The Complete Cost of Home Gym Equipment

House 4 min read

05 Jun 2020

With gyms, fitness classes and boot-camps obsolete, we’ve had to come up with creative ways to stay fit - to motivate ourselves to move further than just, couch, to fridge, to bedroom desk. (100 times a day is 30k though right?!)

Investing in gym machines can be costly, with many items setting you back up to €1,000 and packages from €5,000 - but if you’re new to the gym scene and don’t know your barbell extension from your lat-pull, or you’re just wondering about the cost of home gym equipment and what to buy, we’ve compiled a top level guide below, for all budget-types.

If you are thinking of investing and need some financial support or advice, get in touch with your local credit union who would be more than happy to help, but have a look at some low-cost ways below first. 
 

1. House-hold Objects

Total Cost: The effort of pulling your house apart!

First things first. If you have a severe lack of cash, have a look around your home first – you’ll be surprised to see there’s a whole-lotta heavy stuff you can use for exercises - any type of weight works for Romanian dead lifts, hip thrusters or squats. Buckets full of water, hard-backed books in a schoolbag, or a suitcase full of tinned goods from raided cupboards are all good alternatives for gym weights. (Always make sure you follow professional advice on these exercises so you don't injure yourself!)
 

2. Home Gym Equipment: Basic

Total Cost: €100-€180

If you’re new to the gym scene and are looking for a few small pieces to get you started, below are ideas that are low cost and low maintenance / storage.

Dumbbells: €15-€69

These are gym starter-pack 101 – flexible and easy to store, you can get them in any sports shop or gym retailer. You can also choose dumbbells with adjustable weights, so you don’t have to buy individual for each weight. A normal pair can start at €15.99 for 1kg, but going up to 10kg could cost €69.00 a pair.
 

Resistance Bands: €12-€22.00

These are simply rubber bands but are great making exercises that bit harder, and pushing your muscles to the max in stretches like hamstring stretches, upper back and chest. Did we mention they were cheap? Again, depending on the size, they can vary on price.

Kettlebell: €26-€90

 Again, a very versatile piece of gym equipment, which can be used for swings, squats or core balancing like planks. They come in all different weights from 4-32kg.
 

Skipping Rope: €3.00

If you’re not willing to invest in a rowing maching or treadmill just yet, a trusty ole’ skipping rope is great cardio tool which will get your sweat on. And coming in at the cheapest piece of equipment, it's a no brainer for  beginners.
 

Yoga Mat: €12.00

A mat is a mat, and is as cheap as chips but will motivate you to do more abs, planks, press ups and stretches - from €12.00. Win win.
 

Foam Roller: €9.00

The nifty foam roller can be used for kneading out muscles but also for yoga moves and tricep dips. Having two is handy, and at €9, they’re a steal.

3. Home Gym Equipment: Intermediate

Total Cost: €1,000-€3,000

If you consider yourself fit, are really missing the gym, why not invest in a home gym? Below are some of the options available.

Bench: €89

At €89, instead of using the floor, a bench can be a good investment to prevent injury, and you can also use it for a number of moves such as dumbbell chest press, tricep dips, press ups and up and overs. Alone, (without a rack) it also won’t cost you a bomb.

Pull-Up: €100

A pull-up device can be adjusted to your door-frame easily and removed again without screws or drilling and like a bench, is great for a variety of different moves.
 

Suspension Trainer: €45.00

These are simply exercise ropes (sometimes known as TRX, that is a brand) but are one of the most effective and low cost ways of toning multiple muscle groups, and can be attached to  a door easily. Suspension rope starting prices are just €45.

Barbell and Weights: €80

There are different bar types you can get, and prices vary depending on weight, material (stainless steal or cast-iron), costing between €40-€400. If you want something on the lower side, a simple 25kg set can cost just €40, and if you’re looking for something high quality, a stainless steel and a larger amount of heavier weights can cost around €400.
 

Dip Station: €40

If you have a wall to attach it to, a simple dip station, with handles that allows you to dip and work your arms, is a great workout tool and only €40.
 

Rack: €300

A rack which can hold your barbell and weights so you can do exercises like squats and bench press. Price vary on rack-type - a light-weight one maybe starting from €314 going up to €2,000. You might want to adjust your spend depending on how advanced you are.

4. Home Gym Equipment: Intermediate-Advanced

Cost: €2,300-€4,000

If you are an advanced gym user and want to purchase equipment or a suite of products, we've included some examples below. Going directly to a supplier and asking them to build you a customised package is also a good option.
 

You can build your own customised package with any gym supplier, and it’s important to talk to them about your needs, but below we have outlined top level costs of some main items for more advanced gym-goers. You can of course go higher or lower on price and quality depending on where you buy these items.
 

Pro/Commerical-Rack and Barbell, Weights: €500-€2,500

A good quality rack with all the weights can be worth the cost if you are using heavier weights and are more advanced – light-weight semi-commercial racks are used for home gyms and can cost around €500-€1,000, with commercial, higher quality racks €2,000-€2,500.
 

Barbells: €200

You might want a high quality squat bar, which could set you back €200, and a set of good weights, around €200 - 5kg-25kg.
 

Indoor Rower: at €1,200.

If you’re willing to invest in some cardio equipment, an indoor rower can be a good investment tothat will last years, and is great at burning fat. 
 

Air Bike: €1,000

The air bike has been hailed the calorie burner for the gods – (well, not exactly, but it’s pretty damn effective for burning cals), and could be a valued addition to your home gym. 
 

Commercial Bench: €400-€800

Commerical benches, some with rack storage, have in-line adjustable frames at the back so you can sit up, and allows you to lift weights at multiple angles. 
 

Weight Packages

Some gym suppliers will ask what your needs are, and built a beginner or advanced home  package, with a rack, weights, bench, accessories and TRX straps can start from €1,300 – and many places will build you a customised package.

Many gyms will customise a gym package for you, and if you give them a budget of €5,000, can provide some pretty slick equipment to suit your needs. If you're thinking of setting up a home gym and are looking to do it fast, you can always talk to your local credit union about a quick, flexible loan. 

The content of this blog is aimed to provide general advice and information to the public only. Readers should always seek professional advice or when it comes to physical exercise, and for advice in purchasing equipment  suitable for them.