DIY Exercise Equipment

Learn how to use everyday household objects instead of hand weights or leg weights to exercise.

You don’t need to buy hand weights or leg weights to exercise efficiently at home—there are plenty of grocery items and household goods that make great substitutes! This guide shows you how you can get creative with your exercise routine.

In This Article

• Substitutes for 1lb to 5lb Hand Weights
• Substitutes for 6lb to 10lb Hand Weights
• Alternatives to Leg Weights
• Important Tips

Alternatives to hand weights

Sometimes hand weights can be difficult to hold onto during bicep curls or lateral raises, so you can use other objects with easier grip strength instead. 

Substitutes for 1-pound hand weights

• 16-ounce bottle of water
• 1-pound box of dried noodles
• 1-pound bag of oats
• 1-pound bag of lentils, dried beans, or rice 

Substitutes for 2-pound hand weights

• 2-pound bag of sugar
• 2-pound bottle of pasta sauce—just be careful not to drop it and break the glass
• Liter of water

• Bag of apples or oranges. These are a little more difficult for overhead weights, but they are great for bicep curls and lateral raises. 
• 3 15-ounce cans of beans, in a grocery bag 

Substitutes for 4-pound hand weights

• 4 cans of beans
• Gallon of milk
• Dog or cat food
• Canister of sugar cane

Substitutes for 5-pound hand weights

• Dog or cat food
• Bag of potatoes 
• 2-liter bottle of soda 

Substitutes for heavier weights (6-10 pounds)

Substitutes for 6-pound hand weights

• 3 pasta sauce bottles in a grocery bag 
• 3 liters of water in a grocery bag 

Substitute for 8-pound hand weights

• Gallon of milk or a gallon jug filled with water

Substitute for 10-pound hand weights

• Bag(s) of potatoes 

A few important tips

• As you build up strength and endurance, you can add weight by putting extra cans, bags of sugar, fruit or potatoes in a grocery bag for lifting.