Ultimate Guide to Setting Up Your Home Gym 

In today's world, being able to prioritise regular exercise can be challenging. Whether it's work, the kids, or household chores, something is always competing for your time. However, there is a solution with the rise of home gyms and fitness apps. Maybe the ability to achieve your fitness goals has become more convenient and accessible than you ever realised. And the real question is, whether you’ll wait for this to be a New Year's resolution, or get it started now…

In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know and what you should consider about setting up your home gym, from the essential equipment to tips for maximising your workout space and experience.

Why should you consider a home gym?

You might have some questions here, how much will it cost, will I use it, will I like it? All very valid questions - but let us take you through some of the prominent reasons for setting up your own gym at home.

1.     It’s convenient and it's accessible

The most obvious reason to invest in a home gym is the convenience it offers. No longer will you have to battle traffic, or wait in line for equipment at the gym. With a home gym setup, you have 24/7 access to your workout space, allowing you to exercise whenever it suits your schedule. Your home gym is there and ready to go. Walk in, switch the lights on, crank up your favourite tunes and you’re away laughing.

2.     It’s private and comfy

For many, the thought of working out in a crowded gym can be intimidating, maybe you're learning the ropes or getting back into exercise and aren’t ready to be surrounded by others. With a home gym, you have the luxury of privacy, allowing you to focus solely on your workout without any distractions or worrying about other people.

But best of all you can tailor your home gym to your personal preferences. You can set the tone and create the atmosphere that you want, there is no need for headphones. Creating a comfortable environment that motivates you to exercise regularly, will improve your fitness journey and remove those barriers for exercising. By having your own home gym, you can make it fully customised to you, choose exactly what workout equipment you like to use, and you don’t need to worry about strangers sweating on your treadmill.

3.     It’s cost-effective

Of course, there will be an initial investment in setting up a home gym, but you do need to remember this is an investment into your health and wellness. The initial cost may seem daunting, but it will ultimately save you money in the long run. With a one-time purchase of equipment that lasts for years, you can eliminate the need for expensive gym memberships and commuting costs, making it a cost-effective solution for maintaining your fitness routine when life gives you lemons, and you can’t get to the gym.

4.     It’s flexible and customisable

Unlike commercial gyms with fixed equipment and limited space, a home gym allows you to customise your workout environment according to your specific fitness goals. Whether you prefer cardio, strength training, or yoga, you have the flexibility to incorporate a variety of equipment and accessories that you want.

How to set up your home gym

Let’s talk about the details. To create a good home gym, you need to understand yourself, your goals, your space and your budget. 

If you’re looking to gain muscle mass, you need to focus on how you will include weights or resistance training options into your home gym setup. 

If you’re looking to increase your cardio fitness you will want to think about how to include a treadmill, bike, or rowing machine. Remember that nothing is set in stone, it can be changed if your goals change. Afterall, it’s your home gym, and you call the shots.

Plan your space

A good home gym setup will have the space to be flexible.  Draw up a plan and then map it out in the space you have designated. Whether it’s a spare room, garage, or even a corner of your living room, optimising the space to accommodate your workout needs is crucial for a functional and enjoyable home gym. Don’t forget the small things like storage of miscellaneous items like your stereo, gym mats, medicine balls, yoga blocks etc.  

Cardio equipment

Cardiovascular exercise is an integral part of any fitness routine. For some, it is the primary part of the session, and for others, it is a vital warm-up.  Having the right equipment in your home gym can aid you achieve your cardio goals with ease. The right equipment will also ensure that you can train effectively in your home gym, whilst looking after any injuries that you may have.  

From treadmills and stationary bikes, to rowing machines and ellipticals, there's a wide range of cardio equipment that will suit your home gym space.  If you’re new to home gyms, a stationary bike is great ‘all-rounder’, they’re a good, low-impact, cardiovascular exercise and when you feel ready you could include intervals to increase your fitness gains.

Strength training equipment

Whether you’re looking to build muscle, increase strength, or improve endurance, incorporating strength training equipment into your home gym is essential for most.  With varying forms of strength training from resistance bands to dumbbells and kettlebells, there are various options to target every muscle group and level of fitness.

Depending on your experience with gym equipment, it’s best to start off with a small amount of dumbbell weights (you can always add heavier weight later on) and gym bench. For those looking to turn it up a notch then a squat rack, barbell and bumper plates may be the ticket to those new personal bests.  

Functional training gear

Functional training focuses on movements that mimic real-life activities, helping improve overall strength, stability, and mobility for your everyday life. Incorporating functional training gear such as stability balls, plyometric boxes, suspension trainers, and sandbags into your home gym can enhance your workout routine and provide bang for buck when you’re looking at your space, especially as they can often be stored effectively.

It can take some time to learn new movements, exercises and workout options but the possibilities are endless. Once you have a few routine circuits under your belt you’ll be away and really feeling the effect.

Accessories and extras

In addition to the essential equipment, don’t forget to consider accessories and extras that can elevate your home gym experience. From yoga mats and foam rollers to heart rate monitors and fitness trackers, there's a wide range of accessories available to enhance comfort, track progress, and maximise results.  Some of the fitness watches will even guide your training and monitor your training load, it’s like a watch based personal trainer.

Tips for maximising your home gym experience 

These are things you don’t think of right away, but make all the difference to your home gym experience. Factoring in things like keeping things tidy and consistency are just small steps to a huge success. 

Stay organised

Keep your home gym tidy and organised by designating specific storage areas for equipment and accessories. Don’t let it become the clothes horse or general storage area. Using shelves, hooks, and storage boxes will mean that everything has a home ensuring that your home gym is ready to go at any moment.

Super handy tip: have a spray bottle and towel to wipe down your gym equipment after you use it. If you look after it, it will look after you.

Set realistic goals

Having a good home gym setup will increase your motivation and remove any barriers to exercise. But ensure that you set realistic fitness goals based on your capabilities and time, Rome wasn’t built in a day! Whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, or improved flexibility, setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) goals will help you stay motivated and ensure you achieve your goals.

Mix it up

Keep your workouts fresh and exciting by incorporating a variety of exercises and equipment into your routine. Every six weeks look to review your progress and create some new workouts for the next six weeks. You can experiment with different workout formats, intensity levels, and training styles, this will keep you engaged and motivated to work harder.  

Stay consistent 

Consistency is key to achieving long-term fitness results. And remember (without sounding too cheesy) that fitness is a journey, not a destination.  Commit yourself to working out regularly in your home gym, and scheduling workouts into your daily or weekly routine to ensure consistency and progress.

Super handy tip: Get all your gym clothes, water bottle, shoes ready the night before you plan to do a workout. 

Ready to set up your home gym?

Setting up a home gym is a rewarding investment in your health and well-being. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can create the best home gym and workout space that meets your fitness needs and helps you reach your goals. Get started today and enjoy the convenience, privacy, and flexibility of working out in the comfort of your own home.

Rebel Sports has a wide variety of home workout equipment that can help you on your way to smashing goals, feeling fit and healthy, and helping you prioritise exercise into your lifestyle.