Things To Consider For Your Home Gym Setup
Creating your own home gym gives you more access to the one thing we all crave. Your own time. Therefore, it is possibly one of the best investments you can make. Not only that, in the long run it will save you money. Research suggests 1.5 million Australians have a gym membership and rarely use it. So whether it’s a simple set up or a full fit out you’re thinking of, it will be money well invested.
When it comes to setting up your home gym there’s a few things to consider. Firstly, what are your health goals? Understanding what you want to achieve will help you decide what style of training you’ll use. Therefore, this will help determine which equipment suits your style of training. Secondly, how much space do you have? Your space will need to be functional, so the equipment and flooring you choose needs to optimise your workout area. Thirdly, what is your budget? Ultimately this will be a deciding factor for the type and style of equipment you purchase.
Before I get further into the nuts and bolts of this post, I would like to stress that safety should be your main priority when setting up a home space, especially if you’re going to have friends or family training with you.
Strength Training
There are a few options when setting up a home strength area. Your level of experience in terms of “training years” will influence what’s necessary.
If you’re just starting out on your fitness journey, chances are you only need a bench, some light dumbbells and maybe a small rack. If you plan to lift heavier, your equipment will need to be more robust.
For example, an X-Series Power Cage, adjustable bench, barbell, and bumper plates will set you up for big compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and presses. If your budget allows, the Xpeed Alpha Half Rack is a commercial-grade product that suits home gyms beautifully thanks to its compact footprint. A cage or rack allows you to target all major muscle groups safely with your preferred weight range.
On the more budget-friendly side, the Xpeed Adjustable Squat Rack is a great entry-level option for beginner or intermediate home lifters. Below is a video of an adjustable squat rack in action.
FlooringDon’t forget, your choice of gym flooring is critical. It protects your equipment, your body and your floor, while reducing noise and preventing slippage. Popular choices for flooring are Rubber Floor Tiles, Astro Turf, Rubber Roll Out and Interlocking EVA Mats. One of the growing trends in home gym flooring is rubber roll-out! Why? It's thanks to its ease of installation, seamless appearance and ability to cover large areas quickly, making it a practical and professional-looking choice for home gyms of all sizes. |
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The All-In-One AdvantageIf you’re tight on space but want maximum versatility, consider an All-In-One Trainer. These units combine a squat rack, functional trainer, smith machine and more, all in a single footprint. They're perfect for anyone who wants a complete strength and functional training station at home. Xpeed All-In-One Trainers are: Compact and space-efficient, Loaded with features and attachments, built to handle serious lifting sessions! Pair with an adjustable bench and you've got an incredibly dynamic training setup. |
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Cross Fit and Hyrox TrainingSetting up for Cross Training means you’ll need to think about the range of gym tools required: from bumper plates, barbells, kettlebells, to wall balls, slamballs, sleds and skipping ropes. With so many moving parts, storage becomes essential. We recommend a modular storage rack to keep your space tidy and your equipment easily accessible. And don’t overlook your flooring, rubber tiles provide essential support, protect your gear and offer a grippy surface for fast-paced movement. Alternately, if training for Hyrox competitions, the sled component requires astro turf for the sled. |
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Combat
Creating a space for sparring, bagwork, or MMA-style training? Then flooring should be your top consideration. We recommend interlocking foam flooring for several reasons:
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Perfect for stand-up striking and light grappling
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Cushions impacts to protect your joints
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Easy to clean and reconfigure as needed
Add in gloves, pads and a freestanding bag like the Xpeed Spar Trainer, and you’ve got a functional combat zone that also doubles as a fun way to release stress.
CardioCardio equipment is often one of the bigger purchases in both size and cost. Whether you opt for a treadmill, rower, or ski erg, make sure you account for flooring needs (like a treadmill mat or rubber tiles) and overall footprint. Once again, the right choice depends on your goals.
We recommmend our friends at Fitness Warehouse for all of your Cardio equipment purchases. |
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Overall
There are plenty of variables when building a home gym space, training style, budget and personal goals. But one thing’s certain: with a little planning and the right gear, your home can become the ultimate training environment.
Author - Simon MitchellWritten by Xpeed Brand Manager, Simon Mitchell. Simon has a Bachelor of Human Movement, is a certified FMS trainer and has worked in the fitness industry since 2003. Simon started his fitness journey as a trainer with iNform Health and Fitness before moving into commercial radio and then back into fitness with Bodyism in the United Kingdom and Australia. A career highlight was being one of Daisy Ridley's personal trainers on Star Wars IX - The Rise Of Skywalker. |
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