Being able to exercise at home is more important than ever right now. However, having a home gym has always been seen as something of a luxury rather than something that can and should be in any home. It doesn’t matter how much size you have in your home; you can still create a great workout space that won’t encroach on your normal life.
The good news it, you also don’t have to worry about the addition costing an arm and a leg. You don’t need massive, fancy, expensive equipment in order to create an effective and useful home gym area.
Think Storage
Firstly, you need to make some room for your workout area. Think carefully about where you want to place your home gym. It should be in an area that is easily accessible, won’t get in the way of others living in your home, and has a good surface for exercise.
Next, look at how you can make room for said exercising. You may need to do some rearranging of your storage solutions to clear the floor a little. A great way to do this is to go vertical with your storage. Floating shelves and hanging bookcases or cupboards will free up floor space and allow you to push chairs and other furniture out the way for exercise sessions.
It’s also important to think about where you are going store your workout gear. Something like an ottoman that doubles as a chest is great for a bedroom or living room. You can put your weights and mat in there when they’re not in use.
Design The Space
An exercise area can take a little bit of work to become properly functional. When creating a space (even if it doubles as something else when you aren’t working out), think about lighting. Plenty of natural light is great, or good fittings that spread the light evenly are best.
Having a large mirror is also a wonderful tool for a home gym. You can use it to check your form as your workout, keeping you safe and maximizing your efforts. Something portable might be best if you live in a smaller space and can’t hang a mirror on a wall permanently.
Next, think about how you are planning to work out. You may need a computer or smart TV to stream your workouts. If you are tight on cash, use your online bonuses to win a bit of extra dosh for this equipment. Many instructors have taken to using videoconferencing apps to provide training instead of working in a gym. There are also plenty of online fitness services that have videos on YouTube or private websites that you can watch as if you were taking part in a class.
Get Equipment You Use
Finally, you need to consider your actual workout equipment. Start simple with weights you are currently using, resistance bands and a jump rope. That will cover strength, stretching and cardio for a variety of different workouts. As you expand your training at home, you can branch out to more gear over time.
