What do I need to start a home gym? (2023)

What do you need when starting gym?

Even if you decide to stick with a gym membership, you'll likely find that having some equipment at home is a huge advantage on days where you just can't make it or are short on time. At the end of the day, a home gym is definitely worth it!

The average home gym cost is around $2,000 and typically runs between $300 and $15,000, depending on your training goals and how complex you want the setup to be. A simple home gym setup can consist of a couple of sets of dumbbells and a workout mat, while a more sophisticated one can include an entire weight room.

The core of your garage gym should include: barbell, rack, bumper plates, a bench, kettlebell, dumbbells, and a weight plate tree or weight storage rack. How can you best save space? Adjustable dumbbells and adjustable kettlebells are the best choice to save floor space without sacrificing strength training options.

Just as strategically placed floor tiles or a throw rug can designate a workout space, an accent wall can also signal your sweat zone. “You can back your machine into a corner and paint the wall behind it a vibrant shade, or use contrasting paint or wallpaper—and it'll almost seem like a separate space,” says Basher.

We'll get into more of the nitty-gritty numbers in the next section, but a majority of home gyms could end up being cheaper for their owner in less than three years versus the cost of a commercial gym membership.

Moisture and more specifically sweat will wreak havoc on your equipment. Barbells, steel plates and racks will rust in a temperature controlled gym. In a garage where moisture and sweat is cranked up to a thousand, the rusting process happens even faster.

Market research across the USA shows that a gym owner of a medium-sized gym could earn around $150,000 per year. The general setup costs for a medium-sized gym is around $100,000. But your profits for the first financial year could be as little as $50,000.

What is a good 7 day workout schedule?

Working out daily can lead to injuries, fatigue, and burnout. All of these things can cause you to abandon your fitness program altogether. Start slowly, and gradually increase the duration and intensity of any new exercise routine.

A home gym can cost as much or as little as you'd like, with the typical range being anywhere from $300 to $15,000. The average falls around $2,000. For $300, you can likely start with some basic weights, a yoga mat, and a set of resistance bands.

For that, you could opt for dumbbells that weigh around 6-10kg. Anything over that would be classed as 'heavy' when it comes to your home workouts - perfect for those who have swapped gym-based training for home workouts.

A simple pair of 5-pound dumbbells can cost you as little as $17-20. A set of light weights (like pairs of 2.5, 5, and 8 pounds dumbbells, for example) will cost around $40-50. A full rack of heavy dumbbells from 5-50 pounds and beyond will likely cost a thousand dollars or more.

Going to a commercial gym may seem like the most convenient option for weight lifting, but the truth is that it is one of the most costly in the long run. Having your own gym equipment at home has many cost-saving and convenient benefits both short-term and long-term.

While your home gym won't have all the equipment available at a health club, you can still build muscle mass by training at home. All you need is your own body weight and a few basic bits of equipment.

No home gym is complete without dumbbells. Useful for a variety of exercises such as biceps curls, triceps kickbacks, weighted lunges, and Russian twists, dumbbells are a versatile piece of exercise equipment designed to strengthen and tone your body.

As a beginner I recommend that you start with just one kettlebell but once you have mastered all the basic exercises you can progress to 2 kettlebells.

How do I build a home gym in my garage?

The core of your garage gym should include: barbell, rack, bumper plates, a bench, kettlebell, dumbbells, and a weight plate tree or weight storage rack. How can you best save space? Adjustable dumbbells and adjustable kettlebells are the best choice to save floor space without sacrificing strength training options.

While a gym provides a dedicated space, home workouts offer more flexibility and can be more efficient. It all depends on how you use your time and equipment to maximize your effort. It's convenient. You can skip traffic, and you don't have to leave your house or work out during specific times.

Barbells enable you to progressively overload more effectively and are typically better for your heavy lifts - so for sets of 1-6 reps. Dumbbells are better for accessory lifts, endurance style training and muscle building. So, use them for sets of 8-12 reps or more.

For those who rely on at-home workouts, getting the right equipment can be crucial — in addition to stationary bikes, treadmills and ellipticals, basic fitness equipment like dumbbells can be a worthwhile investment to help you maintain a workout routine at home while building strength and muscle.

For beginners, a good starting place is a 6- to 8-kilogram kettlebell, Karisa explained — that's the equivalent of 13-to-18 pounds. For lower-body movements, where you naturally have more strength and power, she recommends a heavier kettlebell that's 12-to-16 kilograms (or 26-to-35 pounds) to start.

To make the exercise easy and comfortable for you, here's the suggested kettlebell size for beginners: Kettlebell size of 35lbs (16kg) for males. Kettlebell size of 18lbs (8kg) for women.

Murdock and Masiello suggest women start with 8kg (or 18lb) kettlebells, and Masiello suggests men start with 16 kg or 33 lb ones. Murdock also notes that kettlebells generally come in kilograms and not pounds (1 kg lb is 2.2 lbs), so make sure to pay attention to the numbers.

You will typically not have to seek planning permission for internal work on a garage unless your home is a listed property or occupies a conservation area, since the size and structure of the building will remain the same.

The average home gym cost is around $2,000 and typically runs between $300 and $15,000, depending on your training goals and how complex you want the setup to be. A simple home gym setup can consist of a couple of sets of dumbbells and a workout mat, while a more sophisticated one can include an entire weight room.

Building a Garage Gym Part 3: Flooring, Insulation, and ... - YouTube

What are 2 pros and 2 cons of working out at home?

The short answer is yes. Providing you are prepared to put a little time and effort into your workout at home, it can be just as effective as a gym workout.

Running helps you burn more calories, but weight training has the capability of supporting your weight loss efforts. As we know that in order to lose weight, you have to burn as many calories as you can and calories are burnt either by performing exercises or by doing your daily work.