Here's what this is all about
I had just moved to a new house with space for a home gym. And I went through the exact problems most people do.
I Googled 'best budget power rack' of course. What I found was a bunch of generic recommendations that clearly hadn't even tested the equipment. Some even recommended racks that wouldn't fit Olympic barbells.
So I hit up several friends who own gyms — and we built this cheat sheet together.
What you'll find in the cheat sheet:
- 1 Equipment that fits your exact training style — powerlifting, CrossFit, bodybuilding, general fitness
- 2 Setups that maximise your space — from a spare bedroom to a 2-car garage
- 3 Options for every budget — $500 starter through $8,000+ professional setups
- 4 Exclusive discount codes negotiated directly with manufacturers
- 5 Recommendations you can trust from people who actually use this equipment daily
What makes this cheat sheet different
Real testing, real results
- Our team has personally tested over 450 pieces of equipment from 75+ brands
- Not online reviews, not manufacturer specs — real-world testing under load
Budget-specific recommendations
- Whether you're starting with $500 or building an $8,000+ dream gym
- Specific picks tailored to your budget, no more guessing
Exclusive discounts
- Industry connections we've leveraged to negotiate special discounts for our readers
- Many you won't find anywhere else — savings alone usually pay for the cheat sheet several times over
Space-optimised suggestions
- Detailed space requirements for every piece of gear
- Specialised picks for small spaces, apartments, garages and basements
Future-proof your gym
- Expansion paths so you can start small and add compatible equipment
- Without having to replace your initial investments
Meet Steve Hoyles
Steve Hoyles
Steve has over 2 decades of experience running commercial gyms. He's seen what equipment breaks down and what lasts through thousands of lifters.
He owns his own 80,000-square-foot commercial gym called My Gym just outside of Manchester in England. He purchases hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment every year.
His equipment recommendations have been used by gym owners all over the world and he's been featured in Men's Health.
Real builds. Real people.
Photos sent in by readers of the Build Guide. These aren't influencer sets — they're real home gyms built using the equipment list inside this cheat sheet.
That's my gym on the front of the guide. Built it around the $3k list — rack, bench, plates, the lot. Trained every week since, two kids and all.
Was ready to pay for an expensive commercial gym membership. Then I found the $1.5k tier — squat rack, cable crossovers, adjustable bench. Haven't looked back.
Sent Mike seven photos when it was done. Red-and-black rack, heavy bag, plates stacked — every piece came straight off the $3k list. Best money I've ever spent.
The research depth is unreal. I've reviewed a lot of home gyms, and the Build Guide's testing criteria saved me a weekend of comparison spreadsheets.
Converted our loft in three weekends. Followed the $1k build almost to the letter — every piece fits, nothing oversized. Wife approved.
Been lifting 15 years. Finally built the rack I've always wanted — 4-post, 3×3 steel, the works. Used the $8.5k list as the blueprint and didn't regret a single pick.
Could've done a garage setup, but the weather here's too good to waste. The $500 tier gave me everything I needed — rings, bar, ropes — and the garden does the rest. Sunrise lifts are the best part of my day.
Basement setup. Got the exact plates and rack the guide recommended and I've been adding 2.5kg a week. This guide is the opposite of an affiliate sales pitch.
Spent a full year reading reviews before I found this guide. Wish I'd started here — every piece in my setup came straight off the $3k list and it's rock solid.
What you'll get immediately after purchase
Complete Home Gym Equipment Cheat Sheet PDF
- Every recommendation we have, organised by budget tier and training style.
Exclusive discount codes database
- Updated monthly. Many codes are negotiated directly with manufacturers.
Free lifetime updates
- As we add new equipment reviews, you get the new versions automatically.
30-day equipment consultation by email
- Ask our experts anything during your first 30 days.
Our 30-Day Double Guarantee
We're so confident in the value of this guide that we offer not one, but TWO guarantees:
The Money-Back Guarantee: If you're not satisfied for any reason within 30 days, just email us and we'll refund your purchase. No questions asked.
The Savings Guarantee: If the exclusive discounts in the guide don't save you at least the cost of the guide itself ($52), we'll refund your purchase AND let you keep the guide.
You literally have nothing to lose and potentially thousands to save.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to buy the exact products?
Most people swap one or two items for what's on sale. The guide includes specs (gauge, hole spacing, sleeve diameter) so you can substitute confidently.
Are the discount codes really exclusive?
Yes — most are negotiated directly with the manufacturers. We update them monthly. If a code stops working, we'll fix it.
How long do I get access?
Lifetime, with free updates as we add new equipment reviews.