Build a Home Gym for Under $300 (No Excuses Edition)
No money? No problem. Here’s how to build a gritty, effective home gym for under $300—gear list included.

You don’t need a fancy squat rack or $2,000 machines to get strong. You need basics, space, and hunger. Here’s how to set up a complete home gym on a shoestring.

Core Gear List:

• Resistance bands ($20): Versatile, portable, and effective.
• Adjustable dumbbells or sandbags ($50–100): Used gear = big savings.
• Pull-up bar ($25): Doorway bars work. So do tree branches.
• Jump rope ($10): Cardio? Covered.
• DIY power rack (wood) or squat stands ($100): YouTube has dozens of tutorials.

Tips to Save:

• Buy secondhand (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist)
• Look for gym closures or clearance gear
• Skip the fluff—no need for machines, just compound movements

You don’t need perfect. You need progress.