14 Things Every Home Gym Needs[html]
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There’s a little game I like to play sometimes, and it seems to be popular with other folks who tend to work out at home: What equipment would I buy if I were starting a new home gym from scratch? You can also play the advanced version: If you already have (insert common items here), what would you buy next?
What follow are my picks for anybody starting a new home gym or looking to expand the one they have—whether that means a corner of your bedroom or a full-on garage-based weightlifting paradise. I'll start with space- and budget-friendly items, then move on to some bigger-ticket buys.
Kettlebells
If I had to put together a home gym from scratch, I think I would start with two kettlebells: one light enough to strict press or snatch, and one heavy enough to make swings and goblet squats challenging. For a beginner, that might be a 25 pound kettlebell and a 50 pound kettlebell; if you're stronger, obviously go heavier. The basic cast iron type is usually cheapest, while the colorful competition style kettlebells feel a bit nicer. By the way, I have a guide here to buying your first (or next) kettlebell.
If I had a smidge of extra cash, I’d buy them as adjustable kettlebells, like this one from Kettlebell Kings, so they could get heavier as I got stronger. Competition-style adjustables are by far the best kind, since they keep the same smooth shape no matter what weight you load them to. This lets you do cleans, presses, and snatches, rather than limiting you to swings.
A pull-up bar
Pulling exercises are some of the hardest to improvise outside of a gym (although if you took my advice about kettlebells, you could do rows with those). A doorway pull-up bar like this one barely takes up any space, but it opens up a ton of possibilities. If your doorframes don't allow you to wedge in a doorframe bar, try a pull-up tower like this one.
A spin bike
Cardio is good for you. I keep telling myself this, and I’m almost starting to believe it. With a spin bike, you can do intervals or steady state work while staying comfortably indoors when the road outside is dark, or wet, or icy. The price range of options here is wide. You can splurge on a top-of-the-line Peloton—see this comparison to decide between the Bike and the Bike+, and this rundown of power zone training, which is hands down the best way to use a Peloton. Or you can go for one of the budget bikes (like a Sunny) that are less than a fifth of the price.
A rowing machine
My first choice for a cardio machine is the bike, as mentioned earlier. But if you want another device, I’d vote for a rower. Rowers involve your full body, and they’re great for interval training. The Concept 2 is probably the best-known (and, many would say, hands down the best) brand in this space. (Not a rower person? My third choice would be a treadmill.)
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are a great way to lift weights at home. They’re smaller than a barbell, less specialized than a set of kettlebells, and you can do a ton of different workouts with them.
As with kettlebells, you’ll need to decide if you want to get a few pairs at specific fixed weights (cheaper to start), or go for a pricier adjustable set. Rubber hex dumbbells are the best bet if you want a selection of dumbbells you can just grab and use without adjusting. But if space is at a premium, Powerblock and Bowflex make quick-adjusting options that stacked up well against the competition in our adjustable dumbbell roundup. Or go with my colleague Meredith Dietz's favorite, the Rep Quickdraw.
A bench
If you have dumbbells or want to do any sort of bro workout, you’re going to need a bench. I’m more of a barbell person, so I just got a flat bench that can fit in my rack when I want to bench press. But people who do more dumbbell work often prefer a sturdy adjustable bench that can be configured for incline or upright seated work.
A barbell
If you’re into powerlifting or weightlifting, or just want to go heavy in your general strength workouts, there’s really no substitute for a good ol’ barbell. “Standard” bars with a one-inch hole are common in budget sets, but your purchase will have more longevity if you opt for an “Olympic” style bar with two-inch collars. Get a 45-pound or 20-kilogram bar like this one unless you have a specific reason to get something else. (Women who do Crossfit or Olympic weightlifting may prefer the 15-kilogram women's bar that is used in competitions.)
