With the cost of gym memberships constantly on the rise, more and more fitness enthusiasts are unsurprisingly turning to alternative measures. Transforming a room in your home into the perfect home gym may seem like a monumental task, but it can be a gratifying endeavour. A home gym is a fantastic way to ensure your fitness needs are met, so you can establish a healthy routine and smash your goals. Here are some tips to get you started. 

Consider Your Space

Your chosen space will determine your outcome in terms of what equipment you can safely fit into your environment. The benefit of having a spacious environment is that you can include large items of gym equipment such as rowing machines and cross trainers; however, not everybody has this luxury. Alternatively, you could invest in smart space-saving options like fold-up treadmills and exercise bikes. 

Pinpoint Your Goals

Aside from the amount of space you’re working with, the other factor in deciding on your gym equipment is your fitness goals. Do you want to improve your cardiovascular health? In that case, a rowing machine would be ideal. Perhaps you’re keen on improving your joint flexibility and mental well-being - if so, a home yoga studio, complete with accessories like mats, blocks and straps, would be perfect. 

Research Your Equipment

To get the very best out of your home gym, thorough research is required. Speak to others who own gym equipment and ask for recommendations. Consider online reviews and invest in quality over quantity. Substandard equipment and incorrect usage of machinery can impact your results and potentially cause injury. If you’re unsure, it may be worth asking for advice at your local commercial gym.

Build Up Slowly

High-quality gym equipment can come with a hefty price tag. That said, it is entirely possible to design your home gym centre on a budget by building up your collection of machinery and accessories over time. Additionally, you could check reputable resale platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and eBay for second-hand equipment. Some fitness retailers even sell refurbished commercial equipment at a fraction of the original asking price.

Redecorate 

Once you’ve made a list of necessary items for your gym, you can get to work redecorating your space. You may want to go ahead and fill up your room with equipment as it is; however, a lick of paint and a touch of DIY will result in a pleasant space in which you want to spend time so that you can reach your fitness goals. Opt for paint with low or no VOCs to protect your respiratory health as much as possible. 

Make It Motivational

A great way to create an inspiring space that makes you want to smash your targets is to include motivational decor tailored to your fitness preferences. Hang an mtb poster above your cycling machine or purchase a custom decal of your favourite inspirational quote - anything that gets your blood pumping and encourages you to power through. 

Add Storage

Like any commercial gym, you’ll need places to store your various accessories. For smaller spaces, consider vertical storage so you can make the most of the available floor space; for example, you can hang items like dumbbells, barbells and rolled-up yoga mats on wall-mounted racks. You may even wish to include storage for your gym clothes, so they are accessible and separate from your everyday attire. 

Consider Flooring

Ripping up your flooring might not be a reasonable expectation, particularly if you live in a rental property. Nevertheless, sprung flooring is widely used in commercial gyms for its shock absorption, slip resistance and durability. You can achieve a similar effect at home by purchasing sprung flooring tiles and interlocking mats to add over the top of your existing flooring. 

Keep It Tidy

A cluttered exercise environment poses a number of hazards. Gyms are invariably filled with heavy items of equipment with the potential to cause serious injury. The very last thing you need when trying to meet your fitness goals is a disastrous trip or fall within your own personal gym, so keep walkways clear and store your equipment safely and correctly. 

Resources:

• Mountain Bike Posters - Odoo

• Cycling Art - Coda