Buzz
Your home gym can take any form you desire—even a simple yoga mat in a bedroom corner qualifies. However, if you’re aiming to create a fully-equipped home gym, here are some practical tips (along with my recommended equipment) to help you begin. Remember, while high-end gear is appealing, the goal is to design a space you’ll consistently use.
Begin gradually instead of purchasing everything immediately
Start by avoiding the urge to buy everything at once. If you’re on a tight budget, focus on acquiring the basics rather than chasing every piece of your ideal gym setup right away at the lowest prices. You can expand and upgrade over time.
If you need to skip a specific item temporarily, that’s fine: Inexpensive gym equipment isn’t always poor quality, but many products are poorly constructed or overly gimmicky, making them not worth the investment. It’s wiser to wait until you can afford the right gear. For instance, a standard spin bike like this $369 Sunny will likely see more use than this $58 folding gadget, which lacks a comfortable seat and meaningful resistance.
If your budget is limited, assemble your home gym gradually. Start with a bar and weights, then add a squat rack and bench later, and perhaps a cardio machine the following year. This approach allows you to invest in higher-quality items at each step and gives you time to hunt for sales or secondhand bargains.
Allocate a dedicated area and select appropriate flooring
Your home gym can occupy a section of a room, an entire basement, or a garage. Outdoor setups are also viable, provided your equipment can withstand weather conditions. (Consider adding a roof or storing items indoors when not in use.)
For a typical garage gym, opt for sturdy flooring that won’t dent if you drop a deadlift. A platform constructed from layered plywood is an excellent choice, as the wood spreads the impact over a wider area, reducing damage.
Whether or not you opt for a wooden platform, rubber flooring is highly recommended. Avoid the inexpensive foam tiles often marketed as home gym flooring—they lack durability and are better suited for children’s playrooms. Instead, invest in horse stall mats, the same durable mats used in horse stalls. Available at places like Tractor Supply for around $50 per 4x6 foot mat, these are a reliable choice. I use several in my garage for nearly wall-to-wall coverage and a couple more in the driveway for outdoor lifts. They’re so sturdy, I even drive over them without issue.
Invest in a quality squat rack
If barbell training is part of your routine, don’t compromise: Choose a proper squat rack rather than a bench press station with an attached bench. (These are unsafe for squats or overhead presses, no matter how you try to adapt them.)
Ensure your rack includes real safeties or spotter arms. Many budget squat stands (like these) feature a small nub that manufacturers claim can support the bar, but this is insufficient. Safeties are crucial when you’re lifting heavy—like 300 pounds—and need to bail out quickly. You won’t carefully place the bar on a tiny shelf, no matter how it’s marketed.
(That said, if your space and equipment permit, you can drop the bar to the floor, provided you’re comfortable with that technique. I frequently do this at my weightlifting gym. However, in a compact garage gym, a rack with reliable safeties is far preferable.)
For many racks, safeties or spotter arms are sold as add-ons. Be sure to account for this in your budget if necessary.
Invest in a proper barbell
Many weight sets marketed for home gyms are inadequate—too small, poorly constructed, inconvenient to use, or limited in expandability. For instance, this might technically qualify as a barbell, but it becomes useless once you surpass 54 pounds, leaving you $129 poorer and back in the market for a new barbell.
Instead, opt for barbells labeled as “Olympic,” which feature a standard two-inch sleeve to fit two-inch plate holes. Choose a standard seven-foot-long, 20-kilogram (or 45-pound) barbell. Specialty bars like ez-curl bars can be added later as secondary purchases.
The only exception to choosing a standard 20 kg bar is if you frequently perform snatches (common among weightlifters and Crossfitters) and prefer a 15 kg women’s bar.
Ensure you have sufficient plates
To properly load your barbell, you’ll need a decent amount of weight. A good starter set should include:
At least one pair of 45-pound plates (additional pairs can be added as you progress)
A pair of 25-pound plates
A pair of 10-pound plates
Two pairs of 5-pound plates
A pair of 2.5-pound plates
Optionally, a pair of 1.25-pound plates
Having two pairs of 5-pound plates allows you to make incremental weight increases starting from 45 pounds. Without them, you couldn’t load 85 pounds, for example. You can choose either two pairs of 5-pound plates or two pairs of 10-pound plates; the math works out similarly, but 5-pound plates are typically more affordable.
Skip the 35-pound plates—they’re unnecessary. You can achieve the same weight by combining a 25-pound and a 10-pound plate.
If you plan to perform Olympic lifts or prefer dropping your deadlifts, consider investing in bumper plates instead of iron ones. These plates maintain a consistent diameter regardless of weight and are safe to drop (even from overhead) as long as your flooring is sturdy enough.
Ensure you have an adequate set of dumbbells
It’s fine to focus on dumbbells instead of barbells initially. Just ensure you have enough weight. For instance, a pair of 25-pound dumbbells will quickly become insufficient. Beginners or smaller individuals may find dumbbells up to 50 pounds sufficient for a while, while larger or more experienced lifters should consider sets that go up to around 100 pounds each.
Adjustable dumbbells are a space-saving option, though high-quality ones can be pricey. Look for sales, especially during major shopping events like Black Friday, when they’re often heavily discounted.
If you’re assembling your gym gradually, traditional rubber dumbbells might be preferable. Start with weights that suit your current needs and expand your collection as you progress. Regardless of your choice, invest in a quality rack to organize your dumbbells.
Lastly, there’s the traditional adjustable option—using barbell plates on a set of handles. If you go this route, you’ll need a good number of five- and 10-pound plates (in multiples of four) and should avoid loading plates larger than 25 pounds in diameter. This is the most affordable and versatile choice, though it may not be the most user-friendly.
Think about adding a cardio machine
If a cardio machine isn’t in your budget yet, tie up your sneakers and head out for a run (or turn on some music and dance). However, you’ll likely start wishing for an indoor option during bad weather. If that’s the case, consider investing in a quality cardio machine.
I’d recommend a spin bike, but runners might prefer a reliable treadmill. Be sure to check the specifications: some budget treadmills lack the motor power for running and are only suitable for walking.
Here are a few recommendations to help you begin:
For a bike: consider the reliable Sunny ($369) or splurge on a Peloton (currently $1,200).
For a treadmill: the NordicTrack T Series ($599) is a great choice.
For a rower: the Concept2 ($1,299) is unmatched.
Select extras that suit your needs
For accessories like resistance bands, kettlebells, sliders, and similar items, follow the same principles. Invest in tools you’ll genuinely use (or are eager to learn) and prioritize quality over gimmicks or compact designs.
If calisthenics and bodyweight exercises are your thing, a pullup bar is essential—whether wall-mounted, doorframe-fitted, or attached to your squat rack. Gymnastics rings are another excellent addition. A bench (adjustable or flat) is a must for bench press enthusiasts.
A final tip on smaller items: They’re often the first things you’ll use when entering your gym. I enjoy warming up with a kettlebell and performing band pull-aparts before starting my barbell routine. Having accessible tools that require no setup can make your home gym feel more inviting.
