I have a few clients that work really long hours and struggle to find time to train with me.
And so they ask me: what routine can I do in the office?
My colleagues and I have written a lot about home gyms and desk exercise equipment.
But I thought it was also important to give you some inspiration specifically about creating an office gym.
In this article I will give you some guidance depending on your fitness goals.
Below is some of my recommended office gym equipment that will help you build muscle, increase core strength, and burn some calories.
Best Office Gym Combo
BodyBoss 2.0 - Full Portable Home Gym
- Portable gym combo for home, office, and to carry with you wherever you go
- Features equipment and exercise options for the upper and lower body
- Accessories include a workout bar, handles, ankle and wrist straps
- Workout guides and a start-up workout program included in your purchase
The BodyBoss 2.0 full portable home gym is a lightweight and compact platform that includes accessories you can use to exercise your body regardless of where you are.
It features resistance bands, a workout bar, a series of straps and handles that allow you to perform over 300 different types of exercises.
This is an alternative to lifting weights and a great way to get a full-body workout without driving to the gym.
The package includes a base with non-slip technology, a workout bar, 2-4 resistance bands that simulate up to 30 lbs each, ankle/wrist straps, a pair of handles, and a door anchor.
What customers are saying
According to people who bought this portable gym, it’s incredibly versatile, it’s easy to assemble, and it does not take a lot of space both while using and when in storage.
It is also a great alternative to a gym membership and very easy to use.
Ideal For A Corporate Office
OYO Full Body & Portable Gym
- Useful for upper and lower body exercises
- Activates targeted and opposing muscle groups with each movement
- Includes two 10 lbs and one 5 lbs FlexPack
- Comes with leg straps and door anchors
- Includes access to a nutrition guide and a membership in the OYO Fitness club
If you want a portable gym that enables you to perform a full-body workout in your office, this is probably your best choice.
You can easily take this portable gym with you everywhere you go without carrying an extra bag or any bulky equipment.
It is also extremely easy to store and has up to 60 workouts available. Note that there are two packages and the basic package doesn’t have door anchors and leg straps.
If you need door anchors and leg straps, you’d have to get the Total Body Package, which is the one we’re reviewing here.
What customers are saying
Most customer reviews on the OYO full-body portable gym are excellent with the top-rated features being how easy it is to use and how versatile it is.
People who bought this platform talk highly about its sturdiness. They say it looks and feels high-quality plus it’s very resistant.
Excellent For Core
Dynamic Core & Full Body Workout
- Syncs with the Stealth Fitness app, which includes two free games
- Builds your core while entertaining you with exciting games
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- Features a complete 360-degree motion and a multi-directional exercise
- Compatible with almost any mobile size
This is an excellent option to work out your core muscles while having fun. It features a sliding platform where you can move 360-degrees and it connects to your mobile app.
You will be playing games while exercising your core, which makes the workout experience really entertaining and more engaging for coworkers, family, and friends.
You can even have group challenges to push yourself forward and motivate your loved ones to exercise.
What customers are saying
Happy customers say this product is very easy to assemble, has an impressive range of motion, and is one of the best ways to get used to doing planks every day.
Moreover, despite its wide range of movement, it is also very sturdy and resistant, making it incredibly useful and entertaining for you and your family.
However, even though it has new games and other options, you can only get them through a monthly subscription, which is not fair according to some people.
Best Desk Elliptical
DeskCycle Ellip Under Desk Elliptical
- Very quiet device that works on magnetic resistance
- Displays time, calories, RPM, and other parameters
- You can adjust the resistance and choose between 8 calibrated settings
- Syncs with the FitBit app to track your daily, weekly, or monthly exercise
One of the best features of the DeskCycle is that your co-workers won’t even realize you’re using it. That’s because it is small, quiet, and extremely smooth.
The setup is very quick and you will get a small screen that displays all of the stats you need, without annoying or distracting lights.
It is therefore an excellent solution to burn calories at work, but may also be useful for seniors at home or those who need physical therapy.
What customers are saying
The customer reviews on the DeskCycle are mostly excellent. people who bought it say that it is worth the money spent, and they are very satisfied with the noise level.
They also love that the foot pedals are large, it’s whisper-quiet, and it’s extremely easy to assemble.
Best Adjustable Weights
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
- Adjustable up to 52.5 lbs with 2.5 lbs increments
- You get 15 sets of weights combined into one adjustable dumbbell
- Saves space at home and does not require a bulky dumbbell stack
- 2-year warranty on the weight plates
If you prefer working out with weights instead of cardio machines, this pair of adjustable dumbbells is one of the best on the market and will be a great addition to your office gym.
The Bowflex brand needs no introduction…
It has 30 weights in one, and each dumbbell goes up to 52.5 lbs.
All you’d have to do to change the weight is turn the dial with the adjustable dumbbells safely placed on their stack.
What customers are saying
Customers love that these adjustable dumbbells are easy to use and easy to adjust, they say it has great weight distribution, and you won’t have any dangerous or wobbly plates.
The only downside reported is that you need to be extra careful with this type of dumbbell because they should not be thrown to the ground.
When thrown to the ground, the mechanism may start to fail which makes the dumbbells unstable and dangerous.
Great For Balance Exercises
Revolution FIT Balance Board Training System
- Gain more insight and strengthen the connection between your mind and body
- Builds your core and trains you for balance sports
- Sturdy and very resistant, made with high-quality materials
- One roller, one FIT board, a high-density rocker, and a 360 air cushion
- An exercise guide to help you get used to the system
If you’re into core training, balance boards are an interesting and fun option to strengthen your abdomen and train your balance.
You can even incorporate weights into your workout to make it more challenging.
One of the best things about this training system is that you can carry it everywhere you go. It works on any surface and lets you adjust the difficulty level by changing the base.
If you’re just starting out, you may want to use the rocker, which is very stable for beginners. For more challenge, you can use the air cushion, which has a 360º motion.
But if you’re prepared for a more difficult course, use the roller, which is more dynamic and much more complicated to master.
What customers are saying
Satisfied customers speak highly about the versatility, sturdiness, and durability of this balance board training system.
They say it is a great way to improve core strength, especially if you practice sports that require a great deal of balance, such as snowboarding.
You can even use it in front of your standing desk when you master it.
Other Recommended Equipment
DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike
If you like exercise bikes more than ellipticals, this under-desk bike is a great option.
Instead of those large elliptical pedals, you get a bike pedal with straps, and a lightweight design you can place under your desk.
It also has a display to track your progress on and a very convenient way to adjust the intensity of your workout (simply turn the dial).
People who bought this under-desk bike say that it is very sturdy and you won’t need to worry about it making noise in your office because it is whisper-quiet.
Flexispot Office Standing Desk Exercise Bike
The company Flexispot manufacture a lot quality ergonomic products around fitness and productivity.
This bike allows you to exercise and pedal while working.
The seat is very comfortable and it’s adjustable according to your height.
The bike has 4 convenient transport wheels which enable you to carry it around with ease and those wheels automatically lock when you’re using the desk.
According to customers, it is a very sturdy piece of equipment, and it’s quite easy to assemble. The noise level is also very low and won’t disturb you or anyone around you.
Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair
The Gaiam Balance Ball Chair enables you to engage in active sitting while you work.
Your muscles will be more active trying to keep balance, and your core will be activated throughout your working session.
It is basically a chair with wheels and a balance ball on top. You will get an air pump along with your purchase, and precise instructions on how to assemble it.
Most customers love the stability of this balance ball chair and how useful it is to remain active while sitting.
The majority of bad reviews and experiences would have been avoided if customers read the instructions before inflating the ball.
IRON AGE Pull Up Bar For Doorway
Another thing you can bring to the office for exercise is a pull-up bar, this one attaches easily to any doorway.
It features a foam surface to protect your doorframe, comfortable handles, and power ropes you can use if you like TRX exercises.
Most people who bought this pull-up bar say that the material is extremely high-quality and resistant. It’s also easy to set up and it provides an excellent workout experience.
Gymwell Portable Resistance Workout Set
If you like the idea of a portable gym, this is another great option to consider. It has everything you need to get started, without a bulky base.
You get three pairs of exercise bands, you’ll be able to adjust the tension to up to 120 lbs, plus, you get a handful of accessories and a complete guide of exercises.
Customers say it is great for stretching exercises and provides several exercise ideas to perform with resistance bands.
Some people say that hooking the resistance bands to their feet felt awkward, but had no problems returning the product.