Home gyms are a convenient set up for most people who enjoy working out away from busy commercial facilities and in the comfort of their own home. 

However, it is quite the investment to create a fully equipped home gym.  

You may ask yourself, how much does it cost to build a home gym? 

Well unfortunately, there is no exact answer that applies to everyone. The cost of your home gym will depend greatly on the equipment you desire, any accessories you want, the quality of the equipment, and the quality of your workout area. In turn, you could spend as little as $800, or you could spend well over $5,000.

If you aren’t quite sure where to get started, we’re here to help you. 

Since 1989, Akfit has operated as a Canadian specialty fitness store located in Sudbury, Ontario. We work closely with our clients in northern Ontario, the rest of Canada, and beyond in helping them select home gym equipment within their budget. 

In this article, we are going to outline everything that you need to know about the potential cost of a home gym to help you determine your own budget.  

In this article:

1. Why Build a Home Gym
2. Planning Your Home Gym Space
3. Common Equipment Found in Home Gyms and Their Cost
4. Other Factors that will Affect the Cost of Your Home Gym
5. Total Cost to Build a Home Gym
6. Consider Financing
7. Reach Out to Akfit

Why Build a Home Gym?

Before we dive into the cost of a home gym, let’s discuss why a home gym might be a worthwhile investment.

Building your very own home gym can present many benefits and is an investment in your physical and mental health. 

Below are some reasons as to why building a home gym may be a great idea:

• Save on commute time 
• There are no more lineups or waiting time to use the equipment
• You won’t need to worry about the germs of strangers
• Building a home gym could save you money in the long run
• You can layout your home gym in any way you desire
• Your home gym can feature any equipment you choose to purchase or finance
• You can listen or watch anything you want at your home gym without distracting others
• If you prefer, you can workout in silence without others distracting you

With that being said, a home gym may not be for everyone. Some people may prefer the social interaction at a commercial facility, or the opportunity to leave the house. 

If you are still torn between creating a home gym or working out at a public gym, check out our article comparing a Monthly Gym Membership vs. Financing Fitness Equipment.

Planning For Your Home Gym

Before you begin purchasing equipment, there are a couple steps to take in preparation for your new home gym.

Set a Budget

Before deciding on which equipment you require for your home gym, you need to set a budget for yourself. There are many factors to consider that can affect the cost of your equipment such as:

• Is the product new or used?
• Do you require any attachments?
• How often do you need to maintain your equipment?
• How do you intend on using your equipment?

Select a Space in Your Home & Take Measurements

Next, you need to determine your ideal area for your home gym. Whether you decide to build your home gym in a bedroom, common living area, basement, or garage, you need to measure out your space first. 

A very important consideration when measuring out your workout area is also measuring out the delivery path to your home gym. Regardless of if you are transporting your equipment yourself, or if you request a delivery, you need to measure key points in your delivery path to ensure you can fit your equipment into your ideal workout space. 

These additional measurements should include: 

• Doorways
• Hallways
• Stairwells
• Elevators

Consider Flooring

Once you have determined the ideal location for your home gym, you also need to determine if the floor is suitable for your home gym. 

At Akfit, we sell rubber gym flooring options including rubber tiles and mats for your equipment. 

When it comes to the cost of flooring, you could spend as low as $20 or over $500 depending on the amount of additional flooring you require.  

Common Equipment Found in a Home Gym and their Cost

In most cases,a home gym starter pack usually consists of one piece of cardio equipment such as a treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical, and a variety of strength training equipment, depending on your needs. 

With that being said, the ideal home gym setup isn’t the same for everyone.

For some, cardio equipment may not be necessary if working outdoors is ideal. For others, strength training might be a priority. Ultimately, the fitness equipment you choose to invest in should align with your fitness goals. 

To get you started, here are some common types of equipment desirable for most home gym builders and what you should expect to pay:

Free Weights Cost

Investing in free weights is a great way to start building the basics of a home gym. This is because you can engage in a wide range of strength training exercises with free weights, especially when combined with an exercise bench. 

Free weights come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and of course, weights. Some common types of free weights are dumbbells, kettlebells, weight plates, and bars. Among these different types of weights, you can expect to spend anywhere from $5 up to over $1,000 depending on the amount of weight you purchase 

If you are specifically interested in plate weights, take a look at our article How Much a Steel Weight Plate Costs: An Overview.

Keep in mind that the cost of your free weights will depend greatly on the amount of weight you purchase. Further, you might also want to invest in weight packages that include bars, collars, or storage racks. 

At Akfit we sell these free weights, sets, and attachments for these costs:

• Dumbbells: $2 - $1,398
• Adjustable dumbbells: $258 - $798
• Kettlebells: $10 - $280
• Adjustable kettlebells: $248 - $298
• Weight plates: $5 - $720
• Bars and collars: $6.98 - $749

Don’t forget that if you own a surplus of free weights, storage racks to keep your weights organized and in a safe place is necessary. Check out our article on how to store your free weights. At Akfit, we sell storage racks from $90 up to $1,000.

Exercise Bench Cost

As previously mentioned, pairing an exercise bench with your weight training exercises can diversify your workouts in a comfortable and safe manner. This makes owning a bench an ideal scenario for your home gym. 

The cost of an exercise bench can be determined by a variety of factors such as the materials used, if the bench is foldable, and the attachments added on to the bench. Ultimately, you can expect to spend anywhere from as low as $200 up to over $1,000.

At Akfit, our library of exercise benches for sale cost anywhere from $198 up to $898.

Squat Rack Cost

If you want to take your strength training to the next level, your home gym would benefit from a squat rack. 

Generally speaking, squat racks range from $200 up to over $3,000 on the market. The cost is ultimately dependent on the materials the rack is made out of, any attachments included, and the durability of the rack.

At Akfit, we sell a variety of squat racks and stands built for home use Our selection of squat racks range in cost anywhere from $198 up to $2,198. 

An ideal squat rack for a home environment is one built for a low ceiling. The Low Squat Rack 3.0 from Torque at Akfit stands at 6 feet and 8 inches tall when fully assembled. With the uprights themselves measuring out at 6 feet respectively. This squat rack is built specifically for lower ceilings with commercial quality. 

The Low Squat Rack 3.0 from Torque is currently sold for $998 at Akfit.  

For more information, check out the In-Depth Review of the Low Squat Rack 3.0 from Torque.

Functional Trainer Cost

Similar to squat racks, if you prioritize strength training, you may enjoy a functional trainer in your home gym.

More specifically, functional trainers can be a popular choice for a home gym because it is a versatile piece of equipment. It is designed to facilitate multiple different exercises and workout a range of muscle groups, rather than one specific area. 

Further, you can save room in your home gym with just one functional trainer rather than multiple pieces of strength equipment. 

However, these machines can be costly. You can expect to spend anywhere from as low as $1,000 up to over $5,000 on a functional trainer. This cost is dependent on the materials used, the durability, and versatility of the equipment. 

At Akfit, we sell functional trainers from $1,298 up to $5,798. 

Check out our Review of the Inspire FT2 Functional Trainer Package.

Treadmill Cost

The treadmill might be the most popular type of cardio fitness equipment on the market, and in turn, a popular piece of equipment for a home gym.  

This is because of the variety of benefits a treadmill can present in comparison to other cardio machines. Treadmills provide the user with the ability to walk, jog, or run on a mobile belt at a speed or incline they are most comfortable with. 

These machines can vary in cost and there are many factors that can affect the price of a treadmill. Generally speaking, you can expect to spend anywhere from as low as $200 up to over $4,000 on a treadmill.

At Akfit, our treadmills can cost you anywhere from $1,598 up to $3,998 before the addition of any consoles. 

For more detailed information, check out our article outlining The Cost of a Treadmill. 

Elliptical Cost

Ellipticals are another common form of cardio fitness equipment found in home gyms and this is also because of the benefits these machines present. 

Ellipticals can provide you with a low-impact, and full-body workout which is ideal for those who are recovering or nursing an injury. These machines will not put the same pressure on your bones and joints, and for this reason, they are also a popular choice of equipment for seniors. 

With this being said, ellipticals can be big and bulky and may not be the best for a home gym setting with limited space. However, if an elliptical trainer is a machine that aligns with your workout goals then it may be the cardio machine for you. 

On average, ellipticals cost anywhere from as low as $700 up to over $3,000 This depends on the durability of the machine, the features included, and how often you intend on using the elliptical.

Our ellipticals for sale at Akfit cost anywhere from $1,198 up to $3,848.

To learn more about elliptical costs, take a look at our article The Elliptical Machine: How Much Does it Cost?

Exercise Bike Cost

Exercise bikes are another form of cardio equipment that are very popular for home gym settings because most bikes take up less space than treadmills or ellipticals. While recumbent bikes may be bulky, spin, upright, and air bikes generally take up less room. 

Considering there are different types of exercise bikes with their own unique benefits and drawbacks, it’s important to find which bike is ideal for your fitness goals and health. 

Recumbent, upright, spin, and air bikes all require different posture, and provide different forms of resistance levels. 

Among these different types of bikes, you can spend anywhere from as low as $500 up to over $3,000.

At Akfit, we sell our exercise bikes within these price ranges: 

• Upright bikes: $798 - $2,148
• Spin bikes: $598 - $3,498
• Air bikes: $1,098 - $1,798
• Recumbent bikes: $898 - $2,548

Other Factors that Affect the Cost of Your Home Gym

When it comes to investing into your brand new home gym, there are some additional costs to expect beyond the cost of equipment. 

Gym Flooring

You need to address the flooring in your home gym. If you do not have flooring in your home gym that is suitable for your equipment, it can lead to ultimately damaging your products or the floor itself.

Equipment Accessories or Add-Ons

Do you require any extra attachments or accessories with your fitness equipment? Many cardio machines come with a variety of entertainment add-ons and workout programs. Where as many strength training products, such as racks and cages are customizable with other attachments.

Some fitness equipment, such as Peloton products, require a monthly membership to use their virtual training software programs.

Additional Design Elements

If you are considering purchasing any other entertainment devices for your home gym, or other equipment such as mirrors to help you perfect your form, this can ultimately increase your home gym costs.

Shipping, Delivery, & Installation

You may require delivery services for your equipment. Most online retailers apply shipping fees for your delivery. If you require installation, that can increase your overall cost as well.

Equipment Maintenance

Consider the cost of servicing and maintaining your fitness equipment. All fitness related products require proper maintenance. Failure to do so can result in paying for constant repairs. 

Total Cost to Build a Home Gym

Ultimately, the overall cost of building a home gym will depend on your workout space, the equipment you require, and any additional costs required for setup & maintenance. . 

You could spend as little as $800 or more than $5,000. 

Remember, creating a home gym doesn’t have to be done overnight. In fact, if you plan to invest in this gym, it is important to take your time and do it right. Consider starting out small with the basics and upgrade your home gym over time. 

Especially if you want your gym equipment to last a long time and offer a good return on investment, it is a good idea to go for quality over quantity!

Consider Financing

At Akfit, we offer a few alternative financing options through Paybright and Fairstone to help you afford your fitness equipment. All of our payment plans differ depending on the equipment you intend to purchase and all cost differently. 

Reach Out to Akfit

We hope that our article has informed you with a better understanding of what you can expect to spend when it comes to building your very own home gym. However, it can still be difficult determining the equipment that is right for you.

This is why we at Akfit are here to help! Our fitness professionals will work closely with you and provide expert advice to help you find the equipment and tools for your home gym to achieve your fitness goals. 

We highly encourage you to reach out to us with your home gym related questions. You can also book a virtual meeting with us, or visit us in-store at our Sudbury location. 

If you want to do a little more research on your own, check out our articles written to help you find the fitness equipment right for your home gym:

• Design & Layout Tips for Your Home Gym
• Affordable Equipment for Your Home Gym
• Essential Equipment for Your Home Gym