How to build a small home gym on a budget

If you're considering putting together your own home gym but are worried about the cost or the space that's required, I have some great news for you. You really don't need much equipment, space, or money to put together a great gym that produces outstanding results! In this post I will give you a glimpse of my home gym along with a detailed list of what you'll need to get started.

About 5 years ago I started putting together a home gym with a very limited budget. After doing some research online I put together a list of equipment I needed and started to purchase each piece individually as money became available.

1) The first item I purchased was a set of adjustable dumbbells. I love these things. Each dumbbell is easily adjustable from 10 to 50 lbs. They have a very sturdy feel to them and take up very little space. You can expect to spend somewhere between $100-$350 for a high quality set with a stand.

2) The second item I purchased was a foldaway adjustable weight bench. It's great because it can be used flat or can be adjusted to both incline and decline positions in a matter of seconds. There are a ton of exercises that can be preformed using this style bench and it folds up quickly for super compact storage. You can expect to spend somewhere between $50-$100 for a high quality bench.

3) The third item I purchased was a stationary bike. This especially comes in handy during the winter months when it's not as convenient to get in your cardio workout outdoors, or if you live in a high traffic area where riding a bike can be dangerous. Most come with a built in heart rate monitor / calorie counter for easy tracking and a nice cushy seat for a painless ride. You can expect to spend somewhere between $200-$300 for a high quality bike.

4) The fourth item I purchased was a exercise mat for stretching and doing crunches. Most models either fold up or roll up for easy storage. You can expect to spend somewhere between $25-$50 for a high quality mat.

5) The fifth item I purchased was the perfect pushup. It's unique design allows you to vary the type of push up you do day to day for added results. They put less strain on the wrists and can easily be taken with you while traveling. You can expect to spend somewhere between $20-$35 for a set.

6) The sixth item I purchased was the Iron Gym pull up bar. Even if you can't do any full body weight pull up's, you can easily assist yourself with the use of a chair. It can also be used as a dip station for developing your triceps and a foot holder for doing sit-ups and crunches as demonstrated in the users manual. It takes just a second to set up or take down and is compact enough be stored under the bed. You can expect to spend somewhere between $20-$35 for a high quality bar.

7) In addition to the equipment, I purchased a few bodybuilding dvd's for added inspiration as well as a book by Men's Health titled The Men's Health Hard Body Plan which includes a great beginner, intermediate, and advanced workout instruction that utilizes all the equipment listed above. Don't fret ladies, you too can get a lot out of this book if your looking to include some weight lifting into your workout routine. You can expect to spend somewhere between $25-$50 for a few dvd's and a workout book.


So as you can see, if you purchase your equipment on the lower end of the price spectrum you can put together your home gym for under $450 and with very little space required. Even if you currently have a gym membership it might be a good idea to start putting together your own gym just in case. It's also great having total access to getting your sweat on whenever you feel like it.