The ultimate guide to building your home gym

The Covid pandemic brought a boost to the home workout trend, and it has proven to last. Even as gyms have reopened and Covid restrictions have lightened up with life returning back to normal, many gym-goers in the US say they are still exercising at home, and tend to workout at home even if they are also going to a gym at some point throughout the week.

To make the most of an at-home workout, it helps to have some essential equipment on hand, but how do you choose what to invest in? The first step in buying home gym equipment is to protect it with extended warranty coverage. When you're throwing around weights and running on treadmills, the last thing you want to think about is what will happen if it breaks down. Install the Mulberry browser extension to make sure you're covered no matter what. Now, let’s look into how you can start building your ultimate home gym.

Weight-focused workout equipment

To get set up with the essentials needed for weight training, start with two fundamental items: a weight set, and a bench. These will allow you to perform a range of exercises. We recommend a foldable bench, like the Yoleo for $99 or the Ceayun for $89, which allow you to put the equipment away in a closet when you finish your workout.

For a basic set of weights, start with a small dumbbell rack set that can give you a small variety of weights, or a set of adjustable dumbbells that can be stored even more compactly.

For advanced weight training: Higher budget items

If you're looking to do more advanced training, have a larger budget for your equipment, and the space to set up a more permanent gym in a garage, basement, or spare room, a squat rack can add versatility to your workouts at home. With a piece of equipment like this, you can build a collection of free weights and achieve a workout similar to the one you might get in the gym.

When it comes to larger equipment pieces, a Rogue squat rack is top of the line. Depending on your budget, you may want a squat stand, like the SML-1 Rogue 70” Monster Lite Squat Stand for $395, or a more elaborate and higher-priced Rogue R-3 Power Rack for $1,195.

Cardio equipment for home

If you're serious about your cardio training, and getting to the gym is a major hurdle for you, there are staple pieces of equipment you can bring into your house to make sure you get those workouts in. Here are our top picks across each category:

• Bike. For a basic option, whether an upright, recumbent, or spinning bike, we recommend a Walmart exercise bike like the Pooboo folding bike, or the Schwinn 230 Recumbent bike. Walmart carries a range of affordable options that you can get for under $200.
• Treadmill. If you want to be able to store your incline treadmill after use, the Avenor folding incline machine is a reasonable mid-range option priced at $299. If you are looking for a more permanent setup, go with a NordicTrack, although these will be significantly more expensive.
• Elliptical. These equipment items are a bit pricier, but a Niceday brand machine is reliable at $599, or you can opt for an under-the-desk option to get some exercise while you work. There's also a Precor Elliptical, which is top-of-the-line and starts around $2,799.
• StairMaster. StairMasters are the highest price point item on our list, and also require high ceilings in your space. Prices on Amazon can range from around $3,000 - $9,000, with the Signature Fitness SF-C2 as a customer favorite.

Protect your home gym equipment with Mulberry

Shop with the Mulberry browser extension to get the very best product protection plans for all your home gym equipment. Not only will you be able to view protection plans in real time as you shop, but you'll also get news on the latest deals, and have the ability to earn rewards.