How Much Does a Home Gym Cost?

Average Cost of a Home Gym

Cost to Build a Home Gym

Where you fall in the price range to build a home gym depends on the components you need to outfit it. If you intend to use your home gym as a long-term replacement for your gym membership, you'll most likely need to modify your garage or basement, increasing the overall price. But if you're looking for a simple home gym with a few pieces of equipment, you can use the space you already have, meaning lower overall costs.

Garage or Basement Remodel

Expect to pay between $5,700 and $33,300 if you want to turn your garage or basement into a home gym. This includes refinishing, installing plumbing and heat, and adding electricity, but not the equipment. The cost to remodel a basement is between $12,200 and $33,300, while the price of a garage remodel ranges from $5,730 to $24,140.

Flooring for Your Gym

Replacing your flooring costs between $790 and $3,840. The exact budget depends on the type of flooring you choose:

Subflooring Prices

The price to repair or replace your subflooring ranges between $430 and $2,980. You might need to repair or replace the flooring with one that can support or withstand heavy gym equipment. If you're unsure if your space can bear the weight, consult with a local structural engineer.

Electric Wiring

Installing new electrical wiring costs around $3 to $5 per square foot. Ensure you have enough outlets close to your electric workout equipment and enough amperage to support the machines. If you don't have enough power, you'll also need to add the cost of upgrading or replacing an electric panel, which typically falls between $550 and $2,300.

“It’s very important to focus on the weight requirements and electrical needs so you don’t cause problems down the road,” says Andy Kilborn, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Andy's Handyman Service in Des Moines, IA.

Lighting Products and Installation

Choose a home gym location that lets in natural light during the day. But if this isn't possible, light fixtures for a home gym cost between $150 and $920 to install. When considering lighting for your home gym, recessed LED light fixtures that recreate sunlight are ideal. LED lights don't heat up as much as standard lighting. Recessing them into the ceiling will also keep electrical cords from tripping you up.

Mirror Hanging

Installing a mirror costs between $160 and $460. A mirror helps make a small space seem bigger and improve your workout form. 

TV Installation

TV installations for a home gym cost between $160 and $360, plus the cost of the TV itself. A TV can be a useful distraction during longer cardio exercises.

Air Circulation Through Fans or HVAC

The price for an HVAC unit ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. You'll need it to turn an unfinished room into a home gym. You might also consider the cost of installing a ceiling fan, at around $140 to $350, if you need some air circulation. If you plan to have your weight room in the basement, you may also need to install a dehumidifier, which costs between $1,300 and $2,800.

Equipment Assembly

The price of fitness equipment assembly ranges between $85 and $95 per piece. Each piece takes about two hours to install.

Home Gym Costs by Type

The type of physical training is one of the main cost factors for a gym. Different gym types require various equipment and setup. Here's a breakdown of the total cost for a home gym, depending on your exercise preference.

Yoga Gym

The price of a yoga setup in your home can range between $15 and $180. This will cover the cost of a yoga mat, which ranges between $10 and $150, and a yoga strap, which ranges between $5 and $25.

Yoga doesn’t require as much equipment as other types of training, and you won't need any remodeling work in most cases. But prepare to spend extra if you want a more advanced setup, with a mirror, fan, and Bluetooth speaker for music.

Pilates Gym

A simple home Pilates gym setup can cost anywhere between $100 and $1,000. This covers the cost of basic equipment like an exercise mat, stability ball, dumbbells, resistance bar, small hand weights, and a suspension training kit.

If you have the space and are interested in practicing a more advanced form of Pilates, you can buy a more sophisticated apparatus, like a Pilates reformer. A higher-quality reformer will set you back $2,000, though there are less costly options you can get for between $400 and $600.

Weight Lifting Gym

Weight lifting gym equipment ranges in price from around $10 to several thousand dollars. In total, expect to spend between $580 and $5,050 for a complete home weight room. Typical equipment to budget for includes dumbbells in several sets of different weights, kettlebells, plates, a barbell, a bench, and a squat rack. 

Calisthenics Gym

Calisthenics equipment for a home gym costs between $10 and $500 per unit. Budget between $200 and $1,000 for a full home calisthenics gym, depending on the setup and equipment you wish to include. A core workout setup for a beginner can consist of a pull-up bar, dip bars, and resistance bands. In contrast, a more advanced setup to increase your workout difficulty can include additional equipment like gymnastic rings, a weighted vest, and a dip belt.

CrossFit Gym

It costs approximately $1,500 to $4,000 to outfit a CrossFit gym. Typical CrossFit equipment to budget for includes:

• Bar

• Weights

• Squat stand

• Pull-up bar

• Rings

• AbMat

• Jump rope

• Medicine ball

• Dumbbells

• Kettlebells

• Bench

• Weighted vest

• Plyo box

Your total spending depends on whether you want to perform all the movements required for CrossFit. The lower cost estimate is usually sufficient to purchase equipment for more than three-quarters of all CrossFit Workouts of the Day (WODs).

Mini-Gym for Home

You can create a mini-gym that allows you to do simple workouts in the corner of an existing room for between $130 and $500. This can include the following:

• Yoga mat

• Small exercise bike

• Kettlebell or dumbells

Home Gym Equipment Cost

Expect to pay between $50 and $5,000 per unit for your gym equipment. Your choice of weights and machines depends on your workout type. The price of a unit will also vary depending on the brand you choose. Here's the average cost range for some of the most essential equipment for a home gym.

Home Gym Prices by Brand

You can also buy a gym unit instead of each piece of fitness equipment separately. Depending on the brand, a gym unit can cost anywhere from $150 to $5,000. Here are the most popular brands on the market and the average cost of their all-in-one gym set.

DIY Home Gym Construction vs. Hiring Professional Contractors

You can build a mini-gym yourself in an existing space or room. However, where remodeling is a requirement, hire a professional. Some gym equipment also comes unassembled. If you don't have the skills or technical know-how to put it together, it’s best to hire a local sports equipment assembly service to do it for you to avoid damaging the gear.

FAQs

How much does leasing gym equipment cost?

Expect to pay between $60 and $100 per month to lease gym equipment per unit. With leasing, you pay a monthly fee but never own the equipment. You use the equipment and then return it at the end of the lease period. It's a cost-effective option if you require the gear for a workout you only plan to do for a short time. 

Is a home gym worth it?

A home gym is worth it compared to the average yearly cost of around $200 to $3,000 to join a commercial gym. The upfront cost is higher, but it'll pay off down the road if you plan to use your home gym for the long term and if multiple people in the household plan to use it.

How much space do I need for a personal gym?

A mini-gym might only require an 8-by-10-foot space. You can easily set up this type of home gym in the corner of your bedroom, living room, or den. Depending on the nature and amount of equipment, a multistation gym or weight room might require a bigger space, such as 50 to 200 square feet. 

You'll need even more space if you decide to add something larger like a basketball court to complement your personal gym. The cost of building a basketball court measuring 900 square feet ranges between $3,300 and $15,000.

What flooring is best for a gym?

Carpet and rubber are the best and most cost-effective home gym flooring choices. Rubber, in particular, is easy on the knees, can withstand hard use, and is easy to clean. The cost of rubber flooring runs between $800 and $2,300. However, any floor will often suffice, especially if you can lay down a yoga mat where you need to sit or lie down.

How long will it take to make a gym in my basement or garage?

Expect to spend between three and six weeks on the remodel to turn your basement or garage into a home gym. This includes the time to renovate the space and order and install equipment. If you plan to use the area without significant remodeling or set up a few essential pieces of equipment, you can probably do it on the weekend. 

Is it cheaper to work out at home or the gym?

Working out at home is less costly than paying for a gym membership if you already have a home gym setup. But if you need to purchase all the equipment, it can be a significant initial investment. If you have the money for the initial setup and intend to work out indefinitely, a home gym is likely to be more cost-effective than a gym membership in the long run.