Building a home gym? These 3 equipment swaps will make it way cheaper

ActiveBuilding a home gym? These 3 equipment swaps will make it way cheaperIt doesn’t have to cost the earth to have your own pain cave. Do these three equipment swaps to save a truckload of cashWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

It doesn’t have to cost the earth to have your own pain cave. Do these three equipment swaps to save a truckload of cash

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Gewtty Images)

Shot of a muscular man doing sideways planks at home

(Image credit: Gewtty Images)

Building a home gym can be an expensive endeavour, especially when the cost of living is rising significantly. You won’t be thinking about kitting out your pain cave with aweight benchand anexercise bikewhen you don’t have enough money to buy bread, for example. Fear not, though, as you can have your home gym cake and eat it, too, with the blow swaps.

As in, get fit at home while not spending loads of money on home gym equipment.

Ready to grow your biceps without breaking the bank? Here is how.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Athletic person using resistance bands in front of a yellow background

(Image credit: Getty Images)

1. Swap dumbbells for resistance bands

We are huge fans of thebest dumbbellshere on T3. They are the most versatile pieces of home gym equipment, and if you can afford it, you should invest in getting a pair as you can perform essentially all exercises you can think of with them.

That said, acquiring a good spread of hex dumbbells can set you back financially, big time. Adjustable dumbbells are a better investment and are more space-saving but buying those require a significant initial investment.

If you really haven’t got any money, we recommend getting a decent set ofresistance bandsinstead. Resistance bands are the most underrated home gym equipment, and much like dumbbells, you can perform all sorts of workouts using only a set of bands.

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They take up very little space, and you can buy a whole set of bands with different resistance levels for dirt cheap. We recommend buying bands that come with handles for general workout purposes as they will cause less chafing.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

two people working out in a home gym

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2. Swap the barbell for a pull-up bar

Another firm favourite of ours is the mightybarbell. You can’t claim you have aproper home gym until you have at least one barbelland someweight plates.Compound movements are best performed using barbells, too, and you won’t be able to build muscle without using compound exercises.

Interestingly, though, there are bodyweight equivalent exercises to most big barbell movements. Instead ofbench press, you can dopush-ups(zero equipment required) and doing air squats are a brilliant way to build lower strength. Can you swap outdeadlifts, though?

Well, you can (sort of)! All you need is apull-up barand some persistence. Pull-ups will build arm strength and can do wonders toyour lats. They really are one of the best compound exercises you can do. If you find them too hard to do, try using resistance bands at the beginning to make it easier to do pull-ups.

(Image credit: TRX)

Athletic person using a TRX suspnsion trainer in their home

(Image credit: TRX)

3. Swap the multi-gym for a suspension trainer set

Probably the most expensive equipment you can get is amulti-gym, at least when it comes to equipment you can use tobuild muscle. Multi-gyms are not only costly but take up loads of space, too. When misused, multi-gyms can also reduce the range of motion of exercises, resulting in you seeing gains later (or never).

Instead, buy asuspension trainer. Like resistance bands, suspension trainers are massively underrated, yet they are super effective in utilising your bodyweight to keep fit. All you need is a point to hang them from – most of them come with a door anchor – and you’re ready to go.

One significant advantage of suspension trainers is that you can do “pull” exercises with them, such as inverted rows and biceps curls. While push workouts are easy to perform without equipment (push-ups, squats, etc.), pull exercises often require the presence of home weights.

Not if you have a suspension trainer! Even better, most suspension trainers, like the amazingTRX HOME2, come in a carry case and can be stored in the smallest of spaces, or you can shove it in yourgym bagand head down to a park and exercise there. The possibilities are endless.

For the best home gym equipment deals, check out the best prices below!

Today’s best Gym & Fitness dealsLumen Lumen$0.99ViewSee all pricesPark PFP 6$2.99ViewSee all pricesAtemi Resistance Bands$5.95$4.50ViewSee all pricesRayTour Tape Measure$6.99$4.69ViewSee all pricesChampion sports jump rope$7.63$4.99ViewSee all pricesSAWANS resistance bands$9.99$5.99ViewSee all pricesSPRI Vinyl Dumbbells$8.98$6.43ViewSee all pricesTumaz Yoga Strap$6.95ViewSee all pricesRUNBACH Armband$6.99ViewSee all pricesPotok Resistance Band Set (3-pack)$7.99$6.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

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1. Swap dumbbells for resistance bands#

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2. Swap the barbell for a pull-up bar#

3. Swap the multi-gym for a suspension trainer set#

1. Swap dumbbells for resistance bands

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

2. Swap the barbell for a pull-up bar

3. Swap the multi-gym for a suspension trainer set