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After 13 years in our cozy two-bedroom house, we’re finally moving!
Our current place is snug, to say the least. While it technically has two bedrooms, the second one doubles as an office, which means our 5-year-old has been sharing our bedroom. As much as we adore her, we’re ready for her to have her own space (and let’s be honest, we’d like ours back too!).
The new house is a dream come true—not only do we get more space, but we also have an annexe in the back garden. And guess what? That annexe is about to become my office, gym, and YouTube filming studio all rolled into one!
We’re expecting to get the keys in mid-October, which gives me about a month to plan the perfect setup for my home gym. So, in this post, I’ll walk you through my thought process and share some tips on how you can build your own gym at home—even with limited space.
Step 1: Defining the Purpose
The first thing to figure out is: What do I want to be able to do in this space?
For me, it’s all about training my whole body. I want to focus on strength, flexibility, and even rehabilitation, in case I decide to use the space to work with clients. This means I don’t need large cardio machines, but I do need enough room to stretch, move, and use versatile equipment that won’t crowd the space.
Step 2: Maximizing Space
The next consideration: How much room do I actually have to work with, and what can I fit in there?
Aside from the gym aspect, I need space for an office, along with storage for filming equipment, office supplies, and, well… some of my own personal stuff. Our new house doesn’t have tons of storage, and since my wife’s wardrobe could easily dress four people, my clothes and bigger items will need to find a home in the annexe as well!
Step 3: Choosing the Right Equipment
Now that I know how I’ll be using the space, the next step is deciding what equipment I need. Since space is limited, I’m focusing on gear that’s versatile, compact, and can target multiple muscle groups.
That means I need equipment that can serve many purposes, like free weights (dumbbells and barbells), kettlebells, and a cable system.
As I write this blog post I have actually already decided what I am going to include and this is what I have chosen…
A Functional Trainer Power Rack
Originally, I planned to get a half power rack—a simple frame that holds weight plates and a barbell, allowing me to do exercises like pull-ups, squats, and bench presses. I opted for the half rack because it takes up less space than a full rack.
But as I browsed different companies, I discovered some racks come with integrated functional trainer systems. A functional trainer is a dual cable system that opens up a whole range of exercises—like pulldowns, seated rows, cable flyes, and more. Cables are also great for rehab work, making this option ideal for my space if I choose to work with clients.
Eventually, I decided on the Again Faster Rival Functional Trainer Power Rack. The cables are adjustable, the size fits perfectly, and Again Faster has a solid reputation. With this rack, I’ll also be adding a dip attachment and a landmine attachment for even more variety, without taking up much extra space.
Click here to check out Again Faster EU’s Rival Functional Trainer Power Rack
A Barbell and Weight Plates
To do squats, bench presses, landmine exercises, and a host of other movements, a barbell is essential. Even if a rack isn’t feasible for your space, I highly recommend investing in a barbell!
Barbells are incredibly versatile, and an Olympic-style bar (15kg or 20kg) will handle most tasks without wearing out. Of course, you’ll also need weight plates to load onto the bar, along with collars to secure them.
Luckily, I already have a set of plates ranging from 2.5kg to 20kg from my clinic days, saving me a good chunk of money.
A Workout Bench
A workout bench is key to performing exercises comfortably and with proper form. You can’t bench press without one, but it also allows for seated exercises or work at various incline levels, offering more versatility based on your fitness level.
While I was initially drawn to the Prime Fitness USA adjustable bench, I couldn’t justify the steep price tag. Instead, I chose the Again Faster Competition Adjustable Bench 2.0, which fits my budget and needs.
Click here to check out Again Faster EU’s Competition Bench 2.0
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are another must-have. But a good range of quality dumbbells can get expensive. For most people, a range from 2kg to 20kg will cover the basics, while more serious lifters might want to go up to 30kg or higher.
Dumbbells take up a lot of space, and you’ll also need a rack to store them. Thankfully, I already have a set of Jordan dumbbells (2kg to 20kg) with a vertical rack from my clinic, saving me some serious cash. These days, a similar set would run around £1,000, plus £350 for the rack.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, adjustable dumbbells are a great alternative. You can get a decent pair starting around £400, and they’ll last for years. Plus, they’ll be one of your most frequently used pieces of equipment.
A 45-Degree Back Extension
This is a must-have if you suffer from back pain or have a history of lower back issues.
I used to have one in my clinic, but unfortunately, I sold it when I closed the space. Having it was key to keeping my back strong and pain-free. If you have a weak back, you need this.
I researched various back extension machines, and they can range from £200 to nearly £1,000. The cheaper models often sacrifice comfort and stability, especially with the pad design. As a man, I needed a pad with a proper gap for comfort during use!
I was ready to spend around £300, but then I saw an ad for the Freak Athlete Hyper Pro. This 9-in-1 machine not only does 45-degree back extensions but also Nordic curls, reverse hyperextensions, sit-ups, GHDs, hip thrusts, leg extensions, and more. Plus, it’s fully adjustable and easy to store.
As you can see the Freak Athlete Hyper Pro is extremely versatile and this is just 4 of the many things it can do! I’m so excited to get this piece of kit!
Click here to check out the Freak Athlete Hyper Pro
(This is an affiliate link)
Rubber Flooring
While rubber flooring isn’t essential for every home gym, it’s something I opted for since I’ll be lifting weights. Dropping heavy weights can damage your floors, so the rubber flooring will add protection. If you’re not working with heavy equipment, you could skip this, but for my setup, it’s worth it.
At the time of writing this I’m still looking around for the right gym flooring so I can’t link to anything right now.
Other Equipment I Could Have Chosen
Kettlebells – I have a couple of kettlebells already and over time I will look to add more to the mix. The reason this wasn’t a home gym essential is for a couple of reasons; Firstly, there is a skill component to these so they are not suitable for beginner lifters or those with injuries. Secondly you will need to get a variety of weights and some of the exercises are quite technical so you would get more versatility using a set of dumbbells instead.
TRX – These are great pieces of kit and they don’t take up much space at all. These are very good for beginners and athletes alike and there are a lot of exercises that can be done with them.
The only reason I didn’t put this in my list of essential home gym equipment was because there is a bit of a learning curve with these and they don’t excite me as much as they used to. I used to have one at the clinic and in the future I will get one again.
However if you are very limited for space and can only get one piece of kit then this would probably be it!
This equipment gives me a great mix of strength training, functional movement, and rehabilitation work—all within a compact space. Stay tuned as I share more about how I set up the gym and tips for creating your own ideal home gym environment!