Home gyms have been a thing for quite some time to help people reach their fitness goals, but it was only recently that they took off and became inspiring ideas more popular than ever.

With many gyms out of order or inaccessible over the past couple of years, working out at your own home gym has become not just common but natural.

If you’re thinking to set up your own home gym or upgrade your existing one, we have some ideas that can help.

Home Gym Ideas Essentials

If you’re starting your home gym from scratch, it’s important to prioritize your purchases, especially if you’re dealing with a small workout space. You can’t have everything in a home exercise room, nor should you.

So what are the essential exercise equipment items for home gyms? Well, here are a few to get your home gym started:

Quality mat

A lot of exercises that you can do at home require a mat. There are two main types that you can choose from.

One is the yoga mat which is slim and doesn’t take up a lot of space, and the other is the jump mat which is thicker and can be used for more intense exercises.

If you’re unsure whether you want a yoga mat or a jump mat in your home gym, the jump mat is a safe choice because you can use it for everything.

Jump rope

Jump ropes were a lot of fun when we were kids, and they’re still great now as adults because they’re considered workout equipment.

Before you dismiss a jump rope, thinking you’re never going to use it in your home gym, just consider this: there may be days when you don’t have the time, the energy, or the determination to do a full workout. On those days you could still use a jump rope to at least sneak in some light exercise.

Set of dumbbells

Dumbbells are quite versatile and considered by many a must-have in a home workout room. You can use them for light or serious workout routines and what makes them great is the fact that they don’t take up a lot of space and they can be used without any other exercise equipment for the gym.

There are plenty of dumbbells to choose from but many trainers recommend getting an adjustable set so you can customize your workout whenever you want.

Kettlebell

All you really need is one kettlebell in your home gym if you want to supplement your dumbbell exercises or get some cardio training without relying on complicated equipment.

Kettlebells are great because of their simplicity and versatility. You can use them for a lot of different exercises and they don’t take much space at all in home gyms.

Workout bench

The workout bench isn’t necessary for all types of fitness exercises, but it is very versatile and useful in other ways. If your home gym has the room for it, get an adjustment bench and integrate it into your workout routine.

A weight room with a workout bench really makes a difference if you’re doing strength training. If you’re short on space you can fold it down and slide it under the bed when you’re done with your training.

Pull-up bar

Another great accessory to have in your home gym is a pull-up bar. It takes up very little space and you can install it above the door.

It’s great for upper body and core exercises and it’s just fun to have around.

If you’re wanting to keep the workout area tidy and store equipment out of sight, a pull-up bar is perfect because you can even store it away when you’re done using it if you feel it ruins the aesthetic of the room.

Resistance bands

Resistance bands are a must in a home gym and there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t have them. They take up virtually no space at all and they’re super versatile.

You can use them to warm up, in combination with other equipment for the gym, and they’re not expensive.

Home gym vs gym membership

Both a home gym and a gym membership have their own pros and cons and deciding between them can be quite challenging.

At the end of the day, you should make the decision based on what works for you, your lifestyle, schedule, and personal preference.

Pros and cons of a gym membership

Pros:

a gym gives you access to a wide variety of equipment like a treadmill, a stationary bike, or even an elliptical that you wouldn’t normally have in a home gym. This makes it better if you want to get a full-body workout.gyms are social spaces where you get to work out with other people. This means it’s less likely to get bored while working out plus it can be nice to go to the gym with a friend.gyms can offer you a personal trainer who can teach you and guide you through your workout routine. They also show you how to use the equipment correctly and efficiently which is great if you’re a beginner.

Cons:

an expensive gym membership can be a big pain point for some people and even a deal-breaker.gyms can get crowded at certain times of the day such as in the morning or after work. This means you might have to wait around to get access to certain equipment.it’s pretty easy to lose motivation to go to the gym mainly because it requires you to physically go there. There might be days when you don’t have time or when you just don’t feel like getting out of the house because of bad weather or something else.

Pros and cons of a home gym

Pros:

a home gym is always there and lets you exercise whenever you feel like it. There’s no schedule that you have to stick to and you don’t waste time on the road.in a home gym, you can listen to your own favorite music while working out and that can make it way more fun and enjoyable than being at the gymat your home gym, you have privacy which a lot of people value. There’s nobody around to judge you in your workout room and you can be totally comfortable while exercisingyou can customize your home gym however you want based on your own needs. You can start with a small space for your workout area and just add some basic home gym equipment and add more as you create your own personal workout routineit is more cost-efficient to invest in a home gym and can save money rather than to pay a membership in the long run. The initial investment can be pretty big but you only pay this one time and you can use the home gym for years after that.you don’t need to share the equipment with anyone if you have a home gym. You don’t have to wait in line to use anything and you don’t need to worry about strangers sweating all over the place and spreading germs.

Cons:

a home gym is not as motivating as regular gyms because you’re all alone with no one to encourage you. It’s also not as easy to become focused at home because you feel too comfortable there and you don’t get in the zone the same way.it’s easy to get distracted at home. There are all sorts of things that can seem more appealing than the workout equipment at any time like that comfortable sofa and the TV in the living room. Also, there might be other family members around that can disrupt you while working out.a home gym requires at least a small space that you may not have. Some gym equipment consists of a large exercise machine like a weight bench, a treadmill, or a stationary bike which can be too big for your small home gym, and you may not have enough room to do your exercises properly at home.

Flooring Material For Home Gym Ideas?

One detail you should pay special attention to when setting up your home gym is the floor. Give special consideration to the material that it’s made of and its durability and choose the flooring material based on the type of exercises that you plan to do in your home gym.

Here are our top 3 flooring material home gym ideas:

Rubber tiles

These are tiles made of recycled rubber which you can use to create a custom home workout space in your functional home gym. They’re like puzzle pieces that fit together.

They’re durable, easy to install, and shock-absorbent which is great if you work with heavy weights or heavy equipment in general. They protect the floor from scratches and damage from the gym equipment and they also provide traction.

Hardwood flooring

If you want a more permanent flooring solution in your home gym, consider hardwood. The wood floor gives you a solid and durable hard surface and it looks a lot better compared to rubber mats and foam tiles.

Hardwood floors are also waterproof and easy to clean and they’re also strong enough to withstand heavy equipment and intense traffic.

Carpet tiles

Carpet tiles are a good option if you want a second layer of protection to add on top of your existing precious floor space. They’re also great if you want a softer and more comfortable surface for your home gym.

It prevents scratches from the gym equipment and it’s easy to install. Be sure to choose tiles that are waterproof and not particularly thick because you don’t really want a thick carpet to get soaked with sweat.

22 Creative Designs for Home Gym Ideas

Bright and spacious

Not everyone has the option to turn an entire room into a home gym and assigning a large room is an even bigger challenge. If you do however have this option, make the most of it.

Open up the room, expose the windows and let the sunlight in. It fills the whole space with energy like this one designed by HK Interiors.

Simple home gym ideas

It’s easy to get excited about setting up a new home gym idea and wanting to fill it with absolutely everything. Try however to keep things simple and to only include the equipment that you actually need.

This will give the gym a clean and stylish look and it could even leave space for some extra features. This design by studio Brion Jeannette Architecture is a really nice example.

Nice view

Try, if at all possible, to set up your home gym in a spare room that has a nice view. This way you’ll have something beautiful to look at while you’re working out.

It doesn’t have a full room. The corner of your living room or a part of a spare bedroom could work just fine, as demonstrated here by Masa Studio Architects.

Well-organized space

Keeping your home gym clean and organized is important not just because it looks good but also because it’s safer and more enjoyable and inspiring.

Having dumbbells scattered around the floor is just an accident waiting to happen. Check out this space by studio Anthony W Design if you want some ideas in this regard.

Multipurpose room

Although it would be cool to dedicate an entire spare room to just your workout room equipment and turn it into a home gym, realistically that rare happens. What is however doable is creating a multipurpose space where you can have your gym equipment as well as some storage, laundry machine, or whatever else would fit.

We really like this combination between a dressing room and gym designed by studio Pascal Liguori & Son.

Cozy attic home gym ideas

There are multiple options when it comes to choosing a location for your home gym. It could be down in the basement but it could also be up in the attic or on the top floor which would give it a nice view and would make it look super cozy.

A gabled roof would have a similar effect. Let this space by NC Design Studio-Architects inspire you.

Practical and stylish

There’s no reason why a home gym setup can’t be both practical and good-looking. This design by Brandon Architects is the perfect example.

The floor is covered in rubber tiles for traction and durability and the design is simple and monochrome with a bit of warmth added by the wooden accent wall. There’s also a large mirror on the wall which makes the entire room seem bigger.

Moody lighting

Image from eladgonen.

Unless you prefer your home gym to be very bright, some moody lighting can make this workout space look super nice and stylish. Here the ceiling lights and the sconces really help the beautiful wood floor stand out and they also add warmth and color to the gym.

Minimalist approach

If the rest of your home is designed in a contemporary and minimalist style then you should keep the same aesthetic in the gym, with the necessary adjustments of course.

The gym designed by studio Aesthetic Renovations has a special vinyl floor on top of the existing wooden panels and super simple floating shelves for storage space.

Large mirrors

Installing large mirrors on the walls or even some floor to ceiling mirrors of your home gym is one of those great home gym ideas for multiple reasons. It lets you actually see yourself and make sure you’re exercising right and it also makes the room look bigger and brighter.

Combine this with white walls and a white ceiling to amplify the effect. Check out this design by studio Silver Leaf for more inspiration.

Simple but diverse home gym ideas

You don’t need a lot of stuff of equipment to make your home gym serve you well. Include a few major things that you want to be part of your workout routine and if there’s still enough space set up a nice little area where you can sit down and relax.

This design by studio Cleft Painting shows how simple it is to make it happen.

Inspirational view

When you have a great view like this to look at working out is a real pleasure. The scenery fills you with energy but also relaxes the mind at the same time, putting you in a great zone. This is one of those gorgeous home gym ideas that was built by studio Cabex Construction.

Light colors andnatural light

Sunlight has a very positive effect on our body and mind. It fills us with energy and positivity which are both important when working out.

This is why this home gym designed by Young & Borlik Architects is so amazing. Of course, the light wooden floor, exposed beams, and beige walls also help to make it feel inviting and to look stylish.

Contemporary home gym ideas with extra features

There are all sorts of things you can add to a home gym to make it more enjoyable to be in and nice to look at.

Apart from the gym equipment, you can also add a wall-mounted TV so you can have something to look at while doing fitness exercises and you can install speakers so you can play music while working out. Check out studio Multimedia Solutions for more ideas.

Home gym ideas inspired by nature

Another cool approach can be to create a home gym inspired by nature using materials like stone and wood. You can add lots of plants to create an immersive ambiance and perhaps even a water feature or, even better, a pool.

Check out this cool-looking home gym designed by studio Apex Mountain Homes for more inspiration.

Pops of color

There’s no reason why your home gym should be all gray or white or boring when it comes to its color palette and overall design. Adding pops of color to a gym’s design makes it look more fun and gives you a nice boost in energy and motivation.

There are plenty of ways in which you can incorporate color into a gym’s design. An easy option is with rubber or foam tiles.

Check out this workout space by studio Legacy Custom Built Homes as an example.

Industrial style home gym ideas

Instead of making your home gym look all zen and cozy you could also go a different route and give it a rough and industrial aesthetic.

This one for example has a polished concrete floor space, an exposed concrete wall, and all these metal accents. It was created by studio Kelley Design Group.

Transitional home gym ideas

If you want to you can also blend two or more styles to give your home gym a little bit of everything.

How about a transitional design with modern and traditional elements put together in harmony?

Trendy and versatile

This is not a very big home gym but those big glass windows and the mirror wall help a lot to make it look large and spacious. Also, the design is simple and modern and makes it easy to combine two rooms into one, like a laundry area and a gym.

Fresh and fun home gym ideas

Design your home gym with a fun twist so it doesn’t feel like an austere space where you have to work but a space where you can enjoy working out. Give it a bit of color and look for some fun equipment or details to add to the design.

Perhaps this design by studio Smiley Renovations can inspire you.

Classic look

If you like your home gym to have a classic, traditional design that’s ok too. This usually means a simple and neutral color palette based around tones of gray and white with stainless steel accents.

A bit of wood on the floor is always welcome. It adds warmth and beauty to the exercise room.

This workout space by Arc Design Group can give you an idea of what this looks like.

Cabin-inspired design

This is one of those stylish home gym ideas that has a rustic air to it and a nice cabin-inspired feel. The wood paneling on the walls makes it feel very inviting, the ceiling is high and the windows let in lots of light as well as a nice view.

It’s a workout space that feels like home created by studio M.T.N Design.

What Exercises Can I Do In My Home Gym?

The whole point of setting up a home gym is so that you can reach your fitness goals without having to leave the house or pay for a gym membership.

So what kind of exercises can you do in your home gym? Well, all sorts, starting with these 10 simple fitness moves:

Stationary lounges – it’s more comfortable to do this on a mat but that’s not necessarily a requirement. To do a stationary lounge position yourself with the right foot in front and flat on the ground. Keep the left foot on its toes and bend the knees and lounge until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position and switch legs.Forearm plank – you can do this either on a mat or on the floor space. Start by assuming a plank position on your forearms so your body makes a straight line. Hold this position for 30 sec – 1 minute.Bicycle crunches – this is an exercise for your abs and you can do it on a mat. Lie on your back, bring your knees up and the legs at a 90-degree angle. Put your hands behind your head. Bring your right elbow to your left knee and at the same time straighten your right leg. Return to the starting position and do the same thing for the opposite side.Chair squats – you need a chair for this exercise. Start in front of the chair with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and lower your body until you touch the chair with your bottom while at the same time extending your arms in front. Return to the starting position and repeat.Knee pushups – a simpler version of standard pushups for beginners. You can replace this exercise with standard pushups if you want to. First, get into a high plank position from your knees, then bend your elbows and lower your body down to the ground. Keep the elbows at a 45-degree angle. Push back and repeat.Superman – do this on a mat. First, you lie on your stomach with your arms and legs extended. Raise your arms and legs off the ground as high as you can simultaneously. Maintain that position for a second, then slowly lower them back to the starting position. Dead bug – start on your back with your legs and arms raised in front of you at a 90-degree angle. Extend your left leg and at the same time drop your right arm above your head, then bring them back up and repeat for the opposite side.Overhead squat – a good exercise for an advanced workout. It’s basically a standard squat but done with your arms extended overhead.One leg/ one arm plank – an exercise that takes the plank to a new level. While holding the plank position, lift one arm or one leg up and hold it there for as long as you can, then switch sides.One-legged pushups – start by assuming a pushup position then lift one leg off the ground. Complete the pushup and repeat or switch sides.