Home Gym Ideas – How to Set Up a Home Gym on a Budget

Looking for home gym ideas that will help you make the perfect home workout space and won’t break your budget?

Since the COVID pandemic started, I slowly but surely have built up my home gym, saved money by cancelling my gym memberships, and built a small but extremely effective workout facility for myself and my family.

From this experience of mine, I know the ins and outs of setting up a home gym on a budget that can help you accomplish the same!

There are tons of reasons to set up a home gym for yourself, but primarily, setting up a home gym can allow you to work out more often and more comfortably.

As we all know, working out regularly is one of the best ways to keep yourself physically and mentally healthy. However, going to the gym every day is not possible for everyone.

Even if you have the motivation to workout each day, it might not be possible to get to the gym when you want to.

Fortunately, exercising in the comfort of your living room or setting up a home gym in a basement or garage is perfectly doable!

Additionally, with a sound financial plan and budgeting on certain equipment, your home gym won’t cost that much anyway!

Where Should You Set Up Your Home Gym?

If you’re planning to invest in a home gym, one of the first things you need to consider is the location of your workout space.

When planning your home gym, you need to think objectively about the size you need.

You should try to keep the gym on the smaller side unless you believe you will start bodybuilding or you want to turn exercising and being physically fit into your career.

You could certainly begin a path to becoming a bodybuilder or starting a fitness blog that makes money by making sure you have space for amazing workouts at home each day, but if not, you should try to condense the space you need as much as possible.

Also, you need to ensure that the space is well ventilated and the ceiling is high enough to perform all the exercises you want to do safely.

Basement

The basement is considered the ideal location for a home gym because it allows for other functions in the same space.

You can create a separate section for your gym while still having enough space for home storage, an entertainment center, or a wet bar.

To optimize your basement gym, consider installing special flooring and lighting.

The most cost-effective solution to minimize impact damage to your floor and your equipment is to cover your workout space with thick rubber foam mats.

Developed with interlocking sections, these floor coverings are easy to assemble and adapt to your space.

Also, learning to keep rubber flooring clean is not difficult.

Spare Room/Bedroom

Setting up your gym in a spare bedroom can be a great solution if you have limited space elsewhere.

However, it’s important not to take up all the space if you need the room for guests or relatives.

Additionally, most spare bedrooms have carpeting, which can be an awkward surface for exercising on.

Consider investing in a couple of gym mats or replacing the carpet with a more durable option like hardwood or vinyl flooring.

Garage or Shed

Turning the garage into a home gym is the best solution for some people.

However, large workout machines can quickly take up a lot of space, so it’s important to consider if the garage is suitable for other purposes as well.

If you live in a cold climate, you may need to insulate your garage door to maintain a comfortable exercise temperature.

If you have limited space in your garage, building a new shed or annex off the back of your house might be a better solution.

How to Buy Home Gym Equipment on a Budget

Having the right fitness equipment is crucial for setting up a home gym. However, not everyone has the budget to buy high-end or brand-new equipment.

Fortunately, there are many ways to buy budget fitness equipment without compromising quality.

In fact, buying budget fitness equipment isn’t that difficult. By considering the options below, you can find quality equipment without breaking the bank.

Here are some of my favorite tips on how to buy budget fitness equipment.

Consider Buying Used Fitness Equipment

One of the best ways to save money on fitness equipment is to buy it used.

Many people sell their gently used exercise equipment on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or at garage sales. You can often find great deals on treadmills, ellipticals, weights, and more.

Just make sure to inspect the equipment carefully before buying it and test it out if possible.

Look for Deals on Amazon

Amazon is an excellent place to find budget fitness equipment.

You can often find deals on equipment such as resistance bands, stretching mats, and exercise balls.

 Keep an eye on Amazon’s daily and lightning deals for even better savings.

Shop Walmart’s Online Clearance

Walmart’s online clearance section is another great place to find budget fitness equipment.

They often have discounted prices on everything from dumbbells to cardio equipment.

If you find something you like, act fast because clearance items tend to sell out quickly.

Check Out Second-Hand Stores

Although you can check out local fitness stores, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist to buy the piece of gym equipment you may need at a good price.

Sometimes you cannot find what you need there.

Thrift stores and consignment shops can be a goldmine for budget-friendly used fitness equipment.

You might be surprised at the quality of used fitness equipment at these stores.

Just make sure to inspect the equipment carefully before buying.

Buy Multi-Purpose Equipment

Instead of buying multiple pieces of equipment, consider buying multi-purpose equipment.

For example, a set of resistance bands can be used for strength training, stretching, and mobility exercises. This can save you money in the long run.

Wait for Sales

Finally, one of the easiest ways to save money on fitness equipment is to wait for sales. Many retailers offer sales throughout the year, especially around major holidays.

Keep an eye out for these sales and be prepared to buy when the prices drop.

What Equipment Do You Need for a Home Gym?

When trying to decide what workout equipment you need for your home gym, the first step is to consider the frequency at which you will use the gym, as well as if anyone else will also use it along with you.

It’s important only to buy exercise machines and workout equipment which you expect to use frequently.

You also need to think about the other materials you will need in your home gym.

For instance, do you want a TV or a sound system?

Lastly, you might need cabinets or shelving for holding workout bands, smaller weights, and other such things.

Check out these tips for which exercise equipment you might need for your home gym:

Cardio Equipment

Cardio equipment is necessary for two main reasons in your home fitness center: warming up and burning extra calories.

Whether training at a fitness center or in your basement, you need to warm up properly to ensure you don’t injure yourself while training.

Doing dynamic stretches is an excellent way to warm up, but doing some light cardio to get the blood circulating and full of oxygen is also necessary.

You have many choices for this, but I think a stationary bicycle and an ERG rowing machine are your two best choices for home gym cardio equipment.

A stationary bike and home rower are excellent for your home gym because they take up minimal space but have maximal value.

I don’t suggest buying a treadmill for your home gym because it is inefficient compared to other options.

There are a lot of great treadmill alternatives that have more advantages.

ERG rowing machines are a bit more expensive usually, but the Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine is a great budget-friendly rowing machine:

Strength Training Equipment

Depending on how much space you have, you’re going to want some free weights to work with.

You could opt for something like a BoFlex or a Total Gym, but I think you will get more out of having a variety of dumbbells, kettlebells, and maybe even a barbell.

If you purchase a quality squat rack, weight bench, and some good Olympic weights, you can do a lot of functional training in just a bit of space!

Websites such as Fitness Rocks Weight Set Reviews can help you find budget-friendly Olympic weight sets you can use in your home.

Purchasing Olympic weights can help you do many useful compound exercises, such as:

• Barbell Biceps Curls
• Barbell Bent-Over Rows
• Back Squats
• Front Squats
• Bench Press
• Power Clean
• Hang Clean
• Military Press
• Push Press

Additionally, you can get an adjustable weight bench, dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells, and a few kettlebells.

A quality weight bench can be purchased for 70$-100$ and is easily found online.

Buying used dumbbells and kettlebells is a great option, but you can also find quality prices on Amazon or Walmart.com.

These few pieces of equipment allow you to do a wide range of strength training exercises.

Additional Accessories

Additional accessories you may want for your home gym include:

• Push-up Bars
• Dip Bar Station
• Ab Rollers
• Jump Rope
• Pull-up Bar
• Massage Gun

Air Purifier

Bacteria grow in moist, impure air.

If you are working out at home, installing an air purifier can help you avoid breathing in allergens or pollutants.

I have three air purifiers at home (bedroom, living room, home gym), and it honestly makes a huge difference!

Here is the air purifier I have in my home gym:

Last update on 2025-04-15 / This article includes affiliate links/Images via Amazon Product Advertising API. I may earn commissions on purchases made through these links.

Workout Videos and Apps

Although some of you are surely well-versed in creating your own workout programs to suit your goals, I know many people can benefit from online workout plans.

Fortunately, there are a ton of workout videos and workout apps that you can utilize.

One of the best options is BodyFit by Bodybuilding.com. BodyFit by Bodybuilding.com offers a range of advice ranging from total workout programs, exercise selection, and even nutrition advice.

It doesn’t provide as much personalized advice as hiring an online personal trainer, but it is a great option for workout plans and other general advice.

You can click this link to learn more:

If you are in the market for online fitness courses, another great option to check out is CoachTube.com.

Moving Your Fitness Equipment – What to Do if You Need to Move Your Home Gym to a New Location?

If you ever need to move your fitness equipment—whether it’s relocating to a new home or simply rearranging your space—planning ahead is key.

Some equipment, like dumbbells and yoga mats, is easy to transport, but larger machines like treadmills, squat racks, and rowers require more effort.

Make sure to disassemble anything bulky, if possible, secure loose parts, and protect delicate components with padding.

If you’re moving to a different home, consider renting a moving truck or hiring professionals who specialize in fitness equipment relocation.

Taking these precautions will help ensure your equipment stays in great condition and is ready for use in your new space.

Final Thoughts: Should You Set Up a Home Gym?

The variety of exercise equipment available at the gym is one of the most obvious benefits of getting a membership.

Most gyms have separate areas for free weights, machines, cables, and cardio equipment.

At home, you’ll have to be more selective about what equipment you want.

Along with that, when you become a “usual” at a local gym, you will find an overwhelming amount of support and positive energy from the people you train with regularly.

Not only that, you will find it easy and comfortable to take the knowledge and experience of other people who are training at your gym as well.

However, going to a fitness center is expensive if you are paying for a membership year after year, and purchasing your own home gym equipment will save you money in the long run.

With the tips listed above, you can set up an affordable and effective home gym in your house!