The excuses for skipping the gym are many: It’s freezing outside. Cranking through a group class with a dozen strangers during cold-and-flu season sounds unappealing. Maybe you simply don’t feel like going.
If a commercial gym isn’t your cup of tea but you still want a place to exercise, building a home gym could be the solution.
Putting together a home setup can help you stay fit and may save money over time, given pricey gym memberships and boutique classes that sometimes run more than $20 per session.
And for under $100, you can realistically gather enough gear to make a meaningful impact on your fitness, says personal trainer Chrisi Moutopoulos. She’s a regional manager on Long Island for GYMGUYZ, the first mobile in-home personal training franchise. Moutopoulos became a trainer seven years ago after her own weight-loss journey.
“You can always get fit on a small budget or no budget,” Moutopoulos said.
How to Put Together a Home Gym for Less Than $100
If $100 still sounds like a lot, remember: that could cover just a handful of Pure Barre classes or a few months at a commercial gym — not to mention sign-up fees and the gas you’ll burn getting there and back.
Once you buy equipment for your home gym, it’s yours indefinitely — no monthly dues required.
Moutopoulos suggests anyone starting out check in with a doctor and a trainer. These professionals can tailor a plan to your medical needs and goals. It’s an upfront cost, but smart insurance for your health routine.
After that, here are the essentials to begin your workout space and tips on how to use each piece.
Resistance Bands
Cost: $12+
Exercises:Clamshells, leg lifts, virtually any bodyweight move
Nearly every classic movement can be intensified by adding resistance.
The least expensive way to do that? Resistance bands.
You can find these items at sporting goods stores or online, and Moutopoulos notes budget retailers like Five Below often carry decent, affordable fitness tools.
Resistance band sets frequently cost under $10 and come in multiple tension levels for adjustable workouts.
Stability Ball
Cost: $16+
Exercises:Jackknife, plank, bridge, back extension
The stability ball isn’t just a trendy substitute for an office chair — it’s useful for much more than that.
Often linked with core work, a properly sized stability ball can be used for glute, arm and full-body workouts. Many comprehensive routines require nothing else but an appropriately sized ball.
And they’re inexpensive — prices start around $16 and go up depending on size and brand.
Dumbbells
Cost: Roughly $20 each, depending on weight
Exercises:Biceps curls, shoulder press, overhead triceps extension, flyes, deadlifts — you name it.
Full disclosure: dumbbells are the priciest item on this list. Individual dumbbells can run $10 or more apiece — and that’s for a single weight, not a pair.
Still, dumbbells are incredibly versatile and durable — one of the best long-term additions to a home gym.
This common option is about $20 for a 10 lb. dumbbell, with prices changing based on weight.
If you’re starting out unsure of your strength, consider investing in a set of several dumbbells or an adjustable set. That gives you options to scale up or down as needed.
You can also hunt for pre-owned gear on Facebook Marketplace to lower costs even more.
Other Useful Home Gym Extras
While the equipment above can form a solid workout foundation, there are additional items worth considering based on how you like to train.
Yoga can complement heavy training, and stretching is essential. A yoga mat can be had for about $20, or you can splurge — Manduka mats are pricier but often come with a lifetime warranty.
If you’ve got the doorway space, a doorway chin-up bar is a valuable add-on. Usually priced between $30 and $50, it trains more than just your arms — think core, back and shoulders.
Getting in Shape Can Be Difficult, but It Doesn’t Need to Be Overcomplicated
It’s easy to get bogged down in the details of fitness. The key is simply to begin moving.
You don’t have to wait for deliveries: hold a stack of books to intensify squats. Use a sturdy chair for dips or incline push-ups. Your home already contains many makeshift gym tools if you’re inventive.
Working out doesn’t have to be brutal — it can be enjoyable. Dancing around the living room or chasing your kid in the yard both count.
Aim to elevate your heart rate, perform weight-bearing moves to preserve muscle, and stretch to keep flexibility. It doesn’t need to be fancy or costly.
“Fitness should be accessible and attainable for everybody,” Moutopoulos said.
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Jordan Mills and Taylor Bennett are contributors to Savinly. Former editor Alex Rivera contributed to this piece.
