Building the Ultimate Private Gym: Lessons from Sam Sulek's Setup
Creating a private training space that rivals commercial facilities is the dream of many fitness enthusiasts. When popular fitness personality Sam Sulek unveiled his new private gym, it showcased both the possibilities and considerations that go into building a premium training environment.
Equipment Selection Strategy
One of the first observations about Sulek's gym is his equipment sourcing strategy. He primarily chose Arsenal Strength equipment, which makes practical sense. Working with a single manufacturer often results in better deals, especially when ordering in bulk. This approach minimizes shipping costs and simplifies the ordering process.
However, this strategy does come with limitations. No single manufacturer excels at every type of equipment, and diversifying your equipment selection can provide better training variety and quality. For home gym builders working with more limited budgets, focusing on versatile, multi-function equipment might be the smarter approach.
Standout Equipment Pieces
Several machines in Sulek's gym deserve special attention:
- Arsenal Pullover Machine – This specialized piece features a Porello-inspired bench pad and includes a seatbelt for stability, which is an underrated feature in gym equipment.
- Texas Power Bar Smith Machine – Arsenal's unique approach of incorporating a Texas Power Bar with its knurling into their Smith machine creates a superior grip experience.
- Central Drive Leg Extension – The center drive mechanism eliminates deflection issues, making it ideal for heavy lifting.
- Updated Arsenal Pendulum Squat – This newer model features Olympic plate posts on the front, allowing weight to offset the machine more effectively.
Dumbbell Selection
Sulek's gym features a complete set of dumbbells ranging from 5 to 150 pounds. Interestingly, the urethane finish on the heavier weights has a matte appearance while the lighter ones are shiny—an inconsistency that might bother some gym owners.
There's value in having dumbbells beyond your current lifting capacity. This concept parallels the idea of an “anti-library”—having goals physically represented in your space can be both humbling and motivating. For home gym owners with space constraints, adjustable dumbbells like Rep Fitness Peppins could provide similar weight ranges in a fraction of the footprint.
Space Considerations
Sulek plans to add mirrors to multiple walls, which is a smart decision for any gym space. Mirrors not only allow you to check form but also make the space feel larger and bring in more light.
His gym includes multiple chest machines at different angles. For home gym builders looking to replicate this setup without the space requirements, multi-function machines from companies like Prime Fitness, paired with adjustable benches like Iron Master, can provide similar training options with significantly reduced footprint.
Potential Upgrades
While Sulek's gym is impressive, there are several potential upgrades that could enhance the space:
- Audio System – While he has a large speaker, a distributed Sonos system with multiple speakers and subwoofers would provide more balanced sound throughout the space.
- Alternative Equipment – Adding pieces like the Gym Lego flat chest press, Flex Fitness leverage press and row, Star Trac ham tractor, and Prime Fitness's adjustable plate-loaded equipment would introduce strength curve adjustments and biomechanical advantages.
- Grip Upgrades – Some of the cable attachments could be improved with better knurling or material quality.
Cardio Considerations
Sulek mentioned plans for adding cardio equipment, with a stair climber being a priority. For serious strength athletes, this makes sense as steppers provide intense cardio while building lower body endurance without excessive impact.
Building Your Own Premium Space
Creating a high-quality training environment doesn't necessarily require the budget of a fitness influencer. By focusing on versatile equipment, prioritizing key pieces that support your specific training goals, and understanding the biomechanics behind different machine designs, you can build an effective training space scaled to your needs.
The most impressive aspect of Sulek's gym isn't just the equipment itself, but the thought put into creating a complete training environment. From safety features to machine selection and placement, it's clear that function remained a priority alongside aesthetics.
For those looking to build their own premium training space, start with versatile foundational pieces, add specialized equipment based on your specific goals, and remember that a well-designed smaller gym can often provide better results than a sprawling collection of mediocre equipment.
