If you’re looking for the best home gym under $500, you’ve come to the right place.
Home gyms offer a level of customizability and accessibility that commercial gyms lack. You can set up your home gym with the precise equipment to help you meet your fitness goals.
That said, setting up and selecting a home gym is easier said than done. Looking for the right option can be daunting as there are options upon options available, and that might leave you more confused than before.
So, to help you out, we’ve done the research for you and put together this in-depth buying guide. This will take you through different options, their details, and pros and cons and should help you make an informed decision.
Our list of the best home gyms under $500
- Best home gym under $500 overall: TRX PRO3
- Best portable home gym under $500: EVO Gym
- Best cable machine home gym under $500: MARCY Home Gym
How we picked
We looked at and researched various options from different brands and compared them based on their build quality, features, price, functionality, and other important features to present you with the best options to make an informed decision. We’re always updating our guides with the latest information, so check back for newer additions.
Best home gym under $500 overall
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Pros | Cons |
Easy to set up | Will need additional weights for progressive overload |
Tension level of 350 pounds | |
Can train for different fitness goals |
If you’re looking for the best home gym under $500, look no further than the TRX PRO3.
The first thing you need to know about the TRX PRO3 is that it’s a suspension training system that uses your body weight and gravity to work your muscles. And it costs under $250 (at the time of writing).
This suspension training system is very lightweight, weighing around 1.7 pounds. This means you can carry it to the park, office, or anywhere else. The system comprises rubber handles, three anchors, padded foot cradles, and a carabiner. This might not seem like a lot of components, but the versatility they provide is like nothing else.
You should be able to set it up easily with the different anchors and start working out. You can use the foot cradles to work your core or suspend yourself and start working your back. The TRX PRO3 should enable you to work toward your fitness goals, whether it’s strength training or stretching.
If training with your body weight seems too easy, you can incorporate isometric holds or add a couple of weights to the mix. And don’t worry about the suspension cord snapping, as it has a tension level of 350 pounds/158kg.
Overall, the weight-bearing capacity, the price, and the versatility of the TRX PRO3 make it the best home gym you can buy for under $500.
Best portable home gym under $500
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Pros | Cons |
Max tension level of 400 pounds | People taller than 6.3 ft might have to purchase other bands |
Accessories can be stored in the base | |
Stackable resistance of up to 320 pounds | |
The base is easy to set up |
Were you looking for the best portable home gym under $500? The EVO Gym might be the option for you.
For starters, the EVO Gym has a tension level of 400 pounds. This means that you can push your limits without worrying about damaging it. You should also be able to use it straight out of the box, and its minimum and maximum resistance levels (10 lbs – 320 lbs) should cater to individuals with varying experience levels.
The base is made from aircraft-grade aluminum with a rubber top and two aluminum support arms. This should give you a good grip whether you’re standing on or holding on to it. The aluminum frame should make it durable enough to withstand heavy loads and any bumps during your travels. On top of that, the base is easy to set up as it has a 180° lock-in functionality, and you can also store the accompanying accessories in it.
Moving onto the accessories, it comes with a carry handle, ankle straps, door anchor, EVO hook, EVO bar, and 10 resistance bands. The bands have 7 notches on them that should help you adjust the resistance levels, and stacking all 10 of them should give you the maximum resistance (320 lbs).
Another neat feature of the EVO Gym is that you don’t necessarily have to use the bands with the base. You can use ankle straps or door anchors to change your exercise, such as Bulgarian split squats, static ab crunches, or rows to work your core back. And you can always increase the resistance level of challenge yourself.
Also, considering that it only weighs 7.84 kg and can cater to individuals with heights up to 6.3 ft, this is one of the best portable home gyms under $500.
Best cable machine home gym under $500: MARCY Home Gym
No products found.
Pros | Cons |
Maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds | Will most likely need its own space |
150-pound weight stack | Heavy to move around |
Removable curl pad | |
Dual action arm press |
If you’re looking for the best cable machine under $500 for your home gym, then we recommend checking out the MARCY multifunction home gym.
First off, this multifunction machine weighs approximately 259 pounds/117, thanks to its 14-gauge steel frame, and has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds/136kg. It sports a 150-pound customizable weight stack with a lock that keeps the weights in place and prevents unauthorized access.
It also features dual action press arms that allow you to perform chest flys and presses just by adding or removing a pin. This dual functionality not only adds to its accessibility but should also save time and smoothen the transition between exercises.
Other than that, it also has a removable curl pad that can be used for bicep curls, and if you want to switch to leg extensions, simply remove the curl pad and start hitting those quads. On top of that, it has a lat bar with varying grips so you can target different back muscle groups.
One thing to note is that it has a height of 78”, a width of 42”, and a total length of 68”. These dimensions mean that you probably will need a designated place for it, and its weight means that moving it around might be a bit difficult.
Overall, if training with weights is your preferred method and you don’t want to invest in multiple smaller gym pieces, this machine should be a great addition to your home gym for under $500.
How to choose the best home gym under $500
You should be smart about investing your money into anything, including a home gym, and consider some important factors before making a decision. We’ve listed some of those below to help you make an informed decision.
Price
When exploring the market for different options, it’s easy to lose track of what you want as you’re bombarded with all types of products ranging from high to low-end. Our mind naturally tends to associate a bigger price tag with a better quality product, but that isn’t the way to go if you’re operating on a budget. So, filter your options based on your budget and then look for a product that suits your needs.
Fitness goals
Take into account your fitness goals, and that should help you determine what type of equipment is best suited for you. For example, if strength training and progressive overload is what you want, then going for a cable machine with heavy weights will be more suited for you.
Portability
Are you on the move a lot? If you said yes, then going for a lightweight and compact option should benefit you. There are home gym systems that consist of suspension and resistance training, which are easy to carry with you and ensure you don’t miss a workout.
Can I lose weight with a home gym?
Yes, you can certainly lose weight with a home gym. Any exercise, whether in a commercial or a home gym, with a healthy and controlled diet, should result in weight/fat loss, better stamina, better mood, and a good physique.
Verdict
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To sum up, many options were available on the market for the best home gym under $500, but only one stood above the rest: the TRX PRO3. This is because it offers next-level versatility and portability, is easy to set up, has a tension level of 350 pounds, and doesn’t cost a lot. Combined, These factors make it one of the best options you can get if you’re operating on a budget and want to keep in shape.
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