Fitness expert recommends three essential items for affordable home gyms

New York-based fitness coach Jacob Zemer suggests that building an effective home gym does not require expensive or elaborate setups. According to Zemer, three affordable items—resistance bands, dumbbells, and an adjustable fitness bench—are sufficient to train all major muscle groups.

Zemer warns that the biggest waste of money in home fitness is purchasing bulky, difficult-to-install, or space-consuming equipment that is not used consistently. He notes that equipment with high setup requirements often goes unused, and the resale value for specialized, heavy machinery can be nearly zero.

Recent data highlights a growing trend in wellness spending. A YouGov poll from September 2026 indicates that 31% of Americans are spending more on health and wellness than the previous year, with 20% expecting further increases. Additionally, a survey by the Garage Gym Experiment found that 44% of respondents planned to spend at least $1,000 on their home gyms this year.