Work It Out: Plan a Home Gym No Matter the Space
Create the perfect home gym – big or small – that makes you want to work up a sweat
Whether you live in a one-bedroom apartment with limited space or a large house with room to move, sometimes setting up a functional and aesthetically-pleasing home gym can be a task in itself. Here are 8 clever pointers to help you plan that perfect workout zone.
2. Decide on your focus
Do you opt for high-intensity workouts or slow strength training and stretching? Work out which exercise appeals to you more and create a reflective space in your home. For example, if you enjoy spending time running on a treadmill, you might want to deck the room out with a quality sound system and television to keep you motivated. If you practice yoga daily, choose a space that is calming, quiet and open.
Do you opt for high-intensity workouts or slow strength training and stretching? Work out which exercise appeals to you more and create a reflective space in your home. For example, if you enjoy spending time running on a treadmill, you might want to deck the room out with a quality sound system and television to keep you motivated. If you practice yoga daily, choose a space that is calming, quiet and open.
3. Personalise your room
Choose a place in your home that is well lit and airy. A space with plenty of natural light is often helpful in staying motivated. This should also be a spot in your home that you look forward to spending time in. Avoid setting up a home gym in your bedroom, as this is a place of rest, not stress or exercise. If you use part of your living room as your workout zone (especially if you are an avid user of exercise DVDs), buy some furniture that can double as storage – ottomans and shelves are ideal.
More: Game Changers: How to Use Ottomans to Your Advantage
Choose a place in your home that is well lit and airy. A space with plenty of natural light is often helpful in staying motivated. This should also be a spot in your home that you look forward to spending time in. Avoid setting up a home gym in your bedroom, as this is a place of rest, not stress or exercise. If you use part of your living room as your workout zone (especially if you are an avid user of exercise DVDs), buy some furniture that can double as storage – ottomans and shelves are ideal.
More: Game Changers: How to Use Ottomans to Your Advantage
4. Keep it simple
Whatever your budget or space, you can create a great workout spot at home. You can achieve a complete workout with very little equipment and minimal space. In this dual-purpose home office, storage shelves not only provide ample space to store weights and fitness equipment, they also act as room dividers.
Whatever your budget or space, you can create a great workout spot at home. You can achieve a complete workout with very little equipment and minimal space. In this dual-purpose home office, storage shelves not only provide ample space to store weights and fitness equipment, they also act as room dividers.
5. Use space wisely
If your home gym is on the smaller side, why not add a mirror or two? Full-length mirrors in your home gym can create the illusion of more space and make the area feel less claustrophobic. Plus, exercising with mirrors allows you to see your exercise form is correct at all times.
If your home gym is on the smaller side, why not add a mirror or two? Full-length mirrors in your home gym can create the illusion of more space and make the area feel less claustrophobic. Plus, exercising with mirrors allows you to see your exercise form is correct at all times.
6. Welcome plants
Freshen up your space with a couple of plants. Not only do plants add life and oxygen to any room in the home, they also help to create a workout area that is equally welcoming.
More: Our 10 Hottest Indoor Plants
Freshen up your space with a couple of plants. Not only do plants add life and oxygen to any room in the home, they also help to create a workout area that is equally welcoming.
More: Our 10 Hottest Indoor Plants
7. Don’t doubt double duty
A common practice in many family homes is for one room to be designed to serve two functions, such as the home office and gym space shown earlier. In this example, the workout zone shares the space with a children’s playroom.
Keep the space clean and clear with plenty of storage options.
A common practice in many family homes is for one room to be designed to serve two functions, such as the home office and gym space shown earlier. In this example, the workout zone shares the space with a children’s playroom.
Keep the space clean and clear with plenty of storage options.
8. Go outdoors
If you can’t find suitable space that is light and airy indoors, why not take your workout outside? Boxing can be enjoyed inside and out. It’s easy to set up and requires little space and maintenance.
SHOW US
Have you created a home gym that keeps you moving and motivated? We’d love to see it. Post a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.
MORE
Dream Spaces: Sink Into a Yoga Room
How to Nurture Your Creative Side at Home
15 Things to Do on Lazy Sunday Afternoons at Home
If you can’t find suitable space that is light and airy indoors, why not take your workout outside? Boxing can be enjoyed inside and out. It’s easy to set up and requires little space and maintenance.
SHOW US
Have you created a home gym that keeps you moving and motivated? We’d love to see it. Post a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.
MORE
Dream Spaces: Sink Into a Yoga Room
How to Nurture Your Creative Side at Home
15 Things to Do on Lazy Sunday Afternoons at Home
Before you can start setting up your home gym, work out the machines, if any, you need to make room for in the house. Do you prefer to use complex machines like an elliptical trainer or a rower, simple weights, a yoga mat or an exercise wall? Whatever your preference, it’s important you measure up the space first before investing in your equipment.
Some require an entire room to store their equipment while others may only need a corner of the living room. What’s your preference?