I’ve become a strong advocate for home gyms.

I’ve been a personal trainer for more than 20 years, and although I’ve spent most of that time working in commercial gyms, I’ve come to realize that a home gym can be a game changer.

Setting up an effective home gym doesn’t have to be expensive or take up as much space as you might think. Equipment that is versatile, durable, and well suited to men over 50 is readily available and can be delivered right to your door. If you have the space and a reasonable budget, you can create a workout area you’ll actually look forward to using.

It’s not just about the equipment, either. Creating an environment that invites you to train is just as important. A space that feels organized, comfortable, and motivating makes it much easier to stay consistent.

Why I Chose a Home Gym

I didn’t really start training at home until the pandemic. When gyms closed, I knew after a few weeks that I needed another way to continue strength training, so I started ordering equipment from Amazon and The Shopping Channel.

I’ll admit, though, it felt a little strange at first. Working out in my living room wasn’t particularly motivating, and as a result, I wasn’t very consistent.

Everything changed when we converted our dining room into a dedicated training space and installed rubber gym flooring. Simply having an area that was meant for exercise made a tremendous difference.

When commercial gyms reopened, my home gym sat unused for quite a while.

Then we moved to Halifax and into an apartment building with a small fitness room. At first, it seemed like the perfect solution. It didn’t take long, however, to realize that the layout was awkward, the equipment wasn’t well maintained and… (please read the next sentence in an irritated tone) it was obvious the equipment had been chosen by someone who had never actually trained in a gym. And yes, that really matters.

My husband suggested we reclaim the equipment that was gathering dust (the same equipment we’d paid to move all the way from Montreal) and create our own training space in our apartment.

This time I gave the setup much more thought, and the result is a home gym that is practical, efficient, and perfectly suited to the way I like to train.

Everything I Use and Why

My home gym isn’t filled with dozens of machines. Instead, I’ve chosen equipment that is versatile, dependable, and earns its place.

Here’s what I use regularly:

• Four sets of dumbbells… forever a staple for any training routine.

• BOSU Balance Trainer… stability and balance exercises are now a requirement.

• Weight plates for my Total Gym FIT… more about the Total Gym in a bit.

• Foam rollers… recovery, mobility and self massage.

• Yoga mat… floor work.

• Small inflatable Pilates ball… versatile, from ab work to aligning hips during exercises

• Push-up handles… helps with potential wrist issues.

And Then There’s The Centrepiece: My Total Gym FIT

If there’s one piece of equipment I couldn’t imagine being without, it’s my Total Gym FIT.

No, I don’t receive any financial compensation from Total Gym (Total Gym head honchos, call me? ) but I was certified 20 years ago to train clients on their commercial model called the Gravity Training System.

It’s incredibly versatile, provides a full-body workout, and uses body weight as resistance, making it easy on the joints while still being challenging. That’s especially important as we get older. We don’t need to punish our bodies to become stronger.

My favourite exercises on the Total Gym are the pull ups and chin ups. They’re staple in many of my training programs because the machine encourages proper technique. For beginners, successfully completing a pull up or series of pull ups on the Total Gym can be incredibly validating and motivating.

Do you need a Total Gym FIT to get into great shape?

Absolutely not.

But if you’re looking for one piece of equipment that offers tremendous exercise variety, supports strength, mobility, and flexibility, and doesn’t dominate your living space, it’s one of the best investments I’ve made. (Once again, Total Gym head honchos, I’m just saying...Open To A Call.)

What I Didn’t Buy, and Why

If I had unlimited space, I’d own an elliptical trainer.

It’s my favorite form of cardio, and I still maintain a membership at a nearby budget gym primarily so I can use one. Four times a week you’ll usually find me enjoying a 45-minute session on the elliptical. If I had room for one at home, though, that’s where I’d be.

Another piece of equipment I considered was a large multi-station home gym.

If you have a basement, garage, or spare room—and the budget—they’re worth considering, especially if you’ve been strength training for years. They provide excellent variety, but they also require a significant commitment of both space and money.

One thing I generally avoid?

Most “As Seen on TV” fitness gadgets.

Especially ab machines.

Great marketing.

Mediocre results.

Enough said.

My Philosophy For My Fellow GXGM

Commercial gyms can be intimidating, especially for gay men who have avoided them for years.

For some, walking into a gym can feel like stepping back into the high school locker room.

You’re paying good money to feel awkward, self-conscious, or judged.

No, that’s not everyone’s experience.

But after more than two decades as a trainer, I can tell you it’s far more common than many people realize. Even I can feel a little uneasy the first time I walk into a new gym, and I know exactly what I’m doing.

Sometimes the judgement you feel is real. Sometimes it’s only perceived. Either way, the feeling is enough to keep many men away from joining a gym.

Unfortunately, it’s one of the reasons so many men never begin a fitness journey.

Perhaps you have simply outgrown the Bro gym culture after decades of memberships and are looking for an environment more personal, less performative and just plain convenient.

I genuinely believe that a thoughtfully designed home gym can remove many of the barriers that keep men from beginning, or returning to, a fitness lifestyle. It offers privacy, convenience, consistency, and perhaps most importantly, the freedom to train without worrying about anyone else’s opinion.The best home gym isn’t the one with the most equipment.

It’s the one you’ll actually use.