Let’s face it – home gym equipment is not cheap.
But fear not, you don’t have to break the bank with this extensive list of the best budget strength and cardio equipment for your home gym.
Best Budget Home Gym Equipment
- Best Budget Power Rack: REP FITNESS PR-1100 Power Rack
- Best Budget Squat Stand: Sunny Essential Power Squat Stand
- Best Budget Rack with Lat Pulldown: Fitness Reality Squat Rack 810 XLT with Lat Pulldown
- Best Budget Rack with Cable Crossover Attachment: Papababe Power Cage with Cable Crossover
- Best Budget Lat Pulldown Machine: Merax LAT Pulldown and Low Row Cable Machine
- Best Budget Functional Trainer: Body-Solid BFFT10R Functional Trainer
- Best Budget Folding Rack: Titan T-3 Series Folding Power Rack
- Best Budget Smith Machine: Deltech Fitness Linear Bearing Smith Machine
- Best Budget Half Rack: CAP Barbell FM-8000F Deluxe Power Rack
- Best Budget Deadlift Platform: Titan Deadlift Platform & Rubber Tiles
- Best Budget Air Bike: Marcy AIR-1 Upright Fan Bike
- Best Budget Adjustable Dumbbell: Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell
- Best Budget Foldable Weight Bench: SuperMax Adjustable Weight Bench
- Best Budget Preacher Curl Bench: Titan Fitness Preacher Curl Station
- Best Budget Power Tower: Weider Power Tower
- Best Budget Home Gym Pulley System: Mikolo Fitness LAT and Lift Pulley System
- Best Budget Sandbag: Rep Fitness Sandbag
- Best Budget Horizontal Barbell Rack: Synergee Barbell Gun Rack Wall Mounted
- Best Budget Vertical Rack: Yes4All Barbell Holder Vertical Storage Rack
- Best Budget Dumbbell Rack: Marcy 3-Tier Dumbbell Rack
- Best Budget Battle Rope: Living.Fit Battle Rope
- Best Budget Pull-Up Bar: Iron Age Pull-Up Bar for Doorway
- Best Budget Weighted Jump Rope: N1Fit Weighted Jump Rope 1LB
- Best Budget Weighted Vest: Aduro Sport Weighted Vest
- Best Budget Compact Home Gym: BodyGym Portable Home Gym
- Best Budget Barbell Pad: Dark Iron Fitness 17 Inch Extra Thick Barbell Neck Pad
- Best Budget Trap Bar: HulkFit Olympic Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar
- Best Budget Olympic Barbell: CAP 7-Foot Olympic Bar
- Best Budget EZ Curl Bar: Synergee Commercial EZ Curl Olympic Bar
- Best Budget Dumbell Barbell: Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells
- Best Budget Adjustable KettleBell: Kettle Gryp
Best Budget Power Rack: REP FITNESS PR-1100 Power Rack
Our favorite budget power rack due to its low cost but excellent features. This power rack opts to maximize the quality of the basics and the few attachments it does offer, with very little unnecessary fluff.
The REP Fitness’ PR-1100 power rack is our favorite power rack on the market for its low cost but excellent features.
In this price range, we think it is the best choice for most people, most of the time.
This power rack opts to maximize the quality of the basics and the few attachments it does offer, with very little unnecessary fluff.
A power rack under 500 dollars with a 1000lbs weight rating (perfect for almost everyone) is a strong set of basic construction. The additional bracing was a strong cross-brace that helps provide more stability than you’d get from the moderate-weight frame.
We love that this product doesn’t compromise on any of the basics – even if this reduces the variety of attachments you get as standard. That involves a pull-up bar that also doubles up as a further cross-brace to build better stability and improve the lateral shaking of the product.
The only drawbacks to this product are the inherent costs of trading off the price for reduced attachment and feature variety.
Final verdict
This is an excellent product in what it does and only comes at the cost of streamlining the key functions to those most important for a high-quality product, despite the relatively light price tag.
This makes it an excellent overall choice and an easy top placing for this list, with the best all-around benefits and strengths for a Power rack under 500 dollars!
Best Budget Squat Stand: Sunny Essential Power Squat Stand
The overall training value of this squat stand relative to its price is absurd. It offers the best bang for your buck of any training equipment on the market.
This is a slimline, minimalist squat stand for those who want to add a range of exercises to their at-home weight training but don’t want to invest too heavily – or lack space.
It’s a streamlined option but offers surprisingly good function with a top brace and a good footprint.
It also maximizes on space use with built-in weight pegs for added utility and better stability/balance during use.
This set of squat stands even comes with added band pegs, and the top brace doubles up as a pull-up bar – though it’s not the most stable we’ve ever tried.
The overall training value of this squat stand relative to its price is absurd. It offers one of the best bang for your buck options of any training equipment on the market.
This model also includes two upgrade sets – one with additional rear bracing, band pegs, and spotter arms. The second upgrade set offers a heavier frame with a built-in landmine attachment.
Though the original, ‘essential’ setup is the best value on the market and stands on its own as a fantastic budget squat stand for home gyms.
Another great option is the HulkFit Multifunction Adjustable Power Rack. You can read more about it in our reviews of the best squat stands.
Best Budget Power Rack with Lat Pulldown: Fitness Reality Squat Rack 810 XLT with Lat Pulldown
A fantastic choice for the money, opening up a huge range of training options for anyone with a tight budget. It's a good piece for any home gym and can add a ton of value without the high investment of other products.
The Fitness Reality 810XLT Power Cage is a great choice if you’re on a budget but still want a full set of features.
This version is available stand-alone and can also be upgraded from the original XLT power cage.
The price is low, making it one of the most affordable options on the market – but it still performs well as a power cage by itself.
The plate-loaded lat pulldown is stabilized through the top bar, while the rack also includes a pull-up bar and low foam pads as standard.
The pulldown itself is well-built with a 270lbs weight capacity. This is slightly more than the REP fitness option and does offer a good range.
It’s still a relatively sub-commercial quality, but the added weight does mean more progress for stronger people.
The Fitness Reality 810XLT Power Cage is a fantastic choice for the money, opening up a huge range of training options for anyone with a tight budget.
It’s a good piece for any home gym and can add a ton of value for the money without the investment of other products like the REP or Rogue choices.
Learn more about power racks with lat pulldown or go even more affordable with a home gym pulley system like the Cable Pro.
Best Budget Power Rack with Cable Crossover Attachment: Papababe Power Cage with Cable Crossover
A good option that does the things you need without any frills, but also cuts out some of the more premium options to save money.
- 2" x 2" steel frame
- Adjustable J-hooks and 25.5" safety bars
- 1200lbs weight capacity
This is a great choice if you’ve got plenty of space but little money, and want to make the most of each dollar you spend.
It’s a way to drastically widen the possible training options in your gym without spending as much money as some of our top competitors for premium power rack with cable attachment competitors.
The dual cable pulley system is incredibly versatile for most uses and has a wide range of height positions.
The moving parts are the one area where the cost shows up, and they do require some love and care over time to keep them strong, safe, and healthy.
The footprint provides a ton of security and stability, while the options for cable attachments are good, the added features (like weight pegs and pull-up bars) are great, and the high cables are great.
This product does lack the low pulley cables, which can be a limiting factor for some workouts. If you want a low cable pulley and a landmine, you’ll need to go with Valor or Mikolo!
Final Verdict
This is a good option if you want a cheaper version of the Rogue Lite Cave or the Valor Fitness Rack with cable crossover. It does the things you need without any frills but also cuts out some of the more premium options to save money.
If you are looking to compare options, check out our guide to the Best Power Racks With Cable Crossover Attachments.
Best Budget Lat Pulldown Machine: Merax LAT Pulldown and Low Row Cable Machine
The Merax Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable machine is the best way to save money and get all the training options you need. It’s a perfect choice for a small home gym that needs more options but without spending a ton of cash.
The Merax Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable machine is the best way to save money and get all the training options you need.
It’s a perfect choice for a small home gym that needs more options but without spending a ton of cash.
It’s a stand-alone lat pulldown machine but is plate-loaded to save you money on the stack-loaded weights. This saves a ton of extra weight, cost, and even shipping costs.
The features themselves are strong for this kind of system, with a stable footprint and double pulley system for low rows and a wide range of cable exercises.
This gives the Merax a complete feature set. The stack loading really is the only difference you’re going to notice between this product and most of the options on the market at a higher price.
The main features like the handles, cables, chains, and pads are all high quality, which gives you a surprisingly plush experience for the price tag!
This is what defines this product: the whole experience is very good while the price is low.
The benefit per dollar is off the charts, offering a different type of value to the rogue monster lat pulldown, but with the same total benefit per dollar.
It’s a stack-loaded option that has all the best budget options for saving money – and you may not notice the difference in a home gym, depending on your experience and needs!
Check out our guide to the Best Lat Pulldown Machines for Home Gyms.
Best Budget Functional Trainer: Body-Solid BFFT10R Functional Trainer
The Body Solid model is an excellent choice if you’re a beginner, if you’re not too worried about top-end weight capacity, or if you’re just using a functional trainer to get in shape.
This is a super simple, streamlined take on the functional trainer and uses a small, single-weight stack with dual pulleys.
This reduces the cost of the product massively and is perfect for beginners looking to add a functional trainer to a burgeoning home gym setup.
It’s a great choice if you’re a beginner, if you’re not too worried about top-end weight capacity, or if you’re just using a functional trainer to get in shape.
For all of these purposes, the cost and size are perfect, while still offering a versatile training experience.
All the key features are here: adjustable cable pulley heights, an integrated pull-up bar, and 190lbs of stack weight.
For those keeping track, that’s more than Rep Fitness FT-3000‘s combined weight by 10lbs. This makes the lightweight frame and simple construction of the Body Solid functional trainer a great choice.
Key takeaway
This is a perfect choice for budget limitations, beginners, and anyone looking to get a cheap functional trainer that offers great training effects.
It’s not the most feature-rich option, but it does everything you need at a great price!
Check out the full list of Best Home Gym Functional Trainers.
Best Budget Folding Rack: Titan T-3 Series Folding Power Rack
The Titan T-3 folding rack is a high-quality but budget-friendly option giving you the functionality of a power rack with a small footprint.
The Titan T-3 folding rack is a budget-friendly version of the Rogue RML-3W. It is very similar to that Rogue rack, but it costs less. Of course, the build quality is not as good, but that is to be expected.
There are two height options, 82” and 91”, and two depth options, 21.5” and 41.5”.
However, there are no stringers, which is a problem as it impacts stability and strength. These racks are compatible with Rogue attachments, and you can make it work with a Rogue stringer with some slight adjustments.
The rack comes with a built-in pullup bar, a pair of J-hooks, and a Westside hole placement, which is nice. For the price, it is a good product.
Learn more about what to look for when buying a folding rack.
Best Budget Smith Machine: Deltech Fitness Linear Bearing Smith Machine
A perfect no-frills, affordable choice. Built well for the price, offering a great take on the core functions – ideal for saving money and still lifting heavy weights at home.
Deltech’s Smith machine is a great option for saving money and space, offering a great price tag with all the most important features of a smith machine.
It’s relatively small but still offers plenty of space for workouts and has good stability.
The Deltech doesn’t compromise on its features.
It offers weight pegs and a pull-up bar as standard. The actual safety pegs are strong with a spring buffer to reduce damage if you do miss a lift, and the stability can be comparable to any other product if you’re using the weight storage pegs, too.
This is reflected in the 700lb weight capacity – enough for anything but the strongest users.
The chrome-plated fixtures are good for the price and provide a level of durability and quality that you might not expect at this price point.
Deltech’s value offering is great because of this quality-and-price mixture.
It does lack some of the finer benefits of a more expensive model – like half-rack function and cable attachments – but this is a budget option, and that’s to be expected. Read our guide to the Best Smith Machines to learn more.
Deltech’s Smith Machine is a perfect no-frills choice. It’s affordable, built well for the price, and offers a great take on the device’s core functions – perfect for saving money and still lifting heavy weights at home.
Best Budget Half Rack: CAP Barbell FM-8000F Deluxe Power Rack
The CAP FM-8000F Half Rack was our budget buy on our list of the Best Half Racks.
It lacks some of the stability and features of the Rogue HR-2 Half Rack or the Titan T3 Squat Rack With Half Rack Conversion Kit but comes in at a ridiculously low price, making it a great choice if you’re just starting out or working with a tight budget.
This is a lighter construction squat rack that lacks the secondary uprights we’d see with a larger product. It resembles a squat stand but also has the added stability of a larger footprint and some of the better features we see on more expensive products. Such as band pegs and weight storage pegs as standard.
The setup itself is a lot lighter weight, but that is on the basis of a lower weight rating, which caps out around 500lbs, so you’re not going to be squatting huge weights from this rack.
This is why it’s our budget recommendation: it offers the important functions in a cheap and small package. It’s perfect for beginners who want to build a home gym without the cost and don’t need a huge weight rating yet.
Final Verdict: The CAP FM-8000F Half Rack is an affordable, entry-level rack that comes with some nice features.
Most Affordable Deadlift Platform: Titan Deadlift Platform & Rubber Tiles
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The Titan Deadlift Platform & Rubber Tiles is a great, simple option for a deadlift platform.
It’s comparable to the Rogue Deadlift Platform but with a slightly lower quality of materials and design to offer a significant price decrease.
This model comes with removable band pegs as standard, which is a nice luxury.
The rubber is thick and has good density, and it’s going to fit well in a smaller home gym since it’s only a 4x8ft platform.
The quality of materials is slightly lower with the Titan model – the steel construction and the tiles’ foam density are somewhat lower, with a marginally less well-regulated fitment. However, the price is 20-30% lower than Rogue’s offering, which is significant.
Key Takeaway: The quality of the platform is good for the value, which is what matters: it might be affordable, but it’s not cheap – making it a great entry-level deadlift platform for a home gym!
Learn more about what to look for when buying a deadlift platform for your home gym.
Best Budget Air Bike: Marcy AIR-1 Upright Fan Bike
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Air bikes (also known as assault bikes) can be pricey pieces of equipment.
But the Marcy AIR-1 is a budget-friendly option that can stand proud in almost any home gym.
It has plenty of features that make it a great contender among bigger-priced peers, such as its high comfort level thanks to a great ergonomic seat.
Indeed, comfort and affordability are the words of the day here; each aspect of this product is made with ease of use in mind. The LCD screen isn’t of the highest quality — but the interface is incredible at conveying all of the information that you need while doing your workout.
This is a resistance air bike that you wouldn’t be ashamed of. The higher your pedaling intensity is, the more resistance you will encounter — always keeping you sufficiently challenged and, quite literally, on your toes.
Read up on what to look for when buying an air bike.
Best Budget Adjustable Dumbbell: Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell
The Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell offers a great, easy-to-use, effective option at a fraction of the price of the competitors on the market.
Flybird provides one of the best products on the market by simplifying the adjustable dumbbell back down.
Not only are they cheap and effective, but their design even makes them perfect in some ways you might not have considered.
The Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell are spiral-cut standard (or 1″) plate-loaded handles. These are typically not as good as adjustable dumbbells, but they do come at a much lower price and don’t need a complicated mechanism to adjust weight.
You put the weight on or take it off and screw the end-cap on. It’s safe and simple.
The plates are made of a high-density outer with a general foamy, compressible construction. This does make them lower durability in case of drops and other issues, but it also makes them better at absorbing shock.
This means they’re going to wear and tear more quickly than metal, but you can drop them on a matted floor without them cracking immediately.
This makes the Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell a very practical set of dumbbells to go with others on this list – like the Nuobell and PowerBlock – that don’t handle well in contact with surfaces.
If you want a pair of adjustable dumbbells for exercises like power snatches, floor to overhead, or just transitioning between hands.
The Flybird are also just great lighter dumbbells for a budget. They’re incredibly inexpensive and can get anyone started on their way with weight training.
Unfortunately, they lack some of the premium features of others on our list of Best Adjustable Dumbbells – and have a much narrower weight range. Still, they make a great starter kit for anyone trying to gain weight training experience.
The Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell offers a great, inexpensive kit that I wish I had before I started lifting.
It’s a simple and effective set with a smaller weight capacity but at a fraction of the price of a selectorized dumbbell or even its plate-weighted competitors on the market.
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Best Budget Foldable Weight Bench: SuperMax Adjustable Weight Bench
The SuperMax Adjustable Weight Bench is a great option for smaller home gyms and those with tighter budgets who don't want to lose out on weight capacity.
This is a heavy-duty and budget option, all in one place.
Despite having a lower price than many competitors on the market, Supermax boasts an 800lbs (320kg) weight capacity, making it perfect for even the biggest and strongest users.
This hilarious image shows that you can combine high weight capacity with a lightweight, foldable, budget design.
We’re not sure how well it accounts for momentum, but it definitely showcases what the Supermax can do.
The adjustment options are great, while the folded version is very small, competing even with the super popular Flybird weight bench.
The price is significantly lower than some other products we’ve looked at – like the Bowflex – while the functions are clearly competitive.
There are some stability concerns – mainly due to the size and design of the feet.
The price does show up in some of the predictable areas – stability being one.
Another is the support and comfort of the bench pad, which is lower density than the more expensive models on our list of Best Foldable Weight Benches.
The SuperMax Adjustable Weight Bench is a cheap and effective bench that folds away to nearly nothing.
It’s an excellent option for smaller home gyms and those with tighter budgets who don’t want to lose out on weight capacity.
Of course, it has limitations, but at this price, that’s inevitable.
Want to make your own bench? Then check this out – How to Make a DIY Weight Bench for Your Home Gym.
Best Value Preacher Curl Bench: Titan Fitness Preacher Curl Station
A well-rounded preacher curl bench that does everything at a good level, with an excellent price tag.
Titan’s adjustable preacher curl station was our preferred budget option on our list of best preacher curl benches for a home gym. It has all the adjustability, you need to find the right angles for your body.
It also offers an adjustable pad and bar-holder height, a fantastic feature for adding more comfort and customizing your workout.
The seat is a little wider than the Valor Fitness seat, making it more comfortable.
However, the trade-off is that this is a significantly larger and heavier product. This helps with stability but can make it challenging to fit in some smaller home gyms where the Valor would fit easily.
The main area where it shows this is the padding, which is a little weaker than the Valor product.
However, the overall feature set is great. The added adjustability makes the Titan Fitness Preacher Curl Station one of the best value offerings on the market.
The Titan Fitness Preacher Curl Station is a perfect place to get started if you’re skeptical about preacher curl benches for home gym use.
They’re a great asset, and Titan’s product comes in at a price that makes it a fantastic ‘bang for your buck’ choice without overcommitting.
It’s a well-rounded product that does everything at a good level, with an excellent price tag.
Best Budget Power Tower: Weider Power Tower
If you are looking for something functional at a low price, the Weider Power Tower is the one for you.
The Weider Power Tower has a sturdy H-shaped, heavy-duty steel frame that supports people up to 300 lbs in weight.
The leg and knee raise station feature extra thick foam coated vinyl cushioning on the arms and the back for optimal comfort. It also features non-slip handles, which is great for when you get your sweat on.
One drawback is that the Weider power tower is substantially heavier than others, making transportation or shifting it substantially challenging.
The Weider Power Tower best home power tower for those who work out occasionally and aren’t looking for something professional. It can hole up a decent amount of weight, and because it weighs quite a bit, it is pretty stable and secure to use as well. It offers the best value for money and will last you quite a long time.
If you are looking for something functional at a low price, the Weider Power Tower is the one for you. It doesn’t cost as much as the other options mentioned in our Power Tower Buying Guide but offers the same level of functionality, making it a worthwhile investment.
Best Budget Pulley System: Mikolo Fitness LAT and Lift Pulley System
A simple but powerful choice that promises great value for money for anyone looking to build more muscle and move more weight.
Mikolo make great economy choice fitness equipment for home gyms.
The LAT and Lift Cable Pulley is a fantastic addition to your home gym that uses a fixed pulley you can bolt-on or attach to a rack, beam, or pull-up bar.
It’s a heavier-duty alternative to the Cable Pro (which is also an excellent option). It offers many of the same benefits at roughly half the price.
You get a dedicated large pulley wheel, and a much wider selection of attachments as standard: 2 cable lengths, a tricep rope, a weight peg, collar, straps, extra carabiners, and a straight bar.
The heavier-duty design makes the Mikolo Fitness cable pulley a great choice for bodybuilding. However, it still doesn’t have the top-end quality and durability of a full cable system.
Still, it’s a great option for more serious lifters looking for that extra peace of mind and weight capacity.
This is a great product to fit in the space between Cable Pro and larger, non-portable cable pulley systems. It’s a simple but powerful choice that promises great value for money and a stronger build than Cable Pro – for anyone looking to build more muscle and move more weight.
It’s a significant upgrade but still portable, and that makes it great for home gym use – though less likely to go in your gym bag.
It’s a great product but one with a few limitations compared to our products on our list of home gym pulley systems. But you cannot beat the price!
Best Budget Sandbag: Rep Fitness Sandbag
The Rep Fitness Sandbag is a highly affordable option that doesn't skimp on quality.
If you’re looking for a sandbag that can provide some variety to your home gym without you having to incur huge costs — this is the kind of product you need.
The Rep Sandbag is the most affordable option; without forcing you to compromise on quality!
No matter what kind of workout you do, these bags aren’t likely to rip, fray, or start leaking. You won’t get something better than this for less than a hundred bucks for each bag!
The Rep Fitness Sandbag balances quality and affordability to provide an excellent value for money option.
See how the Rep Fitness Sanbag compares to other workout https://homegymboss.com/workout-sandbags/sandbags on the market.
Best Budget Horizontal Rack: Synergee Barbell Gun Rack Wall Mounted
Synergee’s wall-mounted barbell gun rack shines for accessibility, simplicity and offering great features without the extra cost.
The Synergee Barbell Gun Rack is like the Rogue V2 Gun Rack but with a slightly more streamlined approach to save you money.
Specifications:
- Holds: 3 bars
- Dimensions: 4 x 1.7 x 13.7 inches
- Weight: 2.4lbs
- Steel: 11-Gauge steel
It also comes in both 3-bar and 6-bar storage options, but the rubberized barbell cup is standard here, so you’re going to get more product per dollar.
The 3-bar option is also great for the solo home gym, where you may only ever need 3 bar spaces.
The design isn’t quite as heavy-duty as the Rogue gun rack (our top pick for best horizontal gun rack in our buying guide), but it also comes with hardware for mounting purposes.
Overall it’s a simpler design and caters to the simpler, newer home gym where you can get started with your barbell storage rack with less cost, all the parts in one place, and the important features as standard.
This doesn’t offer the hard-wearing brand reputation of Rogue, but Synergee’s wall-mounted barbell gun rack shines for accessibility, simplicity and offering great features without the extra cost.
Best Budget Vertical Rack: Yes4All Barbell Holder Vertical Storage Rack
If you’re looking to get a barbell rack that’s suited for more-modest home gyms, then the Yes4All rack is perfectly accessible, effective, and saves tons of space.
The Yes4All Barbell Holder Vertical Storage Rack is like the Titan storage rack (our favorite vertical storage rack) but with a more sensible 5 barbell slots – and a better price tag to reflect the more moderate approach to barbell storage.
Specifications:
- Holds: 5 bars
- Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 7 inches
- Weight: 21lbs
- Steel: Heavy-Gauge
With 5 barbell spaces, you’re not going to be short on space. This is plenty of storage for the average home gym, storing Olympic barbells, EZ curl bars, trap bars, and anything else with the standard 2” Olympic diameter.
It bolts into the floor, comes with a powder-coated finish to prevent scuffing, and it’s lightweight enough to fit into any home gym without issue.
In addition, the vertical storage makes this a perfect choice for smaller spaces by sq. ft. and really optimizes for a smaller budget and a smaller space.
If you’re looking to get a barbell rack that’s perfectly suited for more-modest home gyms and need to tidy up your barbells, then the Yes4All Barbell Holder Vertical Storage Rack is perfectly accessible, effective, and saves tons of space.
Learn more about Barbell Storage Racks.
Best Budget Dumbbell Rack: Marcy 3-Tier Dumbbell Rack
Marcy is an affordable and accessible home gym equipment brand and their 3-tier dumbbell storage rack is a great way to save space on a budget.
Marcy is an affordable and accessible home gym equipment brand. Their 3-tier dumbbell storage rack is a great way to save space on a budget.
This rack is a 3-tier design that allows you to store dozens of dumbbells safely and with a reduced footprint against the floor. It has a lower capacity than the Rogue or REP storage racks, with a lower price tag and lighter overall design.
Looking for other options – then check out our Dumbbell Rack Buying Guide.
This is a narrower, upright dumbbell rack with plenty of space for most home gyms’ dumbbell collection. The construction is reliable, with a weight rating of up to 200kg or 440lbs – more than enough for most users.
This offers the key space-saving and dumbbell-use benefits of a premium rack without the same premium price tag. Savings here can go into more dumbbells and other equipment.
It’s also a great place to start if you’re building out a home gym setup and need dumbbell storage that you can grow into. It has more range than some dumbbell racks, more than others, and takes up relatively little space.
The Marcy dumbbell rack is a great compromise between size and expense, making it perfect for the home gym beginner or intermediate.
Best Overall Battle Rope: Living.Fit Battle Rope
- 100% braided poly dacron
- Canvas or braided options
- Includes portable anchor with carabiner and nylon strap
- Comfortable rubber grips
- 1 Year Warranty
The Living.Fit Battle Rope is our top pick due to its combination of an affordable price tag and high-quality 100% poly dacron construction.
These ropes were developed by Aaron Guyett, who is probably the most well-known battle ropes trainer globally.
Living.Fit has plenty of great free information and instructional videos on their site, as well as the option to buy workout programs.
To keep things simple, the ropes come in one length – 50 feet. According to the firm, this is the optimal length for training. And as they say – “if you need a shorter rope because of space, you can always tie off your rope at a shorter length, but you cannot make a short rope longer.”
They come in three different diameters – 1.5, 2, or 3 inches and there is information on their site for choosing the best size for you.
We also like the fact they come in either a canvas-covered or braided finish.
I personally use the canvas-covered ropes as I mainly train with them outdoors. The canvas cover protests the rope from fraying. If you plan to use them indoors, then they recommend going for the braided finish.
The rubber grips are also excellent and super comfortable, so you don’t need to worry about losing your grip when you get a sweat up.
Best Pull-Up Bar with Angled Grip: Iron Age Pull-Up Bar for Doorway
The Iron Age Pull-Up Bar is versatile and affordable.
It comes with an evident ergonomic angled end that assists you in arduous exercises. The curved design also helps protect your wrists against strain or injury.
The installation of the bar is quite seamless. Compared to old pull-up bars, this one can assemble without screws. The inclusion of a patented wall provides great support and safety. And on top of that, the raised bar makes things all the more convenient.
The high raised bar also works great for tall people than a low raised bar. The pull-up is ideal for both short and tall.
The sturdy bars are very similar to gym rods which can be attached to various weight machines. Another great feature that encourages people to invest in the iron age bar is the additional suspension straps.
This add-on can be used for a wide variety of exercises that you can perform with the help of the pull-up bar. So, the versatility offered by this pull-bar is remarkable!
Best Budget Weighted Jump Rope: N1Fit Weighted Jump Rope 1LB
- Ergonomic non-slip handles
- Good for all levels and ages
- 2-year warranty
The N1Fit Weighted 1lb Jump Rope is an excellent weighted jump rope that will help you burn twice the calories than with a speed jump rope. It is your best choice to complement HIIT workout, interval training, boxing, and Crossfit.
The weight and design are also great for toning-up muscles, especially glutes and shoulders.
It is a premium quality weighted jump rope made of superior materials. The cable is 100% tangle-free, and you can adjust its length to your liking.
The handle is made of memory foam for better comfort, making this model one of the best weighted jump ropes for beginners.
The N1Fit Weighted 1lb Jump Rope is an affordable and comfortable jump rope, perfect for sweaty, high-intensity workouts.
Best Budget Weighted Vest: Aduro Sport Weighted Vest
If you’re looking for an affordable, comfortable, and adjustable weighted vest, then the Aduro Sport is the best option.
The Aduro Sport is the best budget weighted vest.
With a loadable range of 4 – 30 pounds of weight, you can enhance your running workouts without putting unnecessary strain on your shoulders.
The vest has a neoprene construction that is comfortable and adjustable to your dimensions.
The weights themselves are made made of iron instead of sand, which prevents any annoying or foul odors. They have an even distribution throughout the vest so you can maintain stability and balance during your runs.
We also love how affordable this weighted running vest is. For a fraction of the price of workout wear or a weights set, you can get both in one.
If you’re looking for an affordable and adjustable weighted vest, then the Aduro Sport is the best option. It has a comfortable design and provides just enough weight to increase the intensity of your runs.
Best Budget Compact Home Gym: BodyGym Portable Home Gym
This is the best portable gym for people who wish to work out on the go, without having to spend too much money or time on assembling the equipment!
The BodyGym Portable Home Gym is an outstanding option when it comes to resistance band training.
It’s the best compact home gym equipment for individuals who don’t want to compromise on their fitness amidst hectic routines but are on a tight budget.
Considering the attractive price point, we had to include it on our list of the best compact home gym for the money!
It features a simple snap-together design. All you’ve got to do is join the two sections of the bar together, and you’re good to start with absolutely no hassle!
You can perform dozens of gym exercises at your home or wherever you want.
The most prominent feature of the BodyGym Portable Home Gym is the adjustable resistance band. It makes way for customizing your workout as per your comfort and fitness level.
You can conveniently increase or decrease the resistance level if you wish to go lighter or harder on yourself. If you want to keep the resistance on a lower level, all you need to do is roll the band towards you. In case you want to make your workout more challenging, all you’ll have to do is roll the bar further away.
The BodyGym Portable Home Gym features a patented bar that weighs less than 3 pounds. What’s more to this lightweight design is how you can break it down easily to store it away or carry it with you anywhere you want.
The simplistic lightweight design makes storing the compact home gym when not in use. So with this budget-friendly home gym, space won’t be an issue.
The BodyGym Core System Home Gym is the best portable gym for people who wish to work out on the go or in the comfort of their homes, without having to spend too much money or time on assembling the equipment!
Best Budget Barbell Pad: Dark Iron Fitness 17 Inch Extra Thick Barbell Neck Pad
Bear in mind that the Dark Iron Fitness Barbell Pad this product was primarily meant to be used while performing lunges, but it works great with pretty much any kind of powerlifting.
The brand itself is a new one, but they’ve already established themselves on the market for lifting products.
Even if you use a hefty amount of weight, this pad will keep you stable and comfortable.
One of the best things about it is the material — it’s made out of 20% polyester, and the rest is pure high-density foam, all of which is encased with velcro. As a result — there’s practically no chance of this pad slipping or becoming a burden.
The only problem here is that 2-inch bars don’t fit nicely with this pad; though that’s not a universal issue.
Check out our guide to the Best Barbell Pads for Hip Thrusts.
Best Budget Trap Bar: HulkFit Olympic Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar
- Regular or Open design
- Solid heavy duty steel
- 1000-Pound capacity
Specification:
- Weight: 45lbs
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 11.42”
- Knurl: Multiple knurling positions and length
- Material: Composite heavy duty steel
- Weight Capacity: 1000lbs
The HulkFit Olympic Hex Trap Bar offers the perfect balance between quality and affordability and this is why we are placing it on our list.
If you take a close look at this bar you will notice its superior quality. The hexagonally shaped bar is made of solid heavy-duty steel and, unlike hex bars from some other manufacturers, is not hollowed out. This means it is very durable equipment and can withstand a load of 1000 pounds.
The HulkFit Olympic Hex Trap Bar is available in two different styles to accommodate your preferences. One is the regular closed style, which can feel more secure when you are lifting it and the other is the open-back style which is easier to step into.
This Hex Bar also comes with 11.42-inch sleeves which is a longer length than many other barbells. Thanks to its length, you can load more weights on it. Other major advantages of the HulkFit Olympic Hex Trap Bar are that it has multiple knurling positions and lengths, regular and raised handles, as well as its top-quality material.
The trap bar comes in black and chrome colors so you can choose the one you want.
Overall, this trap bar offers superior quality and durability. It weighs about 44 pounds and comes at a reasonable price which is why we think it is one of the best budget barbells in the market.
Check out some of our related articles:
- Best Budget Barbells Buying Guide
- Barbells Vs. Dumbbells – What’s Best for Your Home Gym?
- How & Why To Do Barbell Lunges
- 7 Barbell Exercises for Building Strength at Home
- Barbell Curls Vs. Dumbbell Curls – Which is Better?
Best Budget Olympic Barbell: CAP 7-Foot Olympic Bar
- 7-foot Olympic Bar
- 110, 000 Psi tensile strength
- Solid cold-rolled steel
Specification:
- Weight: 44 lbs
- Loadable Sleeve: 15 inch
- Knurl: Medium depth diamond knurling, no center knurl
- Material: Solid cold roll steel with black phosphate finish
- Weight Capacity: Over 1000lbs
The CAP 7-foot Olympic Bar for Weightlifting and Power Lifting offers seven variable options which have a tensile strength of 110,000 to 230,000psi.
The Olympic bars are quite reasonably priced and are manufactured from Japanese cold-rolled steel with a black phosphate finish. It has a sleeve length ranging from 15 to 16 inches which is equipped with a snap clip and can accommodate two-inch Olympic plates.
The entry-level bar is known as “The Beast” and has a tensile strength of 110,000psi. This is enough for moderate-heavy lifting but if you are more serious about your strength training regimen, you need to look for other designs in the model that offer more tensile strength.
Fortunately, its top three bars, “The Master,” “The Rebel,” and “The Warrior” have a tensile strength of 190,000psi, 190,000psi, and 230,000psi respectively. Although the weight capacity of every single bar is not listed, The Warrior can hold a weight of up to 1,000 pounds. Naturally, these top three bars are also more expensive than “The Beast.”
All bars weigh 44 pounds and every bar comes with a central knurling option for improved grip, except for the entry-level “The Beast.”
The bars come with a 28mm handgrip diameter and medium knurling. This latter is a problem for some consumers who require deeper knurling for a more secure hold, particularly in the top three bars.
Overall, CAP has been in the heavy lifting and fitness industry for over 30 years and hence chances are you cannot go wrong with many of its products.
Best Budget EZ Curl Bar: Synergee Commercial EZ Curl Olympic Bar
pecfications
- Weight: 19lbs
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 6.25”
- Material: Steel with Chrome/Black Phosphate/Cerakote
- Knurl: 1.22 mm standard
- Weight Capacity: Over 450lb
The Synergee Commercial EZ Curl Olympic Bar is made with top-quality steel and comes in two stunning options: Hard Chrome and Black Phosphate. Both of these styles not just look great but offer protection to steel from wear and corrosion.
The Olympic bar weighs only 19 pounds and can hold 450 pounds of load. It offers a 1.22 mm standard knurl which provides a solid grip, although a few consumers complain that the knurling is quite sharp and cause discomfort when they are lifting weights.
The curves on the Synergee Commercial EZ Curl Olympic Bar are more pronounced and offer you dips and crannies where you can comfortably rest your hand. The curved design is made with ergonomics in mind so that you do not injure your wrists by putting too much stress on them, which can be the case with straight bars.
The specially designed curves allow the wrists and elbows to stay in their natural position while helping to build the forearm, upper arm, and stabilizer muscles.
The Synergee Commercial EZ Curl Olympic Bar is a very professional-looking bar that you can easily use from the comforts of your home. If you are one of those people who need to build their muscles but do not have time to go to a gym, this EZ Curl bar is what you need to start your strength training.
Best Budget Dumbell Barbell: Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells
- Weight: 40, 50, 52.5, 60, 105 to 200 lbs
- Loadable Sleeve:
- Material: Iron with black paint finish
- Knurl: 14 or 16-inch diamond knurled chrome handle
- Weight Capacity: Variable
There are a lot of manufacturers that provide limited options in their barbell set but Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells with connecter options are not one of them.
The set is equipped with 4 cast iron 3-pound weight plates, four 7.5lbs plates, four collars, and one connector to turn dumbbells into a single barbell so that fitness enthusiasts can choose the set according to their fitness level.
The set comes with textured chrome handles which minimized hand fatigue and star lock collars that can easily lock the plates into place. Depending on what your fitness goals are, you can choose from a total weight option of 40, 50, 52.5, 60, 105, and 200lbs options.
The iron plates have a black paint finish for corrosion resistance and durability. It also features chrome handles that are knurled for a secure and non-slip grip. The connector is suitable for 1-inch spin-lock dumbbells.
Thanks to its versatility, the Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells with connectors allow you to tweak your training levels and switch between training with dumbbells and barbells easily.
Additionally, the company offers a 5-day warranty and 60-day return to make sure you have the very best experience with the dumbbells and connector set.
Best Budget & Most Portable Adjustable KettleBell: Kettle Gryp
One of the best things about adjustable kettlebells is that they give you unique yet straightforward exercises to help you work on your motion range and overall strength.
However, most dumbbells are quite expensive, not to mention difficult for traveling. So, if you’re someone who’s always on the move — it’s not easy working your dumbbell routine into this.
But that’s why this Kettle Gryp represents an excellent solution, albeit one that does not include any bells or plates themselves. Instead, this is a simple but effectively designed grip that can help you transform a set of dumbbells into
This is a useful portable adapter for dumbbells, turning the average ones into what amounts to a kettlebell, giving you more dynamic workout options. It’s a great product for traveling or even your home gym. You just need to keep in mind that the supporting bar’s width is 4.5 inches at most.
Conclusion
Setting up a home gym can be expensive but will save you money vs. a gym membership over the long term.
If you are just starting out or tight on money then shop around to find the best budget home gym equipment for you.
For more ideas to save money – check out our guide to DIY home gym equipment.
