Building a home gym in a small space requires some careful planning, but it can be done. If you have a 200 square foot space that you want to convert to a home gym, you have several different options.
Is it possible to build a 200 square foot home gym? Yes, it’s possible to build a 200 square foot home gym. We hired Camila Lyons, the co-founder and lead designer at ALVA Interior and Architecture, to design a 200 square foot home gym. Even in a smaller space, you can build a functional home gym where you can do both strength and cardio movements.
In this article, I’ll discuss:
- The floor plans we created for a 200 square foot home gym
- What can and cannot fit in a 200 square foot home gym
- What equipment you should prioritize based on your goals
- What exercises you can do in a 200 square foot home gym
Table of Contents
200 Square Foot Home Gym Floor Plan
Below are the floor plans Camila designed for a 200 square foot home gym. For the purposes of these designs, the room we used measures 10’x20’.
Which pieces of equipment you add to your home gym will depend on your goals, but these designs should give you a good idea of how you can build a home gym in a 200 square foot room.
Here is a 2D version of a 200 square foot home gym:
This is a 3D look at the 200 square foot home gym when viewed from overhead:
This is how the room looks when viewed from the side:
And here is a 3D version of the 200 square foot home gym when viewed from the front:
Check out our complete guide to Small Home Gym Layouts.
What Can Fit Into A 200 Square Foot Home Gym?
Based on our floor plans above, the following pieces of equipment will fit in a 200 square foot home gym:
- Dumbbells
- A kettlebell storage rack
- A medicine ball storage rack
- A gymnastics ladder
- Wall-mounted storage posts for items such as resistance bands or a jump rope
- A plyo box
- A lifting platform
- A wall-mounted barbell storage rack
- A wall-mounted plate storage rack
- A collapsible squat rack
- A bench
What CANNOT Fit Into A 200 Square Foot Home Gym?
With 200 square feet of space, you’ll need to prioritize certain pieces of equipment over others.
Examples of equipment that won’t fit in a 200 square foot home gym include:
- A power cage, if your ceilings aren’t high enough
- More than one piece of cardio equipment, depending on how much other equipment you add
- Multiple bodybuilding machines
Extras & Substitutions Based On Your Goals
1. Powerlifting
Powerlifters generally don’t need a lot of equipment, so you can fit everything you need even if you only have a small space.
Our sample floor plans above show a foldable wall-mounted squat rack, but you can even fit a full power cage if you don’t need the space for other movements. However, most power cages are tall, so you’ll need to make sure your ceilings are high enough.
In addition to the basics like a squat rack, barbell, bench, and plates, powerlifters can also add a matador or wall-mounted dip station for dips as well as a trap bar for deadlift variations. I recommend that powerlifters also keep some dumbbells for accessory movements in their home gyms.
2. Weightlifting
Weightlifters also usually don’t need a lot of equipment, but you do need to be mindful of how you set up your home gym. You’ll want to make sure that you won’t damage your walls or other equipment if you have to bail a lift and the barbell rolls away from you.
In addition to a squat stand, barbell, and plates, weightlifters can add a set of jerk blocks to a 200 square foot home gym, but you won’t have room for a plyo box. You can also add a reverse hyper or GHD machine, but it will be a tight fit.
3. CrossFit
CrossFitters require a lot of equipment due to the varied nature of most WODs, but you can still get by with a few essential items. You’ll just need to make sure that you have enough floor space to keep a barbell on the ground and perform movements such as burpees or double unders without hitting your equipment.
Unless you also plan on competing in powerlifting or weightlifting, I wouldn’t recommend a lifting platform for CrossFitters. Instead, I’d use that space for a rower or Echo bike. If you will only be using your home gym for CrossFit WODs and don’t plan on doing any additional strength work, you also don’t need more than one or two pairs of dumbbells and one or two kettlebells.
4. General Fitness
For individuals who work out just to stay in shape and don’t have sport-specific training goals, it’s easier to build a home gym since you don’t need as much large equipment.
If you’re not going to be lifting very heavy weights, you won’t need a lifting platform, which frees up some room that you can potentially use for a cardio machine. You can also use a squat stand instead of a power cage if you want to strength train, which will give you more room to do floor-based cardio or HIIT workouts.
To save even more space, you can get a set of adjustable dumbbells instead of multiple pairs of dumbbells. Adjustable dumbbells can go up to weights of 90lbs or more, so you can keep progressively adding weight to your workouts as you get stronger.
5. Bodybuilding
It will be tough to add a lot of isolation machines to a 200 square foot home gym, especially if you want space for a squat rack and dumbbells so you can also train with free weights.
Since you won’t need a lifting platform and most likely won’t need more than one barbell, you can place a single-sided cable machine, a preacher curl bench, a GHD machine, and a reverse hyper against the walls of your home gym. You can also get one machine that you can train both upper and lower body on.
I’d also recommend that bodybuilders get adjustable dumbbells instead of multiple pairs of dumbbells so your space doesn’t feel too cramped.
Equipment For A 200 Square Foot Gym
8 Must-Haves for a 200 Square Foot Gym
The 8 pieces of must-have equipment for a 200 square foot home gym are:
- Squat rack
- Barbell
- Plates
- Bench
- Dumbbells
- Kettlebells
- Resistance bands
- Jump rope
1. Squat Rack
In our sample floor plan above, we showed a collapsible squat rack. These kinds of squat racks are great for small spaces because you can fold them away when they’re not in use. This is beneficial for anyone who wants to lift heavy but also needs extra floor space for conditioning workouts or additional storage.
If you’d like to add a foldable squat rack to your home gym, I recommend the PRx Performance Profile Squat Rack. Even when it’s fully extended, it only comes out four inches from the wall. It has a 1,000lb weight capacity and you can choose from one of three different pullup bar options. However, you need a ceiling height of at least 95” to accommodate this squat rack.
If your gym space has low ceilings, I recommend the Rogue SML-1 70” Monster Lite Squat Stand. It stands at just 6’ tall and only has a 49”x48” footprint. You can get a separate wheel bracket set for extra mobility if you want to be able to move it around your space.
If you’re still not sure which squat rack is best for you, check out my article 7 Best Squat Racks for Small Spaces.
2. Barbell
An all-purpose barbell such as the Rogue Ohio Power Bar is a good choice for most home gyms. You can use it for squats, bench presses, deadlifts, overhead presses, and rows.
For weightlifters and CrossFitters who need a bar with more whip for snatches and clean and jerks, I recommend the Rogue Bella Bar 2.0 for females or the Olympic WL bar for males. The Bella bar has a slightly smaller diameter, which makes it easier for females to use a hook grip. Both bars are highly-rated, and the Olympic WL bar even comes with a lifetime warranty.
3. Plates
Even though there are several different types of plates available, I usually recommend bumper plates for home gyms. They’re designed to absorb shock and vibrations, so they’ll be less noisy and cause less damage to your floors if you drop your weights.
I recommend the Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates. They’re durable, the weights are accurate to within 1% of the listed weight, and they’re cut thinner than other bumpers so you can fit more plates on the bar. I’ve had these plates in my garage gym for close to four years, and they aren’t showing any signs of significant damage.
4. Bench
You can get either a flat bench or an incline bench. I like having an incline bench because I like to be able to do movements such as incline bench presses, but a flat bench is sufficient if you’ll just be doing regular bench presses.
The flat bench and adjustable bench from Fringe Sport are both good options. They both have high weight capacities and they’re both sturdy and won’t wobble while you do your bench presses.
5. Dumbbells
When you only have a small room in which to build a home gym, the amount of space you have for large storage racks is slim. For this reason, I recommend that individuals with a 200 square foot home gym get adjustable dumbbells such as PowerBlock dumbbells.
I’ve had PowerBlock dumbbells for several years and they’re one of my favorite home gym pieces. I use them for all of my strength workouts, and the weights are easy to change mid-workout. The dumbbells come standard with weights up to 50lbs, but you can get expanders to increase the weight up to as much as 90lbs.
The only thing I don’t like about my PowerBlock dumbbells is that they’re too bulky to use for CrossFit WODs with dumbbell snatches or dumbbell cleans. I recommend that CrossFitters have at least one pair of hex dumbbells in their home gyms.
The rubber hex dumbbells from Titan Fitness are an excellent choice. The ends are made with thick rubber and have a black matte finish that won’t wear down over time, and the ergonomic handles have competition knurling that makes them easy to hold.
6. Kettlebells
I recommend kettlebells for home gyms because you can use them for both strength and conditioning workouts. As long as you pick a weight that’s appropriate for you, you can get by with just one or two kettlebells, which will save you some space since you won’t need a large storage rack.
For home gym use, I recommend the Rogue Kettlebells. They don’t have any cheap filler material and they have a flat base so they won’t wobble when they’re on the ground. The matte finish also makes the handles easy to grip whether you use chalk or not. They’re available in weights from 9lbs all the way up to 203lbs.
The Kettle Gryp is a space-saving alternative to storing multiple kettlebells in a small space. Find out if the Kettle Gryp is worth it in the article Kettle Gryp Review: Pros, Cons, Is It Worth It?
7. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands may not seem like an essential piece of gym equipment, but you can use them for a variety of movements. They’re an excellent substitute for isolation exercises when you don’t have access to machines, and you can also use them to warm up before a workout.
For a cost-effective, durable set of resistance bands, I recommend the WODfitters resistance bands. I’ve been using them for several years. They are showing no signs of fraying or tearing, and they have the same amount of stretchiness that they had when I first got them.
8. A Jump Rope
Since you will likely only be able to fit one piece of cardio equipment in a 200 square foot home gym, I recommend that most home gym users get a jump rope. Jump ropes don’t take up any space and jumping rope is an excellent way to get in a good cardio workout.
I recommend the WOD Nation Speed Rope. It’s affordable and it comes with two cables. The thinner cable is ideal for individuals who are proficient at jumping rope or doing double unders. The thicker cable is ideal for anyone who is still learning double unders or wants a challenge from the extra resistance.
Optional Equipment for a 200 Square Foot Home Gym
The 5 pieces of optional equipment for a 200 square foot home gym are:
- A cardio machine
- Plyo box
- Lifting platform
- Medicine balls
- Bodybuilding machines
1. A Cardio Machine
Even though the space will be tight, you can fit a cardio machine in a 200 square foot home gym, especially if you don’t need or want a lifting platform.
CrossFitters can fit a Concept 2 rower in this space. You can stand it up vertically so it won’t take up too much space when it’s not in use. But even when you are using it, you’ll still have room to keep a barbell on the floor for your WODs.
For CrossFitters who want a piece of conditioning equipment with a smaller footprint, I recommend the Rogue Echo Bike or a ski erg.
If you train for general health purposes, I recommend the Schwinn IC3 indoor cycling bike or the NordicTrack T Series 6.5 Si Treadmill. Both pieces are reasonably priced and come with pre-programmed training programs so you can avoid getting bored with your workouts.
2. A Plyo Box
Even though we included a plyo box in our sample floor plan above, you don’t necessarily need one if you want to save the space for another piece of equipment.
However, CrossFitters and athletes who like to practice box jumps to work on explosive strength can benefit from having a plyo box in their home gym.
I recommend the Rogue foam box. It has a dense foam core that won’t tip over when you land on it, and it’s covered with another layer of softer foam padding. This helps protect your shins from scrapes if you fall and gives you more peace of mind when performing high-rep box jumps.
3. A Lifting Platform
Unless you’re a competitive powerlifter or weightlifter, a lifting platform isn’t necessary. You can protect your floors with crash pads, horse stall mats, or rubber tiles instead.
If you do want a lifting platform, I recommend the Rogue Deadlift Platform for powerlifters and the Rogue Oly Platform for weightlifters. Each platform is designed to absorb shock and reduce noise, so you won’t have to worry about disturbing your family members or making your house vibrate if you drop a loaded barbell.
4. Medicine Balls
CrossFitters will want a medicine ball so you can do wall balls at home, but for most other home gym users, I don’t believe medicine balls are a necessary piece of equipment.
But for anyone who does want a medicine ball, I recommend a Rogue medicine ball. They’re made in Rogue’s manufacturing facility in Columbus, OH, and come with a two-year warranty. But considering their high quality and the fact that these medicine balls can withstand near-daily usage in CrossFit gyms, they have the ability to last for years in a home gym.
5. Bodybuilding Machines
If you want individual bodybuilding machines, I recommend a leg press, reverse hyper, or GHD machine for lower body and posterior chain work. You can get a lat pulldown machine, a fly machine, or a preacher curl bench for upper body work.
Keep in mind that putting all of these machines in a 200 square foot home gym will take up a lot of space, so you’ll need to choose the ones that are most important for helping you reach your goals.
You can also get a machine such as the Body-Solid G6BR Bi-Angular Home Gym, which allows you to train both upper and lower body. This particular machine is pricey, but it’s worth it since you can do a variety of exercises on it and you won’t be paying for a monthly gym membership, anyway.
What Exercises & Workouts Can You Do In A 200 Square Foot Gym?
A 200 square foot home gym is relatively small, but you can still do a lot of strength and cardio workouts.
Exercises that you can do in a 200 square foot home gym include:
- Squats
- Bench presses
- Deadlifts
- Overhead presses
- Rows
- Lunges
- Core work
- HIIT-style workouts
- Snatches
- Clean and jerks
- Isolation movements
- Pullups, if you have high enough ceilings
- Box jumps
Other Gym Floor Plans
- 500 square foot home gym
- 400 square foot home gym
- 300 square foot home gym
- 250 square foot home gym
- 150 square foot home gym
- 120 square foot home gym
- 100 square foot home gym
Final Thoughts
It’s possible to build a 200 square foot home gym where you can do both strength and cardio workouts, but the equipment you add will depend on your goals. The floor plans we shared above should give you a good idea of how you can customize your home gym to meet your needs.
About The Author
Amanda is a writer and editor in the fitness and nutrition industries. Growing up in a family that loved sports, she learned the importance of staying active from a young age. She started CrossFit in 2015, which led to her interest in powerlifting and weightlifting. She's passionate about helping women overcome their fear of lifting weights and teaching them how to fuel their bodies properly. When she's not training in her garage gym or working, you can find her drinking coffee, walking her dog, or indulging in one too many pieces of chocolate.
