Best golf exercise equipment to get gains on the greens
Check out our picks for the best golf exercise equipment to improve your game.
COURTESY
Fitness is a surefire way to improve your game on the golf course. While practicing your swings, approaches, and putts is vital to becoming a good golfer, your physical health can complement your golf skills in significant ways as well.
Need more stamina for those golf outings when your buddies want to play an extra nine? Cardio exercises can help improve blood circulation and increase energy levels. Got a good swing going but lack the strength to drive it down the fairway? Resistance training and weightlifting can add muscle to your body and yards to your shots.
You can try any number of exercises to get in better shape and see a difference in your golf game. But even if you know what aspect of your health and fitness you’d like to work on, you may not know which piece of exercise equipment will deliver the kind of workout you want. To help narrow the options, we’ve tracked down the best exercise equipment for golfers in 2023.
Top 10 exercise equipment for golfers
Best for muscle activation: Bowflex Max Trainer M6
Best budget: Titan Adjustable Depth Wall Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Best balance trainer: BOSU Elite
Best rowing machine: Hydrow Rower
Best stationary bike: Sunny Health & Fitness Synergy Exercise Bike
Best for weight training: PowerBlock Elite USA
Best for resistance training: TRX Pro4 System
Best golf swing trainer: GolfForever Swing Trainer
Best recovery therapy: Therabody Theragun PRO
Best budget recovery therapy: Hyperice Hypersphere Go
How we chose the best exercise equipment
We focused our search on exercise equipment that would deliver fitness results most relevant to golf. We looked at aerobic and cardio equipment for stamina and energy, strength training equipment for power, and balance training equipment to help your golf swing. We also considered customer reviews to see how the equipment performed in the real world.
Best for muscle activation: Bowflex Max Trainer M6
Benefits
— Improves stamina and energy levels
— Tones upper and lower body
— Includes free 2-month JRNY fitness app membership
Drawbacks
— No fan
Cardio is great, but cardio that builds stamina while taking it easy on your joints is better. The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 elliptical is designed to deliver an aerobic workout while taking up very little of your living space.
With its 16 resistance settings and a free two-month membership to the JRNY app — Bowflex’s subscription service of on-demand fitness classes — the Max Trainer M6 caters to golfers of all fitness levels. And its compact design makes it suitable for most home gym environments.
Customers said the elliptical also helps tone muscle, thanks to its range of intensity settings and the app’s selection of guided workouts. The only drawback of its compact size is the lack of a cooling fan on its console. But if you’re serious about improving your stamina and building strength in your upper and lower body, step onto the Bowflex Max Trainer M6.
Size (L x W x H): 46 x 26 x 64 in. | Resistance: 16 levels | Media: Smart device holder | Heart rate monitor: Pulse sensors
Best budget: Titan Adjustable Depth Wall Mounted Pull Up Bar
Benefits
— Affordable
— Adjustable (14 or 22 in. from wall)
— High-quality 11-gauge steel construction
Drawbacks
— Requires in-wall installation
The Titan Adjustable Depth Wall Mounted Pull-Up Bar offers no-frills fitness to help golfers build upper-body strength and add power to their swings. The bar spans 52 inches, allowing you to take a wide grip and target your lats, which play a vital role in your swing, or other muscles in your back.
The bar’s 11-gauge steel construction and strategically placed mounting points help ensure it remains sturdy. And true to its name, the bar can be mounted either 14 or 22 inches from the wall.
Customers called the Titan Adjustable Depth Wall Mounted Pull-Up Bar an exceptionally high-quality bar at a great price. They also appreciated the easy setup. Not everyone will like the idea of the bar’s permanent in-wall installation, but the trade-off is a sturdy bar that won’t let you down (figuratively or literally).
Size (L x W x H): 52 x 24 x 23 in. | Material: 11-gauge steel | Warranty: 1-year limited | Colors: 1
Best balance trainer: BOSU Elite
Benefits
— Improves balance
— Exceptional compression strength training
— Honeycomb-imprinted dome for a strong grip
Drawbacks
— Not ideal for senior golfers or those with limited mobility
Balance is important when it comes to maintaining proper swing mechanics and form. That’s why many golfers opt for a wide stance. But the wider your stance, the less power your upper body can put behind launching the ball.
The BOSU Elite balance trainer is designed to condition your core and build balance. It features a high-density dome that turns whatever pressure you apply into isometric resistance. This opens the door for a host of stability exercises that give you a better center of gravity on the course.
Customers said the BOSU Elite is the perfect addition to their home gym. Exercises require a wide range of motion — including the ability to quickly jump up and drop to the floor — to get the full benefit. So, it may not be ideal for older golfers or those with limited mobility. But if it’s balance that you want, the BOSU Elite balance trainer is a solid choice.
Size: 8.5-in. tall | Material: Weighted rubber | Warranty: 2-year | Colors: 1
Best rowing machine: Hydrow Rower
Benefits
— Exceptional full-body toning
— Smooth and quiet rowing
— Transitions upright for easy storage
Drawbacks
— Expensive
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive fitness workout, rowing machines engage 85% of your muscles with each stroke. And the Hydrow Rower’s unique design can help you put more head-to-toe power behind your golf swing.
The Rower uses patented electromagnetic technology to adjust its resistance according to how many strokes you do per minute and how hard you push with your legs. Hydrow also offers a monthly subscription to more than 4,000 on-demand workouts to ensure you get the full benefit of its rowing machine.
Customers said the Hydrow Rower delivers a rigorous workout every time, and they liked the range of exercise options available through Hydrow’s subscription service, making the high price worth it.
Size (L x W x H): 86 x 25 x 47 in. | Resistance: Auto-adjust (drag) | Media: Adjustable 22-in. HD touch-screen display | Heart rate monitor: Bluetooth compatible
Best stationary bike: Sunny Health & Fitness Synergy Exercise Bike
Benefits
— Exceptional cardio workout
— Magnetic flywheel resistance
— Affordable
Drawbacks
— Lacks preset workouts
The Synergy Exercise Bike boosts your cardio health and engages your core, arms, and lower body. The bike’s patented flywheel design uses adjustable magnetic resistance coupled with a belt-drive system. The result is a quiet, solid, consistent ride with intensity settings you can dial up or down in seconds.
The bike also features a four-way adjustable seat and a two-way adjustable handlebar, caged-foot pedals, floor stabilizers, and built-in dumbbell holders — all features added to help you personalize and maximize your workout.
The bike lacks preset workouts you’ll find with other models, but customers were quick to point out that the bike’s flywheel design and magnetic resistance were bar none when delivering an intense cardio workout.
Size (L x W x H): 49 x 22 x 50.5 in. | Resistance: Micro-adjustable | Media: Smart device holder | Heart rate monitor: Pulse sensors
Best for weight training: PowerBlock Elite USA
Benefits
— Exceptional muscle building
— Easy-to-adjust weight settings
— Premium materials and construction
Drawbacks
— Expensive
The PowerBlock Elite USA adjustable dumbbells come in pairs and offer adjustable weight settings to cater to your specific workout needs. There are three stage sets to choose from: 5 to 50 pounds, 50 to 70 pounds, and 70 to 90 pounds. If you start with the 5 to 50 set or pay for the 50 to 70 set, you can always purchase and expand your selectable weight ranges up to 90 pounds per dumbbell.
Weight stacks are constructed from welded steel, while the dumbbells feature a cylindrical grip inside a padded handle. And to adjust the weight, you simply adjust the dial lock to add 2.5-pound increments.
Customers said the dumbbells are great space savers and easy to adjust when adding or subtracting weight. The dumbbells are a bit pricey due to the built-in adjustable technology. Still, the high-quality construction makes them a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about improving their arm strength.
Size (L x W x H): 12 x 6 x 6 in. | Material: Welded steel | Warranty: 5-year limited
Best for resistance training: TRX Pro4 System
Benefits
— Exceptional cardio and strength workouts
— Adjustable to your specific fitness levels
— Portable and easy to set up
Drawbacks
— Expensive
Resistance training is a great way to use your own body weight to work your muscles and get your heart rate going. The TRX Pro4 System Suspension Trainer provides resistance through body suspension to help tone your body and build strength. The system comes with an array of adjustable straps, handles, and foot cradles that make an assortment of gym-quality exercises possible. TRX also designed its Pro4 System for easy setup and lightweight portability.
Customers appreciated the TRX Pro4’s ability to adapt to their specific fitness levels and offer increased resistance as their strength improved. The system’s price tag is high, but customers said they don’t regret their investment. They noted the TRX Pro4 is easy to set up and use, and its portability makes it convenient to pack up and get a full-body cardio and strength training workout wherever they go.
Size: Adjustable | Material: Nylon and rubber foam | Warranty: 2-year limited
Best golf swing trainer: GolfForever Swing Trainer
Benefits
— Improves flexibility and range of motion
— Increases clubhead speed
— Reduces recovery time
Drawbacks
— Requires a monthly subscription to access workouts and warmups
Let’s not forget golf is its own workout. The GolfForever Swing Trainer combines resistance training with a weighted bar to train your swing while building strength in the muscles that send the ball flying.
Golfers can access over 1,000 on-demand workouts and pre-round warmups through a subscription app and use the bar to complete these workouts and tutorials to increase their flexibility, improve swing posture, boost energy, and add yards to their shots. Use can also help avoid or reduce the pains and aches from stiff joints.
Customers said the GolfForever Swing Trainer improves their range of motion and helps them drive the ball farther down the fairway. And while you need a monthly subscription to the GolfForever app to get the full benefit of the swing trainer, customers said the entire system is of great value, with the app offering exercises in non-intimidating and engaging ways with various levels of difficulty.
Size: 44.5-in. long | Material: Steel, rubber, nylon | Warranty: 1-year limited
Best recovery therapy: Therabody Theragun PRO
Benefits
— Highly effective at easing tension and knots
— Improves recovery times
— 60-day at-home trial
Drawbacks
— Expensive
The Therabody Theragun PRO offers muscle recovery that everyone from casual golfers to elite players can count on to erase aches and pains and hit the course sooner. It includes six attachments and features a 16-millimeter amplitude percussive massage for a range of motions and intensities for targeted pain relief.
The Theragun PRO also comes with four preconfigured routines (Sleep, Warm Up, Recovery, and Theragun Break) that you can follow along with on its built-in display screen. Customers said they experienced increased flexibility and reduced muscle pain after consistently using the massager. And for those a bit weary of how much the Theragun PRO costs, its 60-day at-home trial should offer some peace of mind.
Size (L x W x H): 8.9 x 7.1 x 8.3 in. | Speed range: 1750-2400 percussions per minute (PPM) | Attachments: 6 | Battery: 150 min. on a full charge
Best budget recovery therapy: Hyperice Hypersphere Go
Benefits
— Affordable
— Portable
— 3 vibration settings
Drawbacks
— Short battery life
The Hyperice Hypersphere Go is designed to go and fit just about anywhere, including the golf course. It’s also a great budget-friendly alternative to the Theragun PRO. Weighing in at just 1 pound, the portable Hypersphere Go features a high-torque 40-watt motor for a powerful massage.
Its hard outer shell’s textured and rubbered surface gives you a solid grip. It maintains contact with your body, so your achy joints, muscles, and tendons capture as much of the vibration intensity as possible.
Customers said the Hypersphere Go excels at massaging hard-to-reach areas and called it their “go-to” portable recovery device. The only drawback we could find is that the Hypersphere Go’s battery life isn’t stellar, so make sure you don’t leave your charging cable at home.
Size: 3 x 3 x 3 in. | Speed range: 3 settings (low, medium, high) | Attachments: None | Battery: 120 minutes on a full charge
Build strength to conquer the course
When deciding which piece of exercise equipment is worthy of your hard-earned money, it all boils down to your specific budget, preferences, and fitness needs. If you find yourself getting winded before you reach the 18th hole, you may want to consider the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 or Hydrow Rower. If your stamina and energy levels are already high, but you need help keeping your balance on your downswing, check out the BOSU Elite.
How to pick the right exercise equipment for you
Keep the following factors in mind when considering any piece of exercise equipment.
Price
The pieces of exercise equipment on this list cover various types and price points. Because there are so many kinds of workout gear and equipment available, setting a budget and sticking to it is the best place to start your search.
Type of workout
Once you’ve set a budget, it’s time to think about what kind of workout you feel will translate into better performance on the course. For example, if you need to work on upper-body strength, look at strength training equipment like the PowerBlock Elite USA adjustable dumbbells.
If a piece of equipment costs too much, move down in the price bracket until you find a well-reviewed product that fits your budget. In the case of strength training, the Titan Adjustable Depth Wall Mounted Pull Up Bar can help build and tone upper-body strength without breaking the bank.
Durability and warranty
The idea is that you’re going to put your exercise equipment to the test. So that means you’ll want it to last. When you read reviews, pay close attention to what customers say about a product’s construction, sturdiness, and overall durability. Another key indicator that a piece of exercise equipment is designed to withstand whatever you throw at it is its warranty. Companies willing to stand behind their products with a warranty have more than likely put time, energy, and focus into designing something worth its weight.
FAQ
What’s the best exercise to improve your golf swing?
Strength and resistance training that targets your upper body is one of the best methods for adding power and consistency to your golf swing. Stretches and lower-body workouts that improve range of motion and leg strength also help. In particular, look for exercises that isolate and target your lats, forearms, hips, and pectorals.
How should golfers work out?
For all the talk of upper-body strength, leg strength should be a central focus of your workouts too. That’s because the power from your swing starts from the ground up. We advise working with a fitness expert to establish a routine that develops your leg, core, and upper-body muscles.
Is the elliptical machine good for golfers?
An elliptical machine is a good option for golfers who want to improve their cardio and build endurance while taking it easy on their joints. And because most ellipticals come with adjustable resistance settings, they’re easy to tailor to a golfer’s fitness and workout needs.
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