Building a home gym is exciting, but it's easy to spend too much before you've worked out what you actually need.
With so many racks, benches, weights, cable machines, and accessories available, the temptation is to buy everything at once. The problem is that some equipment might sit unused while you're missing the basics you'll need for every workout.
A better approach is to start with the equipment that supports your training goals, then expand as your needs change.
In this guide, we'll explain what to buy first, which items you can leave until later, and how to plan a home gym that makes sense for your space and budget.
1. What Equipment Do You Need First?
The right starting equipment depends on how you plan to train. Someone focused on strength training will need different equipment from someone who mainly wants to improve general fitness.
For most strength-focused home gyms, these are the main items to consider.
| Equipment | Priority | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Dumbbells or a barbell and weight plates | High | Provide resistance for a wide range of strength exercises. |
| Adjustable bench | High for bench-based training | Supports pressing exercises and other movements. |
| Power rack or suitable rack setup | High for rack-based barbell training | Provides a dedicated setup for exercises such as squats and bench presses. |
| Flooring | Depends on the existing floor and equipment | Helps protect the floor and creates a suitable training surface. |
| Weight storage | Useful as equipment accumulates | Keeps weights organised and reduces clutter. |
| Functional trainer | Optional initially | Adds cable exercises and more training variations. |
| Additional machines | Usually later | Target specific exercises or training preferences. |
| Mirrors and other accessories | Optional | May improve convenience but aren't essential for every setup. |
You don't need every item on this list from day one. Start with what supports your planned workouts, then add equipment as necessary.
For a broader overview of equipment selection and space planning, read our ultimate guide to building a home gym.
2. Start With Weights and the Equipment You Will Actually Use
Resistance equipment should be one of your first considerations if strength training is your main goal.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are a practical starting point because they support exercises for different muscle groups without requiring a large machine setup.
Depending on the weights available, you can use them for exercises such as rows, presses, lunges, curls, and shoulder raises.
You can begin with a suitable set and expand your selection as your strength improves.
Barbells and weight plates
If you prefer compound lifts and progressive strength training, a barbell and weight plates may be more suitable.
Before purchasing, consider the exercises you want to perform, the weights you'll need, and whether you have enough room to use the equipment safely.
Which should you buy first?
You don't necessarily need both dumbbells and a barbell setup immediately.
If you're starting with limited space or a smaller budget, choose the option that supports your main exercises. You can add the other later.
3. When Should You Buy a Power Rack?
A power rack becomes a priority when your training programme includes barbell exercises that require a dedicated rack setup.
It can support exercises such as squats and bench presses when configured with suitable, compatible safety components.
However, a power rack isn't essential for every home gym. If your workouts mainly use dumbbells, resistance bands, or cable exercises, you may be able to start without one.
Before buying a rack, check its dimensions, construction, safety features, and compatibility with attachments.
For more detailed buying advice, read our guide to what to look for in a home gym power rack.
4. Don't Overlook the Bench and Flooring
Some purchases are easy to postpone, but others should be considered alongside your main equipment.
An adjustable bench
An adjustable bench is useful if your programme includes bench presses, incline presses, supported rows and other bench-based exercises.
If you plan to perform these movements regularly, buying a suitable bench early makes sense.
Check the bench's dimensions, adjustment positions, stability and stated capacity before purchasing.
Gym flooring
Whether you need additional flooring depends on the existing surface, the equipment you're installing, and how you intend to train.
For example, a garage gym with heavy weights may need a different flooring solution from a spare room used for light dumbbell exercises.
Consider the type and thickness of the flooring, the condition of the underlying surface, and the loads it needs to accommodate.
Explore ONYX Rubber Gym Flooring when planning your training area.
Practical tip: Decide on your flooring requirements before installing heavy equipment. Retrofitting flooring around a fully assembled gym can be inconvenient.
5. What Can Wait Until Later?
Once you've covered the basics, you can gradually add equipment that improves variety and convenience.
Functional trainers
A functional trainer provides cable resistance for exercises such as rows, chest flyes, curls and triceps pushdowns.
It can be a useful addition, but you may not need one immediately if your current equipment already supports your training programme.
Consider adding a functional trainer when you want more cable exercises or greater variety in your workouts.
Compare the available options in the functional trainers collection.
Specialised strength machines
Machines designed for particular muscle groups can be useful, but they aren't necessarily the first purchases to make when building a home gym.
Before buying one, ask yourself whether it fills a gap in your current setup or duplicates exercises you can already perform effectively.
If your budget is limited, prioritise equipment you'll use regularly.
Extra attachments and accessories
Additional handles, rack attachments, storage accessories and other upgrades can improve convenience.
However, buy them when you have a clear use for them. Check compatibility with your existing equipment before ordering.
Decorative extras
Mirrors, display lighting and other finishing touches can make a gym more enjoyable to use, but they generally come after the equipment and practical requirements have been addressed.
6. Build Your Home Gym According to Your Budget
Your budget determines how much equipment you can buy initially, but you don't need to complete the entire gym in one purchase.
| Budget Approach | What to Prioritise | What Can Wait |
|---|---|---|
| Small starter setup | A suitable set of dumbbells and basic accessories | Large machines and specialised equipment |
| Basic strength gym | Weights, bench and any rack required for your programme | Additional cable systems and extra attachments |
| More complete home gym | Rack, weights, bench and additional equipment suited to your training | Equipment that duplicates existing functions |
| Comprehensive setup | Multiple training stations and a wider selection of equipment | Only items that don't support your goals or available space |
These are planning approaches rather than fixed price categories. Actual costs depend on equipment specifications, quantities, delivery and installation.
For more detailed Australian price estimates, read our guide to how much it costs to build a home gym in Australia.
7. Should You Buy Equipment Separately or as a Package?
Buying equipment individually gives you more control over the components you choose. It can be a good option if you already own some equipment or want a specific configuration.
A package may be more convenient if you're starting from scratch and want several compatible components together.
Before choosing a package, check exactly what's included. A listing may not include every item you need, such as a bench, barbell, weight plates, or additional attachments.
Compare the complete cost rather than looking at the headline price alone.
Build Your Home Gym One Step at a Time
The best home gym isn't necessarily the one with the most equipment. It's the one that supports your training, fits your available space, and makes sense for your budget.
Start with the essentials, choose equipment that suits your main exercises and add more as your needs change.
Prefer a Complete Home Gym Solution?
Choosing equipment is only one part of building a home gym. You also need to consider the available space, equipment layout, training requirements, and installation.
If you'd prefer professional assistance rather than planning everything yourself, ONYX offers a complete home gym building service, covering gym design and planning through to equipment selection and installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most essential equipment for a home gym?
It depends on your training goals. A strength-focused setup might start with dumbbells or a barbell and weight plates, while a rack and bench become priorities if your programme includes rack-based barbell exercises.
Can I build a home gym gradually?
Yes. Starting with a few versatile pieces of equipment allows you to spread out the cost and expand as your training needs change. Plan your space and future equipment requirements before making larger purchases.
Do I need a power rack in my home gym?
Not necessarily. A power rack is useful for certain barbell exercises, but people who mainly train with dumbbells or cable machines may not need one. Choose equipment based on your intended workouts.
Should I buy a functional trainer straight away?
Only if cable exercises are an important part of your training from the beginning. Otherwise, you can add a functional trainer later when you want more exercise options.
How much should I budget for home gym essentials?
The amount depends on your equipment choices and whether you already own anything. Start by listing the items needed for your planned workouts, then account for delivery, flooring, and any additional accessories. Our home gym cost guide provides indicative Australian budget ranges.
