Small Space Gym Ideas: How to Build a Fully-Functional Workout Space in Under 150 sq ft
Living in a tiny apartment? You’re not alone. The average apartment size in the U.S. has shrunk from over 1,000 sq ft in 2000 to about 900 sq ft in 2020. Meanwhile, 50 % of Americans skip workouts because they “don’t have room”. These small space gym ideas prove you don’t need a garage or spare room—just a little creativity and the right foldable gym equipment.
Quick Win: See an 8×6 ft Corner Become a Mini Gym in 30 Minutes
Imagine coming home, unfolding a wall-mounted gym equipment rack, sliding out a compact home gym setup bench, and finishing a full-body session before your rice cooks. Below we’ll show you the exact products, prices, and layout tricks so you can copy-paste the look in any studio flat, hallway niche, or bedroom corner.
Core Idea #1 – Think Vertical First
Wall-Mounted Fold-Back Racks
When floor space is gold, walls pay rent. A fold-back power rack folds flat against the wall after use. Look for models that hold up to 250 kg and sit only 10 cm deep when closed. Install into solid studs or brick—never plasterboard alone.
Vertical Plate Holders & Dip Stations
Pair your rack with space saving weight storage pegs. One bar holds five 20 kg plates and takes zero floor space. Add a dip station that hooks onto the same uprights for tricep dips and knee raises.
Pro Tip
Use a magnetic level and a cheap stud-finder (under £10) to mark safe drill points. Renter? Use heavy-duty toggle bolts rated for 150 kg shear weight. source
Core Idea #2 – Fold & Stow
Foldable Benches That Collapse to <4 in Depth
The BowFlex SelectTech bench folds to 3.5 in and slides behind a door. Pair it with adjustable dumbbells and you’ve got a minimalist home gym that disappears when guests arrive.
Treadmills That Hide Under the Bed
The Xterra TR150 deck folds to 13 cm high and weighs 45 kg—light enough to wheel under most beds. Add a bed-skirt and you’ll never know it’s there.
Magnetic Resistance Bars
A 1 m bar that splits into three pieces sticks to the inside of your wardrobe door. Add resistance bands and you’ve got a 30 kg rower substitute. source
Core Idea #3 – Every Piece Earns Its Rent
Multi-Functional Gym Equipment Selector
- Adjustable dumbbells – 5–52 kg in one twist
- Kettle-Grip handle – turns any dumbbell into a kettlebell in 5 s
- Wall-mounted cable station – doubles as TRX anchor and suspension-trainer post
One square metre, three workout styles. That’s the magic of multi-functional gym equipment.
Storage Hacks for Tiny Homes
Ceiling-Mounted Bike Pulley for Resistance Bands
Hang the pulley above your living-room bike. Clip in loops of latex bands and you’ve got a lat-pulldown station that lifts away after use.
Peg-Board for Accessories
Paint a 60 cm square peg-board the same colour as your wall. Hooks hold jump ropes, bands, and even your foldable yoga mat.
Toe-Kick Drawers Under Kitchen Cabinets
Those 10 cm toe-kick spaces hide 2 kg micro-weights perfectly. Sneaky? Yes. Renter-friendly? Absolutely—no screws needed. source
Sample 50 sq ft “Micro-Gym” Layouts
Studio Flat – Living-Room Corner
| Item | Size (cm) | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-mounted fold-back rack | 120 x 60 x 25 | £199 |
| Foldable bench | 110 x 30 x 8 | £129 |
| Adjustable dumbbells 52 kg | 40 x 20 x 20 | £299 |
| Resistance-band peg-board | 60 x 60 x 2 | £25 |
| Total | — | £652 |
Studio Office – Under-Desk Setup
Slide a 1 m fold-flat treadmill under your standing desk. Add a 1 kg under-desk elliptical for active Zoom calls.
Hallway Niche – 1.2 m Wide
Mount a vertical bar holder on one wall, a mirror with hidden storage on the opposite. You’ve got a 1 m aisle that doubles as a deadlift strip and a full-length mirror for form checks.
Minimalist Aesthetic Tips
Colour-Matched Gear
Choose all-black or all-white gear. It blends with décor so the space still feels like home, not a garage.
Hidden Mirror Storage
A 5 cm deep mirror cabinet hides resistance loops and massage balls. Mount at eye-level for selfies and safety checks.
Cable-Management for Tech
Run USB-C strips behind furniture. Use Velcro ties so your smart speaker and tablet stay charged for app-based workouts. source
Safety & Landlord Rules
Stud-Finding 101
Drill only into studs or solid brick. Use a £20 electronic stud-finder with live-wire warning.
Renter-Friendly Wall Anchors
Try Snaptoggle anchors rated for 150 kg each. Patch the 8 mm hole with filler when you move out—good as new.
Weight-Load Math
Plasterboard holds 20 kg max. Brick holds 250 kg per anchor. Know your wall before you load 100 kg of plates. source
Budget Tiers – Best Equipment for Small Gyms
£150 Bundle
- 3-piece resistance-band set
- Fold-flat jump box (30 cm)
- Door-frame pull-up bar
- Total: £149 on Amazon
£500 Bundle
- Wall-mounted fold-back rack
- Adjustable dumbbells 24 kg
- Foldable bench
- Total: £499 at Decathlon
£1 000 Bundle
- All of the £500 bundle
- Under-bed fold-flat treadmill
- Ceiling-mounted cable station
- Total: £999 source
Maintenance & Motivation
30-Second Fold-Up Routine
- Collapse bench and hook to wall.
- Return dumbbells to base.
- Roll resistance bands over peg-board.
- Close rack arms—done.
App-Based Timers
Apps like Nike Training Club remember your “stored” setup and auto-load your 20-min small-space HIIT. source
Conclusion – Never Outgrow Your Home
With these small space gym ideas you’ll never outgrow your home, even when your home is tiny. Pick one wall, one budget tier, and one 30-minute window tonight. Your future self—and your waistline—will thank you.
Ready to start? Download our free printable shopping list and tick off items as you build your own compact home gym setup. Then tag us on Instagram with #TinySweatZone so we can cheer you on!
