Build a Home Gym
In this article, I will give you a complete guide to build a home gym.
First, let me answer some common questions about building or training in a home gym.
Is a Home Gym Worth It?
Yes, investing in a home gym is worth it! You may be asking why you need a home gym when you can cheaply pay for a gym membership. A home gym provides many benefits.
A home gym allows you to work out at home. It also allows you to save time and money by traveling to the gym. You will work out without coming into contact with colds, flus and viruses. Plus, a home gym allows you to work out without distractions, judgment, and people looking at your butt. You also won’t have to wait for equipment. Additionally, you can wear whatever you want. Finally, you will not have any excuses not to work out in a home gym.
Home Gym Machines
For a home gym, I would not recommend buying fitness machines. These will take up too much space and will eat into your budget. Instead, buy free weights, steps, risers, furniture sliders, medicine and stability balls and other workout equipment. These pieces are cheaper and take up much less space. You can also do more exercises with these pieces of equipment. Machines, by contrast, can only be used for one purpose.
Home Gym System
While I would recommend free weights and other functional home gym equipment over machines or home gym systems, some people may still prefer to purchase a home gym system.
If you do not have much knowledge of proper exercise technique, form or do not feel confident performing free weight movements, and you do not have a certified personal trainer, a home gym system can give you the confidence to weight train at home.
These home gym systems lock you into a fixed movement plane and help you to train the target muscle groups.
Bowflex Home Gym
The Bowflex Home Gym can help you perform full body weight training at home. You can store your Bowflex under your bed. The price of this home exercise machine can be reasonable.
Most people, however, should purchase individual hand weights and lower cost equipment instead of a Bowflex.
What is Needed for a Home Gym?
To serve its purpose as a good home gym, you should have equipment that will allow you to strength train, work all the major muscle groups and do so in a safe and sanitary way.
You do not need any cardio equipment like a bike or treadmill unless you want to run or ride a bike. Instead, you can get your heart rate up and work your cardio with weight training exercises, kettlebell exercises and circuit training.
Walking or jogging outside can serve as an adjunct to your home gym to develop your cardio capacity.
Home Gym Equipment Recommendations
I would consider purchasing these items for your home gym.
- Mats
- Free Weights
- Aerobic Steps
- Furniture Sliders
- Medicine Balls
- Resistance Bands
- Jump Rope
- Kettebells
- Barbell
- Plates
- Squat Rack
- Deadlift Platform
If you don’t have a lot of money, omit the squat rack and plates.
What is the Best home Gym Equipment?
I would recommend commercial gym equipment from York Barbell Company.
Dicks Sporting Goods also provides excellent quality fitness equipment for your home gym. Dicks Sporting Goods has excellent cardio equipment, free weights and kettlebells, mats and other equipment.
Rogue Fitness Equipment also delivers excellent equipment. Although a bit more expensive, Rogue items will stand the test of time and will deliver with usability, function and aesthetics.
Home Gym Equipment
Furnishing a home gym will take equipment. I recommend equipment for your home gym below. The recommendations vary based on how much cash you have available for your home gym.
Build a Home Gym for $100
If you have just $100 for your home gym, I would purchase these items.
- 2 x 5, 10, 15 lb. dumbbells
- 1 x 20-30 lb. dumbbell
- Exercise Mat
- Resistance Bands
- Furniture Sliders
- Pull up Bar
These items will help you get more out of your home workouts without breaking the bank/
Build a $500 Home Gym
If you have $500 to build a home gym, I would purchase the following items.
- 2 x 5, 8, 10 lb. weights
- 2 x 25 lb. weights
- Aerobic Step
- 8 Risers
- Exercise Mat
- Jump Rope
- Furniture Sliders
- Adjustable Weight Bench
- Resistance Bands
These items will help you get started. You can accomplish the basics with these simple tools.
Build a $1000 Home Gym
Here are the items you may consider purchasing with a $1000 budget.
- 2 x 5, 8, 10, 15, 20 lb. weights
- 2 x 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 lb. weights
- Aerobic Step
- 8 Risers
- Exercise Mat
- Jump Rope
- Furniture Sliders
- Adjustable Weight Bench
- Resistance Bands
- Pull up Bar
Since you have a bit more money to work with, your budget can go farther.
Build a $3000 Home Gym
With a $3000 budget, you can create an awesome home gym. I’ve provided my suggestions below.
- 2 x 5, 8, 10, 15, 20 lb. weights
- Dumbbell Sets 25-75 lb.
- Aerobic Step
- 8 Risers
- Exercise Mat
- Jump Rope
- Furniture Sliders
- Adjustable Weight Bench
- Resistance Bands
- Pull up Bar
$3000 will provide you a lot more room to play with to build a more complete home gym. However, it won’t build a full gym with access to everything you might find in a commercial facility. If you really have money to burn, I will show you how to build a complete home gym next.
Build a Complete Home Gym
If you have the funds to create a full home gym, I would purchase the following items.
- 2 x 5, 8, 10, 15, 20 lb. weights
- Dumbbell Sets 25-100 lb.
- Aerobic Step
- 8 Risers
- Exercise Mat
- Jump Rope
- Furniture Sliders
- Adjustable Weight Bench
- Resistance Bands
- Pull up Bar
- Squat Rack
- Barbell
- Barbell Plates
- Elliptical or Treadmill
Conclusions
Hopefully this article gave you the info you need to create your own home gym!
What did you think? Did this piece help you put together a home gym? Did it give you a better place to start planning? Please feel free to comment your thoughts below.
