The Best Portable and Travel-Friendly Fitness Equipment of 2024

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If you’ve been focusing on your fitness goals lately and plan to travel a lot during the holidays or in the new year, you probably don’t want to lose that momentum. Whether you have a home gym, a small workout space or use a fitness app or subscription, you don’t have to sacrifice your workout regimen. Fortunately, it’s easy to continue a fitness routine while on the road if you have the right equipment on hand. Whether or not your hotel or Airbnb has a gym, there are ways to keep your workout routine on track without needing too much.
Below, we rounded up some of our favorite travel workout equipment, which won’t take up too much space in your carry-on or suitcase.
The Best Portable and Travel-Friendly Fitness Equipment of 2024
Hide our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $9 at Amazon Pros Compact enough to fit into any bag
Lets you get a quick workout in anywhere
You can learn different jump rope tricks to keep your workout fun Cons You can’t jump for a continuous period of time
Not ideal if you have prior injuries that don’t allow you to jump
It can be a safety hazard by causing you to trip and fall if you are new to jumping rope Size 1.97-inches x 4.72-inches x 7.09-inches Weight 0.39 pounds Price $8 Best travel fitness equipment for cardio Jump rope Photo Gallery 1/1 $9 at Amazon A jump rope is a good way to get in some cardio, whether you take your workout outdoors, in your hotel room or at the gym. It doesn’t take up much space, it’s cheap and can be easily thrown into your gym bag or suitcase. If your goal is to master jump rope moves, you can also take things up a notch by following a jump rope-specific workout program like the Elite Jumps app that you can access anywhere. Hide our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $7 at Amazon Pros Can be used on wooden floors or carpeting
Versatile enough to do ab and other exercises
Affordable and compact Cons Depending on your fitness level, it may be hard to do some exercises
They can collect dirt from the floor and require regular cleaning with warm water and soap Size ‎7-inches x 7-inches x 0.51-inches Weight 0.5 pounds Price $9 Best portable fitness equipment for core work Core sliders Photo Gallery 1/1 $7 at Amazon If you want to take your core exercises up a notch without the fancy equipment, then you’ll want a pair of core sliders. This minimalist piece of equipment comes in different shapes, but it’s flat and dual-sided, with one side made out of plastic for easy sliding on carpeting, while the other is made of a cushioned foam intended to glide around on hard surfaces like wood floors. I’ve been able to pack these easily into my carry-on while traveling and my gym bag. Some of my favorite exercises to do with core sliders include mountain climbers, pikes, knee-ins and hamstring curls. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $140 at Amazon Pros You can do upper-body and lower-body exercises
Ideal for beginners and experienced exercisers
You can progress or regress many exercises Cons The straps do require some basic understanding of how to use them
It’s on the expensive side for portable workout equipment Size 53-inches x 2-inches Weight 2 pounds Price $160 Best full-body travel fitness equipment TRX Suspension Trainer Photo Gallery 1/1 $140 at Amazon A suspension trainer like the TRX offers a full-body workout without too much setup involved. The TRX comes with an anchor that can be used outdoors, fastened to a fence or tree or indoors placed behind a door. The TRX comes with two straps, so it’s easy to pack while traveling or if you have a home gym. I’ve been able to carry a TRX with me to a gym that doesn’t have one as well as to the park. I like that you can practice inverted rows, pull-ups, push-ups, ab exercises, squatting and even single-leg exercises with this one tool. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $119 at Amazon Pros You can turn any doorway into a pull-up station
It comes with its own carrying case
You can adjust the grips to fit your preferences Cons Some doorway frames may not be compatible with these grips
Not ideal for exercise novices
On the pricey side for pull-up bars Size 7-inches x 10-inches x 3-inches Weight 4.3 pounds Price $120 Best portable fitness equipment to train upper body Portable pull-up bars Photo Gallery 1/1 $119 at Amazon If you’ve been working on your upper body strength and want to continue working on pull-ups while you’re traveling, then a portable set of pull-up grips can come in handy. This Jayflex CrossGrips Compact Pull-Up Bar can be carried with you during your travels or for home use. These grips are easily set up on a door frame that measures 4.5 inches to 7.5 inches wide and 2 to 4 inches tall. Unlike other pull-up bars that are placed over the door, this style has individual handles, so you can set them as close or far apart as you like. They can also be used for push-ups, tricep dips and more. Jayflex also includes a tote bag, which lets you easily carry the CrossGrips wherever you go. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $75 at Rogue $6 at Perform Better Pros A good choice for beginners and for experienced exercisers
They come in a variety of lengths, weights and colors
You can use resistance bands in place of some cable machine exercises
Resistance bands can be used to make certain exercises harder or easier Cons Progressive overload or the ability to make exercises harder is limited with resistance bands Size 48 inches Weight N/A Price $75 Size 9-inches x 2-inches Weight N/A Price $6 Best travel fitness equipment for strength training Resistance bands Photo Gallery 1/1 $75 at Rogue $6 at Perform Better You can’t go wrong with a pair of resistance bands. There are longer and shorter resistance bands, depending on the exercises you plan on doing with them. The longer ones are better for upper-body exercises, whereas the mini resistance bands are better for leg exercises. If you want to take these with you on the go, it’s best to get a set that has light, medium and heavy options. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $25 at Amazon $76 at Walmart Pros Folds up flat, so you don’t have to worry about carrying an extra bag for storage
It’s latex-free; ideal if you have skin sensitivities Cons It must be cleaned regularly to avoid degradation with disinfectant wipes or you can make your own cleaner with our tips
The bottom grip might not be enough for hot yoga and surface might get slippery Size 68-inches x 24-inches x 2-inches Weight 2 pounds Price $25 Best travel fitness equipment for yoga practice Foldable yoga mat Photo Gallery 1/1 $25 at Amazon $76 at Walmart Instead of worrying about rolling up and carrying a standard-sized yoga mat, a travel-sized yoga mat is the way to go. A travel yoga mat folds into a small size, allowing it to fit in your backpack or suitcase if you’re traveling without having to worry about the obtrusive size once it’s rolled up. A travel yoga mat lets you practice yoga, Pilates or any other mat exercises anywhere. Even if you work out in a hotel gym, you will feel more hygienic using your own yoga mat. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $27 at Amazon Pros Small enough to fold up and throw in a purse, gym bag or carry-on
Fits most phone sizes
Bounce-free Cons Might feel cramped if you like to carry a lot with you
No pocket for a water bottle Size ‎8-inches x 2-inches x 4-inches Weight 1.6 ounces Price $27 Best travel fitness equipment for runners Running belt Photo Gallery 1/1 $27 at Amazon If you enjoy running to explore a new city or if it’s your preferred form of exercise, it’s helpful to have a running belt on hand. A running belt will help keep your keys, smartphone and energy gels stored safely in one place while you run. The best part is running belts don’t take up much space and can be useful for other activities. The SPIbelt is a lightweight, bounce-free running belt with a zippered pocket to keep all your belongings together. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $55 at Mobot Pros It’s both a foam roller and water bottle
It’s easy to carry on-the-go Cons It’s bulky
Foam roller might be too firm for some people Size 11-inches x 3-inches Weight 0.85 pounds Price $55 Best travel foam roller Foam roller Photo Gallery 1/1 $55 at Mobot If you’re on the go and looking to soothe your muscles, having a foam roller on hand can help. Unlike most foam rollers that are not portable, the Grace Mobot Foam Roller is compact and doubles as a stainless steel water bottle. CNET named it the best travel foam roller. It’s made out of EVA foam and comes in different colors and patterns. For a small foam roller, it is firm with grooves and bumps that are perfect to dig into even the toughest knots. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $169 at Amazon Pros Heel-to-toe drop isn’t too high or too low
Versatile cushioning
Good for recreational and long-distance runners
Shoe upper slips on like a sock
Rocker creates smooth transitions while running Cons Not ideal for speed training since it’s on the heavier side
It may feel tight for people with wide feet Size 12.7 x 7.9 x 4.5 inches Weight 8.3 ounces Price $170 Best running shoes for travel Running shoes Photo Gallery 1/1 $169 at Amazon If you are a runner, packing your favorite pair of running shoes helps keep you motivated to exercise even while traveling. CNET’s top running shoe pick is the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12, because of how well-cushioned and supportive they are – especially if you like to run mid or long distances. These shoes are also comfortable enough to walk in, so they’re ideal if you’re sightseeing. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the ideal running shoe will vary based on your needs, so we recommend getting yourself fitted professionally for a pair. Show our expert take
The Best Portable and Travel-Friendly Fitness Equipment of 2024 Fitness Equipment Size Weight Price Jump Rope, Tangle-Free Rapid Speed Jumping Rope Cable 1.97-inches x 4.72-inches x 7.09-inches 0.39 pounds $8 Exercise Core Sliders, Dual Sided Exercise Gliding Discs ‎7-inches x 7-inches x 0.51-inches 0.5 pounds $9 TRX Suspension Trainer 53-inches x 2-inches 2 pounds $140 Jayflex CrossGrips Compact Pull Up Bar 7-inches x 10-inches x 3-inches 4.3 pounds/ Weight limit: 250 pounds $120 Rogue Tube Bands ‎Elastic length- 48 inches N/A $75 Perform Better First Place Mini Bands 9-inches x 2-inches N/A $6 Gaiam Yoga Mat – Folding Travel Fitness & Exercise Mat ‎68-inches x 24-inches x 2-inches 2 pounds $25 SPIbelt Large Pocket Running Belt for Women Men, Phone Holder for Running ‎8-inches x 2-inches x 4-inches 1.6 ounces $27 Grace Mobot Foam Roller 11-inches by 3-inches 0.85 pounds $55 New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 12.7 x 7.9 x 4.5 inches 8.3 ounces $170
What are the best workouts to do while traveling? The workouts you do while traveling will depend on what equipment you have access to and your preferences. Going for a run or walk is a nice way to explore a new city or if you have access to a hotel gym, you have more options. Bodyweight workouts are easy to do anywhere – even if you don’t have a gym. Workouts you can do in a hotel gym include weight training with the equipment available to you or practicing interval training on a treadmill, rowing machine or exercise bike. If you bring your own equipment, like resistance bands, a jump rope and core sliders, you can complete a full-body workout. Show more