Starting up a home gym has become more popular than ever in the past year. Being able to exercise from home can be convenient, budget-friendly, and most of all allows for much more safety and privacy. If you aren’t a fan of crowds at the gym, and you want to do more than just body weight exercises, there are many ways to get a workout from the comfort of your own home. From dumbbells to stationary bicycles and more, there is a range of equipment options that can suit anyone who wants to sweat off some calories.
If you are taking a break from working out, remodeling your home, or moving, however, you are going to need to store away your gym gear somewhere you can keep it all safe. Many pieces of equipment can be pretty large and heavy, and you may certainly not have the proper closet space in your own home. Thankfully, self-storage units are a perfect alternative that are built to accommodate for almost anything you need to store.
Popular Home Gym Equipment
If you already have your own home gym, you may understand the temptation to always keep building onto it and making improvements piece by piece. If you don’t have a home gym and you’re hoping to start one, here are some excellent tips for getting a sense of what equipment you might want to look for, and what sort of budget you may anticipate.
Getting a sense for whether you like to focus on cardio, weightlifting, calisthenics, or other forms of exercise will not only make it much easier to build your personal gym, but also is essential to ensure your limited budget and space is well-spent! Many people may remember a time they or a friend have bought a stationary bicycle or treadmill without building any exercise habits or a routine yet, then that machine ends up unused and taking up space. If you understand what you enjoy and what routine you’re willing to stick with, then you can purchase your gym upgrades with confidence!
You may have noticed that many public gyms are sectioned off into different areas. The most common sections are free weights/weight machines, gymnastic/calisthenic equipment, and aerobic machines. If you have experience in exercising, you may have already figured out which section you spend the most time in, or which specific workouts you like to perform with which machines. Here are some tips on building a home gym for each focus area.
Strength Training and Weightlifting
If you love strength training and weightlifting, then some pieces of equipment that might most interest you might include the following:
- Squat rack
- Bench press rack / adjustable bench
- Barbell
- Kettlebell
- Lifting belt
- Weight plates
- Keep in mind the difference between weight plates! Those built for barbells are a different size from dumbbell plates.
- Barbell plates also come in two popular varieties: iron plates and rubber-coated plates (known as bumper plates). Iron plates are more classic in appearance and long-lasting if well taken care of, but bumper plates can be more durable against drops from greater heights.
- Dumbbells
- Cable pulley machine
- Leg press/curl machine
- Pulldown machine
- Foam floor padding
Cardio Training
- Rowing machine
- Cycling exercise bike
- Treadmill
- Stairmaster
- Elliptical
- Ladder climber
- Peloton exercise bike
Yoga, Gymnastics, and Bodyweight Training
- Mat
- Foam block(s)
- Medicine ball
- Grip trainers
- Step-up stools
- Pommel horse
- Gymnastic rings
- Rope
- Ankle/wrist weights
- Weight belt
- Balance trainer
- Foam roller
- Pullup bar/dip bars
- Core roller/Ab wheel
- Voice-activated timer
How to Safely Move Gym Equipment
The best method for safely moving gym equipment is with a professional moving team who can haul, store, and reinstall your gym equipment with the proper tools. Many exercise machines can weigh hundreds of pounds, meaning simply picking it up and moving it elsewhere may not be feasible! If a job seems too difficult to handle, simply hiring a moving team can be a safe bet.
That being said, there are some examples of gym equipment that can be moved safely without needing specialized tools. In the case of a treadmill, exercise bike, or other similar exercise machine, many models have wheels at the base that can be unlocked and used to roll the machine to its new location. Some can even be disassembled, at least partially, or folded over to save on space in a moving van or storage unit.
With squat racks, bench press racks, or other simple equipment, they can often be disassembled and rebuilt in the new location. Be sure to save and label every nut and bolt in a plastic bag, then tape it to the disassembled parts.
Always be sure to have a second person assisting or at least nearby when moving such heavy gym equipment, to lessen the risk of dropping the equipment and being injured or becoming trapped under it.
Storing Gym Equipment
There are a lot of steps to take to keep your equipment safe from harm in storage, as some types of equipment can be fragile and many are vulnerable to environmental conditions.
Exercise machines often have certain components that need additional care, such as:
- Bearings and joints
- Braking system
- Electronics and touch pads
- Wheels
It’s important to vacuum and dust these components, as dust particles or dirty metal can end up rusting or damaging the machine if kept unchecked for a long period of time in storage.
Sweat is one of the most common byproducts of a good workout, but it is also the enemy for almost everything in the gym! It can rust metal components, warp wood, and stain or cause bacterial growth on seats and benches. It’s not only essential to wipe equipment down with an antibacterial wipe after each workout, but also to clean it thoroughly before putting away into storage. Items you should clean especially include:
- Dumbbells, barbells, and weights
- Foam padding
- Handles and pedals
- Seat cushions and benches
It’s important to break down what you can for easier transport and storage. Place screws and bolts into a separate clear bag and tape them to the equipment where you got them from.
Use blankets to cover anything that could get scratched or scratch anything nearby.
Best Places to Sell Used Gym Equipment
Sometimes a particular piece of equipment outlasts its usefulness, or ends up taking up too much space. If you want to get rid of used gym equipment, often the best ways to sell it is either through listing it on online marketplaces, selling it directly to a trader, or selling it to a used sport goods and fitness equipment store.
- Listing used gym equipment on an online marketplace can have many benefits. If your equipment is more outdated, heavily used, or otherwise couldn’t be sold to a used sport goods retailer, then listing it on an online marketplace for a reasonable price is the most likely method that will result in a sale. The only drawback is that until you sell it, you’ll need to keep storing it!
- Popular online marketplaces include:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- eBay
- Letgo
- Selling directly to an online trader can be a good option if your equipment is in good condition and satisfies the online trader’s conditions for purchase. The signup process can take some additional effort however, and how much money you get from the transaction can be hard to determine. One major benefit of this method is how quickly and easily you can send the items away if they’re accepted for purchase.
- Popular online services include:
- Bandit Fitness Outlet
- We Buy Gym Equipment
Where to Buy Exercise Equipment in Central Texas
Address: 1407 Marlandwood Rd, Temple, TX 76502
Phone: (254) 742-7350
Address: 200 Deb Ave, Waco, TX 76712
Phone: (254) 776-6550
Address: 6600 Broad Ave, Waco, TX 76712
Phone: (254) 776-0580
Best Gyms in Central Texas
Address: 3111 S 31st St, Temple, TX 76502
Phone: (254) 477-6777
Address: 1272 S Wheat Rd, Belton, TX 76513
Phone: (254) 760-3636
Address: 5312 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76710
Phone: (254) 424-9743
Central TX Self Storage Facilities – Amy’s Attic Self Storage
Amy’s Attic Self Storage offers a safe storage environment for any of your precious items. With climate-controlled storage units and stellar service, we are a great option for Texans looking for a place to keep their items secure. If you are a gym owner or a homeowner interested in renting a unit or have any questions, then please contact Amy’s Attic at 855-426-9728.
