A home gym can save you thousands over time compared to an ongoing membership, but only if it’s planned properly from the start. Here’s what to think through before you set one up.
Measure your space
Decide where the gym will go, ideally away from bedrooms if you’ll be training early or late with music on. A garage or basement is often the best option. Once you know where it’s going, measure it properly, since that determines what you can realistically fit.
How many people will use it?
Training alone or with others changes the layout and flow you need, and how much bulky equipment is worth buying. Plan around who will actually use the space, not just yourself.
Flooring
Commercial rubber gym flooring costs more, around $35 per square metre, but it’s durable, shock absorbent and typically 15mm thick, which protects the surface underneath and reduces noise and vibration from dropped weights.
Cooling, heating and ventilation
Natural ventilation is healthier than relying on air conditioning full-time, but summer and winter extremes will test that. If you have ducted air conditioning, an additional zone may be a simple extension. A split system needs a decision on where the motor will sit.
Do you need technology?
A TV isn’t for watching shows, it’s for following workouts on screen instead of a phone. Power, data connection and wireless speakers are worth planning for alongside it.
Budget
Your budget will ultimately be shaped by your goals: more cardio, more weights, or a mix of both. A consultation with a commercial equipment supplier, with your budget and room size in hand, will get you a realistic set of options.
Health and safety
Child locks, equipment placement, trip hazards, a first aid kit and a defibrillator are all worth factoring in. The safer the space, the more it actually gets used.
