The Best Portable Exercise Equipment of 2024

We found that the Aeromat Elite Pilates/Yoga Mat is one of the most high-quality mats for the sweatiest and most intense workouts. Made with closed-cell foam, this mat is extra durable and resilient for any type of vigorous exercise. If you’re looking for a thicker mat with superior cushioning, this is an ideal option to provide more support for your joints. Despite its thickness, it is lightweight and easy to roll up, making it convenient for travel and storage without taking up too much space.

There are two common styles of resistance bands and I prefer using these longer loop bands by Gaiam versus wider and thinner resistance bands. “​​Longer loop resistance bands are best for upper body exercises, such as banded rows, lat pulldowns, and straight-arm pulldowns,” Seward Gambogi says. “You can also use them for more isolated arm exercises like bicep curls and tricep kickbacks. These exercises don’t require much space, so you can do them in a hotel room or at an airport without making much noise.” These long-loop resistance bands benefit stretching and upper-body workouts because they provide a broader range of motion — making it easier to do deeper stretches and full-arm movements. I regularly use all three bands with varied resistance levels because they have greatly helped strengthen and tone my shoulders and arms.

This MoveActive pilates ball comes with me on every trip; it inflates and deflates in seconds and flattens very thinly, making it convenient to pack in any bag. I am an avid pilates and barre fan and have been doing mat pilates and barre exercises  at home for years. I treat myself to a reformer classes every now and then, but I really enjoy doing pilates classes at home and when I travel so I can target certain areas, such as my abs.  

One of the most versatile and effective equipment I use is the MoveActive pilates ball especially for core and ab workouts and it has never lost it’s shape or density. Adding the pilates ball to my workouts add an extra challenge to ab exercises, engaging more muscle fibers for a more intense workout. “Using a pilates ball is really great to hold between your legs, so you engage your inner thigh and hip muscles, which can help with a much deeper core engagement,” Seward Gambogi adds.

Personally, I am not a fan of running or cardio machines, so jump roping is one of my favorite ways to get my cardio in and quickly break a sweat. This jump rope by Wigore is convenient to bring in any suitcase or duffel bag. With updated tech features, it is simple to set up, high quality, and durable, helping you keep track of your jumps and calories burned. The main handle has a built-in motor that vibrates to alert you on things such as reaching your goal number or when time is up.

For a fully immersive and virtual experience, Meta Quest 3 has a variety of exercises, workout classes, and even meditation settings, bringing the gym to the comfort of your own space — whether it’s a hotel room or home rental. The Meta Quest 3 fitness apps include five interactive studios with hundreds of on-demand classes, adding new ones each week including boxing, dancing, sculp, combat, and HIIT classes. Options such as their Xponential+ gives you the ability to exercise in stunning VR locations around the world, and the apps connected to studio classes bring favorites like PureBarre and Rumble to you in any city or country you’re in.

These Bala Bangles are the perfect addition to bring with you on your upcoming trip and/or for your regular routine. These stylish weights make it simple to add weight for strength training or to enhance your fitness goals and can be worn on your wrists or ankles — providing flexibility no matter where you are. We found that these are simple to put on, taking less than 10 seconds to strap onto your ankles or wrists. You can even wear them to the airport as they are great for walking around the terminal and are discreet enough to wear under a jacket or pants.

The CastleFlexx stretching tool is a high-quality, advanced version of traditional stretching aids, designed to relieve tension throughout your entire body. Unlike most tools that focus primarily on the lower body, the CastleFlexx offers deep stretching for both upper and lower body muscles (which is perfect post-flight). Available in various sizes, it accommodates individuals of different heights, ensuring inclusivity. Using this tool can help release tightness and tension in your legs and hips, promoting greater mobility and alleviating lower back discomfort — ideal to use after a long day of traveling.