When starting off on your journey of creating your own home gym, you don’t need to invest in a whole bunch of expensive equipment. Here are 10 cost-effective ways for creating a cheap home gym of your own.
Creating a cheap home gym tips:
- Start with Basics: Begin creating a cheap home gym with essential equipment that you will enjoy using but that is also versatile, like dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, a jump rope or a yoga mat. These items are generally inexpensive and can be used for a wide range of workouts.
- Quality not Quantity: Buy quality branded equipment rather than cheap alternatives. Good quality gear will last a lifetime and save you from having to replace equipment. If you are looking to save money whilst creating a cheap home gym and decide to buy more budget friendly alternatives then make sure they have a lot of good genuine reviews and guaranteed durability.
- Buy Used Equipment: Look for used gym equipment on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or local thrift stores. Many people buy a lot of equipment only to lose motivation or join a local gym and sell their equipment at a fraction of its original cost. If you are paitent you can get really great deals on second hand equipment which can also sometimes be near new.
- Look out for Sales and Discounts: Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, or clearance items at fitness equipment stores as they are often on sale and have huge discounts. Bookmark the page in your internet browser to quickly check prices of equipment you are interested in. You could also sign up for newsletters from stores as they may also alert you to special promotions or discounts.
- Choose Multiple-Use Equipment: Invest in equipment that can serve multiple purposes. Avoid single use machines and rather opt for something that can be used for many different exercises. For instance, a set of adjustable dumbbells and a bench can be used for a whole range of exercises reducing the need for multiple machines. Squat racks can also be used for a good range of exercises.
- DIY Solutions: You can get creative with homemade solutions like weights or equipment. For example, you can use filled water bottles or sandbags as makeshift weights. A cut tennis ball can work fine as a makeshift landmine handle for your barbell to perform landmine exercises. There are plenty of DIY ideas online for making home gym equipment from household items.
- Subsitute exercises: Be flexible with your workout routine as you may not need to use single use exercise machines to get your desired outcome. An example is a leg extension machine, you can get a leg conditioner attachment for your weights bench that can work as a great substitute or you could perform an alternative exercise like lunges or squats. Dumbbells can generally replace the need for a whole range of machines if you are flexible with your workout exercises.
- Use Free Online Resources: There is a lifetime of free workout videos and apps available online. Platforms like YouTube have hundreds of thousands of workout routines that can guide you through exercises and keep you motivated.
- Opt for Bodyweight Exercises: Incorporate bodyweight exercises into your routine. Exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges and planks not only require no equipment but they are also very effective exercises that are great for conditioning and your health.
- Set Up a Dedicated Space: Creating a cheap home gym even in a small corner of a room can work well for an effective home gym. Keeping your equipment organized and in a designated area can help you stay motivated rather than if it is tucked away in a cupboard or under a bed. Check out further ideas for creating a minimalist home gym.
- Stick to a routine: Once you have a space, some exercises and some equipment, develop a exercise routine and schedule it in your calender to ensure your success.
Equipment ideas for creating a cheap home gym
If your looking for cheap home gym equipment to get started, check out the below budget friendly items on Amazon. Note: This post contains affiliate links and if you do decide to make a purchase we recieve a commission at no extra cost to you which helps support our site 🙂
Fitness Reality Squat Rack
The Fitness Reality squat rack is a great cheap squat rack to perform all your favourite compound exercises. With a 800lb weight capacity it will be sure to support you through your exercises and is one of the if not best value for money squat racks out there making it a very popular choice for home gyms.
CAP 7-Foot Olympic Barbell Pro Series
The CAP 7-Foot Olympic barbell pro series is the perfect budget friendly companion to your squat rack without compromising on durability and performance. Perform all your favourite compound exercises with this barbell like bench press, squats, rows, deadlifts and more.
Flybird Adjustable Weights Bench
Flybird have been especially popular over the last few years for producing great durable budget friendly weight benches. Offering great incline / decline range options as well as the ability to be folded making it a great choice if you are after a cheaper weights bench for your squat rack or used with dumbbells for all your exercises!
Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells
Bowflex Adjustable dumbbells allow you to have access to a full weight range of dumbbell weights easily accessible for your home gym without needing to buy or store a whole range of dumbbells. The ability to quickly select desired weight is great for those drop sets. Check them out!
Conclusion
By being strategic about what you buy and how you use it, creating a cheap home gym without needing to spend a lot of money is easily possible. Once you do decide to invest in more equipment you will be more intentional with what equipment is going to serve you well and be able to make great choices. All the best with creating your very own cheap home gym!