5 Best Exercise Equipment Options For Small RVs Nomads Swear By
The best workout gear for your tiny home on wheels.
The sun is setting over a perfect boondocking spot, but you haven’t moved all day except from the driver’s seat to the dinette. That familiar, restless feeling sets in. Living in a small RV offers unparalleled freedom, but it can easily trap you into a sedentary lifestyle if you’re not intentional about movement.
Staying fit on the road isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for the energy and resilience this lifestyle demands. The challenge isn’t motivation, it’s space. Every square inch and every pound of cargo capacity is precious, so filling your rig with bulky exercise equipment feels like an impossible dream.
But it’s not. Over years of living and designing for small spaces, I’ve seen what truly works. The key is choosing gear that is ruthlessly efficient—compact, lightweight, and versatile. This isn’t about recreating a commercial gym; it’s about finding smart tools that remove every excuse to skip a workout.
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Your Guide to the Best RV Exercise Equipment
Finding workout gear for a small rig is an exercise in constraints. You’re fighting against limited storage, strict weight limits, and the simple reality of a small living area. A piece of equipment that works in a house can be a disaster in a 20-foot travel trailer.
The best RV exercise equipment shares three non-negotiable traits: a tiny storage footprint, multi-purpose functionality, and minimal impact on your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). You need gear that can be tucked into a small cabinet or under a bed, not something that requires its own dedicated corner. It has to earn its keep by offering a wide range of exercises.
Forget the idea of single-use machines or a full rack of weights. The nomads who successfully stay fit on the road think differently. They build a "gym" from a few carefully selected items that work together, can be used both inside and outside, and pack away in minutes.
TRX GO: Your All-in-One Portable Gym System
There’s a reason you see suspension trainers hanging from RV ladders and trees in campgrounds everywhere. The TRX system is arguably the most space-efficient, full-body gym you can own. It packs down into a small mesh bag that can be tossed in any drawer.
Its brilliance lies in its adaptability. You can anchor it to a sturdy tree branch for an outdoor workout, sling it over your RV’s ladder, or use the included door anchor for a rainy-day session inside. Using just your body weight, you can perform hundreds of exercises targeting every muscle group, from rows and presses to squats and lunges.
The tradeoff is that it’s not for powerlifting. You won’t be building massive bulk, but you will build incredible functional strength, stability, and core endurance. There’s a slight learning curve to master the form, but for a complete fitness solution that weighs less than a pound, its value is unmatched.
PowerBlock Elite: Heavy Lifting, Small Footprint
These adjustable dumbbells replace 16 pairs of weights, ranging from 5-50 lbs per hand. Easily adjust weight with the magnetic pin and expand up to 90 lbs with optional expansion kits.
For those who need to lift heavy, the thought of leaving dumbbells behind can be a dealbreaker. This is where adjustable dumbbells, and specifically PowerBlocks, change the game. They are the single best solution for serious strength training in a tiny space.
Build strength with this pair of 10-pound navy blue neoprene dumbbells. Their non-slip grip ensures comfort and security, while the hexagon shape prevents rolling for easy storage.
A single pair of PowerBlocks replaces an entire rack of traditional dumbbells. With a quick move of a pin, you can go from 5 pounds to 50 pounds (or more, with expansion kits) in seconds. Instead of 16 pairs of weights, you have two compact blocks that store neatly in a footprint of about one square foot.
Of course, they come with considerations. They represent a significant weight investment, so you must account for them in your cargo capacity calculations. They also make a distinct clanking sound when changing weights and setting them down, which can be loud in a small rig. But if lifting actual weight is your priority, no other product offers this level of efficiency.
Bodylastics Bands: Full-Body Strength Anywhere
Build strength with this durable, stackable resistance band featuring patented Snap-Reduction technology for safe, versatile workouts. Its heavy-duty Malaysian latex and iron clips offer accurate tension from 8lb to 30lb, attaching easily to your favorite accessories.
If PowerBlocks are the heavyweight solution, resistance bands are the ultralight champions. A complete set of stackable bands with handles, ankle straps, and a door anchor weighs just a few pounds and fits in a small bag. They are the ultimate minimalist’s choice for a full-body workout.
Enhance your workouts with this set of five durable resistance loop bands, offering varying levels for all fitness levels. Includes a convenient carry bag and instruction guide with illustrated exercises.
The magic of bands is in their versatility and safety. You can "stack" multiple bands on the handles to create resistance ranging from 5 pounds to over 200 pounds. This progressive, variable tension is easier on the joints than free weights and is incredibly effective for both strength and rehabilitation. They’re also silent, making them perfect for an early morning workout inside while your partner is still asleep.
Be aware that the feel is different from lifting iron; the resistance increases as you stretch the band. Some lifters find this unsatisfying. More importantly, quality is paramount—a cheap band can snap, which is both ineffective and dangerous. Invest in a reputable system with anti-snap technology.
Sunny Mini Stepper: Compact Cardio for Any Weather
Get a full-body cardio workout at home with the Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper. This compact machine features adjustable resistance and includes resistance bands to target your core, legs, and upper body, while the digital monitor tracks your progress.
Cardio is often the easiest thing to do on the road—just go for a walk, run, or hike. But reality often gets in the way. Bad weather, sketchy locations, or intense workdays can make getting outside impossible.
This is where a mini stepper earns its place. It’s a simple, compact machine that provides an effective, low-impact cardio workout without taking up valuable floor space. It’s small enough to slide under a dinette seat or into a shallow cabinet when you’re done. You can easily get your heart rate up while catching up on emails or watching a movie.
This is a specialized tool, not an all-in-one solution. It primarily works your lower body and doesn’t offer the full-body engagement of a rower or elliptical. But for its intended purpose—providing a reliable, indoor cardio option that requires almost no setup or storage space—it’s a brilliant piece of gear for any RVer.
Manduka PROlite Mat: Your Foundation for Fitness
Experience superior grip and joint protection with the Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat. Its high-density cushioning and durable, hygienic construction offer lasting comfort and stability for your practice.
A good workout mat isn’t an accessory; it’s a core piece of equipment. It defines your dedicated fitness space, whether that’s a small patch of floor inside your rig or a dusty spot at a dispersed campsite. It provides a clean, stable, and cushioned surface for everything you do.
A high-quality, dense mat like the Manduka PROlite is a worthy investment for RV life. Cheap foam mats will tear on gravel, slide on vinyl flooring, and offer little support for your joints. A durable mat gives you the confidence to do floor work anywhere, protecting both you and your RV’s interior from sweat and scuffs.
Think of it as your portable studio floor. It’s essential for yoga and stretching, but it’s also the perfect base for push-ups, planks, and using resistance bands. When you’re finished, it rolls up tightly and can be stored vertically in a closet or secured with straps under a bed.
How to Choose the Right Workout Gear for Your Rig
The perfect RV gym is deeply personal. What works for a solo traveler in a van will be different from what a couple needs in a small fifth wheel. Before buying anything, you have to be brutally honest about your space, your weight capacity, and your actual habits.
Start by asking these four critical questions. Answering them will narrow your options faster than anything else.
- Weight: How many pounds can you realistically add to your rig? A 50-pound set of PowerBlocks is very different from a 2-pound set of resistance bands. Always know your GVWR and current weight.
- Footprint: Where will this item be stored? Measure the cabinet, closet, or under-bed space before you click "buy." Then, measure the floor space you have to actually use it.
- Versatility: How many different exercises can you do with it? Prioritize gear that can work your entire body over single-purpose items, unless that single purpose (like indoor cardio) is a high priority for you.
- Noise & Impact: How much noise will it make? Will using it shake the whole rig? In a shared space, a quiet, stable workout is a considerate one.
Finally, be realistic about what you will actually do. Don’t buy a heavy set of dumbbells if you prefer bodyweight workouts. The most expensive equipment is the gear you haul around the country but never use. It’s just dead weight.
Building Your Perfect, Space-Saving RV Gym Setup
The goal isn’t to find one magic bullet, but to assemble a small, synergistic toolkit. A truly effective RV gym is usually a combination of two or three well-chosen items that cover all your fitness bases: strength, cardio, and flexibility. This approach gives you maximum capability with a minimum footprint.
For example, a fantastic all-around setup could be a TRX system, a set of resistance bands, and a quality mat. This combination weighs less than 10 pounds, fits in a duffel bag, and allows for infinite strength, core, and stretching routines. If indoor cardio is a must, swap the bands for a mini stepper.
Ultimately, your setup should remove friction and make working out easy and inviting. By choosing gear that is simple to store, quick to set up, and enjoyable to use, you integrate fitness into your nomadic life. It stops being a chore and becomes a sustainable part of your adventure.
Living on the road demands a commitment to your health, and that starts with having the right tools for the job. You don’t need a dedicated "gym" bay or expensive, complicated machinery. You just need to choose equipment that is as smart, efficient, and adaptable as your lifestyle.
By prioritizing gear with a small footprint and maximum versatility, you can build a powerful fitness routine that travels with you. It ensures that no matter where you park, you have what you need to stay strong, healthy, and ready for whatever the road has in store. Your body is the most important vehicle you’ll ever own; give it the maintenance it deserves.
