Compact Home Gym Ideas: A Setup & Build Guide for Small Spaces

Every day, we hear from frustrated Aussies who lament that they're space is just not big enough to build the home gym of their dreams. They content themselves with a long commute to the gym and never truly having the workout routine they want.

It's true that we'd all love to have a huge spare room to create a proper gym spread. But it's also a misconception that we even need that much space in the first place. In fact, many people who have a massive space find that they end up only needing a small corner for most of their workout.

We're here to tell you that with a few clever tricks and an understanding of gym layouts, you won't have to compromise on your fitness space.

Start With Your Space, Training Goals and Budget

The best home gyms are ones that are designed from the ground up with your specific space in mind. What works in one home may not work in yours.

Measure the Floor Space and Clearance You Actually Need

The absolute first step in putting together your home gym is measuring. Don't take anything for granted at this stage, measure everything. This includes floor to ceiling height and any crevices/awkward spots. Having the numbers ready at hand while you browse fitness equipment will become invaluable in the long run. Remember, it's not just about the equipment fitting in your space. You should be thinking about the movement clearance between equipment and whether you have access to the full range of motion.

Other things to keep in mind at this point include:

• Doorway access
• Power points
• Ventilation

Decide Between a Permanent Setup and a Foldaway Setup

We've spent a lot of time building a range of foldable equipment that still delivers the same quality and strength. Foldable equipment, including Walking Pads, Exercise Bikes or Power Racks is a fantastic solution for mixed-use rooms where you'll need to reclaim floor space once your workout is over.

While folding equipment can be very enticing and convenient, consider whether you'd prefer to have a permanent setup. The advantage of non-folding equipment is that there's no setup involved before your workout, you can just get in there and start training. This removes any friction to starting your workout which can make a huge difference for your workout consistency.

Compact Home Gym Setup Ideas by Space Type

Apartment or Living Room Compact Home Gym

For apartments or shared living rooms, it's best to get a range of versatile equipment that can easily be taken from room to room and stored easily.

This includes:

• Yoga Mats
• Folding Exercise Bikes
• Resistance Bands
• Walking Pads

There's a lot you can do with a simple set of resistance bands or a good-quality yoga mat, so consider how you can use these to make most of your space.

Spare Bedroom or Home Office Gym Setup

With a spare bedroom or home office, there are a few more options available to you.

We recommend a mixed cardio and strength setup that can still stay compact. You can combine an exercise bench with some dumbbells and one compact cardio machine to give you everything you need. Add in some recovery gear to fully round out your workout.

Garage or Shed Compact Home Gym

If you've got a larger garage or backyard shed to play, you can start building a solid strength setup with a range of gym stations. If you're able to, look into power racks, exercise benches, a set of weights and finish everything off with some good quality gym flooring.

The Essential Equipment for a Compact Home Gym

Strength: Rack, Bench and Adjustable Weights

Here's the formula for a great strength setup that takes up minimal space: a power/squat rack accompanied by a good quality adjustable exercise bench, all rounded out with a solid set of free weights. The weights can include dumbbells, a barbell or just some standalone weight plates. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done with this package.

Conditioning: Bands, Kettlebells and Bodyweight Tools

Putting together a solid collection of conditioning equipment is a great way to facilitate better warm-ups, finishers and full-body circuits without taking up too much room. They can also be used for adding variety and intensity to your regular workout. There's a lot to choose from, but we recommend going for some kettlebells or resistance bands to start you off.

Cardio: Choose One Key Machine That Fits Your Routine

Cardio is an interesting one because at the end of the day, the aim is simple: getting your heart rate up and moving your body around. But there are so many options out there for cardio machines.

Here's a super quick rundown of each machine:

• Treadmill
  - Easy, accessible exercise that can be adapted to your fitness level. Great for HIIT, circuits or just steady-state cardio.
• Walking Pad
  - Good for very small spaces, gets your steps in without intruding too much into your life.
• Exercise Bike
  - Low-impact cardio that reduces the risk of injury or strain. Also good for rehabilitation or people with limited mobility.
• Rowing Machine
  - A full body cardio workout that also builds functional strength in the lower and upper body.

Recovery: Mats, Foam Rollers and Mobility Gear

Recovery is often neglected in a home gym setup, but honestly, it will make a huge difference for your long-term fitness, allowing you to maintain consistency and to get more out of your workout.

We recommend getting yourself a foam roller, some resistance bands and a good exercise mat.

Compact Home Gym Layout and Storage Ideas

Now let's bring it all together by thinking about layout and storage. This isn't necessarily the sexiest part of your home gym, but you'd be surprised how much it really elevated the space and keeps things clean.

Use Vertical Storage to Keep Floor Space Clear

Storage is always important, but it's especially important for smaller spaces. Luckily, we've got a huge range of storage options for whatever equipment you end up getting. This can include weight racks, wall-hangers and some compact shelving.

Protect Floors and Reduce Noise

Flooring is the thing that is so often neglected but will make a huge difference to your space. This can be either gym floor tiles or just a simple equipment mat. Not only do they provide extra support cushioning to make your workout safer and more comfortable, but they also minimise noise and vibration to make things more pleasant for both you and anyone you live with.

Compact Home Gym Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding your space
• Buying bulky single-use item too early
• Skipping flooring
• Forgetting storage
• Ignoring delivery/assembly requirements

Build Your Compact Home Gym with Lifespan Fitness

Now, you should have everything you need to build a great fitness space no matter where you live. There's a lot to choose from, so don't hesitate to reach out to our team if you need help navigating our massive range.