As a busy teacher juggling lesson plans, grading, and after-school activities, finding time to hit the gym can feel like an impossible task. Between the demands of work and life, I realized that I needed a more convenient solution to stay fit and healthy—enter the idea of building a home gym!
Creating a personal workout space not only allows me to squeeze in a quick session whenever I find a spare moment, but it also gives me the flexibility to choose my workouts without the hassle of commuting to a crowded gym. However, diving into the world of fitness equipment can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available online.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the 9 best fitness equipment online stores to help you navigate this journey. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting out, these stores offer a variety of high-quality equipment, expert advice, and convenient shopping experiences to help you create the perfect home gym tailored to your needs.
1. EliteFTS (elitefts.com)
EliteFTS is a premier destination for strength training equipment and information, founded in 1998 by Dave and Traci Tate. The company focuses on providing professional-grade equipment and comprehensive training resources for strength athletes and serious fitness enthusiasts. EliteFTS is known for its high-quality powerlifting and strength training gear, as well as its extensive library of educational content.
Pros
- Offers professional-grade strength training equipment trusted by elite athletes
- Extensive selection of powerlifting and strength training gear
- Provides a wealth of free educational content, including articles, videos, and training programs
- Strong emphasis on customer education and support
- Known for excellent build quality and durability of equipment
- Positive customer reviews highlighting knowledgeable staff and good customer service
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some competitors due to professional-grade quality
- Shipping times can be longer, especially during peak periods or holidays
- Limited selection of cardio equipment compared to strength training gear
- Website navigation can be overwhelming due to the large amount of content
2. Muscle Wellness Market
Muscle Wellness Market is an online fitness gear store specializing in equipment for home gyms. Founded by two brothers, Jared and Aron, who are certified personal trainers, the company aims to provide high-quality fitness equipment and recovery products for athletes, sports teams, and physical therapists. The store offers a wide range of products, including weight training equipment, resistance bands, foam rollers, and specialized devices like the NeckFixer Pro.
Pros
- Extensive Product Range: Muscle Wellness Market offers a diverse selection of fitness equipment and recovery products, catering to various needs from beginners to seasoned athletes.
- Expert-Backed Selection: The founders’ background in fitness ensures that the products offered are those that have proven effective in maintaining a strong and healthy body.
- Free Shipping: The company provides free shipping on all orders worldwide, making it convenient for customers regardless of location.
- Customer-Centric Approach: The team at Muscle Wellness Market prioritizes customer satisfaction, offering support throughout the purchasing process.
- Secure Online Ordering: The website features an active SSL certificate, ensuring the protection of sensitive payment and personal information.
- Lowest Price Guarantee: Muscle Wellness Market promises the lowest prices on their products.
Cons
- Online-Only Presence: As an exclusively online retailer, customers cannot physically inspect products before purchase, which may be a drawback for some.
- Potential for Overwhelm: The wide range of products might be overwhelming for customers who are new to fitness equipment and unsure about their specific needs.
- Reliance on Customer Reviews: Much of the positive feedback about the company comes from customer testimonials on their own website, which may not provide a completely unbiased view of their services.
- Limited Information: While the company claims to be the “best fitness store in the US,” there is limited independent information available to verify this claim or compare it objectively to other retailers.
3. Fitness Factory Outlet (fitnessfactoryoutlet.com)
Fitness Factory Outlet is an online retailer specializing in a wide range of fitness equipment for both home and commercial use. They offer products from various brands, including their own house brands, catering to different fitness needs and budgets. The company is known for its competitive pricing and diverse product selection.
Pros
- Wide variety of fitness equipment, including strength training, cardio, and accessories
- Competitive pricing, often offering discounts and deals
- Free shipping on many items
- Carries products from multiple brands, providing more options for customers
- Positive customer reviews praising helpful staff and good service
- Physical showrooms available in some locations for in-person shopping
Cons
- Quality may vary depending on the brand and price point of the equipment
- Some customers report issues with delivery and assembly of larger equipment
- Customer service responsiveness can be inconsistent, based on some reviews
- Limited educational content compared to specialized retailers like EliteFTS
4. Torque Fitness (torquefitness.com)
Torque Fitness is a manufacturer and retailer of high-quality strength and conditioning equipment. Founded in 2005 by industry experts, the company initially focused on commercial gym equipment but has expanded into the home gym market. Torque is known for innovative products like their TANK resistance sleds and compact functional trainers.
Pros
- Offers unique, innovative products not found elsewhere, like the TANK sled and Relentless Ripper ski machine
- High-quality, commercial-grade equipment built to last
- Compact designs ideal for home gyms with limited space
- Excellent customer service with knowledgeable sales representatives
- Provides both commercial and home gym solutions
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
- Limited selection of traditional gym equipment like barbells and weight plates
- Longer lead times on some products, especially during peak periods
- Website navigation can be challenging for first-time visitors
5. REP Fitness (repfitness.com)
REP Fitness is a rapidly growing fitness equipment company that specializes in providing high-quality home and commercial gym equipment at competitive prices. Founded in 2012, REP has become known for their excellent value proposition, offering products that rival more expensive brands in quality but at lower price points.
Pros
- Wide range of equipment covering all aspects of strength training and cardio
- Excellent value for money, with high-quality products at competitive prices
- Frequent product innovations and improvements based on customer feedback
- Strong focus on home gym market with space-efficient designs
- Generally positive customer reviews praising quality and customer service
Cons
- Some products may experience stock issues, especially during high-demand periods
- Shipping costs can be high for larger items
- Limited brick-and-mortar presence for in-person shopping
- Warranty periods are shorter than some premium competitors for certain products
6. Bowflex (bowflex.com)
Bowflex is a well-known brand in the home fitness equipment industry, offering a wide range of products including cardio machines, strength training equipment, and accessories. Founded in 1986, Bowflex has built a reputation for innovative designs and space-saving home gym solutions. Their online store provides direct-to-consumer sales of their proprietary equipment.
Pros
- Wide range of innovative, space-efficient home gym equipment
- Known for quality construction and durability
- Offers financing options for larger purchases
- Provides detailed product information and video demonstrations
- Includes free shipping on many items
- Offers a JRNY digital fitness platform for interactive workouts
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
- Limited selection of non-Bowflex branded equipment
- Some users report issues with customer service responsiveness
- JRNY subscription required to access full features on some equipment
7. The Fitness Store (thefitnessstore.com)
The Fitness Store is a retailer of various fitness equipment brands, offering both commercial and residential products. They operate physical showrooms in some locations while maintaining an online presence for nationwide sales. The company provides a diverse selection of equipment from multiple manufacturers.
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of brands and equipment types
- Provides options for both home and commercial gym setups
- Physical showrooms allow customers to try equipment before purchasing
- Knowledgeable staff can offer personalized recommendations
- Competitive pricing with frequent sales and promotions
Cons
- Website navigation can be challenging due to the large product selection
- Inconsistent customer service experiences reported by some users
- Shipping costs may be high for larger items
- Limited educational content compared to brand-specific sites like Bowflex
- Assembly services may not be available in all areas
8. Life Fitness (lifefitness.com)
Life Fitness is a global leader in commercial fitness equipment, known for their high-quality cardio and strength training machines. Founded in 1977, they offer a wide range of products for both commercial gyms and home use, including treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and strength training equipment.
Pros
- Extensive selection of commercial-grade cardio and strength equipment
- Known for durability and reliability, especially in high-traffic gym environments
- Offers innovative features like touchscreen consoles and connectivity options
- Provides both residential and commercial fitness solutions
- Strong reputation in the fitness industry with decades of experience
- Excellent warranty coverage on most products
Cons
- Higher price point compared to many competitors
- Some users report that customer service can be slow to respond
- Home gym equipment may be overbuilt for casual users
- Website navigation can be overwhelming due to the large product range
9. American Barbell (americanbarbell.com)
American Barbell specializes in high-quality strength training equipment, particularly barbells and weight plates. Founded in 1978, they are known for their precision-engineered products and focus on powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and CrossFit gear. They manufacture most of their products in the USA.
Pros
- Exceptional quality barbells and weight plates, often praised by strength athletes
- Offers a range of specialty bars and unique products not found elsewhere
- Known for excellent build quality and attention to detail
- Provides both commercial and home gym equipment options
- Strong focus on customer education with detailed product information
- Made in USA for many products, supporting domestic manufacturing
Cons
- Limited selection of cardio equipment compared to larger fitness retailers
- Higher price point for some items due to premium quality and domestic production
- Website can be less user-friendly compared to larger e-commerce platforms
- May have longer lead times on some custom or specialty items
- Smaller company size may result in less frequent product releases or updates