Are you also thinking about transforming that old basement room into a fresh home gym?
Or maybe you have some extra space in the garage where a bench press would fit perfectly? We get it – and we’ve got the solutions and tips for you. Below, you’ll find a guide on how to optimize your space into the ultimate home gym that will leave your neighbors in awe.
1. Plan your home gym – how to get started
First of all, where will you set up your home gym? How much space do you have to work with? What’s most important for you to include? Do you want room for a machine, or are free weights enough? How important is the variety of weights – do you want to start small or go all in?
Yes, lots of questions to answer. But once you’ve figured them out, you’re already well on your way to creating your very own home gym.
2. Build a solid and safe home gym
If you want a home gym that lasts, you need to think about how to protect the space in the best possible way. Maybe you’re someone who likes dropping the barbell when hitting a PB in deadlifts, or maybe you simply want to make sure your gym is durable for the long run – then you need a safe and secure floor.
Choosing the right floor can feel overwhelming. Read our previous article on “How to choose the right gym flooring.”
Other furnishings
Apart from the floor, it’s also important to consider the overall design (beyond just the equipment). What kind of atmosphere do you want your gym to have? Should it be dark with a raw, heavy-lifting vibe, or bright, clean, and modern? Or maybe something in between? Don’t limit your imagination – it’s your home gym we’re talking about.
To make your gym inviting and functional long-term, you need good lighting and fresh air. It will get sweaty, so make sure ventilation does its job. It doesn’t have to be complicated – a window you can open or a simple fan often works well to keep the air fresh.
And finally: don’t forget storage. It’s easy to overlook, but the room will quickly get messy if plates, bands, and dumbbells don’t have their place. Invest in a weight rack, shelves for kettlebells, and hooks for resistance bands – it makes the gym both safer and more stylish.
Safety
Let’s get a bit serious for a moment and talk about safety in your home gym.
Ceiling height
This really belongs to step 1, when planning. But remember to check ceiling height. For example, if you want to do overhead presses or pull-ups, you’ll want to make sure you don’t injure yourself or damage the ceiling.
Mirrors
A mirror isn’t just for checking out your muscles – it’s also a safety tool, allowing you to make sure you’re training with correct technique.
Clamps and safety arms
Barbell clamps and safety arms are a must-have for safe bench pressing sessions.
3. Time for the fun part – machines and weights
Now that the foundation is set, it’s finally time for the fun part – buying the equipment. So, the last question: what do you want to achieve with your home gym? Do you want a bit of everything, or do you want to focus on something specific?
Build muscle at home – strength training equipment
To focus solely on building muscle, you’ll get very far with a barbell and some plates. A bench is also great, helping you vary your exercises more. Want to take it further? A squat rack will help you progress.
So, in short, if you want to build muscle, the best investments are:
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Barbell
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Weight plates
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Bench
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Rack
Cardio at home
If strength training isn’t your thing, you can focus on cardio instead. Here you can choose based on your preferences – cycling, running, rowing, or stair climbing. Get inspired by our cardio machines here.
Functional training at home – top 3 tools
Complement your cardio or barbell training with some free weights. Think kettlebells, dumbbells, slamballs, resistance bands, sandbags – and more.
Top 3 functional training tools:
Dumbbells
Perfect for various types of arm training. You can do bicep curls, triceps extensions, shoulder presses, and much more.
Kettlebells
The best friend of functional training – swings, farmers walks, goblet squats, rows – you name it. Just like dumbbells, the possibilities are endless.
Slamballs
Picture this: after a long day at work, you’re a bit annoyed with a colleague or your boss and feel like “I just want to throw something.” Enter the slamball. With this heavy training ball, you can slam it down (controlled – watch your back and other body parts), pick it up, and repeat. A great exercise for releasing stress while training your whole body. You can also throw it against a wall and squat as you catch it, or slam it in rotation for core training.
5. Home gym checklist
- Gym flooring
- Storage (rack/shelf)
- Mirror
- Ventilation (fan or window)
- Squat rack
- Barbell
- Weight plates
- Training bench
- Barbell locks
- Dumbbells
All-in-one home gym:
- Gym flooring
- Storage (rack/shelf)
- Mirror
- Ventilation (fan or window)
- Squat rack
- Barbell
- Weight plates
- Training bench
- Barbell locks
- Dumbbells
- Training mat
- Kettlebells
- Slamballs
- Machines? - For example, a cable crossover or lat pulldown are perfect additions for a home gym!
6. FAQ – Common questions about home gyms
How much does a home gym cost?
This is one of the most common questions - and the simple answer is that it depends. The total investment varies based on your fitness goals, the amount of space you have, and the type of equipment you choose. You can get started with a small home gym using just the essentials like a barbell, weight plates, and a bench. If you want a more complete setup with machines, free weights, and cardio equipment, the investment will naturally be higher. No matter the size, you can create a home gym that perfectly matches your needs and fits your lifestyle.
Do I need a lot of space?
No, you can get very far with just 4–6 m².
What’s the best equipment for a beginner?
You’ll get very far with a barbell and some weights! Start small and build up as you go.
