What are the must-haves for building a home gym?

When building a home gym, you want to focus on equipment that is versatile, affordable and can be stored easily. Focus on cardio equipment such as steppers, walking pads or an indoor cycle bike. Adjustable dumbbells or resistance bands can be used for any level and store easily, and accessories like foam rollers or Pilates rings can be easily stored.

Can I build a home gym without a dedicated room?

Building a workout routine you stick to starts with the right setup – and it doesn’t require a spare room or a big budget. All you need is the right equipment that can be stored easily such as steppers, resistance bands or a walking pad that stores easily.

Your Home Gym Starter Kit: How to Build a Workout Space That Actually

Q: Is a home gym cheaper than going to the gym?

Investing in a home gym is often far cheaper than paying for a monthly or yearly gym membership, especially when you factor in commute time and initiation fees.

Building a workout routine you stick to starts with the right setup – and it doesn’t require a spare room or a big budget. This home gym starter guide breaks down the true home gym necessities so you can train effectively from home, no matter your space or experience level.

If you’ve been wondering how to make a home gym that’s practical, motivating, and easy to maintain, you’re in the right place. In this guide we will walk through the essential items you need for your home gym, focusing on must have workout equipment that’s versatile, affordable, and compact.

Our Sunny Health & Fitness products are designed to work for you. We have equipment that supports multiple exercises, stores easily, and grows with your fitness goals. The best part is that investing in a home gym is often far cheaper than paying for a monthly or yearly gym membership, especially when you factor in commute time and initiation fees.

To make getting started easy, we have selected items that seamlessly integrate with the free SunnyFit app, giving you access to workouts, training programs, and progress tracking at no extra cost. Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading your current setup, this guide will help you build a home gym that fits your lifestyle and keeps you moving consistently.

Cardio Equipment

Having a solid cardio routine is important for metabolic and heart health. Zone II cardio is especially important for longevity, as it initiates the process of mitochondria production (which is essential for the metabolic process). Interval training helps to improve your VO2max, an essential factor in your ability to sustain activity, especially as you age and both styles of cardiovascular exercise strengthen cardiac muscle, making your heart more efficient and stronger over time. ⁽¹⁾

Getting started with cardiovascular exercise can be as simple as getting outside for a walk, but if you live somewhere with excessively hot or cold climates, this might not be realistic. Having cardio equipment on hand at home can help you to overcome the environmental barriers.

The Mini-Stepper

One of our most popular items; a mini stepper is a smart, space-saving addition to any home gym. It is an effective way to improve cardiovascular health, build lower-body strength, and stay active without bulky equipment. This compact machine targets key muscle groups like the glutes, quads, calves, and core while providing a low-impact workout that’s gentle on the joints. This makes it ideal for beginners and experienced users alike.

Mini steppers are also incredibly versatile; they can be used for steady-state cardio, interval training, or even paired with resistance bands for a full-body workout. Because they’re lightweight and easy to store, mini steppers fit seamlessly into small spaces. Best of all, they deliver an efficient home workout option, helping you stay consistent and save money compared to traditional gym memberships.

The Indoor Bike

An indoor bike is a powerful staple for any home gym, delivering an efficient, low-impact cardio workout that supports heart health, endurance, and overall fitness. Cycling engages major muscle groups (including the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves) while being gentle on the joints, making it suitable for all fitness levels.

Indoor bikes are highly versatile, allowing you to adjust resistance for everything from recovery rides to high-intensity interval training. They’re also convenient and time-efficient, letting you fit in workouts regardless of weather or schedule. With a compact footprint and minimal maintenance, an indoor bike makes it easy to stay consistent, build strength, and enjoy a studio-quality ride from the comfort of your home.

Strength Training Equipment

Strength training is an essential component of any workout routine. The more muscle mass you have as you age, the less likely you are to develop one of the four most deadly chronic diseases (cancer, Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disease). ⁽¹⁾ The good news is that it is easy to strength train from home!

Resistance Bands or Tubes

Resistance bands or tubes are an essential addition to any home gym because they offer unmatched versatility, portability, and value. Despite their lightweight design, they provide effective strength training by creating constant tension that helps build muscle, improve stability, and enhance mobility.

Resistance bands are ideal for full-body workouts, allowing you to target everything from legs and glutes to arms, shoulders, and core, while also being great for stretching and rehabilitation exercises. They’re joint-friendly and suitable for all fitness levels, with varying resistance levels that make it easy to progress over time. Compact and easy to store, resistance bands or tubes make it possible to get a challenging, gym-quality workout at home without taking up space or requiring expensive equipment.

Adjustable Dumbbells

This piece of equipment is more of a financial investment, but worth every penny. The adjustable dumbbells deliver strength-training versatility without taking up valuable space. With the ability to change weights quickly, they allow you to perform a wide range of exercises, from lighter isolation movements to heavier compound lifts, using a single, compact set. This makes them ideal for progressive training as your strength improves, eliminating the need to buy multiple dumbbell pairs. Adjustable dumbbells support full-body workouts, helping build muscle, increase bone density, and improve functional strength, all from home. They are easy to store and offer the flexibility and efficiency of a commercial gym setup while fitting seamlessly into smaller spaces at home.

Accessories

Accessory equipment is an excellent way to support any strength workout. Here are a few of our favorites.

Yoga/Stability Ball

woman uses stability yoga ball for exercise

A yoga ball is a great item to add to your home gym because of its versatility. You can use it to spice up any core routine, work on building stability, or enhance your mobility and flexibility routine. Bonus, if you’re pregnant or newly post-partum it can be a great way to add comfortable movement into your day.

Pilates Ring

If you’re a Pilates fan, having a Pilates Ring at home can be an excellent way to level up your home practice. It’s compact, affordable, and incredibly versatile. It adds gentle resistance that helps strengthen and tone muscles without putting excessive strain on the joints, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

The ring is especially effective for targeting the inner and outer thighs, arms, chest, and core, while also improving posture and body awareness. Because it’s lightweight and easy to store, a Pilates ring fits seamlessly into small spaces and can be used for a wide range of workouts, from rehabilitation and stretching to strength and stability training.

Build a Home Gym That’s Simple, Smart, and Sustainable

Creating a home gym that works for you doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By choosing essential, versatile equipment and pairing it with guided workouts like those in the SunnyFit app, you set yourself up for consistent progress. Whether your goal is strength, flexibility, or overall wellness, this guide empowers you to take control of your fitness journey from the comfort of home – no bulky machines or costly memberships required.