How To Build The Perfect Home Gym: Advice for Each Budget
Going to the gym can be a bit of a hassle for a lot of people. Not only do you have to get dressed to go to the gym, but you have to remember to bring a gym bag that has everything you need including a change of clothes, lock and key, towel, and much more. There’s also the fact that you have to travel to the gym, which can be a pain if you’re in an area that gets a lot of severe weather.
Of course, there’s also the part about a gym membership possibly costing over $1,000 per year. The monthly fees can rack up quickly, which is why so many people are becoming more focused on exercising at home. As such, people are starting to put together home gyms, which can actually be done on a budget. Let’s take a look at how you can build the perfect home gym
Frugal Budget
A lot of people think that they won’t be able to build a solid home gym just because they don’t have much money to spend. However, there are plenty of ways to get a good workout in, as long as you have a decent amount of space. As long as you have enough room to exercise, you’ll be able to get bodyweight exercises that include push-ups, situps, lunges, and more. For those that want to focus more on cardio, running in place (or even going outside on nice days) is a great exercise if you don’t want to splurge on a treadmill.
Also, you don’t have to spend much money on some great in-home equipment. Things like jump ropes and resistance bands only cost a few dollars but can add a lot to your workout in both strength training and cardio. Most budget home gyms also feature some free weights, which may be cheaper than you think.
If you’re looking for something a little more advanced for your home gym without spending too much, there may also be some used weight benches and cardio equipment like treadmills or ellipticals available in your area. Check websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist to see if anyone is giving equipment away or charging a low amount. There are also stores like Play It Again Sports that sell used sports and exercise equipment for reasonable prices while also ensuring quality and offering a seven-day return policy.
Moderate Budget
Let’s say that you have the same amount of space as someone who’s working with a frugal budget, but want to spend a little more while not turning your extra space into a Planet Fitness. Instead of having to run in place or rely on used equipment that may not be working at full capacity, there are some cheaper options. In the cardio department, small foldable treadmills are available that can briskly walk on while some other affordable ones can support up to 275 pounds and allow you to run up to 10 miles per hour.
Small stationary bicycles are also a good option with a moderate budget, with some great options on websites like Amazon costing only between $100 and $150. These bikes don’t have large spinning fans or advanced entertainment centers but offer the same resistance workout that you come to expect.
When it comes to your strength training, there are resistance bands that cost a bit more than the entry-level ones that we previously mentioned. Try to find ones that have handles and a higher amount of tension, as some of the best ones are able to attach to doors and walls without the worry of breaking. You can also buy a new adjustable bench for your free-weight exercises, and your budget may even call for larger weight equipment like barbells so you can perform chest presses, bench presses, etc.
Finally, some of us might want to do some more relaxing exercises, and a moderate budget can help you out with that. Your budget should allow you to afford a few mats that you can use for yoga, stretching, Pilates, and other floor exercises so that you’re not having to rely on carpet, hardwood, or concrete.
High Budget
If money is of no issue, there is a lot that you can do with a home gym. We already touched on cardio equipment like treadmills and ellipticals, and with a higher budget, you can get the top-of-the-line ones available. These ones are almost guaranteed to not wear out for years while also offering more resistance and a higher weight capacity, even adding a large entertainment system in the front console.
Assuming you have a higher budget, you’ll also have more space to work with. With that in mind, you can add plenty of other higher-end equipment including a power rack, rowing machine, Smith machine, and much more. These are the basics that you’ll want in your home gym, with more specialty pieces of equipment you can add along the way if you have the space and money. Lastly, you can really make it feel like a gym with a high budget by setting up a great sound system and televisions so you’re never bored while working out.