10 Tips for Building Your Home Gym

Welcome to The Kurt Locker Blog, your go-to resource for all things fitness, home gyms, and the home gym lifestyle. Today, we're diving into an essential topic: 10 Tips to Successfully Start Your Home Gym. With New Year's resolutions around the corner, many are gearing up to build their own fitness space—but getting started can feel overwhelming. Let’s break it down into simple, actionable steps.

Tip 1: Define Your Goals

When starting your home gym, the first step is defining your fitness goals. For some, this is easy—you might know you want to train powerlifting, strongman events, or improve your overall health. For others, it might be less clear. Don’t worry—your goals don’t have to be super specific from the start.

A few broad goals to consider include:

• Getting stronger

• Improving your physique (look better naked and clothed!)

• Boosting general fitness and achieving a healthier lifestyle (goodbye, #DadBod)

Your goals will influence what equipment you need. For example, strength training might call for barbells and plates, while someone focused on cardio might prioritize a rowing machine or a treadmill. Don’t overthink it—start simple and refine your goals as you progress.

Tip 2: Start Small

Building a home gym doesn’t happen overnight. If you’ve seen massive, decked-out gyms on social media, remember that those took years to assemble. My first home gym was incredibly simple: a squat stand, a barbell, some crumb rubber plates, and a pull-up bar. That’s it.

Adam from Garage Gym Lab popularized the term “Core 4,” which includes a rack, barbell, plates, and a bench. While I agree with most of this, I actually prefer the “Power 3”—a rack, barbell, and plates. In my experience, a bench isn’t always necessary when starting out, especially if you’re focused on squats, deadlifts, and pull-ups.

Tip 3: Maximize Your Space

Space is often the biggest challenge when building a home gym. Whether you’re working with a garage, basement, or spare bedroom, you need to make every square foot count.

Here are some tips to maximize your space:

• Use wall-mounted storage solutions for bars, plates, and smaller accessories. This keeps the floor clear and makes cleaning easier.

• Plan your layout strategically to prioritize functionality. For example, keep your rack in a central location and store accessories nearby.

• If you’re tight on space, consider compact or foldable equipment, like a wall-mounted folding rack.

• PRX offers a ton of wall storage solutions (coupon KAIZENDIY5 saves 5%)

Tip 4: Focus on Quality

When it comes to equipment, quality matters. While I used to live by the “buy once, cry once” philosophy, I’ve since softened my stance. Instead, I recommend finding the right balance of quality and cost that matches your goals and budget.

For most people, I suggest:

• Rack: A 3x3 steel rack with 5/8” or 1” holes. This ensures durability and allows for future expansions with attachments.

  • I like these options in no particular order

    • Rep Fitness Apollo Half Rack

    • Bells of Steel Manticore Half Rack

    • Rogue Fitness HR2 Half Rack

    • PRX Profile Folding Squat Rack (KAIZENDIY5 saves 5%)

• Barbell: A mid-grade multi-purpose or power bar works well for most. A power bar is perfect for squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, while a multi-purpose bar is better for Olympic lifts.

  • These basic level barbells are some of my favorites

    • Bare Steel Equipment Iron Skull

    • Rogue Fitness Ohio Bar E-Coat

    • Rep Fitness Double Black Diamond

    • Bells of Steel Barenaked Power Bar

• Plates: Look for plates that weigh accurately. Bumper plates are a great option if you’re concerned about noise or damaging your floors. Plan ahead and buy more weight than you currently need to allow for growth.

  • Rep Fitness Old School Iron Plates

• Bench: If you decide to include a bench, consider your needs. Most people benefit from a mid-range adjustable bench, but a flat bench can work as a budget-friendly option. Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake I did by propping up one side of a flat bench for incline work—it’s unsafe and inefficient.

  • Rep AB-4100 Adjustable Bench

  • AbMat Floor Press Pad

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Tip 5: Budget Wisely

Building a home gym can be a significant investment, so it’s important to budget wisely. Start by listing the essentials you need and researching prices. Use a spreadsheet or even pen and paper to plan your purchases.

Here are some budgeting tips:

• Consider buying used equipment to save money.

• Check out content creators’ affiliate links for possible discounts.

• Be flexible and don’t feel like everything has to come from one brand.

• Avoid financing your gym if possible. I’m not a financial planner, but I’ve found it’s better to save and buy in phases.

  
  

Tip 6: Plan for Growth

Your home gym will never truly be finished—and that’s part of the fun. As your needs and goals evolve, so will your equipment. Start with the basics (Power 3 or Core 4) and expand over time.

One method I love is “goal expansions.” For example, every time I max out all my current 45-pound plates during a deadlift session, I reward myself by buying another set. This approach keeps me motivated and ensures my gym grows alongside my progress.

Tip 7: Flooring

Flooring is an often-overlooked aspect of home gyms, but it’s critical. Horse stall mats are a popular, budget-friendly option that provide durability and shock absorption. If you want something more premium, Freedom Fitness Equipment’s hammer-clad mats are odor-free and aesthetically pleasing.

You don’t need to cover your entire floor with mats. Focus on key areas, like under your rack or where you drop weights. Also, consider the slope of your floor, especially in garages or basements, as it may affect equipment stability.

• Freedom Fitness Hammer Clad Flooring

Tip 8: Don’t Be Afraid to DIY

DIY projects are a fantastic way to save money and add a personal touch to your gym. Some of the easiest DIY projects include building a deadlift platform or creating wall-mounted storage for plates and accessories.

You don’t have to be a master craftsman to get started. Many DIY gym projects require only basic tools and materials, making them accessible for beginners.

Tip 9: Prioritize Safety

Safety should always be a top priority in your home gym. At a minimum, invest in safeties for your rack, such as pins, straps, or arms. These not only protect you during lifts but can also be used for auxiliary exercises like pin presses.

Make sure your equipment is securely placed to prevent tipping or shifting. Including safety measures in your initial budget is essential to creating a safe and functional workout space.

Tip 10: Leverage Community Resources

The home gym community is incredibly supportive and full of valuable resources. Whether you’re looking for advice, inspiration, or deals, there are plenty of places to connect:

• Facebook groups like Garage Gym Reviews

• Home Gym Discord

• Home Gym Reddit

• Home Gym Con: An annual event for home gym enthusiasts where you can meet like-minded people, see the latest gear, and learn from experts. Use code KL10 to save 10% on your tickets!

Don’t hesitate to reach out to content creators for guidance. While not everyone will respond, many are happy to help and provide insights based on their own experiences.

That’s it for my 10 Tips for Starting Your First Home Gym! I hope you found this helpful. Building a home gym is an exciting journey that can transform your fitness and lifestyle. Thanks for stopping by The Kurt Locker Blog. See you next time!