Home gym ideas

Treadmills allow you to exercise - walk, run or climb from the comfort of your own home.

Wondering where to begin? A smaller entry-level model with a belt size of 100-125cm is just the thing to suit lighter workouts.

Want to level up? Choose a mid-range treadmill with a belt size of 125-132cm. It has automated inclines that help build up your strength and also develop your running.

An advanced treadmill is perfect for longer strides and faster paces. It has a long belt of 132-160cm and can reach a speed of over 16kph. These machines are packed with programmes (up to 36 in some cases) so you can tailor your workout to your goal.

For compact home gyms, choose foldable options that you can easily store once you finish your workout for the day.

Exercise bikes are great for cardio and lower body workouts, as they help you tone your legs and bum whilst burning calories.

Just getting started? A basic manual exercise bike is perfect for you as it measures the number of calories burnt, speed, distance and time.

If you work out regularly, go for a mid-level exercise bike. Its enhanced features like heart rate monitoring and electronic or magnetic resistance settings give you a better view of your health and allow a smoother ride.

If you’re an exercise enthusiast, an air bike or a programmable exercise bike is ideal for you. It comes with bigger flywheels and loads of programs that give you serious training options.

Weights help you build your strength, improve endurance and gain size.

If you're a newbie, free weights like dumbbells and kettlebells can help you build muscle and aren't too heavy on your pocket. You can also use wearable weights and combine weight training with cardio.

Up for a tougher workout? Weight-training barbells can help strengthen some of your largest muscles. And as you progress, try different training bars to work your desired muscle group.

Level up by adding a weight bench to your home gym. They help you lift weights at different angles while providing support for your back and core. So, you can focus on the area you’re targeting without worrying about balance and positioning.

Cross trainers are exercise machines that simulate walking, running or stair-climbing.

They work your upper and lower body simultaneously, providing a full-body workout.

Also, if you just use your legs to power the machine (without your arms), you can engage your core for some tummy toning too.

Rowing machines provide a full-body workout.

They work on both strength and cardiovascular fitness, helping in burning calories, toning and improving stamina.

They're low impact, with very little strain on your joints. And, as they require a wide range of motion, rowing machines can even improve flexibility.

With multi-gyms, you can perform numerous workouts to target different areas of your body.

Generally, the more advanced they are, the greater the ability to hone specific muscle groups to fine-tune the effects of your exercise.

Multi-gyms can also give you a full-body workout to a gym standard.

Compact and space-saving, dumbbells can be used to target very specific muscles.

Some are of a fixed weight and others are adjustable.

As you use dumbbells independently from one another, they allow for more natural body movement and can be used to correct muscle or strength imbalances.

Here's a smart way to use your garage. Turn it into a gym. You can get heavy equipment like multi-gyms, weight benches and treadmills as the floor can handle the weight. And being out of the main home, you can turn the music up and work out without disturbing anyone. Plus, if you have kids then it’s safer to keep equipment tucked away.

Spare shed? Why not convert it into a makeshift gym. They're generally made of wood or plastic so you may need rubber floor tiles to support the equipment. Also, if you’re planning to perform exercises like jumping jacks, check the height and width. Make your gym winter-friendly by insulating your shed and you also may need to install a continuous power supply so you can use heating, lighting and music system. This way you’ll also be open for workouts 24/7. And don't forget to use a lock to keep all your equipment safe.

Transform your basement into a fitness zone. If it's already furnished, then all you have to do is clear out furniture and make way for the gym equipment. If the floor space needs a bit of refresh, just add long-lasting floor mats, vinyl panels or foam tiles. Voila! Basement gym goals achieved.

Whether you're short on space or have a small spare room, it's easy to make any space your workout haven. We've got some clever kit that'll fit perfectly into limited spaces, so you don't have to compromise on your workout.