Muscle Insider
New member
Working out at home has several perks that a gym just can't compete with. There's no commute, you can pick whichever songs you want at whatever volume you want, you don't have to make small talk, and if you forget anything, you can simply walk into the next room of your house to retrieve it.
Sounds good, right?
But here's the thing. In order to have a similar workout experience to when you're at a gym, it's going to require investing in some workout equipment. Otherwise, you'll find yourself making that 30-minute commute to the gym simply because you are too limited in your at-home exercises.
So, how much does a home gym cost? That's exactly what we're going to get into today. We also have some tips to keep the average cost of a home gym down while still getting a great workout.
Let's get to it.
Table of Contents:
What Is A Home Gym?
How Much Does A Home Gym Cost?
Factors To Consider When Buying A Home Gym
What You Need To Build A Home Gym
What's Cheaper: A Home Gym Or Gym Membership?
Benefits Of Home Gyms
Types Of Home Gym Equipment & Cost Estimates
Tips For Creating A Home Gym You'll actually Use
Home Gym Costs: FAQs
Key Takeaways
What Is A Home Gym?
A home gym is simply a room or area within your house that's dedicated to exercise. Depending on the person's goal and budget, a home gym could include a yoga mat and a couple of small dumbbells or a fully decked-out gym with squat racks, multiple barbells, and even a treadmill.
In fact, your home gym could simply be an empty room where you do bodyweight exercises. The point is a home gym can be anywhere in your house dedicated to fitness.
That said, most people envision a room with a squat rack, barbell, and weights. In addition, one of the most common locations is in the garage, sometimes called a garage gym.
How Much Does A Home Gym Cost?
Your home gym setup can vary widely, from $100-$5000+. However, let's assume you're an average person who wants some decent equipment and on a bit of a budget. You could get your minimum needs (squat rack, barbell, weight bench, and weights) for $1000.
Now let's say you have a bigger budget, but you're not buying more than what you need (a lot of the more expensive racks are designed for massive weight). You could expect to spend around $2,500-$3,500. This would get you:
Squat rack
Barbell
Adjustable bench
Weight
Adjustable dumbbells
A couple of attachments
Treadmill (lower end or used)
Finally, if you have no limits, the sky is the limit. For example, some squat racks go for $3,500+. I believe the squat rack, and accompanying barbell and weight plates, is the foundation for an at home gym, so I highly suggest starting there.
If you want to explore some quality, cost-effective squat racks, check out our article 10 Best Squat Rack Options For Home Gyms.
On the other hand, if you just want a yoga gym, your cost will be sufficiently cheaper. You would need a yoga mat and perhaps some smaller dumbbells or resistance bands. If you have the money, you could easily get a sound system for a few hundred dollars max.
Factors To Consider When Building A Home Gym
Not every gym needs to provide the same services, nor does everyone have the same resources. Therefore, when you build a home gym, there are some basic factors to consider.
1) Type Of Gym:
We addressed this some above, but different types of gyms require different kinds of equipment, which can result in very different prices. Here is a list of different types of gyms you may want:
Cardio Room
Calisthenics Home Gym or Bodyweight
Yoga Gym
Full Weight Lifting (rack, barbells, etc.)
2) Budget:
The biggest factor to consider is your budget. You'll need a decent chunk of upfront capital compared to average gym membership fees. Budget can dictate not just what quality of equipment you will buy but how much equipment you will buy.
3) Location (Home Gym Space):
Another issue many people deal with is where they want to put their equipment. There are generally four options to consider:
Garage: A garage gym is the most popular type of home gym with many benefits. First, it's a large space. As many people don't even park their cars in one, it's very convenient. In addition, garage gyms can generally take more wear and tear than a nicer room in the house.
Spare Room: A spare bedroom, or any other empty room, is ideal. If you don't have an empty space, you can move some stuff around for your gym.
Porch: Your porch can be a great place to use as it's outside and out of the way. The downside? It's outside. Although the outdoor environment can take a toll on equipment and requires more upkeep, being outside can be an awesome place to train if you can handle it properly.
Corner Of A Big Room: The last choice may be the corner of a room. Suppose all of your rooms are taken. You may need to situate the room to fit your gym equipment.
You can also get creative with the space you have and the equipment you purchase. For example, if you are tight on space, check out our article on the 8 Best Folding Squat Racks For Home Gyms. These are optimal for saving space while delivering high-quality equipment.
4) Type Of Equipment:
Your gym type will dictate the type of equipment you need. However, here are some general guidelines.
Yoga Home Gym:
Yoga mat
Small dumbbells
Small kettlebells
Resistance bands
Bodyweight/Calisthenics Gym:
Pull up bar
Parallettes
Rings (if possible)
Yoga Mat
Weightlifting Gym:
Squat rack
Barbell
Weight plates
Weight bench
Dumbbells
Kettlebells
Various barbells
Cardio Room:
Cardio equipment (rowing machine, treadmill, etc)
Floor mats
TV
Sound system
What You Need to Build A Home Gym
Building a home gym requires a list of necessities that you need. Apart from your equipment, here are things you need to consider.
Enough Space: Excess clutter can increase safety risks, while valuable items can be damaged.
Hanging Mirrors For Aesthetics: Be sure to hang them high enough not to be broken.
Dumbbell Rack/Weight Rack: This makes it more convenient and helps keep things organized
Proper Flooring: I know you don't want to pay to replace a floor that been put through too much wear and tear serving as your home gym. This is where protective mats come into play.
Sound System & TV: These aren't necessary, but also very beneficial.
Home Gym or Gym Membership: Which Is Cheaper?
When comparing a commercial gym membership and home gym setup cost, the initial price to purchase equipment will be exponentially higher for a home gym.
Assuming you take care of your home gym equipment and stick to the middle-range quality, you will eventually spend more on the membership as the monthly payments increase.
It's the exact same thing as buying and leasing a car. You need more money upfront to buy the car, but you'll eventually surpass the cost of the car with a never-ending lease.
One other factor to consider is resale value. Going back to the car analogy, while you may spend $20,000 for the car, if you take care of it, you might be able to sell it for $5,000-15,000. Keep in mind this is another reason to take care of your equipment.
Benefits of Home Gyms
Building a home gym has a lot of incredible benefits. Here are our favorites:
Work out when you want
Save time
Pick your music
No waiting for equipment
You can buy new gym equipment if you want
Keeps you focused
Able to get short workouts in if needed
Types of Home Gym Equipment & Cost Estimates
We have spoken about some of the gym costs, but we'll now go over some more specifics.
1) Squat Rack:
A squat rack is where all the action takes place. It holds the barbell to perform exercises and is the centerpiece of your gym. You can get a squat rack for $300, but $500 seems the sweet spot for quality entry-level racks.
I like the Force USA MyRack modular power rack as it's high-quality and durable yet comes at an entry-level price. In addition, it's a modular system to connect with other equipment.
Best Squat Rack
The Force USA MyRack Power Rack is the first truly custom power rack system of its kind. Configure your modular base rack with your choice of 20 attachments...
2) Barbells:
A quality Olympic barbell will start at around $300 and may go up to $500. We would advise you to stay in this range.
People tend to underestimate the barbell's value and see it as "just a piece of metal," but you'll notice when you get a bad one. For example, a barbell with good hardware keeps the collars spinning. However, a poorly made one will not, eventually ruining your lifts.
Therefore, buying a cheaper, low-quality barbell can significantly decrease its use of it yet only save you $100.
Check out our article on the 15 Best Barbells to find the perfect fit for your home gym.
3) Weight Plates:
For a home gym, weight is weight. You're not dealing with calibrated plates, so there's no reason for the average lifter to buy top-quality.
I recommend buying bumper plates. These are cheaper than metal plates and more suitable for a house gym as they are softer and won't cause as much damage. We have a great selection of bumper plates to choose from in our article on the 8 Best Bumper Plates For Home Gyms.
I really like the Fringe Sport Bumper Plates as they're made with high quality material, get tons of awesome reviews, and come at a great price point.
If you buy new, you'll generally pay $2.00-$2.25 per pound at the entry level. This includes quality brands such as Rogue. However, if you buy used, you can expect to pay $1.00-$1.50 a pound. There are often a lot of variables, but again, try to find them used first.
4) Weight Benches:
A flat bench will cost less than an adjustable one as there are no mechanics. However, an adjustable bench allows a variety of movements, such as incline press and seated movements.
A basic weight bench can be easily found for
Working out at home has several perks that a gym just can't compete with. There's no commute, you can pick whichever songs you want at whatever volume you want, you don't have to make small talk, and if you forget anything, you can simply walk into the next room of your house to retrieve it.
Sounds good, right?
But here's the thing. In order to have a similar workout experience to when you're at a gym, it's going to require investing in some workout equipment. Otherwise, you'll find yourself making that 30-minute commute to the gym simply because you are too limited in your at-home exercises.
So, how much does a home gym cost? That's exactly what we're going to get into today. We also have some tips to keep the average cost of a home gym down while still getting a great workout.
Let's get to it.
Table of Contents:
What Is A Home Gym?
A home gym is simply a room or area within your house that's dedicated to exercise. Depending on the person's goal and budget, a home gym could include a yoga mat and a couple of small dumbbells or a fully decked-out gym with squat racks, multiple barbells, and even a treadmill.
In fact, your home gym could simply be an empty room where you do bodyweight exercises. The point is a home gym can be anywhere in your house dedicated to fitness.
That said, most people envision a room with a squat rack, barbell, and weights. In addition, one of the most common locations is in the garage, sometimes called a garage gym.
How Much Does A Home Gym Cost?
Your home gym setup can vary widely, from $100-$5000+. However, let's assume you're an average person who wants some decent equipment and on a bit of a budget. You could get your minimum needs (squat rack, barbell, weight bench, and weights) for $1000.
Now let's say you have a bigger budget, but you're not buying more than what you need (a lot of the more expensive racks are designed for massive weight). You could expect to spend around $2,500-$3,500. This would get you:
Finally, if you have no limits, the sky is the limit. For example, some squat racks go for $3,500+. I believe the squat rack, and accompanying barbell and weight plates, is the foundation for an at home gym, so I highly suggest starting there.
If you want to explore some quality, cost-effective squat racks, check out our article 10 Best Squat Rack Options For Home Gyms.
On the other hand, if you just want a yoga gym, your cost will be sufficiently cheaper. You would need a yoga mat and perhaps some smaller dumbbells or resistance bands. If you have the money, you could easily get a sound system for a few hundred dollars max.
Factors To Consider When Building A Home Gym
Not every gym needs to provide the same services, nor does everyone have the same resources. Therefore, when you build a home gym, there are some basic factors to consider.
1) Type Of Gym:
We addressed this some above, but different types of gyms require different kinds of equipment, which can result in very different prices. Here is a list of different types of gyms you may want:
2) Budget:
The biggest factor to consider is your budget. You'll need a decent chunk of upfront capital compared to average gym membership fees. Budget can dictate not just what quality of equipment you will buy but how much equipment you will buy.
3) Location (Home Gym Space):
Another issue many people deal with is where they want to put their equipment. There are generally four options to consider:
You can also get creative with the space you have and the equipment you purchase. For example, if you are tight on space, check out our article on the 8 Best Folding Squat Racks For Home Gyms. These are optimal for saving space while delivering high-quality equipment.
4) Type Of Equipment:
Your gym type will dictate the type of equipment you need. However, here are some general guidelines.
Yoga Home Gym:
Bodyweight/Calisthenics Gym:
Weightlifting Gym:
Cardio Room:
What You Need to Build A Home Gym
Building a home gym requires a list of necessities that you need. Apart from your equipment, here are things you need to consider.
Home Gym or Gym Membership: Which Is Cheaper?
When comparing a commercial gym membership and home gym setup cost, the initial price to purchase equipment will be exponentially higher for a home gym.
Assuming you take care of your home gym equipment and stick to the middle-range quality, you will eventually spend more on the membership as the monthly payments increase.
It's the exact same thing as buying and leasing a car. You need more money upfront to buy the car, but you'll eventually surpass the cost of the car with a never-ending lease.
One other factor to consider is resale value. Going back to the car analogy, while you may spend $20,000 for the car, if you take care of it, you might be able to sell it for $5,000-15,000. Keep in mind this is another reason to take care of your equipment.
Benefits of Home Gyms
Building a home gym has a lot of incredible benefits. Here are our favorites:
Types of Home Gym Equipment & Cost Estimates
We have spoken about some of the gym costs, but we'll now go over some more specifics.
1) Squat Rack:
A squat rack is where all the action takes place. It holds the barbell to perform exercises and is the centerpiece of your gym. You can get a squat rack for $300, but $500 seems the sweet spot for quality entry-level racks.
I like the Force USA MyRack modular power rack as it's high-quality and durable yet comes at an entry-level price. In addition, it's a modular system to connect with other equipment.
Best Squat Rack
The Force USA MyRack Power Rack is the first truly custom power rack system of its kind. Configure your modular base rack with your choice of 20 attachments...
2) Barbells:
A quality Olympic barbell will start at around $300 and may go up to $500. We would advise you to stay in this range.
People tend to underestimate the barbell's value and see it as "just a piece of metal," but you'll notice when you get a bad one. For example, a barbell with good hardware keeps the collars spinning. However, a poorly made one will not, eventually ruining your lifts.
Therefore, buying a cheaper, low-quality barbell can significantly decrease its use of it yet only save you $100.
Check out our article on the 15 Best Barbells to find the perfect fit for your home gym.
3) Weight Plates:
For a home gym, weight is weight. You're not dealing with calibrated plates, so there's no reason for the average lifter to buy top-quality.
I recommend buying bumper plates. These are cheaper than metal plates and more suitable for a house gym as they are softer and won't cause as much damage. We have a great selection of bumper plates to choose from in our article on the 8 Best Bumper Plates For Home Gyms.
I really like the Fringe Sport Bumper Plates as they're made with high quality material, get tons of awesome reviews, and come at a great price point.
If you buy new, you'll generally pay $2.00-$2.25 per pound at the entry level. This includes quality brands such as Rogue. However, if you buy used, you can expect to pay $1.00-$1.50 a pound. There are often a lot of variables, but again, try to find them used first.
4) Weight Benches:
A flat bench will cost less than an adjustable one as there are no mechanics. However, an adjustable bench allows a variety of movements, such as incline press and seated movements.
A basic weight bench can be easily found for
Click here to view the article.
Sounds good, right?
But here's the thing. In order to have a similar workout experience to when you're at a gym, it's going to require investing in some workout equipment. Otherwise, you'll find yourself making that 30-minute commute to the gym simply because you are too limited in your at-home exercises.
So, how much does a home gym cost? That's exactly what we're going to get into today. We also have some tips to keep the average cost of a home gym down while still getting a great workout.
Let's get to it.
Table of Contents:
What Is A Home Gym?
How Much Does A Home Gym Cost?
Factors To Consider When Buying A Home Gym
What You Need To Build A Home Gym
What's Cheaper: A Home Gym Or Gym Membership?
Benefits Of Home Gyms
Types Of Home Gym Equipment & Cost Estimates
Tips For Creating A Home Gym You'll actually Use
Home Gym Costs: FAQs
Key Takeaways
What Is A Home Gym?
A home gym is simply a room or area within your house that's dedicated to exercise. Depending on the person's goal and budget, a home gym could include a yoga mat and a couple of small dumbbells or a fully decked-out gym with squat racks, multiple barbells, and even a treadmill.
In fact, your home gym could simply be an empty room where you do bodyweight exercises. The point is a home gym can be anywhere in your house dedicated to fitness.
That said, most people envision a room with a squat rack, barbell, and weights. In addition, one of the most common locations is in the garage, sometimes called a garage gym.
How Much Does A Home Gym Cost?
Your home gym setup can vary widely, from $100-$5000+. However, let's assume you're an average person who wants some decent equipment and on a bit of a budget. You could get your minimum needs (squat rack, barbell, weight bench, and weights) for $1000.
Now let's say you have a bigger budget, but you're not buying more than what you need (a lot of the more expensive racks are designed for massive weight). You could expect to spend around $2,500-$3,500. This would get you:
Squat rack
Barbell
Adjustable bench
Weight
Adjustable dumbbells
A couple of attachments
Treadmill (lower end or used)
Finally, if you have no limits, the sky is the limit. For example, some squat racks go for $3,500+. I believe the squat rack, and accompanying barbell and weight plates, is the foundation for an at home gym, so I highly suggest starting there.
If you want to explore some quality, cost-effective squat racks, check out our article 10 Best Squat Rack Options For Home Gyms.
On the other hand, if you just want a yoga gym, your cost will be sufficiently cheaper. You would need a yoga mat and perhaps some smaller dumbbells or resistance bands. If you have the money, you could easily get a sound system for a few hundred dollars max.
Factors To Consider When Building A Home Gym
Not every gym needs to provide the same services, nor does everyone have the same resources. Therefore, when you build a home gym, there are some basic factors to consider.
1) Type Of Gym:
We addressed this some above, but different types of gyms require different kinds of equipment, which can result in very different prices. Here is a list of different types of gyms you may want:
Cardio Room
Calisthenics Home Gym or Bodyweight
Yoga Gym
Full Weight Lifting (rack, barbells, etc.)
2) Budget:
The biggest factor to consider is your budget. You'll need a decent chunk of upfront capital compared to average gym membership fees. Budget can dictate not just what quality of equipment you will buy but how much equipment you will buy.
3) Location (Home Gym Space):
Another issue many people deal with is where they want to put their equipment. There are generally four options to consider:
Garage: A garage gym is the most popular type of home gym with many benefits. First, it's a large space. As many people don't even park their cars in one, it's very convenient. In addition, garage gyms can generally take more wear and tear than a nicer room in the house.
Spare Room: A spare bedroom, or any other empty room, is ideal. If you don't have an empty space, you can move some stuff around for your gym.
Porch: Your porch can be a great place to use as it's outside and out of the way. The downside? It's outside. Although the outdoor environment can take a toll on equipment and requires more upkeep, being outside can be an awesome place to train if you can handle it properly.
Corner Of A Big Room: The last choice may be the corner of a room. Suppose all of your rooms are taken. You may need to situate the room to fit your gym equipment.
You can also get creative with the space you have and the equipment you purchase. For example, if you are tight on space, check out our article on the 8 Best Folding Squat Racks For Home Gyms. These are optimal for saving space while delivering high-quality equipment.
4) Type Of Equipment:
Your gym type will dictate the type of equipment you need. However, here are some general guidelines.
Yoga Home Gym:
Yoga mat
Small dumbbells
Small kettlebells
Resistance bands
Bodyweight/Calisthenics Gym:
Pull up bar
Parallettes
Rings (if possible)
Yoga Mat
Weightlifting Gym:
Squat rack
Barbell
Weight plates
Weight bench
Dumbbells
Kettlebells
Various barbells
Cardio Room:
Cardio equipment (rowing machine, treadmill, etc)
Floor mats
TV
Sound system
What You Need to Build A Home Gym
Building a home gym requires a list of necessities that you need. Apart from your equipment, here are things you need to consider.
Enough Space: Excess clutter can increase safety risks, while valuable items can be damaged.
Hanging Mirrors For Aesthetics: Be sure to hang them high enough not to be broken.
Dumbbell Rack/Weight Rack: This makes it more convenient and helps keep things organized
Proper Flooring: I know you don't want to pay to replace a floor that been put through too much wear and tear serving as your home gym. This is where protective mats come into play.
Sound System & TV: These aren't necessary, but also very beneficial.
Home Gym or Gym Membership: Which Is Cheaper?
When comparing a commercial gym membership and home gym setup cost, the initial price to purchase equipment will be exponentially higher for a home gym.
Assuming you take care of your home gym equipment and stick to the middle-range quality, you will eventually spend more on the membership as the monthly payments increase.
It's the exact same thing as buying and leasing a car. You need more money upfront to buy the car, but you'll eventually surpass the cost of the car with a never-ending lease.
One other factor to consider is resale value. Going back to the car analogy, while you may spend $20,000 for the car, if you take care of it, you might be able to sell it for $5,000-15,000. Keep in mind this is another reason to take care of your equipment.
Benefits of Home Gyms
Building a home gym has a lot of incredible benefits. Here are our favorites:
Work out when you want
Save time
Pick your music
No waiting for equipment
You can buy new gym equipment if you want
Keeps you focused
Able to get short workouts in if needed
Types of Home Gym Equipment & Cost Estimates
We have spoken about some of the gym costs, but we'll now go over some more specifics.
1) Squat Rack:
A squat rack is where all the action takes place. It holds the barbell to perform exercises and is the centerpiece of your gym. You can get a squat rack for $300, but $500 seems the sweet spot for quality entry-level racks.
I like the Force USA MyRack modular power rack as it's high-quality and durable yet comes at an entry-level price. In addition, it's a modular system to connect with other equipment.
Best Squat Rack
The Force USA MyRack Power Rack is the first truly custom power rack system of its kind. Configure your modular base rack with your choice of 20 attachments...
2) Barbells:
A quality Olympic barbell will start at around $300 and may go up to $500. We would advise you to stay in this range.
People tend to underestimate the barbell's value and see it as "just a piece of metal," but you'll notice when you get a bad one. For example, a barbell with good hardware keeps the collars spinning. However, a poorly made one will not, eventually ruining your lifts.
Therefore, buying a cheaper, low-quality barbell can significantly decrease its use of it yet only save you $100.
Check out our article on the 15 Best Barbells to find the perfect fit for your home gym.
3) Weight Plates:
For a home gym, weight is weight. You're not dealing with calibrated plates, so there's no reason for the average lifter to buy top-quality.
I recommend buying bumper plates. These are cheaper than metal plates and more suitable for a house gym as they are softer and won't cause as much damage. We have a great selection of bumper plates to choose from in our article on the 8 Best Bumper Plates For Home Gyms.
I really like the Fringe Sport Bumper Plates as they're made with high quality material, get tons of awesome reviews, and come at a great price point.
If you buy new, you'll generally pay $2.00-$2.25 per pound at the entry level. This includes quality brands such as Rogue. However, if you buy used, you can expect to pay $1.00-$1.50 a pound. There are often a lot of variables, but again, try to find them used first.
4) Weight Benches:
A flat bench will cost less than an adjustable one as there are no mechanics. However, an adjustable bench allows a variety of movements, such as incline press and seated movements.
A basic weight bench can be easily found for
Working out at home has several perks that a gym just can't compete with. There's no commute, you can pick whichever songs you want at whatever volume you want, you don't have to make small talk, and if you forget anything, you can simply walk into the next room of your house to retrieve it.
Sounds good, right?
But here's the thing. In order to have a similar workout experience to when you're at a gym, it's going to require investing in some workout equipment. Otherwise, you'll find yourself making that 30-minute commute to the gym simply because you are too limited in your at-home exercises.
So, how much does a home gym cost? That's exactly what we're going to get into today. We also have some tips to keep the average cost of a home gym down while still getting a great workout.
Let's get to it.
Table of Contents:
- What Is A Home Gym?
- How Much Does A Home Gym Cost?
- Factors To Consider When Buying A Home Gym
- What You Need To Build A Home Gym
- What's Cheaper: A Home Gym Or Gym Membership?
- Benefits Of Home Gyms
- Types Of Home Gym Equipment & Cost Estimates
- Tips For Creating A Home Gym You'll actually Use
- Home Gym Costs: FAQs
- Key Takeaways
What Is A Home Gym?
A home gym is simply a room or area within your house that's dedicated to exercise. Depending on the person's goal and budget, a home gym could include a yoga mat and a couple of small dumbbells or a fully decked-out gym with squat racks, multiple barbells, and even a treadmill.
In fact, your home gym could simply be an empty room where you do bodyweight exercises. The point is a home gym can be anywhere in your house dedicated to fitness.
That said, most people envision a room with a squat rack, barbell, and weights. In addition, one of the most common locations is in the garage, sometimes called a garage gym.
How Much Does A Home Gym Cost?
Your home gym setup can vary widely, from $100-$5000+. However, let's assume you're an average person who wants some decent equipment and on a bit of a budget. You could get your minimum needs (squat rack, barbell, weight bench, and weights) for $1000.
Now let's say you have a bigger budget, but you're not buying more than what you need (a lot of the more expensive racks are designed for massive weight). You could expect to spend around $2,500-$3,500. This would get you:
- Squat rack
- Barbell
- Adjustable bench
- Weight
- Adjustable dumbbells
- A couple of attachments
- Treadmill (lower end or used)
Finally, if you have no limits, the sky is the limit. For example, some squat racks go for $3,500+. I believe the squat rack, and accompanying barbell and weight plates, is the foundation for an at home gym, so I highly suggest starting there.
If you want to explore some quality, cost-effective squat racks, check out our article 10 Best Squat Rack Options For Home Gyms.
On the other hand, if you just want a yoga gym, your cost will be sufficiently cheaper. You would need a yoga mat and perhaps some smaller dumbbells or resistance bands. If you have the money, you could easily get a sound system for a few hundred dollars max.
Factors To Consider When Building A Home Gym
Not every gym needs to provide the same services, nor does everyone have the same resources. Therefore, when you build a home gym, there are some basic factors to consider.
1) Type Of Gym:
We addressed this some above, but different types of gyms require different kinds of equipment, which can result in very different prices. Here is a list of different types of gyms you may want:
- Cardio Room
- Calisthenics Home Gym or Bodyweight
- Yoga Gym
- Full Weight Lifting (rack, barbells, etc.)
2) Budget:
The biggest factor to consider is your budget. You'll need a decent chunk of upfront capital compared to average gym membership fees. Budget can dictate not just what quality of equipment you will buy but how much equipment you will buy.
3) Location (Home Gym Space):
Another issue many people deal with is where they want to put their equipment. There are generally four options to consider:
Garage: A garage gym is the most popular type of home gym with many benefits. First, it's a large space. As many people don't even park their cars in one, it's very convenient. In addition, garage gyms can generally take more wear and tear than a nicer room in the house.
Spare Room: A spare bedroom, or any other empty room, is ideal. If you don't have an empty space, you can move some stuff around for your gym.
Porch: Your porch can be a great place to use as it's outside and out of the way. The downside? It's outside. Although the outdoor environment can take a toll on equipment and requires more upkeep, being outside can be an awesome place to train if you can handle it properly.
Corner Of A Big Room: The last choice may be the corner of a room. Suppose all of your rooms are taken. You may need to situate the room to fit your gym equipment.
You can also get creative with the space you have and the equipment you purchase. For example, if you are tight on space, check out our article on the 8 Best Folding Squat Racks For Home Gyms. These are optimal for saving space while delivering high-quality equipment.
4) Type Of Equipment:
Your gym type will dictate the type of equipment you need. However, here are some general guidelines.
Yoga Home Gym:
- Yoga mat
- Small dumbbells
- Small kettlebells
- Resistance bands
Bodyweight/Calisthenics Gym:
- Pull up bar
- Parallettes
- Rings (if possible)
- Yoga Mat
Weightlifting Gym:
- Squat rack
- Barbell
- Weight plates
- Weight bench
- Dumbbells
- Kettlebells
- Various barbells
Cardio Room:
- Cardio equipment (rowing machine, treadmill, etc)
- Floor mats
- TV
- Sound system
What You Need to Build A Home Gym
Building a home gym requires a list of necessities that you need. Apart from your equipment, here are things you need to consider.
Enough Space: Excess clutter can increase safety risks, while valuable items can be damaged.
Hanging Mirrors For Aesthetics: Be sure to hang them high enough not to be broken.
Dumbbell Rack/Weight Rack: This makes it more convenient and helps keep things organized
Proper Flooring: I know you don't want to pay to replace a floor that been put through too much wear and tear serving as your home gym. This is where protective mats come into play.
Sound System & TV: These aren't necessary, but also very beneficial.
Home Gym or Gym Membership: Which Is Cheaper?
When comparing a commercial gym membership and home gym setup cost, the initial price to purchase equipment will be exponentially higher for a home gym.
Assuming you take care of your home gym equipment and stick to the middle-range quality, you will eventually spend more on the membership as the monthly payments increase.
It's the exact same thing as buying and leasing a car. You need more money upfront to buy the car, but you'll eventually surpass the cost of the car with a never-ending lease.
One other factor to consider is resale value. Going back to the car analogy, while you may spend $20,000 for the car, if you take care of it, you might be able to sell it for $5,000-15,000. Keep in mind this is another reason to take care of your equipment.
Benefits of Home Gyms
Building a home gym has a lot of incredible benefits. Here are our favorites:
- Work out when you want
- Save time
- Pick your music
- No waiting for equipment
- You can buy new gym equipment if you want
- Keeps you focused
- Able to get short workouts in if needed
Types of Home Gym Equipment & Cost Estimates
We have spoken about some of the gym costs, but we'll now go over some more specifics.
1) Squat Rack:
A squat rack is where all the action takes place. It holds the barbell to perform exercises and is the centerpiece of your gym. You can get a squat rack for $300, but $500 seems the sweet spot for quality entry-level racks.
I like the Force USA MyRack modular power rack as it's high-quality and durable yet comes at an entry-level price. In addition, it's a modular system to connect with other equipment.
Best Squat Rack
The Force USA MyRack Power Rack is the first truly custom power rack system of its kind. Configure your modular base rack with your choice of 20 attachments...
2) Barbells:
A quality Olympic barbell will start at around $300 and may go up to $500. We would advise you to stay in this range.
People tend to underestimate the barbell's value and see it as "just a piece of metal," but you'll notice when you get a bad one. For example, a barbell with good hardware keeps the collars spinning. However, a poorly made one will not, eventually ruining your lifts.
Therefore, buying a cheaper, low-quality barbell can significantly decrease its use of it yet only save you $100.
Check out our article on the 15 Best Barbells to find the perfect fit for your home gym.
3) Weight Plates:
For a home gym, weight is weight. You're not dealing with calibrated plates, so there's no reason for the average lifter to buy top-quality.
I recommend buying bumper plates. These are cheaper than metal plates and more suitable for a house gym as they are softer and won't cause as much damage. We have a great selection of bumper plates to choose from in our article on the 8 Best Bumper Plates For Home Gyms.
I really like the Fringe Sport Bumper Plates as they're made with high quality material, get tons of awesome reviews, and come at a great price point.
If you buy new, you'll generally pay $2.00-$2.25 per pound at the entry level. This includes quality brands such as Rogue. However, if you buy used, you can expect to pay $1.00-$1.50 a pound. There are often a lot of variables, but again, try to find them used first.
4) Weight Benches:
A flat bench will cost less than an adjustable one as there are no mechanics. However, an adjustable bench allows a variety of movements, such as incline press and seated movements.
A basic weight bench can be easily found for
Click here to view the article.
