Dropin Magazin | Home Gym mit cross equip

Home is where the gym is

Sometimes the hardest part of training is actually getting to the gym or boxing. But that doesn't necessarily have to do with a lack of motivation: Perhaps work, family commitments (or a pandemic) make it difficult to be in the right place at the right time. For these and other situations, a home gym can offer the ideal alternative. But what are the must-haves? And how do you design and create the perfect "home, sweet home gym"?

Text: Matthias Mehl Images: zVg

Often, this largely depends on your own state of mind: Some days, there's nothing better than working out with other people, loudly encouraging each other, and then celebrating your achievement with an exhausted high-five. Other days, however, you might be more in the mood for loud music from your headphones while you're all alone.


working on strength, technique or endurance.

"Of course, you can also train very well for yourself in a gym or CrossFit box," says Felix Egli, head coach of CrossFit Züri Oberland. This is why most boxes have an open gym area. However, if you prefer a more intimate setting, at least temporarily, you should consider the idea of a gym in your own home.

Of course, the spatial conditions must first be right for a home gym. An unused room, an empty part of the garage, or a free (or clearable) corner of the basement are ideal for laying the foundation for your home fitness temple. "You can and should be a little creative," explains Felix Egli. As the founder and managing director of cross equip, he is very familiar with equipment.


from gyms. His advice: "Start with minimal equipment and conduct a test phase, so to speak." This way, you can find out whether you really enjoy training at home and whether the space provided is actually suitable.

Clarify questions in advance

According to Felix, the beginning of a personal home gym journey involves two essential questions: What improvement do I hope to achieve compared to my current situation? And what specific training goals do I want to achieve within my own four walls?


"Because if I want to replace my gym membership with my home gym, for example, I have to design it differently than if I only do supplementary training sessions at home."
The same applies, of course, to training goals: Those who want to build strength and muscle need different tools than those who are interested in increasing endurance. "Lifting or cardio, heavy dumbbells or bodyweight, challenging or less complex movement sequences—you really have to be clear about a few things before you start setting up your home gym," says Felix Egli.

For athletes who want to perform functional and therefore varied training at home, a healthy mix of strength, cardio, bodyweight, and recovery equipment is recommended. "That may sound like a lot of equipment, but it's not necessary – provided you plan it cleverly." For example, strength training can be boosted with just a few dumbbells, kettlebells, and a barbell.

The number of weight plates depends on the individual level. Alternatively, you can really get your muscles burning with mini bands of varying strengths. "If you have the necessary space and want to practice classic lifting techniques, a lifting platform, for example, is ideal."

When it comes to getting your heart rate up, however, almost nothing is needed: "If the ceiling height allows it, a jump rope is a great option," says Felix (as absolutely anyone who has ever had to do double unders can confirm). Burpees don't even require any equipment, and anyone who buys a suitable wooden or plastic box can perform the ever-popular box jumps at home. A skierometer or a rowing machine are also relatively easy to fit under the roof and are also suitable for a quick training session in between.

And what about regeneration? "A yoga mat is actually enough for recovery," says Felix. If you also buy some foam rollers, balls, and resistance bands, you can ideally look after yourself even after physically demanding workouts. "Not least because a lot of this recovery work takes place on the floor, you should think about how to cover it." A rubber floor not only makes lying on it more comfortable, but also protects the building structure – and, in some cases, the neighbors' nerves. "If it's just a matter of sealing the floor with a cushioning and comfortable surface, you can also use Tatatmi mats or rubber mats from the hardware store.


» However, if you want to lift and drop weights in your own home, you'll need to do more preparatory work (you can find more on sound and vibration protection in the following article). Basically, the same requirements apply at home as in the gym: If you need more protection, you need to choose the right surface. These range from 15- to 40-millimeter-thick rubber flooring to dropping mats and practical Getzner plates.

After training, all the equipment should, of course, be easy to store and save space. Here, again, there are various options.

"The range extends from modular, expandable, freestanding storage shelves, perfect for storing kettlebells and dumbbells, to integrated solutions consisting of a pull-up bar, lifting rack, and storage elements." Whatever you ultimately choose, the expert advises: "Take the time you need to carefully consider your options and set your budget. And start small and carefully—because you can always expand."

Your training philosophy and training plan are always the most important consideration when setting up a home gym. But if you don't have a concrete plan yet, we have the perfect starting point for you with these three starter sets.

The first question is whether you want to do strength-building exercises exclusively or whether you want to supplement these with cardiovascular exercises.

• Flat bench
• Eco Squat Stand
• Multisports Bar 20 kg
• Black Bumper Plates
• Rubber Change Plates
• Eco Lock Jaw Collars
• Powder-coated kettlebells
• Rubber Hex Dumbbells

• Flat bench
• Power Rack Special
• Multisports Bar 20 kg
• Color Bumper Plates
• High Grade Change Plates
• Lock Jaw Pro Collar
• Powder-coated kettlebells
• Rubber Hex Dumbbells

• Multisports Bar 20 kg
• Color Bumper Plates
• High Grade Change Plates
• Lock Jaw Pro Collar
• Powder-coated kettlebells
• Rubber Hex Dumbbells
• Wall Balls
• High Grade Plyobox
• Concept2 Rower
• Resistance bands
• Aluminum Deluxe Jump Rope
• Eco Gym Rings
• Abmat

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