If you’re interested in working out, but don’t have the time or money to join a gym, you can build your own home gym. This is something many people have also needed to do out of necessity due to the covid-19 restrictions on large gatherings and indoor businesses, forcing many gyms to shut down. These kinds of restrictions on gyms in some areas, so it can be a good idea for you to build your own garage gym if you have not done so already.

If you are looking to build your own garage gym, then this article is for you. This article will show you how to build a home gym that is functional, affordable and attractive. If you are not very active at the gym, but want to build strong muscles, a home gym is the way to go. You can build a home gym on a budget by purchasing all of your equipment used. If you want to build a strong gym, you need to invest in the garage gym. A garage gym is different from a commercial gym because it’s usually dedicated to just one person so you don’t need as much equipment, and the equipment you do purchase is tailored to your own fitness goals.

Here is the Millennial Gentleman guide on how to build your own garage gym to stay fit as a man and stay within a reasonable budget.

What is a Garage Gym?

A garage gym is a gym that you build in your driveway, in the back yard of your house or the car garage attached to your home. A garage gym can also be built in a shed or some other location — it does not necessarily need to be located in an actual garage.

The most important thing when building your own garage gym is to make sure it’s safe. It’s important to have a home gym, especially if you’re an athlete. Squat racks, pull-up bars, and other equipment like this have seen a lot of improvements over the last few years. If you want to be able to do proper training on your own at home, you’ll need some of these essentials.

Why Should You Work Out in a Home Gym?

Strength training is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Strength training will help you look and feel great, and will increase your metabolism. Strength training will also help you lose body fat and build lean muscle mass, which will boost your metabolism even further.

Lifting weights is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Not only does it help to build muscle (which helps us look better), but it also improves bone density, decreases risk of fractures, and increases bone mineral density.

What Garage Gym Essentials Do You Need for Exercising?

With all the home improvement shows on TV, you might think that building your own garage gym might be too much work and very expensive, but you’d be wrong. You don’t necessarily need a lot of expensive weight lifting and other fitness equipment to have a good workout; you should purchase equipment based on your fitness goals.

If you’re looking for a way to get in shape cheaply and easily, a home gym is the best option. If you don’t have the budget for a full gym, building your own home gym can give you great results on a budget. A garage gym is a great way to get in great shape, but it’s not ideal for every situation.

You can set up stationary bikes, elliptical machines, and other equipment in your garage. The most important thing to remember when building a home gym on a budget is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money. For those who don’t have access to a gym or are looking to build their home gym, an awesome option is a garage gym. A garage gym can be used for all types of exercise and can serve as your main workout spot.

Building a Home Gym on a Budget

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a home gym. Build your home gym on a budget by using your basement or unused room in your house.

Buying the necessary equipment to build a home gym is an investment that pays off in the long run. Home gyms are great for working out, but they also have a lot of practical uses as well. If you’re looking to build a home gym on the cheap, consider these tips.

If you’re looking to build a home gym, one of the most important things is to have a plan. If you want to get serious about training, you should have a garage gym. A garage gym is a dedicated training space where you can train with free weights and machines.

It’s easy to build yourself a garage gym. All you’ll need is a few pieces of equipment, and some room to put it all together.

Rubber Flooring Mats for a Home Gym

The type of exercise rubber mats that many people purchase for a home gym are the kind that interlock with a puzzle jigsaw design but these are actually meant for martial art or yoga practice. If you drop heavy weights on those types of mats you are likely to still damage the wooden or concrete floor. If you want rubber mats that are thick enough for dropping weights on them, what you actually want are the type that are designed for flooring horse stalls. You can buy these type at the product link below.

How to Find Affordable Weight Plates for Weight Lifting?

It’s difficult to find good weight plates currently, as many manufactures have taken advantage of the high demand for fitness equipment by dramatically increasing the prices. You used to be able to purchase weights for less than a dollar a pound; now you generally pay at least $4 a pound. For this reason I am suggesting people consider making their own weight plates using cement from molds. This is more affordable than purchasing metal weight plates.

Alternatively if you cannot make your own concrete weights then the cheapest weight plates to buy online are made by CAP. They are not well loved by serious power lifters but if you are new to lifting the issues with them will be unnoticed by you. Just don’t drop the weights on purpose.

You can then purchase other kinds of equipment, such as barbells and squat racks.

I would also recommend that you purchase a deadlift bar. This will make performing shrugs much easier.

Squat Rack with a Pull-up Bar

If you want to do squats safely then you need a good squat rack that can support the weights safely. Some of these are affordable.

Yet, you can also get a squat rack cage that can also have a pull up bar installed onto it, as well.

You can also opt to just purchase a squat rack that does not have a cage. This will not be able to support extensions such as a pull-up bar and also cannot support as much weight, but these models are cheaper and can be useful if you have little space in your gym.

When it comes to pull-up bars it is best to use bars that attach to a squat cage or can be mounted into a solid wall. Avoid the pull up bars designed to attach into doorways — the molding on doors are held in place by tiny nails and they are not designed to handle the kind of weight of a human being pulling down on them. You will likely injure yourself in a fall when the siding gives way.

Flat Bench for Bench Presses

If you want to do a bench press then you’ll need a flat bench to lay down on.

You can also purchase an adjustable bench, which is more useful for doing many different kinds of free weight exercises.

Pulley System

A pulley system for weight lifting allows you to do exercises to develop difficult to work muscle groups such as the triceps.

Neck Harness for Building a Thick Neck

You’ll have to pay special attention to your neck muscles if you want them to grow and to do this it is helpful to purchase a harness for your head. They come with a chain that can be attached to a weight plate, so that you can practice lifting your neck up and down and develop the muscles of the neck.

Arm Curl Board Instead of a Full-Size Preacher Curl Stand

Preacher curl stands are a large device meant for supporting a very specific exercise to help isolate the biceps. In a home gym you may not have the space for many devices so it’d be good to look for a cost effective and more portable design. In this case I suggest using a Arm Curl Board which can strap to your back and allow you to better isolate your biceps when performing a bicep curl motion with a barbell or dumbbells.

Consider Free Weights if Weight Plates Are Too Costly

Dumbbells and kettlebells can also be purchased as a more affordable option compared to using weight plates and barbells.

If you are willing to pay a more premium price for higher quality dumbbells then you can purchase an adjustable dumbbell set that can support more weight. PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells are some of the most high-end and reliable designs and can support weight up to 50 to 70 lbs per dumbbell.

Kettlebell weights are like dumbbells but with a handle. Instead of holding them between your hands, you hold the kettlebell between your legs. Kettlebells are a great workout tool that requires a minimum of equipment. They’re typically made up of two metal rings with handles attached to a heavy cannonball style of weight, with the entire tool created from cast iron.

Battle Ropes

Battle Ropes are an excellent and easy to store training device for working the areas of the arms, upper back, lower back and even the glutes. Battle ropes have become a very popular training aid for ending a workout, hitting some muscles that are otherwise difficult to hit with weight lifting. They are easy to use and a good quality battle rope will last a long time.

Dip Station

Performing different kinds of dips can be a good way to work muscles using your own body weight and dip stations are not too expensive.

Gymnastics Rings

Gymnastic rings can be better than pullups sometimes, as it allows for more free range of movement. There is a reason that men’s gymnastic athletes have huge biceps and these rings are one of the reasons why.

Weighted Vests for Roadwork and Additional Weighted Resistance

Weighted vests are a great way to boost your running performance. Weighted vests are designed to keep your core muscles activated during a run. They can help strengthen your legs and improve endurance. Running is hard, but it’s also great for your health. You get to burn calories and build muscle. Weighted vests are a great way to make running more challenging.

I’m a big fan of weighted running vests. I’ve used them for years and have never experienced any negative side effects. They make you feel as though you’re really working hard at your jog, which increases your motivation and endurance. You can also wear a weighted vest to perform exercises such as dips and pullups, as well as pushups, increasing their effectiveness and challenging your body harder.

Weighted Clothing Powersuit

Another great item you can purchase which is similar to a weighted vest is a weighted powersuit. This is a piece of weighted clothing that can be worn under other clothing so you can maintain resistance throughout the day and it also lets you add resistance to other types of exercises that would be too difficult to perform while wearing a weighted vest.

Jump Ropes

A cheaper alternative to a running machine, treadmill or stationary bike is a jump rope. The jump rope is also more portable and easier to back away, requiring less space to store.

Stationary Bikes and Elliptical Machines

Stationary bikes for weight loss can be a great way to burn calories without having to leave your home. They do take up some space but if you enjoy riding a bike, they are a good way to get cardio in while watching some TV.

Treadmills

If you have the space and budget for it and really enjoy jogging you might consider having a treadmill so you can do so no matter what the weather is like outside.

These are some great suggestions for equipment to make your own garage gym at home. Did you find it helpful? Have any additional suggestions? Let us know in the comment section below.

Author

Carey Martell is Editor in Chief for The Millennial Gentleman. A thirty something modern man who is politically independent, non-religious but a firm believer in ideals of chivalry and traditional family values. Carey lives his life as a vagabond digital nomad traveling and living life to the fullest while managing his businesses remotely with a laptop and internet hotspot connection.