How To Build a CrossFit-Oriented Home Gym with $6K: Neil’s Inspiring Story

• Discover how Neil built an amazing home gym that’s perfect for CrossFit style workouts, from starting small with just a pull-up bar to gradually adding more equipment.
• With a $6K budget, you can invest in speciality equipment like a GHD or a Torque Tank sled push machine while still having plenty of funds left over for other must-have equipment.

Neil, a 31-year-old middle school math teacher and basketball coach who lives in Dallas, is in the best shape of his life, thanks to his home gym. Besides fitness, he enjoys fishing, chess, and anything to do with good coffee.

He started small with just a doorway pull-up bar during the COVID lockdown, but soon progressed to rings and calisthenics, and eventually to CrossFit.

Fitting Workouts into a Busy Schedule

Neil recently became a dad, so he’s had to adapt his workouts to fit his busy schedule. He now tries to get in 30-minute sessions whenever he can, whether it’s a quick squat or bench session, or a longer metcon.

Mixing It Up: Bodybuilding, Powerlifting and CrossFit

Neil’s current home training includes a mix of traditional bodybuilding and powerlifting exercises, along with CrossFit-inspired metcons.

While Neil primarily works out at home, he also keeps a drop-in membership at a local CrossFit gym so he can access equipment and coaching he doesn’t have at home and he still participates in the CrossFit Open Competition every year.

Starting Small with Walmart Equipment

Neil emphasizes that a home gym doesn’t have to be expensive or filled with high-end equipment.

He started with just a pull-up bar in the closet of his apartment and gradually added more equipment. Even when he moved into the house with a real garage he had 4 horse stall mats and the squat stand straight on the concrete and never had issues getting in great workouts.

Walmart kettlebells and spinlock dumbbells work fine! There’s so much you can do with simple equipment if you program it right.

Resisting the Urge to Add More Equipment

One of Neil’s biggest challenges has been resisting the urge to add more equipment to his home gym.

He advises others to start small and gradually add more equipment as needed.

CrossFit Home Gym Equipment:

• Rack: FringeSport Squat Rack Stand w/Pullup Bar $300
• Bench: CAP Flat Utility Bench $120
• Barbell: FringeSport Wonder Bar Olympic Barbell $270
• Weight Plates: FringeSport Plates Black Bumper Set $316, Yellow Plates $318, Blue Plates $100
• Concept 2 Rower Erg $990
• Rogue Echo Bike $845
• Torque Tank M1 Push Sled $850
• FringeSport GHD $575
• Kettlebells: Wallmart
• Dumbells: Wallmart
• Misc: Yes4All Wooden Plyo Box $83, FringeSport Wallballs $280, Sandbags, Jump ropes, Conditioning Battle Ropes, Wooden Gymnastics Rings $40, Ab mats…
• Storage: Vertical weight plate storage and wall storage for belts, ropes…
• Flooring: Horse stall mats (14) from Tractor supply $600

Total Home Gym Cost = $6,100

Home Gym Photos