Home Gym Essentials: Everything You Need to Get Started

Setting Up a Home Gym

If sitting in traffic on the way to the gym or training in a room full of people isn’t your cup of tea, a home gym setup might be a better alternative for you. It will help you stay fit and healthy and improve your workout consistency, all within the comfort of your home.

You’re probably thinking “it’s going to cost me a fortune”. Not necessarily – you can start off with just a handful of devices and accessories and save by buying second-hand gym equipment.

Read on to find out how to set up your own home gym at an affordable budget, and what to include in your set up based on your training needs and the space you have available.

What Home Gym Equipment do I Need?

Before you start adding equipment to your cart, take a moment to think about what you really need. Here are three simple questions to guide you:

What are your fitness goals? Are you looking to build strength, get your cardio in, or chill out with yoga?
How much space do you have? Whether it’s a spare room, garage, or just a corner of your living room, your setup can work around it.
What’s your budget? Start small with just a few essential home gym equipment pieces, then build as you go.

Once you’ve got these sorted, it’s time to dive into the gym essentials.

Budget-Friendly Home Gym Tips

Building a home gym doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here’s how to keep it affordable:

Go Second-Hand

Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or local buy-and-sell groups often have great deals on lightly used equipment.

Stick to Multi-Purpose Gear

Items like resistance bands, kettlebells, and dumbbells can be used for a variety of exercises, saving both money and space.

DIY It

No bench? Try step-ups on a sturdy chair. No weights? Use filled water bottles or sandbags as alternatives.

Start Small

You don’t need everything at once. Begin with essential gym equipment like a yoga mat or a set of dumbbells and expand as your workouts evolve. Once you've found a routine that really suits your fitness goals & lifestyle, figuring out what you need next will be easy peasy. Plus - compared to a pricey gym membership, this approach pays off quickly!

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Must-Have Equipment for Strength Training

If strength training is your thing, you don’t need a fully kitted-out home gym setup to get started. A few versatile items will go a long way.

Kettlebells

These are great for full-body workouts like swings or squats. Pick a weight or range of 2 or 3 weights that challenges you but still lets you maintain good form.

Pro tip: Use a mirror for your first few workouts to check your posture.

Dumbbells

Dumbbells are perfect for everything from bicep curls to weighted lunges. Start light to master your form and build confidence before progressing to heavier weights.

Resistance Bands

Compact, affordable, and so effective. Resistance bands are amazing for strength and mobility. Begin with lighter resistance and increase as you get stronger.

Bench

A sturdy bench isn’t just for bench presses—it’s also great for step-ups, tricep dips, and ab work.

Bonus: it doubles as a seat between sets.

Jump Rope

A jump rope is cardio gold. In just 20 minutes, you can warm up effectively, torch calories, and build endurance. Keep your hands low, use your wrists to swing the rope, and don’t forget to have fun!

Stability Ball

Strengthen your core and improve your balance with a stability ball. Just make sure it’s the right size for you—your knees should be at a 90-degree angle when you sit on it.

Pull-Up Bar

Whether you mount it to a wall or hang it in a doorway, a pull-up bar is a game-changer for building upper-body strength. Can’t do a pull-up yet? Start with assisted versions using a resistance band.

If space is tight or you want an all-in-one option, consider investing in a home multi-gym machine. It combines multiple workout stations into one neat package.

Just as you'll benefit from keeping your gym equipment versatile and multi-purpose, you want your gym clothes to be able to meet all of your fitness needs. Whether you prefer flowing flared leggings, cozy wide leg joggers, or even short shorts, one of the many benefits of having your own private home gym is that there are no limits to how you work out, including how you dress.

Home Gym Essentials For Yoga

What if you want to add some yoga into your workout plan, or want to focus on it entirely? Here’s your basic setup.

Yoga mat

A good yoga mat serves two purposes – it gives your knees and elbows extra padding and provides slip resistance. Fabletics yoga mats are available in two materials – lightweight thermoplastic PVC for easily storable and carriable non-slip, or plush rubber & TPU for a solid base. It largely comes down to personal preference. To retain your mat’s anti-slip properties, you’ll need to use a gentle detergent and freshen it up regularly.

Yoga blocks

Yoga blocks can be particularly helpful for beginner yogis, as they help you reach down to the floor or balance better if flexibility is a limiting factor. Most blocks are made from natural cork, foam, or wood.

Yoga clothes

There’s a reason why many yogis wear slimfit clothing – particularly leggings and form-fitting tops. Since you’re keeping your head upside down in many poses, wearing loose clothing can get super inconvenient. There are plenty of chic, affordable yoga outfits from Fabletics to choose from.

Stability ball

If you’re also buying strength training equipment, then you can use a standard fitness stability ball. Or, you could go for a yoga wheel to engage in back-bending poses. Either of these options will help you make your yoga practice a bit more challenging and help strengthen your balance and core.

Yoga strap / rope

You can buy a yoga strap or, alternatively, use a resistance tube band. The difference between the two is that standard fitness bands come with various resistance levels, while yoga ropes do not.

Home Gym Ideas – How to Set Up a Home Gym

Here’s a quick recap of what you might need:

Strength Equipment: Dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and a bench
Cardio Gear: Jump rope or space for bodyweight HIIT
Yoga Tools: Mat, blocks, and straps
Optional Upgrades: Stability ball, pull-up bar, or a multi-gym machine

Remember, your home gym should reflect your goals and style. Focus on what excites you and fits your space.

Kickstart Your Fitness Journey

With a little planning and creativity, building a home gym is easier—and more affordable—than you might think. Plus, you’ll save on gym memberships and time spent commuting, all while working out on your terms.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a kettlebell, unroll your yoga mat, and start building the home gym of your dreams. Here’s to a fitter and healthier you!

A Good Fit Is First and Foremost

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