Going to the gym after a stressful week can be a therapeutic experience and a great way to maintain your body’s health. However, when you have a lot of work, and your to-do list is overflowing with tasks, once you get home, you might not have the energy to leave your house again to hit the gym, no matter how much of a fitness lover you are. You have probably tried to work out with YouTube guides on your carpet in the living room already but got bored because of the lame exercises. Workout in bed? Bad idea, as you immediately fell asleep. What about a home gym, then? Imagine your basement filled with equipment to perform your favourite exercises, and no other people around that throw weights around, creating an irritating noise, just you and your ambitions. So, if this sounds like a great idea for you, in this article, you can find a guide on how to build your own home gym in 5 easy steps:

1. Choose a large room
First of all, you must choose a room that is big enough to fit all the equipment and machinery you need. A top choice for home gym owners is the basement, as it’s the only room that does not require extra maintenance, considering that the footprint around the machinery is big, it is large enough to integrate the equipment you need, and it’s usually isolated, to not disturb the peace of your guests when they stay over. However, small gyms work just as well, as you can create a gym-office combo in which you can integrate smaller equipment and a less noisy treadmill.
2. Opt for durable materials for walls and flooring
Now that you have chosen the perfect room for your gym, it’s crucial to do some renovations and prioritise your walls and flooring. Don’t be scared about this big world of “renovation” because it’s not as deep as it sounds; you just have to focus on choosing durable materials so that you will not regret ruining your marble floor. So, the first thing you should do is to pad it up like a real gym. You can even use some inexpensive interlocking tile mats that fit in pretty much any area of your room. They are thick, but they can be damaged easily, so a more durable option would be PLAE forge, which is not a removable mat but a floor that can stand the test of time with no damage. It can be easily cleaned, and the marks left by the equipment will surely not break your heart. For the walls, instead, consider FRP panels for a highly resistant and waterproof option. Also, you can integrate additional soundproof panels if you don’t want to disturb your family members when you find the motivation to hit the gym late at night.
3. Establish your fitness goals
Now that you have your space ready, it’s time to establish your fitness goals and see what equipment would best serve your needs. You might want to focus on cardio, or you would like to get that summer body ready for the next vacation and gain some muscles. Try to visualise the figure you would like to have and gain a clear vision of your targets so that you avoid ending up with a room filled with equipment you don’t even know how to use because it can be a significant waste of money. Of course, regarding money, it would be best to establish a budget but take into consideration that if you want a gym that will not require improvements every year, you must be ready to pay a little bit more than you’ve expected.
4. Purchase basic equipment
Building your home gym can be exciting, but as we’ve said before, the thrill could lead you to make emotional decisions and purchase the equipment you don’t actually need and don’t ever use. So, to avoid this mistake, here is what you must absolutely have in your new gym:
- Yoga mat: the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about fitness is the basic exercise mat. In fact, this piece shouldn’t be missed from your gym, as you never know when you are for a quick mat Pilates session.
- Weights: to build muscles, wights are a must. Consider purchasing different weights to pursue your goals, including plates, kettlebells, dumbbells and of course a bar for your exercises.
- Treadmill: it’s one of the most efficient machineries to exercise your body no matter your goals. A treadmill can support your efforts to lose or maintain weight and also build resistance and improve muscular strength.
- Rope pull machine: this kind of equipment is another must-have in your home gym. It’s beginner-friendly, and it’s an effective way to train your upper body without lifting heavy weights.
- Jump rope: you can buy a jump rope to train your full body and test your endurance. It would be best to opt for a heavier option for the best results and burn lots of calories in a short time.
- Flat bench: a flat bench is vital in any gym, whether you want to take a break or do some abs or Romanian squats.
- Training rack: a training rack is great for pretty much any exercise that involves weight plates. For instance, you can do assisted squats and heavy-lifting exercises.
5. Add your personal touch
Now, the fun part. You have your own gym, so you can add your personal touch to make it feel cosy and customised. Consider adding some mirrors to take pictures to track your progress, integrate some motivational quotes on the walls, and choose colourful equipment if you have a cheerful personality. To create an Instagram-worthy landscape it would be a great idea to integrate some greenery in the room, to add a sense of vitality and harmony to your beloved home-gym.