Homemade Equipment Ideas
Most of my equipment for my home gym was purchased new online, or used from a commercial gym that was going out of business and selling everything on craigslist.
However, once the limits of my budget for new/used equipment were reached (surpassed, actually), I began to search the internet for ideas on how to make my own equipment, even a homemade rowing exercise machine. You can see some of my homemade equipment here.
I'm handy enough with woodworking and power tools (just enough to be dangerous) and my internet search turned up quite a few projects using items I had lying around the house, or that could be purchased inexpensively through home improvement centers.
I also tend to save small lengths of pipe, scrap ends of 2 x 4's, bolts, screws, etc. from various home improvement projects. They don't take up much room, and they come in handy for other projects.
The links below are either my own design, or slightly modified designs of other projects I found on the net.
I had most of the material to build this already, but to build it from scratch would cost under $80.
A new calf raise block costs $40, this one $8.
Utilizing your power rack, make your own T-Bar row.
Attach this to any power rack.
Homemade pullup bar for a Powertec P-PR Power Rack
There are plenty of complaints about the bent pullup handles that come with this rack.
Add a straight pullup bar to it.
Here's another way to add a straight pull-up bar to any power rack.
Homemade 45 degree hyperextension bench. Attachments for an Ironmaster super bench
Using PVC fittings, convert most any incline bench into a hyperextension machine.
Using an old basketball and sand, save $$
I made this using items I had lying around the house.
What the heck are homemade micro weights?
Save $ by building your own power rack out of wood with these detailed plans.
This is the homemade 4x4 power rack I made for less than $80.
Make your own and save BIG money
Homemade heavy bag stand using a power rack
Homemade Ab Coaster Isolation Strap
Ab coaster isolation strap, an effective way to isolate your upper body and concentrate the focus only on the abs.
Make a second set of power rack pins out of pipe fittings.
Homemade power rack plate holder
Make a power rack plate holder out of pipe fittings and pvc.
Use PVC fittings and a Ironmaster super bench
Rope pull-ups using your power rack and a thick manila rope. Build your grip strength.
Homemade dumbbell spotting system
A safe way to lift heavy.
More homemade weight lifting equipment.
The best I have seen on the internet!
Make your own at home and save big money!
This simple device will blast your quads!
Homemade Ab Pavelizer or Janda sit up
Come on, try and do one!
Homemade seated calf raise machine
Make your own homemade seated calf raise machine using a Powertec power lever L-PL
Homemade multipurpose weight lifting handle
Use this for the perfect pull up.
Homemade belt squat will help your barbell squatting form.
A readers version of my homemade belt squat. A great exercise for the quads.
Want better hand and forearm development? Train with thick handled barbells or dumbbells
Increase your thumb strength!
All you need is a rack and a barbell and you'll be able to give your entire lower body a sound thrashing
Homemade powertec leverage arm block
Position the leverage arm so you can start your lift from the top!
Homemade hyperextension Roman Chair
Hyperextensions are a very effective lower back exercise.
Weight lifting bench refurbishing.
Turn a good deal into a new bench.
Homemade reverse hyperextension
The reverse hyper is a great exercise for targeting your posterior chain which comprises of the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings.
Homemade weight lifting bench with a unique two piece design.
Nothing fancy, just a rock solid platform that will hold up over time.
Built with spare exercise machine parts and wood.
Homemade power spot self spotting barbell and dumbbell machine.
The machine is simple in design and is basically a pair of multi directional pivoting arms connected to rotating free weight holders.
You could be losing calories while reading this webpage!
I built a pair of these homemade olympic bar holders for less than $4.
Roman-chair squats, an old school bodybuilder exercise, are one of the best thigh builders around.
Homemade Weight Training Equipment
A few items submitted by a reader of this website.
Since making this abs bench, I actually look forward to doing my abs workout.
Homemade Wall Mounted Lat Tower
Lat pulldown on a budget.
Homemade Kettlebell for under 25 bucks.
This project cost around $60.
Homemade Power Rack and Lat Tower.
Total cost was around $350.
Make your own bar for around $50.
Homemade shoulder press machine.
This exercise is for developing full body explosive power and strength.
For under $5 I converted my E-Z curl bar to a cable curl bar instead of buying another attachment.
Homemade Strongman Log. Online prices for a strongman log are insane... so I went to the home depot!
