that spans the entire body, an attachable handle and a weighted ball. Pvolve is the science-led method that offers low-impact functional fitness. For those who are just getting back into their gym routine, this tool will be sure to come in handy.

If you’re hunting for a full body workout machine, look no further. This home gym is stacked with curl pads, leg exercise pedals, top and bottom bars, one-hand bars, ankle straps, a quick release latch and chain stack weight up to 148 pounds. The cushions are covered by sweat-proof, abrasion-proof faux leather so you don’t have to worry about stinky, sweaty seats.

Cross training is a core element of strength training, and this machine will work both your upper and lower body to distribute muscle exertion. This is a lower-intensity machine, but regular use will still tone and burn fat. The smooth motion and seat reduce stress on the joints and back, making it a good option for those with health conditions that cause sore or achy joints.

Coleman said that the BOSU Pro Balance Trainer is “one of the most versatile pieces of strength training equipment.”

After all, it can be used to challenge your balance, help with rehabilitation, recreate an unstable surface for your body to work with and more, according to Coleman.

Meet the weighted jump rope — described as one of the most underused pieces of exercise equipment. While Hardy acknowledged that jump ropes are typically cardio tools, “adding weight is great to tone arms and take your cardio to the next level by working that heart rate and your muscles.”

Jump rope details include an adjustable cable rope and 0.4-pound removable weights in each handle.

“Their attention to detail is one of my favorite things about their kettlebells,” Coleman explained about this piece of equipment from Onnit. Just look at the fun designs here for proof!

“They are color coded, making it easy to pair them together, have a powder finish for better grip during strength work when fatigue or sweat kicks in, and are durable in their finish,” said Coleman.

“It’s the perfect piece of equipment that is lightweight, compact and easy to pack and travel with,” Coleman explained. “Using just your bodyweight, it works mobility, strength and cardio.”

You can also look forward to both indoor and outdoor usage, adjustability and an all-in-one fitness solution.

Keep up your tempo when working on your fitness goals this year. The compact Tempo Move system can turn your living room into a home gym with dumbbells, weighted discs and more, all stored inside a sleek cabinet.

For smaller spaces, this compact strength training device is perfect. The CABL can attach to any wall in your home and comes with a rope, handle and even an ankle band for arm and leg day.

Forget planks, let’s have some fun while we work out!

Meet the Stealth — a groundbreaking video game integrated core trainer. The machine carefully calibrates with your phone’s motion detector to recognize every movement you make into gameplay actions on the screen of your smartphone. Instead of counting your reps, compete for the highest score.

Trick your brain into enjoying workouts with this fabulous option from Stealth. With the squat machine, you can play games on your phone while performing squats, pulses and twists at multiple angles for a complete lower-body workout.

For weight training on the go, these bangles are perfect. The trendy Bala Bangles come in a variety of colors and are made to be worn on the ankles or on wrists depending on your activity. They also come in 1.5-pound and 2-pound bands.

Take a hint from the models and celebrities (Logan Paul, Gigi Hadid, Khloe Kardashian): Boxing is a great full-body strength workout, and you’re sure to look super cool doing it. This intelligent machine pairs via Bluetooth so you can jam out to your favorite music while keeping your eyes on the flashing, moving targets.

For more content, check out the New York Post Shopping section.