10 Workout Essentials To Make Your Home Gym Feel More Professional

If you’re thinking of building your own home gym and don’t know where to start, then this list with 10 workout essentials is a great start.

Are you tired of the long lines and broken equipment at your local gym? Or maybe you just hate wasting gas when you know in your heart that you could be doing the same workout at home.

Whatever your reasons for considering a personal fitness space, here are just a few building blocks to get the job done.

10 Workout Essentials For A “Professional” Home Gym

Here are 10 workout essentials that shouldn’t miss from any respectable home gym:

1. Bench

A good bench is often the heart of a home gym. It’s essential for bench pressing, of course, but it can also be used for everything from sit-ups to step-ups.

The trick is to find a sturdy, high-quality bench that can do everything that you want it to do.

Don’t just buy a secondhand bench from a yard sale. Look for something with adjustable inclines, removable leg attachments, and comfortable upholstery.

If you have more money, you don’t even need a bench. You can get yourself the best all in one home gym and save time and space.

2. Pull-Up Bar

Another versatile piece of gym equipment is the pull-up bar.

If you’re working on your arms, you can use it for pull-ups and chin-ups. If you’re strengthening your core, you can use it for hanging crunches and leg raises.

It won’t take up a lot of space or cost you a lot of money to install, but you’ll get tons of mileage from the pull-up bar.

3. Rings

They aren’t just for gymnastics. Rings are an excellent way to build upper body strength.

And what’s more, they can be utilized by the whole family.

A bodybuilding husband can work on his biceps while a teenage daughter perfects her shoulder tucks.

A mom can strengthen her abdominal muscles for yoga while a son gets ready for football tryouts with reverse row sit-backs.

There are a thousand ways to use gymnastic rings, and all of them will work up a sweat.

4. Resistance Bands

If you don’t have a lot of space for your home gym, think about buying resistance bands instead of cumbersome exercise equipment.

They can help you with things like curls, crunches, pullovers, chest presses, and leg extensions, and they’re easily stashed in a drawer when not in use.

Why should you waste room and money on big, bulky machines when resistance bands can do the same job for less?

5. Stereo System

One of the benefits of having a home gym is being able to blast your exercise playlist as loudly as you want. You’ll need good audio equipment, however, to avoid tinny tunes.

Look for a stereo system that includes speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers, and pay attention to their angles and positions to ensure surround sound.

Double-check their wireless capabilities, too. You’ll want to be able to stream your music from your smartphone.

6. Barbells

Not only can barbells be used to work out a variety of muscle groups, but they can also be customized with different weight plates depending on your size, strength, and workout type.

Incorporate them into your squats and lunges. Bench-press them to build more stamina.

They’re very versatile, so they’re great for home gyms where everything needs to have multiple uses in a contained space.

7. Floor Mats

Mats might seem like an extravagance, but you’ll appreciate them when you’re trying to do push-ups on a cold, hard floor.

Just make sure that you’re buying the right kind.

Don’t waste your money on something cheap or flimsy. Go ahead and splurge on high-density foam mats that will absorb impact and wick away moisture.

You might even invest in mats with interlocking squares so that you can add to them later as your gym expands.

8. Bathroom/Shower Facilities

These are especially useful if you’re building your gym in a basement or garage.

Instead of trekking back into the house to rinse off your sweat, you can just climb into the shower stall that you hooked to your water line.

Instead of losing steam and focus with extended bathroom breaks, you can pop into a half-bath with a compact toilet to quickly take care of business.

Space doesn’t have to be an issue as long as you plan ahead.

9. Cardio Equipment

If you’re hoping to trim your waistline, you’ll probably want at least one piece of cardio equipment in your gym.

It’s up to you to decide whether your weight loss goals will be best served with a bike, treadmill, rowing machine, or something else entirely.

How much space do you have? Which area of the body do you want to target? How much can you afford to spend on cardio tools?

10. Plyometric Boxes

Plyometric boxes are becoming a must-have for fitness junkies of all kinds.

They’re so simple and easy to use that you can build your own right there in the gym, and the fanciness of your box won’t impact your fitness routine at all.

Plyometric exercises don’t discriminate. They can be used with everything from cheap wooden boxes to elaborate spring-loaded cubes.

The Takeaway

These are just a few workout essentials for building a more professional-looking home gym.

It’s a common misconception that you’ll need a lot of money or square footage to get it done.

But if you’re on a very tight budget, then a few workout essentials should be enough to start your fitness journey.

If you’re willing to start small, you can create a home gym with nothing more than a jump rope and a place to lay your towel. Good luck!