Build Your Home Gym
Building your dream gym doesn’t have to be complicated — and you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re starting with a single corner or designing a full home setup, we’re here to help you choose the right equipment for your space, goals, and budget. Below, you’ll find a guide to designing your gym along with a breakdown of equipment types to help you understand what fits your needs. And if you want a second set of eyes or a custom plan, reach out anytime — we’re happy to help you map out a gym you’ll actually love training in.
Help Me Plan My Gym
Steps to Planning Your Gym
Use this gym guide to walk through each step of planning your space, priorities, and budget so you can build a setup that fits your goals and works in the real world.
Define how you want to train
Evaluate your space and its limits
Choose versatile, foundational equipment first
Match equipment to your training style
Set a realistic budget upfront
Gym Equipment Guide
This equipment guide breaks down the main types of gym equipment, what each is best used for, and how much space they require, so you can confidently choose the right pieces for your home gym setup.
Functional Trainers
he Swiss-army knife of training equipment. Dual cables let you hit any muscle from any angle for controlled resistance, isolation, or rehab work — a complete gym in one sleek station.
Purpose: Constant tension and movement variety.
Best for: Isolation, rehab, accessory work.
Room Size: ✅ Medium–Large (8x8 ft+).
Power Racks
The backbone of almost every serious home gym. A rack gives you a safe, stable base for barbell lifts, pull-ups, and accessory work — basically your training command center. From small stands to full cages, it scales with your space and goals.
Purpose: Strength, muscle building, compound lifts.
Best for: Squats, bench press, pull-ups, barbell work.
Room Size:
- Squat stand: ✅ Small (6x6 ft)
- Half rack: ✅ Medium (8x8 ft)
- Full cage: ✅ Large (10x10 ft+)
Adjustable Benches
A bench turns a set of dumbbells or a barbell into a full training station. Use it flat, incline, or upright for pressing, rows, and ab work — then roll it out of the way when you’re done. Compact, versatile, and essential for almost every goal.
Purpose: Pressing, rows, core, full-body support.
Best for: Chest, shoulders, triceps, abs.
Room Size: ✅ Small–Medium (6x4 ft).
Barbells
The heart of traditional strength training. A good bar unlocks compound lifts that build total-body power and coordination. It needs some clearance, but if you’ve got the space, it’s the most rewarding piece of metal you’ll ever own.
Purpose: Strength training, foundational movements.
Best for: Squats, deadlifts, presses.
Room Size: ✅ Medium–Large (7–8 ft clearance).
Weight Plates
The heart of traditional strength training. A good bar unlocks compound lifts that build total-body power and coordination. It needs some clearance, but if you’ve got the space, it’s the most rewarding piece of metal you’ll ever own.
Purpose: Strength training, foundational movements.
Best for: Squats, deadlifts, presses.
Room Size: ✅ Medium–Large (7–8 ft clearance).
Dumbbells
The most universal piece of home gym gear. They let you train every muscle group with minimal setup, challenge your balance, and keep workouts interesting. Adjustable sets fit tight rooms; full racks suit dedicated gyms.
Purpose: Unilateral work, balance, versatility.
Best for: Presses, curls, lunges, rows.
Room Size: ✅ Small–Large (4–6 ft).
Kettlebells
Compact, powerful, and built for movement. Perfect for swings, snatches, and conditioning sessions that torch calories and build grip and core strength — all in a small footprint.
Purpose: Explosive power and conditioning.
Best for: Swings, cleans, snatches, Turkish get-ups.
Room Size: ✅ Small–Medium (6x6 ft).
Bands & Suspension Trainers
Lightweight, portable, and surprisingly effective. Great for warm-ups, mobility, travel workouts, or adding resistance anywhere. They turn a doorway, beam, or rack into a mini functional gym.
Purpose: Portable resistance and stability work.
Best for: Mobility, rehab, core.
Room Size: ✅ Small–Any (4x4 ft).
Flooring & Mats
The foundation of a professional-feeling gym. Quality flooring protects your subfloor, deadens noise, and defines your training zones. It’s the first upgrade every home gym deserves.
Purpose: Safety, comfort, and noise control.
Best for: All gym setups.
Room Size: ✅ Any.
Cardio Equipment
From air bikes to treadmills, cardio gear builds endurance, helps recovery, and balances out your lifting. Choose compact options for smaller rooms or go full treadmill for dedicated setups.
Purpose: Endurance, fat loss, conditioning.
Best for: Recovery and general fitness.
Room Size:
- Bike/rower: ✅ Medium (6x8 ft)
- Treadmill: ✅ Large (8x10 ft)
Medicine & Slam Balls
Simple tools for dynamic training. Toss, twist, or slam them to build explosive power and core strength — perfect for short, intense workouts that don’t need machines.
Purpose: Power, conditioning, functional training.
Best for: Core and explosive work.
Room Size: ✅ Small–Medium (6x6 ft+).
Resistance Machines
Smooth, guided movement for safe and precise muscle targeting. Great for beginners, bodybuilding, or injury-friendly training — these take more room but deliver pro-level feel.
Purpose: Isolation, safety, rehab, muscle growth.
Best for: Beginners, bodybuilding, joint-friendly work.
Room Size: ✅ Large (10x10 ft+).