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Best Home Gym Equipment – what should I buy?
Well that depends upon what your goals are. Home gyms are notoriously expensive and you should have a really clear idea of what you want to create.
I’d say absolute home gym essentials are:
– Power Rack (or some form of squat rack)
– Multi-gym
– Bench
– Lifting Platform
– Weight Plates
– Your favourite cardio machine
– Dumbbells or Kettlebells
– Flooring
– Specific accessories (based off your goals): skipping ropes, pull-up bars, medicine balls, resistance bands etc.
But you’re not going to get any change out of £10,000 from the above I don’t think. Especially when you account for flooring, installation and gym setup costs. Lifting at home isn’t a cheap hobby.
But it doesn’t have to be expensive.
But if you can afford it, a home gym is the most efficient, simple and spacious way to exercise. Your very own 24 hour gym. Setup to your liking. No one to leave weights on the floor or put them back in the wrong place.
Your gym your rules!
How much does it cost to build a Home Gym?
A good one? Thousands of pounds. Somewhere in the region of £10-15k for a relatively high end one.
However, I’ll show you that for less than £2000 you can get a decent quality gym together at home, ideal for weight loss and muscle building.
For around a £1000 you can pull some equipment together for bodyweight exercises and higher repetition hypertrophy workouts. But you can’t class that as a home gym.
Good quality weights, flooring, platforms, racks and machines aren’t cheap trinkets.
But you wouldn’t trust a poor quality car to get you from A to B – so why trust a low quality power rack to hold your weights and stand the test of time?
As the old adage goes, ‘buy cheap, buy twice!’
Which Multi Gym is best for your Home?
| Multi Gym | Cost | Weight Stack | Installation | Guarantee | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer | ££££ | 430lbs / 195kgs | Yes | Lifetime frame and parts | |
| Tunturi WT80 Leverage Gym | £ | Unlimited | Yes | n/a |
Inspire Fitness FT2 Functional Trainer is an exceptional multi-gym with a weight stack to rival even the more advanced lifters.
The adjustable pulley system means you can squat, bench press and deadlift safely (and with reasonable weight) – all essential for optimal strength training.
Don’t think the fluff (or accessory) work is neglected either. Tricep ropes and EZ bar curls cater for the beach bod lovers and tight t-shirt connoisseurs. Whilst the leg curl and extension functionality means the more serious athlete is looked after.
The quality of the equipment and lifetime guarantee means this multi gym is absolutely top of the range. Highly recommended and almost foolproof, you and your family will love it.
Returning anything is fucking horrible, let alone a massive multi-gym.
And if you’re really after a top quality multi-gym on a budget, then the Tunturi WT80 Leverage Gym is one of my favourites.
Now Read: The 8 Best Home Multi Gyms
Whilst you do have to buy the weight plates, it’s much more effective than a pulley and cable system.
Best Home Gym Bench?
For the more serious lifters out there, the Primal Strength Adjustable Olympic Bench is top of anyone’s list.
It’s been expertly engineered for powerlifters and the built-in safety features mean you can push yourself and test your max without fear of imminent death.
Which is a bonus.
A massive 600kg weight capacity is amazing. The peg feature allows you to attach resistance bands to the bench (ideal for speed training) and the lack of plastic parts make this a world-class, sturdy beast of a bench. An incredible home gym option.
The Jordan New Olympic Adjustable Multi-Bench is ideal for the slightly less serious lifter. Whilst the greater expense may put you off, it’s much more versatile and allows for incline, decline, flat and shoulder pressing.
Something most other benches do not.
So if you’re all for versatility and saving space, the Jordan New Olympic Adjustable Multi-Bench is a serious alternative.
Best Home Gym Bench on a budget?
| Multi Gym | Cost | Weight Capacity | Accessories | Guarantee | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York 530 Heavy Duty Multi-Functional Bench | £ | 200kg (including lifter) | Adjustable Height & Leg Curl Unit | n/a | |
| York Olympic Combo Bench | ££ | n/a | Adjustable Height & Leg Curl Unit | 12 months |
York 530 Heavy Duty Multi-Functional Bench is a great option for beginners. A 200kg (including lifter) max weight is going to be fine for anyone outside of the more dynamic amongst you.
The adjustable height and angle is brilliant for chest and shoulder development and it’s really brilliant value at sub £200 on sale.
The addition of a leg curl unit at the base of the bench is a useful, if not somewhat ‘bodged on’ option to have.
York Olympic Combo Bench is a brilliant adjustable alternative. Slightly more expensive, but York really is the business when it comes to good quality weightlifting equipment.
Best Power Rack?
| Multi Gym | Cost | Weight Capacity | Accessories | Guarantee | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exigo Power Rack System | £££ | Unspecified | Chin up bar, lifting platform, dip station | 2 years moving parts, 1 year on cables | |
| Exigo Olympic Elite Multi Rack | £££ | Unspecified | Chin up bar, weight horns & band pegs | 2 years moving parts, 1 year on cables | |
| Primal Strength PT POD | ££££ | 600kg | 2 Power racks, storage, chin up bars | Lifetime |
It’s very tricky to pick between the Exigo Power Rack System and Exigo Olympic Elite Multi Rack. Both are absolutely amazing pieces of kit admired by lifters around the country.
If I was purchasing one, it would certainly be the Exigo Olympic Elite Multi Rack purely from a cost point of view.
Both have amazing capacity, incredible quality of equipment and bodyweight options aplenty. Whichever you have the space and £ for, you can’t go wrong.
Primal Strength PT POD is an absolutely amazing workout station. Enormous weight and storage capacity, 2 racks and pull up bars aplenty, it’s a surefire winner.
The only reason it isn’t my number one is the huge amount of space it take up. But you can afford it (spatially and numerically) then you should.
Best Power Rack on a Budget?
| Multi Gym | Cost | Weight Capacity | Accessories | Guarantee | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primal Strength Foldable Commercial Power Rack | ££ | Unspecified | JHooks, storage & chin up bar | Unspecified | |
| GymGear Full Power Rack | £ | 180kg | Chin up bars & dip station | Unspecified |
You don’t have to spend the earth on a good quality power rack. The Primal Strength Foldable Commercial Power Rack is a great example of that. At only just over £1000 they’re both an absolute snip.
Both racks look good, compact and brilliant for those short on space at only just over a metre (in width and length) – it’s the perfect home gym solution. Easy to fit a good quality weightlifting platform behind it too.
(More on that later).
The chin up bars and bodyweight functionality is essential for any solid power rack and the varying grip bars will have your back as wide as it is long in no time.
Possibly…
At below £500 the GymGear Full Power Rack is exceptional value.
It still has solid calisthenic opportunities and is compact enough to fit in most home gyms. A great alternative to those looking to keep costs to a minimum.
The only downside is the 180kg max weight. But I’m sure that’s fine for 99% of people.
Best Home Squat Rack?
| Multi Gym | Cost | Weight Capacity | Accessories | Guarantee | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exigo Elite Free Standing Squat Rack | £££ | Unspecified | JHooks & safety spots | 2 years | |
| Life Fitness Signature Series Olympic Squat Rack | ££££ | Unspecified | Storage & safety spots | Lifetime |
I love the Exigo Elite Free Standing Squat Rack. If you’re a competent and confident squatter, then I truly believe you should purchase free-standing squat racks.
They can hold a huge amount of weight, take up very little room and look phenomenal. The downsides to squat racks vs power racks are primarily that you miss out on calisthenic opportunities and storage space.
The upside is how simple they are to fit into almost any space. The Exigo version comes with a a number of excellent optional extras including:
- JHooks
- Safety spotters
- Dip bar
- Pull-up attachments
The Life Fitness Signature Series Olympic Squat Rack is a close second for me when considering space, look and functionality.
This larger type of rack is fantastic for beginners or those with more space. It’s particularly safe for squatting and has excellent storage potential. Spectacularly durable and effective with heavy weight, the Life Fitness Signature Series Olympic Squat Rack is a great option.
Best Home Squat Rack on a budget?
| Multi Gym | Cost | Weight Capacity | Accessories | Guarantee | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UKSF Squat Rack | £ | > 300kg | No | 12 month | |
| Primal Strength Alpha Heavy Duty Squat Rack | £ | 300kg | JHooks & spots | Lifetime |
UKSF Squat Rack can hold well over 300kg and takes up such a small amount of space it’s the perfect home gym option for those on a budget.
Made of such durable steel and coming in at under £250, it’s the perfect inexpensive squat rack.
Another heavy duty squat rack that handles a huge amount of weight, the Primal Strength Alpha Heavy Duty Squat Rack is compact, powerful and ideal for those short on space and cash.
Best Home Gym Platform?
| Multi Gym | Cost | Width | Accessories | Guarantee | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York Solid Oak Platform | £££ | 250cm | No | 12 months | |
| UKSF Olympic Lifting Platform | ££ | 200cm | Resistance band attachments | 12 months | |
| Primal Strength Platform | £££ | 250cm | Resistance band attachments | n/a |
Really your platform needs to be good quality and a reasonable size. The York Solid Oak Platform really is the business.
As are the UKSF Olympic Weightlifting Platform and Primal Strength Platform. All the above platforms really are the best in the business for the money.
Very little to pick between the three of them, but the York Solid Oak Platform allows for customisation. Important for a home gym in my opinion.
The UKSF Olympic Weightlifting Platform comes with built in band attachments, so you can train for explosivity and speed. As does the Primal Strength Platform.
To me that makes those two the top choices.
Best Home Exercise Equipment for Beginners?
| Equipment | Model | Cost | Function | Average Review | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spin Bike | Tunturi Cardio Fit S30 | ££ | Cardio | 4.6 | |
| Kettlebell Set | Vinyl 2kg – 14kg | £ | Resistance training | 4.1 | |
| Power Rack | Mirafit Heavy Duty Cage | ££ | Compound & bodyweight exercises | 4.4 | |
| TRX Training | GO Suspension Trainer | £ | Bodyweight resistance training | 4.5 | |
| Fitness Box | Ab Wheel, Skipping Rope & Pushup Pal | £ | Bodyweight training | 4.5 | |
| Floor Tiles | EVA Foam Tiles | £ | Floor protection | 4.6 | |
| Dumbbell Sets | Cast Iron Adjustable Dumbbell Set | £ | Resistance training | 4.3 | |
| Budget Bench | York Olympic Combo Bench | ££ | Free weight exercises | 4.3 | |
| Multi-Gym | BH Fitness Multi Gym | £££ | All over body sculpting | 5 |
Firstly you need to protect the area you’re using as a gym. So you need some floor tiles to prevent damage. The EVA Foam Tiles are cost-effective, highly rated and come in a variety of colourways to suit every home.
Every good home gym needs a top notch piece of cardio equipment and the Tunturi Cardio Fit S30 Spin Bike is just that.
32 levels of resistance, distance, speed and calorie tracking and a max user weight of 135kg makes this joint-saving piece of equipment a home gym must-have.
When you don’t fancy traditional cardio, I recommend a fitness box such as Ab Wheel, Skipping Rope & Pushup Pal. Burn calories and build muscle with HIIT workouts, whilst learning to be light on your feet and powerful in the press.
You then need a kettlebell set (Vinyl 2kg – 14kg) and a dumbbell set (Cast Iron Adjustable Dumbbell Set) to create an environment where resistance training is simple and effective.
The variety of exercises dumbbells and kettlebells allow for make them essential for a good home gym. Cardiovascular and hypertrophy wise.
Obviously you then need a bench to allow for pressing and effective total body resistance exercises. The York Olympic Combo Bench is a budget-friendly bench ideal for home performance.
Finally every gym needs a good multi-gym. The BH Fitness Multi Gym is ideal for all over body sculpting.
With a 100kg weight stack, leg press, chest press, flies, lat pulldown, leg extension and curl it’s the perfect accessory for those looking to stimulate muscle growth.
Gym Membership vs Home Gym
An average gym membership in the UK costs £35 a month. Over the course of 3 years that’s £1,260. 5 years that’s £2,100.
My guess is that if you’re buying a home gym you’re probably more fanatical about fitness than your average gymgoer. So my guess is you’re spending at least £60 a month on the gym.
So that’s £1800 over 3 years and £3000 over 5. Take into account distance travelled – this report suggested the average gymgoer travels 4 miles each way (hint: the closer you are, the more frequently you go).
If you go 3 times a week, that’s 24 miles a week. 1,248 miles a year. 7,488 miles over 5 years.
That’s absolutely incredible.
If you live in London where the average speed is just 17.4mph (7.8 in the centre), travelling to and from the gym will take 1hr 23m every week.
That’s nearly 72 hours a year!
If you live in central London, that’s 3hr 13m a week if you drive. Almost 163 hours a year.
But no one drives in central London.
If I had enough space, one of the first things i would do is purchase a good quality home gym. My time is as precious as yours and the savings would rack up.
But let’s be realistic.
It’s never going to be a money-making venture, but that’s not the point. It’s a luxury purchase for someone who has a lust for iron and money and space to spare.
Nothing better than waking up on a winter morn knowing your plates are right under your nose.
Best Home Gym Equipment for Weightloss?
To lose weight you need to be in a calorie deficit. You don’t need specific cardio machines or expensive racks. If your sole goal is to lose weight I recommend:
- Watching what you eat
- Doing some form of resistance training
- Getting yourself fitter
You don’t really need much home gym equipment for to lose weight. If you wanted to keep it as budget as possible, I suggest the Ab Wheel, Skipping Rope & Pushup Pal fitness box. A cheap and cheerful way to increase your cardio and resistance training.
When you start to take it more seriously you should look at purchasing:
- This budget option: Mirafit Heavy Duty Cage
- Or this one: GymGear Full Power Rack
Then you’ll need a weight set to go with it. Black Olympic Disc Set is a great beginner option and can easily be scaled up (+ it doesn’t cost the earth)!
Then you’d need a bench. York Olympic Combo Bench is a great beginner – intermediate option that won’t break within 12 months.
FInally get your self a spin bike. The Tunturi Cardio Fit S30 is a fantastic option for those looking to save wear and tear on their joints and lose weight.
Best Home Gym Ideas
If you’re short on space you need to be efficient with space as per the below. You’ve got to be incredibly efficient with storage and DIY storage racks and wall setups are critical to a clean and enjoyable space.
If you’re dead serious about powerlifting then setting up with monolifts and fantastic quality iron is a necessity. The below double monolift example is a real beauty.
If space isn’t an issue and you want to focus on something like crossfit, then you’ll need to have a wide open space, coupled with power racks, cardio machines and a functional fitness area.
If you live somewhere warm and the weather never deviates from 24 hour sunshine, then a) you’re a dick and b) you need a simple outdoor setup to make the most of it.