10 Simple Additions to Step Up Your Workout Zone
Make your home-workout zone a space that inspires you to get your sweat on
It’s not so much the size of your workout area that matters – whether you have a corner devoted to yoga or an entire home gym. Finding the motivation to use your home exercise space is often the hardest part. Here are 10 elements to give your workout space (and your) a jolt of inspiration.
2. Non-slip floors
Proper flooring can help prevent injuries, and an attractive floor will make your workout space more inviting. Hardwood floors can be left bare, but if you want a softer area for floor exercises, be sure to use a non-slip material, such as firmly adhered carpet tiles.
Proper flooring can help prevent injuries, and an attractive floor will make your workout space more inviting. Hardwood floors can be left bare, but if you want a softer area for floor exercises, be sure to use a non-slip material, such as firmly adhered carpet tiles.
3. Neat gear storage
Avoid the pile-up of weights and exercise equipment by including shelving in your home workout zone. Use sturdy baskets to contain smaller items.
If you are using a section of a larger room as your home gym, a backless bookcase such as the one shown here can do double duty as storage and a space divider.
Avoid the pile-up of weights and exercise equipment by including shelving in your home workout zone. Use sturdy baskets to contain smaller items.
If you are using a section of a larger room as your home gym, a backless bookcase such as the one shown here can do double duty as storage and a space divider.
If you are seeking a temporary or small-space solution, try using a sturdy kitchen-storage unit or bar trolley instead of large shelves. A trolley is compact but just large enough to hold weights and essential gear.
4. TV – or a tablet and stand
Whether you use instructional videos to guide your home workouts or just want to watch a show while doing cardio, having a TV in a home gym is a big draw. If a full-size TV just won’t work in your workout zone, a stand for your tablet can get the job done.
Whether you use instructional videos to guide your home workouts or just want to watch a show while doing cardio, having a TV in a home gym is a big draw. If a full-size TV just won’t work in your workout zone, a stand for your tablet can get the job done.
5. Music
Not so into TV? Crank up the tunes instead with a compact stereo that works with your MP3 player or phone. Boost motivation by taking the time to make playlists in advance that will suit the pace of your workout.
Browse more beautifully designed home gyms
Not so into TV? Crank up the tunes instead with a compact stereo that works with your MP3 player or phone. Boost motivation by taking the time to make playlists in advance that will suit the pace of your workout.
Browse more beautifully designed home gyms
6. A low table
Make it easier to reach for your water or adjust the music when doing yoga or mat exercises by including a low table in your workout space. If you meditate, this is also a good place to put a candle, an inspiring picture or a chime.
Make it easier to reach for your water or adjust the music when doing yoga or mat exercises by including a low table in your workout space. If you meditate, this is also a good place to put a candle, an inspiring picture or a chime.
7. Refreshing water
One benefit of working out at home is that you don’t need to stick with plain bottled water. Experiment in the kitchen with refreshing additions including slices of lemon or lime, fresh sprigs of mint or berries. Keep a carafe chilled in the fridge and grab it on your way to your workout space.
One benefit of working out at home is that you don’t need to stick with plain bottled water. Experiment in the kitchen with refreshing additions including slices of lemon or lime, fresh sprigs of mint or berries. Keep a carafe chilled in the fridge and grab it on your way to your workout space.
8. Inspiring art
Personalise your workout area with art that speaks to you. An oversize photograph (such as the one shown here) makes a stunning focal point in a home gym; the bigger the better! For a budget option, have one of your own holiday photos blown up to poster size and pop it in a frame.
Personalise your workout area with art that speaks to you. An oversize photograph (such as the one shown here) makes a stunning focal point in a home gym; the bigger the better! For a budget option, have one of your own holiday photos blown up to poster size and pop it in a frame.
9. Rolled white towels
There is something so motivating about a stack of neatly rolled, fresh white towels. Line them up on a shelf or nestle them in a basket – either way, they’ll make an attractive and useful addition to your workout space.
There is something so motivating about a stack of neatly rolled, fresh white towels. Line them up on a shelf or nestle them in a basket – either way, they’ll make an attractive and useful addition to your workout space.
10. Cool-down comforts
Having a soft throw close at hand is a nice touch, especially in winter, when your room may be on the cool side. A bench (or exercise equipment that can double as one) also makes a nice spot for resting and recovering at the end of a workout.
Having a soft throw close at hand is a nice touch, especially in winter, when your room may be on the cool side. A bench (or exercise equipment that can double as one) also makes a nice spot for resting and recovering at the end of a workout.
Your turn
Do you have a workout zone at home and what are your home-gym essentials? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Has your home become your office? Read these great 8 Ideas for Squeezing in a Work-From-Home Area
Do you have a workout zone at home and what are your home-gym essentials? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Has your home become your office? Read these great 8 Ideas for Squeezing in a Work-From-Home Area
Mirrors are helpful for checking proper form when lifting weights or doing yoga, and can boost light in a space with few windows. If you have the space and inclination, you can install a gym-size wall of mirrors; or simply try leaning a row of full-length mirrors against the wall for an easy, budget-friendly option.
Keen to incorporate a workout space at home? Find a local interior designer for space-smart, stylish solutions