DIY & Budget Home Gym Equipment Guide

For our limited equipment workouts program (Hustle) we have put together this guide for buying or building all of the equipment we recommend to get the maximum results from the program.

• Any form of load (Dumbbells are preferred, but a Barbell and Plates, Kettlebells, or Sandbags will work)
• Pull-up Bar
• Jump Rope
• Medicine Ball (20lbs ± 10lbs)
• Plyo Box, Cooler, or Bench (anything to step up on)
• Elastic Bands (Optional)
• PVC Pipe or Broomstick (Optional)

Any Form of Load

Dumbbells

Walmart is the cheapest place to buy new dumbbells. Start with 15, 25, 35 and 50s if you can afford them. If you are maxing out your dumbbells invest in the next set up. Walmart is a good place for Kettlebells too. I like 25, 35 and 50 lb kettlebells. Facebook Market place or Craigslist is a good place to find used dumbbells if you are patient.  

Barbells and Plates

If you want traditional barbell lifts (deadlifts, squats, bench presses), a barbell with weight plates is ideal. To save money, buy used: check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local classifieds for old Olympic or standard barbells with plates. A used Olympic barbell (45 lb) plus some plates can often be had for under $100. If you can find an inexpensive set of rubber bumper plates, grab them. I even noticed Walmart started selling these as well. Rubber plates are handy if you workout alone and need to drop the bar occasionally.

DIY Sandbag (Homemade Weight Bag)

A homemade sandbag is an inexpensive “odd object” weight that challenges stability and core strength. By filling a strong bag with sand or gravel, you mimic the shifting load of real-life objects. For example, you can build a sandbag using a canvas laundry bag, contractor bags, sand, duct tape, and zip ties for under $50 total. You can buy heavy-duty sandbag shells on Amazon and fill them with contractor sand or pea gravel from a hardware store. A simple approach is:

1. Fill interior bags: Put sand/gravel into heavy-duty contractor garbage bags (filling each about one- third to one-half full). Fold over the tops and tape them shut tightly with duct tape. For a heavier bag, you can double-bag these (taping two bags together) for extra strength.

2. Assemble the outer bag: Place all the taped-up interior bags into a sturdy outer bag (like a canvas laundry bag or duffel). Pull the outer bag’s drawstring tight, then cinch it with zip ties or more tape to secure it.

This creates a sandbag with multiple handles that you can carry, lift, slam, or press. (Tip: Leave a little room in each interior bag so the sand shifts under load.) By using multiple small interior bags, you can also remove or add sand to adjust the weight. Commercial sandbag kits on Amazon work similarly if you prefer buying an empty heavy shell and filling it.

Pull-up Bar Options

There are several low-cost approaches: 

• Doorway bar: A simple bar that hooks into a doorframe or trim. It’s easy to install and remove (just hook it over the top of the frame). No drilling is needed, but be sure your door trim is strong enough. (Most doorway bars support 200–300 lbs.)
• Wall/ceiling-mounted bar: A heavy-duty pull-up bar bolted to wall studs or ceiling joists. You can buy a wall-mounted bar on Amazon. This is very secure but requires drilling into studs. If you go this route, follow instructions carefully and use long lag bolts into solid wood.
• DIY pipe bar: Mount a steel pipe between two supports. For example, set two 4×4 posts in concrete or use 2×6 wooden supports, drill holes through them for a 1′′ pipe, and secure the pipe with end caps or pins. (Alternatively, attach steel flanges to a wall or ceiling beam and insert a 36′′ pipe between them) Whatever method you choose, always anchor the bar into solid framing or use beefy wall anchors – pull-ups exert a lot of force. For safety, make sure the pipe cannot spin or pull out. A well-built pipe bar can support heavy users and is cheaper than a commercial unit.

Jump Rope

A jump rope is a classic, very inexpensive cardio tool. You can pick up a quality speed rope with small handles for about $20 online. 

Medicine Ball

Medicine balls can be purchased online. You might get lucky on Facebook Marketplace. If you are on a really tight budget you can fill a basket ball with sand and cover the hole in tape for an inexpensive option. I have an old when I created when getting started on my home gym. It still provides a good workout.

Plyometric Box / Bench / Step

For box jumps, step-ups, and other plyometric moves, you just need a stable platform about 16–24 inches high. Options include:

• Commercial plyo box: You can buy a 3-in-1 plyo box (with a different size on each side)
• Sturdy bench, box or cooler: You don’t need a fancy box – any solid, immovable bench, step, or large sturdy box works. Just make sure it can’t tip or slide when you jump on it. 
• DIY wooden box: Build your own from plywood. For example, one DIY plan cuts a 4×8 sheet of 3⁄4′′ plywood into interlocking panels to make a 3-in-1 box. The pieces slide together to give heights of 20′′, 24′′, and 30′′ 9 10 . It costs about $35 in wood and uses wood glue/screws to reinforce the joints. You can add hand holds by cutting holes in the sides. (Many free online tutorials show how to cut the notches so the parts fit together as a “puzzle”) A homemade box requires some tools, but it saves money if you already have lumber and hardware.

Elastic Bands 

Amazon is the best source for elastic bands. Buy the long bands that have 4-6 sets of different strength bands. These can be used to supplement your load in workouts and help you warm up.

Summary

With these items, our fitness program members can build a capable home gym on a budget.