BUILD A HOME GYM FOR $50
Author: Frances Mathis
As a college student, I don’t exactly have the budget (or the space) for a fancy gym membership or tons of expensive equipment. But staying active is important, and luckily, you don’t need a full gym setup to get in a solid workout. With just $50 (or less), you can create a simple but effective home gym that covers all the basics. Here’s how to do it!
1. RESISTANCE BANDS ($10-$20)
Resistance bands are one of the best investments for a home gym. They’re super affordable, take up almost no space, and can be used for strength training, stretching, and mobility work. A set with different resistance levels will give you tons of workout options, from squats and lunges to bicep curls and shoulder presses.
2. JUMP ROPE ($5-10)
Forget the treadmill—jumping rope is one of the best cardio workouts you can do. It burns a ton of calories, improves coordination, and takes up zero space. You can get a decent jump rope for around $5, making it one of the cheapest and most effective ways to stay fit at home.
3. YOGA MAT ($10-$15)
A yoga mat isn’t just for yoga—it’s great for bodyweight exercises, core workouts, and stretching. If you’re working out on a hard floor, it makes exercises way more comfortable. You don’t need a high-end mat; a basic one from Walmart or Amazon will do the trick.
4. ADJUSTABLE DUMBBELLS OR KETTLEBELL ($20-$30, OPTIONAL)
If you have a little extra room in your budget, grab a pair of adjustable dumbbells or a kettlebell. You can usually find used weights at thrift stores or on Facebook Marketplace for cheap. They add extra resistance to your workouts and can replace a lot of machines at the gym.
5. DIY WEIGHTS (FREE/CHEAP)
If you don’t want to spend money on dumbbells, get creative! Fill old milk jugs with water or sand for an easy homemade weight. A backpack loaded with books can also work as a weighted vest for squats, lunges, or push-ups.
YOUR AT HOME WORKOUT PLAN
Now that you have your budget-friendly home gym, here’s a quick full-body workout you can do with minimal equipment:
Jump Rope (2 min warm-up)
Bodyweight Squats (3 sets of 15 reps)
Push-ups (3 sets of 10-15 reps)
Resistance Band Rows (3 sets of 12 reps)
Plank (3 rounds of 30-45 sec)
Jump Rope (1 min finisher)
LETS WRAP IT UP
You don’t need fancy machines or a pricey gym membership to stay in shape. With just a few key pieces of equipment (or even DIY options), you can get a great workout at home for under $50. So if the gym isn’t an option, don’t stress—you can still hit your fitness goals without breaking the bank!
