A lot of people are unable to access the gym at the moment and realizing that they might be able to take care of their fitness at home.
Bodyweight exercises can get repetitive though, and aren’t always great for people who are used to heavy resistance. Going for runs or walks outside is great for cardio but it won’t be a full-service workout that a gym can provide.
If you can figure out how to build a home gym on a budget, you can get a full workout without leaving the comfort of your property. Even if you have a regular gym, there may always be situations that leave you homebound and the convenience of a home gym will certainly be appreciated.
If you want to build your home gym on a budget, keep reading for a few essentials and tips.
Affordable Essentials and Supplies
There are a few things that a home gym needs or that can make your experience a lot smoother. While some gym equipment can be quite pricey, some things on this list can be really affordable.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are a great way to get a workout in without taking up too much space. They’re multi-functional, easy to tuck away in small spaces, and great for all different kinds of movements.
The smaller bands are perfect for glute and hip exercises, and the larger ones are perfect for the abs, arms, and back (although they have many other functions as well).
Grabbing a few of each size in several resistances is a great way to get a workout in without breaking the bank.
Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells might seem costly to start, but they’re cheaper (and more space-efficient) than buying a whole set. Typically, these dumbbells come with multiple attachable weights that can adjust the overall weight of the tool.
These are great for small spaces and for people who have varying strength needs either within their households or within themselves. Is your lower body far stronger than your upper body? Maybe you can do lunges with 100 lbs, but chest presses with 50 lbs.
These are perfect for that and great for getting a lot of weight in on a budget.
Jumprope
If you’re only looking at the small and affordable objects, you’re not likely to look at a treadmill for your home gym. How are you going to get your cardio?
If you’re building a home gym on a budget, a jump rope is going to be your best friend.
Sure, you can run outside. That’s great exercise. But what about those days where it’s raining, or where you just want cardio intervals between your weights?
Jumping rope is a great way to get that heart rate up in a small amount of space for next to no money. You can find these ropes at any toystore.
A Mirror
If you’re going to be resistance training, you need to be focusing on form.
Proper form is essential to getting the most out of your workout as well as ensuring that you’re not going to get injured.
Home gym mirrors are a great way to gauge your form, especially for new exercises.
Keeping a mirror behind your weights allows you to keep an eye on it when attempting new exercises or heavier lifts. While we may think that we always have good form, we’re not perfect and we can make mistakes that can end up painful.
You might not need a full mirrored wall while you’re working on a budget (though wouldn’t that be nice?) but a mirror that can show you your full body is crucial if you’re lifting.
More Expensive Items
There are some fitness materials that are harder to get for a budget fitness room. We’ll discuss in the next section a few tips and tricks that you can use to try to find some of these items for yourself when you’re working with limited resources. Here are just a few things that you might want to look out for.
- A bench, either flat or adjustable
- A weight rack or squat rack
- Plates in various weights and a barbell that fits them
- Exercise machines (including bikes, treadmills, and weight machines)
These things might be necessities for the more experienced gymgoers, but for the average home gym, these are luxuries.
Tips on Affordability
When you’re trying to figure out how to build a home gym on a budget, you’re going to have to think outside the box.
Many fitness stores are expensive when it comes to their equipment. You’re going to have to look at other sources for your workout gear.
Buying used equipment is a great way to keep costs down while still getting those high-priced items that long-time gymgoers love to use. Check popular selling sites like Craigslist or even your social media marketplace for the equipment that you’re looking for.
Even secondhand shops will often have a fitness or sports section. Your absolute best bet will be garage sales or estate sales where people will be getting rid of items that they likely are just replacing.
Try to make sure the machine works before you spend too much money on it. If it’s a squat rack, make sure that it’s stable and has all of its pieces.
If you must buy new equipment, there are several ways to price-shop online. If you’re on a budget, maybe consider one item that’s a “must-have” for buying new.
How to Build a Home Gym on a Budget: You Can Do It!
If you’re trying to figure out how to build a home gym on your limited budget, it’s not impossible. You might not have all of the frills or machines of the gyms that require monthly memberships, but if you keep your costs low, your gym will be paying for itself in no time.
Invest in your fitness without burning a hole in your pocket.
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