Working out regularly at the gym is not for everyone. There are people who want to exercise but would rather not deal with the crowded space and expensive gym memberships. Exercising at home is a sensible option and you can rent gym equipment if you plan to set up a dedicated space for working out.
Of course, setting up a home gym is easier said than done, especially when it comes to budget considerations. If you are not willing to settle for the bare minimum, you will definitely need to invest in new gym equipment.
With this in mind, you need to know how to build a home gym that will suit your budget. Here’s a guide on how to do it:
Building a Home Gym on Any Budget
General Rules to Follow When Building a Home Gym
Avoid All-in-one Machines
Manufacturers are constantly cranking up impressive-looking equipment supposedly designed to do it all so you don’t have to buy other stuff. However, the trade-off of machines like these is that they provide more functions for less effectivity.
If you have the space and the budget, you are better off spending on sets of smaller equipment that you can maximize for specific purposes.
Don’t Turn Your Living Room Into a Gym
Aside from budget, space is a major consideration when it comes to building a home gym. Resist the urge to transform high-traffic areas such as your living room into a gym. You might trip over weights accidentally, or give up exercise for the day when you see your wide-screen TV with Netflix alongside your squat rack.
The garage, basement, or spare room is still the best place for building a home gym. These areas are private and quiet. You won’t be disturbing anyone while exercising, and in the same way, nothing can distract you from following through on your workout.
Make Your Space as Inviting as Possible
Just like creating a sensible work-from-home space in your house, your home gym needs to be organized in such a way that you will be motivated to workout. Aside from the gym equipment, you can spruce up your walls with posters and pictures that will inspire you to add more weights to your bench press.
Also consider putting an awesome stereo system that will crank up tunes to pump you up whenever you are working out. Remove comfortable furniture that can make you too lazy to exercise. No big couches, no bean bags.
With these rules in place, now you can move on to deciding which among these three levels of home gyms that you can build with your budget and space in mind.
Levels of Home Gyms
Level 1: Resistance Bands
Cost: Around $40 to $125 for a set of resistance bands, depending on the maximum level of resistance
If you are on a very limited budget, sets of resistance bands are your best friends. This is the easiest and most affordable way that you can work out, as long as you know how to use the bands properly.
This is very important—in order to actually see results and build muscle properly, you have to consistently increase the level of stress that your muscles will go through as you exercise.
With using resistance bands, you have to get acquainted with the different variety of bands in a set and the multiple levels of resistance that you can get from them. Once you learn how to use them properly, resistance bands can train your major muscle groups by doing versions of chest and shoulder presses, squats, and other common weight exercises.
However, keep in mind that resistance bands do not have the same feel as using free weights. If you are used to doing deadlifts and heavy squats, obviously you will need more than resistance bands.
Level 2: Adjustable Bench and Dumbbells
Costs: $400-900, depending on the brand of weights and maximum adjustable weights
This option is the closest you can get to the feel of a traditional gym. All you need is a gym equipment package for lease that includes an adjustable bench, a set of adjustable dumbbells, and a pull-up bar, which can be optional. We need to stress the importance of having adjustable weights because you can’t increase levels of resistance so much with regular dumbbells.
It’s cost-effective and space-saving as well, compared to buying several pairs or sets of regular dumbbells with fixed weights. Adding a pull-up bar to the setup will allow you to do pull-ups and chin-ups to your routine, which is great for your lats.
While this is a definite improvement from resistance bands, this still can’t replace the intensity of exercises that involve bigger equipment, such as deadlifts and squats.
Level 3: Power Rack with Barbell Set and Adjustable Bench
Costs: $1000-2000+, depending on the brand of power rack, bench, and weights
There are four major factors to be considered in buying a power rack: size, cost, build quality, and whether it needs to be bolted to the floor.
There are power racks that do not have to be bolted to the floor and at reasonable costs as well. Lease gym equipment that comes with a dip and pull-up bar.
As for the barbell set, you will need an Olympic bar, which ranges from $112 to $220. When it comes to the weights, you can choose between plates made of rubber or metal. Start off with at least 300 lbs. in total and then add more as needed.
Breaking this down, you can get the following:
- Four pieces of 45 lb plates
- Two pieces of 25 lb plates
- Two pieces of 10 lb plates
- Two pieces of 5 lb plates
- Two pieces of 2.5 lb plates
Extras
Of course, if you have more cash to spare, you can splurge on extra equipment that can make your workouts more fun, safe, and comfortable.
If you have invested in heavy equipment, you can also consider getting home gym flooring installed to protect your floors and minimize sound, if noise is a concern.
If you like more variety in your cardio, you can invest in an exercise bike and/or vertical climber.
So with several options and one that costs as low as $40, you don’t have to just rent gym equipment for your home; you can buy equipment brand-new. there really is no excuse not to set-up your own exercise space in your home with equipment that you can call your own.
Call Primo Fitness today to see our home gym options for every budget!
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