How to Build a Home Gym: Finding the Best Workout Equipment for Home

Instead of spending time traveling to a gym and waiting to use your favorite exercise equipment, you can build a home gym customized to your fitness needs. Creating a home gym is an excellent way to ensure you never miss a workout, no matter how busy your schedule gets. Whether you’re working out early in the morning or late at night, having a home gym provides convenience and flexibility.

Beginners and seasoned athletes alike can benefit from working out at home. Creating a home gym allows you to prioritize your health and well-being conveniently within your own space. From making the most of your space to finding the right fitness equipment, join us as we explore how to build a home gym.

Creating the best home gym setup with your space

When looking for the best home exercise equipment for your home, start by assessing the space you have to work with. Most home gym setups are located in the lower level or garage. A spare bedroom or any other dedicated workout area will also suffice as long as you have enough clearance to successfully perform your planned exercises.

Consider the layout and dimensions of your home gym space to determine what equipment can fit comfortably without feeling cramped. Utilize storage solutions such as shelves, racks and cabinets to keep your home workout equipment neatly stored when not in use. Clearing out clutter and organizing the area can maximize usable space and create a more inviting atmosphere for your overall health, wellness and fitness.

Choosing the right exercise equipment for home use

You can begin selecting the best home gym products for your fitness goals and preferences once you have a dedicated home gym area chosen. If you are focused on aerobic exercises that are aimed at improving the health of your cardiovascular system, cardio equipment can be highly beneficial.See Disclosure ¹ Here are the most common types of cardio equipment for home use:

Treadmills. Allowing you to walk, jog or run indoors, treadmills typically feature adjustable speeds and incline settings to simulate different terrains and intensities.
Elliptical machines. Gentle on the joints, elliptical machines offer a full-body, home cardio workout by combining the movements of running, skiing and stair climbing.
Exercise bikes. Stationary bikes provide a low-impact home workout where you can cycle at various resistance levels, mimicking the motions of a physical bicycle.
Rowing machines. Engaging multiple muscle groups including the legs, core and upper body, rowing machines offer a more challenging home cardio workout with different resistance levels.

While partaking in cardio at home can be beneficial, it doesn’t mean that you should overlook resistance training. Home strength training helps build muscle, increase metabolism, improve bone density and enhance overall physical strength and endurance.^2,3 Here are the most common types of strength training gear for a home gym:

Dumbbells. Always versatile and resourceful, dumbbells can be used for a number of exercises, and, adjustable sets use up less space and can be stored practically anywhere.
Kettlebells. Kettlebells are useful for dynamic movements and exercises that combine both strength and cardio.
Resistance bands. As the name states, resistance bands provide varying levels of resistance, offering a portable and effective way to improve muscle tone and flexibility.
Benches. Promoting both safety and effectiveness, exercise benches give you stability and support for a wide range of strength training exercises.

Connected fitness and smart home gym equipment

Connected fitness equipment combines advanced technology with traditional exercise gear, refining how you work out at home. Whether it’s a treadmill that adjusts to your pace or a stationary bike with live-streamed classes, connected fitness equipment can help you achieve your fitness goals more efficiently.

Most of the time, connected fitness equipment also boasts smart capabilities. This includes features like real-time performance tracking, personalized workout programs and integration with fitness apps. A lot of smart gym machines also offer virtual coaching and the ability to sync with other smart home devices. If you are planning on adding a lot of smart home gym equipment to your setup, it’s a good idea to read up on the smart home gym basics.

Start your home fitness journey now

Now that you know what your options are for creating a home gym, you can begin your fitness journey. Whether you prefer strength training or you enjoy sweating it out with cardio equipment, designing your home gym around your preferences helps you stay committed to your goals. So, embrace the flexibility and comfort of your personalized fitness space as you embark on a journey to a healthier, stronger you. Get started today and make your home gym a place where your health, wellness and fitness aspirations become a reality.

References

1. Nystoriak, Matthew A. and Bhatnagar, Aruni. “Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise.” Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, Frontiers Media S.A. September 28, 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6172294/.

2. Rapaport, Lisa. “More Evidence That Strength Training Boosts Long-Term Health.” Everyday Health, Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. March 14, 2022. https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/more-evidence-why-strength-training-boosts-long-term-health/.

3. Hong, A Ram and Kim, Sang Wan. “Effects of Resistance Exercise on Bone Health.” Endocrinology and Metabolism, Korean Endocrine Society. November 30, 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6279907/.

Additional information:

These statements and any information contained herein are intended for educational purposes only and are not meant to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. Carefully review product labels for instructions and important safety information and consider consulting with a health care professional regarding your use of health and wellness products.