Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to Build Your Own Home Gym for Under $500

Our new socially distanced society has affected our daily lives, from where we work to how we stay in shape. As mandates from local and federal governments have forced sweeping closures, many of us are trying to translate our gym routines into home workouts. If you’re struggling to keep up with your fitness goals, it might be worth investing in home gym equipment.

Once you settle into a routine at home, exercising is easy. Your equipment is always there when you need it, it’s not covered in someone else’s sweat, and you can easily customize your workout. There are even apps that will plan workouts for you, providing you with tips and motivation to keep your fitness goals on track.

Recommended Videos

A home gym doesn’t need to take up a ton of space, either. By choosing multifunctional equipment that you can configure for many different kinds of workouts and that is easily stored away at the end of the session, even apartment-dwellers can enjoy the benefits of pursuing their fitness goals at home.

Weight Bench

weight bench
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A weight bench is an essential part of any home gym because it serves as the central hub for your workouts. Far beyond being a place to work on your bench press, a weight bench is also a great place to do rows, vertical jumps, and aerobic exercises like step-ups. This bench from AmazonBasics is designed with a durable steel tube frame and a comfortable PVC top surface. It weighs 24 pounds and is just 41 inches long, making it easy to store away when not in use.

Dumbbells, 20 Pounds

20 pounds dumbbell set
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You don’t need to store a full weight set in your home in order to have a range of workout options. This set of 20-pound weights is perfect for building strength over time by adding more reps or a high-intensity element, such as a punching exercise.

Kettlebell. 30 Pounds

kettlebell
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For leg exercises like squats (and a few kinds of arm exercises), you’ll need a kettlebell. You don’t want to look like you skipped leg day at the gym, even if that “gym” is actually your home.

Medicine Ball, 15 Pounds

medicine ball
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Medicine balls are popular due to the diverse exercises you can accomplish with them. They’re an excellent supplement to a partner routine, too, if you’re working out with someone else. This 10-pound ball is the perfect size for both upper- and lower-body exercises, though Amazon also sells medicine balls from 4 pounds up to 20 pounds.

Pull-Up Bar

pull up bar
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pull-ups are one of the best full-body workouts you can do in your home. With this affordable workout bar from Sagler, you can instantly turn any doorway into a personal gym in just seconds. Whether you’re doing pull-ups, push-ups, chin-ups, dips, or crunches, a pull-up bar can help make it easy.

Resistance Bands

resistance bands
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Getting fit isn’t just about lifting more weights or running a faster mile — it’s about improving your flexibility so that you can exercise harder without injuring yourself. These resistance bands from Tribe help you get there, with different kinds of colored bands at different resistance levels. Use them while stretching or combine them with an exercise like lateral side steps for an added challenge.

Jump Rope

jump rope
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Jumping rope is an incredible cardio workout perfect for months when it’s too cold to go running outside. The Survival and Cross Jump Rope is touted as a great tool for boxers and MMA fighters thanks to its adjustable length and tangle-free rope. No matter how tall or short, expert or novice you are, this is a great piece of equipment for anyone looking to get in shape.

Step Platform

Image used with permission by copyright holder

You might recognize the exercise platform from ’80s workout videos but it uses go far beyond neon spandex and pilates. Use an exercise platform for fast feet exercises and specific movements like calf raises. This is also a good piece of equipment for anyone who needs to strengthen their knees gently, such as those who’ve suffered a sports injury.

Exercise Mat

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Unless you’re living in a shag-carpeted fantasy, you likely won’t want to lay on your floor during a full workout. A half-inch exercise mat is perfect for stretching as well as yoga practices. While it won’t be the most glamorous object in your home gym, it will likely be the one you’re most thankful to have.

Foam Roller

foam roller
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As you start working out, you’ll soon notice your muscles start to cramp and feel sore the next day. To help yourself stick to your training schedule, use a foam roller to work through any aches and pains as they occur. A long roller like this one is ideal because you can use it on your legs and back no matter how tall you are. Here’s how to use a foam roller.

Looking to further upgrade your fitness? We’ve found the best meal prep containers to help you meet your goals.

Article originally published by Leah Bjornson. Last updated by Nicole Raney.

Nicole Raney
Nicole Raney is the former Managing Editor of The Manual. You can also hear her on older episodes of The Manual Podcast, a…
Stanley 1913 drops limited-edition exclusive at REI, honoring the great outdoors
Carry a reminder of mother nature everywhere you go
Stanley 1913 REI

In partnership with Always With Honor, Stanley 1913 has just dropped a new, limited-edition exclusive cup collection to honor the great outdoors. Taking inspiration from blue valleys and orange skies, this new artist's design allows you to carry a reminder of Mother Nature everywhere you go. From cozy fire-pit gatherings to hiking the trails, this new line-up of Stanley 1913 cups is designed to inspire those who love the great outdoors. Each of the two cup styles/sizes features work by Always With Honor, a studio by Portland-based designers Elsa and Tyler Lang.

The new, limited-edition design is available exclusively at REI stores and online. Just in to help you hydrate on your outdoor summer adventures, these Stanley Quenchers are the perfect companion to take anywhere you go. The artist-designed Stanley is available in two of the most popular models: the 30oz Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler and the 30oz IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler 2.0. The Flip Straw design features a leakproof flip-straw design for fast hydration.

Read more
How to grip a golf club: Tips, tricks, and common mistakes
Lack power or balance? Try adjusting your golf grip and see what happens
Man holding a golf club

Your golf grip is one of the most foundational aspects of the swing. Get this wrong, and your consistency will suffer. You need a great grip to achieve consistent results, so today, we're going to take a look at how to grip a golf club and common mistakes that people make that can throw off consistency.
How to grip a golf club

Learning how to grip a golf club isn't as hard as you might think, especially if you don't have any bad habits. If you're just starting out, I recommend using a glove like the one from Me and My Golf. This glove has a blue line across the fingers so you know exactly which angle to hold your club at. These tips from Me and My Golf are for right-handed players. If you're a lefty, just reverse everything.
How to grip with the left hand

Read more
Forget a side by side — your next fun vehicle should be sea-worthy
Hitting the water at high speed can be fun and surprisingly affordable
Slightly tubby journalist driving a Sea-Doo PWC at speed

A few decades ago, Sea-Doo invented the personal watercraft--a fast and fun way to get around on the water. Fast forward a few decades, and Sea-Doo’s offshoot has a diverse range of small, powerful, watercraft people can use recreationally.

There’s a fun fact I can include in this piece. “Jetski” is a brand name, a bit like “Coke” or “Google,” or “Heroin.” It refers to a particular line of waterborne vehicles produced by Kawasaki. For the purposes of this piece, I was riding most of Sea-Doo’s 2025 lineup, so at no point did I sit on a Jetski. Instead, I was ripping around on a “personal watercraft” or PWC.

Read more