HOME GYM
Best Home Gym Equipment Under $500 (2026)
You don't need a commercial gym to get strong. With $500 or less, you can build a home setup that covers all the essential movement patterns. Here's exactly what to buy.
What You Actually Need
Forget the all-in-one machines and Instagram-worthy setups. For real strength training at home, you need three things: something heavy to pick up, something to press on, and a way to do pull movements. Everything else is optional.
The $500 Budget Build
Tier 1: The Essentials (~$300)
- Adjustable Dumbbells (5-52 lbs) — ~$200. The single best investment. Replaces 15+ pairs of dumbbells.
- Flat/Incline Bench — ~$80-100. Look for a 1,000 lb rated bench with adjustable positions.
- Pull-up Bar (doorframe) — ~$25. Covers all your pulling needs. Get a multi-grip version.
Tier 2: Level Up (~$150 more)
- Resistance Bands Set — ~$30. For warm-ups, face pulls, and adding variable resistance.
- Kettlebell (35 lb) — ~$50. Perfect for swings, goblet squats, and Turkish get-ups.
- Ab Roller — ~$15. The most underrated core tool. Cheap and brutally effective.
- Foam Roller — ~$20. For warm-up, cool-down, and recovery.
- Floor Mat — ~$30. Protects your floor and your joints during ground exercises.
What We Don't Recommend
- All-in-one machines — Overpriced, limited range of motion, take up space.
- Shake weights, thigh masters, etc. — Gimmicks. Save your money.
- Smart home gym systems ($1,500+) — Fine products, but dramatically overpriced for what you get. A $500 free weight setup is more versatile.
Sample Home Workout (Dumbbells Only)
- Goblet Squat — 3 × 12
- Dumbbell Bench Press — 3 × 10
- Dumbbell Row — 3 × 10 each side
- Romanian Deadlift — 3 × 12
- Overhead Press — 3 × 10
- Pull-ups or Band-Assisted Pull-ups — 3 × AMRAP
New to Lifting?
Check our beginner's guide to strength training for proper form and programming.
Read the Beginner's Guide →