Starting Strength Coach Grant Broggi discusses how to build a home gym on a budget, what to spend money on, and what to save money on. This clip is from The Okay Podcast episode 014.
Building the Ultimate Home Gym: Where to Splurge and Where to Save
Creating a home gym is an investment in your health and fitness journey, but knowing where to allocate your budget can be a bit of a puzzle. Just like a drummer needs quality cymbals over drums, there are essential items in a home gym where quality shouldn't be compromised. Here's a guide to help you decide where to splurge and where you can afford to save when building your home gym.##
Splurge: The Barbell
The barbell is the cornerstone of your home gym. It's the primary tool you interact with during most lifts, making it crucial to opt for quality. A good barbell enhances the lifting experience, ensuring safety and effectiveness in your workouts. Check out our range of bars, designed to suit all your lifting needs without overwhelming you with unnecessary options.
Splurge: Plates
While it might seem like plates are just weights, not all are created equal. The accuracy of the plates can significantly affect your lifting progress. However, if you're lifting in your own space, consistency is more important than absolute accuracy. That said, opting for plates that are easy to handle, like our American-made, easy-grip cast iron plates, can significantly improve your lifting experience.
Splurge: Rack with Proper Hole Spacing
The rack is another area where you don't want to cut corners. Proper hole spacing is vital for safety and convenience, ensuring you can set the bar at the right height for your lifts. Racks with too wide hole spacing can make it difficult to find the perfect setup, potentially compromising your form and safety.
Save: Bench
When it comes to benches, you have more flexibility. The market offers a wide range of affordable options that won't compromise your lifting experience. If you're on a tight budget, consider an adjustable bench for versatility or even DIY solutions that can save you money without sacrificing quality.
Save: Non-Essentials
It's easy to get caught up in the latest gym gadgets, but focus on the essentials first. Items like adjustable dumbbells, cable attachments, and other accessories can add up quickly. Invest in the basics first, and only consider these extras if you have room in your budget or specific training needs they address.
The Bottom Line
Building a home gym is about creating a space that supports your fitness goals without breaking the bank. Focus on investing in quality where it counts — the barbell, plates, and rack — and look for savings in areas like benches and non-essential equipment. Remember, the goal is to build a gym that you'll want to use every day, enhancing your life and lifting experience. Buy it nice or buy it twice!