Thinking of creating your own home gym? Sanctuary, Pain cave, escape room, play room or happy place. However you refer to your workout space, stocking it with a few affordable basics will set you up for success. Up your game and build your own Home Gym with these 7 essentials. This has been updated from a previous post.
Home Gym Essentials
Yoga Mat
Perhaps you have a yoga mat hiding in one of your closets already? It’s a staple of a home gym routine. Use it for stretching, push ups, planks and all sorts of core moves.
Resistance Bands
Inexpensive yet oh so effective. Resistance bands up the intensity of bridges, squats and all kinds of glute work. Longer bands are perfect for rows, overhead presses and tricep work. I like to have a set of looped bands for glute and hip work. 
Dumbbells
With just a few sets of weights, you are set to work biceps, triceps and more.This is a great set to start with and has a nice storage rack.
Stability Ball
A stability ball is an absolute must for your home gym for balance, strength and stretching. Check out my full body stability ball workout here.
Jump rope
Get in a killer cardio burst with just a short jump rope session.
Foam Roller
Your foam roller is key to recovery and a great basic for any home exerciser. I am currently obsessed with my vibrating foam roller.(On sale at the moment as well).
Step Bench
A step bench doubles up as a traditional bench for use with weights and a fabulous cardio tool. Step ups and jump overs allow you to do compound moves with lots of variations. Dips, pushups and plank variations also work well. See Full Body Weight Bench Workout.
These are 7 of my favorite and most used home gym torture devices. Stock your home gym with 7 essentials and set yourself up to meet those 2020 goals. Tell me what are your home gym essentials? (This post contains affiliate links).
A foam roller is key! Sadly I don’t have space for dumbbells or a stability ball right now but resistance bands are so helpful.
There is so much you can do with a resistance band!
Those are all great tools. I have most of them even though I usually work out at work (personal trainer perk). You have an amazing home gym.
I have been building it up for years and it is definitely my happy place 🙂
These items would definitely make for a great home gym! I just purchased a set of loop resistance bands and I’ve been having fun coming up with workouts with them! I’m debating on whether or not I keep my gym membership this year (since I’ll be doing OTF starting in the Spring), so I’m going to bookmark this post in case I cancel my membership.
Thanks for linking up with us this week!
With the Peloton and OTF and running, sounds like you could get all the rest at home! The Peloton classes for strength look great too
I do prefer to work out at home. Although I like classes too (but am not currently a gym member). It’s a time saver for me, although you work out harder in a group.
I’d add kettlebells!
It is a huge time saver for sure. I also agree that sometimes group workouts do push you a little harder. Kettle bells would be a great addition as well
I have a couple kettlebells along with my dumbbells. Since I have a treadmill and bike at home, I don’t have a gym membership. I prefer home so I don’t have to battle people to get the good machines, fight through traffic, etc. And I can put the TV on what I want too 🙂
Yes definitely a plus!
We have a space in the house that I’ve been toying with converting into a small gym. Mr PR used it for an office until he moved into one that was out of the house and now it’s just this bizarre catch all room.
I’ll have to see how things go this year, but it would be great to tear out the old carpet and add some of these things for a small workout space.
Sounds like a great idea to me! Happy to consult if you decide to do it
I am in the process of re-doing my basement gym right now – need to get me a step bench like that!
I use the step bench all the time for so many moves. It’s a great addition
well I have a mat LOL
I am not motivated to work out AT ALL.
Maybe if I didn’t work and had a nice space. Our basement is unfinished cold and dreary.
Someday I hope to join a gym and get a buddy to make me go
But thanks for the post.
Hey a mat is a good place to start! 🙂
I have everything here but the step-up bench, but I usually use the 2-step landing at the base of our stairway as a pseudo-substitute. I never think to jump rope, but I know it’s a crazy cardio option, and probably great for calf strength as well.
I bet that step landing would work really well for lots of exercises. I used to jump rope all the time-it’s really hard!
I prefer doing my strength training at home too. I recently added a kettle bell and a slam ball to our basement which are super efficient and fun!
The slam balls are great and it feels good to throw them hard 🙂
I like to go to my parent’s home gym. It has all I need and the fact that I have to go somewhere to do it somehow ends up making it a little easier to get done sometimes. When I have an at home workout, a lot of times I find myself thinking that I don’t want to get all ready for a small workout.
That is great that you have a space that you feel comfortable going to. Keep it up!
Love this list of essentials! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for checking out some of my favorites
I love a good foam roller!
Definitely! What did we do before them!?
I have an ottoman/storage bench thing that I have always used for bench exercises at home. It is a convenient size for me – but maybe a bit short for the average person!
Hey if it works for you-why change it!
Yay, I have all of these things! Now if I can just get myself to USE them!!! I much prefer working out at home. Even a 15 minute drive to the gym means that 30 minute round-trip could be used to work out!
Yes exactly! You got this friend
I have everything but the step bench. 🙂 I rarely strength train but am hoping to do a better job this year.
Hope this gave you some ideas!
A home gym is so great, especially during winter when I don’t want to leave the house. Now I just need to use everything!
Yes it is great during the winter for sure!
I finally have my own, albeit tiny, space in my apartment for my home gym. As you know, sadly my exercise ball died (really died, like we have no idea how or what happened) so I need to arrange another one. I would love to have a bench, just not sure I have the space (my room is really small). I have kettlebells as well as dumbells and I have a recumbent bike so that I can now do a HIIT workout in that space. I think I have 3 jumpropes (which I only do outside – but good reminder!) and quite a few resistance bands that I could incorporate!
I can workout at home or the gym or the park or anywhere! I have no real preference. Obviously if I need more space then the gym or outside is handier.
It sounds like you are ready to go! You might be able to use a small coffee table as a bench too 🙂
oh we have only one and it has a glass top… not the best idea for Klutzy McKlutzerson…
oh no scratch that idea!!! LOL
I love my home gym. Cancelling my gym membership and using a home gym instead was one of my best decisions ever.
I agree! Same for me
Great list! I’m really hoping to “build” a home gym this year in my current office, and I definitely will need these tools, especially the dumbbells! If I could only make my mind on a treadmill…
Oh fun! That would be a great project. I only use my treadmill for walks on non running days so I am the wrong one to ask.
Having a “gym” at home definitely makes life easier, especially with little ones! I have most of the equipment listed, except I do need a step bench!
It does make life easier especially when your kids are younger. I use the step bench quite a bit and love finding new ways to mix it up
These are all such great ideas for a home gym! I have everything except the step bench…now I just need to make time to use them!!!
Well finding time to use them is a whole other post!! 🙂
These are all such great gym essentials! I have these in my home gym and they are perfect for working out from home.
Oh great! It will make it easier for you to have everything in the house. You are going to be one busy mom 🙂
I love your suggestions for a home gym. I need to get another stability ball. I used to have one but not sure what happened to it.
They do tend to disappear!
Great workout tools! Of the items you listed, I use dumbbells and the stability ball most. I use resistance tubes with my clients a lot more than for myself.
Resistance tubes are great for so many exercises!
It is a good list! My favorite is the resistance band.
They are so handy and can be used for many things. I have 4 lol. Each with different resistance.
Yes they are great to have around
Having your own home gym makes it more convenient for working out and getting fit. Thank you for sharing this write up. It is indeed helpful. All the best!
Thanks so much
One of the best things we ever did was outfit our “pain cave” when we moved here 19 years ago. It was a huge investment but it gets SO much use!
I agree! It’s a great investment and I know you use yours a lot too
I think I need to get some resistance bands. I have never used them but the idea is very appealing. Hubby had dumbells at home for me to use but I usually like just going to the gym to work out with weights.
The resistance bands are fabulous and you can travel with them as well. You will be surprised how much you can do with them
I just happened to catch my previous comment & I almost got busted saying the same thing LOL Seriously, I do need to get a jump rope! Then my at-home collection will be complete!
I could see you getting into jump roping!
I don’t have a bench. Always wanted one, but just don’t have the room (treadmill, stationary bike, and of course I need some room to actually DO yoga, LOL!).
Most of the rest I do have — and use.
My new toy is a yoga wheel. OMG, now I know what all the hype was about! I’m really looking forward to sharing this with my students.
I have always wanted to try the yoga wheel. It just looks fun. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it
Nice! I have the mat, foam roller and resistance bands. I’ve only got one set of weights and have been thinking that I need to buy a set so I can have different weight amounts.
It is nice to have an array of different weights for various moves. You will be surprised by all the different things you can do at home with them
I have most of these but have really gotten away from using them. The resistance bands are probably my favorite piece!
Thanks for linking up! -M
They are very versatile for sure
The only thing I’d add is TRX straps! I love using them when I can’t get to CF!
Yes they are great to have in your home gym as well
Moving your body does not have to be fancy or expensive. Great tips!
Very true!
I have all except for the step bench! I also have a bosu ball, TRX straps and kettlebell. Although I do my workouts mostly at the gym but can definitely get them done at home!
The Bosu is one of my favorite home pieces I use it a lot a well
These are all great items to have at home! I actually have them all, but I just need to use them more!! 🙂
Well that might be another post! 🙂
This list is great! I especially love that you added a jump rope on this list! I feel like it’s a forgotten, useful workout piece!
It is a simple way to get some cardio in!
I love having a home gym! My 6 year old claims he’s getting me an exercise ball for my birthday but I’ll believe it when I see it! 🙂
WEll that would be a great gift!
Great suggestions!
I would also recommend getting an ab wheel. That can be a killer on the abs and is truly something that can add value to your workout routine.
Those are a great tool and a fun way to mix it up
It’s a simple list but it certainly looks like you’ve hit the highlights! I’m personally all about the yoga mat and dumbbells. Those are the things I find myself using almost every single day.
They are definitely great basics to have at home.