Best Home Gym Set Up Small Space
Creating a budget-friendly small home gym setup is an exciting journey towards building a healthier lifestyle right within the comfort of your own space. Whether you’re tight on budget, space, or both, it’s entirely possible to craft a functional and motivating workout area without breaking the bank or needing a large room. I share how we converted our dining room into a home gym in this post. Keep reading and watch the video to see this Budget Small Home Gym Setup!
In case you’re in a hurry…
Planning Your Home Gym
First and foremost, the key to a successful small home gym setup lies in efficient use of space and selecting the right equipment that offers multiple workout options. Begin by assessing the space you have available – be it a spare room, dining room, garage, corner of a room, or even a balcony. Measure this space accurately and consider how you can utilize walls or even the ceiling for equipment storage or exercises. The idea is to create a clutter-free zone that is inviting and conducive to regular workouts.
Dining Room Converted into a Home Gym
Our dining room has always been used as a flex space in our home. It’s been an office, a guest room, and a game room. We have NEVER used it as a dining room! I’ve always used this room to do at-home workouts but now it’s a dedicated home gym. Since our kids have gotten older, it’s becoming more important for them to stay active and a home gym is a great way to encourage the entire family to be active.
BEFORE
You might be asking yourself, where is our dining room if we use this room as a home gym? We have a large Eat-in kitchen with a built-in banquette bench which serves as our dining room. This is a recent picture of our dining table in our eat-in kitchen. By the way, I found that dining room table on Facebook Marketplace for $50 (it’s worth $2,000!)… you can read about it here.
Essential Home Gym Equipment on a Budget
You don’t need to splurge on high-end equipment to get a good workout. Here are some budget-friendly essentials that are versatile, effective, and compact:
- Dumbbells: A set of dumbbells can be a game-changer in a small home gym, offering a range of weights without taking up much space. They’re perfect for strength training and you can adjust the weight as you progress.
- Resistance Bands: Inexpensive and incredibly versatile, resistance bands are great for strength training, stretching, and rehabilitation exercises. They come in various resistance levels to suit your fitness level and are practically weightless and easy to store.
- Yoga Mat or Gym Floor Mat: A good quality yoga mat isn’t just for yoga. It provides cushioning for floor exercises, stretching, and can serve as a base for stability exercises.
- Jump Rope: An excellent tool for cardiovascular fitness, a jump rope is highly effective, portable, and requires minimal space.
- Stability Ball: A stability ball can be used for core exercises, stability training, and even as a bench alternative for certain weight exercises.
- Wall Mirrors: Use cheap mirrors (like these $7 mirrors hung to create one large mirror) in your home gym to watch your form during your workouts.
Wall Mirrors | Fitness Posters | Gym Mat
Expanding Your Home Gym Over Time
As your fitness journey evolves, so too might your home gym needs. When the budget allows, consider gradually adding new pieces of equipment. Kettlebells, a pull-up bar, or even a compact treadmill or stationary bike could be valuable additions. However, always reassess your space and ensure that any new purchases continue to serve your fitness goals without cluttering your workout area.
Here are a few home gym supplies I have added when the budget was available:
- Walking Pad/Treadmill: This walking pad is compact to hide under a bed, in a closet, or against the wall when not in use.
- Fitness Posters: These fitness posters include ideas for workouts and are motivating when you see them in your home gym.
- Home Gym Wall Organizer: Keeps clutter at bay and organizes your most-used workout tools such as resistance bands, yoga mat, and stability balls.
- Large Stability Ball: Helps improve balance, flexibility, and overall coordination.
- Dumbell Rack: Keeps your weights organized and placed efficiently.
Walking Pad | Dumbell Rack | Fitness Posters
Maximizing Your Workout in a Small Space at Home
With the right approach, a small space can still offer a comprehensive workout. Focus on compound movements (exercises that target multiple muscle groups) to maximize efficiency. Exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and dumbbell rows are great examples. Circuit training, combining strength exercises with short bursts of cardio, can also be highly effective in a small space, keeping the heart rate up and maximizing calorie burn.
Dumbell Rack | Fitness Posters | Gym Mat
Incorporating Technology and Apps in Your Home Gym
In today’s digital age, technology can be a significant asset in enhancing your home gym experience on a budget. Numerous fitness apps and online platforms offer workout routines tailored to small spaces and limited equipment. From guided strength workouts and yoga sessions to HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and bodyweight exercises, these resources can provide structure and variety to your workouts without costing a fortune. My favorite fitness programs are from Beach Body! I’ve been doing Beach Body workouts since I was in my 20’s (the original P90X, 21 Day Fix, T25, etc).
Staying Motivated and Consistent Using a Home Gym
The challenge with any home gym, especially a small one, is staying motivated. To keep your workouts engaging, rotate your exercises regularly and set clear, achievable goals. Tracking your progress, whether through a fitness app or a simple journal, can also provide a motivational boost. Remember, consistency is key to seeing results, so try to establish a routine that fits seamlessly into your daily life. I LOVE these motivational fitness posters. They help my kids learn new workout routines as well!
Installing a Barre Ballet Bar in Your Home Gym
Creating a home gym that includes a barre ballet bar can be a fantastic way to enhance your fitness routine. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a fitness enthusiast looking to incorporate ballet-inspired workouts, a barre provides a versatile and effective tool for improving strength, flexibility, and balance. I love using our ballet bar for stretching!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you install a barre ballet bar in your home gym.
First, choose the right location for your barre. You’ll need a space that allows for a full range of motion, so consider an area with at least six feet of horizontal clearance and enough vertical space to accommodate your movements. Ideally, the barre should be mounted on a sturdy wall that can support weight-bearing exercises. Make sure the floor surface is level and non-slip to ensure safety during workouts.
Next, select the type of barre that best fits your needs. There are various options available, including wall-mounted and freestanding barres. Wall-mounted barres are more stable and require less floor space, making them ideal for smaller home gyms. Measure the height at which you’ll install the barre; for adults, it’s typically mounted at about 42 inches from the floor, while children’s barres are usually set at around 32 inches. If multiple users of different heights will be using the barre, consider installing two parallel bars at different heights.
You can find Barre kits online but I decided to DIY a ballet bar. I found 2 shelf brackets in my hardware stash and drilled them into the wall so the top was 42″ from the floor. It’s crucial to drill into wall studs to provide maximum stability. If you’re not comfortable with DIY installations, hiring a professional can ensure the barre is safely and securely mounted.
Then I used a wooden dowel from our scrapwood pile which is 1-inch in diameter by 6 feet. I drilled a hole through the dowel into the shelf and attached it with a flathead bolt. Once installed, test the barre by gently pulling and pushing it to make sure it’s firmly in place. With your barre properly installed, you can now enjoy a variety of strengthening and stretching exercises, bringing the elegance and discipline of ballet into your home fitness routine.
Wrap Up about a DIY Home Gym
Building a budget small home gym is not only about saving money and space; it’s about creating a personalized fitness sanctuary where you can focus on your health and well-being. By choosing the right equipment, utilizing your space wisely, and incorporating technology, you can achieve a versatile and motivating workout environment. Remember, the best gym is the one that you use consistently. With a bit of creativity and dedication, your small home gym can become a cornerstone of your fitness journey, proving that great things indeed come in small packages.
HOME GYM LINKS
- Foam Roller
- Walking Pad/Treadmill
- Fitness Posters
- Home Gym Wall Organizer
- Large Stability Ball
- Dumbell Rack
- Dumbbells
- Resistance Bands
- Yoga Mat
- Gym Floor Mat
- Jump Rope
- Stability Ball
- Wall Mirrors
- Barre Kit
DIY Budget Home Gym
Supplies
- Foam Roller
- Walking Pad/Treadmill
- Fitness Posters
- Home Gym Wall Organizer
- Large Stability Ball
- Dumbell Rack
- Dumbells
- Resistance Bands
- Yoga Mat
- Gym Floor Mat
- Jump Rope
- Stability Ball
- Wall Mirrors
- Barre Kit
Video
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