With home gyms popping up left and right in recent years, many homeowners have realized the benefits of working out at home. Setting up a home gym is physically beneficial and gives purpose to empty space. In comparison to a gym membership, even with the upfront investment of purchasing equipment, a home gym can deliver savings in the long run. With far-ranging options for fitness gear and equipment online, you can tailor your home gym to your fitness needs.

Setting Up Your Home Gym

Before your first sets of lunges, pushups, and weightlifting can begin, you’ll need to decide where to build your home gym. You’ll want plenty of room for the activities and workouts you have in mind. Rooms with low ceilings or narrow walls are not well-suited for a gym. They will limit your ability to perform any kinds of jumping exercises or workouts with wide-ranging movements. This space is dedicated to physical activity and the environment should support that. If extra space is hard to come by in your home, consider taking your gym outdoors to a patio, multipurpose space, or other less commonly used area.

A space with level, solid flooring like wood, laminate, or tile is the best fit for your gym, especially if you plan on establishing a workout plan based around lifting or cardio. Having spatial awareness at all times is important while working out, so you’ll want plenty of light in your home gym. Mirrors are a common fixture in gyms. Consider adding one to your wall to sharpen your technique.

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Home Gym Equipment

• Strength training: Simple workout tools like kettlebells and dumbbells allow you to perform a variety of workouts without taking up much space. Kettlebells are a great tool for incorporating cardio workouts with added weight. Dumbbells at a lower weight are better for toning exercises, while those at heavier weights are better for low-repetition, bulk exercises.
• Cardio training: Smaller workout tools such as jump ropes, wrist, and ankle weights will add intensity to your cardio workouts. Yoga mats provide proper support while performing core exercises or other bodyweight circuit workouts during your cardio sessions.
• Large equipment: To get the most out of large workout equipment like treadmills, stair climbers, and bikes in your home gym, plan for them to be a significant part of your workouts.
• Additional: Applying a layer of gym flooring will help prevent floor damage and provide added support while lifting and exercising. If you prefer music and/or video to accompany your workouts, add speakers and a TV to get the motivational juices flowing.

Establish a Routine

Your home gym is no good if it gets no use. With zero commute time to account for, arrange a workout routine that suits your daily schedule. Even if you only have 30 minutes, getting into a routine of working out is the key to building up your healthy lifestyle.

Once your home gym is set up, it can be either your individual fitness sanctuary or an opportunity to work out with others. Invite a friend to exercise via video chat and schedule times to feel the burn together. With more virtual fitness classes available now than ever, surf the web to find the classes that best fit your schedule and desired workout intensity.

For more on maximizing the functionality of the spaces in your home, read our guide to upgrading your home office: Upgrading Your Work From Home Space

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