Build and set up your own home gym: the complete guide

Home gym around € 500: the smart start

With a set of dumbbells and a sturdy weight bench you can already train your whole body: from bench presses and rows to squats and lunges. Choose adjustable dumbbells and you get a lot of weight in very little space. A few floor tiles protect your floor and stop the weights from sliding.

Example: NUCCLR Hexa dumbbell set 2.5 to 10 kg, the Tunturi UB40 bench and two NUCCLR floor tiles of 1 m². Want more variety? Add a kettlebell set later.

Starter kit for your home gym

Home gym around € 1,500: serious strength training

Want to train heavy with squats, deadlifts and bench presses? Then a power rack with an Olympic barbell is the foundation. The rack catches the bar if you fail a repetition, so you can train heavy safely without a training partner. With an adjustable bench and a 90 kg weight set you are set for years.

Example: Body-Solid GPR370 power rack, NUCCLR Olympic rubber weight set 90 kg, Tunturi UB60 bench and a 4 m² NUCCLR tile floor. Together around € 1,650.

Strength training with a power rack

Home gym from € 3,000: complete with strength and cardio

With a bigger budget you can set up a complete gym at home. A multi gym combines dozens of exercises in one machine: from lat pulldowns and chest presses to leg exercises. A functional trainer with two cables gives you even more freedom of movement. Combine this with a cardio machine for your fitness.

Example: Hammer Autark 1500 multi gym, Bowflex SelectTech 90 adjustable dumbbells, a WaterRower rowing machine and a 9 m² NUCCLR tile floor.

Complete home gym: strength and cardio

Which equipment suits your goal?

First decide what you want to train for. That way you avoid buying equipment you will not use.

Cardio for your home gym

Popular cardio machines for home

How much space do you need for a home gym?

Measure your space before you buy anything, and do not only count the dimensions of the machine but also the space to move around it. These guidelines help you on your way (always check the exact dimensions of the product):

The best place for your home gym

• Garage: plenty of space and you do not disturb anyone with dropped weights. Do think about insulation or a heater in winter and a moisture-resistant floor.
• Basement: quiet and cool, ideal for strength training. Make sure there is good ventilation and a dehumidifier against damp.
• Guest room or spare room: comfortable and warm. Choose quiet equipment here and a good underlay against noise.
• Attic: often enough floor space, but mind the sloping walls, the ceiling height and the load-bearing capacity of the floor for heavy equipment.
• Garden shed: your home gym outside the house without travelling far. An insulated shed with electricity works all year round.

The right flooring for your home gym

Good flooring is the most underestimated purchase. Rubber floor tiles protect your floor against scratches and dropped weights, dampen noise and vibrations, and keep your equipment from sliding. Choose a thickness of 15 to 20 mm for free weights and a protective mat under cardio machines.

Rubber jigsaw mats are easy to lay yourself and to cut to size with edge and corner pieces. Large 1 m² tiles are quicker to lay and look neater.

Flooring and protective mats

Checklist: what do you need at minimum for a home gym?

Whether you start small or big, these basics appear in almost every home gym:

• Dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells: the most versatile purchase. You can train your whole body with them. View adjustable dumbbells
• A sturdy weight bench: for bench presses, rows, step-ups and Bulgarian split squats. An adjustable bench gives the most options. View weight benches
• Good flooring or a fitness mat: for floor exercises, hygiene and protecting your floor. View fitness mats
• Resistance bands: cheap, light and ideal for warm-ups, mobility and extra resistance. View resistance bands
• Optional: barbell with plates: as soon as you want to train heavier than your dumbbells allow. View barbells

Storage and safe training

Loose weights on the floor are the biggest source of irritation and injuries. With a dumbbell rack or a storage rack for weight plates everything is within reach and you will not trip over anything. Training heavy without a training partner? Always use the safety supports of your rack, collars on your barbell and a mirror to check your technique.

Storage for your home gym

A great atmosphere: light, air and music

A room you enjoy being in is a room where you train more often. Pay particular attention to these points:

• Light: daylight and bright, preferably adjustable lighting. Light colours on the walls make a small room look bigger.
• Ventilation: a window that opens, a fan or a dehumidifier prevents stuffiness and damp.
• Music and screen: a speaker or TV with workout videos keeps you motivated. Some cardio machines have a built-in screen.
• Mirror: handy for checking your posture and technique.
• Motivation: put up your goals or training schedule so you see them every workout.

Want to save? Equip your home gym with second-hand equipment

A second-hand machine is a smart way to get more home gym for your budget. Our traded-in machines are tested and checked by our own technicians and fitted with new parts where needed. They always come with a warranty.

Take a look at our second-hand treadmills, exercise bikes, cross trainers, rowing machines, spin bikes and multi gyms.

Assemble it yourself or have it done? And what about maintenance?

A lot of equipment is delivered in boxes. You can assemble dumbbells and benches yourself, but for a multi gym or treadmill it is wise to have a technician do the assembly: cables and pulleys need to be adjusted precisely. We offer both options.

With a little maintenance your equipment lasts for years: clean everything after use, lubricate the treadmill on time and check cables and bolts regularly.

Frequently asked questions about a home gym

How much does a home gym cost?

A simple home gym with dumbbells, a bench and flooring costs around € 500. For serious strength training with a power rack and barbell, count on around € 1,500. A complete home gym with a multi gym and a cardio machine starts at around € 3,000.

Is a home gym cheaper than a gym membership?

In the long run, usually yes. A gym membership easily costs € 30 to € 50 per month. That means a starter home gym pays for itself in about a year, and you save travel time as well.

What do you need for a home gym?

At minimum a set of dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells, a weight bench and good flooring or a mat. Then expand with, for example, a power rack, multi gym or cardio machine, depending on your goal.

How many m² do you need for a home gym?

For a starter setup 4 to 6 m² is enough. With a power rack or multi gym you need 8 to 10 m², and for a complete home gym with cardio 12 to 20 m².

What flooring should you use in a home gym?

Rubber floor tiles or jigsaw mats 15 to 20 mm thick. They protect the subfloor, dampen noise and provide grip.

What is the difference between a home gym and a multi gym?

By a home gym we mean your own fitness room at home. In shops the term is also used for a multi gym: one machine on which you can do many strength exercises. A multi gym is therefore often the heart of a home gym.

Conclusion

Building your own home gym starts with your goal, your space and your budget. Start small with dumbbells, a bench and good flooring, and expand with a power rack, multi gym or cardio machine as soon as you know what you are missing. Make sure there is light, ventilation and a tidy room, and your home gym becomes a place you enjoy going to every week.

Need help setting up your home gym?

Not sure which equipment suits your space and budget? Our fitness specialists are happy to help. Call +31 85 773 00 57, send an e-mail or visit our showroom in Volkel, the Netherlands.