folded fitness equipment

Folded Fitness Equipment for Living in Small Spaces

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Because most home gym equipment tends to be big and bulky, taking up too much room at home, you might be turned off by the prospect of building a home gym. But don’t forget, there are folded exercise equipment options you can use if you have limited space. In this article, I'm going to tell you my top picks for folded exercise equipment, and explain how you can build a home gym for small spaces and easy storage.

most popular
XTERRA FITNESS TR150 FOLDING TREADMILL

XTERRA Fitness TR150 Treadmill

Most Affordable
spacemate folding stepper

Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper

Quick Summary

XTERRA Fitness TR150 Treadmill

XTERRA Fitness TR150 Treadmill

The XTERRA Fitness TR150 Treadmill provides performance and quality in a machine that can you fold up and put into storage without exerting too much effort. This treadmill features direct access speed keys, with presets so you can start your workout immediately. 


The Hand Pulse Grips helps monitor your cardiovascular health, while the 5" LCD Console tracks your speed, distance, calories, and time. Along with the manual incline and the 50" long-running surface, you get a powerful 2.25 motor.

PROS

  • Easy to assemble.
  • Easy to fold in small spaces.

CONS

  • Still takes up space even when folded.
  • Though the motor is quiet, the machine can be noisy during use.

Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper

Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper

The Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper is a compact way to strengthen and tone your body from the comfort of your living room. The stepping design helps you get the lower-body workout you need. With the multi-function monitor, you can track your statistics, including the number of steps you've taken, the number of steps per minute, and calories burned. 


The padded handlebars, adjustable-resistance hydraulic cylinders, and leveling endcaps will help keep you stable as you exercise. And as a bonus, easily store your lightweight stepper by folding it away for secure storage.

PROS

  • Folds for storage.
  • Comes with adjustable-resistance hydraulic cylinders.
  • Home gym equipment for low impact workouts.

CONS

  • The very short range of motion.
  • Shocks could be more durable.

Exerpeutic Gold XLS Foldable Upright Bike

Exerpeutic Gold XLS Foldable Upright Bike

The Exerpeutic Gold XLS Foldable Upright Bike has a heavy-duty design supporting more than 300lbs. This model is very similar to the Plenty 3-in-1 Total Body Workout Exercise Bike. With a large seat cushion, you can adjust this exercise bike to any height for smooth and consistent pedaling. The magnetic tension system allows you to adjust the tension level, while the large LCD also provides statistics. 


With this fitness equipment, you can track your progress, including time, speed, pulse, and calories burned. Lastly, this bike is space-saving, allowing to fold it to half its assembled size and transport it on its included wheels.

PROS

  • Easy to Assemble.
  • Easy to Store.
  • Ergonomically Sound.

CONS

  • The seat can't be swapped for standard or saddle.
  • Not durable enough for high intensity.
  • Cheap rubber pedal straps.

Sunny Health & Fitness Compact Folding Magnetic Rowing Machine Rower

Sunny Health & Fitness Compact Folding Magnetic Rowing Machine Rower

The Sunny Health & Fitness Compact Folding Magnetic Rowing Machine Rower provides a low impact workout. Experience ergonomic foot pedals to engage your quads as you move your legs back and forth. Monitor your fitness stats effortlessly on the SPM Monitor, displaying calories burned, time, and speed. 


Eight levels of magnetic tension will provide you with a challenge every time you come back to use this machine. With a large padded seat, you can comfortably glide over the 33-inch slide rail.

PROS

  • Great value for the money.
  • Easy to assemble.
  • Comfortable seat.

CONS

  • Very low to the ground.
  • Foam grips on handles come off over time.

Preview

Product Name

Product Dimen-sions

Product Weight

Price Check

XTERRA FITNESS TR150 FOLDING TREADMILL

XTERRA Fitness Folding Treadmill

63.4 x 28.75 x 51.4 inches

108 Pounds

spacemate folding stepper

Stamina Space-Mate Folding Stepper

30.25 x 16.25 x 54.5 inches

41 Pounds

exerpeutic folding magnetic upright bike

Exer-peutic Gold XLS

31 x 19 x 46 inches

39 Pounds

sunny health fitness compact magnetic rower

Sunny Health & Fitness Compact Folding Magnetic Rowing Machine Rower

77 x 23 x 22.5 inches

49.6 Pounds

What’s the best fold up treadmill?

I recommend the Marcy Easy Folding Treadmill. But for more for examples of excellent folding treadmills and other gym equipment, please review my list of the best treadmills for small spaces. This list also includes some of the lightest treadmills available.

How do you fold a treadmill? 

Step 1

First, you have to insert the safety key and press the incline button on the treadmill’s display to lower the machine until it is in a completely flat position. Always lower the platform first to avoid damaging your machine. 

Step 2

After removing the safety key, unplug the treadmill. 

Step 3

While standing at the rear of the treadmill, bend with your knees, and grab the sides of the metal frame below the deck. Your hands should be dry and allow you to take a solid grip.

Step 4

Lift the deck. Raise it toward the treadmill’s display. Leep your shoulders down and back straight. Remember to straighten your legs as not to injure your lower back.

Step 5

Push the frame gently into place, resting perpendicular to the floor. The latch knob should click into place as it gets into position. If the latch isn’t snapped, it is unsafe to leave the machine in that position as the deck might fall. 

Are folding treadmills any good? 

Though folding treadmills tend to be less stable than non-folding treadmills, that’s the trade-off for enjoying a more compact model. Folding treadmills are also ideal fitness equipment for brisk walks, but not as suitable for intense marathon training.  

Can I put a treadmill in my apartment? 

Unless you live on the ground floor, you might want to choose a folding exercise bike. Using a treadmill is very likely to disturb the people who live in the apartment under you. There are plenty of choices for gym equipment for an apartment.

Another option, when concerned, about the noise you might make is to buy resistance bands. These are compact and effective. You can use resistance bands to do strength training without troubling the people around you.

Alternatives

  • For more examples of compact exercise equipment and other gym equipment, please review my round of review of the best compact exercise equipment.
  • Looking to build some muscle? Here are some great examples of a foldable gym