How to set up a home gym

This is a subject dear to my heart, as my current gym started as a humble home gym. Back in 1992, our first son Max was born. At the time, my wife Nina and I were training at a regular commercial gym. It was now going to be difficult going at separate times, so I decided to set up a home gym.

Now back in 1992 it wasn’t as easy to get quality stuff, choices were limited, unlike today. So if I was to start from scratch, knowing what I know now, how would I set up a home gym?

Two considerations, space and money. Few of us have unlimited budgets or 10 car garages, so I’m going to keep this realistic. I’ll cover non negotiable and “spoil myself” equipment.

The first non negotiable is a bar. I’m anal about bars, it’s a part time hobby to study their specs. In all my years, I’ve never had a bar damaged in my home gym or commercial gym, because I only use quality bars.

So what bar do I recommend? I love a good power bar, I have 10 in my gym, some are 6 years old, still like new. I prefer to buy locally made when it comes to bars, unless you have $2000 to buy an Eleiko. Ironedge has recently introduced a very good locally sourced power bar. I know who manufactures them, they are quality stuff. Budget around $500 to $600 for a bar that will last a lifetime in a home gym environment.

So now that we know what bar we need, we’ll need to know what exercises we plan on doing. For the big three, squats, bench and deads, we can get away with anything. If you want to do the quick lifts, jerks, cleans and snatches, bumpers are a must, as is a platform, and a switch to an Olympic bar.

My recommendation is to simply stick to bumpers. The price difference between bumpers and regular plates is minimal, spread over decades of service, it’s negligible. There is nothing wrong with regular plates, so if the budget doesn’t stretch, get what you can afford.

How much weight? I feel up to 140kg – 180kg will last the average guy a long time. I’ve found that most can achieve a 200kg deadlift in under a year. Adding plates is cheap, easy and fast, simply get what you can afford to start with.

The last piece of non negotiable is a rack/stand. Squats are a must, so you’ll need something to sit the bar on. Now speaking from personal preference, I like squat stands. They're cheaper, take up less space and mobile. Most home gyms need to be versatile, I used to have to move my stands to fit a car in my garage.

If you have a permanent space for your rack/stands, you can get a power rack of some kind. It doesn’t need to be a full rack, as all you’re looking for are spotters arms, thats the main advantage over stands, that and the pull up facility.

I’ve got stands, power racks, Matrix and Assault Rack. Which is best? Neither, they all do the job they were intended for perfectly, it simply comes down to personal preference.

Now I said that the rack was the last piece that was not negotiable, so what about a bench? Well I’m being brutally honest here, and I know you can build a massive, strong, fit physique with the equipment listed above. A rack, a bar and 180kg. For your pressing needs, simply do standing overhead presses. They are tough, but the rewards are high.

A bench, preferably one that inclines, is the next bit of kit that you will need. This will enable you to bench flat and inclined, for those nights at the club when you wear your little brother’s shirt. I’m only kidding of course, the bench press is a popular and important exercise for some sports, in some countries the bench press is actually a sport.

With the equipment listed so far, you’re set, you can train for decades with that equipment, simply add plates as you get stronger.

So what if you want to treat yourself, what else do you buy? Well, I like rubber mats, they protect your plates, bar and floor, cost little, look good.

I’d buy Kettlebells before DB’s, because DB’s are more like BB’s. In fact I did buy KB’s first, my DB’s are the least impressive part of my gym. With KB’s; like plates; simply keep adding as you can afford to. That’s the beauty of them, they don’t become redundant as you get stronger, I can exhaust the strongest guy in my gym with 8kg KB’s, and have done so many, many times.

So we’ve now got an Assault Rack, a power bar, 180kg of bumpers, an incline bench, 4-5 KB’s, some mats. Next? For me, it’s the cheapest thing, chalk. I love chalk, get some.

Now by buying the Assault rack over say a set of stands, you have the ability to add attachments. The first one should be dipping bars. To be honest, you now have a first class set up.

Still have cash, get a platform, I love them. We're now just spending money because we have it though. Something you should consider if you do have space and cash is a second bar. You’ll be surprised how convenient this becomes.

To turn your humble home gym into an Elite set up you now need to get DB’s. A set from 10kg to 40kg in 2.5kg increments is heaps.

With the set up listed above, you will never miss training in a commercial gym again. Soon your friends will be coming to your place to train because your equipment is better. Next thing you know strangers will ask to train there, offering to pay, after a couple of years, gyms like yours will open in other states around Australia........wait, I know that story.

Markos Markopoulos

www.ptcfrankston.com