Top 9 Home Gym Mistakes When Building Your Home Gym

Avoid The Biggest Home Gym Mistakes

Buying home gym equipment is a big purchase, and making the wrong equipment choices can be a huge home gym mistake. The biggest mistakes people make when setting up their first home gym often lead to wasted floor space, too much money spent on the cheapest option, and regret down the road.

The best way to build your dream gym is to avoid these common home gym mistakes before you hit that "buy" button. Whether it's choosing cheap equipment that won't last, not measuring enough space for a power rack, or skipping essential equipment, these errors can impact your fitness journey and risk of injury.

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This guide breaks down the worst home gym mistakes and how to avoid the biggest mistakes when purchasing fitness equipment, so you can create a good home gym that fits your fitness goals without wasting a lot of money.

9 Big Mistakes When Shopping for a Home Gym 

1. Not Sticking with the Budget

A big mistake when building a home gym is overspending. Many people underestimate hidden costs like rubber flooring, stall mats, or shipping fees, leaving little for essential equipment.

The best way to avoid this is to set a realistic budget and prioritize pieces of equipment that fit your fitness goals. Avoid the cheapest option if it sacrifices quality, and skip impulse purchases that take up too much space or won’t support your training style.

2. Not Prioritizing Quality Over Cost

Buying cheap equipment may seem like a good idea, but it often leads to wasted money and a potential risk of injury. Low-quality weight plates, squat stands, or plastic plates can wear down quickly or fail under much weight.

The better option? Invest in durable fitness equipment like steel plates, a power rack, or Olympic bars. Spending more upfront ensures your home gym space is safe and long-lasting, saving money in the long run.

3. Not Understanding Your Space Constraints

It may seem obvious that the piece of equipment you want will fit into your garage, basement, or spare room. However, you should definitely measure it to determine its exact size. You can use tape to mark out exactly where it will sit on the floor. 

But also consult the manual and instructions for how much space you’ll need around the equipment — on either side and and above it — to use it properly. For example, you’ll need space to load and change weights, and you might need to check the ceiling height if you’ll be doing pull ups, lifting weights over your head, or jumping rope.

You’ll also want to leave floor space for things like stretching out before and after your workout, or for any floor exercises that will be part of your workout routine (such as pushups and situps).

In fact, it’s a good idea to understand what exercises your complete workout will entail before you make any purchase. You don’t want to invest in a machine that takes up most of your space only to decide later that you need other pieces of equipment to complete your workout. It might be easier to make the initial investment in a machine that can offer a more comprehensive workout.

FYI, as we wrote in our post The Ultimate Guide to Building a Home Gym, we recommend the following as the most effective pieces of fitness equipment for any startup home gym:

• Squat rack / Power rack- with a pull up bar!

• Adjustable bench

• Barbell and plates

• Interchangeable or adjustable dumbbells

• A moderate weight kettlebell

All of these pieces of equipment take up a minimal amount of space but still accommodate a complete workout that builds muscle and burns fat. Even if you can fit the equipment and do the exercises within a certain space, keep in mind that if a space feels cramped or cluttered, you’re not going to want to spend time in it and will be less likely to work out consistently.

4. Not Researching Durability and Maintenance

Not all home gym equipment is built the same. Some cheap flooring, plastic plates, and resistance bands wear out fast, leading to wasted money or even serious injury.

The most important things to check are steel plates, Olympic bars, and strength training machines with solid warranties. Investing in high-quality fitness equipment ensures it lasts longer and requires less upkeep, saving you money in the long run.

6. Not Accounting for Delivery Headaches

Many people opt to order equipment online instead of buying retail so they can avoid the headaches related to finding a vehicle to transport the equipment from the store to their home.

However, most large and heavy fitness equipment purchases — including cardio machines or large functional trainers — are delivered as freight. We explain more about freight shipping on our page dedicated to the topic, but to sum up, freight shipping means that the order must be delivered on a full-sized truck and is lowered hydraulically down to the curb. 

This is called “curbside delivery” or “liftgate delivery,” and it looks a little something like this:

Shown: An EXM3000LPS curbside delivery. Don't be worried by the disheveled shrink wrap - if anything gets damaged or is missing - we'll replace it!

With freight shipping, you’ll still be responsible for getting the package into your home. This means you may still need the help of a friend, especially if you have to carry the equipment up or down any stairs on the way to your home gym. 

If you don’t want to bother with hauling the equipment in from the curb, you could take advantage of the white-glove delivery service we offer at Strength Warehouse USA. 

If you opt for white-glove delivery, our tech team will contact you to schedule a delivery as soon as the shipment arrives at the freight terminal closest to your address. On the day of the appointment, the technician will pick-up the equipment, deliver it to your address, and provide same day assembly in the room of your choice.

7. Not Accounting for Installation Headaches

Sometimes, a DIY project is a great way to save money and feel more personally connected to a project. However, other times, a DIY project can turn into a mess. 

This can definitely be true of home gym equipment installation. What you assume will take an hour or less to do yourself can slowly turn into a full weekend project if you happen to buy a larger or more complex machine, or simply one that comes with poor assembly instructions. 

Furthermore, considering how heavy some of the fitness equipment components are, the assembly might require more than one person and be a bit of a workout in itself.

That’s why at Strength Warehouse USA, we offer assembly as a service for any of our orders, regardless of whether the equipment is shipped standard or freight. Once we are notified that the package has been delivered to your home, we’ll reach out to set up an appointment to assemble it in your home gym. 

8. Not Having the Right Expectations for What You Buy

Most people who eventually decide to invest in a home gym do so after trying out commercial gyms and deciding that they want a similar experience with more privacy and convenience. 

But you won’t get the type of quality you may have come to expect at a commercial gym unless you’re willing to pay commercial gym prices.

Many manufacturers design fitness equipment specifically for one market or the other, with the understanding that most individual consumers have a more limited budget than businesses. 

As you look at various pieces of equipment at different price points, understand that the materials and the feel of the equipment may change along with the price.

9. Not Checking a Vendor’s Reputation and Customer Service

Sometimes it’s hard to know just how much you can trust any company’s customer service until you really need it. 

However, you can certainly get a sense of other customers’ experiences by checking online reviews and testimonials, and you should definitely do that before you make a purchase of home gym equipment.

The main reason is that equipment sometimes does get damaged during transit, and you want to make sure that you order through a company that will advocate for you to the manufacturer if that does happen. 

Beyond reviews and testimonials, make sure to check the company’s refund and returns policy. For reference, here’s ours.

At Strength Warehouse USA, we pride ourselves on having our customers’ backs and providing quick responses times. We want to make sure our customers have all the information they need to make an informed decision about their home gym equipment. 

You can check out our reviews here or email us with any questions.

FAQs on the Biggest Home Gym Mistakes

How can I avoid overspending when setting up my home gym?

Set a budget, prioritize essential equipment, and avoid impulse buys. Quality over cheap equipment saves money in the long run.

What are the most overlooked factors when buying home gym equipment?

Many ignore floor space, ceiling height, and air circulation. Also, consider durability, storage needs, and long-term fitness goals.

Should I assemble home gym equipment myself or hire a professional?

If it’s a DIY project, check the manual and weight of parts. Big purchases like a power rack may need professional assembly to avoid issues.

Home Gym Mistakes: Conclusion

Avoiding common home gym mistakes can save you from wasting money, floor space, and effort. The biggest mistakes—like not measuring ceiling height, choosing cheap equipment, or skipping research on durability—can turn your dream gym into a frustrating experience.

The best way to make a smart home gym equipment purchase? Set a budget, measure your space, and invest in quality. Consider versatile pieces of equipment like a power rack, adjustable dumbbells, and kettlebells for a good home gym that meets your fitness goals.

Ready to build your perfect home gym? Strength Warehouse USA offers detailed product info, competitive pricing, and expert support to help you choose the right equipment. Check out our home gym equipment to start your fitness journey the right way!