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The Real Truth About Building a Home Gym (From Someone Who Actually Did It)
Let’s be real for a second. I used to be that person spending $20/month at Planet Fitness, telling myself “at least I’m saving money.” I wasn’t saving money.Here’s my actual monthly breakdown back then:
● Gym membership: $20
●Pre-workout coffee: $10 (because who works out without caffeine?)
● Gas driving there: $20
●Time wasted in traffic: About 8 hours a month
And the worst part? Half the time I’d drive there, see the parking lot packed like a Black Friday sale, and drive right back home. Sound familiar?
The Wake-Up Call
One day, after waiting 20 minutes for a bench (only to have someone ask “how many sets left?” every 30 seconds), I did some quick math:
●Driving there: 15 minutes
●Finding parking: 5 minutes
●Waiting for equipment: 15-20 minutes
●Actual workout: 45 minutes
● Driving home: 15 minutes
Total time: Nearly 2 hours for a 45-minute workout. Make it make sense.
The Home Gym Solution (Without Breaking the Bank)
Here’s what you actually need to get started (and no, you don’t need to spend $10k):
● The Starter Pack ($800-1,000):
1. Adjustable bench: $150-200 (Amazon)
2.Power tower: $150 (Facebook Marketplace)
3.Adjustable dumbbells: $300 (used)
4.Resistance bands: $30
5.Foam roller: $20
6.Floor mats: $100
That’s it. Seriously. This setup handles 90% of what most people need.
● The “I’m Serious About This” Upgrade ($500-700):
1.Olympic barbell: $200
2.Weight plates: $300 (buy used!)
3.Simple squat stands: $150
● The “This Is My Life Now” Level ($1,000-1,500):
1.Power rack: $500-700
2. Cable machine: $300-500
3.More weights: $200-300
The Space Solution: Enter ShedPlans
Quick disclosure: Yes, I make a commission if you buy ShedPlans through my link.
But here’s why I actually use and recommend them. Building a dedicated workout space solves the biggest home gym problems:
1. Not taking over your garage
2. Having climate control
3. Actually wanting to work out
A basic 10×12 shed costs about:
● Plans: $50-100
●Materials: $1,500-2,000
●Weekend of work: Priceless (or $500 if you hire help)
The Pros and Cons
What’s Actually Great:
● Working out in your underwear (try that at LA Fitness)
● No waiting for equipment
●Music as loud as you want
●Zero commute time
●Equipment pays for itself in 1-2 years
What Kind of Sucks:
● Initial cost feels scary
● You need space
●Sometimes you miss the gym energy
●Have to clean your own equipment
●No more “forgot my gym clothes” excuse
The Real ROI (No BS Numbers)Let’s break down 3 years of costs:
Commercial Gym:
– Membership: $1,220 ($20/month)
– Gas: $1,080 ($30/month)
– Coffee/pre-workout: $900 ($25/month)Total: $3,420
The best home gym is the one you’ll actually use.
Start small, build up, and just think – no more waiting for the bench press on Monday.P.S. Seriously though, check out ShedPlans HERE if you’re thinking about building a dedicated space. Yes, I make a commission, but I also use their plans myself. And having a real workout space beats trying to convince yourself that squatting in your living room is sustainable.
