Are Home Gyms Worth the Hype? Here’s What You Need to Know

The trend of working out at home has significantly increased in recent years, especially after Covid-19. The accessibility of avoiding crowded gyms, saving on membership fees, having the freedom to exercise anytime, and hygiene control have made home gyms attractive for fitness practitioners and busy people.

However, setting up a home gym involves multiple considerations, including a high price tag, space requirements, and the need for self-motivation. Also, there’s an important question to ask ourselves: Are Home Gyms Worth the Hype?

This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of home gyms, potential limitations, and space requirements, helping you determine whether they truly live up to the hype and are the right choice for your fitness goals.

Home Gym for Gym Goers 

A home gym for gymgoers is a space dedicated to physical workouts in the comfort of your own home. It is designed to offer a convenient and accessible alternative to traditional gyms. 

By setting up smart home gyms, you create an environment where you can perform a variety of exercise options and physical activities to improve your condition, develop your strength training, increase your endurance, and achieve your fitness goals. 

The home gym can be customized according to your preferences and needs by choosing the right equipment for your training program, whether it is weights, strength training machines, yoga mats, or any other fitness equipment. 

It offers the convenience of getting a full-body workout at any time without going to a commercial gym, and it allows you to create a motivating and private vibe to focus on your health and fitness goals.

How to Build a Home Gym: Step-by-Step Guide

A gym at home, dream or reality? Having an entire room at home dedicated to practicing sports is outside everyone’s reach. But with a few tips, you can create a space for doing sports in a living room.

Determine Your Budget Home Gym Equipment

Would you like to save money? Before shopping for equipment, set a realistic budget for your home gym. Quality machines are available at different prices, so decide how much you will spend and stick to your budget.

Choose a Space

Find a proper space for your home gym, such as an empty room, garage, or basement. Make sure the place is large enough to hold all your gym machines and that you have room to work out comfortably. It’s also essential to save space for your personal gym equipment.

Buy Basic Gym Equipment

Start by purchasing basic fitness equipment such as a yoga mat, dumbbells, and resistance bands. For more advanced strength training exercises, consider buying an adjustable weight bench.

Invest In Advanced Exercise Equipment

Once you’ve established a solid foundation for your home gym system, you can invest in home gym equipment, such as a pull-up bar, rowing machine, or stationary bike.

Add Additional Gym Equipment

To diversify your workout, you can add additional home gym equipment such as a treadmill, stability ball, or jump rope.

Personalize Your Home Gym

Add personalization elements such as a surround sound system, wall mirror, or decorations to make your own home gym more enjoyable and motivating.

Following these simple steps, you can build your home gym that fits your needs and fitness goals. With time, patience, and effort, you can work out comfortably at home and stay fit all year.

Home gym: Strength Training Equipment

The market for building muscle is vast and includes sophisticated home gym equipment and the essential benches for training with dumbbells and bars. 

If you are a beginner at a home gym system, performing strength training exercises on the gym-at-home equipment that guides your movements, helps you adopt good posture, and prevents you from making wrong movements. 

With some practice, you can move on to a cable machine, which gives you more freedom of movement, free weights, and work with multiple muscle groups. However, you must follow the following criteria to select a device:

• Load and height adjustments should quickly fit the athlete’s characteristics.
• Devices must be solid and steady with heavy loads.
• For multi-use devices, weight should move smoothly.
• Seats need to be ergonomic and comfortable.

Advantages of Having a Home Gym

Home fitness centers, power systems, virtual trainers, and other equipment can help you transform your body weight into a loadable workout. Kettlebells, resistance bands, and free weights are good, but you can easily combine their benefits with home fitness equipment.

Besides that, the gym has 24/7 hours, and the user can go to the workout without waiting for anyone else to finish doing the same. However, setting up your home gym system creates a comfortable and reserved training environment. 

You can take the time to calmly learn the correct movements, with no gym membership fees, discover how to use the home gym equipment, and decide which routine and pace are best for your fitness routine.

To make it clear, going to a commercial gym is fantastic! It’s all about being together, catching up with friends, working together as a team, and so much more.

But there may be times when you want to train in your home gym for many reasons. So here are some great motivations to build your home gym:

• 24/7 Access: A portable home gym allows you to work out anytime, fitting exercise seamlessly into your schedule without worrying about gym hours.
• No Gym Membership Fees: While the initial investment can be relevant, the long-term savings on monthly fees in a commercial gym can add up significantly.
• Customizable Space: You can customize your workout environment to your preferences, from the choice of music and lighting to the type of equipment.
• Comfort and Privacy: Work out in a private space without feeling self-conscious or waiting for equipment to become available.
• Inclusive for Family: Family members or roommates can also use the home gym, promoting a healthier lifestyle for everyone in the household.
• Hygiene Control: Maintaining a clean and sanitized workout space reduces the risk of infections and illnesses in your home gym.
• Safe Environment: Avoid potential hazards associated with crowded gyms, such as poorly maintained equipment or risky behaviors from other gymgoers.
• Personal Pace: Work out at your own pace, without the pressure of keeping up with others or following a class schedule.

Disadvantages of Home Gyms

As home gym owners, it’s essential to be aware of the drawbacks associated with this decision. One major disadvantage of owning a home gym is the cost of quality equipment.

While investing in high-quality exercise machines and tools can be expensive, it is worth it in the long run if you are committed to your fitness goals. 

The initial expense can be high, especially if you want to start with a comprehensive setup. However, you can begin with essential items like kettlebells, resistance bands, or a yoga mat and gradually add more equipment over time, eventually purchasing more significant, costly machines.

Another significant disadvantage is the space required for a home gym. Setting up a gym can take up considerable space in your home, so you must ensure you have enough room for the equipment you want. Many pieces of gym equipment require at least 3 feet of space on all sides. 

Measuring and planning your space is vital to accommodating your gym setup. You can start with smaller equipment like a bike or a treadmill and expand gradually or dedicate an entire room or garage to a more extensive gym setup from the beginning.

Another characteristic is that lacking a broader fitness community and peer encouragement can make it easy for home gym owners to fall into inconsistent habits and struggle with motivation.

Home Gym vs. Gym Membership

Some people need help to choose between a home gym and a gym membership. Both options offer unique benefits, and the best choice depends on one’s needs and preferences.

Home gyms provide exceptional accommodation, allowing you to work out anytime without the battle of crowded spaces or sharing equipment. This privacy lets you focus solely on your goals without distractions. 

Additionally, while the initial investment in equipment might be high, home gyms can lead to significant cost savings over time. In contrast, gym memberships grant access to various equipment, fitness classes, and a community of like-minded people who can offer support and motivation.

Gyms often provide the added benefit of personal trainers and group fitness instructors, who can help you stay on track and achieve your fitness goals with professional guidance and structured programs.

Ultimately, deciding between a home gym and a commercial gym depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. Whether you prioritize the convenience and privacy of a home gym or the variety and community of a gym membership, both can be effective paths to reaching your fitness goals.

Best Home Gym Machines

Weight training at home is easy, provided you have the right gym equipment. While weight and elastic accessories are essential, you can go even further by purchasing a Titan Fitness Functional Train to install in your home gym. 

The Titan Fitness Functional Train is a well-constructed home gym that includes accessories that most similar places might not offer as an extra. This functional trainer has 1000 adjustable options and dual 150kg weight stacks. 

However, some other types of devices come in a wide variety of models, allowing each athlete to find the weight training machine that suits them and will enable them to achieve their goals.

Let’s take a quick look:

1. Treadmills

• NordicTrack Commercial Series: Known for its robust build and interactive touchscreen, it offers various incline settings and pre-programmed workouts.
• ProForm Pro Series: Affordable with excellent cushioning and numerous training programs.

2. Stationary Bikes

• Peloton Bike: Famous for its live and on-demand classes, offering a high-energy, engaging workout experience.
• Schwinn IC4: This bike offers a smooth ride, Bluetooth connectivity, and a range of resistance levels at a reasonable price.

3. Rowing Machines

• Concept2 Model D: Renowned for its durability and performance tracking, it’s a favorite among serious rowers.
• WaterRower Natural: Offers a smooth rowing experience with a unique water resistance system and aesthetically pleasing wooden design.

4. Ellipticals

• Sole E95: Provides a smooth, natural motion and adjustable stride length, ideal for different users.
• Bowflex Max Trainer: Combines an elliptical’s full-body workout with a stepper’s calorie-burning power.

5. Multi-Functional Home Gyms

• Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE: Compact and versatile, offering over 70 exercises focusing on strength training.
• Total Gym XLS: Uses body weight for resistance, allowing for a full-body workout with minimal equipment.

6. Cable Machines

• Body-Solid Powerline PCCO90X: Offers a range of pulley positions for versatile workouts targeting different muscle groups.
• Inspire Fitness FT2: Combines the functionality of a Smith machine and a cable machine, providing different options.

7. Smith Machines

• Marcy Diamond Elite: This machine combines a Smith machine, a power rack, and a cable crossover, allowing for a variety of strength exercises.
• Force USA G3: Known for its versatility and space-saving design, it includes multiple workout stations in one unit.

8. Adjustable Dumbbells

• Bowflex SelectTech 552: Easily adjustable weights, replacing the need for multiple dumbbells, perfect for small spaces.
• PowerBlock Elite: Compact and durable with a range of weight options, suitable for various strength levels.

9. Functional Trainers

• Life Fitness G7: Offers dual adjustable pulleys for a wide range of functional training exercises, with a sturdy and durable design.
• Torque Fitness F9: Foldable design with various attachments, perfect for functional and strength training in limited spaces.

Investing in these top home gym machines can help you create a flexible and effective workout environment, enabling you to achieve your fitness goals from the comfort of your home.

Make Crunch Your Home

We understand the attraction of having a home gym: the convenience of a quick morning workout, the ability to avoid crowds, and the ability to play your favorite music. These are definite perks of exercising at home.

However, a high-quality gym, like those available at Crunch Fitness, suits most people. Our gyms offer competitive pricing without the need for substantial upfront investments, motivation from our dedicated staff and fellow members, and a vast array of equipment. We provide everything you need to reach your fitness goals.

Join Us!

Crunch promotes a culture of positivity, inclusivity, and fun without judgments by providing an environment for all individuals regardless of their health and fitness goals. Find a Crunch gym near you to try our free trial membership, or join Crunch now.