Home gyms come in all shapes and sizes. Thus, it can leave you wondering how much you should actually spend to build a home gym that you can call all your own. The truth is that home gyms can cost as much as you want them to. Some individuals opt for second-hand equipment and the minimum amount of equipment. Other individuals might prefer brand-new equipment, along with various options for exercises. There are a ton of possibilities, depending on you, your space, and your budget.
In this article, we dive into the details of home gym costs and more. So, how much does it cost to build a home gym? You’re about to find out.
The Benefits Of Building A Home Gym
Before we go straight into your budget and cost, let’s briefly look at the benefits of building a home gym. Why should you bother?
Convenience
First up, there’s the convenience of having a home gym. You know those days where you just don’t feel like it? When the gym is a few feet away, you can’t cling to this excuse as much anymore. There’s no commute. There’s no busy time. You have your own gym all to yourself at any time you want. In a way, this gives you back time. You won’t waste time waiting to use equipment nor will you spend time getting to the gym and back.
Beneficial To Overall Health
Then, there’s the fact that regular exercise is highly beneficial for your overall health. The human body needs to move to function at its best. Having a home gym can make this necessity that much easier.
Can Save You Money In The Long Run!
Then, there’s the fact that regular exercise is highly beneficial for your overall health. The human body needs to move to function at its best. Having a home gym can make this necessity that much easier.
Home Gyms Vs Gym Memberships Pros And Cons
Many gym memberships cost between $10 to $100 a month, depending on where you go. Meanwhile, a home gym can cost as little as $20 if you intend on only having a basic mat and doing bodyweight exercises.
You can also purchase similar equipment to the gym for thousands of dollars. If you were to hold onto that gym membership for many years, the cost is the same, and eventually, you actually save money.
Yet, there is also a major benefit to having a gym membership. For example, some gym memberships come with access to spa services, like massage, saunas, and more.
You also often get class or personal training access, depending on your membership. However, if you don’t care for these aspects, then a home gym may be a great choice for you. With that in mind, let’s get straight to it. How much can you expect a home gym to cost?
How Much Does A Complete Home Gym Typically Cost?
As previously mentioned, a complete home gym can cost basically whatever you want it to cost. Usually, the cost hinges on what equipment you require, whether you want new versus used equipment, the space you have, and, of course, your budget.
The average home gym costs anywhere between $1000 to $10 000. Usually, a person will end up spending about $4000 to get all the equipment and features they desire.
But let’s break this down a little further.
First off, consider your budget. How much can you afford to spend on your home gym? Once you have that, review the sub-sections below to help you get started.
Low Budget Build $500
The minimum cost to build a home gym falls at about $500. This excludes home gym variations where you have a few resistance bands or a few small pieces (which you can easily purchase for about $100). Usually, this type of home gym revolves around bodyweight exercises. You might purchase a bench, maybe a pull-up or dip bar, and a few other small gym items to help progress your exercises. At this price range, you may also be able to get a small squat rack.
Further, there’s also the option here to buy the pieces you really want, and when you have a bigger budget, you can always add to your home gym. For example, you might start out with a basic squat rack, a few plates, and a barbell. Yet, you might add a dumbbell rack, a bench, and more further down the line when your budget allows. You don’t always have to purchase everything all in one go.
Medium Budget Build – $1000 – $10 000
If you want to build a home gym in your basement or garage with foam flooring and the works, you can expect to spend about $4000, depending on your purchases and wants. If you want to stay on the lower side of this budget, we recommend looking into second-hand equipment. Check out Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and see what you can get. You can also shop around and do price comparisons, depending on how much time you want to invest.
If you intend to purchase mostly new items with brand names, you can expect to spend closer to $10 000 on your home gym, which leads us right into the bigger budget below.
Big Budget Build – $10 000+
For $10 000 or more, you’re looking at full functional gym equipment plus rubber flooring. This is the complete deal. Ensure you budget this out correctly when looking up the equipment you want to avoid overspending. Things can quickly add up and come to $28 000 or more if you aren’t careful. When it comes to your budget, ensure you are realistic and stick to it!
What Are The Essential Pieces Of Equipment Required To Build A Home Gym?
The essential pieces of equipment to build your home gym may vary depending on your space. For a tight space, you may want pieces of equipment where you’re able to perform multiple different exercises, such as a cable system.
For a bigger space, you may branch out and have a bench with a chest press rack, a squat rack, a dumbbell rack, and more. Below, we offer up some ideas and price ranges to help you tentatively plan your budget and help you get some idea of what might work in your space.
Barbell
Cost: $250
A barbell is suitable for medium to bigger home gyms. You’ll want a permanent spot to keep this gym item. It’s also a great functional item to have, which you can use to perform squats, deadlifts, lunges, and more. However, the cost for this item is only for the barbell. Equipment you likely want to add to this purchase is below.
Bumper Plates
Cost: $150
If you’re going to buy a barbell, you need plates to attach to the end. While for beginners, the barbell will be sufficient for weight at first, you’ll need more if you want to progress. Generally, you’ll find weight plates cost around $150. However, depending on how much weight you want, this can add up which is something to be aware of.
Barbell Collars
Cost: $15-$40
With a barbell and weights, you need collars to hold the weights in place. This is a necessity. It’s not worth your safety to skip this purchase, especially considering the small price compared to the barbell and plates.
Squat Rack
With a barbell, a squat rack is a no-brainer next purchase. This allows you to easily load and unload the weight onto the bar and off or onto your body.
Dumbbells
Cost: $50-$300
You can buy adjustable or fixed dumbbells, depending on how much space you have. Adjustable dumbbells tend to be more affordable and space-conscious. Yet, they come with the added inconvenience of having to swap out the weights for different exercises. Fixed dumbbells, on the other hand, often come at higher weights which is better for advanced lifters and for those with more space.
Kettlebells
Cost: $20-$200
Kettlebells are similar to dumbbells, but they allow you to perform various different exercises that you can’t do with a dumbbell, such as a kettlebell swing.
Weight Bench
Cost: $50-$500
A bench is great for bodyweight exercises, as well as exercises using the barbell and dumbbells. You can also get a basic bench for under $100.
Medicine Ball
Cost: $20-$40
Medicine balls are great if you have places to safely use them. If you don’t have a floor or wall that can handle a medicine ball, it may be best to skip this piece of equipment for now.
Exercise Ball
Cost: $10-$20
Exercise balls are great for stability, core, and even hamstring exercises (such as hamstring curls). They do take up some space once blown up, so it’s important to have an area to store this one in.
Pulley/Cable Machine
Cost: $200+
If you’re tight on space, a cable or pulley system and machine may be best. These allow you to perform various exercises all on one system. Before buying, think about what exercises you want to perform. You can get all types of pulley machines, such as ones with lat pulldowns and ones without.
Cardio Machine
Cost: $20-$1000
If you’d rather not get a full-blown cardio machine, a jump rope for under $20 is sufficient. However, you can also purchase a stationary bike, a treadmill, a stairmaster, a rower, or any other cardio machine for about $1000 or less. There are also frequently used ones up for sale online.
Exercise/Yoga Mat
Cost: $20-$60
For core and floor exercises, an exercise mat is key. These don’t cost too much, depending on how much cushion you want. If you’re using the mat for yoga, you may want a more expensive version with more grip and cushion. Assess your needs and decide what is best for you here.
Home Gym Flooring
Cost: $2-$150 per square foot
If you’re transforming a room of your home into a home gym, you may want to invest in flooring. Generally, rubber flooring costs $2 to $150 per square foot. However, there are also vinyl and foam options. Yet, these may not be as durable or long-lasting.
Where to Build Your Home Gym
So, where should you build your home gym? Let’s look at some options.
Home Gyms for Small Spaces
Some individuals opt for half their office to be their home gym. Others may use a corner of a room, such as in the basement. Generally, you want the space at least to allow you to move side-to-side and also allow you to fully perform any exercises you intend on doing.
Before purchasing any equipment, it’s also important to measure it all out so that you know it’ll fit, especially in a small area.
Home Gyms for Bigger Spaces
Bigger spaces may include your garage, a full basement room, the attic, or a spare room in your home. With bigger spaces, you can add more bulky and permanent pieces of equipment. Bigger spaces may further provide proper flooring to prevent damage to your home structure.
Wrapping It Up! Is Building A Home Gym Worth It?
Building a home gym is worth it for a ton of people, especially those that don’t care for the classes or spa facilities that come with most gym memberships. You can even save a lot of money down the line by investing in a home gym now and canceling your gym membership.
However, it’s essential to budget everything out. Home gyms have a huge range of costs, and if you aren’t careful, everything can quickly add up. We recommend starting by adding a few essential items that you feel you will use regularly, and then, gradually adding more equipment from there. For example, you could purchase a squat rack and bench to start. Afterward, you can start adding dumbbells, more weight plates, and other pieces of equipment. This might also make budgeting easier since you can plan around your monthly expenses.
In contrast, you could also purchase all the equipment you require upfront for a fraction of the cost by being diligent with your research and negotiating. As previously mentioned, a lot of gym equipment can be found second-hand. You just may need to put in more time and effort when it comes to checking on what’s listed on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace each day.
All in all, a home gym comes with an array of perks. Start with your budget and your must-have pieces of equipment, and go from there! It might just be the best investment you ever make.