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The picks
#1 Indoor rowing
Concept2 RowErg
90/100 Crowd 93 Assessment 88 Value 88 €1,189.99
The gold-standard erg — near-indestructible with accurate PM5 data.
- Build/durability10
- Performance data9
- Connectivity8
- Footprint/storage8
- Value9
Pros
- Legendary commercial-grade durability that lasts for decades
- Accurate, trusted PM5 performance monitor with Bluetooth and ANT+
- Smooth air resistance with adjustable damper, suits beginners to elite athletes
Cons
- Long footprint of about 2.4 m, though it splits in two for storage
- Air flywheel is noticeably loud in use
Buy it if Buy if you want a lifetime-quality rower with rock-solid, accurate data, from first-timers to competitive rowers and CrossFit athletes. Skip it if Skip it if you need a whisper-quiet machine, an immersive touchscreen with guided classes, or a compact footprint; look at magnetic or water rowers instead.
#2 Adjustable dumbbells
NÜOBELL Adjustable Dumbbell
84/100 Crowd 90 Assessment 82 Value 70 €769
Gym-grade 5–24 kg dial dumbbells that replace a whole rack in seconds.
- Build quality8
- Adjust mechanism9
- Feel/balance9
- Range (weight)8
- Value7
Pros
- Sub-2-second twist adjustment, ideal for drop sets
- Traditional dumbbell shape, straight 32mm knurled handle
- Very compact (~40cm) footprint
Cons
- Premium price (€769-999 per pair)
- Plastic cradle/connectors are the weak point - do not drop
Buy it if Buy it if you want the fastest, most natural-feeling adjustable dumbbell for a compact home gym and will treat the plastic parts with care. Skip it if Skip it if you train rough, drop your weights, or need more than 40kg per hand - an all-steel adjustable or fixed dumbbells will serve you better.
#3 Smart trainer value
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2
82/100 Crowd 80 Assessment 86 Value 78 €497.50
±2% accurate, quiet direct-drive trainer — near-flagship for mid-tier money.
- Power accuracy9
- Ride feel8.6
- Quietness8.6
- App support8.8
- Value8
Pros
- Power accuracy that matches dedicated power meters (±2%)
- Excellent build quality and ride feel
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Original CORE ships without a cassette (CORE 2 fixes this)
- CORE 2 price rose ~€100 vs the predecessor; no carrying handle
Buy it if You coach or ride indoors and want accurate, near-premium power training on Zwift/TrainerRoad without paying flagship money. Skip it if You need built-in incline motion or steering, a carrying handle, or the cheapest possible wheel-on entry trainer.
#4 All-in-one smart gym
Speediance Gym Monster 2
81/100 Crowd 88 Assessment 78 Value 65 €3,443
A compact digital cable machine with a strong app — a whole gym in one footprint.
- Build/resistance8
- Exercise range9
- Software/app7
- Footprint/storage9
- Value6
Pros
- No mandatory subscription — 400+ workouts included
- Very compact: folds to ~2.75 sq ft and fits through doorways
- Dual-motor digital resistance up to 100 kg with eccentric/chain modes
Cons
- High-ticket: €3,443 (RRP €4,199) is a big outlay
- 100 kg cap limits heavy compound lifts
Buy it if Buy it if you want a Tonal-style all-in-one that fits a small space, hate recurring subscriptions, and train in a hypertrophy/general-fitness rep range where 100 kg is plenty. Skip it if Skip it if you routinely lift heavy compounds beyond 100 kg, need a wide stance for flyes and pulldowns, or can't justify a €3k spend over adjustable dumbbells and a bench.
#5 Class experience
Peloton Bike
79/100 Crowd 84 Assessment 80 Value 60 €1,200 Subscription: €39/mo All-Access Membership (required)
The benchmark for connected cardio classes — worth it if you use the subscription.
- Classes9.2
- Build8.6
- Experience8.8
- Footprint8
- Value5.5
Pros
- Best-in-class instructor-led classes, including German-language content
- High build quality with quiet magnetic resistance
- Compact footprint that suits small apartments
Cons
- High upfront cost (~€1,200 Bike / up to €2,699 Bike+)
- Mandatory €39/month membership — the bike is heavily limited without it
Buy it if You want motivating, instructor-led studio classes at home and will use the monthly subscription regularly. Skip it if You are a budget or self-guided rider who resents a recurring fee and just wants a simple bike to pedal offline.
#6 Class experience
Peloton Cross Training Bike
75/100 Crowd 80 Assessment 79 Value 52 €1,899 Subscription: €45/mo All-Access Membership (required)
Peloton's classes on a bike whose screen swivels 360 degrees for floor workouts.
- Classes9.2
- Build8.6
- Experience9
- Footprint8
- Value4.8
Pros
- Same class library, including German-language classes, with a screen that rotates 360° for strength and mobility off the bike
- Quiet magnetic resistance and a 17 kg flywheel, for riders up to 135 kg
- Rated 4.95/5 by 21 verified buyers at Fitshop
Cons
- €1,899 up front plus a €45/month All-Access Membership, required for classes
- Does not fold and needs about 137 x 58 cm of floor space
Buy it if You want instructor-led cycling plus off-bike strength and mobility classes at home, and you will use the monthly membership regularly. Skip it if You ride self-guided, resent a recurring fee, or want the Bike+ features (bigger screen, auto-resistance) that the T3 review covers.
For coaches and studio owners
This is where consumer and commercial diverge most sharply, and where the mistake is most expensive. Most home equipment warranties explicitly void under commercial use — putting a consumer machine in a studio can leave you with no cover from day one, and almost nobody publishes this clearly. Ask the manufacturer directly and get it in writing. Then judge on revenue per square metre and cost per member-session over the service life, not sticker price: a commercial-rated machine at three times the cost that survives ten times the sessions is not the expensive option. We run this category under genuine commercial load across two Berlin rooms, and the gap between how equipment behaves at home and at forty sessions a week is larger than any spec sheet suggests.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to a connected machine if I cancel the subscription?
It varies enormously and it is the single most important question in this category. Some machines keep full manual control and become ordinary equipment. Others lose programmes, resistance control or most of the screen. Ask before buying, because the answer determines what you own in three years.
Is home gym equipment allowed in a commercial studio?
Physically yes, contractually often not. A large share of consumer equipment warranties exclude commercial use outright, which means a failure in month four may not be covered at all. Insurance and liability can be affected too. Confirm commercial rating in writing before it goes on a studio floor.
How much space do I actually need?
More than the footprint listed. Add clearance for the movement itself, safe access on the sides you use, and room to fold or move it if that is part of the plan. Ceiling height matters for anything overhead — measure before ordering, not after delivery.
Are cheaper machines a false economy?
For light home use, often not — a well-built budget machine used four times a week can last years. Under heavy or shared use the calculation inverts quickly, because bearings, belts and frames are where cost is removed. Judge it on expected sessions over the service life rather than on price alone.
