How Much Weight Do You Need to Buy For Your Home Gym?

The amount of weight a typical person needs for a home gym varies based on their fitness goals, current strength levels, and the types of exercises they plan to perform.  

Here are some general guidelines to help you determine the right amount of weight for your home gym. 

Strength Training Goals 

Beginner: If you're new to strength training, start with a lighter set of weights and gradually increase as you build strength. A set of adjustable dumbbells ranging from 5 to 50lbs can be sufficient. Check out the QuickDraw ™ adjustable dumbbell 50lb set. 

Intermediate: For lifters with some experience, a wider range of weights is beneficial. Dumbbells or kettlebells in 5lb increments from 5 to 75lbs can provide more variety. Check out the Hex Dumbbells 5-75lb set.  

Advanced: Experienced lifters may need heavier weights. Consider a set of adjustable dumbbells that go up to 100lbs or more, and a barbell with weight plates ranging from 2.5 to 45lbs. The REP® x PÉPIN FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell goes all the way up to 125lbs. You can find various bumper plate sets here. 

Type of Resistance 

There are various ways to create resistance in the gym. Here's a look at some options:  

Dumbbells: Adjustable dumbbells are space-saving and versatile, allowing you to perform a wide range of exercises. Fixed dumbbells in various weights can also be useful if space allows. Here’s a look at how to pick the best dumbbell for your home gym. 

Kettlebells: A set of kettlebells ranging from 10 to 50lbs can be useful for various exercises, including swings, squats, and presses. REP sells sets of kettlebells in kgs -- buy them as a single or double kettlebell. Learn more about how to incorporate kettlebells into your workout here.  

Barbells and Weight Plates: A barbell with weight plates is essential for many strength training exercises. A good starting plate set includes 2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 45lbs plates, totaling around 320lbs of weight. REP’s iron Equalizer™ plates come in a 320lb set that checks all the boxes.  

Resistance Bands: These can complement free weights and provide varying levels of resistance. You can use them alone or with compound lifts and band pegs to create different types of resistance. Here’s a look at the different kinds of resistance bands and how to use them.   

Cable Machines/Functional Trainers: A cable machine, also known as a functional trainer, is a versatile piece of equipment (stand-alone or rack attachment) that uses adjustable pulleys and weight stacks to provide resistance for a wide range of exercises. Read how to choose a cable machine here.  

Specific Considerations 

Compound Exercises: For exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, you might need heavier weights. A versatile barbell (like the multi-use Colorado Bar) with plates totaling around 320lbs is a good starting point for many people. 

Isolation Exercises: For exercises targeting smaller muscle groups (like bicep curls, tricep extensions), lighter weights (5-30lbs) are usually sufficient for beginners. If you're more experienced, you probably know how much you can lift and can select your weight purchase accordingly.  

Progressive Overload: Plan for progressive overload by having a range of weights that allow you to gradually increase the resistance as you get stronger. You can also keep adding more free weights to your home gym as you get stronger.  

Multiple Lifters: If multiple people will be using your home gym at the same time, take that into account when deciding how much weight you need to stock.     

Sample Weight Setup for a Home Gym 

This is a sample. This is only a sample. In the event of an actual home gym purchase, you are instructed to choose your own weight based on your own personal needs.  

Adjustable Dumbbells: A set ranging from 5-50lbs, like the QuickDraw ™ adjustable dumbbell 50lb set. You can add weight as you get stronger.

Kettlebells: A set ranging from 10-50lbs, like these kettlebells that come in lbs or kgs. If space is a constraint, REP also makes an Adjustable Kettlebell with three different weight ranges.  

Barbell and Plates: A 45lb multi-use barbell (like the Colorado Bar) with plates totaling around 300-340lbs, like the Black Bumper Plate set that goes up to 340lbs. Bumpers are great for a home gym, because they’re gentler on your floors.  

Resistance Bands: A set with varying levels of resistance, like this Pull-Up Bands set. 

Functional Trainer: If you have a power rack, there are a ton of cable machine attachment options to pick from. If you don’t have a rack, REP also makes various stand-alone functional trainers. A stand-alone functional trainer that takes up minimal space is the Adonis™ Cable Tower.  

Example Weight Setup for Different Strength Levels 

Beginner: Adjustable dumbbells (5-50lbs), resistance bands. 

Intermediate: Adjustable dumbbells (5-75lbs), kettlebells (10-50lbs), barbell with 200-340lbs of weight plates. 

Advanced: Adjustable dumbbells (5-100lbs), kettlebells (10-70lbs), barbell with more than 300lbs of weight plates, other specialized equipment. 

Note: A functional trainer is great for lifters of all levels. REP's options come with weight stacks that top out at 340-620lbs, a range that covers most lifters. 

Bottom line 

Ultimately, the specific weights you'll need depend on your personal fitness goals, the exercises you plan to perform, and your current strength levels. Starting with a versatile set of adjustable weights and adding more as needed can help you build a comprehensive home gym that meets your needs.