Building a home gym has become a necessity over the past few years, especially after the pandemic and with the growth of affordable gym equipment being marketed online. Not only that, but the plethora of do-it-yourself ideas on Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest are enticing!

Do you want to build your own home gym? You’ve arrived at the right spot.

As one of the leading construction holdings in Canada, we’ll walk you through everything from designing the ideal home training area to locating the greatest affordable home gym equipment for your specific needs.

The Must-Haves

When putting together a home gym, it’s a good idea to have a basic notion of what kind of equipment you’ll need to get a proper workout.

You should attempt to have the appropriate equipment to allow you to make as much progress at home as you would in the gym; otherwise, bringing the gym to your home would be pointless!

The Absolute Essentials (Level 1)

If you’re hoping to increase strength, muscle, reduce weight, and see some significant changes in your physique and health, whether you’re a novice or have a lot of experience with exercise, these are what you’ll need.

The good thing is that these equipment takes up very little room, which is only acceptable if you’re not planning on doing Olympic strength exercises! If getting healthy and toned is your only goal, there’s no need to use up a large space.

1 – Dumbbells

Dumbbells are usually the first thing you should consider when creating a home gym, which may come as no surprise.

They’re one of the best ways to improve strength and muscle definition because they can be used for limitless upper body, lower body, and core exercises.

Are you used to performing bodyweight exercises at home? Dumbbells are a great way to add some variety to your workout.

They’re not necessarily cheap if you buy them new, but we’ve seen some fantastic prices on websites like Alibaba, Kijiji, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace. However, we’ll go through the cost in greater detail later.

Here are two dumbbell sets we discovered to give you an idea:

XM Fitness 6 PAIR 3-25LBS DUMBBELL SET WITH STAND

This set includes a 6-Pair Vertical Dumbbell Rack and a set of Virgin Rubber Dumbbells, from 3lb – 25lb, in pairs.

Price: $459

Bundle: Hex Dumbbells & Rack

With unparalleled compactness, size & balance, they will give you the best work outs. Moreover, they are quasi indestructible and you will own them for decades to come.

Price: $1299

If you’re thinking to yourself, “But I don’t have room for a dumbbell rack,” don’t worry. Adjustable dumbbells with 5-in-1 weight settings can be purchased for the price of one pair of dumbbells. Not too shabby!

You can do all kinds of workout with this dumbbell, such as: pushing, lifting, extraction, cast , squat jump etc. It can not only exercise you upper body muscles, but also can tone your leg muscles

Price: $169.99

Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbell

• Select the weight you want with a turn of a dial
• Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52 pounds

Price: $499

It’s an excellent option for those who are just getting started, as the range of 2.5lbs to 50lbs is amazing and should keep you active for a long time. Technically, if you want to lose weight and grow muscular mass, you don’t have to exceed this weight range!

2 – Pull Up Bar

If you haven’t done a pull-up yet, don’t be put off by this. It’s just a cheap piece of equipment that you should have on hand since you’ll be using dumbbells to increase upper-body strength!

No Excuses! Because everyone has a doorway. It takes up very little room and is a crucial piece of equipment because no dumbbell exercise can replicate the movement of pull-ups.

IMPORTANT: Before purchasing a doorway pull-up bar, you should absolutely examine the strength of your door frames, both for your own safety and to prevent damage to your door frame.

Here are some options to consider:

Sagler Pull up bar Doorway Heavy Duty Chin up bar Trainer for Home Gym Doorway Pull up bar or dip bar

• The door frame pull-up bar uses leverage to hold against the doorway so there are no screws and no damage to door. Installs in seconds.

Price: 29.76

If you’re concerned about the safety of your door frames and have enough space, here are a couple of pull-up bar frames that can be useful for constructing a home gym:

Power Tower Multi-Function Workout Dip Station for Home Gym Training Fitness Exercise Equipment Adjustable Height Pull/Push Up Bar Tower

Price: $199.99

3 – Adjustable Bench

If you’re serious about starting a home gym, you’ll need a bench to use with your dumbbells. We can’t think of a space where a bench wouldn’t fit because it doesn’t have to be enormous!

A short search on Amazon will turn up items like the ones below:

CAP Barbell Flat/Incline/Decline Bench

• Fitness bench with 4 adjustable positions
• Upright, flat, incline, and decline settings

Price:$111.97

Fitness Reality Bench

• 800 lbs real weight capacity. User height up to 6-Feet 4-Inch
• Smooth 12 position Adjustable backrest by utilizing 2 position front leg adjustment

Price: $322.97

However, if you’re looking to save even more money, we recommend looking for used benches! You can buy additional dumbbells if you save money on this.

4 – Resistance Bands

One of the most affordable pieces of equipment that you must have if you want to build a home gym.

Alternatively, have a look at the items listed below to get a sense of what to search for:

Beginners wishing to increase resistance on activities like squats and lunges can benefit significantly from using resistance bands.

Xtreme Bands Resistance Loops | 6 Level Set: X-Light through XX-Heavy | For Home Fitness, Gym Workouts or Outdoor Exercise

Price: $18.90

AmazonBasics Resistance and Pull Up Band

Price: $18.95

Resistance Bands with Handles, Stretch Bands Suitable for Men and Women, Exercise Bands with Door Anchor for Resistance Training of Feet and Arms, Suitable for Fitness, Speed Strength, Body Sculpting and Weight Loss

Multi-functional and portable use: Workout bands resistance can assist you in a variety of different sports training, helping you effectively complete the exercise plan for fat loss, muscle training, plasticity, and strong arms, legs, chest, shoulders and other parts

Price: $19.69

5 – Yoga Mat

Unless you’re lifting extremely big weights, gym flooring isn’t absolutely necessary for a home gym. It’s here that yoga mats come in handy!

They’re vital to have, especially if you don’t want to hurt yourself or damage your floor while doing HIIT or circuit training. They’re also really comfortable.

You can find it everywhere, even in Dollar Stores all around Canada, but for the time being, here are some popular online options to consider:

The Reversible Mat 3mm

• The polyurethane top layer absorbs moisture to help you get a grip during sweaty practices
• Natural rubber base gives you cushioning and a textured grip for low-sweat practices
• An antimicrobial additive helps prevent mould and mildew on the mat

Price: $68

BalanceFrom GoYoga All Purpose High Density Non-Slip Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap

• With double sided non-slip surfaces, balancefrom all-purpose premium exercise yoga mat comes with an excellent slip resistant advantage to prevent injuries

Price: $25.45

Advanced Essentials (Level 2)

So, you’ve been going to the gym for a while and want to do more than just tone up and lose weight.

You might even want to compete in bodybuilding competitions, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a gym membership (or you simply don’t have the time).

6 – Barbell

First and foremost, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to do squats or deadlifts at home.

Barbells might be costly, but there are some excellent offers online (especially on second-hand websites).

Here are some options, which you can see below:

Element Fitness OB-85 7′ Olympic bar 45lbs.

7′ Olympic Bar is the most popular international bar on the market. Precision engineered for balance and long-lasting performance. Designed with medium depth diamond knurled surface and sleeves that swivel at the most delicate touch. This prohibits the bar from warping and reduces pressure on the wrists.

Price: $149

Safety Squat Bar – The SS3

the Safety Squat Bar is the perfect implement for developing your quadriceps and posterior chain

Price; $399.99

However, if you want to become serious about bodybuilding, you’ll need to spend a lot more money (unless you go on second-hand websites for fitness fanatics and gyms that are selling off their old equipment!).

Barbells are frequently mentioned as one of the pillars of a home gym, particularly if you want to get into bodybuilding.

7 – Weight Plates

A barbell isn’t complete without plates!

Plates vary in price based on the weight needed; the more the weight, the higher the cost. Remember that if you want to gain a lot of muscle, you’ll need to keep pushing past your personal best and increase the weights you lift.

We found this online that would be ideal for beginners:

170 lb Cast Iron Olympic Plate Starter Set

Price: $280

245 lb Olympic Virgin Rubber Grip Plate Set

Price: $425

If you’re going to buy these, don’t forget to order barbell locks as well! These will keep the plates from slipping off the barbell by securing them to it.

8 – Squat Rack

If you’re going to be lifting weights regularly, you’ll want to invest in a squat rack.

Squats, bench exercises, overhead presses, deadlifts, barbell rows, and barbell lunges are all performed with a squat rack. It expands the variety of exercises you can do with a barbell and makes them safer in many circumstances.

Squat racks can be found at a reasonable price on local second-hand websites like Kijiji and eBay, or you can discover some fantastic offers on Amazon if you don’t want to buy second-hand.

Here are a couple of deals we found:

SUNNY HEALTH & FITNESS POWER ZONE SQUAT STAND

The Sunny Health & Fitness Power Zone Squat Rack SF-SF9931 will help you take your home gym workouts to the next level. Combining with our Sunny Health & Fitness bars & bumper plates, perform workouts to target & strengthen muscles across your body

Price: $370.14

XM Fitness Infinity Rack / 255lbs Rubber Olympic Set

Price: $1599

9 – Kettlebells

One of our particular favourites is this small piece of equipment. They’re not just a terrific alternative to free weights (because they’re technically designed to be used differently), but they’re also quite inexpensive if you find the perfect offer.

They may be used to combine cardio with weight training, which makes them different from free weights.

Kettlebells are a terrific method to get your heart beating without having to run for 20 minutes!

When it comes to constructing a home gym, here are some good offers on kettlebells:

Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell – 15 Pounds, Black

• Made of solid high-quality cast iron for reliable built-to-last strength
• Painted surface for increased durability and corrosion protection

Price: $28.33

Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell

• Adjusts from 8 – 40 lbs
• Replaces 6 kettlebells
• Ergonomic handle
• Weight selection dial

Price: $199

10 – Medicine Ball

Medicine balls are an excellent choice for establishing a home gym if you want to incorporate some ballistic training.

They normally range in weight from 2 to 25 kg and are excellent for conditioning and developing explosive power.

They’re not the same as dumbbells in that you throw and catch them instead of pulling against their weight!

Like what you’ve heard thus far? Take a look at the following product:

AmazonBasics Medicine Ball

• Ideal for classic medicine ball workouts
• Helps develop core strength, balance, and coordination
• Sturdy rubber construction; can bounce off hard surfaces

Price: $30.81

Cardio Equipment

Do you want to create a home gym but are concerned that you won’t get enough cardio without a high-tech treadmill or workout bike?

We have the answers to your concerns, particularly when it comes to saving a large sum of money.

The truth is that spending your life savings on pricey equipment is unnecessary when you can get just as much cardiovascular workout from your own body weight or a few simple pieces of equipment.

11 – Skipping Rope

Remember how much fun it was to use a skipping rope in PE class or play Double Dutch on the playground?

You should recall that these activities can make you sweat just as much as running on the treadmill for 20 minutes if you have a good memory. They’re also less repetitive, which is always a plus!

You may utilize skipping in a variety of ways, including combining it into HIIT workouts alongside bodyweight exercises.

Skipping ropes don’t have to be expensive, and you can get very good deals:

Weighted Skipping Rope

• Easy-grip foam handles
• Weighted handles for slight resistance
• Adjustable rope length

Price: $25

Get Strong Skipping Rope

• Power Handles – new and improved
• 1 LB Heavy Rope – great for high-intensity strength workouts
• 2 LB Heavy Rope – great for full-body workouts
• Carry Pouch – for easy rope storage
• Free access to the Crossrope App

Price: $160

12 – Punch bag & Boxing Gloves

Investing in your own punch bag and boxing gloves is a fun and sometimes underrated option to get your aerobic workouts in.

Let’s face it; if you’re going to build a home gym, you want it to be something you’ll actually enjoy. How many treadmills do you think are used as laundry hangers? We don’t want to think about it…

If you had a punching bag, on the other hand, it’s practically impossible not to visualize yourself swinging at it every time you pass by!

We can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy pounding a punching bag, and it appears to be the ideal method to get some cardio without even realizing it.

Freestanding Punching Bag with Stand 71 inches 230 pounds with Boxing Gloves Heavy Boxing Bag with 13 Suction Cup Base for Adult, Youth, Men, & Women

Price: $ 239.99

13 – Bodyweight cardio

When it comes to aerobic activities, this is something that is highly ignored. Why spend money on a treadmill when you can get greater exercise by simply moving your body?

As you can undoubtedly understand, there are a plethora of exercises you can do in this manner. The majority of them fall into the categories of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or circuit training, and we can assure you that they are far more thrilling than long-duration cardio.

Before hitting the weights, you may do your cardio in 10-15 minutes!

Final Note

Hopefully, these tips will help you build your dream home gym.

Do Something Today That Your Future Self Will Appreciate.

After many years of experience in the construction industry and building dozens of homes around the world, PENTARM GROUP specialists have built the highest quality home gyms and are ready to help you design and create your dream home gym.