How to Optimize Your Home Gym for Strength Training

The benefits of building your own gym at home are numerous. Aside from not having to leave your house just to accomplish your fitness goals, you also do away with expensive gym membership fees and avoid having to wait for your turn at the squat rack. You can either buy or rent gym equipment for your home.

Here’s what you’ll need to put on your list!

What You Need in Your Home Gym for Strength Training

Barbell

No gym made for strength training is complete without a barbell. The barbell is king—simple enough to use by anyone, and everyone can benefit from using it. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced lifter, the barbell will always be useful.

If you’re a regular gym rat, you already know that the barbell can be used for many exercises: squats, deadlifts, bench press, overhead press, snatch, and clean & jerk. It is also good for more advanced exercises, such as landmine lunges, JM press, Jefferson deadlifts, and pronated barbell row.

Generally, a barbell is cheap and you truly get your money’s worth because of its versatility. There’s so much you can do with an Olympic bar and several pairs of weight plates.

Weight Plates

Plates go hand in hand with owning a barbell and you will need several sets in order to maximize the effectiveness of barbells as a whole. There are two kinds of plates—iron and bumper.

Iron plates are usually made of cast iron, although there are some made out of steel. This is done if someone wants to have a perfectly calibrated set of plates. Iron plates are also cheaper, which makes it easier to recommend, especially for non-professionals.

On the other hand, bumper plates are mostly made out of virgin rubber. Some are made from urethane. There are really light and really cheap ones that are actually made out of plastic.

When it comes to weights, you will definitely benefit from checking out gym equipment packages for lease. Plates are made durable and can be used for a very long time. You only need to check out your reliable gym equipment supplier for plates for rent.

Squat Rack

Anyone worth his salt when it comes to strength training knows the value of the squat rack. The racks range from small ones to the six-post power racks used by professionals and serious trainees. For home use, you need to look at the standard hole size, high-weight capacity, and upright dimensions. The rack should also be able accommodate accessories like pull-up bars.

When it comes to value for investment, there’s no doubt about it when it comes to squat racks given its versatility. You use it not just for squats, you can use it for pulls, dips, and exercises for the lats.

Bench

The bench press is one of the most popular weight exercises ever, especially for the men. This is just one of the reasons why you need to buy a weight bench to go along with your barbell, plates, and squat rack.

At the most basic level, a flat bench is good enough to get stuff done, but if you have the budget to spare, it’s best to go for the adjustable one.

Now if you do decide to get an adjustable bench, avoid buying the cheap ones in the market. You need the quality not just for durability but also for personal safety as well.

Cardio Equipment

If you’re somebody who is dedicated to doing cardio, you can lease gym equipment that can give you the exercise you need without having to go outside for runs. If you’re on a modest budget, you can skip the treadmill and save your money for an air bike or rowing machine instead.

The treadmill will only focus on your lower body, while a rowing machine works out your entire body. The repeated rowing motions is more effective when it comes to building muscle, since it engages the upper and lower body at the same time.

As for the air bike—while it’s true that the treadmill burns more calories, the bike provides greater benefits strength-wise and has a lower injury risk factor. It’s ideal for those who want to go easy on their body, especially the joints.

Floor Mats

Even if your home gym is in the garage, you still need to mind the floors. If you’re the type who drops weights on the floor, you run the risk of damaging both the flooring and your equipment as well. Floor mats are worth the investment, especially if noise is going to become an issue.

Now there are lots of options when it comes to exercise mats, but consider going for horse stall mats instead. They are cheaper and just as effective, if not more. Exercise mats are generally thinner in comparison and usually more expensive. If a mat can withstand the weight of horses and last for decades, it can certainly stand up against the weight of people and metal equipment.

Where to Put Your Home Gym

It’s a no-brainer that the basement or garage is the best place to set up your home gym. Aside from the open space, you can do customizations at the garage all you want without disturbing the rest of the house.

But this should not stop you from setting up in other parts of your home, especially in the absence of a garage. A spare bedroom can be converted to house your equipment.

However, it’s not recommended to turn high-traffic areas in your house into a place for exercise. You don’t want to trip on your weights scattered in your living room.

If you’re on a budget, you can rent gym equipment. This will give you the same long-term benefits for a lesser price. You can start or maintain your fitness journey consistently without having to worry too much about cost.

If you can afford to stretch your budget out a little more, however, buying your own equipment will still be your best bet. Call Primo Fitness today to learn more about our home gym packages!

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