How To Build a Home Gym (Without Breaking the Bank or Your Floor)

If you’re reading this, odds are you’re toying with the idea of creating your own gym at home. Whether that means clearing out a corner of your studio apartment, transforming your backyard, or converting an entire garage or basement, this guide is for you.

This isn’t a review of every product under the sun, and it's intended for beginners — not for people who are already primed to yell at me for not insisting on Rogue everything (and who would commit seppuku before admitting that your average home gym enthusiast doesn’t need to spend the extra money for a Rogue Ohio bar). I’m not sponsored or affiliated with any brands and I receive no compensation if you buy anything I mention. This is just what I’ve learned from years of training, making do with everything from a yoga mat to a full commercial gym, and building my own modest garage setup.

My modest garage gym.

Why Have a Home Gym?

You don’t need a home gym. Just like you don’t need to save time, lose weight, get stronger, or feel better. But if you’re trying to optimize your life — and I assume you are — then building your own training space might be one of the best decisions you ever make.

Here’s what a home gym gives you:

• Freedom and flexibility — Your gym is open 24/7. No commute. No crowds. No waiting for the one guy doing curls in the squat rack to leave.

• Control — You set the vibe. Want metal blasting at 6am? Done. Prefer silence and incense? Also fine.

• Privacy — You don’t have to feel self-conscious, performative, or hygienically compromised (because yes, that barbell in the commercial gym is crawling with germs).

• Consistency — The fewer barriers between you and your workout, the more likely you are to show up.

• Long-term savings — While there’s an upfront cost, a home gym can pay for itself (as long as you don't fall into that gearhead hole of constantly upgrading and buying new shit). Monthly gym fees, gas, parking, and time all add up.

More importantly, a home gym teaches you to show up for yourself. No social pressure. No fancy equipment excuse. Just you, your grit, and a space you’ve committed to. And it can bring people together. I’ve had some of the best workouts of my life in my garage with friends and near-strangers — just grinding it out and getting better together.

Starting From the Ground Up

Before you start buying equipment, figure out where you’re going to train.

• If you’re in a tiny apartment, your entire gym might be a 2x6-ft yoga mat.

• If you’ve got a backyard or access to a park, congrats — you’ve got room to move.

• If you’ve got a garage, basement, or spare room, you’ve got options most people would kill for.

Whatever space you’ve got, the first thing you need is a good foundation. For small spaces: a yoga mat. For dedicated areas: rubber flooring. And not that interlocking foam tile bullshit — that stuff falls apart if you look at it the wrong way.

The solution for almost everyone: get yourself horse stall mats from Tractor Supply. They’re 4x6 ft, 3/4-in thick, and indestructible. Do they smell like a rubber factory? Yes. But are they perfect for both stables and home gyms? Also yes. Cut them to fit your space with a box cutter and connect them together with mending plates on the bottom and extra-wide Gorilla tape on top for seamless flooring. This is the way.

But if you want to shell out more for more premium flooring, rolled rubber is the only other acceptable answer.

Other things to think about before you start carting in equipment: paint, lighting, and sound. I went with black paint everywhere, my lighting is garbage (but my garage has one power outlet), and I achieved incredible surround sound with the 100% portable Rocksteady Stadium 4.1 system.

The Basics (Small Space or Tight Budget)

If you only have room or money for a few items, start here:

• Weighted Vest. If I could only keep one piece of gear, this would be it. You can add resistance to pushups, pullups, squats, lunges, and hikes. (I started with an adjustable one like this and then once I maxed it out, I switched to a plate carrier vest with curved plates). I travel with mine. Yes, people stare. Yes, it’s worth it.

• Pull-Up Bar. Get one that hangs over a doorframe. Cheap, portable, no drilling required.

• Adjustable Dumbbells. Save space and money. I started with Bowflex 552s (quick and easy to adjust). Now I use PowerBlock EXPs up to 90lbs. Premium options like REP® x PÉPIN are out there.  They cost more than twice what I spent on my power cage, but I hear they’re incredible... (and I’ll probably never get a chance to touch a pair...)

• Flat-Incline-Decline (FID) Bench. Don’t cheap out here. This is one place where you need quality and stability. A rickety bench is a recipe for injury and frustration. I have a Fitness Gear Pro Utility Bench — that's probably the cheapest acceptable option, and I'm going to need to upgrade.

• Cardio Machines. Personally, I believe cardio should be done outdoors, preferably on variable terrain and with a group. But if you need something inside, choose something you’ll actually use — elliptical, treadmill, punching bag, whatever. Don’t buy a spin bike if you hate cycling.

Intermediate: Ready to Level Up

• TRX-Style Suspension Trainer. Perfect if you’re tight on space but want a way to perform more pulling movements. Add your weight vest for extra resistance.

• A Rack. If you’re serious about strength training, a rack is your next big purchase. Wall-mounted folding racks are great for space-saving. All-in-one machines offer a lot in one footprint but come with limitations. Modular systems give you flexibility as you grow.

  Questions to ask yourself:

  • What size posts do I want? What quality of steel? What size holes? How far apart do I want them?

  • Do I want a smith machine (great for new and younger lifters)?

  • Do I need pulleys? What ratio (1:1 or 2:1)? Do I want plate-loaded or selectorized weight stacks?

  • What safety features does this have? (Always lift with spotter arms or straps if you're alone.)

• A Barbell. Rogue’s Ohio Power Bar is the most recommended, but check out their Boneyard section for discounts. For a budget pick, “The Beast” from CAP gets the job done. I’ve used mine for years without issue. Titan also makes a good budget bar.

• Weight Plates. I come from the school of thought that weight is weight. I’ve got a mix of Signature and Everyday Essentials bumper plates. They all weigh about what they’re supposed to, and they haven’t failed me yet.

• Accessories. Consider:

  • an EZ-curl bar

  • a Barbell jack (your back will thank you)

  • a barbell pad (for hip thrusts, not squats!)

Advanced: If You’re Going Full Beast Mode

If you're thinking long term, here are some things you might eventually add:

• Specialty barbells (trap bar, safety squat bar, cambered bar...)

• Kettlebells, slam balls, sandbags...

• Gymnastic rings, plyo boxes, battle ropes, a sled...

• Specialy machines (like a belt squat, leg press, leg extension, etc...)

• Specialty benches or attachments (like a preacher curl bench)

• A deadlift platform (you can DIY — here's how: Art of Manliness Guide)

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a million-dollar setup. You just need a plan, a few smart purchases, and the discipline to use them. Build what you need, expand as you grow, and make the space your own.

Whether you’re chasing PRs or just trying to move a little more each week, a home gym can be one of the best investments you ever make — in your health, your time, and yourself.