Whether you're travelling, on lunch break, or wanna break a sweat outdoors, these portable workout equipment will be your best company.
Hands up if you’re a creature of habit, like yours truly. One of my habits is getting a workout in, whether I’m going to the gym, hiking, or jogging with my friends. There’s something cathartic about getting your heart pumping and endorphins flowing. The thing is: when we travel or have a busy schedule, keeping up with an exercise routine can be incredibly challenging. But, fret not – these situations don’t have to interrupt your gains. You can count on the best portable workout equipment, so that you never skip a workout!
Benefits of portable workout equipment
Never considered using portable exercise equipment before? Here are some of its benefits:
- It’s convenient, lightweight, and easy to travel with. Anything on our list below can be fit into a backpack or carry-on easily.
- It’s relatively affordable. These pieces of equipment won’t break the bank – I promise!
- It’s flexible. You can perform a variety of exercises with the numerous versatile tools on the list.
I’m a firm believer of “less is more” – we don’t need a full-blown setup to get a good workout in. As the name suggests, portable workout equipment is small and can be easily moved or carried. So, whether you’re packing your bags for your next getaway, or just wanting to fit a workout in during your lunch break near the office, make sure to have the best portable exercise equipment to set yourself up for success.
Our picks for the best portable workout equipment
1. Best for strength and cardio: The Fluid X – FX Tank 15
The Tank 15 is a water-filled weight or aqua bag that you can fill up, pump up, and have a seriously fun workout with. It’s great for both strength training (think lunges and upright rows) and cardio (like ice skaters and woodchoppers). When you’re filling it up, you can choose the weight you want (from one to 15kg), using the weight indicators on the bag. By leaving some air in the bag, you can feel the movement of the water. This engages your stabilising muscles and works out your core. Plus, the moving water makes each repetition feel different from the one before, keeping you on your toes!
Honey hacks: make sure you have access to a water tap or hose to fill the bag up. Also, if you want a higher weight, you can go for the Tank 20; if you prefer kettle movements, try the Boba 13. Need workout inspo? The Fluid X has a YouTube channel with plenty of workouts for you to follow.
Shop The Fluid X’s FX Tank 15 online.
2. Best for yogis: Lululemon – Carry Onwards Travel Yoga Mat
Weighing less than 1kg, Lululemon’s Carry Onwards packable yoga mat can fit easily into your backpack or carry-on, allowing you to do your flows and stretches anytime, anywhere. In addition to its compact size, we’re fans of its convenient foldable feature: where most yoga mats need to be rolled, this one folds! We also love how this machine-washable mat is made with sustainably sourced rubber material and has a solid grip, thanks to one of its sides being made with microfibre.
Honey hacks: beware that the soft side is harder to grip, and the 2mm thickness may not provide sufficient padding for certain workouts.
Shop Lululemon’s Carry Onwards Travel Yoga Mat online.
3. Best for full body: TRX – All-in-one Suspension Trainer
TRX’s All-in-one Suspension Trainer is renowned for being able to deliver a solid workout without the need for weights or dumbbells. Weighing less than 1kg, it’s a durable and convenient piece of equipment that can be set up anywhere. We like how it caters to all fitness levels, as users can adjust the exercise difficulty just by making simple adjustments of their body positions.
Honey hacks: there’s a bit of a learning curve to adjusting the straps and getting comfortable. Also, this item is also a little pricier than others on this list. If you want access to coach-led workouts on the TRX platform, you can enjoy a 30-day trial (after which you’ll need to pay for full access).
Shop TRX’s range of Suspension Trainers online.
4. Best resistance bands: Fit Simplify – Resistance Loop Exercise Bands
Resistance bands are one of the best portable exercise equipment on the market, because you can target different parts of your body, with different levels of resistance. Moreover, they are lightweight, affordable, and take up very little space, allowing you to enjoy a good workout on the go. Fit Simplify’s resistance bands come in a set of five with increasing resistance. They’re versatile, as they can be used for strength training, yoga, pilates, and more.
Honey hacks: Be careful the occasional snapping of the bands. Also, they are not as convenient for upper-body exercises.
Shop Fit Simplify’s range of Resistance Loop Exercise Bands on Amazon.
5. Best ankle weights: Bala – Bala Bangles
With beautiful design and excellent quality, it’s impossible not to fall for Bala. Made with high-quality resistance steel and covered in soft silicone, its ankle and wrist weights are great add-ons to your pilates, yoga, and boxing training. One of the best benefits of these bangles is that your hands and legs are free to move around even though you’re using weights.
Honey hacks: Bala Bangles come in either 0.5 or 1kg, but this may still be too low of a resistance level for some people. Furthermore, they’re prone to slipping during high-intensity cardio.
Shop Bala Bangles online.
6. Best compact gym: OYO Personal Gym
This item on our list of best portable exercise equipment is the only one that’s gone up to space! Since there’s no gravity there, weights don’t work. Inspired by this science, the OYO Personal Gym is designed with Spiraflex technology, using resistance instead of weight. This makes it weigh only 1kg, but provides up to 11kg of resistance in each hand.
Honey hacks: 11kg of resistance may still be too little for some people. Compared to other options on the list, both the price and the learning curve of using the OYO are a bit steep. That being said, the product comes with a handy Workout Library on its YouTube Channel.
Shop OYO Personal Gym on Amazon.
7. Best for cardio: WOD Nation – Speed Jump Rope
What weighs less than half a kilo and can double your heart rate in less than a minute? WOD Nation’s Speed Jump Rope! Not only is this jump rope lightweight yet durable, it also hits the sweet spot for cardio while working your legs and shoulders. You’ll definitely break a sweat with this one!
Honey hacks: You need to have wire cutters in hand to adjust the length of the rope. Make sure to store the jump rope properly, otherwise it may kink easily.
Shop WOD Nation’s Speed Jump Rope on Amazon.
8. Best for running: Lane Eight – Trainer AD 1
Okay, I know that running shoes don’t really fall in the “equipment” category – they’re “apparel”, really – but hear me out. Lane Eight’s Trainer AD 1 can get you from the gym to a casual stroll, to a 5k run seamlessly. It’s a hassle to pack different shoes to get your workout in, and that’s why these trainers make our best portable exercise equipment list.
One of my favourite features of these shoes is the combination of recycled knit (which is super breathable) and the vegan leather tip in the inner top corner of the shoe. Often, knit shoes develop a hole over time, but our friends at Lane Eight have been so clever at redesigning them. Not to mention the snug, comfy fit, responsive algae cushioning, sustainable and eco-friendly materials, along with awesome designs and colours!
Honey hacks: These shoes can be slippery on rainy days. They are perfect for casual jogs, but probably not for serious running training.
Shop Lane Eight online.
9. Best for core: Corength – Strength Training Gliding Discs
Wanna take your bodyweight workouts to the next level? Core sliders are the answer to your prayers. These two little plates can fire up your core in every move as they force you to control your movement, thereby improving your form and sweating at the same time. Good for both the upper and lower body, core sliders can strengthen your muscles while building your endurance and stability.
Honey hacks: don’t use these on hardwood floors, as they may leave scratch marks! Also, they don’t work on rough surfaces.
Shop Corength’s Strength Training Gliding Discs at Decathlon.
10. Best Recovery Tool: TriggerPoint – MobiPoint Massage Ball
As much as working out is important, recovery is equally as vital to optimise our performance and be kind to our bodies that do so much for us. That’s why MobiPoint deserves to be on your shopping list. Providing direct compression, you can use this textured massage ball to relieve soreness, discomfort, and tightness in all the different parts of your body.
Honey hacks: the nubs on the massage ball may feel harsh to some people. Also, the small size of the ball means it covers a small area (though it’s compact!).
Shop TriggerPoint’s MobiPoint Massage Ball online.
How to choose your portable exercise equipment
When deciding which is the best portable workout equipment for you, here are a few things you can consider:
- Your fitness goals. Depending on your focus – whether it’s yoga, strength, toning, or cardio – you can select which tool is more suitable for you.
- Your budget. Some options are more expensive than others. Think about the amount of money you feel comfortable spending.
- The size of the equipment. While all of the items on this list are very light, some may occupy more space than the others.
Personally, I like having variety and options in my life as it keeps things fresh and novel. So, feel free to try out different options to see what works best for you. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you feel good when you work out, because that makes sure you keep at it.
Oh, and one final thing: for all the different pieces of equipment, make sure to learn and instruct yourself to keep the proper form. And as always, safety comes first!
