Fitness Expert Says the Biggest Waste of Money in Your Home Gym May Surprise You

Fitness trainer Jacob Zemer reveals three essentials for home workouts – resistance bands, dumbbells, and a bench – that let you train every muscle group on a budget.

Home gym dos and don'ts: what equipment to buy and what's not worth the cost

Research shows that Americans are spending more on health and wellness — and for some home exercisers, the cost can quickly run into the thousands.

A YouGov survey conducted in September 2026 found that 31 percent of Americans are spending more on health and wellness than last year, while 20 percent expect to spend more in the coming year.

Meanwhile, a 2026 survey by Garage Gym Experiment, an online community for home fitness enthusiasts, found that 44% of respondents expected to spend at least $1,000 on their home gyms this year.

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But building an effective home gym doesn't have to hurt, according to New York-based fitness instructor Jacob Zimmer.

According to him, the biggest home gym money waster may not be a specific piece of equipment, but anything that takes up significant space and is difficult to set up or use consistently.

According to New York-based fitness instructor Jacob Zemmer (right), building an effective home gym doesn't have to cost money. (Yaqub Zamr)

"A lot of people think building a home gym requires a lot of planning, and it doesn't," Zimmer said.

If someone is building a home gym from scratch, the fitness expert recommends starting with a few affordable pieces and adding equipment over time.

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"You can do everything for every muscle group with just three."

Sports bands are a good first investment, Zimmer said, "just because they're so affordable."

They're also very effective, he said, especially for those new to strength training.

Sports bands are a good first investment, Zimmer said, "just because they're so affordable." (Yaqub Zamr)

"You can do anything you need to do with just that equipment — and you can travel with them, bring them on planes and hotels, which makes them very versatile," Zimmer said.

When choosing dumbbells, it's important to consider how much floor space they'll take up—especially if the home gym is in a multipurpose room, Zimmer says.

"With adjustable dumbbells, you can have a very small print on the floor – they're a little more expensive, though, and some are a little flimsy, so just be aware of that," he advised.

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According to Zimmer, beginners should first focus on learning proper form and choosing a weight that will make the final reps challenging.

Progress doesn't always mean moving to heavier dumbbells, he noted.

When choosing dumbbells, it's important to consider how much floor space they'll take up—especially if the home gym is in a multipurpose room, Zimmer says. (Yaqub Zamr)

"Pushing yourself doesn't mean adding 20 pounds — it can mean doing one more rep," Zemmer said.

Once it becomes easy to do a lot of reps, it may be time to increase the weight.

With some exercises, if you have to lie on the floor or stand, it can be limiting, Zimmer said.

"You can get a really affordable bench online," he said. “I'm looking for one that both reclines and reclines, maybe even sits completely flat. It gives you a lot of versatility."

For more versatility, Zemmer suggests looking for a bench that can both recline and recline, and maybe even sit completely upright. (Yaqub Zamr)

Biggest waste: Equipment you don't use

Before purchasing a piece of home gym equipment, Zimmer recommends considering how much space it will require, how many exercises it will support, and whether it will be easy to use consistently.

Equipment that is bulky, difficult to move, or requires a lot of installation can turn out to be an expensive waste of money.

"The most important thing is that it's quick and easy to set up, easy to grab, and therefore more likely to be used," he said. "The more configuration it requires, the less likely it is to be used."

Before purchasing a piece of home gym equipment, Zimmer recommends considering how much space it will require, how many exercises it will support, and whether it will be easy to use consistently. (Yaqub Zamr)

Zemer learned this lesson after buying lever arms, attachments that attach to a power base and go up and down for exercises like presses, rows and squats. Since moving things around was cumbersome, he ended up selling it second hand.

"The used gym equipment market is ruthless, so if you buy something and don't use it, the resale value is next to nothing," Zimmer warned.

He recommends prioritizing items that serve multiple purposes rather than items that target only one body part.

"I'm always looking for equipment that can do multiple things," he said.

"Many people think building a home gym requires a detailed setup, and it doesn't."

According to the trainer, cardio equipment is not necessary for everyone, especially for those who are mobile.

Many people can also increase their heart rate through activities such as walking, running or strength training that are done at a faster pace, he said.