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See Again
© iStock
0 / 32 Fotos
Designate a space
- If you want to set up a home gym, the first thing you need to do is to choose the most appropriate location in your home.
© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
Garage
- This would be the ideal situation. A garage usually has enough space to set up all the basics and it can be a great gym option.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
No garage available
- If you live in a house without a garage or in an apartment, you will need to designate a room to build up your gym.
© Shutterstock
3 / 32 Fotos
Budget
- You need to set up a budget. Building a state-of-the-art home gym can be expensive. But you don't need endless funds to build something basic and functional.
© Shutterstock
4 / 32 Fotos
Buy equipment
- When it comes to buying equipment for your home gym, you have a couple of different options: new or used. Before buying new, flick through the classifieds and sites such as eBay first. You can find real bargains!
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
Noise
- While working out is not the noisiest thing you can do to annoy your neighbors, it can get loud at times. If you live in an apartment and perform heavy deadlifts, your downstairs neighbors probably won’t be too happy about it.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
Noise
- Some of us also like to work out listening to music. You might use headphones when you go to the gym, but if you’re home, you can ditch them and listen to music however you want. Just make sure you’re not blasting metal at 11pm!
© Shutterstock
7 / 32 Fotos
Climate control
- It’s important to have the right temperature in a place where you will be exercising. This may vary depending on where your home gym is located. For example, a garage will be more difficult to warm up/cool down than a room in an apartment.
© Shutterstock
8 / 32 Fotos
Lighting
- Good lightning is also important. The brightness and warmth is down to personal preference, but avoid low-hanging lamps. You don’t want to be doing overhead exercises and hitting the lights!
© Shutterstock
9 / 32 Fotos
Decor
- It’s your own gym, so you can create an atmosphere that serves you best. You can decorate it the way you want, using whatever combination of colors and lighting floats your boat.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
Movable furniture
- If you have limited space and have to work out in a living area, then adding wheels to your furniture is a great option. This way, you can move things around and have enough space to do your workouts.
© Shutterstock
11 / 32 Fotos
Floor - Specific flooring is important, especially if you’re using weights or any equipment that can damage standard floors.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
Floor
- A thick rubber floor is the best all-rounder. You can buy them in squares and fit them together like a puzzle to cover the area you need.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
Use wall space
- Walls are great places to store some of your home gym equipment .
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
Power rack / cage
- A squat rack or a cage will give you the most bang for your buck. You will be able to use it for a number of barbell exercises.
© Shutterstock
15 / 32 Fotos
Bench
- A bench is essential in performing a number of exercises. If you need more options, you can simply buy a reclining one.
© Shutterstock
16 / 32 Fotos
Pull-up bar
- If you don’t have a rack, you can add either a fixed or a removable pull-up bar to your home gym.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
Barbells
- One barbell should suffice to get you started. Later on you can buy other types of barbells if you need them. But a solid Olympic bar will be enough for most of your needs.
© Shutterstock
18 / 32 Fotos
Plates
- You can buy a plate kit with a set number of lbs/kg. Cast iron plates are usually cheaper than bumper plates, though your choice should actually be based on whether you drop the bar on the floor often (e.g. cleans, deadlifts, etc) and whether or not you have good flooring.
© Shutterstock
19 / 32 Fotos
Plates rack - While you can get away with stacking most equipment on the floor, plates are usually worth racking. Heavy plates, in particular, are hard to pick up when they’re laying flat, and may also cause wall damage when they're just leaning.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
Dumbbells
- Dumbbells are very versatile pieces of equipment. Instead of buying a set of dumbells, you can buy loadable ones. They work just like mini barbells.
© Shutterstock
21 / 32 Fotos
Kettlebells
- Kettlebells are also a good thing to add to your home gym. Their shapes allow for a number of exercises to be performed, and usually just a couple of different weight options are enough.
© Shutterstock
22 / 32 Fotos
Suspension training
- TRX training is great when it comes to saving space. You can simply attach these bands to your rack and you’re good to go.
© Shutterstock
23 / 32 Fotos
Resistance bands
- You can do a number of exercises with resistance bands. They’re practical and cheap pieces of equipment you can easily add to your home gym.
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
Yoga mat
- The same goes for a yoga mat. You can use it to stretch and do all sorts of exercises on the floor, including stretching before and after your workouts.
© Shutterstock
25 / 32 Fotos
Treadmill / bike / rowing machine
- Cardio is an important element if you want to be in shape. You can buy your favorite tool for the job and add more later if you want.
© Shutterstock
26 / 32 Fotos
Punching bag
- Punching and kicking can be very satisfying and indeed a great workout. Add one of these to your home gym and vent all of your anger and frustrations on it.
© Shutterstock
27 / 32 Fotos
Foam roller
- A foam roller is essential if you want to do some myofascial release. Self-massaging soft tissue is an effective way to recover from workouts and great to help prevent injuries.
© Shutterstock
28 / 32 Fotos
Mobility and massage
- If the foam roller is not enough for your tight muscles, you can also buy a lacrosse ball and other self-massage tools.
© Shutterstock
29 / 32 Fotos
Swiss ball
- You can use these to strengthen your core and perform various other exercises. You can even use them as an office chair in a home office! They're fairly inexpensive too.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
Mirror
- This one is optional, but many people like to see themselves while performing certain exercises to ensure correct form. You can mount one on the wall to save space. See also: Skip the gym and do these exercises at home instead
© Shutterstock
31 / 32 Fotos
© iStock
0 / 32 Fotos
Designate a space
- If you want to set up a home gym, the first thing you need to do is to choose the most appropriate location in your home.
© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
Garage
- This would be the ideal situation. A garage usually has enough space to set up all the basics and it can be a great gym option.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
No garage available
- If you live in a house without a garage or in an apartment, you will need to designate a room to build up your gym.
© Shutterstock
3 / 32 Fotos
Budget
- You need to set up a budget. Building a state-of-the-art home gym can be expensive. But you don't need endless funds to build something basic and functional.
© Shutterstock
4 / 32 Fotos
Buy equipment
- When it comes to buying equipment for your home gym, you have a couple of different options: new or used. Before buying new, flick through the classifieds and sites such as eBay first. You can find real bargains!
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
Noise
- While working out is not the noisiest thing you can do to annoy your neighbors, it can get loud at times. If you live in an apartment and perform heavy deadlifts, your downstairs neighbors probably won’t be too happy about it.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
Noise
- Some of us also like to work out listening to music. You might use headphones when you go to the gym, but if you’re home, you can ditch them and listen to music however you want. Just make sure you’re not blasting metal at 11pm!
© Shutterstock
7 / 32 Fotos
Climate control
- It’s important to have the right temperature in a place where you will be exercising. This may vary depending on where your home gym is located. For example, a garage will be more difficult to warm up/cool down than a room in an apartment.
© Shutterstock
8 / 32 Fotos
Lighting
- Good lightning is also important. The brightness and warmth is down to personal preference, but avoid low-hanging lamps. You don’t want to be doing overhead exercises and hitting the lights!
© Shutterstock
9 / 32 Fotos
Decor
- It’s your own gym, so you can create an atmosphere that serves you best. You can decorate it the way you want, using whatever combination of colors and lighting floats your boat.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
Movable furniture
- If you have limited space and have to work out in a living area, then adding wheels to your furniture is a great option. This way, you can move things around and have enough space to do your workouts.
© Shutterstock
11 / 32 Fotos
Floor - Specific flooring is important, especially if you’re using weights or any equipment that can damage standard floors.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
Floor
- A thick rubber floor is the best all-rounder. You can buy them in squares and fit them together like a puzzle to cover the area you need.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
Use wall space
- Walls are great places to store some of your home gym equipment .
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
Power rack / cage
- A squat rack or a cage will give you the most bang for your buck. You will be able to use it for a number of barbell exercises.
© Shutterstock
15 / 32 Fotos
Bench
- A bench is essential in performing a number of exercises. If you need more options, you can simply buy a reclining one.
© Shutterstock
16 / 32 Fotos
Pull-up bar
- If you don’t have a rack, you can add either a fixed or a removable pull-up bar to your home gym.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
Barbells
- One barbell should suffice to get you started. Later on you can buy other types of barbells if you need them. But a solid Olympic bar will be enough for most of your needs.
© Shutterstock
18 / 32 Fotos
Plates
- You can buy a plate kit with a set number of lbs/kg. Cast iron plates are usually cheaper than bumper plates, though your choice should actually be based on whether you drop the bar on the floor often (e.g. cleans, deadlifts, etc) and whether or not you have good flooring.
© Shutterstock
19 / 32 Fotos
Plates rack - While you can get away with stacking most equipment on the floor, plates are usually worth racking. Heavy plates, in particular, are hard to pick up when they’re laying flat, and may also cause wall damage when they're just leaning.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
Dumbbells
- Dumbbells are very versatile pieces of equipment. Instead of buying a set of dumbells, you can buy loadable ones. They work just like mini barbells.
© Shutterstock
21 / 32 Fotos
Kettlebells
- Kettlebells are also a good thing to add to your home gym. Their shapes allow for a number of exercises to be performed, and usually just a couple of different weight options are enough.
© Shutterstock
22 / 32 Fotos
Suspension training
- TRX training is great when it comes to saving space. You can simply attach these bands to your rack and you’re good to go.
© Shutterstock
23 / 32 Fotos
Resistance bands
- You can do a number of exercises with resistance bands. They’re practical and cheap pieces of equipment you can easily add to your home gym.
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
Yoga mat
- The same goes for a yoga mat. You can use it to stretch and do all sorts of exercises on the floor, including stretching before and after your workouts.
© Shutterstock
25 / 32 Fotos
Treadmill / bike / rowing machine
- Cardio is an important element if you want to be in shape. You can buy your favorite tool for the job and add more later if you want.
© Shutterstock
26 / 32 Fotos
Punching bag
- Punching and kicking can be very satisfying and indeed a great workout. Add one of these to your home gym and vent all of your anger and frustrations on it.
© Shutterstock
27 / 32 Fotos
Foam roller
- A foam roller is essential if you want to do some myofascial release. Self-massaging soft tissue is an effective way to recover from workouts and great to help prevent injuries.
© Shutterstock
28 / 32 Fotos
Mobility and massage
- If the foam roller is not enough for your tight muscles, you can also buy a lacrosse ball and other self-massage tools.
© Shutterstock
29 / 32 Fotos
Swiss ball
- You can use these to strengthen your core and perform various other exercises. You can even use them as an office chair in a home office! They're fairly inexpensive too.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
Mirror
- This one is optional, but many people like to see themselves while performing certain exercises to ensure correct form. You can mount one on the wall to save space. See also: Skip the gym and do these exercises at home instead
© Shutterstock
31 / 32 Fotos
How to set up the perfect home gym
Start working out from the comfort of your home
© <p>Shutterstock</p>
Exercising is an essential part of life. As humans, we ought to move, but instead, many of us have a sedentary lifestyle and spend hours sitting in front of a computer.
With our increasingly busy lives, we end up skipping the gym, sometimes because we’re simply too tired to go through the whole process of getting to the gym and facing everything that comes with it (e.g. rush hour traffic, a crowded weight room, etc).
For this reason, many of us dream about having our own gym. Can you imagine not having to pay for a gym membership, commuting to the gym, waiting to use machines, and dealing with all your pet peeves?
Sounds great, right? And yes, we know that many of us don’t have the space, nor the money, to set up a home gym. But while space and budget are the main constraints, with the right planning, you might just be able to build your own workout den and make your dream come true.
In this gallery you’ll find a detailed step-by-step guide on how to set up the perfect home gym. You might not be able to buy every single piece of equipment, but you’ll learn that even with little space and little money, you can set up a functional home gym.
Click through and start building your home gym today!
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