Assess Space and Goals
2-4 hoursMeasure available floor space, ceiling height, and define strength vs cardio priorities.
Field context
This workflow is part of 8 niche fields
Free step-by-step home gym setup for home exercisers. Plan home gym with calculators and checklists covering assess space and goals, select equipment by budget.
Measure available floor space, ceiling height, and define strength vs cardio priorities.
Prioritize barbell, rack, bench, dumbbells; add cardio if budget allows.
Plan mirror, rubber flooring, and 360° clearance around rack.
Set rep max baselines and weekly split aligned with available equipment.
Budget equipment tiers from minimal to full gym.
Baseline body metrics before training.
Set nutrition to support training goals.
Calculate maintenance calories for goal.
Set realistic body composition target.
US typical starter equipment costs.
| Tier | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $200-400 | Bands, dumbbells, mat |
| Standard | $800-1500 | Rack, bar, plates, bench |
| Premium | $2500+ | Cardio, cable, flooring |
Facebook Marketplace plates and racks depreciate slowly — inspect for rust only.
Barbell + dumbbells cover 90% of movements — cables are luxury.
Phone tripod beats mirror for checking squat depth.