Garage Gym Packages for Under $500

What’s happening, Fringe Fam? We hope you’re crushing your week thus far, and crushing the Garage Gym game, too. If not, whatcha waiting for? 

Now is the perfect time to get yourself into the Garage Gym Revolution. The kids are going back to school, summer weather is cooling down shortly, and that means perfect garage workout weather and more time for yourself and your gains.

We’ve got a few items to mix and match to create your perfect garage gym combo for under $500 coming your way.

If you’re just starting out, it can be overwhelming to think you need to invest in everything all at once. This is so not the case! You can absolutely build out an awesome garage gym on a budget, especially if you choose your equipment wisely. Let’s run through some important pieces to consider.

Barbell, dumbbells, or kettlebells

When you’re on a budget, it’s important to consider what kind of weights you’d prefer to lift. A barbell is going to cost the most, unless you decide to invest in an entire set of dumbbells or kettlebells in every size. When you opt for a barbell, you’ll likely need at least a small set of bumper plates, so there’s going to be an added cost there. If you opt for kettlebells or dumbbells instead, you have the ability to invest in a few more sizes for a similar cost.

The Wonder Bar ($256-262): true to its name, is a true wonder to work with and have in your garage gym equipment arsenal. We recommend the bushing 20kg or 15kg Wonder Bar because it sits at a slightly lower price point than it’s other variation, the bearing. Not only that, you’re getting all the bang for your buck because the Wonder Bar is such a versatile barbell to work with. If you’re someone who’s looking to be able to do everything with your barbell and your lifting isn’t super specialized, this is THE barbell for you. 

Dumbbell pairs can easily be swapped out for a barbell to provide your garage gym with the weights you need to get strong. There’s much versatility in choosing to opt for dumbbells over a barbell because the weights will vary depending on your level of strength, along with the sizes you’ve chosen to invest in. Dumbbells are easy to transport and travel with because they don’t take up a ton of space, and aren’t nearing 7 feet long like a barbell might. Pairs are going to be less expensive than most sets, so keep that in mind when choosing your weight weapons.

Most barbell movements can be subbed for dumbbells (or kettlebells) instead, and if you choose to invest in a few different sizes, many accessory movements can be thrown into the mix so you can not only get a killer workout in, but get your pump on while doing so. We recommend starting with some pairs in the middle of the road between 25lbs and 50lbs ($120-230) for most.

Like dumbbells, kettlebells can also be swapped out to take the place of a barbell (or dumbbells!). Most barbell movements can be subbed for kettlebell movements, and there’s some like the kettlebell swing that a barbell doesn’t allow for. There’s a lot of versatility with kettlebells as well. If you're wondering whether or not you can get great workouts in day after day with a kettlebell, the answer is absolutely, yes.

Our kettlebells can be purchased in pairs, sets, or singles depending on what you need and what you’ll be using them for. Pairs and sets, while extremely worthwhile and a great investment, can get pricey, so be prepared for a bit of your $500 budget to be taken up by a pair or set (large, heavy ones especially!).

Kettlebells ($34-200 for singles, $54-281 for pairs, and $196-529 for sets in and near our $500 budget) are great for most compound movements in some regard, and depending on the weights chosen, can also be used for accessory work as well. Kettlebells are easy to travel with, and can be a one-stop-shop for a great workout. Like dumbbells, if you choose to invest in a set with several different sizes, the possibilities are endless for your workouts, and you’re bound to become a kettlebell master if that’s the kind of weight you choose to opt for in your garage gym.

A Bumper Plate Pair or Set

A bumper plate pair or set, while they can be used on their own, most often require a barbell to be most useful in a garage gym. There are some awesome movements that you can throw together to get a great workout in with just bumper plates, but to use them to their fullest potential, you’ll likely want to invest in a barbell as well. 

If you’re choosing to invest in a barbell, a pair or set of bumper plates is crucial for getting the most out of your bar. Even a single pair of 10lb plates is beneficial because you can still crush a workout, get sweaty, make gains, and throw your barbell around. If you’re sporting an empty bar, you really shouldn’t be throwing it around without some plate protection because it can really damage your bar. ($80-240 for pairs, $256-278 for sets that fit the budget)

Garage Series Squat Rack

This piece of equipment is hardly necessary on a $500 budget, but it does make sense to consider if you’re investing in a barbell and a pair of plates. Our Garage Series Squat Rack is THE rack for garage gyms, especially if you’re just starting out and don’t have any specific needs for your rack besides a place to land your barbell. ($290) 

This beauty of a rack also comes with a pair of J-cups to hold your prized barbell, features a pull-up bar and weight horns for storage and to hold down your rack, and a floor-mounting option for extra stability. This rack is super garage-friendly with a small, yet sturdy, footprint. You really can't go wrong with our Garage Series Squat Rack. It's the best.

Now, it's time to pick and choose

These items can be mixed-and-matched to fit exactly your needs and your desires for a garage gym on a budget. On our end, we'd personally consider a set of dumbbells, kettlebells, or a barbell and some weights in our $500 budget to get the most bang for your buck and start off strong. If you need a rack, the Garage Series Squat Rack is definitely the way to go.

If you need some help planning out and designing your perfect garage gym space on a budget, send us a message at team@fringesport.com. We'd be happy to help you build a super sweet garage gym on your budget!

As always, lift heavy, lift happy :)