Amazon’s Spring Sale Lets You Build a Complete Home Gym for $1,300.

Building my own home gym is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. No matter the weather, traffic, or how much free time I have on a given day, I know I can always get to the gym ( my gym) and work out. If you’re thinking about building your own home gym, Amazon’s spring sale is a great time to start stocking up on the essentials. Here are my recommendations for what I’d buy if I were just starting out.

A few notes before I begin: everyone’s needs are different, so feel free to skip any items that don’t suit your training style. However, I’ll assume you’ll need equipment for weightlifting, dumbbell and/or kettlebell training, and cardio. I’ll start with small, versatile items, move on to larger purchases, and finish with a few optional but nice-to-haves.

In total, the basic components of the kit will cost $1,301. That’s $210 for a set of adjustable dumbbells, $65 for a bench press, $312 for a starter set of barbells with bumper plates, $300 for a Titan squat rack (plus $114 for safety pins), and $300 for an entry-level stationary bike. You can even add a couple of 45-pound bumper plates and a few accessories, and still come in under $1,500 for the entire kit.

The best deals on dumbbells during the spring sale!

Any home gym can use dumbbells, so let’s start there. You’ll need to decide whether you want adjustable dumbbells or regular (“fixed”) ones. Fixed dumbbells can be a larger investment in the long run, but you can easily start with a few pairs and add to your collection as your budget allows. Fixed dumbbells are also more durable since they have no moving parts, and they’re more convenient if you have the space. This $160 set includes dumbbells ranging from 5 to 25 pounds and comes with a rack for storage. Add heavier pairs to your collection as you grow.

But if I had to choose just one option, I’d go with adjustable dumbbells. Adjustable dumbbells can be more expensive than buying a few starter pairs, but are generally cheaper than buying a full set of the fixed dumbbells they replace. The Powerblock Elite EXP is a popular option, currently on sale for $339.15, and they come in weights up to 50 pounds. Extension kits are also available, allowing you to increase the weight to 70 or even 90 pounds. For a budget option, consider the CAP adjustable dumbbells, which cost just $209 per pair and also range in weight from 10 to 55 pounds.

Best deal of the spring sale on weight training bench.

If you enjoy bench pressing or incline pressing, a good bench will be a key purchase for your home gym. Look for a model with a high weight capacity (remember, it needs to be able to support you and what you’re lifting) and the ability to adjust between flat and incline. This bench from NICEPEOPLE meets these requirements.

Spring Sale’s Best Deals: Barbells and Weight Plates.

If you’re happy with just using dumbbells, skip this section and just expand your dumbbell collection. However, if you want to perform deadlifts, snatches, or other barbell exercises, it’s worth investing in a barbell and weight plates. (For squats and bench presses, you’ll need a rack, which I’ll cover in the next section.)

You’re faced with a choice: iron plates or bumper plates? Bumper plates are made of rubber (and/or coated with it), allowing them to bounce harmlessly when they hit the ground. They’re slightly quieter for deadlifts and are essential if you plan on performing Olympic lifts. They also allow you to perform squats without the safety bars on the rack, if you know how to do it, without risking injury .

This set includes a standard Olympic-size barbell with 5-cm sleeves and enough weight plates to bring the total weight up to 118 kg—all for $312. Expand your collection with 20 kg weight plates for $53 each .

Find the best deals on squat racks and squat stands during the spring sale.

To perform squats or bench presses, you’ll need a bar rack. A sturdy squat rack is the centerpiece of most serious home gyms, but you still have plenty of options when it comes to choosing the right rack.

I would avoid most cheap squat racks found on Amazon, for example, since they don’t have safety pins (to lower the weight if you fail the exercise). A squat rack without a safety pin is fine if you only perform squats with weight plates and always bench press with a spotter (i.e., someone standing nearby to help you if you fail). If you’re comfortable with these safety precautions, you can skip the safety pins.

However, many of these cheap racks advertise some kind of “safety levers” that are practically useless for this purpose. These racks typically don’t fit standard-sized safety levers, so I’d recommend buying a squat rack or stand that can accommodate actual safety levers. Among the currently discounted products, I’d choose the budget Titan T-3 squat rack , which costs $300 for the 72-inch version (great for garages with low ceilings). The safety levers are also currently discounted, at $114 per pair.

The best offer of the spring sale on cardio equipment.

Now that we have the basic strength training equipment ready, we need to focus on our cardiovascular system. Sure, you could put on your running shoes and go for a jog, but the point of a home gym is to work out without leaving the house, so let’s add a machine.

Choosing the best exercise machine will depend on your preferences. Some people love a rowing machine but hate a treadmill, or vice versa. Choose what’s right for you, but I’d recommend an exercise bike. A good exercise bike is cheaper than a good treadmill and takes up less space. It’s more convenient than a rowing machine, not least because you can more easily scroll through your phone’s feed or watch videos while you’re working out—meaning you’re more likely to get on the bike rather than skip that part of your workout. (Is it just me?)

I chose this $300 Yosuda Pro exercise bike with a 35-pound flywheel and a 350-pound weight limit. It’s more durable and has more adjustments than cheaper models, but still a great value.

The best deals of the spring sale: rugs and other accessories.

With all the items listed above, you’ll have everything you need for a home gym, and the whole thing will cost you around $1,300. I’d add some shock-absorbing barn mats to cushion the impact and protect the floor (available for purchase at your local Tractor Supply store), as well as a selection of small accessories depending on your needs. Here are some great deals on the latter:

• Kettlebells: Try this 35-pound cast iron kettlebell for $32.

• Yoga Mats: Here’s a one-inch thick mat for $29.99.

• Pull-up Bar: Here’s a door frame model (no screws) for $27.98.

• Abdominal Trainer: This set includes a roller, knee pads, push-up handles, and a set of elastic resistance bands for $22.98.

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