Welcome to the second of my three part series on outfitting a home gym with different budget parameters in mind. In the first part, we covered how to really trick out a gym space and today we are going to cover some mid-range options for making this space work.

A couple of reminders… A complete home gym will offer options for all types of exercise: cardiovascular, strength, flexibility, and neuromotor training. My lists assume a complete set of equipment for an indoor workout. I did not include sneakers, clothing, or other optional equipment in my lists. My lists assume that the average cost of a monthly gym membership is $60 (or $720 annually). My pictures/links are only for price comparison purposes (read: nothing sponsored). While I did choose equipment that I myself would purchase or recommend, obviously, do your due diligence.

A mid-range budget can really be tough to define. In short, it comes down to your own financial status and how you look at things. So when I set out to compile this list, I was trying to hit a sweet spot that I felt the majority of people would feel comfortable with. The numbers for the final tally represent something that I think most people could pay off their credit card within two or three months OR that could be saved for without undue stress.

Cardiovascular

The indoor bike trainer. Most of us already have an outdoor bike, so why not bring it in when it’s gross out? Biking is an activity most of us learned to do when we were young so we know it is familiar and versatile. Bike trainers have come a long way in the past decade or so. Older versions required the removal of the front tire and an engineering degree to mount the frame. Not so any more. Most are also noise reducing, too. Cost $90.

Strength Training

I am a huge fan of suspension trainers, but they are still a niche market with a tendency to only appear in larger fitness markets or specialty gyms. It’s too bad because they are endlessly adaptable and, dare I say, fun? Users can change the strap length and their stance to adapt strength exercise for their particular level. Standard exercises are easy to learn, too. Suspension trainers are also compact and affordable. Cost $55.

If you’d prefer to go more the route of traditional weights, you can. Even in this budget range. A set of adjustable weight dumbbells are easy to find and less expensive than Olympic style ones. They also store more compactly. Cost $149.

You’ll probably need a bench to go with your weights. The bonus is that a decent bench can also pull cardiovascular double duty. And there are two options here. A basic step bench with a few risers will work just fine, although you may be more limited in both comfort and the number of exercises you can perform. A fancier bench will offer more options, but of course, it will cost more, too. Cost, between $33 and $140.

Flexibility

Foam rollers have been having a… what’s longer than a moment but not too long? A minute. These are great additions to a basic stretching routine and can help ease muscle aches and tension. I prefer the deep tissue massage style foam rollers. Both because they offer better pressure point massage and because they are typically made of a more sturdy material. Cost $22.

Balance and Neuromotor Training

Balance pods are awesome. They offer all of instability options of the much larger BOSU trainer, but for a fraction of the cost and space. You can also use balance pods for agility training, which checks another neuromotor box. Cost $20.

Final tally time! If you purchase the basic step bench with your strength training package, the total comes to $369. If you go with the better bench, $476 is the number. Yup, a home gym that hits all areas of exercise, is versatile, and compact all for about half to two-thirds of what you’d spend on an annual gym membership.

Let me know in the comments how you think I did hitting a reasonable budget or what pieces you’d switch out for a bit more cost savings.