How to Build a Home Gym - My guide for beginners and beyond

Hey there, friends! Today, I’m inviting you upstairs into one of my favorite corners of the house—my little workout haven. But don’t worry, this isn’t a story about shelling out thousands of dollars or turning a garage into a mini commercial gym overnight.

You don’t need fancy machines or a room full of equipment to get started. In fact, all you really need is a few essential items and a little commitment. That’s how I began years ago—starting small, learning as I went—and it’s the same approach I recommend today if you’re ready to build a home gym of your own. So let’s dive in, and I’ll share exactly how you can start simple and grow from there.

Where My Home Gym Journey Began

When we first started out years ago as a young growing family, a gym membership wasn’t in the budget—and honestly, it just didn’t fit that season of life. I had young kiddos, and the window for exercise was slim—usually squeezed in during nap time. So, I made do with some very simple items: a simple aerobic step, 3 and 5 lb dumbbells, and whatever space I could find in the living room.

Back then, I leaned heavily on cardio and HIIT-style workouts led by video trainers such as The Firm and Jillian Michaels. As the internet blossomed, I discovered YouTube trainers “Fitness Blender” who incorporated more strength training. (Read more about my fitness journey here.)

And even though as years passed my time became more flexible and my budget grew a bit, I always loved the freedom of working out at home. No commute. No waiting for machines. Just me, my mat, and a little grit.

How Caroline Girvan Helped Me Build My Home Gym

Fast forward to about three years ago when I discovered Caroline Girvan. Her strength-focused programs, especially Iron, shifted my entire approach. Instead of endless cardio, I began to see the power of structured weight training—something essential as I moved through my 40s.

At first, I worked with what I had: light dumbbells, an exercise ball, and a yoga mat. But Caroline’s workouts gradually showed me I needed to grow—not just in strength, but in my equipment choices too. That’s when I truly began to build my home gym intentionally.

How I Built My Home Gym, One Piece at a Time

If you’re curious how to build a home gym without breaking the bank, here’s how I did it:

Phase One – Beginner

Started with a low-weight dumbbell set: 5 lb, 8 lb, and 10 lbs,
Basic yoga mat
20 lb kettlebell (if you like kettlebell workouts)

Phase Two – Growing in Strength

Upgraded to 20 lb dumbbells as leg workouts got easier.
Added a dumbbell storage rack for my growing set of weights
Added wide fabric resistance bands (Don’t get the flimsy rubber ones. They roll and pinch).
Swapped my couch for a small weight bench . I got an extra yoga mat to put under this to prevent slipping when doing hip thrusts.
Invested in Nike Metcon shoes. I don’t lift in any other shoe. (Read more about my shoe recs here)

Phase Three – Ready for a Bigger Challenge

Bought 25 lb dumbbells for squats, lunges, and deadlifts.
GoRuck Rucker backpack with 20lb weight plate for outdoor rucks (learn more about my rucking journey here)
Filled in the gaps with 15 lb dumbbells when I needed something between 10 and 20 for upper body.
Leveled up with a 5ft barbell, bumper plates (I started with 2 10s), weight clips and barbell pad for serious strength moves.

To round it out, these make my workouts more fun and functional:

A rolling TV stand and 42” TV to stream workouts. I used to just watch on my iPad but having a larger screen makes seeing video while I’m working out SO much easier.
Bluetooth speaker (I got the Bose Soundlink) for motivation (connected this to the TV)
My gear stays organized thanks to a small table and wall hooks from Target (a sweet Mother’s Day gift from my kids a few years ago—complete with surprise setup—see below!)

My Home Gym Setup Today

My upstairs game room doubles as my home gym. Light blue walls, laminate wood flooring, and big windows overlooking the countryside make it my happy place. I even had extra sound padding installed when we put in the flooring—worth considering if you’re wondering how to build a home gym upstairs.

I pretty much use everything listed above at various times. I don’t need the smaller dumbbells anymore, so those are packed in towels in my rucker for added weight.

Oh, and I’ve gotten rid of those ugly orange chairs. Ick.

Home Gym Essentials for Beginners

Wondering where to start with your beginner home gym setup? Keep it simple:

5, 8, 10 lb dumbbells
A yoga mat
An iPad or basic tablet with YouTube app installed
An online trainer you trust and love. I highly recommend starting with Caroline’s YouTube videos. Those lasted me several years. I now subscribe to her app, but I still rotate in some of her free YouTube series.

Trust me, you don’t need everything at once. Start small, and your gym will grow as you do.

Things to Keep in Mind When Building Your Home Gym

Space & Budget: Don’t buy it all upfront. See how your fitness evolves and what equipment you’ll actually use.
Invest wisely: I learned quickly—skip the trendy gear that looks good on social media but lacks long-term benefit (looking at you, Bala bangles).
Versatility wins: Dumbbells, bands, and a sturdy bench will give you the most bang for your buck.

My Dream Addition

I’m still dreaming of adding a treadmill—perfect for running or rucking on bad weather days. While I scored a $100 stationary bike from a neighbor’s yard sale, a treadmill would better align with my love for outdoor workouts.

Final Thoughts

So, if you’re wondering how to build a home gym, know this: you don’t need a fancy space or expensive gear to start. Begin with the essentials, listen to your body, and add as you go. Your home gym should grow alongside you.

You’ve got this—one dumbbell at a time. ❤️

How to Build a Home Gym | My Step-by-Step Guide to a Beginner-Friendly Setup