5 places to snag affordable home gym equipment
Gas prices got you thinking about working out at home? I started doing that at the beginning of 2020 and it was a game changer! I saved so much time and could be close to my kids in case they needed me, plus it saves money in the long-run on monthly gym fees. You’re probably wondering how much equipment you need, and how much it’ll cost you. First, let me say that you don’t need a lot. You can start small with just a few key items, and then grow your collection over time as you expand in your strength and needs. Check out this blog post for the starter items I recommend.
Buying gym equipment doesn’t have to break the bank. Would a Peloton be nice? Sure. But do you absolutely NEED one to get a great workout? Nope. I’m all about finding bargains, so I’ve put together a list of 5 places where you can find good deals on home workout equipment.
Buy used. Start here! You can find a ton of home gym equipment through online thrifting applications like Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, Poshmark or OfferUp. Some of these items might be available right in your town to save you on shipping costs. You may not always find the exact color or brand you’re looking for, but I’ve found tons of great items that were still in great condition. You can also sell old or unused equipment on these apps to make extra cash yourself!
Budget stores. Check out low-cost stores like Five Below, Big Lots or Goodwill. These typically have a large selection of affordable equipment like lighter dumbbells, yoga mats and resistance bands. You may not always get the longest life out of these pieces because they’re on the cheaper side, but it’s a great place to start if you’re not ready to invest a ton of money.
Off-price department stores. You can find a good amount of quality equipment at stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Ross. They’ve got yoga mats, weightlifting gloves, kettlebells, dumbbells and discounted brand name workout clothes and shoes. I used to exclusively buy all of my fitness apparel at these places until I got more into thrifting on Mercari and Poshmark.
Athletic stores (sales). If you wait for special holidays, most of the large athletic stores have sales where you can find discounted equipment. Check out Dick’s Sporting Goods and Academy Sports, where you will be more likely to find specific items and sizes of equipment you may be looking for. Personally, I prefer dumbbells that are coated in neoprene because they’re easier on my hands and I get less callouses. These can be hard to find once you go beyond 15 pounds, so I usually wait for a good sale at these types of stores to find those.
Amazon. When all else fails, you really can find anything on Amazon. I found my weight rack and plyo box there and they were the perfect size for my workout space. The benefit here is that you can check out reviews to make sure you’re getting the best deal and quality piece. Sometimes the exact same item will be sold by multiple sellers, so do your research to find the best option and price.
