Essential Home Gym Equipment Pieces
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(Certified Nutritionist, S&C specialist, M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology)
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A home gym is a great concept – you can work out and achieve great results without even leaving your house. However, everything that you need to do before your home gym is set up and ready to go can be an absolute nightmare. You don’t want to fill your space with random fitness tools, but you also don’t want to spend several months desperately trying to find what would work for you.
Well, you’re in luck, because this article has all the information on the most important home gym equipment in one place. We’ll explore everything, from the jump rope and dumbbells to bigger equipment like the treadmill and the elliptical. Your gym needs to be filled with the right gear that fits your workout needs, potential space constraints, and of course, your budget, so stick around and see what we recommend!
Let’s gym… home gym!
Essential Sports Equipment You Should Add to Your Home Gym
If you’re building a home gym from scratch, you’re likely to get overwhelmed by all the available equipment and might be worried about fitting all of it in your space. However, you don’t need to have every single piece of equipment a commercial gym has – you need only the essential home gym equipment to start with, and then you can keep upgrading your gym over time.
As far as garage gym essentials go, you need weights, such as dumbbells or kettlebells. Dumbbells are very versatile, and kettlebells focus on dynamic work, power-building exercise, stability and even conditioning.
It’s also a good idea to get some resistance bands because they’re easily portable, adjustable, and allow you to target specific muscle groups. You can even combine a kettlebell with a band to get something special. You should also think about getting either a mat or gym flooring for floor-based exercises because good-quality flooring will prevent slipping and protect your floors from the equipment you use.
As far as other necessities go, a rack with a barbell is a must because it’s a fundamental component of strength training. If you want to add a machine or two, consider a rowing machine or an exercise bike.
Tips From the Champ
Dumbbells and kettlebells are super versatile, but if you get adjustable ones, you’ll save some space and have more variety within one piece of equipment. Think about your space being cluttered with different dumbbells and kettlebells – If your space is very limited, wouldn’t it be better to just buy ones that are adjustable and eliminate the need for having too many of them?
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Best Home Gym Equipment for Different Types of Training
What your must-have home gym equipment consists of depends on what workouts you intend on doing and what your fitness priorities are. There are a few basic pieces of fitness equipment every comprehensive gym has, but if your priority is, for example, building muscle, don’t clutter your space with cardio machines. Keep cardio equipment at a minimum and focus on more necessary things.
Let’s go through everything you need for a home gym.
1. For Weightlifting Workout
• Power Rack
You may have heard it called a squat rack or a power cage, but a power rack is the cornerstone of any home exercise equipment that’s focused on weightlifting. It provides a secure and adjustable frame for exercises like squats, bench presses, overhead presses, and pull-ups. It has safety pins or bars and makes heavy lifts safer, which allows you to push your limits without needing a spotter.
Our expert Oleksiy Torokhtiy noted:
«Include a band or chain resistance to your exercises when using a power rack. This can improve your strength training by progressively increasing the resistance as you lift. This is particularly effective for squats and bench presses, where the resistance becomes greater as you move through the range of motion where you’re strongest.»
• Weight Bench
You need a sturdy weight bench to offer support for bench presses, incline presses, seated shoulder presses, and other exercises that need a stable platform. Look for an adjustable bench that has various incline angles to add diversity to your workouts.
• Barbell
This is one of those pieces of equipment that’s non-negotiable: you absolutely cannot do without a quality barbell. It’s the primary tool for exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, rows, and overhead presses. Before investing in a barbell, check its tensile strength, knurling, and overall durability.
• Bumper Plates
These are specifically designed weight plates made of dense rubber and they make your workouts quieter and safer, especially during heavy lifts. They’re essential for Olympic weightlifting exercises like snatches and clean and jerks. Not only do they protect your floors, but they also allow you to drop the barbell without causing damage, so they’re ideal for home gyms.
2. For Bodyweight Workout
• Pull-Up Bar
It offers diverse upper body exercises, like pull-ups, chin-ups, hanging leg raises, and more. It’s a fundamental piece for bodyweight workouts and it gives you an opportunity to engage multiple muscle groups. It mostly targets your back, arms, and core. You can choose a wall-mounted, doorway-mounted, or a freestanding pull-up bar based on the space you have available.
• Jump Rope
It can’t get any simpler than a jump rope! It’s a super effective conditioning tool and it’s ideal for improving your cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and agility.
The workouts you can do with it are comprehensive and incorporate both upper and lower body movements. It burns calories, improves motor skills, balance, and endurance, and can potentially stimulate bone density.
Our expert Ihor Shymechko noted:
«Enhance your jump rope workouts by incorporating HIIT. For example, you could do 30 seconds of fast-paced jumping followed by 30 seconds of slower jumping or rest. This method increases cardiovascular fitness and calorie burn.»
3. For Cardio Training
• Treadmill
A treadmill is a staple, especially when it comes to home workouts because it offers the convenience of walking or running indoors. It allows you to control the speed, incline, and simulate outdoor running conditions. Modern treadmills often have pre-programmed workouts, heart rate monitoring, and cushioned running surfaces to reduce the impact on joints.
• Exercise Stationary Bike
A stationary bike will give you a low-impact workout and it’s ideal if you want a conditioning or/and lower body workout that doesn’t put too much stress on your joints. These bikes come in different types, so you can choose one based on your comfort and workout preference.
• Elliptical
Ellipticals offer a low-impact, full-body workout that combines both upper and lower body movements. They simulate activities like walking, running, and stair climbing, all the while minimizing the impact on your joints. A lot of them have adjustable resistance, incline settings, and pre-programmed workouts.
• Rowing Machine
These are super effective, although not nearly as popular as treadmills or ellipticals . A rowing machine will give you a full-body workout that works various muscle groups, including legs, core, back, and arms. When you do it correctly, rowing engages more than 80% of your body! They’re a low-impact cardio option that promotes endurance and can be extremely helpful as a recovery tool.
4. For Fitness
• Dumbbells / Kettlebells
Both are very versatile and offer a wide range of exercises for building muscle, toning, and improving endurance and overall athleticism. They come in various weights (some are even adjustable) and they allow you to progress gradually, as your fitness level improves.
Dumbbells allow you also to focus on isolated movements and can be just as effective as bulky machines are, while kettlebells allow you to add explosive movements and are made to work for a vast number of exercises.
• Weighted Vest
A weighted vest is an excellent addition to bodyweight exercises or cardio workouts because it adds resistance to walking, running, or bodyweight workouts. It helps you build strength and endurance while providing a versatile way to make your training more challenging.
• Medicine Ball
A medicine ball comes in various weights and sizes, and it allows you to do throws, squats, twists, and core workouts. It improves coordination, balance, and overall strength.
• Mat
If you want maximum comfort and safety during your workouts, then you need an exercise mat. It’s a very important part of yoga, stretching, bodyweight exercises, and core workouts. A mat provides cushioning for your joints and support for various movements.
• Gym Flooring
High-quality gym flooring will provide stability and shock absorption and protect both your equipment and the floor. It’s great for home setups because it creates a dedicated space for workouts.
| CATEGORY | EQUIPMENT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Weightlifting Workout | Power Rack | A secure frame for squats, bench presses, overhead presses and pull-ups. Features safety pins or bars for safer heavy lifts without a spotter. |
| Weight Bench | A sturdy bench for support in bench presses, incline presses, seated shoulder presses, etc., with various incline angles. | |
| Barbell | Essential for squats, deadlifts, bench presses, rows, and overhead presses. Check for tensile strength, knurling, and durability before buying. | |
| Bumper Plates | Dense rubber weight plates for quieter, safer workouts. Ideal for Olympic weightlifting. | |
| Bodyweight Workout | Pull-Up Bar | Allows diverse upper body exercises targeting back, arms, and core. Can be wall-mounted, doorway-mounted, or freestanding. |
| Jump Rope | Simple but effective for cardiovascular fitness, coordination, agility, and full-body workouts. Improves motor skills, balance, endurance, and bone density. | |
| Cardio | Treadmill | Walking and running indoors with control over speed and incline. Modern versions often feature pre-programmed workouts and heart rate monitoring. |
| Exercise Stationary Bike | Low-impact lower body and conditioning workout. Suitable for different comfort and workout preferences. | |
| Elliptical | Full-body, low-impact workout machine that simulates walking, running, and stair climbing. Adjustable resistance and incline settings. | |
| Rowing Machine | Full-body workout that engages various muscle groups and promotes endurance, recovery and in some cases even strength. | |
| Fitness | Dumbbells/Kettlebells | Versatile for building muscle, toning, improving endurance, balance and stability. |
| Weighted Vest | Adds resistance to bodyweight exercises or cardio, enhances strength and endurance. | |
| Medicine Ball | For exercises like throws, squats, twists, and core workouts. Improves coordination, balance, and strength. | |
| Mat | Essential for yoga, stretching, bodyweight exercises, and core workouts. Provides cushioning and support. |
4 Benefits of Having Essential Sports Equipment at Your Home Gym
Think about the yearly cost of a gym membership and you’ll easily guess what’s one of the best advantages of having a home gym. But the benefits go beyond just saving money: you can choose the equipment you want to use, work out whenever you want, and don’t need to think about the sweaty people that just used the equipment before you but forgot to wipe it down and clean it.
✅ Saving Money
Probably the first thing everyone thinks of – saving a ton of money on gym membership. It will reduce your monthly expenses, and over time, the investment you made upfront for your home gym will be more cost-effective than having to keep paying class fees and memberships.
✅ Ability to Customize for Your Needs
A home gym allows you to select the equipment you want to use and that aligns with your fitness goals. This means that you get a space that’s completely tailored to your needs, and you can fully enjoy your workouts.
✅ Accessibility (Convenience in Use at Any Time)
If you have a home gym, you don’t need to worry about working hours or commuting and don’t need to wait in line if the equipment you want to use is currently occupied. Basically, you can work out at any time for as long as you want without leaving your house. That’s about as ideal as it can get.
✅ Investing in Your Well-being / Wellness
Regular exercise is important for both your physical and mental health, so investing in a home gym means you’re investing in your overall well-being. Besides, having a space dedicated to workouts encourages you to exercise and promotes a healthier lifestyle, reduces stress, and improves your mood.
How to Choose Equipment for Your Home Gym? 6 Tips
It can be a lot, but choosing your equipment really comes down to a few key factors. You need to make sure any equipment you choose aligns with your fitness goals, available space, and of course, your budget. Of course, you can’t forget to pay attention to the quality of the items to make sure it will last you a long time and function properly.
1. Find Out Personal Fitness Levels and Goals
Be honest with yourself about your fitness level and don’t overestimate your abilities. You also need to decide on what your goals are – weight loss, muscle building, cardiovascular health, or improving your fitness overall. This is what’s going to help you determine the type of equipment you need.
2. Assess Available Space
Don’t buy a bunch of bulky machines if all you have available is one tiny room that can barely fit a treadmill and a power rack. Measure the area you’re going to dedicate to your home gym and then take it into consideration when choosing your equipment. Your home gym shouldn’t be cluttered, and you should be able to move around it freely and without it constraining your movements during workouts.
3. Analyze Users’ Reviews
Analyzing reviews is always a good idea, because who can tell you about how something performs better than the people who used it? Reviews are going to help you make an informed decision and prevent you from getting influenced by ads and random influencers who got the equipment for free.
4. Estimate Equipment’s Versatility
For home gym equipment, it’s all about versatility and getting the most bang for your buck. Look for multi-functional gear, like adjustable dumbbells or resistance bands that offer diverse exercise options within a limited space.
Our expert Ihor Shymechko explains:
«Apart from being versatile, your equipment should also be adaptable. As your fitness journey evolves, so will your strength, endurance, and skill, so you should choose the equipment that can grow with you. For instance, choosing a weight bench with multiple angle adjustments or a cable machine with a wide range of attachments allows for a diverse range of exercises.»
5. Define Your Budget
Establish a budget range based on your financial capabilities and the equipment’s long-term value. Remember that you don’t need to get everything at once and you should make essential equipment a priority. Also, keep in mind that some brands offer financing through Affirm, Klarna, or Afterpay, so you can make your payments in installments.
6. Test the Chosen Equipment at the Gym Before Purchase
You wouldn’t buy a car before taking it for a test drive, right? It’s the same with gym equipment – don’t invest in anything you haven’t personally tested. This will allow you to experience firsthand how it functions and if it would be something that would suit you.
Tips From the Champ
Remember that your home gym equipment needs to be comfortable. Ergonomic design is always a plus, as well as how well the equipment can adjust to your body size and workout style. This is something that often gets overlooked, but it’s very important for long-term usability and preventing injuries.
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
If you don’t know where to start and your main goal is health and longevity – Pick one equipment from each category. For example Barbell with plates for strength, Rower for conditioning and aerobic capacity, plus some Kettlebells for overall fitness and balance – this is a great start and you can always add more things there.
FAQ
What Are 5 Must-Haves for a Great Home Gym?
It really depends on your preferences and fitness goals, but generally, you’ll need a sturdy power rack, an adjustable bench, a high-quality barbell suitable for multiple lifts, bumper plates for strength training and safety, and a set of adjustable dumbbells or kettlebells. These key pieces offer a good foundation for strength training, functional workouts, and muscle development.
Why Should I Buy My Own Gym Equipment?
Think about waiting to use that machine that’s been occupied for the past hour or paying a gym membership fee every month. Gyms can get crowded, and memberships are pricey, so doesn’t a home gym sound like a better option? You can work out any time you want, without caring about the gym’s working hours, you don’t need to pay for membership, and you don’t have to use the same equipment hundreds of people have used (and sweated on) before you.
Is It Cheaper to Go to a Gym or Make a Home Gym?
The initial cost is higher for a home gym, but long-term, a commercial gym membership is the more expensive option. With a home gym, you make a one-time investment and if your equipment is good quality, you won’t have the need to replace it for years and years, whereas a gym membership is a monthly expense, especially if there are more people in your household that are working out 😉
Is Home Workout as Effective as a Gym?
As always, it depends. On your goals, budget and space. For most people – yes, a home workout can be just as effective as the one you would do at the gym. The difference between them is that a home workout is more flexible, convenient, and private. It also allows you to schedule your training sessions according to your schedule, and not the gym’s working hours.
Conclusion
The choice between a home gym and a commercial gym comes down to your preferences, but if we’re being completely honest, a home gym can be a far more practical option. If you’re looking to build your very own gym, you now have a whole list of the best home workout equipment that will make your workouts just as effective as the one you would do in a commercial gym.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you have a home gym? If you do, what made you choose it over a commercial gym? If you don’t have a home gym, what’s the reason you prefer a commercial gym over the home option? What’s your dream home gym equipped with?
Leave your thoughts and tips in the comment section!
Happy home gymming!
Experts Who Contributed To This Article
Olympian with 21 years of Oly Lifting experience
26 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience
Also read:
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References:
- Athos Trecroci, Luca Cavaggioni, Riccardo Caccia, Giampietro Alberti, “Jump Rope Training: Balance and Motor Coordination in Preadolescent Soccer Players,” Journal of Sports Science & Medicine 14, no. 4 (2015): 792-798.
- Dirk Aerenhouts and Eva D’Hondt, “Using Machines or Free Weights for Resistance Training in Novice Males? A Randomized Parallel Trial,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 21 (2020): 7848.
- Jodi Helmer, “Kettlebells,” WebMD https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/a-z/kettlebell-workout (accessed December 11th, 2023)
- Michael L. Puthoff, Benjamin J. Darter, David H. Nielsen, John H. Yack, “The Effect of Weighted Vest Walking on Metabolic Responses and Ground Reaction Forces,” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38, no. 4 (2006): 746-752.
- Stefanos Volianitis, Chie C. Yoshiga, Niels H. Secher, “The Physiology of Rowing with Perspective on Training and Health,” European Journal of Applied Physiology 120, no. 9 (2020): 1943-1963.
- Stephen A. Ingham, Helen Carter, Gregory P. Whyte, Jonathan H. Doust, “Physiological and Performance Effects of Low- versus Mixed-Intensity Rowing Training,” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 40, no. 3 (2008): 579-584.
- Takeru Kato, Toru Terashima, Takenori Yamashita, Yasuhiko Hatanaka, Akiko Honda, Yoshihisa Umemura, “Effect of Low-Repetition Jump Training on Bone Mineral Density in Young Women,” Journal of Applied Physiology 100, no. 3 (2006): 839-843.
- Photos by Torokhtiy Media Team; photo by irina88w, Canva; photo by Phoenixns, Canva; photo by Maridav, Canva; photo by meltonmedia, Canva.
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Why Trust Us?
With over 20 years in Olympic weightlifting, strength training, nutrition coaching, and general fitness our team does its best to provide the audience with ultimate support and meet the needs and requirements of advanced athletes and professional lifters, as well as people who strive to open new opportunities and develop their physical capabilities with us.
By trusting the recommendations of our certified experts in coaching, nutrition, and sports training programming, as well as scientific consultants, and physiotherapists, we provide you with thorough, well-considered, and scientifically proven content. All the information given in the articles concerning workout programming, separate exercises, and athletic performance, in general, is based on verified data.
The product testing process is described in more detail here.
Author: Jason Li
Personal Coach, Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist
Jason is an NYC personal training expert and National level Olympic Weightlifting Coach with over 10 years of experience training everyday clients to high levels of performance. He has trained everyone from youth (13 years old and under) to masters (60+ years old) to regional and national rankings for powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting, Short distance (up to 200m) sprinting, discus & hammer throwing.
Reviewed by: Jacek Szymanowski
Certified Nutritionist,
M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology
Performance architect,
Strength and Conditioning Specialist
With over 30 years of fighting experience, specialization in nutrition coaching for athletes, and expertise in metabolic health and dietary strategies, Jacek offers a comprehensive approach to optimizing your performance and well-being. Backed by a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology, Jacek remains at the forefront of scientific advancements, ensuring that his coaching is always evidence-based and up-to-date.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiries considering product reviews, you can reach out to us via email – reviews@torokhtiy.com
Still have questions after reading our article? Unlock your full potential by engaging with our experts and community! Don’t hesitate — leave a comment below and Jason Li will provide a personalized answer and insights to help you reach your goals.