Americans are spending more on health and wellness, research shows — and for some home gym enthusiasts, the cost can quickly climb into the thousands.A YouGov poll conducted in September 2026 found that 31% of Americans are spending more on health and wellness than a year ago, while 20% expect to spend more in the coming year.Meanwhile, a 2026 poll by Garage Gym Experiment, an online community for home fitness enthusiasts, found that 44% of respondents expected to spend at least $1,000 on their home gyms this year.FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS 6 THINGS PEOPLE OVER 35 SHOULD DO AFTER WORKOUTS TO STAY STRONGBut building an effective home gym doesn’t have to break the bank, according to New York-based fitness coach Jacob Zemer.The biggest home gym money-waster may not be a particular piece of equipment, he said, but rather anything that takes up significant space and is difficult to set up or use consistently.Building an effective home gym doesn’t have to break the bank, according to New York-based fitness coach Jacob Zemer (right).(Jacob Zemer)Zemer spoke with Fox News Digital about the most worthwhile investments for working out at home — and which equipment may not deliver enough bang for the buck."A lot of people think building a home gym requires an elaborate setup, and it doesn't," Zemer said.If someone is building a home gym from scratch, the fitness pro recommends starting with a few affordable pieces and adding equipment over time.10-MINUTE FITNESS HABIT CAN HELP ADULTS OVER 40 MAINTAIN MUSCLE AND STAY STRONG"You can accomplish everything for every muscle group with just three items," he said.Exercise bands are a good first investment, Zemer said, "just because they're so incredibly affordable."They’re also very effective, he said, especially for those who are new to strength training.Exercise bands are a good first investment, Zemer said, "just because they're so incredibly affordable." (Jacob Zemer)"You can do everything you need to with just those piece...