How to Create a Home Gym on a Budget

Home gyms are becoming increasingly popular for many because of their convenience. Most people spend thousands of dollars to create the perfect home gym but that simply is not necessary. By purchasing a few key pieces of equipment, you can create a functional home gym on a very small budget.

Used Cardio Equipment

Your cardio machines are likely to be the most used equipment in your home gym, which makes them quite important. That does not mean, however, that you have to spend a fortune on them to get good quality. At stores like Play it Again Sports, you can get quality used equipment for half of what you would pay for it new. Also think about online classifieds like Freecycle.org and Craigslist.com. You never know what equipment you might find cheap or free.

Workout DVDs

Exercise DVDs are a great way to give you a variety of workouts at a low price. Again, if you can find it used, do so. If you shop smart you can get five to ten DVDs for around $20. That many videos will give you a variety of cardio and toning workouts on even the strictest budget.

Exercise Mat

Make sure you pick up a good exercise mat for around $20. Exercise mats are very nice to have when you are doing yoga or Pilates. So make sure to add this to your home gym to make your workouts more comfortable. Just because you are on a budget does not mean you cannot be comfortable.

Exercise Step

Though a stair step machine would be nice to have, they can be very difficult to find on a budget. So instead, purchase an exercise step for around $20. This will allow you to get the same workout you would with a stepper and have the option to do other toning exercises as well.

Resistance Bands

We have all seen the Bowflex commercials and have envied those how can afford them, but it is not necessary to complete a home gym. A good set of resistance bands will allow you to work every set of muscle groups you would in a gym for around $15. So stop by Wal-Mart and pick yourself up a set.

Full Length MirrorEvery home gym needs a few full length mirrors so you can check your form while doing exercises. Too many people spend hundreds on these mirrors when they could be spending just $15 for three mirrors. Wal-Mart carries very simple full length mirrors for only $5 a piece. These are perfect for a home gym, especially when you are on a budget.