Building A Home Gym

Building a Home Gym

This post contains affiliate/referral links.

Update Oct. 2021 – Prices have calmed down, some equipment are prices even lower than pre-pandemic rates Hooray!

Update March 2021 – Just a quick warning that some of prices of items listed are astronomical right now compared to when I made these purchases back in spring 2020. Most places are sold out which explain the price hike. If not, there is always the option to switch to a HIIT workout or get only dumbbells if they’re available.

Feel free to email me with any questions if you want to try out my 20min HIIT workouts.

When all the gyms closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, I quickly started looking into turning my garage into a home gym. After some trial and error, here is a list of equipment that worked for me.

HOME ALL-BODY GYM

JASON’S TOP FOUR FAVORITE UNIVERSAL SYSTEMS 

Powerline by Body-Solid BSG10X Home Gym with 160-Pound Weight Stack for Upper and Lower Body Workouts

“2,200-pound tension strength, military-grade aircraft cables with swiveling ends and a no-cable-change design are versatile and convenient, offering a challenging full-body workout.“

This is a compact workout system, 90% pre-installed in a single box. Easier to assemble than an Ikea dining table.

https://amzn.to/3vklT03

Body Solid G6BR Bi-Angular Home Gym

• 6 STATIONS: Bi-Angular press arms, lat pulldown, ab crunch, pec station, leg extension, and seated row

• BI-ANGULAR PRESS ARMS: Guide you through the optimal natural range-of-motion while applying resistance from two directions simultaneously

• QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: 2,200 lb. tension strength, military spec, steel aircraft cables with swiveling ends provide durability and low maintenance

• INCLUDES: Revolving lat bar, revolving straight bar, ankle strap, ab/triceps strap, Total Body Workout DVD, full size exercise chart, convenient water bottle, and towel holder.

https://amzn.to/3vklT03

Body-Solid G5S Single Stack Gym Machine for Weight Training, Home and Commercial Gym

• 6 STATIONS: Chest press, lat pulldown, ab crunch, pec station, leg extension, and seated row

• DESIGN: Self-aligning, contoured leg extension cuffs automatically adjust throughout the exercise movement

• QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: 2,200 lb. tension strength, military spec, steel aircraft cables with swiveling ends provide durability and low maintenance

• INCLUDES: Lat bar, revolving straight bar, ankle strap, ab/triceps strap, Total Body Workout DVD, full size exercise chart and convenient water bottle and towel holder

https://amzn.to/3cxwU6Q

Body-Solid Fusion 500 Home Gym with 210-Pound Weight Stack (F500/2)

Functional Training Home Gym

The Body-Solid Fusion 500 modular multi-station home gym offers a state-of-the-art traditional and functional training regimen in the comfort and convenience of your own home gym. Designed to adapt to your space and workout needs, this home workout machine configures according to your specifications to offer you the option of more than 60 exercises. A gas-assist telescoping seat with multiple position cushion ensures comfort and adjustability for users of any size.

https://amzn.to/3cxwU6Q

SIMPLER SYSTEMS

Powerline by Body-Solid BSG10X Home Gym with 160-Pound Weight Stack for Upper and Lower Body Workouts

Easy Assembly Gym

The BSG10X gym comes 90 percent pre-assembled in one box. The compact frame is less than 4 feet wide and 6 1/2 feet tall, allowing easy installation in any room. A stable platform and multiple seat adjustments let the BSG10X accommodate users of all sizes. A 160-pound adjustable weight stack, high, mid, and low pulleys, and an 8-position adjustable press arm and leg developer station enable you to perform over 40 exercises safely and biomechanically correctly.

https://amzn.to/3FANNKu

COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Body-Solid StrengthTech EXM2500S Home Gym

• Consumer Magazine’s Best Buy Home Gym!

• 210lb. Selectorized Iron Weight Stack in 10lb. Plates

• Heavy Duty Construction, DuraFirm pads, Powder Coat Finish

• Pec Station, Press Arm, Leg Developer, High, Mid, and Low Pulleys

• Lifetime Warranty on Everything Forever

https://amzn.to/3oPBbbx

Body-Solid Powerline P2LPX Home Gym Equipment with Leg Press, Grey/Black

• MULTI FUNCTIONAL: The Powerline Home Gym with Leg Press P2LPX complete gym from Body-Solid is a comprehensive home workout machine for total-body training with an added leg press

• SIX STATIONS: This fitness equipment provides six workout stations, including multi-press arms, lat pull-down ab crunch, functional pulleys, leg extension/leg curl and seated row

• WEIGHT STACK: The home gym comes with a standard 160-pound alloy weight stack

• ADJUSTABLE: Ideal for a total body workout in small compact spaces, and features a single adjustable seat with a two-way adjustable back pad

https://amzn.to/3oLSeLK

SQUAT RACK

Sunny Health & Fitness Power and Squat Rack with High Weight Capacity, Olympic Weight Plate Storage and 360° Swivel Landmine and Power Band Attachment

This is a pretty sturdy rack, supports up to 500lbs for the pull-up bar and 880lbs for the bar holders.

I’ve had it now for over a year without any problems.

https://amzn.to/3vklT03

DIP BAR STATION / PUSH UP STAND

RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE Dip Station Functional Heavy Duty Dip Stands Fitness Workout Dip bar Station Stabilizer Parallette Push Up Stand

You may have seen these used in a lot of calisthenics videos. They are perfect for a large variety of exercises. Great for indoor/outdoor use. I highly recommend getting this stand.

https://amzn.to/3nlApSy

OLYMPIC BAR

Sporzon! Olympic Barbell Standard Weightlifting Barbell

This Olympic Bar is ideal for bench presses and squats. I recommend getting the 2-inch, 6ft or 7ft bar for optimal performance.

https://amzn.to/32QdzsG

OLYMPIC PLATES

XMark Texas Star Olympic Plates, Patented Design, Pairs and Sets, Rubber Coated Olympic Weight Plates, One-Year Warranty, Olympic Barbell Weight Set for Home

While you’re upgrading that home gym, don’t forget to get these Olympic plates. The set comes with (2) 25 lb, (2) 10 lb, (4) 5 lb and (2) 2.5 lb Olympic weight plates – Total weight is 95 lbs. Rubber coating makes it very durable. It’s really well priced right now at around $276.00 with Prime Free Shipping on Amazon. 

https://amzn.to/2S0zJGs

OLYMPIC WEIGHT SET WITH BAR

Fitness Gear 300 lb Olympic Weight Set

If you don’t have time to customize your plate set, this 300lb olympic weight set is perfect. Comes wiht a 45lb 7ft bar, clips, and two plates of weights of 45, 35, 25, 10, 2.5lbs, and four plates of weights 5lbs.

https://amzn.to/2QsfUHT

OLYMPIC WEIGHT BAR PLATE LOCKS – COLLAR CLIPS

Greententljs Olympic Barbell Clamps 2 inch Quick Release

I highly recommend you getting this type of clamp over the chrome spring clamps. They’re easier to use and more durable.

https://amzn.to/3xnTWW6

ADJUSTABLE DUMBBELL

POWERBLOCK BRAND

These are spacesavers! It replaces 16 pairs of dumbbells in the space of 1 with a weight range of 5-50lbs per hand. It’s also expandable to 70 and 90lbs.

POWERBLOCK Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbell (2020 Model)

https://amzn.to/32R12oU

PowerBlock Personal Trainer Set

https://amzn.to/3eQHcjp

POWERBLOCK Large Column Stand, Silver/Black, Model:Large Column Stand Silver

https://amzn.to/3xslLNZ

GYM FLOORING

Prosource Fit Extra Thick Puzzle Exercise Mat 3/4″ or 1”, EVA Foam Interlocking Tiles for Protective, Cushioned Workout Flooring for Home and Gym Equipment

Before you start laying out your new equipment, you should tile your floors with this dense and thick foam mat. I recommend not using anything under 1 inch thick. As long as you don’t have cats, they should last awhile. If you do have cats, DO NOT LET THEM NEAR THE FOAM. 

https://amzn.to/2S0zJGs