Biggest waste of money in your home gym may surprise you, fitness expert says

Americans are spending more on , research shows — and for some home gym enthusiasts, the cost can quickly climb into the thousands.

A YouGov poll conducted in September 2026 found that 31% of Americans are spending more on health and wellness than a year ago, while 20% expect to spend more in the coming year.

Meanwhile, a 2026 poll by Garage Gym Experiment, an online community for enthusiasts, found that 44% of respondents expected to spend at least $1,000 on their home gyms this year.

But building an effective home gym doesnt have to break the bank, according to New York-based fitness coach Jacob Zemer.

The biggest home gym money-waster may not be a particular piece of equipment, he said, but rather anything that takes up significant space and is difficult to set up or use consistently.

Zemer spoke with Fox News Digital about the most worthwhile investments for — and which equipment may not deliver enough bang for the buck.

"A lot of people think building a home gym requires an elaborate setup, and it doesn't," Zemer said.

If someone is building a home gym from scratch, the fitness pro recommends starting with a few affordable pieces and adding equipment over time.

10-MINUTE FITNESS HABIT CAN HELP ADULTS OVER 40 MAINTAIN MUSCLE AND STAY STRONG

"You can accomplish everything for every muscle group with just three items," he said.

Exercise bands are a good first investment, Zemer said, "just because they're so incredibly affordable."

Theyre also very effective, he said, especially for those who are new to strength training.

"You can do everything you need to with just those pieces of equipment — and you can travel with them, bring them on a plane and to a hotel, which makes them very versatile," Zemer said.

When choosing dumbbells, its important to consider how much floor space theyll take up — especially if the home gym is in a room with multiple purposes, according to Zemer.

"With adjustable dumbbells, you can have a very small floor print — however, they are a little bit more costly, and some of them are slightly fragile, so just be mindful of that," he advised.

4 SIMPLE HABITS CAN HELP SLOW MUSCLE LOSS AS YOU AGE, FITNESS EXPERT SAYS

Beginners should first focus on learning the proper form and choosing a weight that makes the final repetitions challenging, according to Zemer.

Progress doesnt always mean moving to heavier dumbbells, he noted.

"Pushing yourself doesnt mean adding 20 pounds — it could mean doing one more rep," Zemer said. "You need to progressively , because your body will adapt to the stimulus youre using."

Once it becomes easy to complete a high number of repetitions, it may be time to increase the weight.

With some exercises, it can be limiting if you have to lie on the floor or stand, Zemer said.

"You can get quite an affordable bench online," he said. "I would look for one that both declines and inclines, maybe even perhaps sits completely upright. That will give you a lot of versatility."

Before buying a piece of home gym equipment, Zemer recommends considering how much space it requires, how many exercises it supports and whether it will be easy