If you’re like me, you’ve been missing out of some quality gym time this year because of shutdowns and other issues. Good thing humans are good at improvising! When we’re home from work, stuck inside with nowhere to go, a dozen of donuts sure sounds better than a home workout. Sitting on the couch, watching Netflix, munching on snacks, where can we go wrong?! Haha, it’s time to get up and start getting in shape again. I’m putting together an article for people of all levels broken down as follows – minimalist, intermediary, and decked out at home gym essentials for beginners, intermediate fitness aficionados, and experts.
Whatever your level may be, there will be a little something in this post for you. If you don’t want to buy anything for your home gym – that’s okay because we’ll give you some ideas. I think a lot of us are going to realize that we can work out as hard much harder if we stick to a home workout. No membership fees, no travel time, and workout at your leisure when you put together a routine that doesn’t need a fitness center to complete. Let’s see how you stack up.
Minimalist At Home Gym Essentials
Some of us just enjoy the minimalist lifestyle. If you don’t need much to keep you happy and in shape, you might find some good ideas below. I’m not going to BS you – if you really want to, you can get big, strong, and fit with very little equipment. You don’t have to deadlift 1000 pounds and bench 500 to see some results. Here are some minimalist ideas for easy gym equipment at home.
– Beginner
You probably won’t like what I’m about to say… The suggestion for a minimalist beginner home gym…drum roll… Absolutely NOTHING. Don’t spend anything, keep your money. Use your body as your workout equipment. You can obtain massive gains from doing bodyweight exercises. Become a master of your body by taming your muscles to be your b*tch. Here are some exercises that will get you buff:
- Push-ups – Multiple variations
- Squats, Lunges, etc.
- Mountain Climbers
- Dips – With a Chair
- Wall Sits
- Crunches – Other Ab Variations
- Pull-ups – If You have a tree – Improvise
- Jumping Jacks/Running for Cardio
You can come up with a great routine using nothing but your body. There are many other exercises like the ones above. Put something together that will be a full-body workout, and you’re good to go.
– Intermediate At Home Gym Essentials
Okay, so we got that out of the way, and maybe I convinced some people to stop reading and go out for some push-ups. If you’re still here, you’re ready to figure out what level fits your style. Maybe bodyweight exercises aren’t your thing. That’s okay. You can up your game by getting a few items of equipment and still remain a minimalist in my book. Here are some things I’d recommend for an intermediate minimalist – with links to our reviews:
Additional Exercises at this Level
- Any Dumbbell Exercises – Upper/Lower Body
- Pull-ups without Finding a Tree
- Cardio with Jump Rope – Benefits Here
- Any Variations
You’ll see gains quicker with these few items. Adding weight with dumbbells will help you attain your goals, whether they are to get stronger, lose weight, or just get in shape. In my opinion, something as small and inexpensive as a jump rope has massive benefits for like 10 dollars. Much cheaper than any gym membership.
– Expert
Are you a minimalist expert fitness guru? If so, you’re probably in better shape than I am! Maybe you’re tired of flipping tires at CrossFit and looking for something new to get you motivated. You certainly don’t need to go out and buy a tractor tire to stay in shape. If you are an expert, you likely have the items listed in the Intermediate portion, but if not, you should pick those items up for your routine. Here are some other items for the expert minimalist:
- Adjustable Bench
- Barbell Rack – Here is a link to an Adjustable Bench with Rack
- Barbell
- Plates
That’s about it. If you have adjustable dumbbells, a bench, and a barbell set-up – you can call yourself a Minimalist Expert! You have everything you need to save space, money, and time while working out at home. Since you’re an expert, you’re going to want to go all out and increase your maximums. Now you can in your underwear.
Intermediary Necessities for Home Gym
It’s possible that you aren’t into the whole minimalist scene. If you want a few more items for your home gym, we have you covered with more essentials. You’ll still end up spending less money than a gym membership, that’s for sure. So, you’re not quite a minimalist and not someone that needs the best of the best (and all of it). That’s cool and this section is perfect for you.
– Beginner At Home Gym Essentials
You’re fresh to fitness and ready to get started, but maybe you want a little more than just a bodyweight workout or a bench set-up. It’s nice to have options but also not break the bank on your home gym. Become the Zen workout master of your garage or living room. If you have some spare cash and want to shed some quarantine quiche pounds, here are some things you need:
- Barbell
- Bench/Rack
- Plates
- Pull-up + Dip Station
- Adjustable Dumbbells – Review Here
- Jump Rope – Review Here
- Mat
Now you have a decent set up without cracking your wallet in half. The most expensive item will be your Pull-up Station and Plates (most likely). Still, you can have this set up for less than $1000 bucks or much cheaper depending on where you shop and what level of quality you desire. Now you have some added bonus exercises:
- Dips without Chair
- Pull-up Variations
- Barbell Squats (Depending on which Station You Buy)
– Intermediate
Now we’re talkin’ – the intermediary intermediates. Dead center. The middle middles. This is you. You’ve been working out for a few years and you’re ready to have your home gym set-up. You know where your stand, so let’s get some ideas on what you might need. Pay attention to quality because you might be going heavy, knowing you. Check it out:
- Squat Rack
- Kettlebells
- Barbell
- Bench/Rack
- Plates
- Pull-up + Dip Station
- Adjustable Dumbbells – Review Here
- Punching Bag
- Jump Rope – Review Here
- Mat
- Maybe a Treadmill or Rowing Machine – but not a necessity
This will set you up pretty well. You can up your squat game, max out on the bench, then hit the pull-up station right before breakfast. This is pretty much the same as the beginner set up, with the squat rack and kettlebells added for the intermediate level aficionado. This gym would be a great addition to anyone’s basement.
– Expert
You’re a fitness pro. I can tell this just by how you’re reading these words. Are you ready to set up your at home gym essentials? If you’ve been a gym rat for your entire life, and you’re looking for some spice at home, look no further. You need some equipment to keep you going, and maybe you’ll even cancel your fitness membership. Let’s take a look-see at what you need:
- Most/All Items from Intermediary Intermediate Section
- Exercise Rings
- Jump Box
- Rowing Machine – Review
- Possibly a Training Cage – can be in place of the squat rack
- Battle Ropes
- Resistance Bands – Review Here
- Medicine Ball
You can do just about anything you want with this home gym set-up. Chances are, if you’re an expert, then you’ve put A LOT of money into gym memberships. Now, you can spend some money on your garage, basement, or spare room and save time/gas cash. Set yourself up so you can get an extra 30 minutes of exercise in the books rather than using that time to drive.
Decked Out At Home Gym Essentials
Do you want to go balls to the wall? Are you one of those types of people that takes everything to the next level? Awesome. You can have everything you need for the workout of your dreams right in your living room, spare room, or garage. Let’s turn it into your personal gym with every single decked out item you can imagine. It’s only money, so who gives a sh*t right?
I’m not even going to split this section into beginner, intermediate, and expert. Odds are, if you do things big, it doesn’t matter what level you are. You’re ready to get set-up and moving ASAP. Here’s what you need:
- Squat Rack
- Kettlebells
- Barbell
- Bench/Rack
- Plates
- Pull-up + Dip Station
- Adjustable Dumbbells
- Punching Bag
- Speed Bag
- Jump Rope
- Mat
- Exercise Rings
- Jump Box
- Rowing Machine
- Treadmill
- Elliptical
- Bike
- Training Cage
- Battle Ropes
- Resistance Bands
- Medicine Ball
- Floor Mats
I don’t think there’s anything more to say than I’m jealous.
Final:
So, are you a minimalist, intermediary, or decked out kind of person? Beginner, intermediate, or expert? Whatever your personal choice and fitness level, I’ve tried to provide some useful information without BS-ing you into buying some crap you don’t need. Take some time to decide what you need and what your goals are, then get started. If you’re sick of the gym, don’t want to go back, and looking for the at-home gym essentials that are right for you, then hopefully this article helped you find them.