Why a Home Gym Makes Sense (Especially for Women Over 35)
December 19, 2025
Building a home gym you love to be in.
Building strength, staying lean, and maintaining energy isn’t just for the gym-regulars. For busy moms and women who want results without the commute, schedule stress or the crowds, a home gym is one of the smartest investments you can make.
Here’s why:
Convenience = consistency. When your workout space is right at home, you remove barriers like travel time, waiting for equipment, or scheduling conflicts. If you have time to Netflix and chill, you have time to lift.
Cost-effectiveness over time. Instead of dozens of gym visits (and membership fees), upfront gear pays off as your permanent set-up.
Privacy + focus. Working out at home removes distractions, lets you train on your terms, and feel empowered rather than intimidated. No need to feel insecure when there is no one watching except the family dog.
Longevity and strength mastery. After 35, maintaining lean muscle mass, bone density, posture and metabolic health becomes even more important. Having a solid strength toolkit at home gives you freedom to build what matters — not just cardio or random machines.
Custom Workouts. By having a solid home gym set up you can have a solid, custom program built around the equipment you have ready to go at home (I know a great coach who can help!)
Must-Have Home Gym Essentials
Here are the foundational pieces I recommend for a smart home-gym setup. These aren’t “luxury extras” though I certainly have suggestions for those too — they’re the core tools that will let you train like you mean it, build strength, and stay consistent.
The Basics
My favorite walking pad : In the PNW I don’t always feel like walking in the rain. This walking pad sits neatly in my living room so now I can get my steps in while binge watching my favorite Housewives.
Rubber flooring or Stall Mats: Whether in your garage or a home office setup, protecting your floors and protecting your equipment is critical. Not only is it for safety while lifting, but having a sturdy flooring underneath will help you feel more comfortable as you lift (and protect your investments.) I like the interlocking tiles for ease of install and to easily adjust the size you need, but they are not quite as robust as stall mats. Stall mats are however incredibly heavy, difficult to rearrange and maneuver and take up a good amount of space so may be best for garages!
Adjustable Weight Bench: An adjustable incline/flat bench is one of the most under-valued pieces of home equipment. It lets you do presses, rows, step-ups, incline work, and more. Opt for a higher quality one here if you can. There is nothing worse than a light weight bench slipping out from under you in the middle of a workout.
The Bonuses
Olympic Barbell: Unless you plan on getting into Powerlifting (focusing only on heavy bench pressing, squatting and deadlifting) opt for a bar that is smooth in the center (no knurling) to avoid abrasions on your back and chest when you lift! A good bar lasts forever if you take care of it.
Color‑Coded Bumper Plate Set: If you purchase an Olympic barbell or want to build toward one, a bumper plate set gives you options for heavy lifts, deadlifts, squats, and progressions.
Squat Rack or Squat Stand: If you plan to do any heavy squatting or overhead pressing (eventually), investing in a squat rack (with a pull-up bar) or a squat stand (without a pull-up bar) just makes sense. One important feature to look for if you can is for the tall upright pieces to be one solid piece of steel. This allows more stability for pull-ups and less chance of buckling under heavy loads.
Barbell Clips: When using your barbell and bumper plates make sure to use clips on either end to hold the plate on (except when bench pressing for safety reasons!) While we always hope to be nice and level, humans aren’t always symmetrical and the bar may tilt slightly while moving, causing plates to slide off and your balance to be compromised! It’s maybe the cheapest investment you can make in your home gym.
Resistance bands or Handled Resistance bands: Great for traveling and on the go, mobility work, and adding an extra layer of intensity to your workouts! I like having both kinds for different movements where holding the actual band can get uncomfortable on your hands.
How To Structure Your Home Workouts
With these tools, you’ll have nearly everything you need to build a strength-based home training routine. Here’s how to use them well:
Start with dumbbells + bench: If you’re just launching, a set of dumbbells + bench covers 80% of your strength moves (leg presses, glute bridges, dumbbell bench press, shoulder press, bent-over rows).
Add barbell + plates when ready: Once you’re foundation is solid, adding an Olympic barbell + bumper plates lets you move toward heavier lifts, compound movements (deadlift, squat, overhead press) and build more strength/bone density. If you are ready to lift even heavier you can add the squat rack/ squat stand.
Create a plan + schedule: Aim for 3–4 strength sessions/week (30-45 minutes). Use your home gym gear consistently. The more you treat it like a “real workout space,” the more you’ll use it.
Progress and variety: Use the dumbbells for higher rep work (10-15 range), the barbell for heavy lifts (5-8 range) , the bench for pressing, rows, step-ups, and incline work. Changing angles (flat, incline, decline) and rep ranges ensures you keep adapting. Make sure you are getting a squat, a hinge, a push and a pull movement in each week to stay well rounded.
Space, setup & safety: Make sure you have enough floor space, a stable floor or mat, and room around your bench/bar for safe movement. Rubber-coated dumbbells / bumper plates help protect your floor and reduce noise.
The Benefits You’ll Really Feel
Stronger body, better function: When you build strength, your daily life (carrying groceries, playing with kids, hiking, climbing stairs) becomes easier.
Metabolic & hormonal support: Strength training supports fat loss, preserves muscle mass, boosts metabolic rate, and helps with bone health — all key after 35.
Time-efficient training: Home workouts eliminate the drive to/from gym, waiting for equipment, and streamline your focus. You can be done, confident, and back to your day.
Consistency builds results: A workout space in your home makes showing up simpler. And consistency is the key variable for transformation.
Confidence + control: Owning your workout zone gives you autonomy. You decide the intensity, the time, and the progress. That mindset shift alone is powerful.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been putting off building strength, or waiting for “the right moment,” this is it. Investing in the right equipment and setting up a home gym isn’t about buying fancy machines — it’s about creating a space where you can show up, train with purpose, and progress without excuses.
Treat your home gym like your training headquarters. Use it, own it, and watch your strength, mindset, and results all level up.
► Ready to build strength the smart way? Join me for 1:1 Coaching and create a plan that fits your gym, your schedule, and your goals. Apply Here.
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