If you are currently stuck at home due to COVID-19 and missing your gym workouts, you might be wondering how you can create your own home gym until your regular gym opens back up.

At the same time, however, you might also be trying to work within a budget. You may not be in a financial position to purchase equipment for your home gym.

 Or, if you’re planning on returning to your regular gym soon, you may not want to waste money on equipment you’ll only use for a few months.

Setting up a home gym on a budget is quite simple. Here are five tips you’ll want to consider.

Go without equipment

One of the easiest ways to create a home gym on a budget is to simply go without equipment. Yes – that’s right! There is no need for fancy equipment to have a great workout. There are many different workouts that can be completed without equipment or with whatever items you already have at home.

For example, calisthenics paired with a run is a great way to keep yourself in shape and work for your main large muscle groups. You could also consider taking on a new workout routine. Utilize online exercise videos to find routines you can complete. Most yoga, for example, doesn’t require ] equipment and comes with physical and mental health benefits.

Utilize resistance bands

If you’re looking for a more workout that goes a bit further than calisthenics, something you might want to consider is incorporating resistance bands into your home gym. Resistance bands can be used for TRX workouts. The bands are relatively cheap, portable, and attach to ceilings, walls, and doors – if you ever move, they’re easy to take with you.

Through TRX suspension training, you utilize the resistance bands and your body weight to improve your strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability. While it is possible to use TRX training for weight loss, it is generally a recommended form of exercise for those who are already in shape and want to improve their strength. 

Pick up multi-purpose equipment

If you’re trying to be mindful of what you’re buying, try to stick to equipment that can be used in multiple ways. For example, a BOSU ball can be used for both cardio workouts and strength training. Stability balls can also help provide a total body workout.

Another cheap staple that is worth considering is a set of dumbbells. They can be incorporated into a variety of exercises to help with cardiorespiratory fitness. Depending on your budget, it could also be worth picking up a yoga mat. These mats can be used for more than yoga. It’s more comfortable to complete exercises such as crunches or push-ups on some type of padded mat.

Shop around

A mistake that many people make when starting to buy home gym equipment is simply buying it from whatever store they first find it in. If you’re working within a budget, however, it is worth it to shop around at different stores to find out which store is offering the best deal. And don’t stick to stores that specialize in home gym equipment. Many large retail corporations also have fitness equipment at reasonable prices.

Also, don’t be afraid to shop used. Look online for friends or neighbors that might be trying to sell equipment. Many people buy exercise equipment, use it once or twice, realize it isn’t for them, and then sell it. 

Go for one large item

Finally, if you do want larger pieces of equipment, such as a treadmill or an elliptical, you may just have to be mindful of what you’re buying and when. Pick the piece of equipment that will be most useful for your workouts and purchase it, if you have the budget.

You may not be able to buy multiple large pieces of equipment at once, but if there is something you think will aid your workout and you’ll use it long term, there is nothing wrong with making a big purchase. If you’re hoping to eventually have a home gym with multiple pieces of large equipment, you’ll just have to start purchasing them as you’re able.

Final thought

If you’re on a budget and stuck at home but still want to keep up with your normal fitness routine, use the above tips to get started. Regular exercise helps you stay physically and mentally well, so establishing some type of routine can help boost your overall mood while also keeping you fit.