Working out in the comfort of your home is one of the healthiest ways of getting into shape or staying shape. Not to forget the expensive gym membership fee that you would possibly get away with. While having a home gym may seem enticing, how does one go about with it? Some of the common questions would be factors that should be considered before the setup and what to buy once space is decided. Here’s your go-to guide:

Do not rush into building a home gym
Perhaps the first and the most important tip is not to rush. While the idea is great, and you might even have the resources to buy the best of the equipment – it is always best to be prudent at every step. Remember it is not just about the money but also about the utilization of space. 

How much space should be available? 
If you have plenty of space that can be set aside for the home gym, you have quite a few options. But when the space available is limited or constricted, it is imperative to draw up your objectives first. You then have to be clear about the dimensions of the equipment that you plan to buy and also figure out where you will store them. Remember in order for the home gym to last longer, one needs to ensure to run proper maintenance on them and that includes appropriate and efficient storage systems. 

Objectives 
What do you want to achieve from your workout? Is it strength that you are looking at, or do you want to focus on your flexibility or you want to work on a particular group of muscles, etc., You may also want to consider the classic exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and lunges – which do not require a lot of space. Once you clearly define your objectives, you can draw the list of equipment to buy. 

Must have equipment for a home gym
It is indeed tempting to buy some of the expensive stuff at the outset, but it’s best to start with the basics. The following are some of the essentials which by itself would give you great results:

• Yoga mat which can be used for yoga, pilates and stretching 
• Resistance bands for stretching and strength training 
• A couple of kettlebells, for weight lifting and also add resistance to bodyweight workouts 
• Leg weights while you do your push-ups and other floor exercises. 
• Dumbbells for upper body workouts 
• Foam roller for stretching and also massaging tight muscles 
• Door-mounted pull-up bar that helps in resistance and also saves a lot of space

Bigger Equipment
Some of the good home gym equipment range anywhere between $1500-$3000. They largely work on the strength and stretching part and offer anywhere between 25-75 total body workout options. Before you use your credit card to buy one, try and see if you can source them second hand or find a bargain store that gives you a good deal. You will be surprised at how much you would potentially save in this process. 

You have to make the most of your home gym and the only way to do this is to take it in stages – one step at a time. Start off with the must-have equipment and see how comfortable and consistent you are in the first three months. Also, assess the results the three months has given you.