For quite some time, I’ve sensed that the fitness industry was falling behind, and gyms needed to change and find a new business model if they wanted to survive.
For the longest time, the model has been running the race to the lowest rates possible. Get members to sign up, and rely on the fact that well over half of your members will continue to pay without going to the gym.
And then COVID hit and completely changed things. In my opinion, it’s the straw on the camel’s back. Gyms are now scrambling to find new solutions, new revenue streams, and are finally taking the time to consider how they can make the pivot in order to survive in a quickly evolving world.
They must do that. If they don’t, they will die.
Plain and simple.
A survey done in June of 2020 (not too far into the pandemic) found that about one quarter of gym goers will not be returning to the gym after the lockdown. That was in June. Another survey was done and found that even more people won’t be returning to the gym. These aren’t your weekend warriors that go here and there. These are the people who go regularly. They will NOT be returning to the gym.
Maybe you’re one of them.
If you are, you’ve likely done some thinking on how you’re going to keep your fitness up without access to a commercial gym or boutique studio. If you haven’t done any thinking about building a home gym, but you need to, we’re here to help you walk through the home gym essentials checklist.
Here is a home gym essentials checklist that will help you figure out what you need to get when building a home gym.
1. Goals
First thing’s first. Take some time to think about your current goals. Your goals can and should change over time, which may require different equipment, but for the moment, think about what’s important to you right now.
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If you want to build muscle, you’ll want to invest in some weight training equipment. Cables, free weights, resistance bands and suspension trainers, for example. If your goal is to build up your cardiovascular endurance, a piece of cardio equipment would serve you well. If you’re not sure how your goals align with equipment, don’t worry! You can reach out to P3 and consult with a specialist that can help you find a good fit for you.
2. Location
One element that people often neglect or forget about is supporting equipment. If you have a barbell and a rack, you’ll need a bench to lay on for a bench press. If you’re going to be doing a lot of bodyweight movements and mobility work, it would be nice to have a mat for the floor.
The next question to ask yourself is “where should I build my home gym?”
Just like real estate, location matters when it comes to building your home gym. It will be important to fully understand your available space. How high is your ceiling? What are the dimensions of your garage or room? Knowing these details will make a massive difference in the ease of getting your home gym put together.
3. Ordering
Next, you’ll need to figure out how you’re going to order it. At P3 you can easily order online. You can use the live chat, send an email, visit a store, or call. No sense making it confusing on your own when you have pros that are there to help, right?
4. Set Up
After you’ve ordered, you’ll need to consider how you’re going to set it up, and how it can or can’t move after set-up. What are the steps for set-up? Is it something you can do on your own or do you need to start sending some texts to get a group to help you? Once the product has been put together, will you need to move it? Do you have a move coming up in the future? Maybe a child will be on the way and you’ll need that spare room for them. Take some time to consider what may happen so you can familiarize yourself with the process in order to make it smoother when that time comes.
5. Customer Service
Let’s say things don’t go as smooth as you would’ve liked. I mean, that’s life, right? Things don’t always go perfectly. Have a professional that you can trust be a call away. They will be your go-to for accidents, warranties, and any other help you may need. 
6. Results
Lastly in our home gym essentials checklist, you may want to consider how you’re going to learn to use the equipment properly to get the results you are looking for. Having the equipment is only one part of the equation. You need to know how to use it for your goals, right? Consider who you’ll reach out to for help. Maybe that’s a personal trainer you trust. Maybe there’s a YouTube channel out there that can help you get started. Ask your friends if they know anyone.
Building a home gym can be a headache. But, if you go through this home gym essentials checklist and take the time to complete your own version of this checklist, it can be a breeze. If you’re ready to take the first step towards building a home gym, reach out to your exercise equipment experts at pushpedalpull.com or your local P3 store.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam is a fitness professional, baseball fan, and cookie fanatic based in Fort Collins, Colorado. After hanging up the cleats, he found a strong interest in the human body and how it performs. Since then, Adam has been transforming lives through fitness in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. As an ACE CPT and Fitness Nutrition Specialist, he is constantly moved to help people improve in all walks of life