Building a home gym

Just in time for spring! My favorite home workout equipment (with links), from budget setups to advanced garage gyms

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I spent the summer of 2020 (peak pandemic) working out in my garage gym, using equipment I’d been collecting since I owned a CrossFit gym back in NH. Once my fancy gym reopened, I went back—but now every spring, I migrate back to my garage and train at home with the door open and the fresh air in my face.

The benefits of decking out your home gym are endless: No commute time, no need for outside childcare, no crowds, and no monthly membership. But it can be intimidating and expensive to start a collection of home workout equipment.

Today I’m going to walk you through three different options, from basic to intermediate to “I canceled my gym membership,” based on equipment I’ve been using for years. I’ll provide approximate costs, but your mileage may vary. Sourcing used equipment on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or used sporting goods stores can bring costs down even more.

Level 1: Effective basics

If you have a small space, want to start an exercise routine, or are looking for great workouts in a budget-friendly way, here are some space-saving, versatile tools. You can always add onto these pieces if your interests, space, or budget expands.

Yoga mat ($20-150): You can find a plethora of no-equipment workouts online—sometimes free, often through a paid subscription. You can choose from yoga, mat pilates, plyometrics, calisthenics, mobility, flexibility—you name it! For many, all you need is a yoga mat. I like the Manduka brand—their Pro mat ($138) is cushioned and comfortable even on concrete or wood. It also comes in multiple sizes if you’re tall like me. You can also search for “best budget yoga mats” and find a ton of excellent options (like this thick Gaiam Essentials mat, which has thousands of 5-star reviews) for under $25.

Lebert Fitness EQualizer Bars:  I’ve been using the same set of Lebert EQ Bars (also called “dip bars”) for 6 years, and they’re still as good as new. They’re incredibly versatile, allowing you to do more than 100 different bodyweight exercises. You can scale movements on them from beginner to super-advanced, and use them for every muscle group—dips, rows, push-ups, core work, cardio, glutes, plus cardio and HIIT. They take up very little space, and their website shares exercises, tips, and techniques for scaling up or down. (Amazon sells budget versions of these bars, but I can’t speak to their quality or stability.)

Kettlebell ($20-100): I’d prioritize a kettlebell over dumbbells for their versatility. You can press, deadlift, and curl just like a dumbbell, but you can also do ballistic moves for strength and cardio like the swing, clean, and snatch. If you can only buy one, start with a heavier weight for swings, squats, and deadlifts—exercises that use multiple muscle groups. For women, this is likely 25 to 45 lbs, depending on your experience. If you can buy two, add a lighter weight for presses, curls, and core work, generally 10 to 18 lbs. The Amazon Basic line is solid, while the Lifeline series is more expensive, but also easier on your grip, and more durable. Don’t get adjustable kettlebells—I find them both uncomfortable and impractical.

Resistance Bands ($25): These are also versatile, and take up little space. You can close them in the top of a door, wrap them around a pole or railing, or use them independently for resistance movements that target every muscle group. They’re also great for mobility exercises and stretching. Look for a set with a variety of resistance levels. (Note, these are not the same as booty bands—but those would also be great for hip, leg, and glute work.)

PVC Pipe ($3): Pick this up at your local home improvement store—they’ll even cut it for you. Look for a 1” pipe, and cut it to around 52” (longer if you’re tall). These are great for warm-ups, mobility work, perfecting your form, or Olympic lift practice.

Bonus freebie: Use a large cooler stabilized with a heavy weight inside as a “box” or “step.” I’ve used my YETI (with a 55-pound kettlebell in the bottom) for step-ups, as a bench for chest presses or tricep kick-backs, and for elevated push-ups and plank. (Don’t try to jump on it, though—it’s not stable enough for that.) You could also use stairs, or an outside feature like a garden wall or park bench.

Bonus freebie: Load up a backpack with some weights (anything you have) and use it as a rucksack. Adding weight to your walks is a proven way to build cardio capacity, strength, and bone density.

Level 2: Build it out

If you have a bit more space and budget, add onto your basic set-up with more weights and some specialty equipment.

Dumbbells ($15-$100): I have a set of 5’s, 10’s, 15’s, 20’s, and 25’s that allow me to do a broad range of movements, from light shoulder raises to overhead presses to floor presses and core work. (I also have 1’s and 2’s for specialty work.) Having a variety lets me get more creative with exercises and increase weight as I get stronger. Look for these locally, because shipping is understandably expensive. These hex dumbbells are pretty cost-effective, and the rubber coating is nice for your floors. (You could also choose to expand your kettlebell collection!)

Pull-up bar ($100): I used an over-the-door pull-up bar inside my house for years, and it worked great. These are pretty inexpensive on Amazon, and let you do pull-ups or hanging core work, plus you can attach a band for pull-downs or tricep extensions. (The splurge, if you have space, is a permanent bar affixed to your wall or ceiling—find it in the next section.)

Bench ($50-$150): My cooler worked (ish) as a makeshift bench, but if you have the space, a flat bench gives you the stability for lots of different movements. This is the one I have (except in red). It’s surprisingly stable and was easy to put together—not bad for under $70. You can also use it for step-ups and ballistic moves like toe taps. An adjustable bench, though more expensive, can take you from flat to elevated, letting you hit a different muscles in your shoulders, back, triceps, chest, and core.

Box ($90-$200): These take up space and aren’t cheap, but if you want to do lots of step-ups, box jumps, or scaled handstand push-ups or pistols, a bench isn’t going to cut it. Soft-top (foam) boxes may feel more comfortable for box jumps, but I hate them. I much prefer the stability and versatility of a hard box. You can buy a wooden box with three different heights (20”, 24”, or 30” depending on which side you stand it on), or smaller footprint resin Stayboxes in one specific height, starting at 12”. I have three boxes of varying heights, because I love using them and I have the space.

Bonus GORUCK: If you’re ready to level up your rucking, look into a plate carrier or rucksack for a more comfortable, adjustable pack, or add a sandbag to the mix for carries, presses, cleans, and other weighted movements.

Level 3: Go all-in

If you’ve got plenty of space (like a dedicated garage) and ready to cancel your gym membership, here’s what I’ve got in my space, in addition to all of the above.

Barbell and bumper plates (varies): I had a barbell and bumper plates well before I had a squat rack. This let me do deadlifts, power cleans, front squats (as long as I could clean it), presses (same), and core work like windshield wipers using much heavier weight than my KBs or DBs. Bumper plates are more expensive, but they’re less damaging to floors, and are all the same size (allowing you to deadlift or Olympic lift from the ground using lighter weight). I’d recommend getting a barbell from a reputable place (like Rogue, Again Faster, or PRX), but bumpers and metal or plastic-coated plates can be found cheaply on Craigslist or your local marketplace. (Don’t forget change plates! The 5’s and 2.5’s are magic.)

Squat rack ($400 – $1,500): I have a PRX fold-in squat rack that bolts straight into the wall and folds up to save space. Look for a trusted manufacturer, and have a carpenter or contractor install it for extra confidence. Racks can also let you add all kind of attachments like dip bars, a landmine extension, or a pull-up bar.

Pull-up bar ($100 – $200): Some squat racks will have a pull-up bar attached (if you have the ceiling height), or you can order a stand-alone to be installed on your ceiling or wall. These are much sturdier and more stable than an over-the-door and would let you kip, do knees-to-elbows, or hang rings. The one I bought (called a Stud Bar) has worked great, and again, I had my carpenter install it.

Get it!

Don’t let the expense, time commitment, or inexperience slow you down when it comes to building out a home workout routine. With just a few pieces of key equipment; free activities like walking, hiking, or rucking; and free inspiration online, you’ll soon find yourself in the groove without ever having to leave the house.

XO MU