IN THIS POST
– DIY sandbags
– DIY plyo box
– DIY balance board
– DIY dumbbells
– DIY medicine ball
Have you ever considered incorporating some homemade gym equipment into your workout routine?
No matter how much one wants to work out and get in shape, sometimes hitting the gym is just not an option. For starters, gyms and fitness studios tend to get very crowded towards the end of the day, which can make them a bit of a nightmare for those who finally manage to get there after pulling a 9 to 5 shift at work. Secondly, gym memberships can be quite pricey.
The first solution to this conundrum that pops into one’s mind is setting up a home gym. However, as most of us are already aware, buying manufactured exercise equipment can be a bit heavy on the pocket.
So, what other option does one have other than putting together some homemade gym equipment and starting a new workout regime – that too on a shoestring budget. From dumbbells to plyo boxes we’ve put together some simple and effective homemade gym equipment ideas.
These DIY workout equipment plans are easy-to-follow and quite pocket-friendly. Plus, you might find most of the items required to assemble this homemade workout equipment right in your storeroom or garage.
Homemade Gym Equipment Ideas
Wondering how to make gym equipment at home? Well, these homemade gym equipment plans will surely help you out.
- DIY sandbags
- DIY plyo box
- DIY balance board
- DIY weights
- DIY medicine ball
Let discuss each of these DIY gym equipment ideas in detail.
DIY Sandbag
Using sandbags is an excellent way to build endurance and strength as well as tone your muscles. You can easily incorporate some strength training in your workout routine with these DIY sandbags that will only take you about 15 minutes to make.
Moreover, you’re likely to find at least some of the supplies required for this DIY workout equipment at your home.
Supplies
- A medium-sized duffle bag
- 30 kg of sand
- Zip-lock freezer bags
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Weighing machine
Procedure
Step 1: Scoop sand into the zip-lock bags and put them on a scale to ensure each bag weighs about 5 kg.
Step 2: Double bag the zip-lock freezer bags and seal them tightly
Step 3: Place all the sand-filled bags in a larger bag and place it in the duffle bag
Step 4: Once your duffle bag is completely packet, zip it up
Step 5: You can use duct tape to cover the bag or tape up the handles, as needed.
Your DIY equipment for a home gym is now ready to be punched and lifted.
DIY Plyo Box
When it comes to making your own gym equipment, plyo boxes are one of the easiest things to make on your own.
These wooden boxes are used as platforms for a variety of workouts, including death jumps and box jumps. Usually, these boxes come in a range of sizes, though you can construct one as per your own preference.
Supplies
- 4’x8’ plywood sheet (about ¾-inch thick)
- Measuring tape
- Circular saw
- Drill
- Nails
- Hammer
- Jigsaw
- Wood adhesive
- Sanding paper
Procedure
Step 1: Use a measuring tape to mark the following dimensions on your plywood sheet:
- Two pieces of 20”x24”
- Two pieces of 20”x30”
- Two pieces of 24”x30”
Step 2: Cut the plywood into six pieces using a circular saw
Step 3: For better grip, you can cut out notches on each side of your plywood boards. However, make sure to measure and mark the pattern using a pencil to avoid any errors. You can use a jigsaw for this purpose
Step 4: Use the 24”x30” plywood board on a flat surface and use glue to assemble the rest of the pieces together. Make sure the notches perfectly fit into each other before nailing them together.
Step 5: Use a sanding paper to sand down the edges of your plyo box
Step 6 (Optional): You can create openings on the side of your homemade gym equipment for convenience. For this, simply drill holes into two sides of the box and then use a jigsaw to crave out big enough openings for your hand. Remember to sand down the insides of the handles with sandpaper to avoid any splinters.
DIY Balance Board
Balancing boards are one of the most underrated yet easy-to-make DIY equipment for a home gym. Standing on a balance board helps tighten your core muscles and improve your balance system.
One of the best things about this homemade workout equipment is that it’s extremely affordable and you don’t need to possess any carpentry skills to build it.
Supplies
- 12″x6″ PVC pipe, though you can buy one that fits your needs
- 35’’x 15’’ plywood board
- Pieces of plywood for stoppers
- Circular saw
- Wood adhesive
- Nails
- Hammer
- Sanding paper
Procedure
Step 1: Cut your plywood sheet as per the above-mentioned dimensions using a circular saw
Step 2: Cut two 15’’x 2” strips of plywood to act as safety stoppers
Step 3: Glue the stoppers vertically to the outer edges of the plywood board
Step 4: Once satisfied with their placement, nail the strips down to the board
Step 5: Sand down the surface and corners of the plywood board
Step 6: Put down the board on the horizontally lying piece of PVC pipe and begin your work out
It’s recommended to hold onto something for balance while starting out. Once you think you can balance yourself on the DIY gym equipment without falling down, let go of whatever you are holding on to start your workout regime.
DIY Dumbbells
Dumbbells are probably the first thing that pops into your mind when someone mentions working out. While you can easily find dumbbells in the market for quite affordable rates, you can make them at home for even cheaper.
So, if you want to boost your strength-training regime on a budget, this homemade gym equipment will be perfect for you.
Supplies
- 1-gallon water bottles (make sure the material is sturdy)
- Sand
- Funnel
- Rocks for extra weight (optional)
- Hot glue gun
- Weighing machine
- Permanent marker
Procedure
Step 1: Empty out the water bottles and put them upside down to get rid of any water inside
Step 2: Once the bottles are completely dry from the inside, pour sand into them using a funnel
Step 3: You can put each bottle on the weighing machine to make sure it weighs as per your preference. Also, add rocks if needed.
Step 4: Use the hot glue gun to adhere the cap to the bottle
Step 5: Write down the weight of each sand-filled bottle on its cap using a permanent marker for your convenience
That’s all you need to do for this DIY workout equipment. You can now lift these water bottles just like you would lift dumbbells.
DIY Medicine Ball
Medicine balls are also known as fitness balls and exercise balls. They are weighted balls that are used for a full-body workout, as they help strengthen your shoulders, core, hamstrings and glutes.
Moreover, incorporating medicine balls in your workout is also a brilliant way to improve your intermuscular coordination and balance.
Supplies
- An old basketball or any large ball made out of thick material
- Scissors
- Sand
- Duct tape
- Dowel
Procedure
Step 1: Use scissors to cut two slits on the ball to make a triangular flap
Step 2: Fill the ball with sand. You can use a dowel to pack down the sand as you fill it completely
Step 3: Close the flap and cover the entire ball in duct tape
Your homemade workout equipment is now ready to be used.
While these homemade gym equipment ideas are certainly useful, you need to keep in mind that your posture and workout routine needs to be accurate in order for your workout to be effective. Otherwise, you may end up pulling a muscle or hurting yourself.
So, which of these DIY home gym equipment did you find the easiest-to-make? Let us know your thoughts and comments by dropping a message on blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, if you live in the City of Gardens, here is a list of top gyms in Lahore that you might want to check out. For those who live in Islamabad, these are some of the best fitness centres in the capital city that are known for their state-of-the facilities.
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