These days, we’re all spending more time at home. And, we’ve learned how to workout at home with a few, simple adaptations and a bit of adjustments. But, what if you had a home gym that was a permanent space in your home? Where you work out matters almost as much as how you work out, so check out these tips on how to create and design a home gym.
Find the Right Space
Before you can start swinging kettlebells and performing burpees, you need to decide where you want to set up your home gym. At the very least, the space should have enough room for a yoga mat, which is all the space you'll need to stretch and do core exercises. From there, the exact space for your home gym will depend on how much room you have and the workouts you want to accomplish. Some high-impact workouts might need more space and a solid (but not-too-hard) surface to jump around on, while a yoga or Pilates workout needs a little more space than a yoga mat. A heavy lifting regimen featuring all the bells and whistles will likely require a whole room of its own.
Stock Your Home Gym
You don't need a ton of equipment or bulky machines to make your home gym an effective place to exercise. In fact, some of the best home workout equipment is actually quite small and inexpensive.
Cardio- If you’re tight on space and cash, pick up a jump rope. To crank up the intensity, use a weighted jump rope, which is a little bit heavier to turn, so your wrists and forearms will be working harder to keep it rotating. Still, treadmills can give you a serious workout and shouldn’t be overlooked if you have the room in your home gym.
Strength- And no need for gigantic cable machines to get a strength workout in. Instead, invest in a single kettlebell, a pair of adjustable dumbbells, an entire set of dumbbells, and/or a set of resistance bands, which give you the same muscle toning without the bulky storage concerns.
Recovery- No matter what workout you’re into, recovery equipment is essential for your home gym. Foam rollers are so versatile—you can use them for ‘kneading' out muscles, strengthening your core, or as a prop for yoga poses.
Create a Storage Plan
If you want to pack a ton of equipment in a small space or a corner of a room, storage is key. For minimalist workout routines, pick up a storage container that can slide under your bed or couch to hold your yoga mat, resistance bands, sliders, jump rope, and other small, portable pieces. You can also turn an empty wall into a storage solution with a hanging organizer or shelves which keeps all of your bands tangle-free and your other equipment within easy view and reach.
For sets of dumbbells, you’ll need a compact weight rack (if your set doesn’t come with one already). There are also heavy-duty racks that hold several sets of dumbbells up to 200 lbs, so you don’t have to compromise on weight just to keep all of your equipment tucked neatly in the corner.
Design Your Setup
If you’ve ever gone to a gym that’s crowded with equipment and no space for you to watch yourself doing bicep curls, you know how important the actual set up of a fitness space is. For your home gym, make sure you have plenty of light—either natural light streaming in through windows or from overhead light bulbs—so you can keep an eye on your form with ease.
On the same note, you may want to add a mirror to your workout space, as well as a speaker for music. Both of these will keep you motivated and inspired.
Most importantly, clear your home gym of clutter and distractions that might call your attention away from your workout. After all, you’ve invested time and money to create this home gym, so be sure to put it to good use! For information on the finest homes in the Palm Beaches, call a Tauber Real Estate Services specialist at 561-626-4633.