15 Best Homemade Gym Equipment For Your New Garage Gym

Most people would benefit from increased physical activity. However, not everyone can make the time to hit the gym three to four days a week, which results in a sedentary lifestyle and a bulging waistline.

Many folks spend at least 30 minutes daily traveling to and from the gym, time they could have otherwise used to complete a workout at home. A study by Healthy Psychology found that exercising for 30 minutes daily can improve an individual’s overall health and fitness levels. (1)

Building a home gym is the best solution for your sedentary lifestyle. Having the exercise equipment in close proximity increases your likelihood of working out. That said, commercial training equipment is expensive and unfeasible for most people. 

Although building a DIY home gym might sound intimidating, you could build a multi-equipment DIY home gym in a couple of hours for less than $200.

This article will help you build a DIY home gym from scratch and cover cardiovascular, strength training, functional, and CrossFit equipment.

15 Best Homemade Gym Equipment

These are the best 15 DIY equipment for your home gym:

DIY Pull-Up Bar

Pull-ups symbolize upper body strength. Unlike other bodyweight exercises like squats and push-ups, most beginners cannot perform pull-ups on their first attempt. Pull-ups can help build overall upper-body strength and muscle mass. The great thing about pull-ups is that you need minimal equipment for this exercise. 

A pull-up bar is one of the easiest DIY gym projects. Plus, you don’t even need a dedicated home gym to hoist a pull-up bar; you could do it in a doorway. 

You can build a do-it-yourself pull-up bar using a couple of ceiling fan hangers and a metal rod. Begin by drilling the two ceiling fan hangers into a door frame. Pre-drill the holes before adding the screws to prevent the door frame from cracking. Then, slide a metal rod through the fan hangers. 

The metal rod should be long enough to extend three to four inches beyond the hangers on each side. This will ensure the rod doesn’t slide out during an intense training session. Also, the thicker the rod, the better. It will prevent the rod from bending under your weight. Plus, a thicker rod won’t rotate as much inside the hangers. 

Although the ceiling fan hanger DIY pull-up bar might work fine for people who want to install it in their garage or basement, it is not the most sophisticated setup for people who want a pull-up bar for their bedroom doorway. 

People who want a more aesthetically appealing pull-up bar should opt for the threaded galvanized pipe variant that uses elbows, wall anchors, and flanges. Learn more about this DIY pull-up bar and three other variants in our detailed DIY pull-up bar article. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Pull-Up Bar

I’ve seen people not check the bar’s level before finalizing the drill. A crooked pull-up bar can lead to strength and muscle imbalances, which can take a long time to fix. Check the bar’s angle using a carpenter’s level before drilling the other end into the doorway. 

Also, you must avoid using a hollow bar like a curtain hanger rod to ensure the bar doesn’t break during a set. Although this is a DIY project, you must make it as sturdy as possible. Quality materials might cost a little extra but will significantly increase your equipment’s longevity. 

Who Should Build a DIY Pull-Up Bar?

• Strength training enthusiasts.
• People who want an aesthetically appealing physique. Pull-ups will get you the coveted V-taper.
• Those who want to workout in their home but don’t want to invest in an elaborate home gym setup.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Pull-Up Bar?

• People who already have a power rack in their home gym. Most power racks offer a pull-up bar attachment.

DIY Battle Ropes

Battle ropes are the ultimate humbling exercise. They look super easy, but you start questioning your life choices the moment you hold those darn things and start swinging. Battling ropes are a full-body exercise that will smoke you within 30 seconds — 60 seconds, tops. You could do a 90-second set as well, but most folks end up looking like a fish out of water from the 61st second. I hate to admit it, but I’m speaking from experience. 

Battle ropes come in different shapes and sizes. While the most optimal length for a battle rope is 50 feet, you can tweak its size to fit it inside your home gym. Remember, a 50-foot rope will translate to 25 feet when anchored around an object. 

Commercial high-quality battle ropes can cost you north of $60. However, you can build homemade battle ropes for next to nothing. I recommend building the fire hose battle ropes, as they will get you the closest commercial gym feels. Also, this homemade gym equipment project costs you nothing except buying a duct and electrical tape roll, but I’m sure most of us can afford that. 

The bummer here is that you cannot buy a fire hose at your local hardware store. You must call your local fire department, who’ll probably be happy to give you some of their decommissioned fire hose. Roll up the fire hose and wrap it with duct tape to build your DIY gym rope. 

And you guessed it, if you need more ideas on how to build a DIY battle rope, head over to our detailed homemade battling rope guide. The article includes a badass metal battle chain variant, too. 

Common Issues While Building DIY Battle Ropes

Folks who want to build a fire hose battle rope but cannot get any from their local fire department will have to buy it online or directly from manufacturers. I recommend checking Craigslist or other online forums to see if someone is selling their used fire hose. Most people will give it to you for free. 

Who Should Build DIY Battle Ropes?

• People who are into HIIT or circuit training.
• Those training to lose weight.

Who Should Not Build DIY Battle Ropes?

• Individuals who do not have the space to store or use battle ropes in their homes. Battle ropes can take up an ungodly amount of storage space.

DIY Dumbbells

Dumbbells are among the most versatile training equipment. Since barbells can be tricky to build at home, dumbbells are the go-to strength training equipment for DIY home gym owners. 

Why are barbells complicated to build at home, you ask? There is more to barbells than meets the eye. You must consider the bar’s tensile strength to nail the whip, use bushings or bearings to get the sleeve rotations just right, and I won’t even get started on the knurling and markings. 

Contrary to what most people think, you can build a pair of high-quality dumbbells at your home. Depending on your experience level and training needs, you can choose between backpack, water bottle, milk jug, sand, and concrete dumbbells. For the sake of this article, we will go with the concrete dumbbells as they are the most aesthetically appealing and accurate. 

You will need sand, cement, two empty small buckets, a dowel (4-inch), and screws for this homemade gym equipment. Begin by drilling 10 screws into the dowel, leaving enough space for your hand in the center. Make a cement mixture in a bucket and insert the dowel. Give the cement at least 24 hours to set, and repeat the process on the other side. 

Determine the amount of cement a bucket can hold, as it will define the weight of the dumbbell. Use smaller buckets for lighter dumbbells and bigger buckets for heavier ones. However, you must consider the shape and form of the dumbbells. Dumbbells that are too long or wide can interfere with your movement mechanics. Here is the step-by-step guide for building concrete dumbbells. 

Common Issues While Building DIY Dumbbells

The biggest problem with building homemade dumbbells is that most people require multiple sets. You might need lighter dumbbells for exercises like dumbbell biceps curls and heavier dumbbells for dumbbell deadlifts. 

Building multiple pairs of concrete dumbbells will take significant time, money, and, most importantly, space. If you require multiple pairs of dumbbells, I recommend getting adjustable dumbbells for your home gym. I suggest the Bowflex SelectTech 552, the gold standard of adjustable dumbbells. Read our full review of these dumbbells here. Alternatively, you could go with backpack, water bottle, milk jug, and sand dumbbells, but these lack the commercial training equipment vibe. 

Who Should Build DIY Dumbbells?

• Lifters who want strength training equipment for their home gym.
• Homemade gym equipment enthusiasts.

Who Should Not Build DIY Dumbbells?

• People who want dumbbells of different sizes. In this case, you are better off going with commercial adjustable dumbbells or backpacks, water bottles, milk jugs, and sand dumbbells.

DIY Kettlebells

Although kettlebells and dumbbells are both strength training equipment, the training mechanics involved are like night and day. The weights in dumbbells are positioned next to the handles. In contrast, it is placed under the handle in kettlebells, which offsets the center of gravity and leads to greater core and stabilizer recruitment. 

Kettlebells are among the most popular training equipment for folks into functional training. Exercises like kettlebell swings, Turkish get-ups, and windmills are incredibly effective at developing overall strength and performance. 

Kettlebells are relatively easier to build than dumbbells, as just one weighted end is involved. I recommend the rubber ball kettlebell for folks who train indoors and don’t want to dent their living room floor. 

Begin by covering one end of a 26-inch PVC pipe with duct tape. Add sand through the other end, and seal it with duct tape before heating it using a heat gun to shape it into a kettlebell handle. 

Make two circles on a basketball, considering the size of the PVC handle. Slit the rubber ball between the marks and empty the ball. Fill the ball with Quikrete and add water. Press down on the concrete to make a flat base. Insert the PVC handle and let the concrete set for 24 hours. Do you need more help with building this DIY kettlebell? This comprehensive guide is just for you.

Common Issues While Building DIY Dumbbells

The problem with DIY kettlebells is the same as the DIY dumbbells. You might need a different-sized dumbbell for varying exercises. For example, you might be able to perform 10 American kettlebell swings using a 24-kilogram kettlebell but might need a 16-kilogram bell to complete a set of 20 unbroken reps. 

I recommend building a 16-kilogram kettlebell. This weight is heavy enough for most people to achieve failure around the 15-20 rep mark. On the other hand, you can segment bigger sets to accomplish the recommended rep count. Alternatively, you could buy an adjustable kettlebell. 

Who Should Build DIY Kettlebells?

• People who want easy-to-build DIY strength training equipment.
• Those into functional training.

Who Should Not Build DIY Kettlebells?

• Lifters training for hypertrophy. Although kettlebells are excellent for overall strength gains, they often lead to secondary muscle engagement, which can hamper your hypertrophic results.

DIY Power Tower

Power towers are versatile training equipment for people who mainly rely on bodyweight exercises. Most power towers have multiple handles that allow you to train your upper body and core from various angles. Some exercises that you can perform on a power tower include pull-ups, triceps dips, leg raises, incline and decline pushups, and crunches. 

Homemade gym equipment beginners can build a steel pipe DIY power tower, whereas more experienced craftsmen can go with a wooden power tower. A steel power tower weighs less than a wooden tower with almost the same configuration, making it much easier to move around your house. Plus, galvanized pipe equipment usually lasts longer than wooden equipment. 

You will need multiple pipes of the same length and multiple elbows, Tee joints, and pipe nipples and unions, depending on your preferred configuration. You should be able to build a galvanized steel pipe tower within an hour. 

Folks building a power tower for explosive movements like muscle-ups and chest-to-bar pull-ups must use thicker steel pipe. Thin pipes require small elbows and joints, which might not be able to handle high-intensity workouts. Also, a light structure will wobble under your weight, which could hamper your confidence and keep you from pushing yourself. 

People who face issues with the stability of their power tower should bolt it to the floor. This will eliminate the shaking and give you a more stable base. That said, only people with a dedicated home gym can afford to bolt the power rack to the floor. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Power Tower

Beginners should consult experienced exercisers while building homemade gym equipment, as training equipment involves several intricacies. An experienced lifter can tell you about small details that can significantly impact your training experience. 

Coming to the DIY power tower, you must choose the smaller vertical pipes considering the heights of other people who will be using this equipment. Using vertical pipes that are too short can be detrimental for taller trainers in exercises like parallel bar dips. Always use a blueprint to build homemade gym equipment. 

The design of a power tower dictates its utility. Check out the 10 best commercial power towers for design inspiration. Once you understand the basics of building a DIY power tower, making design tweaks to your tower is very easy. 

Who Should Build a DIY Power Tower?

• People who want a training equipment for calisthenics.
• Those who want a freestanding pull-up bar and dip station.
• Those who want a sturdy object to anchor resistance bands. This will only work if your power tower is bolted to the floor.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Power Tower?

• Those who already have standalone pull-up and dip bars in their home gym.
• People who don’t have experience building wooden training equipment should stick to the steel power tower.

DIY Dip Station

Think of dip stations as power towers but with the top half cut off. People who already have a pull-up bar in their home gym should opt for the dip station. Not only is this homemade training equipment more convenient to build, but it is also very portable. 

You could choose between a wooden, PVC, or metal pipe dip station. The wooden dip station is best left to experienced craftsmen. I recommend using metal pipes as PVC pipes can bend under your weight and are less durable than metal ones. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Dip Station

Getting the dip station’s height right in the first go is what most people struggle with. You want a station that is big enough to perform dips on it without bumping your knees into the floor. On the other hand, it shouldn’t be so tall that you have to jump onto it, as you want to be stable in the starting position. 

Who Should Build a DIY Dip Station?

• Bodybuilders who want homemade gym equipment to train their chest and triceps.
• Gymnasts who want a piece of training equipment for L-sits and handstands.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Dip Station?

• A dip station is a specialized training equipment that is not the best fit for people with limited space in their home gyms.

DIY Deadlift Jack

The deadlift jack is one of the most underrated gym tools. You must build a DIY deadlift jack if you perform heavy off-the-floor barbell exercises, such as deadlifts, clean and jerks, and snatches. 

A steel DIY deadlift jack is an ingenious tool that takes less than 10 minutes to build and will make changing weights between sets feel like a breeze. Most commercial deadlift jacks cost you over $60. However, you can build one on your own for under $10. 

Begin by connecting a 12-inch galvanized pipe piece to a Tee piece. Add another Tee piece on the opposite end of the pipe so they are at 90 degrees. Attach a 2.5-inch piece to the bottom side of the Tee piece placed on its side before adding a final Tee piece. This will be the base of your deadlift jack. 

Now, add another Tee piece to the other end of the 2.5-inch pipe piece, and attach an elbow joint on each end so they are facing up. Complete your project by attaching your last pair of 2.5-inch pipes to each elbow joint. Wrap the U-shaped bar holder with duct tape to prevent it from spoiling your bar’s knurling. 

If all this sounds too complicated, check out our DIY deadlift jack article for the step-by-step process. It also includes four other homemade deadlift jack ideas you can choose from depending on your experience level. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Deadlift Jack

Many lifters find lifting the barbell off the floor and into the single-sided metal deadlift jack with long horizontal handles challenging, especially while dealing with heavy weights. You should build a vertical wooden DIY deadlift jack if you also face the same issue. 

Although wooden vertical deadlift jacks require power tools, they are much more convenient and effective. Hoisting the weights using a vertically-oriented deadlift jack is as buttery smooth as changing gears in your car. 

Who Should Build a DIY Deadlift Jack?

• People who lift heavy.
• Those who want to avoid lower back strain while loading and unloading weights onto a barbell between sets.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Deadlift Jack?

• People who only perform bodyweight exercises in their home gym.

DIY Bench Press

The bench press is one of the three big lifts in powerlifting and is a top exercise to build pushing strength. Although the bench press looks rather straightforward, it is one of the most challenging homemade gym equipment to build. 

The DIY bench press is not for people with zero experience with power tools. For this project, you’ll use a drill machine, miter saw, staple gun, nail gun, and skill saw. Plus, it requires you to build your own cushioned backrest. That said, if you take up this project, you’ll come out of it with the confidence to take on any DIY project. 

Building a high-quality, sturdy, comfortable DIY bench press is a 13-step process, and each step has nuances. Learn how to build a homemade bench press in our detailed step-by-step guide. 

Remember, the best thing about homemade gym equipment is that it is customizable. Tweak the bench press’s dimensions based on your biomechanics. People with shorter arms should use smaller vertical poles for the barbell support, whereas taller athletes can go with the standard size. Avoid keeping the rack height too high, as it can put you in a vulnerable spot during the liftoff. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Bench Press

There are two main issues with a DIY bench press. A homemade bench press doesn’t have an adjustable rack. Although it might not be a big issue for people who train alone, it can be very inconvenient if you’ll be sharing the bench press with people of varying heights. A workaround for this issue is to drill multiple J-cups into the vertical poles. However, this will hamper the aesthetics of the bench. 

Coming to the second issue, a DIY bench press doesn’t have support arms, which significantly increases the risk of injury for folks who train alone. If you train alone, you should never train to failure on the bench press. Always end the set with a couple of reps in the tank. Hitting failure on a DIY bench press without a spotter can be detrimental. 

Furthermore, a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that “low-load resistance training performed to muscle failure or near muscle failure does not promote additional gains on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and functional performance.” (2)

Who Should Build a DIY Bench Press?

• People who want to build homemade gym equipment for strength training.
• Those who want a weight bench for exercises such as dumbbell bench press and lying leg raise.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Bench Press?

• People who are not good with power tools.
• Individuals who can’t spare the time to learn how to build wooden equipment. Depending on your experience levels, building a DIY wooden bench press can take between a few hours and a couple of days.

DIY Power Rack

The power rack is considered a gym’s centerpiece. You could use a power rack for multiple barbell strength training exercises, such as the barbell squat, overhead press, bench press, and bent-over rows. Most power racks also come with a pull-up bar, and its modular design allows you to use multiple attachments, significantly boosting its utility. 

You have two power rack variations to choose from — wood and metal. You cannot use steel plumbing pipes since a power rack must have multiple barbell racking positions. To build the frame, you need approximately 50 feet of steel tubes that are roughly 2.5 x 2.5 x 1/8 inches. You must then cut it into smaller pieces of appropriate length and drill holes in the vertical poles to insert the J-cups and safety pins. A metal power rack is best suited for metalsmiths. Plus, high-quality homemade metal power racks can cost as much as commercial ones. 

Most people will be better off building a wooden power rack. A miter, table saw, and drilling machine are the only power tools you need for this project. Alternatively, if you’ve never cut lumber, you could get the hardware store to cut it to an appropriate length. Drill ⅝-inch holes in the wooden power rack, as this is the most common size for power rack attachments. Consider the attachment dimensions of your favorite gym equipment manufacturing company before settling on a drill hole size. 

Safety pins, a dip bar, a landmine attachment, J-cups, a pull-up bar, and weight plate holders are some of the most popular power rack attachments. 

Check Out: DIY Power Rack — 3 Easy Ideas To Build a Squat Rack at Home

Common Issues While Building a DIY Power Rack

Building a DIY power rack can take a significant amount of time. Most people should expect to spend at least 48 hours building the power rack, and it could be even more for beginners. 

Who Should Build a DIY Power Rack?

• Serious lifters.
• People who train alone in their home gym. Adding safety pins to a power rack can significantly lower your risk of injury.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Power Rack?

• People who are into calisthenics.
• Those with little to no experience with power tools.

DIY Cable Pulley System

A cable pulley system is an excellent training tool to build muscle mass and improve conditioning and definition. Unlike free weights like barbells and dumbbells, a cable pulley keeps constant tension on your muscles throughout the range of motion in all three movement planes, which can help promote hypertrophy. 

Building a functional cable pulley is easier than most people think. All you need is an elevated surface like a basketball pole, a swivel pulley, nylon rope, a dovel, 3 feet of galvanized wire, an S-shaped iron hook, a carabiner, and weights. 

I wrote an in-depth article that explains four ways to build a cable pulley system for people of different experience levels. Find the one that works the best for you, and get to work. I primarily employ cable exercises at the beginning of a workout to pre-exhaust my muscles or toward the end to finish the training session with a muscle-ripping pump. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Cable Pulley System

Finding the right swivel pulley for your homemade cable pulley system can be a hit-and-miss. Some pulleys might make too much noise, while others are not as smooth. Read through the customer reviews before pulling out your wallet. 

Who Should Build a DIY Cable Pulley System?

• People who want to train for hypertrophy.
• Powerlifters, CrossFitters, and Strongmen who are looking to add accessory work into their training regimen.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Cable Pulley System?

• Those who are into bodyweight training.

DIY Ice Bath

The popularity of ice baths is on an upward trajectory, with most high-profile athletes adding it to their recovery routines. Heck, comedian-turned-actor Kevin Hart even has a YouTube show where he interviews athletes while immersed in a cold plunge. 

According to a study by The Journal of Physiology, “cold water immersion consistently improves perceptions of fatigue and muscle soreness and enhances recovery of muscle function/performance following exercise.” (3)

Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need to purchase a $5,000 cold plunge tub to experience the benefits of ice baths. You could build a DIY ice bath at your home within 10 minutes using a bathtub, garden waste bin, stock tank, inflatable pool, or deep freezer. Check out our detailed DIY ice bath guide to learn about the best techniques to build a DIY ice bath. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Ice Bath

The biggest issue with DIY ice baths is the insulation. High-tech ice baths like the Cold Plunge have built-in temperature controller, which keeps the water at the desired temperature for multiple days. You must add ice to most DIY ice baths daily to get it at the right temperature, which could send your ice bill through the roof. 

Who Should Build a DIY Ice Bath?

• People who want to explore new ways to improve their post-training recovery.
• Those who want to build mental and physical toughness against the cold.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Ice Bath?

• Hobbyist exercisers who don’t push themselves physically every week. However, these folks can still benefit from cold water therapy by occasionally taking cold showers or dipping in a cold lake.

DIY Aerobic Stepper

An aerobic stepper is an excellent tool for people who are into HIIT (high-intensity interval training). It is a small piece of exercise equipment you can store in a cupboard or against a wall after each use. 

A DIY wooden aerobic stepper is relatively easy to build. You could build an aerobic stepper by cutting a wooden plank into smaller pieces and attaching them using wood screws and glue. I recommend adding a non-slip material to the top of the exercise stepper, like a shelf liner, to lower the risk of injury during training. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Aerobic Stepper

An aerobic stepper should ideally be 12 inches wide. You want your complete foot to be on the stepper during an exercise to ensure balanced weight distribution. Furthermore, narrow steppers are at a risk of flipping over during high-intensity exercises. 

Who Should Build a DIY Aerobic Stepper?

• Those who prefer HIIT training.
• People who want a sturdy, elevated object for strength training. You could use the aerobic stepper for deficit lunges, calf raises, or feet-elevated hip thrusts.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Aerobic Stepper?

• CrossFitters with limited space in their home gym. These folks will be better off getting a plyo box.

DIY Rowing Machine

Unlike most cardio machines that mainly engage the lower body, such as the treadmill and spin bike, the rowing machine trains your entire body. Plus, a rowing machine combines cardiovascular and strength training, getting you the best bang for your buck. 

There are several moving parts in a commercial rowing machine. However, you could build a barebone rowing machine in your home using a skateboard, loop resistance bands, two heavy dumbbells, a secure upright, and an 18-inch dowel. Feel free to add more resistance bands if you want a greater resistance. Here is the step-by-step guide to building a DIY skateboard (and four other) rowing machines. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Rowing Machine

A skateboard DIY rowing machine is very different from a conventional flywheel rowing machine in that the former has a significantly greater eccentric pull because of the resistance bands. A resistance band rowing machine has a steep learning curve, and getting used to it can take some time. 

Who Should Build a DIY Rowing Machine?

• People on a tight budget. A quality commercial rowing machine can cost north of $1,000.
• People who have limited space in their home gym.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Rowing Machine?

• People with other cardio training equipment in their home gym can skip the rowing machine.

DIY Parallettes 

Parallettes are non-negotiable for gymnasts and calisthenics athletes. To build DIY parallettes, you need one 24-inch metal pipe piece, two 18-inch pieces, two 90-degree angle pieces, two Tee pieces, and four 6-inch pieces. 

Begin by attaching the two 90-degree angle pieces to each side of the 24-inch bar so they are facing down. Then, attach two 18-inch bars to each elbow. Add a Tee piece to each of the 18-inch bars. Finish the dip bar by adding 6-inch pipes to each end of the Tee piece. Remember, the 6-inch pieces should be perpendicular to the 24-inch piece. Keeping them parallel will lead to stability and balance issues. 

Feel free to replace the 18-inch pipes with longer ones to ensure your knees don’t hit the ground at the bottom of the range of motion. You could also use pipes that are long enough so you can perform dips with a full range of motion while keeping your body, from head to heels, in a straight line. 

Common Issues While Building DIY Parallettes 

The DIY parallettes stability is the most critical factor you must consider. Building a small base or using thin pipes can lead to the bar wobbling during an exercise. An imbalance can lead to an injury, especially during handstand push-ups. 

Who Should Build DIY Parallettes?

• People who want minimalistic training equipment that they can store away after each use.
• Individuals training in gymnastics or calisthenics.

Who Should Not Build DIY Parallettes?

• People who already have a dip station.

DIY Plyo Box

A plyo box is an excellent tool for working on building explosive strength. You could utilize it in strength training workouts for box squats and Bulgarian split squats. Many people also use it as a bench in exercises like dumbbell biceps curls and seated overhead presses. 

Cut the plywood so two sides measure 18 inches, two 24, and two 30 inches. This way, you will have a 3-in-1 plyo box that you can use for multiple exercises. The plywood should be 8′ 3/4″ to ensure it is big enough for most high-intensity exercises and won’t topple over if you jump on the edges. 

Common Issues While Building a DIY Plyo Box

Your plyo box is as strong as the joints. Using fewer wood screws can hamper the box’s durability. Use multiple screws and wood glue to build a robust box. Also, test the plyo box using a heavy object like a sandbag before you add it to your training regimen. 

Who Should Build a DIY Plyo Box?

• Those who are into plyometrics.
• People who are into functional training.
• CrossFitters.

Who Should Not Build a DIY Plyo Box?

• People who are dealing with lower body joint issues.
• Bodybuilders who prioritize hypertrophy and already have a utility bench or an adjustable bench can skip the plyo box.

A Tip To Save You Hours While Building Homemade Gym Equipment

Whenever possible, you should use metal pipes, elbows, and Tee joints to build your DIY gym equipment. Provided you can find metal pipes of appropriate lengths from a store, assembling most homemade gym equipment doesn’t take more than an hour.

On the other hand, making structures like dip stations and power racks with wood requires precision, craftsmanship, and several hours. You must cut multiple pieces of wood at particular angles using a mitre saw and then attach them using wood screws. Building homemade wooden gym equipment from scratch requires power tools and experience. 

That said, there are times when you have no other option but to go with wooden DIY gym equipment. It could be because of an unavailability of metal tools and materials or an uninspiring design. 

Benefits of Homemade Gym Equipment

Building DIY training equipment entails the following benefits:

Customization

Most commercial training equipment is bulky, which doesn’t work well for home gym owners. Building your own gym equipment allows you to customize it according to your available training space and preferences. 

Plus, since you’ve built the equipment from scratch and understand how you have put it together, you can modify it in the future to suit your training needs. Customizing commercial training equipment without hampering its structural integrity is nearly impossible. 

Saves Money

Homemade gym equipment costs much less than commercial ones. For example, a high-quality commercial battle rope will cost you north of $60, whereas you can build the fire hose version for less than $5. 

Convenience 

Someone wise once said you don’t know convenience until you own a home gym. (Disclaimer: This wise guy could be me.)

Traveling to the gym six days a week can add friction to your fitness regimen. In contrast to popular opinion, you don’t need a fully stacked gym to get fit. A combination of a few strength, gymnastics, and cardio equipment is all you need to be fitter than 90 percent of the world’s population. 

Attachment & Satisfaction

A sense of satisfaction comes with using tools you’ve built with your hands that you cannot get with commercial equipment. One of my friends once told me he loves his homemade dumbbells like he loves his kids. Take that, commercial equipment!

Safety Consideration While Building a Home Gym

These are the things to consider for DIY home gym owners:

Proper Tools and Gear

Building most homemade gym equipment requires power tools, and you must use the right tools for the right projects. Safety must be your first priority while building DIY projects or training in the gym. Use protective gear to lower your risk of injury. 

Pick the DIY projects that you can build comfortably. Seek professional help whenever you feel stuck or need a second opinion. Start with smaller projects like DIY plyo boxes, and you will gradually build the confidence and skills to tackle more complex projects like the DIY wooden bench press. 

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

Depending on the materials used and your building experience, you must regularly check your homemade gym equipment for signs of wear and tear. Repair the equipment at the earliest to limit the chances of untoward incidents. 

Structural Integrity

Although changing homemade gym equipment dimensions is encouraged, you should do so while considering the equipment’s structural integrity. Consult an experienced builder about any significant changes to ensure safety. 

FAQs

Is homemade gym equipment as sturdy as commercial ones?

Homemade gym equipment can be as sturdy as commercial if you use high-quality materials and follow stringent building guidelines. Steel gym equipment is generally more robust than wooden or PVC equipment. 

I can afford commercial equipment for my home gym. Should I still build homemade gym equipment?

Training with homemade gym equipment offers a sense of satisfaction that cannot be achieved with commercial equipment. If you have the dough but still want to dabble in the DIY world, you could purchase big equipment like power racks from big brands and build smaller equipment like plyo boxes. 

How much can building a DIY home gym from scratch cost?

Depending on the number of homemade gym equipment you plan to build, a DIY home gym can cost anywhere between $5 to $2,000. You could build a battle rope for under $5. On the flip side, you could build all the 15 equipment listed in this article and still be under $2,000. 

Wrapping Up

Crafting training equipment that will help craft your physique is a beautiful experience. This article lists multiple homemade gym equipment suitable for people of different experience levels. People with no prior DIY experience could build an ice bath, whereas more experienced craftsmen can opt for the metal power rack. 

People looking to build their home gym should begin with a power rack, battle ropes, and kettlebells. Those who already own a home gym can build a deadlift jack and aerobic stepper. 

Building DIY homemade gym equipment is a never-ending process. You start with a basic design but make minor adjustments to it over time to better fit your needs. Remember, you must regularly inspect the homemade gym equipment to ensure safety. 

Let us know if you have any questions about building homemade gym equipment, and we will be happy to help!

References

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2. Bergamasco JGA, da Silva DG, Bittencourt DF, de Oliveira RM, Júnior JCB, Caruso FR, Godoi D, Borghi-Silva A, Libardi CA. Low-Load Resistance Training Performed to Muscle Failure or Near Muscle Failure Does Not Promote Additional Gains on Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Functional Performance of Older Adults. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 May 1;36(5):1209-1215. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003632. Epub 2020 Jun 19. PMID: 33443368.
3. Peake JM, Roberts LA, Figueiredo VC, Egner I, Krog S, Aas SN, Suzuki K, Markworth JF, Coombes JS, Cameron-Smith D, Raastad T. The effects of cold water immersion and active recovery on inflammation and cell stress responses in human skeletal muscle after resistance exercise. J Physiol. 2017 Feb 1;595(3):695-711. doi: 10.1113/JP272881. Epub 2016 Nov 13. PMID: 27704555; PMCID: PMC5285720.

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