It’s true that in some cases, a gym membership is a better option for those who want to start training. Some people don't have the space to buy home gym equipment, and others can't afford it. But in the long run, training at a gym can be expensive and inconvenient – not to mention crowded! You may find that over time your motivation wanes because of this.
But there's good news! There are many different pieces of affordable gym equipment that you can use to workout from home. Below is a list of the best home gym equipment you can buy. It's been hand-picked by our team to help keep your workouts fresh and exciting within your very own home gym. The best part? It's all for less than $700.
Depending on how much weight you lift, dumbbells are a great way to have a full-body workout for a reasonable price. For just $225, you can get a 40kg set. This will be more than enough weights for someone who is just beginning their home workout journey and looking to build muscle. The knurled grip handles will help prevent the weights from sliding out of your hands. They're also extremely high quality weights, and will last for a long time!
With a set of dumbbells, you can effectively target all of your major muscle groups. This is a fantastic option for those looking to invest in a home gym setup without spending too much. Compared to to buying a full set of Olympic sized plates and barbell, it's much more affordable. But if you're a more serious fitness enthusiast, the larger set might be a better option for you.
If you want to check out our top 20 exercises you can perform with a set of dumbbells, click here!
Another great thing about adjustable dumbbells is their space saving design! This means that they will fit in your bedroom, basement, garage or even kitchen. This allows you to work out whenever you want without worrying about storage or floor space too much. You can increase or decrease the plates depending on your fitness levels, and help you lift weights more effectively.
Muscle Motion 40kg Rubber Adjustable Standard Dumbbell Set
Comes in either a coloured or black colour option, with a total weight of 40kg!
$225
Owning an adjustable bench will increase your workout options. It does so by switching from decline, to flat, to incline position - giving you access to hundreds of additional full body workouts. An adjustable bench is also great because it can fit into smaller spaces by folding flat, and saves space overall. Perfect for the home gym!
An adjustable bench perfectly pairs with a set of dumbbells. You can use the pair to perform workouts like a bench press or other kinds of strength training very easily. This limits the need to buy more expensive training equipment like a cable machine or smith machine. Without these, you can still build muscle effectively on a budget.
If you want to spend a little bit more, you could also buy a barbell and weight plates. No matter how much your home gym equipment collection grows, this adjustable bench will remain handy.
Our top pick would have to be the AB1004 adjustable bench from Muscle Motion. It features a max user weight of 250kg, and has a very comfortable 300mm wide back rest. You can roll it around easily thanks to its built-in wheels, and has a space saving design. At $315, it's a steal.
Muscle Motion Folding Adjustable Flat Incline Decline Bench AB1004
Folds flat when not in use, features a comfortable back rest and easily transportable with it's wheels!
$315
Rather than buying more expensive fitness equipment early on, you can save money by purchasing a skipping rope. They have a very affordable price and are easy to use. It won't feature any fancy features like fitness trackers or a digital monitor, but it'll get the job done!
You'll be surprised just how intense a cardio workout can be with a good skipping rope. In fact, many top HIIT workouts involve them - even in trainer led classes. At Gym Direct, you can purchase a top-of-the-range Elite Ball Bearing Speed Rope for only $15. This product will help you achieve your fitness goals faster due to it's high performance design. The rope features small weighted bearings which allow it to turn faster than standard ropes without any weights.
Muscle Motion Elite Ball Bearing Speed Rope
Features weighted ball bearings for a smoother, more consistent jump rope experience!
$15
You might not have heard of a suspension training kit. They're similar to gym rings, and rely on the weight of your body for building muscle. For most people, this would be the best home gym equipment to get a basic full body workout in.
All you have to do is attach it to a door anchor or ceiling anchor point to get started. Just make sure whatever you attach it to has a sturdy construction!
With this kit, you can perform multiple different kinds of strength training exercises. These home workouts include pull ups, rows, fly's, and more. The only caveat is that you can't increase the weight like you can with strength training machines. But for most people just starting out, this doesn't matter. With a price tag of $45, it's a must-have!
Muscle Motion MTX Suspension Training Kit
Connect to an anchor point and experience the power of suspension training!
$45
Core training is very important. A strong core supports the back, engages the abs and strengthens the body overall. However, it's easy to skip due to less than ideal floor conditions in many homes. This is where an exercise mat comes into play!
Simply roll it out, and get started. With a gym or yoga mat, you can perform many bodyweight workouts on the ground comfortably. These exercises include crunches, sit-ups, planks and more. If you want to increase the intensity, you can also add some weights or resistance bands. With proper form, this can help you build muscle a little faster.
For the space conscious, the Muscle Motion hanging mats are fantastic for home gym workouts. Not only do they feature a comfortable 150mm of cushioning, but they also have two holes for on the top for easy mounting on a wall. Grab yours today for only $30!
Muscle Motion Black Hanging Club Mat
Comfortable, compact, and functional. This mat is commercial grade, but with home gym pricing!
$30
You'd be surprised how much more intense your workout will be when using resistance bands. They can help you increase muscle strength, tone your body, and increase the amount of calories burned. A lot of personal trainers recommend resistance bands too due their effectiveness for getting results fast.
Their versatility make them a great addition to any home gym equipment setup. They allow you to add some extra intensity to a variety of home workouts for only $15. Depending on your strength and fitness levels, you might start with a lighter band before moving to a heavier one. But considering the price tag, you'll be covered no matter what for a low investment.
Also, if you're subscribed to any live classes with an online personal trainer, you'll notice that resistance bands are used often - which is a bonus!
Rapid Motion Glute Bands 5pcs Set
Including an extra light, light, medium, heavy, and extra heavy band!
$15
This is arguably the most important part of any home gym equipment collection! A foam roller reduces muscle soreness, improves mobility and sleep quality. They are an essential part of any workout routine because they can also be used to perform some basic bodyweight exercises on top of your yoga mat.
Other benefits of a foam roller include self-massage, causing the release of endorphins (happy hormones) that reduces stress. It's also low impact on the body, making it perfect for those who are new to working out. At Gym Direct, you can buy an extra long 91cm Muscle Motion Roller for just $40!
Gym balls are incredibly versatile. You can use them to perform squats, shoulder presses, core training workouts and more. Just make sure you buy a ball with at least an 80cm circumference for it to be sturdy enough. These are very popular home gym equipment items among personal trainers!
If you've got the space to mount it properly, a pull up bar is an excellent addition. It's perfect for working out your back muscles, arms and core. You can do pull ups, chin ups, leg raises and even knee tucks on it! For anyone serious about bodyweight training at home, this is an absolute must-have!
Mounts to a wall for a commercial-grade strength training experience at home!
$229
If you want the best home gym equipment setup, you need this cable machine. While you do need to buy plates for it to function, it's a worthwhile investment. Not only it is very compact, but it will allow you to train your entire body with easy.
There are many benefits of using a functional training cable machine over dumbbells at home. It allows you to train multiple muscle groups at the same time, target muscles that usually feel neglected and increase strength much faster than other types of strength training!
FT1003 Wall Mounted Cable Tower Pulley System
Plate loaded cable tower system that mounts to your wall for a huge variety of exercises!
$395
Okay, we know this is a little over budget. But a high quality exercise / stationary bike is a worthwhile investment. It's perfect for everyone from total beginners to seasoned athletes, and it can also be great for completing HIIT workouts.
It's got all the benefits of cycling on open roads, but without the inconvenience of having to leave your home. An added bonus is that they help you in building muscle in your legs while you ride! The only downside is that you need to allocate a little more space, but it's definitely worth it if you're serious about getting into shape!
You can also jump into some live classes with your exercise bike using something like iFit! iFit is rapidly growing as one of the top home workout apps with on demand classes available. It allows you to train alongside a qualified personal trainer from the privacy of your home. Check it out by clicking here!
Upright stationary bike for under $500. Features comfortable seating, and fitness tracking!
$495
Honestly, it depends on how much fitness equipment you want to buy. With a simple setup, like the one outlined above, you've only really need 4-5 square metres. You won't be able to fit anything like like a rowing machine or multi gym, but it will get the job done.
It's important that when picking your space, you take a few things into account. It needs to be well covered to protect against rain, and preferably somewhere you can close off from the rest of your house. It's also best to leave it in a spot that doesn't get too much foot traffic, for safety reasons! Also, if you're buying any kinds of strength training equipment that requires wall mounting, make sure you pick a wall that has sturdy construction. The last thing you want is a wall falling on you while training.
With a good quality home gym equipment setup, you'll be burning calories throughout your entire workout. In terms of exercise equipment designed specifically to burn calories, you'd need something like an exercise bike or rowing machine. If space doesn't allow for gym machines of their size, you can burn calories quickly with something like a skipping rope. This is outlined further above!
Chances are, you won't stream classes that require you to have a multi gym or any large strength training machines. Most of the time, live classes involve smaller items like resistance bands, gym balls, and a yoga mat. Thankfully, you can pick up most of these for under $100! Click here to see the huge range of conditioning equipment available at Gym Direct.
If you want us to pick 'the best', we'd have to say some kind of multi gym like Gym Direct's MSG series. But this may be a little out of budget for most people. If you want to smash your muscle building and fitness goals without spending too much, all you need is a set of dumbbells. As far as home gym equipment goes, this is by far the most versatile product you can buy. However, if you have a little more budget to work with, look at some Olympic weight and barbell sets.
Now that you know what we thing is the best home gym equipment to buy, the only thing left is deciding where you should but it. At Gym Direct, we have a huge online range that is growing every single day. Our mission statement is to stock equipment that caters for every single budget, to ensure everyone has the same access to quality gym equipment.
To view our full in stock range, click here!
Remember: The key with exercise is finding something that works for YOU and then sticking to it. You don't have to build your ultimate set up all in one go, take it in baby steps!
We hope this article helped you out. Good luck, and happy training!
About the author:
We write all of our blog posts as a group - consulting members of our sales, marketing and customer service teams to give you the content that you deserve. At Gym Direct, we know how important it is to stay informed when it comes to the equipment you invest in - so we've made it a top priority to write content periodically to assist you in doing so. Happy training!
Written by Gym Direct
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