Home Gym vs Gym Membership Calculator

Is a home gym cheaper than a gym membership? Compare the real cost over time, including travel, and see when your equipment pays for itself.

Home gym
Lubricant, belts, apps or subscriptions.
Gym membership
Fuel, parking or bus fare, there and back.

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Home gym–
Gym membership–

What’s included

  • Home gym: equipment and extras up front, yearly upkeep, minus what you could sell it for at the end. Good-quality kit often holds its value well second-hand.
  • Gym membership: monthly fee, joining fee and the cost of getting there, which many people forget. £2 a visit, three times a week, adds about £26 a month.

What the numbers don’t show

  • Time: a 20-minute round trip three times a week adds up to about 50 hours a year.
  • Variety: gyms give you classes, pools and far more equipment.
  • Motivation: some people train better at the gym, others only train if it’s at home. Be honest with yourself.
  • Space: a home gym needs room. Use our ceiling height calculator before you buy.

Build your home gym

See home gym on a budget, best exercise bikes and best treadmills.

Frequently asked questions

Is a home gym cheaper than a gym membership?

Usually, over two years or more, especially once you include travel. A £500 setup typically pays for itself within about a year compared with a £30-a-month membership plus travel.

How much does a gym membership cost in the UK?

Budget gyms often charge around £20 to £35 a month, while full-service clubs can cost £50 to £100 or more. Enter your own figures for an accurate comparison.