Working out at home is more convenient than ever, but knowing where to start assembling a home gym can be tricky. With bars, weights, and workout gear, it’s easy for the gear to overtake your living space quickly. The good news is that you can set up an effective barbell-focused home gym with just a few essential items.
In this article, we’ll break down the bare minimum equipment you need to get a total-body strength training workout using only barbell plate sets. From squat racks to benches, flooring to storage, we’ll explain what to look for and how to arrange it so you can wash those weights in the comfort of your home.
The Importance of Barbell Plate Workouts
Barbell plate workouts are one of the most effective and versatile forms of strength training you can do at home. Lifting plates allow you to target all of your major muscle groups through both compound and isolated exercises.
From squats and deadlifts to presses and curls, barbell plates provide an open-ended workout where you can continually progress the weight over time. This type of training builds both strength and muscle mass, enabling you to see major physical gains. It can also improve your bone density, metabolism, and overall fitness levels.
Having a dedicated space for barbell plate workouts means you have no excuses not to engage in high-intensity strength training right in your own home gym. You won’t have to wait around at a crowded commercial gym – you can get your powerful full-body workouts whenever fit into your schedule.
Planning Your Home Gym Space
When setting up your home gym, the first thing to figure out is where it will live. Look for less busy areas like a spare bedroom or basement that you can cordon off from the rest of the house. Be sure to measure the space, too – you’ll need room for your equipment with space left over to maneuver.
For the floor, grab some rubber or stall mats to absorb impact. These work way better than bare floors. Make sure to consider the lighting and airflow in your home gym. It’s essential to have light to see what you’re doing safely, and proper air circulation is vital so that you don’t feel sweaty in a room as your workout becomes more intense.
Taking some time at the beginning to plan the layout and carefully think about details, like flooring, lighting, and ventilation, will significantly contribute to your success. Having a space customized according to your needs can make all the difference when it comes to staying committed to your home gym routine.
Selecting Equipment
First, consider the essential equipment needed to construct your home barbell and plate training space effectively. These are some essential pieces of equipment for your gym.
- Barbell and Plates: A good barbell is the core of any home gym setup. Look for an Olympic barbell strong enough to hold several hundred pounds. It’ll allow room for growth as your strength increases. Purchase a set of weight plates ranging from 2.5 to 25 pounds to load the barbell.
- Weight Bench: A flat or adjustable bench provides versatility for different upper-body exercises. Ensure the bench is sturdy and supports your weight, plus additional plate loading. Look for benches with stands for easy storage when not in use.
- Storage Solutions: Next, you’ll need organized storage. Proper storage prevents clutter and damage to floors or walls over time. Wall-mounted weight plate storage racks keep plates neat and within easy reach. Consider a weight tree to store barbells off the floor when not in use.
- Safety Equipment: Safety is important whether working out alone or with a partner. Spotter arms or safety bars attach to stands on either side of the bench for protection. They catch the bar if you cannot complete a lift, preventing injury.
- Optional Accessories: For added exercise variety, you may want a squat rack, pull-up bar, or dip station. Kettlebells, dumbbells, and resistance bands provide barbell and plate exercise alternatives. A workout mat beneath the barbell area prevents noise and protects floors. A heart rate monitor lets you gauge exercise intensity.
Setting up Your Barbell Plate Workout Space
The foundation of any barbell training is having an organized space dedicated to lifting. Start by clearing an open area in your home, at least 12 feet by 8 feet, free of clutter or obstructions. To protect your flooring, lay a protective surface, such as horse stall mats or a weightlifting platform.
Position a flat-weight bench in the center, facing the long side of your space. Mount a weight tree or rack along the wall opposite the bench. You’ll store your barbell and plates in between sets in that spot. Keep plates organized – group plates of the same size/weight together for efficiency.
Consider installing a pulley system above the bench area for pulls and rows. Finally, invest in a quality barbell suitable for deadlifts and overhead presses. You’ll be ready to follow any barbell program with the proper setup.
Flooring and Protection
The flooring surface underneath and around your barbell area will take a beating from plates and bars being dropped during lifting sessions. It needs to be durable enough to withstand the impact. A rubber flooring material is ideal, as it will cushion falls and not damage like concrete may. Look for interlocking gym floor tiles or stall mats made of recycled rubber. These will protect your existing flooring below but also function well as a lifting surface.
Additionally, consider getting rubber-backed weightlifting pads or mats to lay down around the barbell area. These soft landing zones provide an extra layer of protection when you need to bail on a heavy lift. They can help minimize noise from plates clanging together as well. Your floor and body will appreciate having protective mats on hand, extending the life of your equipment and training space while reducing the risk of injury from dropped weights.
The post Home Gym Essentials: Setting Up a Barbell Plate Workout Space appeared first on Modern Man.
