A home gym changes the workout game since it is conveniently located. But the thing is, a lot of people don't know where to start when it comes to organizing equipment, utilizing wall space, and selecting proper flooring.
Well, get ready to pull out your workout clothes because we're delivering handy hacks and inspiration for creating the home gym of your dreams.
Mirrors On The Walls Are A Game Changer
First off, a mirror has the magical ability to make a room look larger, a fantastic option for tiny home gyms. Not only that but there is a reason why gyms have full-length mirrors!
If alone, a mirror is the only way people can check their form to avoid getting injured. Seriously, full-length wall mirrors are a game-changer for home gyms.
Proper Flooring Is Key For Safety
When it comes to a home gym, safety is everything. Proper flooring needs to be installed to prevent slipping, tripping, and other types of accidents.
Typically, a padded floor with a bit of grip is the best way to go. This way, the ground is also protected from heavy equipment.
Use The Walls For Storage
Oftentimes, the downside of a home gym is limited space. Your home gym might not be massive, so it takes a bit of organization to make it look nice. A great way to organize gear is by utilizing wall space for storage.
Hooks and shelves are a great way to hang yoga mats, towels and store exercise equipment of all shapes and sizes.
Adjustable Dumbbells Save A Lot Of Space
While many people love having weights in their home gyms, they tend to take up a lot of space. A great option for those smaller home gyms is to purchase adjustable dumbbells.
This way, a rack of different weighted dumbbells, some of which are probably never used, aren't taking up room.
Fold-Away Treadmills Keep The Floor Open
One of the most common exercise items people have in their home gyms is a treadmill. Sadly, they tend to take up a whole lot of floor space, leaving little room to do other workouts.
Purchasing a fold-away treadmill is a great option, as a person can put it away after each use, opening up the floor for other exercises, like yoga.
Make The Space Visually Appealing
It can be very hard to get motivated to exercise. That's why it is important for a home gym to have an appealing environment in terms of air conditioning, high ceilings, and decor.
And the decor can be something as simple as a house plant or motivational quote on the wall. Also, a brightly lit space goes a long way!
Eliminate Cardio Machines
Like treadmills and stair masters, cardio machines are some of the biggest and bulkiest around. Thankfully, there are other forms of cardio that work just as well, eliminating the need for some of the bulkier machines that take up floor space.
Think about jumping rope, burpees, step-ups, or even side lunges to get the heart rate up.
Make The Space Your Own
When a space looks fun and personalized, it makes it more appealing, and a home gym is no different. Making your home gym your own is important, personalizing it with color, flags, photos, a sound system, or maybe even a TV.
The more personalized and fun the gym is, the more often it will be used (that's a fact!).
Shorter Barbells Are A Game Changer
Barbells tend to be pretty large, a solid seven feet, to be exact. That means the home gym needs to be at least eight-feet wide in order to use the barbell.
Instead of worrying about using the equipment and storing it properly, think about purchasing a shorter barbell, about five or six-feet long. While it might not be equipped to function for 100% of exercises, it is a better option that saves a ton of space.
Mount Speakers In The Ceiling
For a lot of people, music is a huge motivator during a workout. That being said, speakers are not an object that should be taking up space in a home gym.
Instead of placing them on the floor or even on a shelf where exercise equipment could go, think about mounting them in the ceiling, completely out of the way.
Select Proper Equipment For Fitness Goals
Keep in mind that a home gym will not be as stocked as a regular gym. The equipment selection should be very specific and geared towards a person's fitness goals.
Weights and a bench are great options for those who want to gain muscle. While people trying to work on weight loss might decide against weights and get a treadmill or stair master.
Resistance Bands Can Replace Larger Equipment
For a lot of people, home gyms can find their place in a smaller room, making it a bit difficult to place large equipment. Instead, think about buying a bunch of resistance loops.
Not only are they tiny and easy to organize in a basket, but they can be used for various workouts for both the upper and lower body.
Search Second-Hand Shops
When people first start building a home gym, they might notice how expensive equipment can be, especially some of the larger items. Instead of dropping a few hundred dollars on one piece of equipment, think about looking at second-hand shops.
These stores typically have an exercise section full of weights, yoga mats, and medicine balls.
Keep Cleaning Products Handy
Keeping a home gym clean and sanitary like a conventional gym is important! Using the equipment while sweating during a workout can leave bacteria and germs behind.
An easy hack to remember to wipe down equipment after a workout is to keep a basket of cleaning products close by, such as in a basket tucked away on a shelf.
Equipment Should Match
It might sound silly, but a home gym will look better and boost motivation if it all matches. Who wants to walk into a room that looks disorganized? Answer: not a lot of people.
When buying equipment, think about a color scheme, have it be blue metal, silver, or even raw steel.
Install Fans For Airflow
For those who have been to a conventional gym, they're all the same -- they get hot! An at-home gym setup is no different, and that's why it is important to install fans.
Now, these fans can either be on the ceiling or even window units. Either way, they will increase airflow and make working out a better experience.
A Mini-Fridge In The Corner For Protein Shakes And Water
Personal gyms tend to find a home in a garage or a small downstairs area. Because of their location, the kitchen isn't the most accessible room, especially in the middle of a workout.
Installing a mini-fridge in the corner is a great option to keep protein shakes and extra water close by.
Motivational Training Videos Are A Great Option
Installing a television in a home gym might not be for everyone. That being said, a lot of people love watching sports, the news, or even a soap opera while running on the treadmill or light weights.
For those who do decide to install a TV in their home gym, think about putting some motivational training videos on. It will feel as though the trainer is in the room!
Skip The Treadmill And Run Outside
Treadmills are one of the largest pieces of equipment a person can purchase. And, as it so happens, it is also one of the most common at-home cardio exercises people stray towards.
Instead of taking up all of that floor space with a treadmill, run outside! It's a great way to get the blood pumping before going into weight lifting.
Use The Ceiling For Storage
It is important to use every inch of the at-home gym space, especially if it is a small area. So, think about using the ceiling for storage.
There is nothing wrong with hanging jump ropes from hooks or even installing racks with bins for extra weights, resistance loops, and yoga mats.
