Build your home gym for $100 or less! A fitness trainer's advice for productive at-home workouts

SALT LAKE CITY — The summer heat is on, gym memberships can be pricey and according to a recent study, more than half of Americans say they'd rather exercise at home anyway. We challenged Julie Labrum to help us build a home gym on a serious budget.

Labrum has beet a fitness instructor for more than 20 years. She said all it takes is a few smart, versatile pieces of equipment and you can build an effective home gym for as little as $50.

"We overthink equipment because we think it has to be perfect," she explained. "But you don't need a full gym. You just need a few intelligent, smart pieces of equipment."

$20: Resistance Bands

"If I had 20 bucks, I'm buying resistance bands," Labrum said.

They're affordable, they're portable and they're beginner-friendly. She said people usually underestimate how challenging they can be.

"People think that they're easy until they try them," she said.

Resistance bands also let you adjust your intensity without adding bulky equipment.

"If you slow down the movement, you're going to feel that load," Labrum explained.

Part of what makes resistance bands so useful is their flexibility. You can use a single set for upper-body, lower-body and mobility exercises. Labrum also loves how approachable they are.

$50: Kettlebell or Dumbbells

At $50, Labrum recommended keeping the bands and adding a kettlebell.

"It is a versatile piece of equipment," she said.

Dumbbells are also a good option, but Labrum likes the functionality of kettlebells.

"The kettlebell is one piece... it kind of allows you to progress," she explained. "I love the way your body moves with the momentum of it."

One of the things Labrum really likes about a kettlebell is you can use it asymmetrically. Working one side at a time challenges the body differently.

"It then boosts your balance, coordination, proprioception," she explained.

If you don't go for a kettlebell, you can apply the same principle with dumbbells.

"Maybe get one heavy dumbbell, one lighter dumbbell, and work asymmetrically," she suggested.

$100: TRX Suspension Trainer

With $100, Labrum would add a TRX Suspension Trainer.

"It uses your body weight plus gravity to increase the load on your body," she said.

The difficulty changes by adjusting your body position.

"If you're closer to the anchor, it's easier," she explained. "If you step away from the anchor and get brave… it's harder."

This makes a suspension trainer a great option for beginners and gives you the option to continue to level up.

_Find more advice from Julie Labrum on Instagram, @julie_today._