24 Exercise Products That Let You Get Fit While Doing Something Else

24 Exercise Products That Let You Get Fit While Doing Something Else

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-05-25 05:03

1. A weighted toy hoop if you want to relieve your childhood with some good 'ole nostalgic hula-hooping — except now you can watch "grown-up" shows while you do so, toning your abs, arms, and legs in the process.

www.amazon.com

This hoop weighs 3 pounds.

Promising review: "I've been using this three to four times per week for over two years now. It stays together, it shows no signs of wear, and I still love using it! I bought this because I wanted to exercise my abs without doing crunches. Using this hoop, I saw noticeable results within the first month. It has improved my overall core strength. I started out at just a few minutes per day and did experience some bruising while I was getting used to it. I like to read or watch TV while using it." —sl

Sports Hoop is a California-based small business that manufactures different kinds of weighted fitness hoops.

Get it from Amazon for $39.49+ (available in two sizes).

2. A low-impact under-the-desk elliptical to keep your legs moving while you sit at your desk or read your book on the couch — unlike an under-desk treadmill, your upper body won't be shifting all over the place.

Amazon

It also comes with a digital display that tracks time, speed, and distance, as well as eight different modes of resistance, so you can tailor it to your needs.

Promising reviews: "Great quality for the price. I have thoroughly enjoyed the elliptical under my desk. For stressful times and boring meetings, it is wonderful. It is amazingly quiet as well." —Jenny

"Already obsessed with this machine! It feels great, gets my blood flowing, and is a great energy release! I am already recommending it to friends. It comes assembled out of the box and is lightweight enough; no complaints at all. The screen is really clear and easy to read. I know this will help me with stress! Thank you!!" —Stephen Dale

Get it from Amazon for $109+ (available in five styles).

3. A Shark Tank–approved pair of weighted Bala bangles that you can slip on your wrists or ankles to make literally any activity a workout — even everyday things like cooking dinner, taking the dog out, or folding laundry. Of course, they can also spice up your usual workouts by adding some extra resistance. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Former BuzzFeed Shopping writer Brittany Ross has these: "I got the 2-pound weights as a Christmas gift, and as someone who is ~not~ the most enthusiastic when it comes to most forms of exercise, I think these are a great option if you want to get a little more out of even a simple walk around the block. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing with their pretty colors and matte finish, but they're also quite comfortable, given that they're adding extra resistance to your movements. I highly recommend if you want to make things a little more challenging for yourself while feeling good about wearing them in public. I got several compliments on them while I was out and about!"

Promising review: "I got these to use while on the treadmill or doing floor workouts. They’re easily adjustable with velcro and I think you can even take some of the weights off - but I haven’t tried it. You can move the weights around on the band which is a nice touch for comfort. The feel of the weights is also smooth and nice. It doesn’t feel sticky or clingy to you when you’re sweaty." —SC

Get a set of two weights from Amazon for $55+ (available in two weights and three colors).

4. A beginner-friendly basic dumbbell set so you can squeeze in some bicep curls or tricep extensions when you're chatting on the phone with your bestie...or just anxiously pacing around the house for no reason.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The set includes six dumbbells in three sizes: 2, 3, and 5 pounds. The weights are hexagonally shaped, so they won't roll away if set on the ground.

Promising review: "Five stars. Very sturdy, love how they stack! I now do some arm workouts while watching TV." —Kolyn

Get a set from Amazon for $27.66+. PS: Check out this adjustable weight bench if you'd like to buy more strength training equipment.

5. A bestselling 2-in-1 electric treadmill for when you can't get outside for a walk but still crave movement. Whether you're stuck working at your computer or simply *need* to watch the latest episode of Love is Blind, this lets you get some steps in — and if you're feeling extra energetic, you can even pop up the bar to run!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

With the bar down, you can walk up to 3.8 mph; with the bar up, you can run up to 7.6 mph (!). It has a LED display to track speed, distance, time, and calories and is controlled by a remote control. The treadmill supports up to 265 pounds.

Promising review: "I chose this treadmill because of the great customer service reviews and the fact that it was easily movable and compact and goes up to a speed to allow jogging/running. It's been fantastic to use while working from home. I was worried about it being hard to type or read while using it, but I usually walk at a speed of 2.4–2.6 mph while actively working — emails, technical editing, plan review, and phone calls (I haven't tried higher than that) — and have had no issues. I've been walking about 4 to 6 miles at a time. I also have had no issues moving it around myself with the rollers when I need to (I'm 5'4), and it's not heavy at all, maybe just a little awkward maneuvering if you're working with a tight space. I had my mom (5 foot 1 and slight build) try to lift it because she was also interested in purchasing one and had no issues moving it around. My husband (~170 pounds) will walk on it after work while watching TV for a few miles at 3–3.5 mph, but neither of us has tried running on it consistently. We live on the top floor of an apartment complex and have also gotten no complaints about noise issues, but again, haven't run on it yet. As of now, I definitely recommend it!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $219.97+ (available in two colors).

6. A portable stair strider designed to activate your legs, core, and back muscles while you're sitting or standing, so there's almost never a time you *can't* use it. Catching up on emails? Check. Listening to an audiobook? Check. Scrolling TikTok? Also Check.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

The arm bands are optional, BTW. It also has adjustable tension and a monitor that displays your number of strides, calories burned, and workout time. Pro tip: You can try pedaling forward or backward to target different muscles!

Promising review: "Mine is perfection. Whisper-quiet, good quality. I use it under my desk at work and at home in my TV chair. You can feel it in your thighs very quickly. A good way to keep the blood flowing if you have a lot of sitting time. I'm impressed with the construction. It was easy to put together." —Kelli Perkins

Get it from Amazon for $97.53+ (available in two colors).

7. A lightweight indoor climber that promises to deliver a fiery full-body workout *without* absolutely destroying your joints. Many reviewers park this little beast in front of the TV so they can ~work and watch~.

www.youtube.com

Promising reviews: "This is one of the hardest workout machines I've used. It looked so simple, and it fits the space in my apartment perfectly. I thought I could spend 20 minutes a day on it, no problem; however, I'm working on going a minute straight. It kills my legs, but in a good way! 💪🏻" —Andrea White

"One of the most excellent exercising machines I have ever used. You do have to try out different levels and paces of pedaling to suit your needs. I highly recommend it; it takes up so little space. I keep it in front of my TV so I can always use the time to do both things: enjoy my favorite show and stay fit. A great creation, indeed!" —Chelsea Trivett

Get it from Amazon for $179.

8. A durable and surprisingly quiet fitness trampoline to get your heart rate up in possibly the most fun way ever. Bounce along as you re-watch The Office or for an extra challenge, try to play a video game as you jump. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Read more about the potential benefits of rebounding exercise

Promising reviews: "Exercise has never been so much fun. I use it every day! Excellent product, really happy with it. It’s very versatile, helps with balance and coordination — love it! And it’s quiet, so my downstairs neighbor is not annoyed. I purchased the 48-inch size, and so glad I did, so I can do jumping jacks, etc." —Falcor

"I can't believe how easy this rebounder is to assemble! I put it together by myself in about 40 minutes. The tool included makes attaching the bungees quick and easy. The bounce is so much better than the inexpensive, spring rebounder I had before and is perfect for jogging. I watch TV or listen to an audiobook while jumping." —Online Shopper

Get it from Amazon for $220+ (available in two sizes and eight colors).

9. An ergonomic exercise ball chair because I'm pretty sure your current desk chair doesn't help to strengthen your core and align your spine. This does. And for anyone who tends to fidget when sitting still, this is practically a dream come true!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It's designed for folks from 5'–5'11" tall and comes with a classic exercise ball, materials to put together the chair, an air pump, and a desk chair exercise guide. The ball is removable from the chair, so you can also use it on its own. And if you need a taller chair, leg extenders that add 2 inches are available separately!

Promising review: "This chair is so much more than a punchline on Portlandia. I have used it for over a year in my office job. Funny looks? Sure. But it's not for them; it's about my health and lower lumbar strength. For the first few weeks, I had a 'regular' chair close by, to ease the transition. Now I wish that I could take my chair with me to client locations. I used to 'sit' with my chair rolled all the way under the desk, leaned back, so that my butt and shoulders were the only thing supported. This balance chair forces you to sit up straight and support yourself. It will force you to strengthen your legs, back, and shoulders. You will find yourself sitting more upright even when you are not using the chair." —Micah

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in four colors).

Psst: Check out this exercise ball with resistance bands for another multitasking-friendly option.

10. A home barre Booty Kicker for anyone who loves barre or pilates but would prefer to work out in their own space and on their own schedule. Skip the pricy studio class and cue up a YouTube class instead — or get creative and design your own routine!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

It folds up flat so you can keep it out of the way when you're not using it, and has wheels for rolling it. It also has a dumbbell rack at the bottom that fits 1-, 2-, and 3-pound weights!

Promising review: "I'll be honest...I bought this on a whim and then didn't put it together for months. I almost returned it because I hadn't used it, but I'm so glad I didn't. I LOVE THIS BARRE. I look forward to using it every day (and I really don't care to work out generally). It's so fun to use, and you can find so many barre classes online for FREE. It's also super easy to fold up and store, and for me, that's super important because I live in a tiny space. This is THE best workout tool." —Kathryn

Get it from Amazon for $129.99.

11. A minimalist rowing machine with 12 levels of adjustable resistance in case you want to pretend you're racing the Head of the Charles Regatta while you tune into The Tonight Show.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It has a wide cushioned seat, pedals with adjustable straps, and a digital monitor.

Promising review: "Right out of the box, this exercise rower impressed. High quality, four simple unboxing steps, lightweight but sturdy. I was rowing in minutes. Very quickly, I realized I could move the unit anywhere with ease. While primarily it will be used in my exercise room, either I or my wife can pick it up and take it to the TV room to watch and row. In a complicated world, this rower is peacefully simple and enjoyable!!!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $89.42+ (available in two styles).

Or head on over to our full roundup of the best rowing machines!

12. A set of latex resistance exercise bands for some quick midday squats or perhaps a short stretching break. It might be all you need to get the creative juices flowing again!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The set includes five bands of different resistance "weights": the green is 10–15 pounds, blue is 15–20 pounds, yellow is 20–25 pounds, red is 25–35 pounds, and black is 35–45 pounds.

Promising reviews: "Great for quick desk-ercises! I'm working from home, so I got these to help do simple workouts at my desk and help with stretching. Solid purchase and right price!" —RBaby

"These exercise bands are high quality and easy to use. I like to use them to get a little exercise while at home watching TV. The storage bag is nice to throw into a suitcase for traveling, too." —Kathy S

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in five color varieties).

13. A bestselling Bosu balance trainer ball if you want to improve your strength, balance, and endurance instead of just laying on the couch in a zombie-like state. Step on up for a fun challenge (but don't get disheartened if it's harder than you expected).

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It supports up to 350 pounds and comes with an inflation pump.

Promising reviews: "The Bosu ball is fantastic!! It's super easy to inflate, and then it's totally ready to use. This ball makes working out fun — even just balancing while watching TV helps improve stability and doesn't seem like any work at all!" —Suzanna Moore

"The Bosu ball is my favorite piece of workout equipment. I have a small home gym, and this is the best item in it. The ball is versatile — you can use it for situps, pushups, balance training, and the list goes on. We keep ours in our living room so that while we're watching TV at night, we can sneak in some workouts on it!" —Minnie

Get it from Amazon for $107.99+ (available in 15 colors and varieties).

14. An ab roller so you can skip the boring crunches and sit-ups and opt for a more engaging ab exercise instead. You can ~roll it out~  anytime, but I'd suggest you do it during the commercial breaks.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This ab carver works so much better that just a wheel and a stick. I like the wide roller, the hand grips fit comfortably in my hands, and the spring helps me with the return motion. I do mine every night while watching TV. It's quick and easy to do. I found that at my age, I need extra padding under my knees. I roll up a fleece throw and place it under my knees, and I'm good to go. I can already feel my trunk muscles toning up after just several weeks of use. All in all, I love this simple little device." —M. Carlson

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two styles).

15. Some Kangoo Jumps shoes because even though they look a bit funky, you just might have the most fun workout of your life in them. Reviewers absolutely love walking, jumping, and dancing in these low-impact shoes and say they hardly cause any pain to the body. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Tired of boring runs on the treadmill? Try those shoes. They are absolutely amazing. I look forward to doing my cardio now. You can run, skip, and do high knees or butt kickers." —lilly

"LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these! I don't spoil myself often, but I got these for my birthday, and they really are fun to work out on. I put on YouTube and exercise to some of the videos and dances on there. It's so fun! It was weird for the first 15–20 minutes to get used to. I walked around the house holding on to the walls, but every time I get on these, I'm more confident. For how hard I work out, I never wake up sore. They really are the perfect therapy. I had a baby 12 weeks ago and was worried it'd be too hard, but these are perfect. Something I can do now and will still be a good workout the stronger I get." —Amazon Customer

Kangoo Jumps is a small business founded in 2017. There are official Kangoo Jumps classes available on YouTube!

Get them from Amazon for $275+ (available in unisex sizes XS–L and in three colors). 

16. A pair of core sliders so you can spice up your evening routine with some bodyweight exercises, like planks and push-ups. Doesn't matter which room you're in either because these slide on carpet and hardwood floors.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "I’ve been in fitness for years and have used many different devices for core workouts. The felt on wooden floors had just enough grip to stay where you needed when you applied pressure. The plastic side has just enough of a bump to allow for comfortable hand placement as well. Solid build quality." —Amazon Customer

Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.88.

17. Or! A set of portable sliders to throw in your suitcase for an on-the-go core workout. Simply get in plank position and then distract yourself with a YouTube video or Hulu show on your phone.

amazon.com

Promising review: "Purchased these to do at home Pilates workouts to get a similar effect of movements on the reformer machine and love how versatile these are!" —Hailey

Get them from Amazon for $6.79+ (available in seven colors).

18. A sturdy yet lightweight aerobic step platform if you ready to ~step up~ to your next Teams meeting...and then promptly step down before repeating the process. After all, we already know the meeting's going to be rather boring and pointless, so you might as well make it interesting with some marching.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The step can be set to four or six inches, and it can support up to 300 pounds.

Promising review: "Working from home, I've become very stagnant. This is great while you're in a long meeting or watching TV! It makes it easy to get your cardio in. I don't have carpeted floors, so I put a yoga mat underneath to keep it from sliding, and it works great!" —Kathryn

Get it from Amazon for $20.28+ (available in five colors and in a version that adjusts to 8 inches tall).

19. A set of weighted workout bars to ramp up the intensity of simple exercises like lunges and arm raises, all of which you can do while listening to a podcast or watching the morning news.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

The set comes with three bars that are 5, 8, and 12 pounds.

Promising review: "I absolutely love these. I'm rehabbing from a stroke, and these bars are so damn nice to have. You don't have to worry about adding weights or extra pieces. They store really easily on the floor, against a wall, in a closet, lying down or standing up...it's all one piece!!!! It's also thick enough to work your grip while doing any one of a million exercises you could do with it. I also use it while watching TV on my recliner. I just rest the bar across my lap and start working out. Use it together with bands for even more resistance. It is kinda long, but not too long (about the length of a broomstick). Perfect for me." —cynthia carrillo-estoto

Get the set of three from Amazon for $23.59+ (also available in more weight sizes).

20. An adjustable jump rope for a great cardio workout that can be done from just about anywhere.

amazon.com

Promising review: "The thing I liked about the product is how useful it can be in any setting. This particular jump rope has the ability to adjust to any length with great ease, also providing comfortable grip on hand placement." —Roman

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four variations).

21. A rolling desk bike with eight resistance settings so you can pedal away the workday. The desk surface is perfect for typing emails and getting stuff done, and since the bike itself is pretty quiet, your coworkers won't even notice that you're working out on the team's call (unless they see you sweating, that is).

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check it out on TikTok here

Promising review: "As many other folks have experienced, my team transitioned from working in an office setting to working remotely from home. For the most part, work productivity has increased, which has been a real plus; however, as far as my physical well-being, I felt like I was in the worst shape of my life. I happened to come across an ad for this TikTok desk bike and decided to make the purchase. What a little treasure! I am currently typing this review while I’m pedaling and have burned 680 calories since my first Zoom meeting this morning and it’s only noon. Buy it, you won’t be disappointed!!!" —Annie

Get it from Amazon for $249.99+ (available in six colors and styles). 

22. Or, an indoor exercise bike if you prefer a more traditional cycling experience. It even has a built-in tablet holder so you can set up a show or virtual cycling class.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Without question, you should buy this bike because it’s easy to assemble, works great, and the customer service is amazing! I live in a 1 bedroom apartment in Chicago with my wife and this thing was the perfect addition to our workout area. Takes up minimal space and comes on wheels in the front of the bike to make it easy to move around.

My wife assembled this to surprise me when I got home from work and said she knocked it put in under 30 minutes and was taking her time to assure every fastener was in its place and properly tightened down.

Seriously, if you’re even remotely considering this bike, just get it. It’s an awesome piece of equipment and very affordable. I try to do a 30 minute ride at least four times a week and it kicks my butt, but it’s awesome." —matt patrick

Get it from Amazon for $189.99+ (available in two styles).

23. And! A bestselling bike trainer stand to transform your regular bike into a stationary version, which you can then ride as you watch Wicked for the hundredth time. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This thing is awesome! I ride my bike a lot; this is going to make it so I can train all winter. Plus, I've always wanted an exercise bike in my apartment, but I don't have the space. This folds up and can fit so nicely in my closet; then I take my bike back to the bike room. Not to mention, now I am Spinning and watching TV and playing video games! VIDEO GAMES!" —Mike Peters

BalanceFrom is a small biz launched in 2012 and based in Ontario, Canada, that provides high-quality fitness equipment.

Get it from Amazon for $65.74.

24. Some Push-up bars since push-ups are great for strengthening the core and upper body, and they can be done in front of the TV or even in between TikTok videos. These holders rotate as you go down, which provides a solid, slip-free grip (and less wrist pain).

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The first time I used them, I felt burn (the good kind) in the back/neck area. I looked up a diagram of musculature online, and it corresponded precisely with the trapezius muscles. I know that a product can't cure lazy, but knowing that I'm doing push-ups the right way and being able to feel the results makes me want to do more push-ups." —mcba

Get them from Amazon for $39.99.

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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