If you are looking for convenience in your fitness routine, a home gym can be a good addition. You can work out whenever you want. You do not have to deal with other gym goers. You can work out in complete privacy.
So you have decided on building a home gym but are unsure how much money you should invest. Today, I will attempt to break down the solution to this exact query.
Before building a home gym, consider your goals, available space, and budget. This will help you narrow down the list of equipment. Then there are other miscellaneous expenses like assembly, energy bills, and accessories you must consider.
You can build a decent home gym for $1000 or invest $20,000+ and build a premium fitness room.
Let us explore the question, how much does a home gym cost, and how do you build one suited to your requirements?
What Are The Benefits of Building a Home Gym?
If you are at the ‘Is a home gym worth my investment’ stage, here are some benefits to help you decide:
1. Convenience
You can go about your routine, attend work meetings, take care of chores, and work out at your convenience. You do not have to adjust your schedule as per gym timings. Is it raining or snowing outside? Does not matter; you can still stick to your fitness schedule.
2. Privacy
You do not have to deal with sweaty machines or have to wait for your turn to use a machine. If you like working out alone or with your partner, then home gyms are for you.
3. Save Time
No more time spent traveling. You can utilize the saved time to have longer workout sessions and have your pre and post workouts meals on time.
4. Save Cost
Home gyms require an initial investment but can be cost-saving in the long run. We will explore this point in detail below.
What Factor to Consider When Building a Home Gym?
Before we get into how much a treadmill or a power rack costs, let us understand what goes into building a home gym and equipment selection.
1. Fitness Goals
When we say ‘home gym,’ the picture that flashes across our eyes is typically a treadmill or a few dumbbells. The picture is not wrong, but it may not suit all fitness enthusiasts.
For example, investing in strength training equipment would be ideal if you want to build muscle. You can get your cardio fix by going for a run outside.
If you want to improve cardiovascular health and overall fitness, treadmills, ellipticals, or rowing machines could be a good addition.
2. Space
How much space do you have for a home gym? Will you set it up in your garage, attic, or basement? Do you have a spare room? Or will you be revamping your humble garden shed?
Apart from equipment placement, you also must chalk out space that you will need to move around freely and get a good range of motion.
3. Equipment
Your fitness goals and space will provide insights into what equipment you need.
For example, if you have limited space, then look for an all-in-one home gym machine that can be folded when not in use. This way, you can perform total body workouts and, once done, fold the machine and reclaim the space.
If you have space, you can build a multi-functional home gym with power racks, cardio, and isolation machines.
4. Budget
How much money can you afford for a home gym? I would recommend investing a minimum of $1000-$2000. Look for good brands whose equipment will last for a few years.
The performance and durability of the equipment are how you will get a return on your investment.
If you have budget constraints, buy one piece of equipment at a time and build along the way. Most brands offer installment payment options. Make use of sales and offers.
How Much Does a Home Gym Cost in 2023?
So now you better understand the fundamentals of a home gym and what equipment to purchase. Next, let us look at the investment that will go into a home gym.
1. Equipment
Here is the budget range of some of the essential pieces of gym equipment.
| Equipment | Cost |
|---|---|
| Treadmill | $500 to $1500 |
| Elliptical | $300 to $2500 |
| Dumbbells | Around $1.50 to $2/pound |
| Kettlebells | Around $2.10/pound |
| Adjustable Bench | $100 to $1000 |
| Resistance Bands | $15 to $80 |
| Pull-Up Bar | $40 to $200 |
| Barbell | $50 to $1200 |
| Weight Plates | Around $1.8 to $2/pound |
| Squat Rack | $200 to $1500 |
| Power Cage | $600 to $3000 |
| Home Gym Machines | $300 to $2000 |
2. Flooring
Firstly, you must ensure the flooring type can take the machine’s and other equipment’s weight. If the floor needs to be reinforced or repaired, the costs may significantly vary from a few hundred to a thousand dollars.
Next, you must cover the hard floor with a softer material to cushion your exercise moves and also to protect the flooring.
Here are some flooring options you can consider for your home gym.
- Rubber: You can opt for rubber mats or tiles. The rubber flooring can cost $4 to $30 per square foot, depending on quality.
- Vinyl: This is a good option if you are looking for stain and waterproof flooring. Vinyl can cost around $2 to 12 per square foot.
- Foam: They are one of the budget-friendly options. Foam tiles can cost around $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot.
- Carpet: This is suitable for lightweight exercises. Carpet flooring can cost about $2.6 to $12 per square foot.
- Artificial Turf: The material does well for outdoor spaces and high-impact exercises. They can cost about $4 to $10 per square foot.
3. Recurring Expenses
Energy bills make up for the major portion of recurring expenses. If you have an outdoor gym setup, and the room gets ample natural light and ventilation, the energy costs may be lower.
But a heating or cooling unit may be necessary if you live in areas with extreme weather conditions.
If you have multiple cardio machines in your home gym, they will contribute to energy costs.
4. Decor
Home gym decor may seem like an unnecessary expense. Yes, it is optional. But if you are looking for the motivation to stick to your fitness routine and work towards your goals, decor can help.
You could try low-budget ideas like motivational posters or a chalkboard with your goals and milestones. Or you could splurge and get full-length mirrors, accent walls, and mood lighting.
These decor items can cost as low as $10. If you plan on installing full-length mirrors, they can cost about $200 to $500.
How Does a Home Gym Cost Fare Against a Gym Membership?
As mentioned above, your ideal home gym depends on your fitness requirements and goals. A minimalistic gym with a yoga mat, free weights, skipping ropes, and resistance bands can easily be set up for about $500.
If you want a power cage, dumbbells, weight plates, cardio, and isolation machines, then the home gym can go upwards of $10,000.
In my opinion, a home gym with some essential equipment should cost $1000 to $2000.
If we consider the average gym membership in the US, it is $40/month. You may also spend money on gas or other traveling modes. So a home gym can be built in about three years of average gym membership cost.
My biggest takeaway from this comparison is the amount of time I save and the control I have over my schedule.
For example, if we make an annual cost comparison, I may pay $480 for a gym membership, but if I miss gym days due to work commitments or weather conditions, the membership does not work for me.
But if you are someone who thrives in gym classes or needs access to heavy-duty equipment, a commercial gym would be better suited for you.
FAQ’s
A 300 to 400 sq. ft area is good enough to build a home gym. If you have space constraints, you can build a functional home gym in a 100 sq. ft area. And if you want to have multiple machines, a 500 sq. ft area would be enough.
Look for vendors that offer refurbished equipment and good customer service. You can get up to 50 to 70% discounts. Shop during sales. Opt for package deals. Do not buy all equipment at once; add to your collection as you improve.
Yes, You can invest in several strength-building equipments like a power rack, barbells, and weight plates. Be careful when lifting heavy weights, and have a spotter around for safety.
Summary
How much does a home gym cost? The answer could be anywhere from $1000 to $20,000. It depends on your unique requirement and fitness goals.
If you are thinking of building a home gym, start with your fitness goals, space, and budget available. This will help you understand what equipment to buy.
When factoring in the total cost of the home gym, consider the equipment, assembly, flooring, lighting, HVAC, energy bills, and other miscellaneous expenses.
A home gym can provide you the freedom to work out at your convenience and privacy and help you save time and cost.
If you are a proud home gym owner, share your experience in the comments below.