Right, so you’ve got £100-200 to spend on home gym equipment. That’s a decent budget – not enough for a full commercial gym setup, but absolutely enough to create a proper home gym that’ll give you brilliant workouts.
This is the sweet spot, honestly. You can get quality equipment that’ll last years, cover all the major movement patterns, and see real results. You’re past the “making do with water bottles” stage, but you’re not spending thousands on unnecessary kit.
I’m going to show you exactly what to buy, where to get the best value in the UK, and how to prioritise your spending so you get maximum bang for your buck.
The £150 Complete Setup (My Top Recommendation)
If I had to create a home gym with £150, here’s exactly what I’d buy:
Adjustable dumbbells (10-20kg range): £60-80
Resistance band set: £15-20
Quality yoga mat: £15-20
Doorway pull-up bar: £20-25
Foam roller: £15-20
Ab wheel: £8-12
Total: £133-177
This gives you everything you need for a complete full-body workout programme. Let’s break down each item.
The Essential Equipment
1. Adjustable Dumbbells (Priority #1)
Budget: £60-100
This is where most of your money should go. Adjustable dumbbells are the single best investment for home strength training.
What to look for:
Spinlock dumbbells (£40-70):
- Manual weight changes (unscrew, add plates, screw back)
- More affordable
- Wider range available
- Takes time to change weight between exercises
- Examples: Bodymax, Opti, York
Click-adjust dumbbells (£80-150):
- Quick weight changes (dial or pin system)
- More expensive but worth it
- Faster for drop sets and circuit training
- Examples: Bowflex SelectTech (expensive but brilliant), Ativafit, Mirafit
Weight range recommendations:
- Women/beginners: 2-12kg or 5-15kg adjustable sets
- Men/intermediate: 5-20kg or 10-25kg adjustable sets
- Advanced: 10-30kg+ (might exceed budget)
Where to buy:
Argos: Often have Opti brand adjustable dumbbells around £50-80. Watch for sales (can drop to £40-60).
Amazon: Huge range. Check reviews carefully. Brands like Ativafit (£70-90) get good reviews.
Decathlon: Their Corength adjustable dumbbells are around £60-80 for decent weight ranges.
Facebook Marketplace: Absolute goldmine. People sell barely-used adjustable dumbbells constantly. Save £20-40 buying second-hand.
Sports Direct: Check sale section – occasionally brilliant deals.
What I’d buy: If budget allows, Bowflex SelectTech (£120-150 when on sale). If not, Ativafit from Amazon (£70-90) or Argos Opti brand (£50-70).
Why this is priority #1: With just dumbbells you can do:
- Every upper body exercise (press, rows, curls, extensions)
- Lower body work (goblet squats, lunges, Romanian deadlifts)
- Core work (weighted variations)
- Progressive overload (gradually increase weight)
2. Resistance Band Set (Priority #2)
Budget: £15-25
Even if you have dumbbells, resistance bands complement them perfectly.
What to look for:
Loop bands:
- Circular resistance bands
- Brilliant for legs and glutes
- Different resistances (light, medium, heavy)
- Usually come in sets of 3-5
Long bands with handles:
- Better for upper body
- Can anchor to door
- More exercise variety
- Some sets include door anchor and ankle straps
Fabric bands vs rubber:
- Fabric: more comfortable, won’t roll, slightly more expensive
- Rubber: traditional, effective, cheaper
- Both work fine
Where to buy:
Decathlon: Their Domyos resistance band sets are £12-20. Excellent value, decent quality.
TK Maxx: If they have stock, often get branded sets (Reebok, Adidas) for £10-18.
Amazon: Sets from £10-25. Look for sets with multiple resistances and door anchors. Check recent reviews.
Argos: Usually £15-25. Regular sales bring them down.
What I’d buy: Decathlon set for £15, or a fabric band set from Amazon for £20-25.
Exercises you can add with bands:
- All dumbbell exercises (as alternative or addition)
- Banded glute work (brilliant for activation)
- Face pulls (great for shoulders)
- Pallof press (core work)
- Assisted pull-ups
- Stretching and mobility
3. Quality Yoga Mat (Priority #3)
Budget: £15-30
Don’t cheap out too much here. A thin, rubbish mat makes floor exercises miserable.
What to look for:
- At least 6mm thick (8-10mm if you have bony knees like me)
- Non-slip surface
- Long enough (180cm+ for tall people)
- Easy to clean
- Good grip when sweaty
Where to buy:
TK Maxx: This is THE place. Regularly have £40-50 mats for £12-20. Brands like Gaiam, Reebok, Lululemon (if you’re lucky).
Decathlon: Their mats range from £10 (basic) to £30 (premium). The £15-20 range is the sweet spot.
Amazon: Tons of options. Manduka, Jade, and B Yoga are good brands if you spot them on sale.
Yoga Studio: Their mats are £20-30 and excellent quality.
Aldi/Lidl: When they do fitness events, mats for £8-12. Surprisingly decent.
What I’d buy: TK Maxx first (check regularly), otherwise Decathlon’s mid-range mat (around £15-20).
Why it matters:
- Floor exercises are more comfortable
- Protects your floor from equipment
- Defines your workout space
- Essential for yoga and stretching
- Good ones last years
4. Doorway Pull-Up Bar (Priority #4)
Budget: £20-30
If you have suitable doorframes, a pull-up bar is incredible value.
Types available:
Telescopic bars:
- Twist to extend and hold in doorframe
- £15-25
- Can damage door frame (use padding)
- Takes seconds to put up and take down
Leverage bars:
- Hooks over door frame
- £20-30
- More secure
- Check your door frame type first
- Often include different grip positions
What to look for:
- Weight capacity (check it supports your weight + margin)
- Padding to protect door frame
- Multiple grip positions (wide, narrow, neutral)
- Good reviews about stability
Where to buy:
Amazon: Huge selection, £15-35. Brands like JX FITNESS, Ultrasport get good reviews.
Argos: Usually around £20-30. Regular stock.
Decathlon: Their Domyos pull-up bar is about £25-30.
What I’d buy: JX FITNESS from Amazon (around £25) or Argos own brand.
Important: Not all doorframes work! Check:
- Door frame is sturdy and properly installed
- You have the right door frame style
- Your landlord allows it (if renting)
- Frame can support your weight
If pull-ups are too hard: Use resistance bands for assisted pull-ups, or do negatives (jump up, slowly lower down).
Why it’s brilliant:
- Back exercises (pull-ups, chin-ups)
- Arm work (different grips)
- Core (hanging leg raises, L-sits)
- One of best upper body exercises
- Takes up zero floor space
5. Foam Roller (Nice to Have)
Budget: £12-25
Not essential but really helpful for recovery and mobility.
What to look for:
- Standard density for most people (not extra firm unless you know you want it)
- 30-40cm long
- Textured or smooth (personal preference)
Where to buy:
Decathlon: £10-15 for basic ones. Job done.
TK Maxx: Often have branded ones for £12-18.
Amazon: £12-25. Loads of options.
Sports Direct: Check sales, sometimes £10-15.
What I’d buy: Decathlon basic roller for £12-15. No need for fancy expensive ones.
What it’s for:
- Post-workout muscle release
- Improving mobility
- Reducing soreness (DOMS)
- Warm-up prep
- Back pain relief
6. Ab Wheel (Nice to Have)
Budget: £8-15
Looks simple, brutally effective for core strength.
What to look for:
- Sturdy construction
- Comfortable handles
- Stable wheel (double wheel more stable)
- Knee pad included (useful)
Where to buy:
Amazon: £8-15. Loads of options, all basically the same.
Argos: Usually £10-15.
Sports Direct: Often in sales for under £10.
What I’d buy: Any double-wheel version from Amazon for £10-12.
Why it’s good:
- Incredible core workout
- Harder than it looks
- Simple to use (once you get the hang of it)
- Takes up no space
- Cheap as chips
Alternative Setups by Goal
Setup A: Pure Strength Focus (£180-200)
Adjustable dumbbells (heavier range): £100-120
Weight bench (foldable): £60-80
Resistance bands: £15
Yoga mat: £12
Best for: Building muscle, getting stronger
Where to save: Skip cardio equipment, use bodyweight and outdoor running
Setup B: Cardio & Toning (£150-180)
Jump rope: £10
Resistance band set (premium): £25
Quality yoga mat: £20
Light adjustable dumbbells: £50-70
Ankle weights: £15-20
Exercise ball: £15-20
Best for: Fat loss, general fitness, toning
Where to save: Lighter dumbbells, focus on cardio
Setup C: Functional Fitness (£170-200)
Adjustable dumbbells (mid-range): £70-80
Resistance bands: £20
Pull-up bar: £25
Kettlebell (16kg): £25-30
Yoga mat: £15
Skipping rope: £10
Best for: All-round fitness, athletic performance
Where to save: Mix equipment types for variety
Setup D: Yoga & Mobility Focus (£100-150)
Premium yoga mat: £30-40
Yoga blocks (set of 2): £12-18
Yoga strap: £8-12
Resistance bands: £20
Light dumbbells (3-5kg): £15-25
Foam roller: £15-20
Best for: Flexibility, recovery, gentle strength
Where to save: Lighter weights, focus on mobility gear
Where to Find the Best Deals
Physical Stores
Decathlon
- Consistently good value
- Try before buying
- Own-brand reliable
- Regular member discounts
TK Maxx
- Best for bargains
- Stock unpredictable
- Check regularly
- Branded gear is heavily discounted
Argos
- Convenient (reserve & collect)
- Watch for sales
- Clearance section online
- Three for two deals sometimes
Sports Direct
- Sale section only
- Can find bargains
- Quality varies
- Check return policy
Online Options
Amazon
- Huge selection
- Price comparison easy
- Read reviews carefully
- Watch for fake reviews
- Amazon Warehouse for returns/open box
Facebook Marketplace
- Second-hand goldmine
- Dumbbells don’t wear out
- Save 30-50% off new prices
- January = best time (failed resolutions!)
eBay
- Good for specific items
- Watch postage costs (weights are heavy)
- Can find complete setups
- Bidding can save money
Manufacturer websites:
- Mirafit (UK-based, good quality)
- Wolverson Fitness (more expensive)
- Bodymax (mid-range options)
- Often have direct sales
Timing Your Purchases
Best times to buy:
January sales: 2-4 weeks after New Year
- Everyone’s buying fitness gear
- Sales to match demand
- But also the second-hand market floods
Black Friday/Cyber Monday: Late November
- Genuine deals exist
- But check price history (camelcamelcamel.com)
- Not everything is actually discounted
Amazon Prime Day: July
- Some genuine fitness deals
- Compare to regular prices first
End of season: March/April, September/October
- Retailers clearing stock
- Less demand = better prices
Random weekday sales: Sign up for emails
- Argos midweek offers
- Sports Direct flash sales
- Decathlon member deals
What NOT to Buy with This Budget
Save your money:
Cheap multi-gyms (£100-200 range): Rubbish quality, break quickly, a waste of space
Budget treadmills under £200: Loud, break easily, take up loads of space. Run outside instead.
Cheap exercise bikes under £100: Uncomfortable, unstable, won’t last
Vibrating ab belts or similar gadgets: Total waste of money, don’t work
Expensive workout clothes: Primark gear works fine. Spend money on equipment, not outfits.
Protein shakers with 47 compartments: A £2 bottle from Poundland does the job
Individual fixed-weight dumbbells: Buy adjustable instead. Fixed weights add up fast and take tons of space.
Making Your Money Go Further
Buy Second-Hand Strategically
Great to buy used:
- Dumbbells (don’t wear out)
- Weight plates
- Kettlebells
- Benches (if in good condition)
- Pull-up bars
Avoid buying used:
- Resistance bands (can degrade)
- Yoga mats (hygiene concerns)
- Cardio machines (often broken)
- Anything electrical
Start Small, Add Later
Don’t buy everything at once. Better to:
- Buy quality dumbbells now (£70-80)
- Use them consistently for 6-8 weeks
- Add resistance bands (£15-20)
- Few months later add pull-up bar (£25)
- Eventually add bench (£60-80)
Share Costs
Got a friend who wants to start too?
- Split cost on heavier equipment
- Take turns using it
- Both save money
- Built-in workout buddy
Sell What Doesn’t Work
If you buy something and don’t use it:
- Sell on Facebook Marketplace
- Recoup 60-80% of cost
- Put money toward equipment you will use
Sample Shopping Trip
Budget: £150
Option 1 – Strength Focus:
- Facebook Marketplace: Adjustable dumbbells (10-20kg), second-hand – £50
- Decathlon: Resistance band set – £15
- TK Maxx: Yoga mat (got lucky, branded mat) – £15
- Amazon: Pull-up bar – £25
- Decathlon: Foam roller – £15
- Amazon: Ab wheel – £10
- Leftover: £20 (save for next purchase)
Total spent: £130 (£20 under budget)
Option 2 – All New from Shops:
- Argos: Opti adjustable dumbbells (on sale) – £60
- Decathlon: Resistance bands – £15
- Decathlon: Yoga mat – £18
- Amazon: Pull-up bar – £25
- Decathlon: Foam roller – £15
- Amazon: Ab wheel – £10
Total: £143
The Bottom Line
£100-200 is genuinely enough to create a brilliant home gym. You can build strength, improve fitness, and see real results with this budget.
Priority spending:
- Adjustable dumbbells (£60-100) – Most important, spend well here
- Resistance bands (£15-20) – Excellent complement
- Quality yoga mat (£15-20) – Makes floor work comfortable
- Pull-up bar (£20-30) – If your doorframes suit it
Everything else is a bonus.
Start with the essentials, use them consistently, and add equipment gradually as you progress and know what you’ll actually use.
The best home gym is the one you actually use consistently. Buy quality basics, take care of them, and they’ll last years.
Now stop reading and go shopping. Your home gym awaits!
What equipment did you buy with your budget? Any regrets or brilliant finds? Let me know in the comments! x
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