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how i built my (weight lifting) home gym

3/13/2019

16 Comments

 
How to build a home gym when you like lifting weights. Build a home gym for less than $1,200 with these items! #liftyourlifewithlaura #weightlifting #homegym #homegyminspiration #workouttip #liftweights

I was spoiled by my college gym...

College was when I found my love of weight lifting, and I was SPOILED by my school's gym.  It had ALL the "toys" I could ever dream of there.  I used it as much as I could for about two years, and then...  I graduated. 

After graduation, I moved in with my then boyfriend (now husband) and struggled to find a job.  I also struggled without a gym...  I didn't want to pay for a gym membership after being spoiled by a "free" membership to the college gym, so I just couldn't bring myself to pay some big name gym every single month. 

After doing some research and talking it over with my husband, I decided to start piecing together my own home gym about five years ago.  Keep reading for the steps I took to building a great home gym without breaking the bank!

weights are heavy... and expensive...

You've probably seen all the other pins on Pinterest talking about building a home gym with "no weights", "minimal equipment", etc...  But what if you LIKE using the big stuff?  This is the exact issue I had.  Weights are fun, but because they are heavy they are also pricey.  I started out with all the "typical", "cheap" things that you see on those Pinterest lists like a mat, stability ball, mini bands, etc.  But I knew deep down that I NEEDED more. 

The list below shows the exact order I purchased things and the prices I paid!
1. DUMBBELLS:
Dumbbells were priority number one for me, and they were one of the most intimidating purchases too because of the expense and because there's just so many types!  To not clutter our basement, I decided to find a set of adjustable dumbbells.  To not break the bank, I also decided to buy these dumbbells USED because really, a weight is a weight.  It doesn't matter if it's scuffed, rusty etc, all it's doing is weighing you down.  On average, you will pay AT LEAST a dollar a pound for the most basic dumbbells (new), but when buying them used, I was able to get about 200 lbs of weight for only $100.  I found this deal by scouring Craigslist (Facebook marketplace didn't exist back then) until I finally found a used set of dumbbells really similar to these.  Once I brought those home, I thought I would be set for awhile, until I decided to bench press with them.

2. BENCH
At first, I thought I could get away with benching on my stability ball, but there was just no way for me to keep my neck in a comfortable position for that long.  So...  next on my list was a
 flat weight bench.  I am pretty sure I tried to find a bench like this on Craigslist, but when I couldn't find anything used, I went to Amazon.  I still have this bench today and it works great, but every so often I do need to retighten the bolts.

3. BARBELL (#1)
I love barbells.  Working with them makes you feel like a bad ass, and they are just so convenient when you want to pick up heavy stuff like I was used to doing.  My college gym had beautiful Olympic bars, plates and racks and I had no idea that there was any other type.  I looked up these Olympic barbells (2" diameter on the ends) online and was shocked by their price.  So, I then discovered standard bars and plates (1" diameter on the ends).  These bars would be a perfect fit for the weight plates that I already had from my adjustable dumbbells, so I decided to buy a bar for deadlifting.  The bar I chose was the cheapest I could find and also the shortest  (in order to save space). 

4. SQUAT RACK
So I could bench, I could deadlift, I could do any accessory work I wanted with dumbbells, but I couldn't really squat like I wanted to.  Sure I could put dumbbells up on my shoulders, do goblet squats, or overhead press the bar up on my shoulders, but my shoulders then limited how much weight I could use.  This dilemma really got to me (to the point where I just couldn't take it anymore) about 3 months after buying my dumbbells and so my quest started for a rack.  This was definitely going to be my biggest purchase, so I made sure to do my research.  I didn't need anything fancy, but I wanted something that would keep me SAFE.  To me, that meant a power rack (four corners that "box" you in) rather than just a squat rack (only two supports for the barbell).  At the time I purchased my rack, it was NOT available on Amazon, but here it is now, even with free shipping (which I didn't get 5 years ago).  This specific power rack from Titan Fitness was easy to assemble and HEAVY, a great safety feature.  It has a pull up bar, safeties, and was easy to assemble for my husband and I.  I have even taken this rack apart and moved it to a new basement, and we had no issues at all! 

This was definitely the biggest purchase, but it was also the most useful and paid for itself easily.  Right now you can get it for $335, so let's do the math.  At the time I am writing this article, Goole says that the average cost for a gym membership is $58 per month. 

$335 / $58 = 5.77 months.  Say what? 

​You can make up the cost of that squat rack in 6 months???  Even if you live somewhere that a gym membership is HALF that, you could still make up the cost of the squat rack in a year.  And who knows, maybe you can even find a used power rack near you for cheaper!


5. BARBELL (#2)
Remember how I bought a short barbell in step 3 to save space?  This decision bit me in the butt really...  Please keep in mind that you need a 7' barbell (not 6') in order to make it span the width of a squat or power rack.  This is the exact reason I now have two barbells (this is the 7' bar I bought).  One stays on the floor for deadlifts, and one stays in my power rack for benching and squatting.
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6. PULL-UP BANDS
Without an assisted pull up machine, how was I supposed to work up to a full pull up?  Bands.  Simple as that!  Again, I did my research on these bands and based off my bodyweight (around 140 lbs) and ability, I decided on a green, purple and red band.  These are way cheaper than an assisted pull up machine right???

7. SUSPENSION TRAINER
Notice how I didn't say TRX here?  That's because I was NOT going to pay the price for a name brand system.  Although the exact brand I have is not available on Amazon anymore, there's lots of great options that my clients have found, like this one specifically (same price as what I paid for mine, and way cheaper than a $200 TRX!)

​8. BOSU BALL
At this point in my fitness journey, I knew I was lacking in the area of stability (because I was going through my personal training certification)...  Once I learned what a bosu ball is and learned how they can change almost any exercise and turn it into something totally new, I was sold!  It is now one of my favorite pieces, even more used than my stability ball!

total damage:

Total damage (over the span of 9 months or so) = $1,200

Let's go back to that calculation from before.  If Google says that the average gym membership is $58 a month...
​
$1,200 / $58 = 20.7 months to make up your cost. 

That's under two years!  I bet that you have been lifting in a gym for at least 6 months if you're reading this, so you're a quarter of the way there!  Wouldn't your money be spent in a better place (like your own home) rather than a gym?

what's next?

Now I am not going to lie and say that I do not want anything else for my home gym...  In fact, I have upgraded my dumbbells (but I still bought them used through Facebook marketplace!), and I do dream of buying Olympic barbells and plates...  But until that day comes, I am perfectly happy with the home gym I created because it has given me all the tools I need to progress in my fitness journey!

Do you have any specific things you love in your home gym?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Pin now and come back later!

How to build a home gym when you like lifting weights. Build a home gym for less than $1,200 with these items! #liftyourlifewithlaura #weightlifting #homegym #homegyminspiration #workouttip #liftweights
Home gym ideas weights without breaking the bank. Create a home gym when you like lifting weights. #liftyourlifewithlaura #homegym #weightlifting #homegym #gymlife #liftweights #workout #workoutroutine
Learn what cheap home gym equipment you need if you like lifting weight! Create a home gym when you like lifting weights. #liftyourlifewithlaura #homegym #weightlifting #homegym #gymlife #liftweights #workout #workoutroutine
16 Comments
Reeva link
3/26/2021 12:15:46 am

Niice post thanks for sharing

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8/25/2021 05:48:17 am

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James_342 link
3/31/2022 11:51:19 am

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

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MckinneyVia link
8/30/2022 11:04:40 pm

I very much appreciate it. Thank you for this excellent article. Keep posting!

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Accessories for Home Gym link
11/21/2023 07:15:32 am

I'm grateful to the blog author for sharing their journey on building a weightlifting home gym. This blog provides valuable insights and practical tips. Reading about your experiences and the resources you used was both inspiring and informative. It has motivated me to embark on my home gym project, armed with newfound knowledge. Thanks for the guidance!

Reply
Daniel Lovato link
12/26/2023 03:31:26 pm


Your post on how you built your weight-lifting home gym is a fantastic guide for anyone looking to create their workout space. The detailed breakdown of the equipment, considerations for space, and the practical tips you provide make it a valuable resource for those starting their home fitness journey.

The emphasis on versatility, budget-conscious choices, and optimizing space showcases a thoughtful approach to building a home gym that aligns with individual needs. Your personal experience adds a relatable touch and inspires confidence in those embarking on a similar endeavor.

Thanks for sharing your insights and the step-by-step process of creating your home gym. Your post is sure to empower and guide individuals in crafting a space that not only supports their fitness goals but also fits seamlessly into their lifestyle. Here's to effective and enjoyable home workouts!

Reply
Daniel Lovato link
12/26/2023 03:31:54 pm


Your post on how you built your weight-lifting home gym is a fantastic guide for anyone looking to create their workout space. The detailed breakdown of the equipment, considerations for space, and the practical tips you provide make it a valuable resource for those starting their home fitness journey.

The emphasis on versatility, budget-conscious choices, and optimizing space showcases a thoughtful approach to building a home gym that aligns with individual needs. Your personal experience adds a relatable touch and inspires confidence in those embarking on a similar endeavor.

Thanks for sharing your insights and the step-by-step process of creating your home gym. Your post is sure to empower and guide individuals in crafting a space that not only supports their fitness goals but also fits seamlessly into their lifestyle. Here's to effective and enjoyable home workouts!

Reply
Ellison Williams @Fitness Gym at Home link
2/27/2024 05:49:07 am

Your blog is an excellent treasure trove of useful information! I can't thank you enough for sharing your experience and thoughts on creating a weightlifting home gym. Your in-depth explanations and practical advice are really beneficial to anyone considering a similar undertaking. Keep up the great work!

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8/12/2024 10:04:53 am

informative.

Reply
Sidney De Queiroz Pedrosa link
11/6/2024 09:13:12 am

This is such an inspiring read! Your journey to building a home gym is impressive. It’s motivating to see how you’ve crafted a space tailored to your goals. The tips you shared will definitely help anyone looking to create their own gym at home. Great work!

Reply
Beatriz Barata link
11/6/2024 11:17:11 am

Great article! I loved reading about your journey in building a home gym for weight lifting. Your tips on choosing equipment and setting up the space are super helpful. It's inspiring to see how you created a functional and motivating workout environment at home!

Reply
Roofers Near me link
2/3/2025 05:58:27 am

This is so helpful! As someone who’s been debating building a home gym, your step-by-step guide and cost breakdown make it feel so much more achievable. The tip about the 7' barbell vs. the 6' one is a lifesaver—would’ve made that mistake for sure!

Reply
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2/25/2025 07:17:05 am

Great post! It's inspiring to see how you managed to create a functional and effective home gym. Your practical tips and insights into finding budget-friendly equipment are much appreciated.

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Flat Roofing North link
3/10/2025 09:17:37 am

Totally relatable! Going from a free college gym to pricey memberships is tough. Looking forward to your tips on creating a home gym!

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Roof Repair Molescroft link
4/13/2025 02:06:16 am

Love the journey from college gym to home gym! It’s inspiring to see how you made it work without breaking the bank.

Reply
Sam Samuel link
5/17/2025 06:06:50 am

Wow, I really felt this! I was also totally spoiled by my college gym, and it was such a struggle to adjust after graduation. I love how you broke everything down step-by-step — super relatable and actually really helpful. Buying used weights is such a smart move (and yeah, they’re still heavy no matter how rusty they are 😅). This post gave me a lot of ideas for my own home gym setup. Thanks for sharing your experience!

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    My name is Laura and I help overly tired 20something women overhaul their lives, energy and confidence without overwhelm.

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