One of the most common themes of an individual putting off a commitment to a resistance training program involves not having the time.  While I fully believe everyone can find at least a thirty minute window in their day for exercise, there are external factors that make this call to action more difficult for certain people.  If your free time for going to the gym is near 5-6pm, the crowds will likely keep you from using the equipment your program calls for in a timely manner.  For those in rural communities, the gym commute alone may turn that thirty minute window into a 2-3 hour process.  When facing these challenges, the thought of a home gym becomes much more appealing.  The convenience of pouring out of bed and getting right into your workout without having to pack up your towel and shower accessories makes the process extremely efficient for those with busy schedules.  However, many may still feel limited by their home workouts due to the equipment they are working with.  Planning a workout without the convenience of a machine/appliance for each muscle group may have some feeling stuck.  The good news is that a proper home gym only needs a few pieces of equipment to serve as pillars for your routine, and the total cost for equipment, that should last at least a decade, can be comparable to 1-2 years of gym membership fees.  Here are my top 5 pieces of gym equipment (for those at an intermediate fitness level) to maximize results from home gym training.

1. Barbell Rack

A caged squat rack or height-adjustable barbell rack provides the spine of your home gym and makes compound movements safe and possible.  Although they can be higher in price range, there are many brand options that are budget friendly while still holding a quality safety rating for intermediate lifters.

2. Bench

A bench paired up with your barbell rack gives users the opportunity to train even more compound lifts and involve more muscle groups.

3. Barbell + Plates

A barbell with plates ranging 2.5-45 pounds immediately provides a full spectrum of strength movements for one to utilize.  Squats, deadlifts, bench press, rows, and overhead press will now be easy to perform.  There is an argument to be made that a program made up of these lifts alone will provide continuing strength gains.  5-10 pound plates are also a great alternative to buying a set of dumbbells, as they can be used off of the bar for many exercises involving smaller or weaker muscle groups.

4. TRX/Suspension Strap Trainer

I have often told clients that if I was limited to one piece of workout equipment for the rest of my life, suspension trainers would have to be my go-to.  They provide hundreds of strength movements that can help beginners or challenge the most seasoned lifters.  Also, it can be used for both compound and isolation movements, filling in the cracks left by having a barbell only.  As a bonus, suspension trainers can also be used to stretch and aid in mobility/recovery.

5. Resistance Bands

Band training is perfect to provide a different stress to your muscles compared to traditional weights.  They are a great “finisher” option to follow up with after your strength movements, allowing one to completely exhaust a muscle group while significantly lowering injury risk.  Like suspension trainers, bands are also a great tool for flexibility and recovery.

*Bonus!

This list would not be complete without a pull up bar option.  Many squat racks have one built in, and bands can serve as a pull up assist when body weight pull ups start to get tough mid-workout.  Even a doorway mounted bar will be sufficient to complete your home gym.