By Marnie Kunz, NASM-certified trainer, USATF-, RRCA-certified running coach

Setting up a home gym is one of the best things you can do to boost your workout adherence, making you more likely to stick to your exercise program. The convenience of being able to work out safely at any time in your home removes a common hurdle that keeps people from exercising — access. Whether you have a small space or a whole garage or basement to use, creating your home gym doesn’t have to be as costly and complicated as you think.

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During the pandemic, I set up a home gym twice due to moving, and my current one is in my not large NYC apartment. With limited space, I learned to be creative and resourceful with minimal equipment. As a trainer, I am also able to decide what equipment will have the biggest impact on helping me reach my strength training and fitness goals so I don’t waste money — and space — on unnecessary equipment. I’m sharing my tips here to help you set up your own home gym and make the most of it so you can achieve higher levels of fitness and crush your workout goals.

Benefits of a Home Gym

There are many benefits of setting up a home gym, with the first being convenience. With your home gym, you can work out any time and you do not have to worry about anxiety from going to public gyms. You can also save a lot of money in the long run by working out at home instead of paying for gym memberships. Accessibility is key to consistency in following a workout program, and people are more likely to work out if they do not have to commute or go through a lot of obstacles to get to the gym. With a home gym, you have zero commute time and no excuses. If you feel self-conscious doing certain exercises at the gym, you will also enjoy the privacy that your home gym affords.

Planning Your Home Gym

There are a few main things to consider when planning your home gym — your budget, the types of workouts you will be doing, and your space.

Budget

Your budget will determine how much you spend and where you get your home gym equipment. If you are on a tight budget, start small and get a few pieces of equipment that you can use for multiple exercises. Some great budget-friendly home fitness gear includes resistance bands (which are also good for small spaces), a pair of dumbbells, and a yoga mat. On the other hand, if you have a few hundred dollars to invest in your home gym, some options to consider are a barbell, weight plates, weight bench, and gym mats.

Workout Program

Consider your workout program and goals. Will you be doing bodyweight exercises, light weightlifting, heavy weightlifting, step aerobics, Zumba, yoga, or other activities? For many runners, strength training is important for improving fitness levels and preventing injuries and offers a great compliment to the cardio program of running.

If you decide to lift weights, dumbbells are usually a great starting point and they are versatile — you can use them for many different strength training exercises. Also, you can maximize the intensity of smaller weights like dumbbells by doing single-leg exercises such as split squats and one-legged squats so you do not need heavy weights.

If you want to see more dramatic strength training results, a heavier weight system such as a barbell is a great investment that can also be used for resistance training exercises that target your biggest muscle groups — squats, bench press, deadlifts, hip thrusts, and more. The good news for those of us building home gyms is that both dumbbells and barbells offer great strength training workouts that require more stabilization muscles and improve your balance more than weightlifting machines at commercial gyms.

Space

Space is the third main element to consider when planning your home gym. Do you have a corner of a room, a whole room, or a large basement or garage to use? If you are using a tight space, go for multifunctional equipment that you can use for different exercises. I got an adjustable step for my apartment, for instance, and it doubles as a weight bench for my bench press exercises, split squats, hip thrusts, and more. Also, equipment that comes apart or can be put away when you’re not using it is a lifesaver for small spaces. Gym mats, resistance bands, yoga mats, dumbbells, and foldable weight benches are great home gym equipment for small spaces.

Where To Get Home Gym Equipment

When buying home gym supplies, you may not be sure where to go. Do you shop online, or prefer to see the equipment in person? Also, with a lot of home gym equipment shortages during the pandemic, you will want to see what is available so you know your options. Do some research to see what suppliers you have to choose from, and then consider your budget and the particular equipment you need. Check out online reviews if you are shopping online. If you’re on a tight budget, Coach Kyle advises getting second-hand equipment to save up to 75% off of retail prices. You can shop at thrift stores or on reselling apps to see what second-hand fitness equipment is available in your area.

For most of my home gym equipment, I ordered online from ProSourceFit, a company I found during the pandemic. ProSourceFit has high-quality fitness equipment and I’ve found their customer service and shipping process to be very convenient and accessible. I love my puzzle mats, barbell, and bumper plates from ProSourceFit. I’ve also got some home gym equipment — Fit Simplify resistance bands and CAP dumbbells — from Amazon. Be sure to cross-check reviews on the fitness manufacturer and make sure they have good quality equipment and positive reviews.

Adding Final Touches to Your Home Gym

Once you get your equipment set up, it’s time to put some final touches on your home gym. Add some motivational photos, posters, or your goals posted visibly. You can also install mirrors if you have the budget for them, as these can be great for seeing your form during workouts and also to motivate you to keep making visible progress. If you’re a trainer or want to take photos or videos in your gym, consider getting some good lighting by adding photography lighting or a ring light.

And don’t forget the tunes! Get pumped up by creating your own workout playlists to keep you moving through the hard workouts.

Now that your home gym is set up, enjoy! Happy sweating to you and may you have many great workouts ahead. Tag me in your workouts to get cheered on - I’m Runstreet on Instagram. 😊👋

Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified personal trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.

How to Set Up Your Home Gym