Fit & Frugal: How To Create A Budget-Friendly Home Gym

Not much beats working out from the comfort of your own home, especially if you have a decent variety of gym equipment. A common misconception is that you have to spend a fortune to create your own home gym, but we’re here to tell you it’s possible to do on a budget!

Dumbbells can be quite costly — prices vary depending on the weight of the dumbbells and whether they’re adjustable. If you’re after smaller weights or singular weights, Kmart is your friend. They sell a vast range of 1-6kg weights. Their 6kg dumbbells retail for just $22.

If you’re after a full set, the sporting goods store Rebel have a decent set of lightweight sets, 1kg-3kg dumbbells that retail for $69.99.

If you’re after more variety, eBay is a fantastic place to look. They offer complete sets that allow you to choose the weight of the dumbbells as well. The price will vary on the weight, but they begin at just $19. 

If you’re lifting heavier weights, then you need to invest in a weight bench! They provide proper stability and support which in turn help you keep good form. They’ll also help to prevent injury and give you optimal results. 

You can find weight benches at Kmart, Big W and Bunnings that all retail for under $100!

One great thing about pull-up bars in particular is that they’re portable! They’re easy enough to set up and you’ve got plenty of options on where in the house you can put them.

Big W have a simple straight, portable pull-up bar for only $18.99. 

Bunnings offers a multi-use pull-up bar, which can also be safely used for chin-ups and leg raises. It can take up to 136kg of weight and retails for just $29.95.

A good quality affordable treadmill can be hard to come by. If you’re simply looking to run or walk on a treadmill without the fancy extras like elevation, rolling hills and Bluetooth, there are options out there.

Harvey Norman offers a very basic, foldable electric treadmill priced at $280.

You could also consider purchasing a manual treadmill. Amazon sell a manual treadmill equipped with a sit-up bar and twist plate. It retails for $189.

Exercise bikes are a very popular piece of equipment at the gym and they are fantastic for cardio and strengthening your legs. Bunnings sells a compact exercise bike with eight resistance levels for just $160.95.

For a little bit more, you can pick up a similar product there that comes with hand pulse sensors, foot straps and a height adjustable seat! Retailing at $179. 

More money doesn’t necessarily mean better quality because a lot of the time the extra dollars you’re paying is for the brand rather than the durability. Before you purchase anything, make sure to read reviews from buyers and if any of the equipment doesn’t fit in your budget, don’t be afraid to purchase second-hand gear. 

Facebook MarketPlace and eBay are both great options that provide a variety of good quality and great value exercise equipment.

Follow our buyer's guide to check all the boxes!