Home Gym Setup Guide: Budget to Elite Options
"Fitness is not about equipment alone; it’s about building habits. A home gym makes that process easier and more sustainable."
– Dr. John Ratey
Winter mornings hit differently when you’ve got a garage gym waiting for you. With my last fall race out of the way, I’ve opted to avoid sub-zero temps and dark streets. Instead, I’ve turned my garage into a training haven.
Over the years, I’ve pieced together my home gym, one piece of equipment at a time—some essentials, some “dream items” (like that Ski Erg I’m eyeing).
Whether you’re just starting or upgrading, a home gym is about more than convenience; it’s about creating a space that works for you. Let’s break it down into three tiers—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—so you can build your perfect setup.
Building Your Ideal Home Gym:
Bronze, Silver, and Gold Tiers
Bronze Tier: The Basics (Under $500)
I recommend starting with these bare-bones materials for two reasons: to see if you are actually going to use your gym and because these can be (and probably should be) used in the most advanced gyms.
Kettlebells: Swings, goblet squats, Turkish get-ups. (My favorite are the GORUCK Sand Kettlebells which I use nearly every workout. Read my review here.)
Plyo Box: Step-ups, box jumps, Bulgarian split squats.
TRX Set: Rows, chest presses, suspended lunges.
Doorframe Pull-Up Bar: Pull-ups, chin-ups, hanging knee raises.
Resistance Bands: Banded squats, rows, shoulder stability, and shoulder stretches.
Sandbags: Squats, overhead presses, farmer’s carries. (My favorite are the GORUCK Simple Training Sandbags. Read my review here.)
Jump Rope: Double-unders, cardio, speed work. This is a staple for any shorter events or trail events (like Spartans) for speed, coordination, and ankle health.
A Non-Toxic Yoga Mat: Core workouts, stretches, yoga flows.
Silver Tier: The Advanced Setup (Around $1,500)
Take your home gym to the next level with tools focused on building strength, mobility, and endurance.
Trap Bar & Bumper Plates & Collar: Deadlifts, shrugs, farmer’s carries.
Adjustable Bench: Bench presses, incline rows, split squats.
Dumbbells (Standard or Adjustable): Bent over rows, overhead presses, lunges.
Battle Rope: Alternating waves, slams, rope pulls.
Adjustable Weighted Vest: Weighted push-ups, pull-ups, hill sprints. (My recc is the GORUCK Ruck Plate Carrier 3.0 which I review here.)
Medicine Ball: Slams, rotational throws, overhead passes.
Floor Mat: Protect floors during lifting or plyometric exercises.
Gold Tier: The Elite Gym (Unlimited Budget)
Transform your space into a full-scale training facility with this premium equipment.
Squat Rack with Pull-Up Bar: Squats, overhead presses, and pull-ups.
Rowing Machine/Erg: Low-impact, full-body cardio sessions. This is where I spent most of my time as an athlete in high school. One of the best and most efficient workouts you can do.
Treadmill: Sprints, incline walking, interval training. We use a treadmill from Horizon Fitness which we love.
Stationary Bike: Low-impact endurance and HIIT sessions.
Cable Machine: Lat pulldowns, triceps pushdowns, seated rows.
Ski Erg: Endurance, sprints, core strength.
Rucksack: For trucking and hitting your Zone 2 and walking dosages. (My recc is the The Rucker 4.0 which is GORUCK’s flagship product. Check out my full review here.)
Tips for Your Home Gym
Less Is More: Resist the temptation to keep buying more equipment. Instead, focus on creatively maximizing the versatility of what you already have. A single kettlebell, for example, can replace multiple machines if you know how to use it effectively.
Get a Whiteboard: A whiteboard is a simple yet powerful tool for staying organized and motivated. Use it to track your goals, plan workouts, and provide inspiration with quotes.
Track Your Progress Digitally: Whether it’s lifting heavier, running faster, or improving consistency, progress is your best motivator. I recommend using an app like FitNotes to log your workouts, monitor improvements, and stay accountable. A few taps on your phone can make a big difference in maintaining momentum.
For the parents:
Make It Kid-Friendly (But Safe): If you have young kids, create opportunities for them to get involved. Keep lightweight items like mini dumbbells or resistance bands available so they can mimic your movements, but always present these as an option—not a requirement. For toddlers and babies, safety comes first. Use baby gates to block off access to heavy or motorized equipment like treadmills. (My wife, for instance, keeps our treadmill gated off to avoid accidents.)
The Takeaway
Your home gym doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate to help you reach your fitness goals. Start small with versatile tools that work for a variety of exercises and focus on building consistent habits. I started by lifting kettlebells in my living room and now I’m doing bike sprits and sandbag presses in the garage. What’s great about the home gym is that it removes excuses and simplifies your routine.
Start small, be consistent, get better.
