Your Guide to the Best Garage Gym Equipment

Thinking of swapping out your pricey gym membership and crowded weight rooms for the convenience of a gym just steps away from your living room? Your garage is the perfect place for home workouts. 

With the fitness industry evolving fast, having a reliable, custom-built exercise space with the best garage gym equipment you can find can make it easy to stay consistent and meet your goals. Fully outfitting your gym right away can be a substantial initial investment compared to monthly gym fees, but over time, it will save you a lot of money. You can also stock your garage gym a little at a time.

By setting up a garage gym, you can create a personalized space with the equipment and atmosphere you want. Blast your music, stream your favorite shows, and even work out in your pajamas, if you want. And it’s private and always open, 24 hours a day. 

If you’ve decided a garage gym is your best option, you might be wondering where to start. The best garage gym equipment for you is going to depend on your goals, your space, and budget but there are plenty of versatile options to consider. 

Below, we’ll dive into:

• The best small equipment for your garage gym

• The best large equipment for your garage gym

• Additional items to consider for your garage gym

Let’s dive in!

The best small gym equipment for your garage gym

Small pieces of equipment like dumbbells and yoga mats are easy to use, don’t take up a lot of space, and provide a lot of bang for your buck. You can maintain a well-rounded fitness program with these pieces:

• Yoga mat

• Kettlebells

• Adjustable dumbbells

• Jump rope

• Resistance bands

• Stability ball

1. Yoga mat

A yoga mat, or exercise mat, is versatile enough to be used for yoga, mat Pilates work, stretching, foam rolling, or just keeping your feet off the cold, hard floor. Look for a mat thick enough to provide some cushioning without making you feel unstable. Many exercise mats have grippiness to them to give you a bit of traction. 

We also recommend looking for a mat that’s easy to clean and roll up when you aren’t using it. 

2. Kettlebells

Kettlebells are a great way to improve your strength and explosive power, if that’s one of your goals. The unique design of kettlebells—basically a ball with a handle—allows you to do exercises that you can’t easily do with a dumbbell, like swings and snatches. 

Kettlebells provide a full-body workout, improve grip strength, and boost balance and coordination. They are also compact and don’t take up a lot of storage space. Some kettlebells have different-colored handles indicating different weights so they’re easy to tell apart in the middle of your workout. 

And, you can purchase them one at a time to add to your gym as your budget allows (and your arm strength improves!). 

3. Adjustable dumbbells

Dumbbells are a classic training tool for building strength and a mainstay of most home gyms. Adjustable dumbbells are about the size of a regular dumbbell and allow you to adjust the weight with a pin, dial, or lever. Adjustable dumbbells tend to be on the expensive end of small garage gym equipment, but their compact size and versatility make them very useful. 

One set of adjustable dumbbells provides a complete workout, from bicep curls to squats, and only takes up a fraction of the space of a full rack of traditional dumbbells. Look for adjustable dumbbells with the widest range of weight you can afford, along with a locking mechanism for safety.

4. Jump rope

A jump rope is an excellent—and simple!—way to get a cardio workout. Jump ropes are inexpensive, compact, and portable. They take up almost no room at all and can hang on a hook in the corner of your garage gym. 

Look for a durable rope with textured handles with ball bearings to make the rope turn more easily. A good rule of thumb for the proper rope length is that the handles reach to your armpits when you stand on the middle of the rope.

5. Resistance bands

Resistance bands can be used to improve muscle strength and mobility. They are also great for rehabbing from injuries. Bands come in a variety of styles, such as tubes, flat bands, and loops with a range of resistance levels. Some sets provide handles and other attachments to make the bands even more versatile. 

Resistance bands are also inexpensive, compact, and portable if you’re taking your workouts on the road.

6. Stability ball

A stability ball—a large rubber ball that can support your bodyweight—is often used for core work. Look for one with an anti-burst design and that comes with a pump so it’s easy to inflate.

The best large equipment for your garage gym

Large equipment like treadmills or squat racks may be more difficult to fit into your space, but if you can make the room, they’re a great addition to your home gym. There are even compact or foldable options that make it easier to fit more pieces into your garage gym. Consider a: 

• Rower

• Stationary bike

• Treadmill

• Weight bench

• Punching bag

• Squat rack

1. Rower

If you’re looking for a machine to get a solid cardiovascular workout, a rowing machine is the perfect choice. It’s low-impact, works 86% of your body’s muscles in a single stroke, and can improve your strength and cardiovascular fitness in one efficient machine. 

2. Stationary bikes

Stationary bikes are compact and fit well into garage gyms without taking up much space. They provide an excellent cardio workout, helping to improve cardiovascular health and endurance. Additionally, they are low-impact, making them suitable for all fitness levels and reducing the risk of injury.

3. Treadmill

A treadmill is a classic piece of cardio equipment for its small learning curve and the ability to walk or run at just about any pace that’s comfortable for you. Look for a treadmill that has an auto shut-off feature and sturdy handrails for safety. Also consider the weight capacity of the machine and whether it folds up for space-saving.

4. Weight bench

If strength training is part of your fitness plan, a weight bench is essential. You can use it for exercises like bench press, dumbbell pullovers, and split squats. 

Look for a sturdy, stable bench with a high weight capacity. Some benches are adjustable to incline or decline positions, and some are foldable for storage. 

5. Punching bag

You can boost your endurance while also improving your power, strength, coordination, and stability with a punching bag. It’s also a great way to relieve stress and tension after a hard day. 

A punching bag may require some extra setup, such as installing a wall or ceiling mount. You’ll also want to consider gloves to protect your hands.

6. Squat rack

If lifting heavy is part of your exercise routine, you’ll probably want a squat rack in your garage gym. A squat rack will provide a measure of safety for your heavy lifts, especially if you work out alone. 

Many racks have storage pegs so you can keep your weight plates all in one place. Typical squat racks can take up a lot of space, but some are designed to attach to a wall and fold up out of the way when not in use.

Related Blog: What Is Circuit Training?

Additional items to consider for your garage gym

When setting up your own garage gym, there are a few other purchases you’ll want to consider besides workout equipment. Each of these items may not be necessary for your space, but don’t overlook them if they will enhance your experience:

• Fan

• Lighting

• Floor mats

• Shelving and storage

• Mirrors

1. Fan

Garage gyms can get hot and stuffy, so a fan to help with airflow and temperature control can make your workout space a little more comfortable.

2. Lighting

Make sure the lighting in your garage gym is bright enough to make the space safe. Tripping over equipment because of dim light will derail your fitness program in a hurry. 

3. Floor mats

Rubber flooring provides comfort underfoot and safety if you drop a piece of equipment and can help level out any uneven spots in your garage floor. 

Rubber flooring for home gyms can be purchased in packs of interlocking tiles so they’re easy to put down and replace if damaged. You can tile just a small space or tile under large pieces of equipment, rather than the whole garage to save on cost.

Related blog: How Much Does a Home Gym Cost?

4. Shelving and storage

Storing all of your equipment is something you’ll want to consider before you start buying pieces. Make sure whatever you choose is sturdy and can handle the weight you plan to put on, or in, it. Hooks, shelves, baskets, and bins are inexpensive and work great for corralling small equipment.

5. Mirrors

If you have the wall space, a mirror is a great addition to your garage gym so you can check your form when performing exercises. A simple full-length mirror will do the job, but you can also purchase mirror tiles to place in different configurations and cover as much or as little wall space as you want.

Build the garage gym of your dreams with a Hydrow rowing machine

Setting up a garage gym doesn’t have to be daunting. You certainly don’t need every piece of exercise equipment right at the start. Choosing effective, versatile equipment that needs minimal set-up and that you enjoy using will make everything easier.

If you are interested in investing in a rowing machine for your garage gym, be sure to check out Hydrow. Our indoor rowing machines come in a variety of sizes and can be stored upright, making them easy to store once your workouts are complete. 

Hydrow rowing machines also come with an extensive library of workouts led by our team of world-class Athletes and filmed in gorgeous locations around the world. Our rowing, yoga, Pilates, mobility, and circuit training workouts will transport you to stunning global destinations and keep you motivated to come back again and again. 

Learn more about the benefits and advantages of having a Hydrow rowing machine in your garage gym!