There are many benefits to having a home gym. It can save you time and money and also give you the flexibility of working out whenever it is convenient for your schedule. However, there is a lot that goes into designing an effective home gym so that it provides all the resources necessary for success. In this blog post, I will show you how to create a home gym no matter your budget! If you’re a DIYer like me, you’ll love this little home DIY project.
If you are on a tight budget, your first step is to figure out what equipment will be necessary for effective workouts. Some of this can be bought used or borrowed from friends and family members if need be. You don’t want to get anything too expensive before knowing what the most valuable pieces of equipment in your new home gym should be!
Once you have your list of necessary equipment, the next step is to start figuring out where in your house will be best for setting it up. You may want a space that is large and open or one with plenty of natural light. Once you find the perfect spot, map everything out so there are no surprises later on down the road!
Setting up your home gym is a lot of work, but it can be lots of fun too! You may want to consider starting small then slowly buy more equipment as you get more advanced in your workouts.
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Can I get in shape with a home gym?
Absolutely! A home gym is all about convenience and comfort. It’s important to do your research on what equipment you need and where it should be placed in order to maximize the use of space, but also be sure that none of the necessary pieces are lacking.
An at-home gym can be an intimidating yet empowering place. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or have been in the game for years, it only matters that you take care of yourself mentally and physically so your fitness journey is one full of success!
How much does a home gym cost?
A home gym can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. The equipment needed for a basic home gym largely depends on the type of workout you want to do and your fitness level. You will also need flooring for your space, so make sure that is taken into consideration when figuring out how much it would cost.
If you’re a beginner, you can get started on a budget. Basic equipment such as weights, yoga mat, and exercise ball are relatively inexpensive. If you want to take your workouts up a notch then you will need more advanced equipment that is pricier like a stationary bike, power rack, or cable machine.
If the cost of the home gym is an issue for you, we’ve got some great tips for saving money.
First, make sure you buy quality equipment that will last a long time and not have to be replaced regularly. You can find great deals at online retailers such as Amazon or eBay which sell refurbished gym equipment. If your budget is really tight then look into buying used fitness gear from sites like Craigslist or even Facebook Marketplace.
If the cost of a home gym is no worry for you, you should also make sure to buy quality equipment that will last and not be replaced regularly but you’ll be able to splurge on larger purchases.
What do I need for a small home gym?
The first step to building your new home gym is to figure out what’s the most valuable piece of equipment you’ll need. We recommend starting with a good set of dumbbells and an adjustable bench if possible. You can get these pieces for under $200 at any sporting goods store or on Amazon!
The first thing that many people think about when they want to start their home fitness routine is a treadmill. We don’t recommend getting one, though! The cost of buying a good quality one will be much more expensive than it needs to be and they’re not as versatile as other pieces of equipment that you can get for the same price or less.
Instead, we would suggest starting with an adjustable bench because it’s a multi-purpose tool that can be used for a variety of exercises.
The next thing you’ll need is some weights! You have two options here: dumbbells and kettlebells. We recommend investing in both because they’re more versatile than just one type of weight. But if you’re on a budget we would suggest starting with the cheaper option and then adding to it as you can.
Dumbbells are usually good for bicep curls, shoulder presses, chest flies (or push-ups), triceps extensions, overhead press, lateral raises, and back rows. A kettlebell is best suited for swings or Turkish get-ups but they’re also great at a variety of other exercises.
The next thing you need is a barbell and a power rack if you have space because they allow for back squats, bench presses, and deadlifts which are the three most important exercises to do at home. A barbell also allows people to use their body weight as resistance with exercises like pull-ups, dips, and push-ups.
The next thing you need is equipment for cardio. You can either get a stationary bike or my favorite, jump ropes! If you’re new to jump rope, I suggest getting a weighted rope instead of a standard jump rope. The weighted rope helps to give you more control and it also helps to improve posture and core strength. My favorite weighted ropes are the Crossrope Get Lean set. These ropes are pricey so if you’re not ready to commit to the jump rope lifestyle stick to a regular weighted rope under $30. If you’re interested in the Crossrope, click here for 20% off your first order.
Don’t forget about the importance of quality, comfortable flooring. A home gym is typically going to be used more often than a commercial gym so you want it to feel welcoming and rewarding rather than like hard work. If possible, consider having carpet in your workout area or at least on the main areas where heavy weights are being dropped or equipment is being moved.
There are also different types of mats that you can get to protect your floors as well as some equipment such as an exercise mat and foam roller. These items will help keep yourself safe from injury when doing cardio or ab work at home while on a budget.
For more equipment ideas, I’ve added a more inclusive list of equipment at the end of this article.
Is a home gym worth it?
You may want to think about the space you have for a home gym. If you’re living in an apartment and don’t have much floor room, it might not be worth it as there are other ways of getting a workout that will last just as long without taking up so much space. However, if you do live in your own house with a lot of space, or have a basement that you can use for the home gym then it is worth looking into.
If you’re living in an apartment with a little floor room but still want to be able to work out at home, there are other ways like jump ropes and kettlebells which take up less space than a full weight bench would. Depending on the amount of space you have, I suggest getting the basic equipment like those I just mentioned to get started.
Let’s recap…
What home gym equipment should I buy?
Choose based on your fitness level, budget and amount of space.
- yoga mat
- dumbells
- kettlebells
- stationary bike
- adjustable weight bench
- weighted jump ropes
- barbell set
- power rack
- foam roller
- medicine ball
- exercise ball
- BOSU ball
- resistance bands
- protective flooring
- ab wheel roller
- foot massager roller
- ankle weights
- deep tissue massage gun
- yoga set
- pull up bar
- treadmill
- all-in-one home gym
