How to Set Up a Home Gym in Australia: The No-BS Guide

The home gym market is flooded with cheap equipment that looks decent in a photo and fails within two years. This guide will help you build a home gym that actually works — without buying twice.

Step 1: Know Your Space

The minimum viable strength zone is 3m x 3m. That covers a half cage or power cage, a barbell and plates, and a bench. Ceiling height matters — you need at least 2.4m for standard overhead pressing.

Step 2: Buy in the Right Order

  1. Rack or cage first. Everything positions around this. Start with the PSPX2 Half Cage or LCPC Pro if you want integrated cable work.
  2. Barbell and plates. A 20kg Olympic barbell and starter plate set covers most training.
  3. Bench. A quality adjustable FID bench handles flat, incline and decline. Don't cheap out — a bench that wobbles under heavy load is dangerous.
  4. Flooring. Rubber gym tiles protect your floor and reduce noise. Do this from day one.
  5. Accessories. Power bands, squat wedges, a weight vest fill the gaps a barbell can't cover.

Step 3: Buy Commercial Grade Once

A commercial-grade half cage from Phoenix Strength costs around $1,850. The cheap version from a mass retailer costs $600–900 and needs replacing within 3–5 years of regular use. The maths is simple: buy commercial grade once.

What a Real Home Gym Costs in Australia

  • Half cage: $1,850
  • 20kg Olympic barbell: $360
  • Bumper plate starter set: $400–600
  • FID bench: $490–660
  • Rubber flooring (3x3m): $300–400

Total: approximately $3,400–4,000. Less than 3 years of a gym membership, and every session after that is free.

Phoenix Strength ships everything from Sunshine Coast QLD with free delivery over $99. View the full home gym range or talk to Andy about your specific space.

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