So, you’re wanting to build a home gym? You’ve done all the planning, now it’s time for the fun part – selecting your kit.

Maximising Your Space

If you have limited space for a home gym, then you will need to be more selective about what you purchase. Go for items that you know you’ll use repeatedly, items that can target multiple muscle groups, and items that don’t take up a lot of floor space. A set of Resistance Bands hardly require any space but can be used in a wide range of exercises.

Buying a Weight Bench

A Weight Bench is the cornerstone of a good home gym and there are two main styles to pick from: Flat and Adjustable.

A flat weight bench is sturdier and great if you want to use it for cardio or bodyweight exercises such as step ups and tricep dips.

An adjustable weight bench has multiple backrest angles – you can use it flat, in an incline position or in a decline position and this allows you to perform a wider range of strength exercises. The other important thing to consider is weight. All benches have a maximum recommended weight, and this number includes both the user and any equipment they’re lifting. If you’re just starting out a bench with a lighter weight tolerance should be fine but if you’re serious about training heavy you’ll want a bench that can accommodate that, such as the M3 Adjustable Weight Bench which can support over 450kg.

Buying a Rack

A Power Rack, also called a power cage, is built specifically to facilitate weight training. One key feature are the safety bars, which will catch the barbell if you lift to the point of failure which is very important if you’re training alone.

Some power racks need to be bolted into the ground to ensure stability so, if that isn’t possible for you, look for a rack where bolting is optional.

There are only two types of bars that are long enough to use with a power rack: 7ft and 6ft.

You can also get a range of accessories to enhance your rack; such as weight storage poles, dip bars and pull up bars.

Power racks also have a weight limit. In this case it is the maximum weight that the rack can hold safely, and includes anything you store on the rack, as well as anything you may drop onto it while lifting. If you have a lower ceiling or you’re shorter and find using full-size power racks uncomfortable you can purchase a Short Power Rack.

Buying a Barbell

One of the key features in a weight bar is whether it is suitable for Standard weights (1”) or Olympic weights (2”). Standard bars are shorter and lighter, while Olympic bars are longer, heavier and can hold more weight.

Knurling is a pattern cut into the barbell which helps to improve grip by increasing the friction between your hands and the bar. Knurling comes in light, medium, or aggressive styles, which relates to how hard the points dig into your palms. An aggressive knurl is very useful in powerlifting.

Many people associate bars as one long piece of steel but there are various specialty bars such as a Swiss Bar which has multiple handle positions, an EZ Curl Bar which is angled to reduce strain on wrists and a Trap Bar which is great for strengthening your traps and shoulders.

Buying Weight Plates

Like a barbell, weight plates come in standard or Olympic sizes and need to match the style of bar you’re using.

Bumper Plates are made from solid rubber, which means that they will be quieter than other types of plates. Bumper plates all have the same diameter.

Steel Weight Plates are noisier than bumper plates, but they are thinner, which means that you can fit more of them on your bars. These plates are sold with different diameters depending on the weight.

Tri Grip Weights can be used on bars, but also have the additional benefit of having handles built into the plate and this means it is easier to use them for exercises without a bar.

Fractional Plates weigh between 0.5kg and 2.5kg and are useful by allowing you to incrementally increase your max lift. 

Buying Dumbbells

Dumbbells are a must have for a home. At Mirafit we sell fixed dumbbells ranging from 0.5kg to 35kg so there is an option for everyone.

Dumbbells can be neoprene which means that they will feel soft and are great for light cardio work, or they can come in steel/iron, which have knurling to provide an easier grip.

Hex Dumbbells have edges which stop them from rolling away.

Adjustable Dumbbells are perfect if you don’t have much space as you are able to alter the amount of weight on the bar to perform a variety of exercises with only one pair. They’re also brilliant if you’re building strength as you can increase the weight as you increase your strength.

…and the Rest

While building strength is great it’s also good to have a well rounded exercise regime. This could mean having some Pilates and Yoga equipment to help you relax after a long day working from home, a Plyo Jump Box to build up your stamina or an Exercise Step for some cardio.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s your gym. Whether it’s a way to get stronger, relieve stress, get some peace and quiet, or all of the above, if you focus on equipment that you enjoy using then you’ll get more use out of your gym.

Not quite finished planning? Check out the first part of our guide to building a home gym.

For more content, follow us on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and on our official Mirafit Facebook page.

Tags: Equipment > Bars & Weight Plates ; Equipment > Benches ; Equipment > Dumbbells ; Equipment > Power Racks & Cages ; Exercise Type > Strength ; Misc > Gym Planning