Method 2 Increase muscle using exercise equipment at home Image titled Build Muscle at Home Step 61 Get some weights. Dumbbells are very good and are a piece of equipment that can help you build muscle at home. If you do not have dumbbells, you can use items you already have in your home as a substitute for the weights . Two cans of soup, other food or water bottles 1 to 2 liters (US gallons 0.3 to 0.5) can be good replacements for the weights and can be used for a number of years.