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CLOSE YOUR EYES and imagine your dream gym. It might have a full set of the best dumbbells and barbells, a power rack, weight plates stacked from floor to ceiling, and kettlebells galore. Great. Now, where are you going to put all that stuff? If you’re looking to build a legit home gym, it’s important to ensure you have the space and budget for storage equipment.
Without the right storage, your space becomes cluttered with stray kettlebells and barbells strewn across the floor. You’ll accidentally create a safety hazard (watch your step!) and risk needlessly damaging your equipment. Our team researched the best home gym storage to help you maximize your space and prolong the lifespan of your home gym kit. Keep reading for our picks.
Best Home Gym Storage
What to Consider
What You’re Storing
What you own (and plan to own) dictates the type of storage you need. While some storage units can store multiple pieces of equipment, there aren’t many all-in-one storage solutions for home gym equipment. Barbells, weight plates, dumbbells, and kettlebells require different storage modes. Here are a few of the common storage types you can expect to find:
- Weight plate tree: This is a vertical steel pole with rods (or branches) protruding from the main beam to hold steel and bumper plates of various weights. Some can be mounted to a rack or wall. Other models sit on the floor.
- Barbell holders: You can mount these holders to a wall or power rack for vertical or horizontal barbell storage. Some companies make bases with slots that you vertically slide your barbell into. Most bases hold between four and eight barbells at a time.
- Racks: These heavy-duty shelving units can hold dumbbells, kettlebells, and/or medicine balls. Some racks are made exclusively for one piece of equipment. Some companies sell rack frames and shelving units separately, so you can customize the rack to your needs. For example, hold dumbbells on the first shelf, kettlebells on the second, and medicine balls on the third.
- Odds and ends: Depending on the scope of your set-up, you may have equipment such as weight collars, jump ropes, various grips for a cable machine, bands, ab wheels, foam rollers, massage guns, and more lying around. A shelving unit and/or wall-mounted peg board can keep your floor and rack clutter-free of these tools while keeping you organized. (No more wasting precious minutes looking for your second clip or foam roller.)
Our list focuses on standalone storage pieces. However, if you own a power rack, most manufacturers offer storage options—plate pegs, vertical barbell holders, and shelves—that can be attached to their racks.
Available Space
Barbell bases, weight plate trees, and dumbbell racks command a decent amount of space. If you’re looking for home gym storage, chances are you have enough room for at least a weight bench, a few dumbbells or kettlebells, and a power rack. If your space is on the smaller side (think a shed or one-car garage, you can maximize your space with wall-mounted options). If you’ve set up shop in a larger space, then you’re probably better off springing for a mass storage option (see Titan and Rogue on this list), which requires more relative room but can store plates, dumbbells, and kettlebells all in one unit.
Future Home Gym Additions
Consider the gym you want, not just the gym you have now. If you plan to own multiple kettlebells and, aside from your better judgment, more and more barbells, you’re better off buying more storage to accommodate future purchases.
How We Chose
Our editors and writer researched the different types of home gym storage that most people want and need to develop the list below. Some of these pieces have been tested by Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, Fitness and Commerce Editor Charles Thorp. Other options were selected from credible brands whose products we’re familiar with and trust. We considered footprint, utility, and the type of storage.
Pros
- Stores most types of training tools
- Wide shelves allow for stacked kettlebell storage
- Can add storage capabilities
Cons
- Very expensive
- Has a relatively large footprint
Rogue’s premium storage unit clinched our top spot for its quality and utility. This rack can store kettlebells, dumbbells, weight plates, and medicine balls, making it a solid all-in-one storage solution for most people. The 11-gauge steel rig can support well over 1,000 pounds and offers the most storage per foot of space of any pick on this list. The shelves are wide and angled down, making removing equipment and placing it back easy.
You can also add to this unit, vertically and laterally, for even more storage. This rack can grow alongside your gym. Rogue offers add-ons such as crossmembers and pegs for additional plate storage, as well as bands, belts, and chains. And if you want a mobile storage unit, Rogue sells a four-pack of wheels ($61).
“I’ve seen this rack in plenty of gyms and it’s as sturdy and versatile as they come,” says Men’s Health Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel. “Be thoughtful about the space you need before you put this together, though; you won’t want the hassle of adjusting it months later.”
We must call out the price. Rogue’s Mass Storage System is utterly expensive. It starts at $625, and the only freebie is the medicine ball shelf. Everything else costs extra. The kettlebell try is $90, the dumbbell tray is $125, and the crossmember is $145.
Type | Mass storage rack |
---|---|
Weight capacity | 1,000+ lbs |
Product weight | 269 lbs |
Materials used | 11-gauge steel |
Dimensions | 76.”L x 20.125”D x 75.75”H |
Pros
- Can hold up to 6 barbells
- Can store other items
- Is wall-mounted for a minimalist footprint
Cons
- Storage capacity is limited
- Will likely need additional storage units
Mount this barbell holster onto your wall for a clutter-free environment and an aesthetic boost. Colorado-based REP Fitness laser cut this wall mount in the shape of mountains for a cool look. Functionally, we like REP’s wall storage for its ability to hold multiple types of equipment.
Most folks don’t need (or want) more than one barbell. If you’re an Olympic weightlifter or powerlifter, you may benefit from buying a weightlifting or power bar. Otherwise, six barbell slots are more than you’ll ever require — which is great since you can use those slots to hang other equipment that may intrude on your wall space (barbell clips, bands, belts, and chains). Samuel does own multiple bars and notes that this holder doesn’t work well with specialty barbells, like his Swiss barr and Duffalo bar.
That said, if you’re looking for barbell storage, you likely own a bench, power rack, and weight plates. Depending on how tidy you like your space, you must purchase additional storage for these items. REPs Wall Storage doesn’t hold kettlebells or dumbbells, either.
Type | Vertical barbell holder |
---|---|
Weight capacity | N/A |
Product weight | 11 lbs |
Materials used | 6-gauge steel |
Dimensions | 24”L x 5.1”D x 9.75”H |
Pros
- Holds as many plates as you’ll need
- Has wheels for easy mobility
- Also holds barbells
Cons
- Our testers found it very tall
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and where there’s a barbell, there are weight plates. Titan’s weight plate tree can support up to a thousand pounds, equaling more weight plates than you’ll ever need (unless you’re Eddie Hall). It also holds two barbells (vertically), making this a great storage solution for powerlifters and Olympic lifters (who train primarily with a barbell).
“Part of me wishes they had a slightly shorter option with slightly less space between the top and middle rungs since most people are usually putting lighter (and smaller) change plates on the top rung,” Samuel adds.
Considering you can store all your plates and two barbells in just a few square feet, this plate tree maximizes your space. The built-in wheels allow you to move your equipment around. When you add to or renovate your gym, you won’t have to worry about stripping off all your plates and bars to move your plate tree — just roll it to a new spot.
Type | Weight plate tree |
---|---|
Weight capacity | 1,000 lbs |
Product weight | 54 lbs |
Materials used | 11-gauge steel |
Dimensions | 24.5”L x 24.5”D x 57.6”H |
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Pros
- Minimal footprint
- Available in 7 colors
- Lightweight rack
Cons
- Only holds 5 dumbbell sets
- Supports just 200 lbs
- No wheels
We like this dumbbell-only rack for its lightweight design, minimal footprint, and the ability to express yourself in its seven available colors. The A-frame design means you’ll stack the dumbbells vertically, making this an excellent rack for small spaces like one-car garages or offices-that-double-as-home gyms for our apartment-dwelling peeps.
“I used this small rack from CAP to keep my dumbbells in my New York apartment organized,” says Men’s Health Fitness and Commerce editor Charles Thorp. “For a lot of us, a few pairs is all you need to do a lot, and this piece helps prevent your workout area from turning into a mess. There are a lot of similar small racks out there, but most of them pretty flimsy.”
As Thorp notes, this rack may present some issues for advanced lifters. Because of its weight limit and vertical design, the heaviest dumbbells this rack can support are pairs of 40-, 30-, 20, 5-, and 2.5-pound dumbbells. Those weights are plenty for high-volume HIIT workouts or as an accompaniment to a yoga- or cardio-first routine, but some lifters may rapidly outgrow this rack.
Type | Dumbbell storage |
---|---|
Weight capacity | 200 lbs |
Product weight | 11 lbs |
Materials used | Alloy steel |
Dimensions | 14.37”L x 12.8”D x 25.98”H |
Pros
- Holds up to 3,000 lbs
- Adjustable shelves for customization
- Can hold multiple types of equipment
- Available in multiple dimensions
Cons
- Large footprint
- Doesn’t support barbells
- Aesthetically bland
Anyone with a growing home gym can benefit from heavy-duty shelves. Made from steel, DARTIIA five-shelf unit supports one-and-a-half-tons of weight. We love that you can adjust the height of the shelves to accommodate different equipment. For example, you can raise the top of the bottom shelf to stack weight plates or dumbbells and use the narrower gaps to store recovery equipment and accessories.
The major drawback is that this unit is six feet tall, though you can purchase different dimensions, so it’s not exactly a space-saving item (it will spare you clutter). If you’re a homeowner with a room or garage dedicated to your gym and a lot of equipment, shelving can save you a lot of space. Otherwise, you’re better off either buying a wall-mounted solution.
Type | Shelving |
---|---|
Weight capacity | 3,000 lbs |
Product weight | Varies based on dimensions |
Materials used | Cold-rolled steel |
Dimensions | Varies, model shown is 48”L x 24"D x 72"H |
Pros
- You can hang all sorts of equipment
- Can customize the board
- Takes up zero floor space
- Relatively cheap
Cons
- Can’t hold major equipment
- Accessories cost extra
Pegboards are commonly used in workshops to store tools; they’re also a great option for home gym owners. Mount this six-pound steel board into studs, and you can hang clips, bands, belts, and different grips (like D-handles, lat pulldown bars, and rope attachments), all of which are pieces of equipment that can slowly but surely encroach on your lifting space.
The board costs less than $30, so it’s a very cheap option for those who have a lot of accessories to store. The hooks, shelves, and dowels you mount onto the board will cost you extra. They’re still relatively cheap, but this isn’t a one-and-done purchase. You'll likely need more hooks if you want to add to your board or rearrange it significantly. We don’t consider this a deal-breaker, but just keep that in mind.
Type | Pegboard |
---|---|
Weight capacity | 200 lbs |
Product weight | 6 lbs |
Materials used | 20-gauge steel |
Dimensions | Varies, model shown is 16”H x 32”W |
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Pros
- Very affordable mass storage system
- Holds kettlebells, dumbbells, weight plates, and collars
- Minimal footprint relative to other storage racks
Cons
- Doesn’t store medicine balls or barbells
- 1,000 pounds isn’t as much weight as you think
Marcy’s storage rack is on our list because it costs $97, or $528 less than Rogue’s three-tier mass storage system. It also takes up considerably less space than Rogue’s system, making this a more cost- and space-effective choice for home gym owners.
“I like these racks from Marcy because they are as sturdy and functional as possible, even if they don't have the brand name recognition,” says Thorp. “There's plenty of room for a few sets of dumbbells and kettlebells, and it's also super easy to assemble.”
That said, the 1,000-pound weight limit, while substantial, isn’t as much as it may seem. For those who prefer powerlifting, you’re limited to only a handful of heavy dumbbells and weight plates and may need additional storage. However, this is a very specific problem. Most lifters should be able to store all of their weights. Also, note that this mass storage system doesn’t hold barbells or medicine balls (like Rogue’s), so you probably need additional storage solutions.
Type | Mass storage rack |
---|---|
Weight capacity | 1,000 lbs |
Product weight | 37.5 lbs |
Materials used | powder-coated steel |
Dimensions | 54”L x 18.5”W x 36”H |
Expert consulted:Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S.
Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is the fitness director of Men's Health and a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience. He's logged training time with NFL athletes and track athletes and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Before joining Men's Health, he served as a sports columnist and tech columnist for the New York Daily News.
Reviewed byCharles Thorp, NASM
Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world.
Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.