How much space does a home gym need?
The floor area required depends on training goals, the equipment selected and the number of people training at the same time. A compact set-up comprising dumbbells or kettlebells, a weight bench and a storage rack will often fit into around 10 m². With one item of cardio equipment, 15 to 20 m² is usually appropriate. A rack and barbell often require 18 to 25 m². An unobstructed area should also be retained for standing exercises, mat exercises, mobility work and stretching. Walkways should be at least 80 cm wide. Regularly used main routes should preferably be 90 to 100 cm wide. The clearances specified by equipment manufacturers must also be observed for machines with moving parts. At least 200 cm is usually required behind a treadmill.
The surface on which the equipment is placed should be level and dimensionally stable so that all equipment feet rest evenly. Slip-resistant gym flooring made from rubber granules bound with PU reduces noise and vibration and protects the floor beneath. For cardio equipment, tiles with a thickness of around 1 cm or more are often sufficient. Thicker tiles are appropriate for floor exercises, free-weight areas, racks and heavy equipment. Tile thickness and laying method should conform to the equipment manufacturers’ set-up specifications so that the equipment remains level and stable.