How Much Does a Home Gym Cost?
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The cost to build a home gym averages $2,000 nationally, so while it’s initially an investment in personal health, it could be a savings in the long run—and most people will use it.
Highlights
- A home gym has a typical price range of $300 to $15,000, with a national average cost of $2,000.
- The final cost is affected by factors such as the type of gym being built, the flooring material, and the type and brand of equipment.
- Some of the benefits of a home gym include time and cost efficiency, privacy, convenience, and flexibility.
- A homeowner may be able to build a basic home gym themselves, but they’ll likely want to hire a professional contractor for a more major gym project.
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Most people who join gyms have the best intentions of going before work or during their lunch hour to lift weights or run a few miles on the treadmill. Unfortunately, things like schedules, the weather, traffic, and motivation can get in the way of these intentions, and as more and more people are able to work from home, the inclination to go to the gym falls by the wayside. Whether a homeowner has a busy schedule that makes it hard to get to the gym or prefers to work out in private, they may benefit from building a gym at home.
The home gym setup cost varies widely based on what the user is looking for. A gym can be built over time, with equipment and machines added as needed, or a whole space can be fully outfitted at once. For this reason, the home gym cost range is wide, with HomeAdvisor estimating a typical cost between $300 and $15,000 and a national average of $2,000. A few mats, a bench, and some dumbbells are enough to get started, but for those who are already regular gym users, purchasing gym-quality machines and creating a dedicated space within the home can swing the cost much higher. It’s important for a homeowner to carefully think through what they will need, want, and actually use before creating a design for a home gym. They may want to look at some home gym pictures online for inspiration; some of the coolest home gyms aren’t fancy but are really tailored to the exact needs of the users. There are quite a few components for homeowners to consider, from the equipment and air-quality control to the flooring, lighting, and safety precautions, so it’s ideal to understand and balance all of the options in order to create a realistic budget. An online home gym cost calculator can help homeowners break down their options.
Factors in Calculating Home Gym Cost
Some factors will affect the budget more than others, and there are certain components that can’t be avoided when homeowners are crafting a home gym. These elements are necessary considerations that may require some research or expert opinions before a purchase is made; in order for committed exercisers to maximize the impact of the money spent on the gym, it’s important that they understand these elements so they can estimate how much a home gym costs.
Gym Type
The first and most important consideration is the type of gym that will meet the users’ needs. Are the primary users yoga enthusiasts? Cardio freaks? Bodybuilders? CrossFitters? These will affect the type of gym that needs to be built, and many of the other cost factors will be shaped around this decision. Before the user makes any other decisions, the purpose of the gym must be determined, as the equipment choices and outfitting will depend on the gym’s primary functions.
Gym Location
While some people think they can tuck a treadmill in the corner of the bedroom, a home gym needs its own dedicated space to be really effective, even if it’s a small space. A spare bedroom or basement is often the lower-cost option, as long as the bedroom floor is structurally able to support the machinery and equipment selected. A spare room gym can cost as little as $2,000 or as much as $10,000 if the floor needs to be bolstered, while a basement gym (where the floor strength is less of a concern) can range from $2,500 to $5,000. Garage gyms are similar in cost to basement gyms but can skew toward the higher end of the range if they need to be insulated. Attics fall into a similar range as well; their structures are built to support the roof, but they may require finishing, insulation, and floor reinforcement. Partitioning off a piece of a larger area can carve out a gym in a space that can also accommodate a living or storage area. The most expensive type of gym is a dedicated add-on space, where the homeowner decides to build an addition onto the home to accommodate the gym. A home extension cost can add between $20,000 and $100,000, so this is really an option only for customers who are certain the gym will get enough use to justify the cost.
For those who live in a climate where it’s warm enough to exercise outdoors all year (or those who love the outdoors in some seasons), there’s nothing that says a gym has to be indoors. A great outdoor home gym can be built in a backyard, on a patio, or on a deck. Patio gym ideas can include some bars and portable equipment such as weight benches, weight racks, squat bars, and a yoga mat with a few dumbbells. Many backyard gym ideas can be found online, and ninja-style training courses and obstacle courses are great outdoor gym ideas. If the budget allows, there are many types of cardio equipment available in outdoor versions that can stand up to light weather conditions, though they will need to be covered well or brought indoors in case of heavy rain or any snow. A carport or overhang above the gym makes installing an outdoor television simple for streaming video classes or workouts (or just a movie while cycling). An outside home gym can run between $5,000 for some equipment and weather protection to as much as $80,000 for tennis or basketball courts installed by workout buffs.
Equipment Type
Basic gym equipment cost, such as for yoga mats, lightweight kettlebells, and jump ropes, doesn’t have to break the bank. These pieces can be acquired relatively inexpensively at department stores or online. As the equipment gets heavier or more sophisticated, the prices rise to match. Heavier dumbbells, especially those that are textured or coated to prevent slippage, can cost as much as $400, as can heavy kettlebells. Plates for bench press weight bars or weight machines (just the plates, not the bars) can run between $45 and $300. Weight benches can cost as little as $100 or as much as $1,000 for a bench that features different angles and weight positions.
The following is a breakdown of some common types of equipment found in home gyms and their average cost ranges.
| Type of Equipment | Average Cost |
| Barbells | $50 to $800 each |
| Dumbbells | $25 to $400 each |
| Elliptical | $300 to $2,000 |
| Indoor Bike | $300 to $2,500 |
| Kettlebells | $25 to $400 each |
| Medicine Balls | $30 to $150 each |
| Plates | $45 to $300 each |
| Rowing Machine | $600 to $1,200 |
| Treadmill | $400 to $1,500 |
| Weight Bench | $100 to $1,000 |
Designers will find an even wider range of home gym prices once cardio equipment or weight systems that can support heavier weights enter the picture. Why the range? Most gym equipment is offered in several lines or ranges, sometimes by the same manufacturer. “Home quality” gym equipment is often available in the range of $300 to $600 for a basic elliptical, bike, treadmill, rowing machine, or squat rack. Equipment at this level is likely to be pretty bare-bones and may lack the connectivity options, features, and heft or stability that higher-grade equipment includes, because it’s intended specifically for home use by one or two people and doesn’t need to stand up to the rigors of dozens of users each day. For many home gym users, this level of equipment will be sufficient as long as it’s placed on a level surface and cared for appropriately. Some users may choose to spend more for features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, heart rate monitors, or screens that include additional health tracking. Often, the best treadmill options come with a built-in screen that allows the user to “run” virtually in locations around the world, which is an attractive feature and could mean the equipment gets more use.
Serious users may choose to purchase gym-quality equipment, sometimes labeled “commercial quality.” These machines are extremely stable, full-featured, and built to last, but they’ll cost more accordingly: Equipment that costs $300 to $600 for home use can rise to $1,000 to $2,500 for commercial grade.
Equipment Brand
As with any other product, some brands promise high quality with their reputations and are priced accordingly, while other brands (which may not be of lesser quality overall) cost less because their name is not as well known.
The following is the average cost of equipment from some of the best-known home gym brands:
| Brand | Average Cost for Equipment |
| Bowflex | $500 to $1,500 |
| Hoist Fitness | $1,700 to $4,900 |
| Impex | $300 to $1,500 |
| Iron Grip | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| NordicTrack | $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Peloton | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Precor | $1,200 to $2,300 |
| Titan Fitness | $200 to $1,500 |
| Tonal | $3,000 to $3,500 |
| Total Gym | $700 to $3,800 |
| TuffStuff Fitness | $3,200 to $7,750 |
Some of the best home gym equipment brands boast name recognition and often include warranties and a high resale value. New types of gym equipment, such as workout mirrors—reflective displays that let a user see their posture and form as they work out with a virtual class that is streamed in—come out all the time. The cost of mirror home gyms such as those offered by Tonal can be high, but the unique opportunity for the user to feel like they are actually in a class with others sets this option apart from regular equipment. One of the benefits of selecting a single brand to purchase when outfitting a home gym is the cost factor; many brands offer all-in-one gym stations or package deals for customers who purchase several pieces of their equipment. These units and packages can provide reasonable cost savings, so it’s worth investigating what’s available from a single brand prior to selecting individual pieces of equipment across the brand spectrum.
Flooring Type
Flooring is a critical component of any home gym. First, the subfloor (the structural support beneath the tiles, hardwood, or carpeting) must be strong enough to support the equipment the gym will house—and remember, that equipment will have a person on it exerting strength, so it’s not just the weight of the equipment but the weight of the person and the force of the energy. If the subfloor needs repair or replacement, the work will cost an average of $430 or $2,980, respectively.
Once the subfloor is secure, the floor surface must be selected. Ideally, the flooring will offer some cushion and traction while remaining firm enough to offer a solid base (ankles, knees, and equipment are all more prone to rolling when the surface is too soft). In a garage or basement, the polished concrete that may already be in place may be sufficient, but most people will want a bit more cushion. The best gym flooring options will be both affordable and comfortable and also help prevent injury.
The following are some of the most common types of flooring homeowners choose for their home gyms.
- Rubber flooring: Rubber flooring is ideal and costs between $2 and $16 per square foot depending on the thickness and the style (tiles or roll-out).
- Foam tiles: Foam tiles are an inexpensive option—between $0.50 and $3 per square foot—and can be placed on top of other flooring, which means they can be removed more easily if the room needs to be repurposed.
- Vinyl flooring: Vinyl flooring—tile, plank, or sheet—can also be a good and versatile choice, especially for rooms with multiple functions; it costs between $2 and $14 per square foot.
- Carpet: Carpet is also an option but not an ideal one: It’s gentler on the knees than some choices, but it can be surprisingly slippery, and if the carpet has a high pile, it can make narrower equipment such as benches or spin bikes quite unstable. Carpet costs between $7 and $12 per square foot.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Once the basics are selected, there are some other factors to consider when exercisers are building a home gym. These aren’t incidental: They can make up a significant portion of the budget, and while some of them seem less critical than the actual gym equipment, they can make the difference between a spare room with some exercise equipment and a real home gym. If the decision has been made to invest in the space, it’s worth investing a bit more to finish the space properly.
Electrical and Lighting
It’s possible that the electrical supply to the area designated for the home gym is already sufficient, but when homeowners are installing several cardio machines into a space, it makes sense to have an assessment done by an electrician, especially if the home is older or more than one of the machines will be in use at one time. In addition, cardio equipment is usually supplied with shorter electrical cords for safety purposes, so additional outlets may be necessary. Running wiring to new outlets can cost between $3 and $5 per foot, but if the home’s energy supply isn’t adequate to cover the equipment, it may be necessary to upgrade the service and the electrical panel, which can cost between $550 and $2,300.
With the wiring for the equipment in place, it’s likely that the space will require additional lighting, both to make the space pleasant and to create a safe space to work out. Ideally the space will have windows that provide natural light, but in the early morning or late at night (or if a windowed space isn’t available), some fixtures that simulate sunlight will be best. It may be preferable to recess the lights so they’re out of the way and don’t create a hazard. Installing light fixtures will cost between $150 and $920 depending on the style of fixture and the difficulty of installation.
Subflooring Repair or Replacement
If the subfloor needs to be repaired or replaced to support the weight of the gym equipment or to be releveled, the cost will be between $430 and $2,380, respectively. This job can be as simple as adding leveling compound or replacing old plywood subfloor with newer, stronger material or as complex as shoring up the joists beneath the subfloor to add strength. It’s usually a job for a professional, unless the homeowner is well versed specifically in subfloor construction.
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Mirror Installation
Most professional gyms have a wall of mirrors. This isn’t just so the people exercising can admire themselves—mirrors in gyms are actually important tools that allow those using the equipment or stretching to check their form and prevent injury. Mirrors also have the benefit of making a small space seem larger. Because wall mirrors in gym spaces tend to be somewhat large, they require special handling and installation, which will cost between $160 and $460.
TV Installation
Watching a workout video? Streaming a video from someone’s GoPro so it feels like a trail run instead of a treadmill workout? Desperately in need of the latest episode of a favorite show or movie to keep the motivation going through the end of an elliptical session? A television in a home gym provides instruction and distraction, but if it’s precariously perched on a table or box, it can be dangerous. Mounting the television can cost between $160 and $360, not including the cost of the unit itself.
HVAC Installation
Nobody wants the dank scent of gym socks and towels lingering in their home. Because a space that can become damp over time may develop mold or mildew, air-quality management is important. Ceiling fans can add excellent air circulation in many spaces and can be installed for $140 to $350. In rooms that are already damp or in particularly small spaces, a dehumidifier might be an important consideration. A whole-house dehumidifier can cost between $1,300 and $2,800, while portable units can cost significantly less. If the space doesn’t have existing heating or cooling units (such as an unfinished attic or basement, or possibly a garage), it may be necessary to install a complete HVAC unit, which may cost between $5,000 and $10,000.