4 minSociety
Fitness Expert Says Home Gym Money Waster Is Often About Space and Setup, Not Equipment
New York fitness coach Jacob Zemer says the biggest home gym money-waster is bulky, hard-to-set-up equipment that rarely gets used, and he recommends starting with bands, adjustable dumbbells and an adjustable bench.
Americans are spending more on health and wellness, and home gym enthusiasts are pouring a growing share of that money into equipment. But the biggest waste of money in a home gym may not be a specific machine or gadget, according to New York-based fitness coach Jacob Zemer. It is anything that takes up significant space and is difficult to set up or use consistently.
Zemer, who spoke with Fox News Digital about the most worthwhile investments for working out at home, said the problem is not that people buy the wrong brand. It is that they buy equipment that is cumbersome to move, requires too much preparation, or serves only one purpose. That kind of gear tends to sit unused, and the resale market for used gym equipment is unforgiving.
«The most important thing is that it’s quick and easy to set up, easy to grab and therefore more likely to be used,» Zemer said. «The more setup it requires, the less likely you will be to use it.»
The spending trend is real. A YouGov poll conducted in September 2026 found that 31% of Americans are spending more on health and wellness than a year earlier, while 20% expect to spend more in the coming year. A separate 2026 poll by Garage Gym Experiment, an online community for home fitness enthusiasts, found that 44% of respondents expected to spend at least $1,000 on their home gyms that year.
Zemer said building an effective home gym does not require an elaborate setup. For someone starting from scratch, he recommends beginning with a few affordable pieces and adding equipment over time. «You can accomplish everything for every muscle group with just three items,» he said.
Exercise bands are a good first investment, according to Zemer, because they are inexpensive and effective, especially for people new to strength training. They are also portable, which makes them useful for travel and hotel workouts. When choosing dumbbells, he said, floor space matters, particularly if the home gym shares a room with other purposes. Adjustable dumbbells take up little room, though they cost more and some models are slightly fragile.
Beginners should focus first on proper form and choose a weight that makes the final repetitions challenging. Progress does not always mean moving to heavier dumbbells. «Pushing yourself doesn’t mean adding 20 pounds — it could mean doing one more rep,» Zemer said. Once a high number of repetitions becomes easy, it may be time to increase the weight.
An adjustable bench can add versatility for exercises that are awkward to perform lying on the floor or standing. Zemer suggests looking for one that both declines and inclines, and perhaps sits completely upright. Before buying any piece of equipment, he recommends considering how much space it requires, how many exercises it supports and whether it will be easy to use consistently.
Zemer learned that lesson himself after buying lever arms, attachments that connect to a power rack and move up and down for exercises such as presses, rows and squats. The equipment was cumbersome to move, so he eventually sold it secondhand. «The secondhand market of gym equipment is brutal, so if you buy something, and you don’t use it, the resale value is next to none,» he cautioned.
He recommends prioritizing items that serve multiple purposes rather than devices designed to target just one body part. Cardio equipment is not essential for everyone, especially for those who are mobile. Many people can raise their heart rate through walking, running or faster-paced strength workouts. For those who prefer a cardio machine, Zemer suggests choosing something versatile and less likely to aggravate the knees or back, such as a stationary bike or a ski erg, which simulates the motion of cross-country skiing.
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