If you’re interested in building a DIY pulley system for your home gym then you have come to the right place. I’ve searched the web, gone through dozens of DIY builds to find the best build available for the best price. Some were good, some were bad, and few were almost right but missing a few steps needed for safety. So let’s get to it, and find out how to build a home gym DIY pulley system.
How to Build a Home Gym DIY Pulley System
The two best options for building a DIY gym pulley system are buying the pieces as a kit or buying the pieces individually and building it yourself.
Below I will outline how to do both but it should be noted that buying the kit is cheaper, comes with extra grips, and will save you time.
Options 1- Buying a Kit
Introducing the Riiai 2m/6.5ft Cable Pulley DIY Kit, the quickest and easiest way to get your home gym DIY pulley system up and running.
Riiai 2m/6.5ft Cable Pulley DIY Kit
Price: $38.25
Amazon Link: Click Here or the images below
Option 2 – Building a DIY Gym Pulley System
You may be able to find these pieces cheaper at your local hardware store. Just make sure the load rating suites your needs.
Total Cost: $51.91
What you will need:
- 7’ of 1/4″ COATED CABLE (the Home Depot) – $9.03 ($1.29 per foot at Home Depot)
- 2 x Rope Clip & Thimble – $15.46 (May be able to find these cheaper. You will need at least 4 clips)
- 3′ of 1/4″ CHAIN – $7.11 ($2.37 per foot at Home Depot)
- 6″ of 1/4″ CHAIN – $2.37 per foot
- Single Eye Pulley – $8.99
- 3x Spring Snap Links – $8.95
- 3′ of 5/8″ Blue & White Rope (or kitchen/hand towel will work)
Building Your Pulley System
Step 1. Take one end of your cable and create a loop using one of the thimble and at least 2 clamps. Ideally you should fold over about 6-8 inches of cable giving yourself a little cable outside of the clamps. Important, only do this on one side of the cable to start.
Step 2. Before adding the second loop, you want to run the cable through your single eye pulley.
Step 3. Once your cable is run through the single eye pulley, create a loop on the other end using the second set of cable clips and thimble.
Step 4. Connect the quick link (screw on link connector) to the top of the single eye pulley.
Step 5. Connect a snap link to the loop on each side of your cable.
Step 6. One side of the cable, clip in both sides of the 3ft of chain creating a loop. This will be for the weights, you will unclip one side of the chain, run it through the center of the weights then clip the end back in.
From here your cable system is complete, now we need to attach it to your pullup bar or rig.
Step 7. Loop the 6 inch chain around your pullup bar or rig, then attaching it to the single pulley loop using the quick link.
Step 8. Add a grip, this can be a rope, towel, or handle.
Step 9. Add weight and get lifting!