In this extensive guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best home gym equipment options for 2017. We’ve broken the guide down by budget, so that no matter what kind of home gym you’re building, there is an option for you .
NAVIGATE
I’m convinced that there are two different types of people: people who need to go to an established gym to get fit and those who need to avoid going to an established gym–and stay home–to get fit.
But how can someone possibly stay home and get fit?
That’s easy… with a home gym.
Now, there are many reasons why you might be better off training at home than you would be trying to force yourself to go to the gym…
For example: you might be introverted, you may dislike large public crowds in general, you may not like to present yourself in public when you’re not looking your best, you might not feel secure with your body and therefore are embarrassed to go to the gym, etc.
Ultimately, the how and why don’t really matter… if you can’t get into the gym on a consistent basis because you don’t like the public-nature of gyms, then you need to find a more private way to work on your fitness.
Fortunately, with a few pieces of home gym equipment and some dedication to getting fit you will have everything you need to get started.
Now, obviously, the bigger the budget you have, the more and better quality equipment you can get and ultimately, the more options you will have when working out. However, even with $50 you can get your home gym started and have the equipment you need to get in a good workout.
Below, I’ve broken the guide down into three different price ranges… home gyms under $3,000, home gyms under $1,000, and home gyms under $500.
Each price range contains a few different home gym setups you can use as is, or as a base for the home gym you want to build.
Best Home Gym Setups Under $3,000
For those of you that are looking for a more extreme home gym setup and are working with a bigger budget, the gym equipment listed below is for you.
These setups include the heavier duty home gym equipment that will allow you to replicate a bigger commercial gym, such as… a power rack, plenty of Olympic weights, individual dumbbells (rather than adjustable), and a treadmill (in the $3,000 setup.)
Obviously, these gym setups won’t fit everyone’s needs. For those who are looking for a more hardcore lifting experience, you may want to forego some of the equipment for more weight. For others, who are looking for a wider range of exercises that they can do, you might want to forego more weight for more machines/equipment.
Your ideal home gym setup will really vary based on your own personal fitness style. However, these equipment lists will at least give you a base you can work with and tailor to meet your own needs.
Home Gym Setup Comparison
 | $3,000 Ultimate Home Gym |
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ULTIMATE HOME GYM
While you can technically take a run outside, the whole reason why you are building your home gym is so that you can workout at home. And, if you live somewhere where it gets really cold (or really hot), then running outdoors is out of the question.
So, in this $3,000 list of gym equipment I’ve added on a quality treadmill you can use to add some cardio into your training regimen.
For me, personally, I don’t really like to run long distances at slow paces for an extended amount of time. However, I love doing HIIT workouts for my cardio and I’d say that the traditional sprint-HIIT workout is probably one of the best and most effective cardio workouts there is.
But the point is that with a treadmill added to your home gym you can add an extra depth to your training, which will ultimately get you in better overall shape.
On top of the treadmill, this list of equipment still has everything else you need to turn part of your house or garage into a full-fledged home gym.
Equipment List
| 1. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. CAP Dumbbells: 25-60LBS | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013UVRP1W” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 485LBS of Barbell Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B003070MZI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 5. Body Solid Olympic Barbell 7′ | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0039Z5FHQ” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 6. Exercise Stability Ball | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N7AE63C” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 7. Universal 5 Position Weight Bench | [easyazon_link identifier=”B002QJZAE4″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 8. Titan Power Rack | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GHNLK9E” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 9. Ader Fitness Olympic Fractional Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B008RP3KY8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 10. ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00YQ80OQ2″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $2,950-$3,050
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
As mentioned above, the treadmill included in this list of home gym equipment will allow you to take your training regimen to a new level. It is true that you can get the same–if not better–workout by running outdoors… however, running outdoors isn’t always doable. And, having a treadmill is very convenient if you are committed to using is on a regular basis.
So, with the treadmill (and the jump rope) you can really mix up the cardio exercises in your training regimen. You can do HIIT sprints on the treadmill, you can do hill sprints, you can carry weight on your back and walk up a steep incline, you can run long distances, etc. The treadmill ultimately gives your home gym that complete feel to it that every commercial gym has, minus all the people.
On top of the treadmill, you have nearly 500 lbs. in Olympic plates that you can throw around, a very sturdy power rack that will make lifting heavy weights more safe, a pull-up bar (that comes on the power rack) so you can do one of the best compound exercises (and many variations of it) there is, 8 sets of dumbbells ranging from 25 lbs. to 60 lbs. in weight to vary your workouts, and an adjustable weight bench to hit your workouts from different angles and give you even more options for lifting.
Ultimately, with a $3,000 budget you can build a home gym that has everything. And, with all of this equipment, you will never need to step foot in a commercial gym again.
 | $2,000 Extreme Home Gym |
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EXTREME HOME GYM
There might not be any additional equipment on this list in comparison to the last list, but there is a lot more weight.
For starters, this list includes every dumbbell set in 5lb increments between 25-60lbs. That should give you plenty of options for workouts involving dumbbells.
And, this set also has 180 more pounds of Olympic weights as well.
With all of the added weight that this list brings to the table, it really is getting into professional gym status. You can lift heavy, you have a ton of different options for your workouts, and you never have to leaver your home…
Not to mention that in 2-3 years you will have saved more money on this home gym than you would if you were paying for a gym membership that whole time.
Equipment List
| 1. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. CAP Dumbbells: 25-60LBS | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013UVRP1W” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 485LBS of Barbell Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B003070MZI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 5. Body Solid Olympic Barbell 7′ | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0039Z5FHQ” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 6. Exercise Stability Ball | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N7AE63C” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 7. Universal 5 Position Weight Bench | [easyazon_link identifier=”B002QJZAE4″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 8. Titan Power Rack | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GHNLK9E” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 9. Ader Fitness Olympic Fractional Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B008RP3KY8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $1,950-$2,050
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
Are you looking to get the variety in your workouts that a membership-type-gym can offer? Do you want to lift heavy at home? If so, this list of home gym equipment is definitely a great option.
With nearly 500lbs in Olympic weights (and with the bar weighing over 45 lbs, you can in fact get over 500 lbs onto the bar) you have everything you need to start or continue power lifting for strength and muscle mass.
And, with a large set of dumbbells, a power rack, and an adjustable weight bench, you can really get a good mix of lifts/exercises into your training regimen.
Ultimately, this gym has everything that a commercial gym has, minus the cardio machines and the useless iso-equipment.
 | $1,500 Professional Home Gym |
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EXTREME HOME GYM
I love the fact that with adjustable dumbbells you can have a bunch of different dumbbell weights with just a couple of bars. What I don’t love about adjustable dumbbells is the fact that you have to change the weight every time you want a new dumbbell weight.
Sure, adjustable dumbbells are much more cost-effective than buying a whole set of individual dumbbell pairs, but think about how much time you would waste in your home gym if you constantly performed lifts that required you to change your dumbbell weight regularly.
So, in this $1,500 home gym, I’ve replaced the adjustable dumbbells with four pairs of dumbbells at 25lbs, 35lbs, 40lbs, and 50lbs. Of course you can feel free to adjust these weights as necessary. But I feel like for this price range it just makes more sense to start your own dumbbell collection, rather than dealing with adjusting your dumbbells every time you want to switch weights.
If you feel differently and you don’t mind changing your dumbbell plates all the time then by all means, stick with the adjustable dumbbell set from the previous lists.
The other big add to this list is a move to a bigger and more traditional squat/power rack. This rack has a capacity to hold over 700lbs, which was double the capacity of the stand alone pillar-rack from the previous lists. It also includes a pull-up bar on it so you don’t have to worry about purchasing one as well.
Equipment List
| 1. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. CAP Dumbbells: 25-50LBS | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013UVRP1W” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 305LBS of Barbell Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B003070MZI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 5. Body Solid Olympic Barbell 7′ | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0039Z5FHQ” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 6. Exercise Stability Ball | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N7AE63C” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 7. Universal 5 Position Weight Bench | [easyazon_link identifier=”B002QJZAE4″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 8. Titan Power Rack | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GHNLK9E” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 9. Ader Fitness Olympic Fractional Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B008RP3KY8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $1,450-$1,550
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
Now that you have a sizable power rack to go along with your stacks of plates, you can feel safe when performing heavy lifts. The squat rack can hold up to 700lbs, which should be more than enough for 99.9% of the world’s population.
You also move to individual sets of dumbbells instead of those pesky adjustable dumbbells that can be a real pain to change the weight on. While you lose a little bit of variation in your dumbbell weights here, you gain a ton of convenience by not having to adjust them every time you want to change weights and you have a good starting set that you can add to in the future.
Overall, this home gym equipment list has just about everything a fitness enthusiast would need to ditch their gym membership and never look back.
Best Home Gym Setups Under $1,000
If you have a more moderate budget to spend on your gym (~$500-$1,000) you can really put together a solid setup.
In reality, the setups here don’t really differ too much from the $400 home gym listed below. However, there is a lot more weight in these setups and the $800 and $1,000 setups allow you to switch to olympic-size plates, rather than 1″ plates.
This will give you a much better base for your gym so that you can add on to it later.
But ultimately, with more weight, these setups are more ideal for serious lifters who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars to build an extreme setup.
Home Gym Setup Comparison
 | $1,000 Advanced Plus Home Gym |
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ADVANCED PLUS HOME GYM
Now you’re likely wondering why the $1,000 set of home gym equipment has a feature image of 5lbs worth of microweights.
To explain the reason behind adding the microweights to this list of home gym equipment, I have to first tell you the story of Milo of Croton. Milo was a real person whose story has a mythical-typ feel to it.
He was a renowned wrestler in Ancient Greece and the story says that everyday on his mile walk to wrestling practice, he would carry a baby calf on his back. He carried this calf everyday until the calf was a full-grown ox. (More on Milo of Croton and why his story is important to fitness enthusiasts here.)
This story probably seems crazy and whether or not it is true is up for debate. However, the story shows a very important lifting principle… small daily gains will eventually lead to huge results.
So, the microweights added to this list can play a huge role in helping you bust through plateaus and continue to make gains at a steady pace.
On top of that, this list also has over 100 extra pounds in Olympic weights added onto it. So, you will definitely be able to lift heavy with this setup.
Equipment List
| 1. GoFit Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0007W2FLI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 100LB Adjustable Dumbbell Set | [easyazon_link identifier=”B000VCDXNS” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 5. CAP 195LBS of Barbell Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B003070MZI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 6. Body Solid Olympic Barbell 7′ | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0039Z5FHQ” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 7. Exercise Stability Ball | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N7AE63C” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 8. Universal 5 Position Weight Bench | [easyazon_link identifier=”B002QJZAE4″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 9. Goplus Adjustable Barbell Rack | [easyazon_link identifier=”B019EWU6U8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 10. Ader Fitness Olympic Fractional Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B008RP3KY8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $780-$820
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
We’ve already discussed that this set of home gym equipment comes with some microweights that will be instrumental to achieving steady gains in the gym.
But this list of equipment also has well over 300lbs in Olympic weights, a set of adjustable dumbbells that will allow you to reach ~45lbs on both dumbbells, a pull-up bar, a jump rope, and a barbell rack for squatting and pressing your Olympic weights.
Ultimately, this set of list is ideal for anyone who is looking to start–or who already is–lifting heavy and who wants to take their workouts to their home gym.
| $800 Advanced Plus Home Gym |
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ADVANCED PLUS HOME GYM
Okay, so at $800 you’re pretty much getting an identical weight set to the $600 set listed above.
You get the same amount of weight and essentially the same equipment… however, there is one difference.
The $800 home gym comes with an Olympic-size 2? barbell and matching weights.
You might be wondering why this is important…
Well, the difference between Olympic-size 2? barbells/plates and a 1? barbell/plates is that the 2? barbell has a lot higher capacity. In fact, the Olympic barbell included in this list has the capacity to hold up to 600lbs, whereas the 1? barbell can only hold up to 250 lbs.
So, if you want to really get into lifting heavier weights in your home gym, you absolutely need to go up to Olympic-size weights. So, while you don’t gain anything short term over the $600 home gym listed above, this $800 home gym is better off for you in the long run.
Equipment List
| 1. GoFit Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0007W2FLI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 100LB Adjustable Dumbbell Set | [easyazon_link identifier=”B000VCDXNS” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 5. CAP 195LBS of Barbell Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B003070MZI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 6. Body Solid Olympic Barbell 7′ | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0039Z5FHQ” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 7. Exercise Stability Ball | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N7AE63C” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 8. Universal 5 Position Weight Bench | [easyazon_link identifier=”B002QJZAE4″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 9. Goplus Adjustable Barbell Rack | [easyazon_link identifier=”B019EWU6U8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $780-$820
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
While this $800 gym didn’t give you anything different than the $600 gym, it does offer you a much better foundation for your gym going forward. Olympic-size weights and bars are essential the heavier you start lifting.
And, lifting heavy is the best way to get bigger and stronger.
But with that all aside, since the $600 setup is a very capable home gym, you can expect the same out of the $800 setup. You get all the equipment you need to be able to perform a wide variety of lifts and exercises and you can easily add more weight as you get stronger.
All-in-all, the $800 gym is really the ideal place to start if you don’t want to spend thousands on your gym, but you have a decent budget and you want to get a good foundation to build your gym off of.
 | $600 Advanced Home Gym |
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ADVANCED HOME GYM
For the $600 home gym, I’ve added an extra 150lbs of weight. So, essentially you’re looking at the $400 home gym with a ton of extra weight.
With all that added weight you can really start to focus on getting bigger and stronger. In total, the set comes with just about 250lbs in weight. And, with all of the other equipment, you will have all of the necessary tools to get in a heavy and intense workout.
Now, this is probably the highest amount of weight I would go with 1-inch plates because the 1-inch barbell is limited as to how much weight it can hold. So, at this price point you should either be looking at what is listed below, or start considering switching to getting Olympic-sized 2-inch weights and an Olympic-sized barbell.
The Olympic-sized barbell/weight are more expensive and so you won’t get as much weight, but there is a much higher limit to where you can go with them and you can always add-on later. So, an alternative to this list of home gym equipment would be to swap the 1-inch weights and barbell out for a Olympic-sized 2-inch barbell and accommodating weights.
Equipment List
| 1. GoFit Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0007W2FLI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 40LB Adjustable Dumbbell Set | [easyazon_link identifier=”B000VCDXNS” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 5. CAP 210LBS of Barbell/Dumbbell Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00306YI4A” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 6. Sunny Health & Fitness 5′ Barbell | [easyazon_link identifier=”B004EFYPBC” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 7. Exercise Stability Ball | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N7AE63C” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 8. Universal 5 Position Weight Bench | [easyazon_link identifier=”B002QJZAE4″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 9. Goplus Adjustable Barbell Rack | [easyazon_link identifier=”B019EWU6U8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $580-$620
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
With nearly 250lbs in weight that can be swapped between your adjustable dumbbells and your 1-inch barbell, you have more than enough weight to increase your strength and muscle mass.
And, with everything else included you have so many options for working out you will wonder why you ever paid a monthly gym membership in the first place.
With this setup you can do pull-ups, deadlifts, squats, bench press (all variations), weighted step-ups (onto the weight bench), box jumps (onto the weight bench), lunges, military press, curls (both dumbbell and straight-bar), french press, arm extensions, and plenty of other exercises.
So, if you want to get serious about your training and you have a decent amount of money to put into your home gym, you can’t go wrong with this $600 home gym setup.
Best Home Gym Setups Under $500
I’d be lying if I said that you could build an amazing home gym for under $500. The truth is that in this price range there simply isn’t enough to build an extreme setup.
However, even with $500 or less to spend on your home gym, you can enough equipment to give you the potential to really take your fitness to the next level.
So, if you don’t have a huge budget, but you want to get in really good shape, these home gym setups and equipment lists should serve you well.
Home Gym Setup Comparison
 | $400 Intermediate Home Gym |
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INTERMEDIATE HOME GYM
This $400 set of home gym equipment only adds a few more pounds of weight (15lbs to be exact). However, in this $400 home gym you have a ton of more options for lifting those weights and you have a very solid base for a high-end gym.
The two new additions to this list are the adjustable weight bench and the adjustable squat/barbell rack.
These two additions will take your gym from a casual home gym to something a little more serious, as the adjustable barbell rack brings the potential to do some heavier weight.
And, while it isn’t a high-end home gym yet, this set is definitely on its way to being one. However, this gym equipment will provide you with plenty of weight to lift and a wide number of options for lifting that weight.
So, ultimately, this $400 gym will give you everything you need and then some in order to get you in great shape.
Equipment List
| 1. GoFit Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0007W2FLI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 40LB Adjustable Dumbbell Set | [easyazon_link identifier=”B000VCDXNS” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 5. CAP 45LB Barbell/Dumbbell Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B001103EDS” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 6. Sunny Health & Fitness 5′ Barbell | [easyazon_link identifier=”B004EFYPBC” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 7. Exercise Stability Ball | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N7AE63C” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 8. Universal 5 Position Weight Bench | [easyazon_link identifier=”B002QJZAE4″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 9. Goplus Adjustable Barbell Rack | [easyazon_link identifier=”B019EWU6U8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $380-$420
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
For $400 you get a set of home gym equipment that will really enable you to push yourself. The weights increase slightly in comparison to the $200 setup, but you do get an adjustable weight bench and a barbell rack–both of which will allow you to go heavier with your workouts.
The adjustable weight bench will allow you to do inclined, declined, and regular bench press, as well as go upright to allow you to do a seated shoulder press with the dumbbells, or a military press with the included barbell. The bench can also be used to do weighted step ups, box jumps, and Bulgarian split squats, among other exercises.
And, with the adjustable barbell racks, you can slide your weight bench right between them to turn it into a bench press machine where you can, again, do inclined, declined, or regular bench press. The adjustable racks will also let you do heavier squats with some peace of mind, as well as heavier standing military presses.
On top of that, you get a pull-up bar (and as mentioned a few times already in this article, pull-ups are perhaps one of the best upper body exercises you can do), a jump rope, an exercise stability ball, a couple of adjustable dumbbells, a barbell, and plenty of weight.
So, all-in-all, this setup has everything you need to put together a solid home gym.
 | $200 Starter Plus Home Gym |
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STARTER PLUS HOME GYM
The $200 marker is kind of the sweet spot between working with a limited budget and getting enough equipment to really get serious about your training.
No, there isn’t enough weight here to turn you into the world’s strongest man or woman… however, there is enough weight and enough variety in equipment in this list to get you in really really good shape.
You have a pull-up bar, a jump rope, an adjustable dumbbell set with plenty of weight, a barbell that will fit your adjustable dumbbell set, and an exercise stability ball that will allow you to add some variety into your lifts.
All-in-all, this $200 home gym has everything you need whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate, or a serious fitness enthusiast. It’s not an ideal set of equipment, but you can make the most of it depending on how dedicated you are and how far you want to go.
Equipment List
| 1. GoFit Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0007W2FLI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 40LB Adjustable Dumbbell Set | [easyazon_link identifier=”B000VCDXNS” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 5. CAP 45LB Barbell/Dumbbell Plates | [easyazon_link identifier=”B001103EDS” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 6. Sunny Health & Fitness 5′ Barbell | [easyazon_link identifier=”B004EFYPBC” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 7. Exercise Stability Ball | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N7AE63C” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $180-$220
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
This list of $200 home gym equipment has everything you need to get yourself fit. The pull-up bar can be used in many different ways and doing pull-ups are easily one of the best ways to increase your overall strength and upper-body muscle mass.
The jump rope included will give you a solid option for doing cardio (and of course you can still go on runs, do burpees, or any other cardio exercises that don’t require equipment.)
The adjustable dumbbell set and additional weights will allow you to go up to a pair of 50lb dumbbells max (which should be enough to give you plenty of options in your workouts.) Or, you can put all of that weight onto the included barbell for a total of just over 100lbs… and that should allow you to start doing some of the more important compound exercises like squats and dead lifts.
Finally, the exercise stability ball will allow you to mix up your workouts by giving you more options. The stability ball can be used to do core work and to add an element of difficulty to exercises like dumbbell presses.
 | $100 Starter Home Gym |
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STARTER HOME GYM
Okay, so now you’ve got a pull-up bar and a jump rope and you’re looking for something else to add to your home gym. The next logical and most beneficial piece of equipment to get is to add some kind of weight.
Now there are a lot of ways that you can add weight to your home gym. You can get Olympic-sized plates and a barbell along with a set of dumbbells, or you can get a set of adjustable dumbbells.
For me personally, I would rather have a full set of dumbbells. However, if your budget is under $100 you don’t really have that option. So, you can either buy a single pair of ~20-25lbs dumbbells and be limited, or you can spend about the same amount on an adjustable set of dumbbells that will give you a range of 5lbs-20lbs pairs of dumbbells to work with .
Yes, adjusting your dumbbells is a pain, but for $50 you can get a variety of weight, rather than being stuck with a single pair of dumbbells. And, getting add-on plates for your dumbbells is pretty easy. You can get the add-on 1? plates for the CAP set listed below right here.
Although, if you plan on adding to your home gym on a regular basis, you may want to start with a single pair of dumbbells and add a new pair every month or so.
Equipment List
| 1. GoFit Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0007W2FLI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 4. CAP 40LB Adjustable Dumbbell Set | [easyazon_link identifier=”B000VCDXNS” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $90-$110
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
As mentioned above, a pull-up bar and a jump rope are two essential and budget-friendly pieces of equipment for your home gym. Pull-ups are great compound exercises that will trigger growth in multiple muscles and jumping rope is a very effective and very convenient form of cardio training.
A set of adjustable dumbbells will add a range of weight to your workout and give you a ton of more options for your at-home workouts. You can literally train any part of your body with dumbbells and therefore having a set will allow you to take your training to the next level.
Obviously, a 40lb set of adjustable dumbbells does have its limitations… especially if you want to lift heavy. But if you’re on a limited budget then you have to start somewhere. Fortunately, adding to your adjustable dumbbells is as simple as purchasing some compatible 1? plates (which can be done here.)
| $50 Bare Bones Home Gym |
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BARE BONES HOME GYM
Yes, that’s right… for just under $50 you can get three pieces of fitness equipment that will help you get leaner and stronger. Those pieces of equipment are a pull-up bar, a jump rope, and an ab roller.
These pieces of equipment are not only great additions to your home gym, but they will also allow you to add three very convenient exercises to your regimen. And, all three can be had for under $50 total!
Now, if you’re already in good shape and you’re trying to get absolutely ripped, then you will likely need more equipment (unless of course your workouts are mostly bodyweight-based) than just a pull-up bar, jump rope, and ab roller.
But for fitness beginners and intermediates, the pull-up bar, jump rope, and ab roller listed below will allow you to start working at home and at the very least allow you to cut back on the number of days you have to go to the gym.
Equipment List
| 1. GoFit Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar | [easyazon_link identifier=”B0007W2FLI” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 2. Benran Jump Rope | [easyazon_link identifier=”B013AI586Y” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
| 3. Ab Wheel | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00UQTNDWW” locale=”US” tag=”bestgymequipment-20″]VIEW[/easyazon_link] |
Grand Total: $40-$60
(Prices fluctuate, check here for current pricing.)
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Why You Want this Equipment
Pull-ups and jumping rope are two incredibly powerful exercises. For starters, pull-ups are an essential fundamental compound exercise that will trigger the growth of multiple upper-body (and even some lower-body) muscles.
They are easily one of the three best back-focused exercises you can do (especially for beginners) and they can be done in many different variations. Once you have a pull-up bar, they are extremely convenient to do as well.
In terms of cardio workouts, jumping rope is often compared to jogging in terms of effectiveness. In fact, many studies show that jumping rope at a moderate pace is more effective at burning calories than running at a steady 5-6mph pace.
Also, jumping rope is far more convenient as you just need a clear open space to perform the exercise. And, if you have a garage that you can jump rope in, a quality $20 jump rope trumps a quality $1,000+ treadmill for winter cardio activities.
The downsides to both of these pieces of equipment, though, is that both exercises can be difficult to do for beginners. It takes time to master jumping rope and fitness newbies often struggle to get in even one pull-up. However, by jumping rope on a daily basis you can see significant improvement in your skill in a matter of weeks.
And, by doing pull-ups regularly, you will quickly see an improvement in strength and muscle mass. You can also use a chair to assist you with your pull-ups if you are struggling. Simply place a chair in front of or behind you and put your feet on it while you do the pull-up. You can also buy pull-up assistance bands for added help as well.
The Right Home Gym Equipment for You
The right home gym equipment for you will vary depending on your own personal fitness style. So, while these home gym setups listed above are good bases, in reality, it might be better if you swapped out equipment to suit your needs.
Ultimately, though, whether you use these equipment lists as is, or if you modify them, this guide should help you find the pieces you need to build your own home gym.
And, if you have any questions, please post them below!
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