So, you've got your home gym basics—maybe a bench, some dumbbells, and a barbell setup. But you’re starting to feel like your workouts need a bit more variety or challenge.
Good news: you don’t have to overhaul your space or spend thousands to get more out of your training. For under $500, you can make smart upgrades that unlock new training styles, help reduce injury risk, and keep your motivation high.
Here are the best home gym add-ons under $500, handpicked by the Flex team.
1. Compact Equipment That Punches Above Its Weight
If you’re limited on space, foldable benches, glute benches, or tri-fold mats are game changers. They tuck away when not in use, but add serious variety to your training—think incline presses, hip thrusts, or seated curls without crowding your floor space.
These are especially popular with apartment dwellers or anyone converting a spare room into a functional training area.
2. Suspension Trainers & Power Bands
Need gear that travels with you or stores easily? Suspension trainers and long power resistance bands are incredibly versatile. Use them for full-body resistance workouts, mobility sessions, or even warm-ups.
They’re perfect for active recovery days, stretching, or building control in bodyweight movements like rows, push-ups, and lunges.
3. Battle Ropes for Cardio That Doesn’t Suck
Tired of burpees? Battle ropes are a full-body conditioning tool that torches calories while building grip and shoulder strength. A 9–12 metre rope anchored to a wall or rack opens up a world of high-intensity circuits.
They’re also a great way to sneak in short, explosive cardio without leaving your garage.
4. Plyometric Boxes for Explosiveness
A solid plyo box is one of the most underrated pieces in a home gym. Use it for box jumps, step-ups, elevated push-ups, or even as a platform for Bulgarian split squats.
Look for 3-in-1 soft boxes or stackable sets to adjust height depending on your workout or confidence level.
5. Olympic Barbell & Plates – Entry-Level Options
If you haven’t yet started barbell training, there are excellent economy barbell and bumper plate bundles under $500 that open up squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, and more.
Adding a barbell set—even a basic one—adds legitimacy to your home gym and lets you scale strength training properly.
6. Recovery Tools That Keep You Training Longer
Recovery is just as important as the training itself. Foam rollers or entry-level massage guns are fantastic for reducing DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and improving mobility.
Pair them with a durable exercise mat and you’ve got a recovery zone built right into your setup.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend thousands to create a dynamic, results-driven training space. With a smart $500 investment, you can add functional variety, improve your strength capacity, and support better recovery—all while keeping your footprint small and your workouts exciting.
Ready to upgrade? Browse our Home Gym Accessories Collection to explore these options and more.
