You might be surprised if I tell you that the best home gym for the money for bodybuilding is only free weights and a bench but it's true. The truth is you can perform an amazing number of exercises with just free weights and a bench giving you a total body workout. And it's less expensive as compared to owning a home gym machine with multi-functions.

I've been a long-term adherent of bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, dips and so on and still use them to this day but with time I wanted to advance my training. Free weights was my ultimate answer. With just free weights and a bench at home, this is my personal home gym. It's really an affordable home gym and there is really no need for you to join a gym because that's all you'll need to build muscle. There is really no need to use fancy gym machines to build muscle, that's just a myth. You can still achieve big results just by sticking with the basics ie free weights. In fact this is the foundation of your training regimen.

Here is a list of exercises you can perform with just free weights and an adjustable bench.

Chest exercises will need an adjustable bench.

Upper chest - Incline Dumbbell Press
Middle and lower chest - Flat Dumbbell Press
Outer chest - Flat Dumbbell Flyes

Biceps - Alternate Dumbbell Curls, Hammer Curls

Triceps - Lying Triceps Extension also known as Skull Crushers using two dumbbells at the same time(requires bench to lay down), Overhead Press(one arm or two arms, can also use two arms for a single dumbbell)

Back - One Arm Dumbbell Row, Two Arm Bent-Over Dumbbell Rows, Dumbbell Deadlifts

Shoulders & Traps - Dumbbell Press, Lateral Raise, Front Raise, Bent-Over Raise, Shrugs, Dumbbell Upright Rows

Legs - Dumbbell Squats

Calves - Dumbbell Calf Raises

As weight training is done progressively, you'll need a rack of different set of weights or additional plates and this can take quite some space or a hassle to change the plates notably on drop sets. Fortunately there is a solution to this issue. Nowadays we have sophisticated adjustable dumbbells and with easy-to-use selection dials, you can adjust the poundage fast according to your requirements. Bowflex makes these affordable and cutting-edge technology dumbbells notably the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells which can be adjusted from 5-52.5 pounds. With just a turn of a dial, you can add or remove weights in increments of 2.5 pounds and more. If you have to own a set of dumbbells equivalent to the SelectTech 552, this requires 15 sets of dumbbells meaning 30 dumbbells, so you'll definitely save a lot on space. With time, if you need to go heavy on exercises like bent-over rows, squats and deadlifts, you have up to 52.5 pounds(23.91 kgs) per dumbbell, so 2 dumbbells give a maximum of 105 pounds(47.83 kgs) which is quite heavy for the average joe.

Below you'll find some of the best weight benches and dumbbells for your home gym.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair) and Series 3.1 Bench

	PowerBlock Elite Set Adjustable Dumbell, 50-Pound (pair)
	Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells 40, 50, 52.5 , 60, 105 to 200 lbs
	2 X 52.5 LBS Adjustable Cast Iron Dumbbells Set. Total 105 Lbs
	Fitness Reality X-Class 1500 lb Light Commercial Utility Weight Bench with Detachable Leg Lock Down
	PowerBlock SportBench (Silver)
	XMark FID Flat Incline Decline Weight Bench XM-7604
	Marcy Flat Utility Weight Bench for Weight Training and Abs Exercises SB-315
	Powerline PFID125X Flat Incline Decline Folding Bench
	CAP Barbell Deluxe Utility Weight Bench

XMark's 550 lb. Hex Dumbbell Set and Rack COMBO Includes Our Top Rated Premium Rubber Hex Dumbbells (10 pair) and Our Best Selling Deluxe Three Tier Rack with Tilted Shelves (XM-4439)

With that said, if you want to add a home gym machine in your house provided you have the adequate space, it's also a good idea as you can vary your workouts. You might want to perform some lat pull downs, some leg extensions and some chest presses. It's always a great feeling to use a machine as well although it's not a must to build muscle.

If you're looking for the best home gym for the money, which is affordable, robust, reliable, durable and above all value for money, I have to go for Powerline BSG10X Home Gym, Short Assembly, 160-Pound Weight Stack hands down. It's really a high-quality, sturdy and compact home gym, so if you have limited amount of space, it should not be a problem.

What I really like about this home gym is I have 3 primary exercises which I enjoy doing like chest press, lat pull down and leg extension and these work several muscle groups. But this workout station allows the user to perform over 40 exercises. For me, Powerline BSG10X is the perfect little home gym which provides challenging muscle-building workouts in a restricted amount of space but also several benefits too.

(1) Say goodbye to expensive ongoing gym memberships and just invest only once in your own personal home gym. All that money spent on gym memberships could have been invested in BSG10X already.

(2) Never miss a workout. Stay at home and train when it's rainy or cold.

(3) Save on gas if your gym is far away.

(4) If you like to train alone, owning a home gym is really convenient.

(5) Exercise whenever you want and whatever time you want without worrying about your nearby gym closing days and opening/closing time.

(6) No more queuing up for your favorite equipment at the gym. Your personal home gym is available for you 24/24.

For your information, Powerline BSG10X Home Gym is shipped 90% assembled and you just need to fasten nine simple bolts. Get Powerline BSG10X at a special price on Amazon today.

Powerline BSG10X Home Gym, Short Assembly, 160-Pound Weight Stack

The Powerline home gym is also available with leg press and optional 210 lb weight upgrade so that you can progress further with your training once you hit a plateau. You can also upgrade for the cable attachment package. Does not come assembled and can take several hours.

Powerline Home Gym with Leg Press, Grey/Black

Other recommended home gyms for the money

	Body-Solid G1S Selectorized Home Gym
	Body-Solid StrengthTech EXM2500S Home Gym
	Inspire Fitness M2 Home Gym
	Inspire Fitness Ft2 Functional Trainer and Smith Station (Inspire FT2 (with Bench))