The Complete Home Gym Guide for Australians 2026
Here is my Home Gym Guide for those looking to set up a home gym in Australia in 2026. The quality and diversity of home gym equipment just keeps growing. Although prices for equipment keep going up (just like everything else), if you buy right, you will still get amazing value.
It doesn’t matter if you have been training for six weeks or six decades. You can still set up a quality home gym. Even if you are tight on space or money. You just have to have a broad plan on what you want your gym to look like. And make sure you are buying quality gear that will get the job done.
Is Home Training for me?
Training in a home gym is definitely not for everyone. Some people need to be around others for motivation and social interaction. Others value the peace of solitude of training in their own space. The question is, are you the home trainer type?
Motivation
If you are naturally self-motivated, then home training is for you. Some people need to find a training partner to help them with motivation. We all know the feeling of dreading your workout. You are simply not feeling it today.
If you find yourself leaning on your training partner to get you in the gym, a home gym might not work for you.
Atmosphere
Some people find the gym environment to be a source of inspiration. Whether it be training with your mates or the energy of people all focused on improving themselves. Not all gyms have aura. But if you are sharing a gym with like minded people then feed off this.
On the other hand, many people get irritated around people.
How to set up – Home Gym Guide
In most cases, a home gym will be used for many years, even decades. The takeaway from this is that you do not have to complete it one purchase. Also, for key pieces, you will need to buy quality if you plan on training for years.
How much Space & Money do I need to set up a Home Gym?
The good news is that you need $0 and no dedicated space to start training EFFECIENTLY & EFFECTIVELY at home. Just get on Youtube and look up “no equipment” or “prison workouts” and you will see there are loads of ways you can train with minimal equipment.
I am not saying they are the most efficient or best workouts. But they are better than skipping the gym because you don’t have time or are sick of waiting for equipment. This will also open your eyes to different training methods. It is also a great way to dip the toe in the water if you are not 100% sold on home training.
Personally, after trying these types of workouts for a period I got hooked. If you are the same you can expand slowly from here. If you get a couple of resistance bands you can train your whole body. You will be surprised at all the exercises that you can do.
Since you are you onboard with these new training methods, buy some quality resistance bands. Not only can you use these at home, but you can also take them with you. Whether it be on holidays or a break at work, you will be able to squeeze in a workout.
A barbell with some weights or a set of quality adjustable dumbbells are another way to get the party started. A set of adjustable dumbbells will not go to waste even if you abandon your home gym project. They don’t take up much space, and you can hit all bodyparts.
What Equipment do I need to set up a Home Gym?
Now that you have worked out you want to train at home, it is now time to build your gym. What equipment you will need or want will depend on your space and budget. Plus, you will need to factor in your training goals. A powerlifter will need different equipment than someone just looking to stay in shape.
It is therefore important to have some broad direction of where you are headed with your training. This is why you need this home gym guide!
End goal of a Home Gym
Your aim is to have a home gym that allows you to train your entire body with quality exercises safely. Ideally you will be able to work body parts with multiple variations. Plus, the ability to keep adding resistance as you get stronger.
Compact Home Gym Equipment
Now we agree that you do not need a lot of space to train at home, here are some ideas for compact home gyms.
ADJUSTABLE KETTLEBELL
This option is extremely space efficient. Even one of the best adjustable kettlebells are very affordable too. Better still it is highly effective if you know what you are doing. The prison workout video above is not ideal – it is making the most of limitations.
However, this kettlebell workout by Squat University is highly effective. It works the whole body, targeting key areas for athletic performance. If you followed this consistently and progressed in weight, you would be very surprised at the results. I can almost guarantee you would be in far better shape than just randomly training on machines in a big gym.
ADJUSTABLE DUMBBELLS
You can use these to perform the kettlebell workout – except the 2 handed swings. But you can perform many other exercises as well. Buying a quality pair like Ironmasters will mean you have them for life. Even if you get lucky and have more space later, you can still keep your dumbbells.
Even those with limited training experience will be familiar with many of the upper body dumbbell exercises. It is widely accepted that these are some of the most effective exercises. You will nearly always see a rack of dumbbells in any fair dinkum high-end gym.
However, even experienced trainers would question the effectiveness of dumbbells for leg training. If you set up your leg workout with the right exercises you can build some very impressive wheels.
BARBELL & WEIGHTS
If I wanted to get strong – and I mean really strong – this is what I would get. Pavel Tsatsouline wrote a program called Power to the People. It had only 2 exercises – the deadlift and a press. The secret sauce was the program and the form implemented. You can research the results yourself. Plenty of people got very strong off doing this.
Alternatively, barbell complexes are a great way to get into shape. One of my favourites was the Randy Couture grappling circuit. It is a brutal workout – no wonder Randy had a gas tank in the ring! If I had minimal time for training this would be a strong recommendation. Start out with light weights though – it is harder than it looks.
SQUAT STANDS
You will need to exercise caution when choosing and using squat stands. They are great in that they allow you to perform all the great barbell exercises. However, they can dangerous if they are cheap or you don’t use them properly. While they are both very compact and portable, this can also lead to instability.
This is when buying quality really comes into play. If you are planning on lifting heavy, then spend the extra on something like the ATX-SQS-650 squat stands. They are heavy (more stable) and can be fitted with an optional connecting brace. Also, you can buy adjustable spotter arms.
A quality pair of squat stands with spotter arms like above are just as safe as a half rack. Plus, ATX have loads of attachments that allow you to customise them to suit your training. You will be blown away by all the things you can do!
COMPACT MULTI GYMS
At the start I mentioned that there has never been a better time to buy home gym equipment. Advances in manufacturing technology has made it possible to create some crazy machines. Most people are focused on the larger gyms which are great. But not if you are tight on space.
Being a European brand, ATX design equipment specifically for space efficiency. Home gyms in a European city can be a real luxury. Take for example the ATX-WSX-670-SW Triplex Gym. It basically combines two quality single station machines into one.
The quality, feel and variety of exercises will blow your mind. They feel just as good and often better than dedicated stations that you would train on in a gym. When you stand up the bench it takes up next to no space.
WARNING: Cheap cable type multi gyms are crap and should be avoided at all costs.
ADJUSTABLE GYM BENCH + ATTACHMENTS
If you are tight on space and looking for a bench, it is probably best to get one that has attachments. A quality set up will allow you to add attachments that will expand the number of exercises you can do. All without taking up much additional space.
Ironmaster has built their business around compact gym equipment. Their Super Bench has one of the, if not the best eco systems in the world. With the bench, some attachments and dumbbells, you can train your whole body. Check out just some the stuff you can do with their crunch attachment alone.
WALL MOUNTED GYM EQUIPMENT
If you have got a solid wall available, you will have many great space saving options that you can choose from. Choosing wall mounting saves space as the equipment does not need as much framework for stability. Wall mounted chin up bars and dip handles have been a thing for a while now. But these days you can get wall mounted speciality machines and gyms.
It is not until you see a well thought out wall mounted set up that you get a true appreciation. When I started in this game, I always said you could build a quality home gym in less than a single car garage. Now all you need is to have is the wall free.
Don’t be fooled these gyms are not sacrificing form or function. They feel and perform just like their free-standing brothers.
Multi-function Equipment
Where possible, look to get equipment that has multiple exercises. This saves both money and space. Just don’t fall into the marketing trap. There are loads of gimmicks on the market that offer multiple exercises. The videos look great; it is just the exercises or quality that are poor.
I have already touched on many of the OG multi-function gym equipment pieces – dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, resistance bands. But here is some specific equipment that can train multiple body parts.
MULTI GYMS
There are so many multi station home gyms around these days I am not going to go into great depth here in the home gym guide. My advice here is to buy a quality brand that has a proven track record. So many machines look amazing, but they have design flaws or are just really poor quality.
Trust me when I say that the gym equipment business is tough. If you are doing research, you will soon discover there is so much competition. Having only sold the best brands myself, you can’t charge a premium. Someone will just produce a decent copy. The reason why a quality piece is generally more expensive is because it is better.
Bestsellers
Recommended products
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ATX® Squat Rack with Smith and Cables
$4,395.00 -
ATX® Triplex Multi Gym
$2,425.00 -
ATX® Monster 2.0 All In One Trainer
$6,495.00
POWER CAGES, SQUAT RACKS, HALF RACKS
My old saying is that you can never go wrong with a power rack is still sound advice. Regardless of how many new inventions pop up. Which ever variant you get, you can do all the compound movements. These are what will deliver the best results.
Depending on the brand you buy, cages and racks can be customised with optional attachments and accessories. This is perfect for the home environment. If you are not familiar with one of the best power rack attachment ranges in the World you might not realise how versatile a power rack can be.
Recommended products
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660 Power Rack + Plate Load Lat Option
$2,090.00 -
ATX® Power Rack 520 215cm
$840.00 -
780 Rack + 115kg Stack Lat + Smith Options
$4,239.00
DUAL PURPOSE SPECIALITY MACHINES
For people with larger spaces and wallets, there are many dual purpose specialty machines. These are machines that can do multiple exercises.
Say for example your home gym consisted of Ironmaster dumbbells, Ironmaster Super Bench PRO with attachments. You are happy with your upper body exercises but want something extra for legs. The ATX Leverage Squat Machine/Viking Press is the perfect example of dual purpose speciality machine.
Not only is it great leverage squats and standing calf raises. It is an amazing Viking Press plus the leverage rows are great for back. It is doesn’t kill two birds with one stone. It kills a whole flock!
How to set up a Home Gym on a Budget
When you have got heaps of money and space, setting up a home gym is dead easy. No home gym guide is needed! You can buy good quality gear up front. The hardest part will be working out what machines from the top shelf will suit you best. Sort of like choosing between a Mercedes or a BMW.
But when the budget is tight, this is when you have got the hard choices.
Be wary of Influencers and Reviewers
It is great to do research, but sometimes this can create headaches. I review the equipment I sell, so obviously it is biased. After you research both ATX and Ironmaster you will understand why. However, “impartial” reviews can be biased too.
Did the reviewer receive the equipment for free? A positive review may lead to them getting more freebies. Or is the reviewer receiving affiliate income?
Secondly a lot of people who review equipment are right into gym equipment. It is their hobby and passion. So, what they think is important and essential, may not be so for the average punter.
You don’t need Fancy Equipment
The other aspect of reviews is that the reviewer maybe chasing clicks. You will get more reviews from the latest whiz bang gizmo compared to a barbell and some weights. But I can almost guarantee the barbell will be better for results in the gym.
I sell loads of fancy equipment these days. The quality and functionality are just amazing. Although they are not cheap, they are incredible value. But you do not NEED these gyms. They are a luxury. I have seen so many people achieve amazing results off the most basic set ups.
Stage your Purchases
Customers often come in with a laundry list of items for their home gyms. The moment I sense cost is an issue I will start telling them to cull items off the list. My advice is always to start off with the basic equipment. Train on that and squeeze the most out of that first.
Some people might be satisfied with that basic set up forever. Or If they have some space and money, they are now in a position to add the next item that will add the best value. This not only spreads out your cost, but your new toy in the gym will also renew your enthusiasm for training.
I have given you plenty of low cost and space options above in this home gym guide, so then it is just a matter of selecting the sequence. There is no right or wrong way. Pick the option that appeals to you most.
Often customers will treat their home gym like a gym membership. Say if you put away $20/week. In six months, you will have over $500. You can buy another piece of equipment or just keep saving. If you can put away a little more, $30/week, that is $4,680 in 3 years. That will get you a sweet home gym set up.
Home Gym Examples
Budget Space Saver
| Product Name | Price | Quantity | Total |
| Ironmaster Kettlebell Handle | $95.00 | 1 | $95.00 |
| Ironmaster 57.5lb Kettlebell Weight Kit | $195.00 | 1 | $195.00 |
| ATX White Resist Band Lvl2 | $8.00 | 1 | $8.00 |
| ATX Orange Resist Band Lvl4 | $15.00 | 1 | $15.00 |
| ATX Blue Resist Band Lvl6 | $29.00 | 1 | $29.00 |
| ATX Hex Bar Compact 50mm | $219.00 | 1 | $219.00 |
| 20kg Black Bumper Plate | $87.00 | 2 | $174.00 |
| 20kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $85.00 | 2 | $170.00 |
| 10kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $42.50 | 2 | $85.00 |
| 5kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $21.25 | 2 | $42.50 |
| 2.5kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $10.63 | 2 | $21.25 |
| Lock Jaw Collars | $10.00 | 1 | $10.00 |
| $1,063.75 |
NOTE:This one will take up no space and get your home gym started for only $1,063.75. Can be easily expanded.
Budget Power Rack Package
| Product Name | Price | Quantity | Total |
| ATX Home Gym Power Rack | $840.00 | 1 | $840.00 |
| Ironmaster Super Bench PRO V2 | $739.00 | 1 | $739.00 |
| Power Maxx 7ft 1000lbs Oly Bar with Bushing | $175.00 | 1 | $175.00 |
| 20kg Black Bumper Plate | $87.00 | 2 | $174.00 |
| 20kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $85.00 | 2 | $170.00 |
| 10kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $42.50 | 2 | $85.00 |
| 5kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $21.25 | 2 | $42.50 |
| 2.5kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $10.63 | 2 | $21.25 |
| Lock Jaw Collars | $10.00 | 1 | $10.00 |
| $2,256.75 |
NOTE: Great for someone doing basic strength programs. Just add more weight as you progress. You have multiple expansion options: rack attachments, bench attachments, adjustable dumbbells. Quality gym in its own right. But also a great starting point for an affordable home gym at $2,256.75.
Compact Multi Gym Package
| Product Name | Price | Quantity | Total |
| ATX Triplex Multi Gym | $2,425.00 | 1 | $2,425.00 |
| 20kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $85.00 | 4 | $340.00 |
| 10kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $42.50 | 2 | $85.00 |
| 5kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $21.25 | 2 | $42.50 |
| 2.5kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $10.63 | 2 | $21.25 |
| Power Maxx Cable Row Handle | $23.00 | 1 | $23.00 |
| Power Maxx Revolving Straight Bar | $23.00 | 1 | $23.00 |
| Power Maxx Tricep Rope XL BMG® | $19.00 | 1 | $19.00 |
| Power Maxx Wide Lat Pulldown Bar | $47.00 | 1 | $47.00 |
| $3,025.75 |
NOTE: If you don’t like power rack training, then this is a great package. Plus it takes up very little space. Expand with Ironmaster dumbbells and ATX bench attachments.
Power Rack System Package
| 660 Rack + Plate Load Lat + Smith Options | $2,725.00 | 1 | $2,725.00 |
| ATX FID Bench 520 | $595.00 | 1 | $595.00 |
| Power Maxx 7ft 1000lbs Oly Bar with Bushing | $175.00 | 1 | $175.00 |
| 20kg Black Bumper Plate | $87.00 | 2 | $174.00 |
| 20kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $85.00 | 2 | $170.00 |
| 10kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $42.50 | 2 | $85.00 |
| 5kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $21.25 | 2 | $42.50 |
| 2.5kg Olympic Rubber Plate | $10.63 | 2 | $21.25 |
| Lock Jaw Collars | $10.00 | 1 | $10.00 |
| Power Maxx Cable Row Handle | $23.00 | 1 | $23.00 |
| Power Maxx Revolving Straight Bar | $23.00 | 1 | $23.00 |
| Power Maxx Tricep Rope XL BMG® | $19.00 | 1 | $19.00 |
| Power Maxx Wide Lat Pulldown Bar | $47.00 | 1 | $47.00 |
| $4,109.75 |
NOTE: This is an amazing set up. If you don’t mind loading plates on your pulldown, you end up with so many quality options on this one. The power rack – smith set up is worth the price alone.So many expansions options: Ironmaster dumbbells, ATX rack and bench attachments.
Summary
These packages perfectly demonstrate how easy it is to build a home gym on a budget. You can see how you could spread your purchases, depending on your budget. Also all the packages are very easily expanded as your training progresses. More expensive packages will just have more expensive equipment. The formula will stay the same. Note: The prices quoted above are subject to change – every shipment is subject to different exchange rate, freight etc. We always offer the best price possible.
Advantages of Training in a Home Gym
Travel
This is a big one for modern day life. As we try and cram more and more into our lives, every minute of the day becomes valuable. In rural areas, it could be quite a distance. In big cities navigating public transport or finding a car park all eats into your precious time.
This can affect your training consistency. Some days you simply won’t have enough time for a workout and the commute. On the other hand, if you have a home gym, you can squeeze workouts in when you have a spare moment. With the right intensity and direction, you can have a quality workout in under 20 minutes or less.
No waiting for gym equipment
One of the biggest frustrations I hear from customers about training in gyms is having to wait for machines. It was an issue before I started the business, and smart phones had not even been invented yet! So, I can only just imagine what it is like now.
This is not all about being selfish and thinking you do not have to wait your turn. Most frustrations come from what people are doing while they hold others up. I can only imagine what it would be like losing your mojo while waiting for some dork to stop doom scrolling.
Easier to follow programs
When you get sick of waiting for a particular machine, you will find yourself doing an alternative exercise. But if you are following program this could really upset the flow of your workout. With a strength program, if you kick off on barbell bench press and you can’t get on one, what do you do?
If you start on your second exercise, you will be fatigued when you go back to barbell bench press. This might not be a big deal at the start of your program. But when you get to the pointy end and the lifts are getting tougher, this is a real problem.
The other issue is that when you are doing strength training, you might do heaps of sets. On squat day, you might occupy the squat rack for half an hour or more. This could really cause some friction in a gym. Especially novices who don’t understand that you are training effectively, not simply hogging equipment.
No ego lifts
I will never bag out someone for being competitive. Competition brings out the best in people. However there really are a time and a place. Weight training is not just mindless heaving of weights. There are techniques that need to be followed to maximise your efforts.
It is understandable in a gym that is pumping with lifters who are strong and packing muscle to get a bit carried away. Many people use this energy to lift heavier. While others get carried away and try to channel Ronnie Coleman using terrible form.
In a home gym, there are no members of the opposite and/or same sex to impress. No one will think you are a pussy for using light weights to really isolate a muscle group.
Disadvantages of Training in a Home Gym
Limited gym equipment
In nearly all cases you will not have the same amount of equipment to use as you would in a full-scale gym. For many people this could be an issue. Especially those that have never trained outside a modern gym that has multiple machines for each body part.
These new gyms with the latest gym equipment really are something else. If I had the time, and my old body could handle the work, I would love to spend my days trying out these machines. Both the quality and variety would keep you motivated for training.
On the flip side, I was actually going to add this as an advantage too. Sometimes these fancy machines can get you doing exercises that are less effective than some of the staples. If you go to any high-performance training facility, generally you will still see people doing the basic barbell bench, squats and deadlifts.
Upfront expense or finance
Setting up a home gym does require you to put your hand in your pocket. I have discussed how you don’t have to do it all in one hit. But generally, you must pay before you play (or be in debt).
Whereas a gym membership is a pay as you go. With loads of competition in the market these days there are some hot deals. You don’t always have to get locked into a contract like the old days.
At some of the flash gyms, you might think that the memberships are not cheap. But these gyms will often feature fit outs that run into the millions. If you hit the gym 4+ times/week, you can really get some good value.
Going stale
This is a big one. You can go stale in a top-notch gym stacked with the best kit. So, it is understandable how you might be struggling for motivation in your spare room with a pair of Kmart spin-lock dumbbells.
There are some people who crave routine. While others crave variety. So, it is really important to have strategies in place to keep boredom at bay.
This is such an important issue that I will have a section below on how to keep things fresh and fun.
Tips to make your Home Training Interesting
People sometimes wrongly assume that I have always been training in a gym loaded with some of the best kit ATX and Ironmaster have to offer. Now I am, but for years I kept it basic. My philosophy was that I needed to have real experience on home training. This way I could offer better advice to customers looking to set up a home gym.
Examples of my Basic Home Gym set ups
EZ Curl Bar, Spinlock Dumbbells & Outdoor Setting Bench
This was my very first set up around the age of 15. All equipment was a hand me down. I had no clue what I was doing. But the process of lifting weights had some sort of calming effect on my very active mind. Later I got a punching bag, skipping rope and a straight bar.
Bang for buck this was unbeatable value. I got bit by the training bug. Most importantly it created the thirst to improvise. The ability to work out to do an exercise with limited equipment. This really is a lost art, and should be up there in the home training advantages.
Ironmaster Dumbbells with Super Bench plus Attachments
This was officially my first home gym after starting the business. I was sharing a house so had very limited space. But I had air freighted over the Ironmaster gear to display at the fitness expo. So, I was able to set up this sweet gym in a landing area at the top of a flight of stairs.
With a little creativity you could train your whole body with multiple exercises.
Ironmaster Dumbbells, Adjustable Kettlebell Handle, Single Olympic Weight Plates & Skipping Rope.
My wife was pregnant with our twins, and our son was just over a year old. My missus was instructed to rest – hard with my young bloke tearing around. So, training at work was off the agenda. We live in a unit, so space was tight. I didn’t even have space for an adjustable gym bench.
But this little set up turned out to be an amazing gym. I did most of our training in the backyard. There is nothing more motivating than training outdoors on a cracking day. If the weather was bad, I could train inside – I needed bugger all room.
The Ironmaster Adjustable Kettlebell Handle was a new addition to the range. My kettlebell training experience was limited so it was the perfect time to dive in. Although not everyone’s cup of tea, this was when I really learned the value of kettlebells.
I then adapted kettlebell style workouts to dumbbells. Youtube wasn’t that polished back then, but it still had loads of quality information and ideas. I even started sharing workouts with others.
This training was higher intensity. You wouldn’t do this if you were training for footy or powerlifting. But I was short on time and I even had workouts that could be done and dusted in 6 minutes. Considering my limited equipment I got into some fair shape. Most importantly I absolutely loved it.
Powertec Power Rack System, Bench, Ironmaster Dumbbells and Leg Lift Attachment
You will hear me bang on about this set up plenty of times. The reason being was that I became the strongest in my 40s in my entire life. The training was simple – I followed a Wendler style 5, 3, 1 program.
At some stages I was only training 2 days a week. Bench & Deadlift on one day. Back and Squats the other. You would think that you would get stale fast, but it was the exact opposite. Since I was getting results, I was loving my training.
I could have done this program on just a power cage, bench and barbell alone. For all the fancy machines out there, the old barbell still delivers some of the best results.
Ideas to keep your Home Training Fresh
Follow A Program
- Keeping a record of your workouts, gives you something to aim for in your next session. The Wendler 5, 3, 1 would lay out my lifts for months. When I started, I thought the lifts would be impossible. But my records kept tumbling.
There are so many distractions in modern life. Having a program to follow made me more disciplined as the lifts got tougher. You don’t need a training partner to get you into the gym. If you don’t complete a workout you can’t progress. If you miss a few you are back to square one.
Variety
Although I have just said that doing the same basic exercises repeatedly is very satisfying. Variety in a home gym can really keep you motivated. Starting a new program or even switching some exercises can reignite your passion.
Variety is not always in the form of new gym equipment. Even with a very basic home gym set up it is easy to change things around. One of my favourites was doing Vince Gironda style workouts. This is when you do 8 sets of 8 reps, with only 30 seconds between sets.
German Volume Training is another variation of this. Because each exercise is 8 plus sets, you don’t need to do many. The workouts are punishing but give you a real high. You don’t do them all the time; you just throw them in when you get stale.
If you do want to buy some more gym equipment, you don’t necessarily need more expensive machines. Once you check out one of the best ranges of cable attachments you will work out what my fetish is! For something relatively cheap, a new cable attachment can give an exercise a total different feel.
De-load Week
- This was another thing I learnt to value with the Wendler program. Every 4th work was deload. You could get your work for the week done quick. You used half the weight and only did the main exercises. Just enough to keep the wheels turning.
I would then use deload to get out of the gym. If the weather was good I would go for a ride or a run. If I had to train inside, I would do a cardio circuit. I would make a point to do something completely different. By the next week I was looking forward to getting back into it.
Home Gym Heaven awaits
If you are the type of person who is suited to home training. Someone who is self-motivated to improve themselves both physically and mentally. Setting up a home gym can be a truly life changing experience. You might think this is a big call. But I have seen so many lives turned around in a home gym.
As a minimalist (tight ass) I do not throw money around on junk. I work really hard for my money so therefore I spend it carefully. A home gym can be one of the best investments that you will ever make.
People train in their home gyms for decades. Not only do they get a lot of use out of their investment. It provides unmatched health benefits. For families, it can provide a place where you can share a passion. Or provide a real positive example for your children to follow.
There is now a massive online community where you can share your journey. You have access to loads of quality information.
If you decide to give it a crack and you need some help just sing out. We love answering questions – in particular on my Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@samsfitnessgymequipmentaust
Frequently Asked Questions
This will depend on your space, budget, training requirements and preferences. Personally, I could start off with a $500 home gym set up. $2,000 will get you a really good basic set up. Then it just goes up from there. The more money you have will mean a better set up.
But you do not need a lot of money to get started.
A basic set up will just require the simple items: dumbbells, weight plates, kettlebells, barbells or resistance bands.
A bench is another really handy piece of kit. If you get one that will accept attachments, you will have greater variety later.
Squat stands, half rack, power cage or multi gym would be the next on the list. This comes down to your training preferences.
You do not NEED these, they just make training more interesting, If you had the room and money, later you can add specialty machines that target particular body parts and/or exercises. Eg. a leverage bench press machine.
Gym memberships: They can vary wildly. Some people have access to many gyms, others have few. A relatively affordable membership will be $20/week, So that is $1,000/year. You can get a real decent gym for $2,500. If you train on it for 3 years you are in front.
Training requirements: Some people would not like to train on the $2,500 gym. They “think” they need a $15,000 gym. So it will take them longer to recoup their expenses.
Travel time and expense: Most people don’t factor this in. As a business owner I would. A round trip to the gym may take an 1 hour. 20 minute commute, 5 minutes finding a park and 5 minutes getting to the gym. Train 4 times a week. That is over 200 hours per year, then you add the cost of car travel or public transportation.
You don’t even need a room. In 2m x 2m you can set up a very compact gym. You can now set one up on wall. Most guys are impressed with massive, shed or garage gyms. But I love seeing someone squeeze the most out of a small space. Here is one my favourites, check out this legend’s videos.
https://youtu.be/b_0KegZIsjY
Here are some options if you are on a tight budget or have limited space. All these items will get you started. Plus, you won’t have to ditch them when you expand your gym.
Resistance bands: you can train your whole body. They don’t take up much space and are as cheap as chips.
Adjustable kettlebell: there are so many quality exercises that you can perform with these. You could build a really athletic physique with just these alone.
Adjustable dumbbells: like adjustable kettlebells, with probably even more variety. If you have the money, buy a quality set like Ironmasters. You will never outgrow them and have them for life.
Barbell + Weight Plates: the option to get if you are focussed on strength. Deadlifts, RDLs, military press and barbell rows alone could build you all the muscle and strength you will need.
