Home Gym: Strength Training For $76
I wanted to add dumbbells to my home gym because their versatility would allow me to work every muscle group in the comfort of my own home. Many products exist that would fill my need, but the cost of different solutions vary greatly.
Requirement
I wanted a set of dumbbells from 20 to 40 pounds in five-pound increments. With this requirement defined, I visited several sports equipment retailers in my area.
Full Dumbbell Set
The first solution I thought of was to simply buy a complete set of dumbbells for my home gym. The price was $1.50 a pound which after doing some quick math turned out to be way more than I wanted to spend.
- 20lb x 2 = 40 lbs
- 25lb x 2 = 50 lbs
- 30lb x 2 = 60 lbs
- 35lb x 2 = 70 lbs
- 40lb x 2 = 80 lbs
Total: 300lbs x $1.50 = $450
Adjustable Dumbbell Products
Having multiple sets of dumbbells was not only expensive, but would likely require a rack, and would take up a lot of space. Products like the Power Block Sport 50 feature a pair of adjustable dumbbells that engage different pieces of the product to make them heavier or lighter. The unused pieces are left on the floor, or on a stand. Unfortunately, these products also retailed for $300-$400 as well.
Walmart to the Rescue
I found exactly what I needed in Walmart’s sporting goods section at a fraction of the cost:
- Package of two dumbbell handles with screw on weight stops: $12
- Four 10 pound plates : 4 x $8 = $32
- Eight 5 pound plates: 8 x $4 = $32
Total: $76
With the weights and handles I found, I can create two dumbbells from 10 – 40lbs in 5-pound increments. Plus, I have the ability to expand the range by purchasing additional plates.
Exercises with Dumbbells
I created a full-body strength training plan using my new dumbbells:
- Chest: I do chest press sets laying on a picnic table bench. If you don’t have a skinny bench to allow full range of motion, push-ups will also work your chest.
- Biceps: Standing bicep curls or sitting concentration curls will build those arms!
- Triceps: Laying on the picnic table bench, hold one dumbbell above your face with arms extended. Then, slowly lower it across the top of your by bending your elbows.
- Back: Sitting in a chair and holding the dumbbells, put your upper arms parallel with the ground and your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. Slowing raise your arms until they’re straight.
- Squats: Holding a dumbbell in front of you, squat at the knees as if you’re sitting down in a chair, then stand up again.
- Lunches: With a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your legs about shoulder-width apart. Take a step forward with one leg, bending your other knee as close to the ground as you can without touching. Then stand back up and repeat with the opposite leg.
Add in some sit-ups and planks to work your core, and you’ve just performed a pretty good full-body strength training session.
A gym membership gives you access to strength training equipment that is cost and space prohibitive for homeowners. However, a great workout can be had with some simple adjustable dumbbells.
How about you, Clever Friends, do you have a gym membership, or have you dumped your membership to workout at home?
Read More
Check out additional clever articles below:
- Jillian Michaels’ Net Worth
- Are Cheap Exercise Clothes A Good Value?
- Unused Gym Memberships Waste Money (And Are A Boon To Gym Owners)
