Build Your Dream Gym at Home: Top Essentials You Can't Miss

Stepping into a space in your home, be it your garage, basement, or a spare bedroom, transformed into a sanctuary for boosting your physical and mental stamina is one of the best feelings. Yet, too many people continue to pay gym fee’s because they believe that they can’t afford all of the fancy equipment to start their own home gym. Personally, I hate watching my hard earned money go down a drain for the use of beat up and dirty equipment, fighting the gym bro’s and Jill’s to finish their TikTok video of a half reps, just long enough to cool down and risk injury because I had to wait for miss influencer to stick out her booty for a pic.

You don’t need a professional sports training facility all decked out to get started. Back in 2011, my first “home gym” was a TRX with a door anchor in my 600 sq ft studio apartment. You’ll be surprised at how budget-friendly it can be to assemble your dream home gym because there is such a wide variety of gym equipment at budget friendly prices available. Sometimes, I wonder why more people don’t assemble their own fitness sanctuary. It just takes come creativity and a mindset of investment to actually get it done.

So, what do you really need to build a full functioning gym?

When looking for gym equipment, especially with the space that you have, consider the following:

• Value: Does the item provide a similar experience to more expensive options?

• Durability: Budget-friendly equipment may not last as long, but that doesn’t mean it should fall apart on you right away.

• Versatility: Stretch your dollar by finding equipment that can be used for more than one exercise.

Once you have that down, its time to think about your space and the layout. The great thing about setting up your own home gym is that you get to fill it with the equipment YOU want to use and you don’t need a ton of space. With careful design and planning you can perform all the cardio and strength training you want in the privacy of your own gym.

Before buying any equipment, you will first want to consider the flooring. At lot of people will buy those squishy puzzle matts, but those tend to wear out quickly, and are kinda expensive for what you get. Instead, head over to a local feed store, or Tractor Supply and buy some horse matts. Horse matts are made for horse stalls, so they can withstand the beating, can be mopped and are study enough for doing some ass to the grass squats and dropping weights on them.

For the actual equipment, I assume you already have a few things in your gym bag (resistance bands, jump rope).

Here are my top equipment recommendations for starting a home gym:

Squat Rack

A good squat rack is a must-have for for gaining strength. The good news is, there are so many different types of squat racks to choose from. You can go for a simple stand or opt for a more advanced one that can fold against the wall to save space, or even have a full power rack. Either way, this is going to be one of your most important pieces. The first rack I had was a simple standing rack I got off of someone from Facebook Marketplace.

Barbell

If you plan on doing some squats or Olympic lifting, having a barbell is the #1 thing you will need. There are many types of barbells out there, but you don’t need to get too crazy with it. You will be able to do just about anything with a standard 35 lb or 45lb straight barbell. I prefer to use a women’s barbell because it is shorter, weighs 35lb and has a narrow bar diameter making it easier to grip. If you are working out with a partner, then I’d opt for the standard 45lb Olympic bar so it can be shared. Note that barbells can range in price from the $1000’s to less than $100. Recently, I saw you could get a brand new barbell from Barbell Standard for $60. On average, a barbell will range from $250-$300. If you are on a budget, look for them on Facebook Marketplace, it may take some time to wait for someone to sell their barbell, but they will be there.

Just as a note, I got my first barbell with that squat rack for a whooping $100 from Facebook Marketplace.

Bumper Plates 

Olympic bumper plates are an essential piece of home gym equipment due to their low bounce, safety features, and lower noise produced compared to iron-weight plates. However, bumper plates can get spendy depending on how many plates you need. If you have a flexible budget then go wild and get a variety of plates. If you are working with a more limited budget then I recommend searching Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for used plates at a reasonable price. If your budget doesn’t allow for a full set of plates then use your resistance bands to increase your load. 

When it comes to bumper plates make sure you are getting Olympic style bumper plates that will fit on the bar. Also, note there are two main types: crumble plates (typically made out of recycled tires) and more traditional rubber plates you will see at a regular gym. Both are great and durable. I personally prefer traditional bumper plates because they are less bouncy….meaning there is less opportunity for me to hurt myself while dropping them.

Dumbbells

Dumbbells are on the list because you can do so much with only 1-2 sets of dumbbells with weight that you will use often. A pair of dumbbells can take your home gym workouts to a new level because you’re able to work on each side of the body on its own. Strength training with free weights, like dumbbells, allows you to perform different exercises that can help you improve strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.

For women, a set of 25 lb and a set of 35 lb dumbbells can take you a long way. Your dumbbell can also serve as a kettlebell for kettlebell swings and can be used for accessory work. If you do want more variety in weights, but have limited space, you can also invest in adjustable dumbbells such as Bowflex, FLYBIRDS, or Powerblocks.

Pull-Up Bar

Pull-ups are arguably one of the best exercises for upper-body strength and overall functional fitness. Although they’re sometimes seen as an advanced-only exercise, even beginners can benefit from them—the best pull-up bars support a range of pull-up variations and modifications that anyone can do. Depending on your squat rack you may already have a pull-up bar in place. If not, you are going to want something you can mount to a wall that is sturdy. I do not recommend those doorway pull bars. Those are unstable and dangerous. As a lady, you may be thinking you won’t be doing too many pull-ups, however, a pull up bar has many more uses. You can add your TRX or ring to them, use it for leg raises, muscle ups, dead hangs and toes to bar exercises.

Concept2 Rower, BikeErg, Airdyne or Assault Bike (Fan Bike)

Do you really need cardio equipment? In my opinion, the answer is no. All that is really needed for cardio are a pair of running shoes, but if you are to purchases cardio equipment, I’d avoid a treadmill or an elliptical. They tend to take up a lot of space for not very much gain. Buying a rower, bike erg or fan bike can be a big investment, but having one piece of equipment that allows you to do a monostructural exercise is wildly beneficial and gives you a ton of options with training. Depending on your preference, buy any one of the suggested pieces of equipment and you will get in the best shape of your life.

Plyo Box

A plyo box gives you a ton of versatility. Not only can you do box jumps on it but a plyo box allows you options for accessory work, handstand push-up drills, a substitution for a bench and your designated ‘rest’ station between lifts. 🙂 If you are on a limited budget then try building your own box (there are lots of how-to tutorials for this online)! One last note, you can purchase soft plyo boxes or hard ones make of wood or metal.

Flat Weight Bench

A flat weight bench is an essential addition to any home gym, and here's why: First and foremost, it's incredibly versatile. Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, a flat bench allows you to perform a wide variety of exercises targeting different muscle groups, including bench presses, tricep dips, and dumbbell rows. This versatility means you can achieve a full-body workout with just one piece of equipment. Additionally, a flat bench is compact and space-efficient, making it a practical choice for home gyms where space might be limited. It also ensures stability and support during your workouts, which is crucial for maintaining proper form and preventing injuries. Plus, the simplicity of a flat bench makes it easy to use, regardless of your fitness level. Incorporating a flat weight bench into your home gym setup not only expands your exercise options but also enhances the effectiveness of your workouts, paving the way for greater strength and fitness gains.

Don't worry if you can't get all the recommended gym equipment at once! Think of creating your home gym as a gradual, lifelong investment. A practical approach is to allocate a monthly budget equivalent to what you would spend on a gym membership for yourself and your family. Even with some simple equipment, you can get in really good shape.

If you already have a home gym, I’d love to hear from you. Reply to this email and share your top equipment recommendation for those who are just beginning their journey with your own home or garage gym.

Daily Mindset

We Share Our Best Stuff On The Socials…