How Much Space Do You Need for Home Gym?

Here we have enough space to fit in a power cage or a squat rack, storage racks for dumbbells and kettlebells, plates, a plyo box, and a couple of barbells.

You can also put multiple cardio machines and isolation machines.

Some include a leg press, cable station, and a lat pulldown machine.

In addition, you will still have enough space to train with other people because there will be enough space for everyone.

300 Square Foot Home Gym

You will have enough space to put a power cage, kettlebell and dumbbell storage racks, one bench, a plyo box, and one of the bodybuilding machines.

However, if you plan your gym adequately, you can fit cardio equipment such as rowers and treadmills.

Now we must start making some sacrifices since 250 square feet isn't enough for everything.

You will need to be more selective and only choose the machines and gym equipment most essential to you.

In addition, you can still fit a power cage in a 250-square-foot gym, but that will limit the addition of other machines, such as cardio equipment and isolation machines.

You can fit a multi-station machine depending on how large it is.

However, there is less chance of fitting a squat stand, single station machines, or a power cage.

200 Square Foot Home Gym

For a 200-square-foot home gym, we can fit a power cage. However, consider a squat stand for more floor space for other exercises.

In addition, you may get a wall-mounted foldable squat rack because they take less space when fully extended.

This will give you more room for HIIT and CrossFit workouts.

If you take a wall-mounted foldable squat rack, you can fit other cardio equipment, such as a treadmill or even a few isolation machines.

Home gyms that are supposed to fit in less than 200 square feet can only have the essential equipment.

You won't be able to fit many isolation machines, so you will need to stick to the free weights for your resistance training.

However, there will still be enough floor space to fit a rower or a squat rack, but the room will feel cramped.

You may also consider a squat stand because a power cage takes up much more space. In addition, adjustable kettlebells and dumbbells are essential for a 200 square foot home gym or less.

120 Square Foot Home Gym

In a 120-square-foot home gym, you will have space for:

• Flat bench
• Squat stand
• Dumbbells/kettlebells
• Cardio machine

A treadmill could possibly fit. Consider some things like a small elliptical or a spin bike. If you are a CrossFitter, the Echo bike will not be able to fit in this much space.

However, if you are a fan of endurance-based workouts, you can still fit in a treadmill and leave out a squat rack.

One hundred square feet is the least space I would choose to build a home gym in.

It is still possible to add some essential equipment, but isolation machines and a power cage wouldn't be able to fit in.

This is where you need to be more creative with your dumbbell, kettlebell, and barbell workouts.

You can possibly fit in a squat stand and a pull-up bar. However, if you are a big fan of cardio equipment, get a spin bike since it is the only cardio machine able to fit in this much space.

Related: 10 Best Compact Home Gym Machines

You may have other stuff and belongings in your home gym room unless it is meant exclusively for that.

This is why you will need to rearrange some of your furniture or change the utilization of the space. Imagine you are building a home gym in the garage.

Did you think about the room left for your car to be parked?

Also, always move your most essential items from the gym room since dropping free weights, and a barbell can damage them.

4. Buy Your Equipment in Phases

This is the most overlooked part of building your home gym, and it is one of the best options for cutting your costs down.

In addition, you will be able to visualize how your gym may look while slowly adding extra equipment.

You may decide to buy dumbbells and plates in different stages. Remember that most equipment has another piece that can mimic the same exercise.

For example, dumbbells or kettlebells can also perform a barbell row, but the latter will take up less space.

If you have a small gym area, you will need to find alternative ways to maximize every inch of your space to train more effectively.

Consider buying a squat stand instead of a power cage since they have similar features, but the first takes up less space.

A squat collapse rack is a better solution because you can fold it up against the wall when you finish exercising.

Adjustable kettlebells and dumbbells are always a go-to option and my personal favorites because of their space optimization features.

"The most important thing to consider when you go about picking your gear is getting the best options for your space and interests. Why pick out a random piece of equipment you'd never use? Don't be hoodwinked by special sales or flashy trends—opt for gear you've used before that you can see yourself turning to again and again."

- Ebenezer Samuel, Certified Personal Trainer.

6. Protect Your Floors

Always make sure your floors can support the weight of a particular activity. Think about heavy squats, deadlifts, and rows.

The best option is to purchase a lifting platform because it absorbs the shock from dropped free weights and helps reduce extra noise.

This is one of the most crucial things if you live with others.

If you cannot get a platform for whatever reason, you should purchase a pair of crash pads that can also reduce noise and absorb shock. In addition, they are easier to move around.

Related: How to Build a Deadlift Platform for Home Gym

The wall-mounted power rack and pull-up bars need your walls to handle their weight.

You may experience many unnecessary problems if you don't double-check it.

You can contact a general contractor or a carpenter to inspect your walls.

Squat rack manufacturers always recommend using stringers when bolting racks to your walls.

8. Room for Heaters and Fans

Basements, attics, or garages that aren't well-insulated will eventually require heaters and fans to warm up the space in the winter and circulate air in the summer.

Haters and fans don't take much space, but you will need to ensure you have enough room to fit them, so you can keep the desired temperature while exercising.

If you have ever been exercising at home, you know how difficult it is to make progress due to a lack of equipment, space, and similar factors.

That’s why you must implement the principle of progressive overload, which is increasing the total training volume, intensity, and things such as sets, reps, and external resistance each following workout [1].

However, if you exercise too much or frequently, you may enter the state of so-called overtraining syndrome [2].

When you overtrain, you fail to progress strength and hypertrophy-wise, and you feel weaker and more tired than ever.

To avoid overtraining, you must implement enough rest between each workout session and get enough sleep [3].

Lastly, eating enough carbs and proteins after the workout can make all the difference in strength and recovery-wise.

I suggest sticking with 1 g of protein per pound of body weight daily to get the most out of your workout [4].