The first step in building a home gym is to choose the right space. Here’s how to pick the best option in your unique living arrangement.

consider your options

Common spaces include a basement, an empty garage bay, the corner of the garage, a spare bedroom, the corner of a larger room, a home gym shed, barn, large closet, bedroom, a trailer, loft, backyard (if you live in the right climate), attic, balcony, or patio. Each location will have unique benefits and limitations to consider.

by the numbers

120 square feet (10x12’) -- Average size of a spare bedroom in the USA
100-200 square feet – Size of a typical home gym in the USA
12x20-24' -- Average size of a single garage bay in the USA

Assess your space

Measure the length, width, and height of the room or area you want to use for your home or garage gym. Make sure the room or area is large enough to allow for safe movement, and make sure the ceiling height is sufficient for standing exercises or overhead lifts. A low ceiling can interfere with your lifts.

Also ask yourself if there are any restrictions, such as ceiling joists, windows, doors, pillars, uneven floors, or built-in furniture that can affect the layout, or if the space is shared, like a garage where you still want to park a car. Is there a weight limit? (We will get into the specific layout later, but you want to make sure it’s even doable before moving forward.)

An apartment home gym may have rental rules to respect. Reach out to management if you are unsure.

evaluate lighting and ventilation

Check out the space’s lighting, ventilation, and climate. If possible, choose a space with windows for natural light to create a pleasant environment. If it’s dim, you might want to add proper lighting to your budget.

Ensure the space has good airflow. If there are no windows, consider adding fans or portable air conditioners. These may be especially important details for basement home gym ideas.

Also consider if your space is climate controlled. If not, assess the space for humidity concerns; humidity can make exercise uncomfortable and create extra wear and tear to your equipment.

accessibility and convenience

You also want to choose a location that is easy to access and not too far from your main living area to encourage regular use. Also, ask yourself if there are any existing storage options in your space. If not, make sure you earmark part of your budget for home gym storage. A chaotic gym ain’t it.

noise and distractions

Pick a space where your workout grunts won’t disturb other household members, and external noise (ahem, a tempting TV show) won’t distract you during workouts. A space with privacy can help you focus on your workouts without interruptions.

electrical outlets

Make sure there are enough outlets for any equipment that requires power, such as treadmills/cardio equipment that needs plugged in (note: an airbike doesn’t!), fans, or sound systems (although a wireless Bluetooth speaker can go anywhere).

Before picking equipment, let’s narrow it down.

Ask yourself what style of training you best align with? Functional fitness, powerlifting, bodybuilding, cardio, general fitness, Olympic weightlifting, Strongman, yoga?

More questions to ask:

Do you prefer to train with heavier or lower weights? Near failure or far from it?
What is the most weight you will need for your strongest lift?
How many people will be training in your home gym at any given time?

personal preferences

Think about other personal preferences, too.

Aesthetics: What motivates you and will make this space feel welcoming? This could include home gym decor, home gym wall art, mirrors, paint, workout posters, flags, special lighting, a dry-erase board or chalkboard, or a sound system.

General questions: What are your priorities and non-negotiables for a home gym? For example:

Budget
Minimal noise
Minimal space (Here's some inspiration for small home gym ideas.)
Organization (Especially important with a compact home gym)
Versatile equipment (Check out the Hyperion® collection)
Quality (This will point to higher-end options, like the PR-5000.)

Clarifying your priorities will help you with the next steps.

Before buying anything new, be clear about what you have. Collect all your existing equipment (if any) and examine it. Is it in good condition? Is it what you want and need?

Ask yourself:

What can I work with? Know what you have so you don’t waste money buying doubles.

Is there anything I can donate or sell? You can sell old equipment online and put that money toward new gear that you love. Wondering where to donate gym equipment? Reach out to the nonprofit Pull Your Heart Out, which provides gym gear to people in need.

Do I need to repair or replace anything? REP equipment has great warranties.

In addition to analyzing your gear, do an inventory of where you’re at and where you want to be. Look ahead at your goals and growth. If you already have a power rack but it can barely handle today's top set weight load or has minimal versatility for expansion, you might want to sell it and make space for something that won’t hold you back.

Once you know where you’re at and where you want to go, then you can start to get a clearer picture of what you need to do to get there.

how to take inventory of your home gym equipment

Make a list of all the equipment you currently own, including dimensions and any special requirements (e.g., electrical outlets). On this list, you may want to organize it in categories, such as:

• Size of Equipment
• Large equipment: Treadmills, ellipticals, power racks, weight benches, cable machines, free weights.
• Medium equipment: Dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, specialty equipment.
• Small equipment: Mats, jump ropes, resistance bands, foam rollers, straps, belts.
• Condition and maintenance: Note the condition of each item and if any maintenance or repairs are needed before setting them up in your home gym. This also includes style, if you are designing an aesthetic gym.

create a wishlist

Now that you know what you have, make a quick wish list of everything you would like to eventually have in your home gym. This is not a shopping list – yet. This is time to dream. Organize your list in categories (yeah, we love a spreadsheet!), such as:

• Essential vs. nice-to-have. Ask yourself the following questions:
• What are your home gym must-haves?
• Which pieces would you like (if not now, some day in the future)?
• Priorities, priorities, priorities! We recommend ranking your wish list on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the most important home gym essentials and 5 being the least.
• Space: You may also benefit from rating your wish list by size, with 1 having the smallest footprint and 5 having the largest.
• Price: If you’re on a tight budget, you can also rank your wish list by price, with 1 being the most affordable and 5 being the most expensive.

These (relatively objective) systems can help you make smart choices in step 6. For example, if there’s something that rates 1 across the board (like barbell clamps, which are essential, small, and inexpensive), that’s an easy yes when you’re loading up your cart.

Now that you’ve clarified your space, needs, existing inventory, and wish list, let’s set that budget for your home gym. This might not sound sexy but think of it as a magic trick to turn your money into muscles. You’re basically David Copperfit.

Here’s how to set a budget for your home gym, whether you’re building a luxury home gym or looking for low-cost gym equipment:

determin your home gym budget

What does a home gym cost? That’s like asking the price of a bag of groceries; it totally depends on what you get and need.

Budget limit: Start with your top end. What total amount can you/are you willing to realistically spend on your home gym?

Flexibility: How flexible is that number? Leave some room (like 10%) for unexpected expenses. No matter how well you plan, surprises happen.

Research gym equipment costs: Browse Repfitness.com’s home gym equipment to get an idea about price ranges – for both the essential gym equipment and the maybes.

Don’t forget the less fun essentials: gym flooring to protect your home and equipment; storage to keep it all organized; and assembly costs (if you want help). Luckily, all REP gym equipment ships free in the lower 48, so you don’t need to worry about that.

As you research costs, this will help inform Step 6 (when you will pick the right equipment). But this step is less about making the perfect choices and more about understanding the financial range you’re working with.

Budget for growth: Building out a home gym can be done in phases. Can you set a monthly/quarterly/yearly budget for growth?

prioritize your purchases

Break it down: Now, break down your total budget into categories -- must-have gym equipment vs. optional goodies – with the largest portion of the money going to the essentials that you’ll use the most. If you ranked your wish list in the last step, this will be easier.

If your budget is limited and you need an affordable home gym, consider a phased approach. Start with the most essential items (dumbbells, barbell, power rack, plates, bench) and gradually add more equipment over time.

Read: 3 Ways to Build a $1,000 Gym

Look for Ways to Save on Gym Equipment

If you are looking for economical deals and discounts, keep an eye out for sales by signing up for REP’s newsletter (scroll to the very bottom of the home page and enter your email address in the box on the right). Also, follow REP on Facebook and Instagram.

Even if you can’t wait for a sale, there are a ton of other ways to save money.

Must-read: How to Save Money on Home Gym Equipment

Also, think about the big picture when selecting equipment. A versatile power rack with room for growth (like the PR-5000) may cost more up front than the budget rack. But the option to add attachments (especially cable attachments) instead of buying full, stand-alone pieces of equipment will save you money (and space) in the long run. Multi-functional equipment is a long-term investment and money-saving hack that REP has turned into an art.

Need Help Pricing Everything Out?

Budget got you stuck? You can request a quote here – and it just might help you save money, too. REP's experts can offer advice on how to best build and outfit your space. After they create your custom quote, ask if you qualify for a discount. Large/bulk orders get a percentage off. You can also get help in person at one of REP’s showrooms. You’re not alone.

Now that you have a designated space and budget, it’s time to pick the best home gym equipment. The fun part! This really is personal, but for a general, typical lifter, a versatile and useful backbone includes:

A power rack with pull-up bar built on. Read: Guide to the Best Home Gym Power Racks

An adjustable bench. Read: Adjustable Bench Comparison Guide

A barbell. Read: Barbell Comparison Guide

Weight plates. Read: How to Pick the Best Weight Plates for Your Gym.

Not sure how much of a home weight set you need? Read: How Much Weight Do You Need to Buy for Your Home Gym?

Adjustable dumbbells. Read: What Makes the Best Adjustable Dumbbell?

You may also want to consider adding:

Resistance bands: These are great for warming up, rehab, and to add resistance – on their own or with barbell lifts.

An adjustable kettlebell: Kettlebells pack full-body training in a small package, made even smaller with the adjustable option.

Cable machine and attachments: Cable machines are great for lifters of all fitness levels and are incredibly versatile.

Foam roller: Roll to warm up, roll to cool down, roll to help recovery.

A plyo box: Box jumps, step-ups, and more are a few of the ways to use these boxes.

Gym Chalk: Secure your grip on heavier lifts and pull-ups with chalk.

Resources to Help You Choose the Best Home Gym Equipment

The blog is an ever-growing resource to help you navigate the options. You’ll find the blog under the “Learn” tab on the navigation bar.

The blog is packed with helpful info, from training tips to healthy lifestyle info. But the most useful categories when building your home gym will be “Guides” (comparing and explaining different gym equipment offerings) and “Inspiration” (full of home gym inspo, designs, and ideas).

Here are some articles that might be particularly helpful:

How to Build an Amazing Home Gym in a Small Space

3 Ways to Build a $1,000 Gym

Beware of These 13 Home Gym Mistakes

Under “Inspiration,” you will also find articles about building specific types of gyms, such as a powerlifting gym, a Strongman gym, a functional fitness gym.

Buying Guides

Product Detail summaries

What Floor Should I Put in My Home Gym?

Selecting the right gym flooring is crucial for creating a safe, comfortable, and effective workout environment in your home gym. Proper flooring not only protects your equipment and floors but also reduces the risk of injuries, provides cushioning for your joints, and enhances overall workout performance.

Durability: Choose flooring that can withstand heavy equipment and weights. Your kid’s cheap floor tiles probably won’t cut it with a robust rack.

Shock absorption: Flooring should provide some shock absorption to protect your joints and reduce noise.

Cleanliness: Pick floor mats that are easy to keep clean and sanitary. Because – uh, please, we don’t need to explain this to you, right?

Read: The Floor is Yours: Let’s Talk About Gym Flooring

How to Organize a Gym?

Don’t forget to plan storage, too. Here’s the best storage system for your home gym. And here are some tips to keep your home gym organized.

Tip: REP’s Modular Storage System could turn professional organizer Marie Kondo into a professional bodybuilder, it’s so customizable and thoughtful. Ooh, it sparks so much joy!

Review and Adjust Your Budget

As you choose gym equipment, review and adjust your budget as you go to make sure you’re on track. Track expenses and make adjustments as needed based on the actual costs. Be flexible. If you find a good deal on one item, you may be able to reallocate those savings to another area of your gym.

You have chosen the space for your home gym and now you know what you want to put in it. But before you place the order (that’s Step 7), you gotta make sure it all fits and flows. It’s time to plan the design.

Scale diagram: Create a scale diagram (rough or exact, depending on your level of perfectionism) of your space and layout options for your equipment. This can be done on paper or using online room planning tools. Use REP’s online Rack Builder to see how your rack will look in your space.

If you’re a hands-on person, you can make scaled cutouts of your equipment and move them around a piece of paper. Or tape off sections of the floor in your actual space.

Note any architectural features like windows, doors, outlets, and built-in storage that could impact the layout, and plan around any obstructions, such as low ceilings, pillars, or uneven floors.

Placement: Designate the larger items first and then fill in with smaller equipment. Ensure you have enough clearance for full range of motion for all exercises. Check the DIMS section of each product’s webpage for its measurements. Utilize wall space for mounted equipment like pull-up bars, a wall-mounted functional trainer, or storage solutions.

Zoning: Consider how you can zone different parts of the space for various activities (like a corner for cardio, a section for weights, a mat area for stretching/yoga, an accessory zone for smaller items like resistance bands, kettlebells, and jump ropes). Can certain areas serve multiple purposes, such as a stretching area that can also be used for bodyweight exercises?

Traffic flow: Make sure there's enough space for movement, loading the bar, a spotter (if needed), and access to all areas without having to move equipment constantly.

Storage solutions: Plan a home gym configuration that keeps smaller items organized and accessible. Shelving units, racks, or storage bins can help keep the space from getting cluttered.

Safety First, Kids

Spacing: Ensure there is adequate space between equipment to avoid injuries.

Flooring: Map out how far you want to lay your flooring. If it’s a shared space, it might just be half the room – but make sure it’s enough space to work out.

Other stuff: If applicable, where will you put the fans, speakers, lights, and cables for electrical equipment to prevent tripping hazards? Do we sound like your dad? We’re your dad now.

After experimenting with how the equipment will look in your space, you may need to make a few tweaks – additions, subtractions, configuration changes. Then it’s time to build your cart and place your order.

How to Order on REP’s Website

It’s easy to use RepFitness.com. You can search for a specific product or keyword in the top left search bar. Or browse by topic using the nav bar. Most of the products you want will be under the “Shop” tab, which is divided into different categories.

Here are some more useful tips for using REP’s website:

If something is out of stock, it will say that on the product page, and you can sign up for an alert for when it's back in stock.

How products are named:
PR means “power rack”
AB means “adjustable bench”
FT means “functional trainer”
FB means “flat bench” 

Many products go from 1000 to 5000, with the 1000 Series being the basic option and 5000 Series being the highest end.

If you want to build a personalized rack, you can use the Rack Builder – or if you want to simplify it, you can buy a pre-selected power rack. Don’t forget to peek at the apparel – not that you need that to build your home gym, but you will want it to use the gym!

REP usually ships equipment in the US within 1-2 business days – for free in the continental US.

If you need help, reach out to the customer support team.

REP also offers financing help if you need it.

Shop In Person at the Showroom

If you are located near a warehouse in California or Pennsylvania, you can go to one of REP’s two showrooms, try out the equipment before you buy it, and pick it up yourself right there to save big bucks.

How to Have the Best In-Store Experience?

Consider booking an in-person meeting with one of REP’s product experts. While this is not required, it will give the team time to prepare for your visit and help you dive right into the fun stuff: trying out the equipment on display.

Planning on buying? The showrooms accept most debit cards, credit cards, PayPal and Affirm financing, and ApplePay. They can’t accept cash or checks in the store.

Bring an appropriate vehicle. For rack builds, bring a full-sized pick-up truck or larger. For functional trainers, the Ares™ cable attachment + rack, and other large pieces, we recommend a truck and trailer. If you have questions on what vehicle you may need to safely accommodate your order, reach out to the showroom teams or the Colorado-based customer support team.

If you choose pickup instead of delivery, you save 10% on up to $2,500; 12.5% on $2,500-$7,500; and 15% for all purchases above $7,500. It’s easy to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Visiting in person also allows access to clearance sales and scratch-and-dent discounts only available in-store (while supplies last). Placing an online order ahead of time ensures inventory, but you can also call or email to check if the showroom has what you are looking for.

Read:

Tips for Visiting the REP Showrooms
Shop For Gym Equipment in Pennsylvania (And Try Before You Buy)
The Best Place to Get Gym Equipment in California
Local Pickup FAQ

You did it! Now it’s time to turn your dream home gym into a reality.

How Your Gym Equipment Ships

REP offers free shipping on all online orders within the continental US. In certain cases, shipping-related fees may apply for requests, such as delivery address changes, shipment re-delivery, shipment re-routing, or extended storage at the carrier distribution center. If you need any of these services, email info@repfitness.com before your order ships. If your order has already left the warehouse, additional carrier fees may apply and will be discussed with you prior to completing your request.

REP's goal is to make receiving your gym equipment as easy and affordable as possible, ensuring a smooth start to your fitness journey.

Setting Up Your Home Gym

In addition to the included instructions, check out:

Assembly services with Kandu. They assemble your products for you and dispose of all packaging.

If you don’t hire help to set it up, here are some tips:
Recruit a friend to help.
Unpackage all parts of a piece of equipment before you start building it.
Make sure you have plenty of space in your trash for the boxes and packaging.
Make sure you have the necessary tools, like a cordless drill with the right-sized socket.
Don’t be intimidated! Just take it one step at a time.

REP’s Knowledge Base. This is where you can find assembly instructions online.
REP’s YouTube has a ton of videos walking you through unboxing to installation. Here’s the Full Product Assembly Video Playlist. It doesn’t include every product, but it has many.

Read: Setting Up Your New Home Gym: Tips and Tricks

Also look at each product’s webpage. Scroll to the FAQs at the bottom to see if there is any advice about that product. For some of the bigger builds, the FAQs touch on how many people you need to build it, how long it might take, how to receive the delivery, and if you need any special tools.

Test the Setup

Dry run: Once you have a preliminary setup of your home gym design, do a dry run of a typical workout to make sure everything is accessible and functional.

Adjustments: Be prepared to make adjustments based on your experience using the space. Leave some flexibility for changes and growth over time, too.

Finalize and Enjoy

Final touches: Once you get everything installed, plan the design to create a motivating environment. That’s one important key to a successful home gym

Mirrors: Installing mirrors can help you check your form and make the space feel larger.

Sound system: Music can be a great motivator. Consider a good sound system or a portable speaker.

Home gym decor: Add personal touches like motivational posters, flags, awards, goals, home gym wall art, good pump lighting, photos, whiteboard and chalkboards, workout charts, plants, and LED lights.

For more ideas, home gym inspiration, and design, check out some photos of different REP home gyms here.

Organization is also critical for creating an optimal home gym. Hopefully you have already invested in storage solutions. No matter what, learn the ABCs of organization and put them to use. As the saying goes, you’re not as good as your goals; you’re as good as your systems.

Regular Maintenance

Never stop loving your home gym, and it will keep loving you back.

Read:

How to Take Care of Your Gym Equipment
How to Care For Your Barbell 
How to Clean Your Rubber Gym Flooring

Regular checks: Regularly inspect equipment for any signs of wear and tear.

Clean equipment: Wipe down machines and mats regularly to keep them clean and hygienic.

Creating a Workout Plan

Now you’re ready to rock and roll – and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Check out the “Training” section of our blog for how to use the equipment, different workout plans, how to set goals you’ll actually keep, and more. Need a workout program? Check out REP’s Programming Partners.

Remember, the key to a successful home gym is not just in the equipment you choose, but also in how you use and maintain it. Happy training!