How to build your dream home gym

Regular gym workouts can produce great results, but it's time-consuming and inconvenient for many of us. A gym membership can cost €50 or more per month, and many exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home without a membership. 

The good news: you don't have to go to the gym - your home can now be your gym! If you're thinking about building or renovating a home gym, check out this guide to build your dream gym with the best fitness equipment you can't miss.

Define your goals before setting up your home gym

Before you create the perfect home workout space, take time to think about the fitness goals you have set for yourself, your workout routines, and the space you need. Consider what types of exercise you want to do the most and what equipment you need to do them. For example: aerobic exercise with an exercise bike, resistance training with a rowing machine, strength training or weight lifting with dumbbell sets, etc. 

Remember that you can always buy more equipment for your home gym as you progress in your training. To start with, focus only on what you really need in the early stages of your training.

Essential Fitness Equipment

Most home gyms typically include both cardio equipment to improve endurance and heart health, strength training equipment to build muscle and reduce the risk of injury, and recovery tools to relax and promote circulation. 

First, you need to consider who the main users of the home gym will be. If you are building a gym for the whole family, here are some essential pieces of equipment to consider:

1st For cardio workout lovers (middle-aged office workers or fitness enthusiasts)

1 ） MERACH fitness bike S26B3

It can become your new training companion once you connect it to the MERACH app , which will keep you constantly motivated. It is also compatible with the KINOMAP and Zwift apps.

This bike features a 15.6-inch 1080P HD display that gives you an immersive fitness experience and allows you to track every detail of your workout in real time. It is robustly built and supports riders up to 136 kg (thanks to the alloy steel construction), while the well-padded saddle, pedals and handles are height adjustable. 

Amazingly, it's also compact - it weighs just 28.8 kg and takes up just 101 x 56 cm of space, but the 16 kg flywheel and quiet belt drive provide everything you need for your leg workout. With a quick turn of the dial, you can easily switch between the metrics displayed: calories, time, speed, distance, odometer and cadence. 

"Using my iPad, this bike is very similar to the more expensive Peloton bikes - at a fraction of the price." Our customers love it so much that they've compared it to other big brand bikes. They also particularly praised the super-quiet noise - the bike can even be operated without disturbing others nearby as it only reaches around 25 decibels.

2) Merach Magnetic Rowing Machine Q1S Pro 2.0

Most high-quality rowing machines cost over €1,000, but our stylish Q1SB9 model combines premium features with an affordable price. You'll be impressed that the rowing machine is 80% pre-assembled and you can fully assemble it in about 30 minutes. Even though it's not foldable, it can be stored upright to save space. 

It uses a self-powered magnetic braking system, one of the more environmentally friendly and quieter rowing machines on the market. "My favorite feature of this rowing machine is that it is so quiet!" said a tester from Good Housekeeping. "I have neighbors downstairs, and I don't have to worry about getting my rowing workout in at 6:00 a.m." Although the LCD display is relatively basic, there is a holder for your tablet or smartphone so you can keep up with the MERACH Virtual Rowing Classes, where the resistance automatically adjusts to the trainer.

The rowing machine offers 16 resistance levels that you can adjust manually, so that beginners and advanced rowers get an efficient workout.

3) MERACH vibration plate 2398G1

If you're into vibration plates, this MERACH 2398 model is a budget-friendly option that doesn't sacrifice quality. The 10 speed levels stimulate your muscles with high-intensity vibrations, promote recovery, optimize blood circulation, and relieve pain. The LED light display clearly shows you your workout time and speed. The non-slip design ensures safety and stability, and the compact size makes the plate easy to transport and store.

For extra fun, this vibration plate has a built-in Bluetooth speaker and resistance bands if you want to increase the difficulty level. Plus, the motor keeps noise to a minimum so you can train without being disturbed.

4) MERACH Squat Assist Trainer R07

Squats are great for fitness, aesthetics and supporting joints as you age. If you're interested, don't miss the MERACH Squat Assist Trainer R07. It turns squats into a cardio workout while minimizing the pressure on your joints. 

This machine provides a full body workout in just 10 minutes a day and focuses mainly on the muscles of the lower body as the exercises include variations such as plies and pulses to target different muscles. No wonder many users have had great success in losing weight after using this machine. 

2nd For seniors who exercise daily

1) MERACH recumbent bike S19

For a more relaxed workout, the MERACH Recumbent Bike S19 is the ideal choice. Pierson, a veteran editor at SELF Magazine, loves the nearly silent pedal motion and that the resistance can be easily adjusted via a handle that resembles a car gear shift.

"The mesh seat is breathable, preventing sweating in unwanted places, and it's adjustable so you're never forced into an uncomfortable position," she added. This great device was also a gift for Pierson's mother to help her with hip surgery rehab. It's the perfect device for the whole family.

2) MERACH Mini Fitness Bike S04

The MERACH Mini Fitness Bike S04 features a slim, lightweight design that comes with convenient carrying handles. Your parents can easily store it away and place their workout on a table to train their arms too. For a complete full-body workout, the Mini Fitness Bike S04 offers attachment options for resistance bands that allow your parents to train their arms at the same time.

The S04 Mini Fitness Bike has even been tested by Yahoo! Life Magazine and offers 16 different resistance levels. When you turn it up to full, it really feels like you're cycling up a hill - while sitting at your desk! The LCD display is especially helpful for seniors as it shows speed, time, resistance, distance and calories burned.

3) MERACH Vertical Climbing Trainer 2438

Whether you want a device that is easy on your joints or you want to strengthen your glutes, the Stair Stepper deserves your attention. Our Stair Stepper 2438 comes with a handle and is designed to mimic the natural movement of climbing a mountain, targeting multiple muscle groups at once. 

This easy-to-use stepper will help you achieve your fitness goals by strengthening your lower body, promoting heart health and improving overall balance, says Mike, an experienced fitness coach in our MERACH community.

3. For those who need relaxation - MERACH massage gun M019

The massage gun is a must-have for home workouts. If you are looking for a massager that covers all the needs for your daily workouts, the MERACH massage gun M019 is the answer. It comes with 6 interchangeable massage heads that make it easy to transport and clean. You can use it on shoulders, neck, back, legs, soles of feet and other parts of the body.

Thanks to the 2*2000mAh batteries, the massage gun offers a running time of up to 4 hours and delivers powerful performance. In addition, the gun automatically goes into standby mode after 10 minutes of continuous operation.