Finding the motivation to work out can be a difficult discipline to establish, and having the proper home gym equipment may just help you find the urge to keep lifting. It is important to develop a space where you can feel safe working out, with tools that support your overall fitness goals and workout aesthetics. So finding the right pieces in your gym is key in creating an overall atmosphere that fosters inspiration to continue working out, while also appeasing your own sense of style to a given space in your home. Below are my own home gym essentials, and how I use their capabilities as a way to progress my own fitness goals in a space I feel most motivated in.
Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench
An adjustable workout bench is a main tool in any given gym, as this piece of equipment provides a multitude of classic incline and decline weightlifting options that are designed to improve differing muscle groups. I would recommend the, Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench, as it is incredibly premium and durable compared to some of the more budget friendly options such as the, FLYBIRD Adjustable Bench, which has only half of the workout options and a steel frame that is likely to fade with time. The Rogue bench has over 50+ seating options, with a detachable leg component that can also be used for a variety of exercises. Made from gauged steel and coated in a black powder, this specific machine has a matte finish with rubber footing and wheels that support heavy loads and make transporting the machine incredibly easy. The rogue bench is the ideal piece for any workout enthusiast who needs an in-home machine that will provide the same quality to that of a regular gym. Some of the 5 star reviews read, “Great bench. Typical Rogue build quality. Exceeded expectations. . . The bench is amazing and built to last like everything rogue makes” (Rogue Reviews).
Squat Rack
A squat rack is an essential piece for anyone who intends to build strength through weight supporting exercises. In my home gym, for the squat rack I chose the fastest shipping option at the time from Amazon, Fitness Reality Power Rack, as it is a great starter piece and incredibly easy to build. However, investing into any further squat racks I would recommend splurging on the more expensive pieces as their steel frames are less likely to occur rust, and are more solid in their steel foundations, making added weight for workout routines less of a concern with overall wear and tear on the product. With that said, although the Amazon bench is a great first piece with ease to set up, I would ultimately recommend the, RML-390F Flat Foot Monster Lite Rack — Rogue Fitness, which are made from those gauge steel bases that are going to last through time and continually increased weight to the machine. Having a squat rack is important not only for leg based weight workouts, but it is also a great tool for pull up, bench, and other additional workouts that can be used through squat rack additions such as cable piece attachments. It can also be a great piece of storage for holding weight plates, and saving space for other pieces in your home gym. So finding the right rack for your goals and space is principal in developing your home gym that fulfills all your strength and storage needs.
THE OHIO BAR — E-COAT
In order to fully utilize your adjustable bench and squat rack, you will of course need a proper barbell to fulfill those intended workouts. The Rogue Ohio Bars are incredible pieces that are made from a premium steel variant, that are solely machined and manufactured within Columbus, Ohio. Each of these Rogue Barbells contain dual knurl marks, long loadable sleeves, and up to a 190,000 PSI tensile strength. With lifetime guarantees against bending and wear, you can expect these specific pieces and their quality to last through time and any type of weightlifting routine. Each barbell has a differing finish, and for my own home gym I chose the, THE OHIO BAR — E-COAT, as it utilizes a newer electrically applied coating process that prevents aging to the metal and is better for the environment by, “producing little to no HAPS (Hazardous Air Pollutants) or VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)” (THE OHIO BAR — E-COAT). However it is completely up to you which barbell you chose to decide as Rogue and other competitors offer a wide range of barbell finishes and overall costs, making the variety easier for anyone looking for a specific barbell option for a home gym piece that will assist your weight-supported workouts.
Weight Plates/Holder/Barbell Clips
Once you have your foundation of an adjustable bench, squat rack, and barbell, you will then need the actual weights to begin your workouts. Weight plates vary by brand, type, and size, so finding the right pieces is more or less dependent on your intended workout routines. For example, if you are someone looking to do deadlift workouts you would need bumper plates which are designed to continually fall onto the floor, versus more condensed rubber and metal plates that are intended just to add more weight to a given set. So for the deadlift enthusiasts I would of course recommend the variety provided by Rogue, as they have favorable premium plates that are not only durable, but are unique in each of their colors and designs. So they are also good collectors items that you can add up to style your gym as well as work out in it. For my home gym, I opted for the faster delivery option of that time which was the Amazon, XMark Olympic Weight Set. I absolutely love these weight plates as they have a black coating and a cool shaped diamond outer layer. They are also rubber giving some option for more intense workouts, and make them much easier to clean with no rust. However I also did order the, CAP Olympic Cast Iron Grip Plates, to have additional weight options that have real steel. So the options are there and ready for you to discover, so go find the right weight plates that will align with your fitness goals and styles! If your squat rack does not already have weight plate holders, you can of course order the, Rogue Vertical Plate Tree 2.0, which I also love as it holds all of my weights and any additional clips that you will need for your barbells and can also find here on Amazon: Barbell Clips.
Rogue — SMRTFT NÜOBELL
The perfect alternative to dumbbells. The, Rogue — SMRTFT NÜOBELL, is a dumbbell set provided by a Swedish design and is offered on Rogue. Instead of having to buy individual pairs of dumbbells that can take up a huge portion of any gym space, you could order these specific barbells that are weight adjustable up to 80 pounds and just require an additional stand for a compact dumbbell set. The 5LB increments can be altered using the middle handle bar that turns along with a weight increase or decrease. Not only is this pair incredibly convenient with its compact size and weight capabilities, but it also looks so clean with a slated finish and black coating. However, another cool thing people love about this product is the colors they come in, which range from white and black to navy green. I of course opted out for the simple yet classy black look, which aligns with the color scheme of the rest my gym. These dumbbells are great pieces of workout equipment with an enormous array of workout options from standing exercises, to bench curls, lunges, etc. you name it. It is a must have for your gym, if you’re ultimately looking for pieces that offer those workout opportunities that don’t take up a majority of your workout space.
ROGUE ECHO BIKE V3.0
Great for cardio and interval workouts. A cardio machine is a must in any gym, so deciding on the right fit for a piece is a great way to keep you inspired and moving. I struggled choosing between a treadmill and cycling bike, as I enjoy both methods of cardio. I ultimately narrowed my decision on the notion that I could always just walk or run outside without a treadmill, and using the, ROGUE ECHO BIKE V3.0, as my cardio machine was a great alternative to building up my legs and as well as a more disciplined interval schedule in between other workout sets. The bike doesn’t require any electricity or outlets, you simply just set it up upon arrival and begin working out. The bike has an on screen display to help keep track of calories burned, miles traveled, time spent, etc. All the things necessary to keep you engaged in a cardio workout is available through this machine that uses a fan as the primary setting. That means there are no adjustable speeds or weights as the bike uses the air to create a workout experience that can be incredibly exhausting yet so rewarding.
XMark LAT Pull Down Machine
From the same brand as the XMark weight plates, this LAT pull down machine is a powerful tool intended to strengthen the muscles of your chest wall and upper back. I find this machine as a great tool also for working out biceps and triceps, as there are cable extensions that run both from the top and bottom of the machine, giving you options for differing workout angles. The build is premium, and even gives you the option to drill into the bottom of the piece if you want that extra solid foundation into the floor. The weight plate holders are extended leaving room for increased weight increments, and the cushioning and padding of the seat and knee holders make for a comfortable lifting experience. There are also holders for the accessories, and the machine comes with grease to ensure the cables always move seamlessly. This is a great addition to a squat rack, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to continue building and developing their back, chest, and arm muscles.
PLATE-LOADED FLY MACHINE V2
A personal choice, when canceling my membership I knew I needed to order my favorite piece of equipment that I used all the time at the gym. The, PLATE-LOADED FLY MACHINE V2, is a pec-fly piece that is an alternative for chest development workouts. It is not essential you have this piece as you can consistently workout your chest with dumbbells, barbells, even pushups. However, I do advise if you are developing your own home gym that you include at least one unique piece towards a muscle group you directly want to focus on. That could be a bicep curl machine, leg press machine, etc., just anything to get you more motivated about a certain routine is important in keeping that consistent desire to workout. So that’s why I chose a pec-fly machine as chest is one of my favorites to workout, and this machine just makes me more inspired to do so in my own gym.
TV/Lights
For the aesthetics and motivation. When I’m working out I always like to have a good background playing, with my overhead lights on. This just gives me a sense of control and ambience, letting me brighten or lower the room depending on my workout and mood for that day. When doing cardio, I put on a hiking trail background and cycle as if I were out adventuring some beautiful scenery. For the times when I’m heavy lifting, I lower the overhead lights and put an intense music edit on screen to get me pumped to lift more. The TV/lighting is simply a measure of comfort, and for me it helps to keep me motivated, encouraging me to stay in workout space I feel most comfortable and my own in.
Flooring/Mirror
Finding proper flooring to ensure your equipment is set on a solid foundation, was one of the first steps in the process of building my home gym I started with. There are a wide range of gym flooring options, the struggles are finding affordable options that also give full coverage to the whole layout of your space. For example, the platform flooring for home gyms is of superb quality compared to the individual foam squares you can buy, but the full coverage is limited meaning you would have to spend more on the higher quality material just to cover the whole space. Keeping that in mind, I chose the, Tiles Puzzle Exercise Mat, as they were very affordable and offered several pieces that covered my whole gym floor. It is also important to consider the type of workouts you intend to do on the gym floor, given if you are constantly doing deadlifts you will need that platform flooring as to not damage your own original floors underneath. If you’re doing more simple workouts that don’t need extra floor padding then those cheaper foam alternatives are a great option as well that will cover those original floors, giving you proper floor room to exercise on. Keeping track of your fitness progress is also essential in holding accountability and consistency in routines, which is why I chose this, Full Length Mirror, which provides me with the visuals I need to workout most effectively.
Accessories/Extras
Extra pieces for your gym equipment such as lat pull down ropes/bars, squat bar padding, jump ropes, balls, bands, etc. can really be found anywhere, so it is up to you to decide what works best for you and your gym. In my workouts I mainly use these pieces to add additional support and variety to my workouts, with the larger equipment pieces I invested in. Amazon has a lot of different accessories bundles, which assisted me in finding my own options: Combo Tricep Press Down Cable Attachment, ProFitness Barbell Pad Squat Pad, Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands, ProsourceFit Olympic Barbell Spring Clip, etc. So depending on what other machines and pieces you add to your home gym, these extras are effective tools that could further progress your overall fitness goals.
Having a home gym is a privilege, and it is what has ultimately helped me in developing my own routines of goal setting, discipline, and accomplishment. With the right sets of equipment and style, developing your own home gym can be a challenging and fun process that will not only provide you with a safe space to feel comfortable in your workout environments, but also leave you feeling inspired and motivated to continue progressing your own fitness goals.