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How to create your very own ultimate home gym
From a simple set of dumbbells to high-end cable machines – here’s how to get moving at home in 2026.
IT’S NEVER TOO late to start the new year’s resolutions but if you don’t want to hit your local gym Ruth O’Connor has tapped the experts for their tips on how to exercise at home – whatever your budget, space or level of fitness.
If there’s one person who knows about the best equipment to put in your home gym it’s Philip McLaughlin, MD of family business McSport which was established in 1980 and which has been keeping up with the fast-moving fitness industry ever since. The company has fitted out gyms for Google, Microsoft, the GAA, FlyeFit and the IRFU and is a leading supplier of home gym equipment via its showroom and online platform.
Regardless of what age you are, if you’re just beginning your fitness journey, Philip says that the focus should be on simple, adaptable equipment that makes it easier to move regularly and build confidence.
“A yoga or exercise mat is a great starting point as it makes floor-based movement, stretching and strength work more comfortable. Resistance bands and dumbbells are also incredibly versatile – they’re gentle on the joints, easy to store and allow beginners to build strength at their own pace,” he says.
Philip recommends a skipping rope as a simple but effective way to get the heart rate up in a short space of time, a foam roller to help with recovery and mobility and a kettlebell if you’re looking to add resistance into your exercise programme – for strength, balance, and cardio-style movements.
Lesley Giltinan is a renowned fitness expert and trainer based in Co. Cork with over 10,000 members training with her via her LeanWithLesley app and 64K followers on Instagram tuning in to her live and pre-recorded classes each week.
For Lesley, it’s best for beginners not to get distracted by too much equipment. “Bodyweight training alone can be hugely effective as beginners can focus on their form and not be distracted by dumbbells or any equipment,” she says. “You don’t need a full gym to get strong – a mat and a set of dumbbells are more than enough for beginners.”
While Lesley livestreams her classes from Cork Constitution Rugby Club each week, you’ll also find lots of online content that she’s recorded in her own gym at home. “I keep my home setup simple and functional: dumbbells, bench, some plates, mats, a squat rack and space to move. I have a few other bits, like bosu balls, slam balls and wall balls but dumbbells are my definite go to,” she says.
Indeed lack of space is often the main reason people think that they can’t exercise at home but there are lots of modern solutions that can be folded or adjusted to save on space if you do want to invest in some larger pieces of kit.
“Lack of space is one of the most common barriers we hear, but it doesn’t need to be a deal-breaker. Foldable or easily stored equipment makes a huge difference. Things like folding benches, adjustable dumbbells, or resistance bands can be tucked away after use and brought out when needed,” says Philip at McSport.
“For cardio, a folding treadmill or walking pad is a great option – it allows people to stay active at home without permanently taking over a room. Over-door pull-up bars, compact storage racks and adjustable kettlebells also work well for people living in apartments or shared spaces. The key is choosing equipment that fits around your lifestyle, rather than trying to force a full gym setup into a small area.”
The key here is not necessarily the size of the workout space but rather that it is clutter-free and well ventilated. “If equipment is visible and easy to grab, you’re far more likely to use it. When the weather allows, exercising outdoors can be fantastic too,” says Lesley. Indeed outdoor spaces are often under-used but can be brilliant for training, especially in the warmer months – even if you have a small yard, a roof top garden or a balcony space.
“Outdoor-friendly floor mats or rubber tiles are worth considering to protect surfaces and provide stability underfoot, particularly on concrete or decking while simple equipment like kettlebells, dumbbells, skipping ropes and resistance bands work well outside and can be taken in and out easily. “Even something as basic as a mat can transform a small balcony into a functional workout area,” says Philip. “The most important consideration is safety – it’s essential to have a non-slip surface and equipment that can handle being moved in and out.”
Jumping and rebounding are all the rage on social media these days. What other trends in fitness is Philip seeing among his customers? “Rebounders have definitely grown in popularity, particularly because they’re low-impact and enjoyable,” he says. “More generally, we’re seeing strong interest in compact cardio equipment, such as walking pads and indoor bikes as people look for ways to stay active at home without long workouts. And of course Hyrox equipment is seeing a surge and pieces like Ski Ergs, rowers and wall balls are great for getting the heart rate up.”
He’s also noticed a big increase in the demand for recovery and wellbeing products including foam rollers, Pilates rings and massage guns. “People are becoming more aware that training isn’t just about pushing harder – recovery, mobility and mental wellbeing are becoming just as important to people.”
If moving on from the acquisition of very basic pieces of kit to something more elaborate is an option, I wonder what can be achieved – say with a budget of €500. “With €500, it’s possible to build a really effective setup. We’d suggest starting with a good-quality mat, resistance bands and dumbbells for strength work. You could also include a rack and weights for progression – that combination alone allows for full-body training,” he says while also suggesting the addition perhaps of something to get the heart rate up – a skipping rope or an aerobics pump step. “The goal at that level isn’t to replicate a gym but to create a setup that encourages regular use and variety.”
Lesley Giltinan agrees that the primary aim is to get people exercising regularly and to build variety into their workouts. “When I’m teaching online or developing content, I’m always conscious that workouts need to be accessible – so I focus on equipment that most people can realistically have at home and I adapt exercises for different fitness levels,” she says.
At companies like Sprout Pod, modular buildings are frequently used in back gardens to create home gyms. Managing Director of Sprout Pod, Ciaran Kerr says that the company has seen a sustained increase in the demand for garden rooms for use as home gyms over the past few years – a trend that began during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Many homeowners discovered the long-term value of having a dedicated fitness space at home, removing barriers such as travel time, gym memberships and overcrowded facilities,” he says.
In terms of size, popular starting points for a home gym are Sprout Pod’s 3-metre model and upwards, which comfortably accommodate cardio machines, free weights, strength equipment or cable machines. Pricing for a Sprout Pod home gym starts from €11,000 – something to consider if you’re paying for a costly gym subscription every year for yourself or your family.
Sprout Pod units are particularly well suited to home gym use due to their solid steel frame construction, which provides exceptional strength and stability for heavy gym equipment – something traditional timber structures may not offer. All units are fully insulated and designed for the Irish climate, ensuring year-round comfort whether training in winter or summer.
“For homeowners who want to exercise at home but do not want to sacrifice a bedroom or living space to bulky equipment, a garden gym is an ideal solution,” says Ciaran. “By utilising existing garden space, Sprout Pod home gyms free up valuable room inside the house while delivering a high-quality, purpose-built fitness environment that supports healthier lifestyles without the disruption or expense of a full home extension.”
For those with larger homes or budgets, the sky really is the limit in terms of what you can achieve when it comes to your home gym. “Adding a piece of cardio equipment such as a treadmill, bike or rower creates a well-rounded setup,” says Philip McLaughlin. “Flooring is also important – proper gym flooring not only protects the space but makes it feel more considered and motivating to use.
“The ultimate home gym for me would include space for recovery and mobility – things like stretching areas, recovery tools and perhaps even an ice bath. But the ideal gym isn’t about having everything – it’s about creating a space that supports long-term health, consistency and enjoyment.”
And for Lesley Giltinan? “If space and budget were no issue, I’d love a small running track and lots of wall space perfect for wall exercises, squats, handstands and lunges. Simple, functional movement beats fancy equipment in my eyes every time.”
AddressBook:
McSport Ireland:
The McSport showroom is open seven days a week with expert staff on hand to offer advice to customers. With 10,000 sq feet of retail space in Dublin 22 they are official retailers of Hit Fitness, Life Fitness, NordicTrack, MyZone and many more quality brands. Find out more or shop online at mcsport.ie and at @mcsportireland on Instagram.
Lesley Giltinan/ LeanWithLesley:
Lesley Giltinan has over 10,000 members training with her on her LeanWithLesley app. Every week you get four live classes and all live workouts are recorded and available on demand so you can train whenever suits you. Membership starts from €30. You can also attend her classes in person at Cork Constitution Rugby Club at €15 per class pay-as-you-go. Find out more at leanwithlesley.com or on Instagram at @leanwithlesley.
Sprout Pod:
Sprout Pod offer free delivery and installation nationwide. You can use their online room builder to get a free quote at sproutpod.ie/quote/ or phone 086 011 9301.
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