Essential Equipment for Bodybuilding at Home

When exercising at home, it's not always necessary to have a bunch of accessories, equipment, and machines. If you're interested in trying bodybuilding at home, a few basic elements such as dumbbells will suffice. 
Essential Equipment for Bodybuilding at Home

Last update: 22 May, 2019

The gym may be the best place to train, but it’s not the only one. If you properly convert a room in your house, you’ll have no problems doing bodybuilding at home. You can have your own at home training center for a very reasonable investment price.

The important thing for this type of project is to figure out what you really need and what you can do without. Only then will you able to control how much you’re spending and the room will be properly fitted out. Keep reading to find out how to successfully set up your own home gym.

Designate an exclusive room or area for your gym

The first problem you might come across when it comes to fitting out the room has to do with space. It would be ideal to have an entire area or room dedicated to training. Otherwise, your exercise sessions could get complicated due to distractions and this will likely become unmotivating for you.

These at-home gym ideas are useful for people of all ages. The important thing to remember is that the designated area needs to have enough space for both the equipment and your workout.

The next thing is to ensure that this area is, at the very least, carpeted. Otherwise, the best thing to do is to buy thick carpets. Ideally, you’ll also want to have long and wide mirrors so you can see your entire body while exercising. You can buy and install all of these things little by little.

Bodybuilding at home: weights and dumbbells are central

Weights, dumbbells, and bars are the first pieces of equipment you should buy. The price may be high, but they’re basic essentials for bodybuilding at home. When working out at a home gym, we need weights and specialized equipment.

Woman lifting weights strengthening arms bodybuilding at home

Do you think you can’t do strength training exercises at home because you don’t have the machines and other equipment that are in the gym?

A good option is to buy a pair of adjustable dumbbells with 20-kilogram weights. This weight is substantial, but not impossible to lift for an intermediate athlete.

You could also opt for four discs that weigh 10 kilos each. In addition to that, it’ll also be important to get an Olympic bar for chest and shoulder exercises.

This is the minimum required to work your entire body. In the future, you’ll have the possibility and hopefully the finances to buy other accessories or weights. Additionally, you could also buy a couple of discs weighing 5 kilograms each.

An adjustable bench is necessary

The surfaces we exercise on can give us greater freedom of movement. The number of exercises we can do standing or seated is quite limited. Therefore, getting an adjustable bench for your home gym will expand the range of exercises you’re able to perform.

Horizontal benches are useful for exercises that involve lying down. Almost all of these workouts can be done directly on the floor. However, with the adjustable bench, you’ll have a number of different height incline options, which will increase the number of possible positions.

Another tool that can increase your exercise possibilities is the pull-up bar. This will especially help you to work the back and biceps. The pull-up bar can be placed on top of any door frame. In practice, it doesn’t take up much space, and there are extensive possibilities for different exercises.

Small and affordable equipment for bodybuilding at home

Soon you’ll understand that buying exercise machines for your home gym doesn’t make a lot of sense. Even if you have the space to put them and the money to afford them, the only really useful thing would be a leg machine.

However, if you have little space in your house, you should really think of acquiring some small complementary accessories, such as the following:

  • Resistance bands: fasten them to a hard surface to condition your biceps, triceps, and chest. It’s important that you buy more than one.
  • Ab roller: with this small wheel with handles, you can strengthen your abdominal area and core. Almost all home gyms have one of them since they occupy little space and are very effective.
Man using ab roller at home in his gym
  • Stability ball: this accessory will come in handy for many different exercises. It helps you to work your abdominals and transverse ab muscles. Women who train at home will benefit greatly from having this product.

A stationary bike is a wonderful option

Although this could lead to a slightly bigger investment, it’s highly recommended. With a stationary bike, you can have at-home spinning sessions! In other words, you’ll get plenty of cardiovascular exercises.

Once you have all of this equipment, you might as well say you’re ready to work out. All the equipment and accessories mentioned will allow you to cover each muscle group.

With these products, some willpower and motivation, bodybuilding at home will be possible. Additionally, it’s just as effective as going to the gym!


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.