Building your home gym on a budget may seem impossible, but it’s more accessible and more affordable than you may realize
Today I’m sharing how I built my home gym, the products I think give you the most bang for your buck, and why this gym equipment is a must-have for everyone working out from home.
These recommendations are perfect for people who don’t have a ton of space or even a spare room for a home gym.
Most fitness equipment is portable, so you can work out at home and when you’re away.
So what are you waiting for? Get your rear in gear!
So, I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to go to the gym most days.
I homeschool my kiddos, and there’s no childcare during the day for bigger kids.
My husband leaves insanely early and gets home only in time to eat dinner and have some solid conversation.
We have an absurd amount of obligations/things to do, and I want to get my workout done in the morning to be a somewhat calm mama for my little blessings.
For years I did Beachbody workouts and loved them, but it got to the point where I wanted to make up my workouts and branch out a lot.
That’s when I started collecting equipment.
Over the years, I’ve built a solid gym and feel absolutely free to work out when I want.
Now, for a disclaimer: I worked out in my garage for a couple of months and had a super sweet setup with a squat rack, bench, and everything.
Unfortunately, the said 100-year-old garage gave me respiratory problems (probably from 100-year-old rat poo), so I had to bring my equipment inside.
Sadly, our tiny house can’t accommodate my squat rack and bench.
I’m making it, though, with what I can have in my house, which means YOU CAN, TOO!
Many of the pieces I’m going to discuss can be found on Craigslist, eBay, and bookoo, so don’t think you’ll have to invest thousands of dollars.
So many lovely folks start with good intentions (around January 1st) and realize it isn’t happening.
Two years later, they sell their expensive equipment on these sites to buy something else they think they will stick with this time.
Here are my favs and stuff I use every. Single. Day. (except Sundays)…
Building Your Home Gym On A Budget:
1. Bowflex Selectech Dumbbells: If there’s one piece I can’t live without, it’s these fantastic dumbbells.
I can work every muscle with these gems and not worry that I can’t go heavy enough.
These go in the trunk of my car when we travel so I can still work out.
It’s a lifesaver when going home for Thanksgiving, so I don’t feel as guilty when I have to unbuckle my belt and ask for help to lift me off the couch after dinner).
These are highly recommending these and can’t say enough great things about them.
2. TRX: If you don’t have a pull-up bar (I don’t have a doorway that I can install because the molding is too thick), this is pretty great and versatile.
With this suspension system, I can work every body part using my body weight in some unique ways.
It also packs in your suitcase so that you can take it anywhere.
I, of course, don’t have access to cable machines, so I use the TRX for virtually all recommended cable exercises.
If you search for “TRX workouts,” you’ll see unlimited links and get an idea of how/why it’s pretty incredible.
3. Bosu Ball: I didn’t add this to my equipment until a couple of years ago, and I’m so happy to have it.
Not only can I do some pretty hardcore cardio on this ball, but it’s great to use as a bench (even for incline and decline bench) and core stability training.
My kids also blast on it, and my youngest bounces on it while doing school.
4. Plyometric box: My WONDERFULLY TALENTED, COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT HIM husband built me a plyo box a few years back, and we have both used it regularly.
He ingeniously made one side taller than the other, so I could change the level of intensity when using it for step-ups, jumps, etc.
But this big box was also so important when I didn’t have a Bosu Ball to use as a bench. You can buy one if you can’t build one, but they’re super expensive.
Learn How to Build Your Own Plyometrics Box
5. Resistance bands: Confession: I don’t have this type, but I wish I did.
My resistance bands are ancient and have been knotted where they busted, but they still get the job done.
With bands, I can work my lower body in a way that I can’t with weights.
Also, these can fit in your bags for travel (or even your purse).
Now, in addition to these pieces, I also have a ton of mats to protect my back when I’m lying down and the floor from the weights.
Also, I have a “play mat,” which is just a kitchen mat from Sam’s Wholesale that is for those that are standing in the kitchen a lot
. They’re pretty pricey if you want to buy an actual plyo mat, so I stick with this basic.
Well, there you have it.
You CAN work out at home! If the kids get in the way, let them have a snack and watch a movie for an hour or give them a project.
If you don’t have tons of money, save, ask for Christmas, and scour the internet for deals.
Start small and add on every year, and pretty soon, you’ll have a fully-functional “gym” right in your home.
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