Home Gym for Small Spaces: UK Apartment Guide

Not sure which setup is right for you?

You don't need a garage to build an effective home gym. A corner of a bedroom, a slice of living room, or a balcony can work with the right equipment choices.

The Minimum Viable Space

2m x 2m handles most dumbbell and bodyweight exercises. That's smaller than a single bed.

For cardio, add 0.5m x 1.5m for a bike or allow the rowing machine to extend past your workout area.

Essential Compact Equipment

**Adjustable Dumbbells**

The [MuscleSquad Adjustable Dumbbells](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F5B4TNP2?tag=homegymadvice-21) (£189) measure just 42cm long, among the most compact available. They replace 15+ pairs of fixed dumbbells in a space smaller than a shoebox.

Resistance Bands

[Gritin Resistance Bands](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CQ2NCJYF?tag=homegymadvice-21) (£9) store in a drawer and add resistance to any exercise. Anchor them in a door frame for lat pulldowns, rows, and chest flies.

Doorway Pull-Up Bar

The [ONETWOFIT Pull-Up Bar](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B8DPGCY?tag=homegymadvice-21) (£26) mounts in most door frames without screws. Pull-ups, hanging leg raises, and dead hangs, all from something that removes in seconds.

Foldable Bench

The [Flybird Adjustable Bench](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CB6251B2?tag=homegymadvice-21) (£89) folds completely flat. Slide it under a bed or stand it in a closet between workouts.

Compact Cardio Options

Exercise bikes fit most spaces. The [JLL IC300](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FXFCT5NL?tag=homegymadvice-21) (£179) has transport wheels for easy repositioning and fits in a 1.2m x 0.5m footprint.

Rowing machines are trickier because they're long when in use. The [JLL R200](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FX2WL2FK?tag=homegymadvice-21) (£59) folds vertically for storage, occupying just 0.5m x 0.3m floor space.

Walking pads (under-desk treadmills) are another option. They slide under furniture when not in use.

Noise Considerations for Flats

Quiet options: - Magnetic resistance bikes and rowers - Adjustable dumbbells with no plates clanking - Resistance bands - Bodyweight exercises on a thick mat

Loud options to avoid: - Air rowers (fan noise) - Jumping exercises without proper flooring - Dropping weights, which is never acceptable in flats

A [thick exercise mat](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BKQRWHT?tag=homegymadvice-21) of 15mm or more reduces impact noise and protects floors from dumbbell damage.

Storage Solutions

- Adjustable dumbbells on their base in a corner - Resistance bands in a drawer - Foldable bench under bed or behind furniture - Pull-up bar removes and stores in closet - Yoga mat rolls and stands vertically

The Small Space Workout

With just [adjustable dumbbells](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F5B4TNP2?tag=homegymadvice-21), a [foldable bench](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CB6251B2?tag=homegymadvice-21), and [resistance bands](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CQ2NCJYF?tag=homegymadvice-21), you can train every muscle group effectively. That's under £300 of equipment that stores in a closet.

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