20 Budget-Friendly Home Gym Ideas to Help Reach Your Fitness Goals (2024)

20 Budget-Friendly Home Gym Ideas to Help Reach Your Fitness Goals (1)

It's no secret that quality exercise can do wonders for your mind and body, but if you're unable to make it into your local gym on a regular basis, carving out a workout area right in the comfort of your own home is the next best thing. Whether you have an affinity for yoga or enjoy the variety of Peloton classes, you can't go wrong with considering these home gym ideas that make use of everything from a garage to a basem*nt.

A well-designed home gym can help you reach your fitness goals, whether that may be as simple as improving your upper body strength or working more cardio into your exercise routine. What's more, studies have confirmed that making time to exercise can help reduce stress and even enjoy a good night's rest. And who doesn't want that?

That said, browse through our roundup of inspiring, budget-friendly home gym ideas with setups for just about any type of exercise you prefer. You'll even discover a few useful pointers from Good Housekeeping Institute's registered dietitian Stefani Sassos, who also happens to be a personal trainer.

1

Living Room-Inspired Gym

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Design firm Interior Impressions turned a basic gym into a statement space with the addition of an accent wall, featuring floral wallpaper. Don't stop there, though. If space allows, incorporate a small sofa and accent tables to give the room a homey living room vibe.

RELATED: 15 Removable Wallpapers That'll Temporarily Transform Your Space (Without Damaging Your Walls)

2

Statement Entry

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Want to be inspired the minute you walk into your workout space? Add motivational words right by the entrance to give you a boost to achieve your fitness goals.

3

Smart Setup

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When you utilize all space to store your workout gear (like the walls!), there's still plenty of room left in your garage for other items.

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4

Red Walls

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If you're not afraid to take a design risk, go bold with your paint color choice. Here, cherry red walls energize this home gym.

RELATED: 15 Top Paint Color Trends to Keep on Your Radar for 2022

6

Minimalist Home Gym

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Less is more, so outfit your gym with your most-used equipment and a wooden bench that'll come in handy when you need to take a break between exercises.

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7

Light-Filled

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Embrace your workout area's natural light with a neutral paint color that can work seamlessly with just about any type of window treatments and wall art.

8

Basem*nt Gym

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A black-and-white tray ceiling steals the show in this spacious basem*nt gym.

9

Neutral Gym

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Take a cue from this home gym by North Carolina-based design firm, Design Lines Signature, and stick to the basics. Keep the focus on your workout routine with a neutral space, complete with sleek wood flooring and shelving for towels.

RELATED: The Best Neutrals for Every Room

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10

DIY Yoga Studio

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Once you have the right yoga mat, think about simple ways to create a calm vibe in your space. The best place to begin? Fill your workout area with a variety of potted plants for some color and texture.

RELATED: 30 Gorgeous Indoor Plants That Are Almost Impossible to Kill

11

Home Rock-Climbing Wall

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Rock-climbing is perfect for adventurous types and a great way to engage your muscles (it will also be a hit with the kids). A garage can easily be transformed with a set of rock-climbing holds.

12

Industrial-Style Basem*nt Gym

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Reimagine a drab basem*nt into a functional home gym, like this look from Kirsten Kaplan of Haus Interior Design. Make the walls a focal point with a bold paint color, statement art and an inspiring quote that will encourage you to give your workout 100%.

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13

Boxing Room

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Miss your boxing class? Bring the fun right into your home by hanging a punching bag in your living room. For this compact space, designer Vanessa Alexander paired a the bag with sleek seating and inspirational wall art.

14

A Garage Gym Set-Up

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If you can afford to give up your garage, why not convert it into an exercise room? This space from designer Marie Flanigan proves that a pair of dumbbells, a good-quality mat and a chair for moments of rest are all that's needed to maintain your daily workout routine. "The space has a Murphy bed that comes down if people need to sleep there, but otherwise the floor is clear for exercise equipment," Flanigan says.

15

Contemporary Living Room Gym

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There's nothing like outfitting your home gym with colorful equipment to keep you motivated. Interior designer Kammi Reiss crafted a home gym in New York City that played up her client's love of vibrant hues and contemporary art. "I had the pilates equipment made in colors of the Haruki Murakami plush flower ball," Reiss says. "Using these bright, cheerful colors, rather than the standard black, made the room a fun and happy place to exercise."

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16

A Gym With a View

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If you're lucky enough to have a home with a breathtaking view, designate a small area in it to exercise. Designer Taniya Nayak recently transformed an space in her living room outside of Boston into the perfect exercise spot. A simple mat "is the foundation of your workout haven," says Sassos. But don't fret if you don't own a mat. "You can also use an area rug with a non-slip backing for this," says Nayak. "A towel or rug that might slip are not great options if your floors are a hard surface like wood or tile."

17

Bedroom Corner Gym

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If you can't turn an entire room into a gym, use a corner of your bedroom! You don't need a lot of space to lay down a yoga mat or place your favorite workout machine. Sassos also recommends adding a foam roller to your collection to help relieve muscle tightness and soreness — it's small but mighty!

18

Mirrored Look

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Keep your form in check by making an oversized floor mirror a part of your gym's design scheme, as Los Angeles-based designer Vanessa Alexander has done here. It can even help to brighten up your space.

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19

Attic Gym

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Rather than overlooking an unused attic, take a cue from designer Benjamin Johnston and transform it into a gym. Make sure it's well-lit and equipped with simple essentials, like a wall-mounted TV, an exercise bike, and some weights.

20

Exercise Nook

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Don't let a small apartment prevent you from breaking out a sweat. Set up an exercise bike in a corner, fill a wall with words that'll push you to make the most of every session, and you're all set.

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Monique Valeris

Home Design Director

Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."

20 Budget-Friendly Home Gym Ideas to Help Reach Your Fitness Goals (2024)

FAQs

How to create a home gym on a budget? ›

The key is to focus on versatile items that offer a wide range of exercises. Some budget-friendly options include resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells, and a jump rope. Sometimes, a mat is all you need and you can start with doing body-weight workouts!

What are the disadvantages of a home gym? ›

Cons of Working Out at Home

It's all too easy to let yourself get distracted by other things like chores, food, television, or a comfy bed. It takes some serious self-motivation and discipline to begin a daily workout regimen at home, which can lead to a string of “starting over” days rather than a consistent schedule.

How to design a fitness room? ›

The flooring and walls in a gym should be durable and easy to clean. “Some form of resilient floor is always a good idea,” Mr. Crisp said. That often means interlocking rubber-tile or vinyl flooring, similar to the kind commercial gyms use, installed wall-to-wall or as a large area mat on top of other flooring.

Should I put a mat under my home gym? ›

A gym flooring mat solution will not only protect your floor from all the wear and tear of working out but also make your home gym a more productive, comfortable and inviting space. In this article, we'll give you nine reasons why gym flooring is a must-have for any home gym.

What do you put over carpet for a home gym? ›

If you have a large home gym area, rolled rubber flooring is the best solution. They come at a very affordable price per square foot and allow you to cover large surfaces quickly. If you're planning on primarily doing plyometric exercises and cardio in your home gym, rolled rubber flooring is an excellent choice.

What is the best color for a workout room? ›

Greens and whites are great options for relaxing energy. To keep the space feeling zen, opt for lighter tones like sage green and creamy whites. Inspired by nature, green roots you back to earth and adds a grounding energy for your daily practice. To add depth to your space, consider adding some tall mirrors.

Is 10x10 big enough for a home gym? ›

Small to Medium.

Do you have a spare bedroom you could repurpose? With a typical bedroom size between 10 ft x10 ft (3m x 3 m) and 15 ft x15 ft (4.5m x 4.5 m), this is a good option for a basic home gym.

Is it cheaper to go to a gym or make a home gym? ›

The truth is, it depends. Upfront, a home gym setup will obviously cost you more, but if you regularly use your equipment over years then the cost could average out over time. A gym membership will usually win out over the short term, but you'll have to keep paying that membership fee as long as you continue to go.

Is building a home gym worth it? ›

You Have the Freedom to Exercise When It Works for You

No need to carve out an hour and a half block in your schedule. No need to wait for the perfect timing when traffic on the roads is lighter and the gym is less crowded. With a home gym, you can jump on the treadmill or elliptical whenever you feel like it.

Does a home gym save money? ›

A Home Gym Saves You Money in the Long-Term

However, if you add up the monthly cost of a commercial gym membership fee versus the cost of having your own home system, you will likely find that setting up a home gym is the more cost-effective alternative.

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